I walked down the empty corridors of the Garden.

Inside the ballroom, I could hear happy shouts and screams.

They were still celebrating, as far as I could tell.

They were celebrating Miss Edea and Mr.Cid's baby.

I didn't want to go in, but I had to.

Edea had asked me to give a speech.

I supposed that that was what happened when you were among the best.

I reached the ballroom.

I stopped, hesitant.

SI rested a hand on the doornob.

::What can it hurt to give it a try:: I thought.

I entered and stared around.

The party was in full swing.

Edea and Cid were surrounded by presents and students.

I walked slowly to it.

I added my present to the pile and waited for them to notice me.

It didn't take too long.

Edea swept over to me, smiling.

I wish I had the grace and dignity she had.

She welcomed me and told me that I was to speak at 8:00.

I said O.K. and went to mingle.

I saw my longtime crush Pagosu, also a Seed.

He was leaning against the wall.

I decided to ask him to dance.

But first, I had to get my nerve up.

When I had, I walked over to him, slightly swaying my hips.

He looked at me, and asked what I wanted.

I asked him to dance, stuttering.

He laughed at me.

His new girlfriend sashayed over.

They walked off.

All around me couples laughed and kissed and danced.

I saw Rinoa and Squall dancing.

Zell and Jess, the library girl, were holding hands.

Fuujin and Seifer were kissing.

Irvine and Selphie were horsing around.

It wasn't fair.

I heard someone laughing.

I turned and saw Pagosu and his friends pointing at me.

They were laughing, laughing at me.

Suddenly, all I could think about were all the couples.

I knew I couldn't talk without crying.

The walls felt like they were closing in.

I had to get out.

Everyone had someone else.

Cid and Edea.

Squall and Rinoa.

Zell and Jess.

Irvine and Selphie.

Seifer and Fuujin.

Pagosu and Whoever.

Everyone but myself.

I felt like crying, but I couldn't, not in public.

I started walking towards the huge doors.

I had to walk by Pagosu.

The song was ending.

Pagosu and friend's laughter was getting louder.

A new song came on.

I was walking faster.

I didn't see Pagosu stick out his foot.

I tripped and Pagosu "tried" to catch me.

He actually ripped open my new dress.

The music didn't even stop.

Noone stopped dancing.

Noone cared, cared that I was the subject of a vicious joke.

I got up and fled.

I was all out running now.

Pagosu's mocking laughs rang in my ears.

I shoved people out of my way.

Now they cared.

Now that I shoved them aside.

I saw the exit.

I tripped.

The fall tore the entire backside, from mid-back down, off.

I could hear people murmuring.

But above it all, I could hear Pagosu's shrill, mocking laughter.

I kept my eyes on the exit.

::Yes!:: I reached it.

I flung open then thick doors and escaped into the corridors.

On my way, I past Quistis and her date, Raajin.

She called to me, but I ignored her.

I was beyond help.

I reached my room.

I flung myself on my bed.

I wanted to cry but couldn't.

Couples raced through my head like a tornado.

Cid and Edea.

Squall and Rinoa.

Irvine and Selphie.

Quistis and Raajin.

Seifer and Fuujin.

Zell and Jess.

The tears came heavy and hard.

A wail tore from my throat.

"Why can't anyone love me?"

::Why can't anyone love me, Xu?::

The silence had no answer.

I cried.

Xu is my name.

And I left this world the next day.

Fooled ya! I know that some were thinking it was Quistis. I hated to do that to Xu. I didn't mess up on the formatting. I just thought that it would be more… more angsty and dramatic that way.

Disclaimer~I own Pagosu and the plot. Nothing else.