Disclaimer: Squaresoft owns everything and I own a Laguna trading card. Yipee! Zoey's name is given by me! ^_^

Just an ordinary day.
Started out the same old way.
Then I looked into your eyes and knew.
Today would be...
The first for me...
The day I fall in love.
-Dolly Parton & James Ingram


Running his hand through his spikey hair for the umpteen time, Zell gazes into the mirror. A look of intense concentration is reflected on his face as he holds up a comb that was literally dripping with gobs of hair gel. He flicks the comb rapidly through his hair, trying to tame the unruly mane like a matador would tame a raging bull. Finally, he smiled in satisfaction as he managed to obtain a Cid Kramer hair style, with his hair centre parted to the each side. He nods his head in obvious approval. The hair quivered. He frowns as he peers upwards and remains still. The hair quivered again and abruptly bounce right up, sticking out in its usual style. He growled and toss his comb into the waste receptacle, allowing it to join the various assorted discarded tubs of hair gel.

"Need any help?"

The familiar drawl startles him as he turns on his heels and hold his fists up in a fighting stance. Catching sight of the 'intruder', Zell growls and replies grumpily,

"By Hyne, Irvine! What are you doing!? Sneaking up on a guy like that. You could have gotten pummeled by me!?"

Irvine Kinneas leans languidly against the jamb of the door as he tips his hat up slightly. Flashing his familiar smile, he drawls,

"So...it looks like my advice apparently went well. Preparing for the big date already?"

"Yeah...I guess so. This is very important to me, Irvine. I really want to make a good impression on her."

There is a note of anxiety on Zell's voice as he tilts his head up towards his friend before taking a seat on the covered toilet bowl. He continues to rant,

"I'm not a suave cowboy like you, I don't have a loner attitude like Squall, and I get so extremely...tongue tied in front of her. Hyne! I don't even know how I managed to get the date. I was stuttering so much, I..I really could use some help here. You've been out with many girls. What do they expect? What do they want?"

Irvine smiled as he crouches down so that he faced Zell directly. Making a gun with his index finger, he points towards Zell and replies,

"Don't worry, Zell...The gunslinger is back in town and he just reloaded his bullets. I'll help you make this date a memorable occasion! Trust me! I helped you the first time and I will help you the second time!"

"Yeah...well..I certainly hope so."

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Dressed in a pair of skimpy shorts and a camisole, Zoey pulls out another dress from the wardrobe and holds it in front of her. She stares into the mirror and frowns as she comments, "Too lacey." She tosses the dress to join the discarded pile on top of her bed. Wringing her hands together as she paces up and down in front of the mirror, her pigtails boucning up and down with her movement as she mutters, "What am I going to do? What am I going to wear. Oh no."

The buzzer sound from the door interrupts her self-eulogy as she hurries towards the door. Unaware of the state of her undress, she presses the unlock button as the door zips open to reveal Selphie Tilmitt.

Selphie bounces into the room after calling out a cheery greeting,
"Hi Zoey!"

The door zips closed again and Zoey turns to face Selphie, a look of uncertainly on her face as she asks,

"Erm...hi...Selphie? What are you doing here?"

Selphie eyes Zoey for a long moment before she asks,

"You're not thinking of going on the date with Zell, dressed in that, are you? I mean...sure..it'll probably make him deliriously happy, but you'll be inviting him to give all the men around a ten metre radius black eyes for just looking at you."

Zoey looks down upon herself and flushes as she hastily picks up a robe nearby and covers herself, "No...I wasn't intending to do that." and she swallows, "So...how did you know about...our date? Does the whole garden know?" She asks in an anxious whisper.

Selphie beams happily, "Nope! Only my Irvy and me, he told me about it. In fact, he bragged about it." and she rolls her eyes in an act of dramatism as she hops up on a chair and deepens her voice, "And I did a good deed today, I helped Zell get a date with the library girl, aren't I the greatest?" She dissolves into fits of giggles at the last statement.

Zoey looks nervously up towards Selphie, not really knowing what to expect as she takes a seat on edge of the overflowing bed and asks, "So...Are you here to help me with what to wear? I really don't know what to wear. I can't decide. Should I wear a dress? Or a skirt? Or maybe Zell prefers someone in pants." and she sighs softly, gazing into the distance, "I mean...I don't know him very well...I just...really want to impress him and you've been with him...I mean you saved the world together with him. I talk too much, don't I?" She asks nervously as she gives a slight smile.

Selphie beams again and replies, "No problem, that's what I'm here for. To offer you my help!" She peers at the discarded clothes on the bed, "These are all wrong for Zell...Let me see what I can do." She makes her way towards the wardrobe and rummages through it. "Ah ha!" The muffled triumphant shout can be heard from within, "I've got just the clothes for you to wear!"

Zoey smiles hesitantly before she replies with a soft, "Allright."

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"No!"

"Yes!

"No!"

"Yes!"

"NO! NO! NO! Irvine, how in fricking hyne am I going to tie up my hair!? Isn't it obvious to you that its too short to be tied up? Where am I going to tie it up!?" Zell asks as he tugs at his short hair in a frustrated gesture.

Flicking back his ponytail in one fluid motion, Irvine stretches out his legs on the chair as he gestures, "Zell...chicks dig guys with tied hair. Why do you think I have my hair tied up, its a chick magnet. Just don't tell Selphie that, else she might force me to cut it off."

Zell sighs, "What am I going to tie up? My hair is really too short to be tied."

Irvine rises and saunters towards Zell, critically examining his hair as he rubs his chin with one finger, "Hmmm." He turns to another side and goes, "Hmmm." His face lights up like a bulb as he holds up an index finger and says, "I've just got the thing!" He removes a hair band from his pocket and proceeds to gather all of Zell's hair to the centre of his head into a top knot before declaring, "Voila! There you go!"

Zell crosses his arms and muttered, "I feel stupid."

Irvine carefully rearranges the lock of hair in the centre of his head before smiling, "You look fine! I've also brought along some clothes with me in anticipation that you might need them. I would think your wardrobe only consists of the standard issued Seed uniform , plus your bermuda shorts and that plain shirt you're always wearing."

"What's wrong with my clothes? They're comfortable and they allow me to fight with ease!" Zell whines as he stands up and starts shadow boxing in demonstration.

Irvine replies smoothly, "They're fine for missions, Zell, but not on your first date. You need something suitable. I've taken the liberty of picking out some items for you for your date, Zell. You'll look really great in this. Don't worry! With me by your side, there will be absolutely no problem!?

Zell blinks and he asks suspiciously, "What do you mean by my side?"

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"Its simple, I have a mobile and you can have this pager. I borrowed this especially for you! I can follow you, don't worry, I will be extremely discreet. I'll send you advice via short messages to your beeper! You'll have no problems! With me guiding you along, you'll definately win his heart!"

Zoey gazes down at the pager and then up towards Selphie's excited expression, not really having the heart to reject her. She still looks hesitant and uneasy as she asks softly, "I don't know. Don't you think that Zell would find it strange if I keep checking my beeper all the time?"

"Well you just say that you have a friend who needs to speak to you or something! I know you'll think up a good excuse!" Selphie adds with a bright smile, "So what time have you arranged to meet him?"

Zoey glances at the clock at her bedside and she says softly, "We arranged to meet at 7 in the Quad. Most of the cadets will be at the cafetaria having dinner at that time, so it'll be nice and quiet." She smiles shyly at the thought.

"Oh my! Oh my! You only have 15 minutes left to get ready! Let me help you! Don't worry, we won't be late! Well, we'll try not to be late." Selphie exclaims excitedly as she bustles around Zoey eagerly.

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Zell paces anxiously around the Quad as he looks repeatedly at his watch. The beeper at his side vibrates a little and he gazed at the message that scrolls out:

Don't worry, girls are always late. Its the fashion. Stop pacing around and looking at your watch! It'll make her feel uncomfortable!

Zell scowls at the pager fiercely for a moment before the soft voice interrupts him,

"Zell, I'm sorry that I'm late."

He slowly looks out and his eyes widens, almost bulging out from the socket as his mouth open and close wordlessly.



To be Continued.....


Author's Note: Bwahahhaha!!! I have finally decided to upload this. I actually completed this some time ago, but was too lazy to upload it. Hope that the next chapter wouldn't be too long. I'm in my writer's mood again!