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Chapter 4 - Return To Garden


The rain had disappeared and it took both of them to realize that they had been talking for an hour. Zell cleared his throat and looked over his shoulder. The clouds moved away from the sun, revealing a brights, golden crown around the hot star.

"The rain stopped," Zell said, glancing over his shoulder at Selphie. He stood up and headed for the door, but then paused. "I'm going to rent a car, so I'll be right back."

Selphie nodded. She watched him step out and closed the door behind him. The young brunette glanced out the window to see Zell go inside the car rental shop, two houses down. Sighing, she leaned her head back at the couch and closed her eyes. Her day has been somewhat... perspiring. Even if Irvine left and she sprained her ankle. she couldn't help but feel glad that Zell was there in her time of need. Zell had been helpful, although he revealed the truth that he found her annoying, Selphie couldn't help but smile. Zell was honest and she felt complete when they talked for the first time. They never really talked alone like that, never conversed in their personal lives, but Selphie enjoyed talking about her whole life with Zell. He never protested or argued about it, yet he did argue that what the social services did to her siblings were wrong. In this case, Selphie agreed. Zell also shared his own past. He had two different foster parents, until he ended up in Balamb with Ma Dincht and her husband, who died of lung cancer. For awhile, he lived with her and his grandfather and learned martial arts from since he was a child, until his grandfather died. The thought of Zell losing his grandfather broke Selphie's heart. She could only imagine what it must feel for him to lose someone dear to him. She should know, she lost everything.

Selphie broke out of her stupor and heard a loud engine roar outside. Zell opened the door and pointed his thumbs towards the roar outside. "Well, I got the engine running. Are you ready to go? We need to have Dr. Kadowaki check the sprain."

Selphie smiled and offered her hand to him. "Yeah, I'm ready!" she retorted.

Zell walked up to her and helped her up on her feet. When Selphie struggled and almost fell, Sell wrapped an arm around her waist. Selphie wasn't blushing anymore. She felt comfortable around him now. Zell lead the limping brunette out the door, just the time Ma Dincht walked in the living room.

'Zell, please be careful with her!" she yelled.

The blond man rolled his eyes. "Of course, mom!" He waved his free hand good bye towards her.

Selphie glanced over her shoulder. With her right hand wrapped around Zell's waist, Selphie beckoned her 'thank you' and 'good bye' to Zell's mother before the door closed behind them.

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She checked her ankle, touching the bruised muscle with her warm hand, only to recieve a loud groan coming from the petite girl. Dr. Kadowaki nodded towards the girl and removed her microphone (sorry, I forgot the name) from her neck.

"Well, you have a minor fracture on your ankle. The bones have completely pushed forward from the impact, but a thicker bandage than what you're wearing right now, will surely heal it in no time." She paused and looked at the girl strangely. "You certainly have to be careful, Selphie," she warned, recalling Selphie's past visits from other injuries.

Selphie couldn't help but giggle. "I know, I'm sorry! At least I have someone with me this time!"

Dr. Kadowaki smiled and shook her head. "Yes. I'm glad you didn't go alone this time. Good thing Zell was here to bring you." The elderly woman usually finds the girl entering her office while holding an injured arm or leg, alone. Ironically, with all the injuries, Selphie was still in good shape. There was not one wound in her body that left a scar. Except for one thing. She found a small, permanent scar just at her lower back, while examining her wound inflicted at her left waist, preferrably from a T-Rexaur's teeth. Although with the woman's intentions to ask, she dared not to. It may frighten the girl and bring the past she chose to forget. Dr. Kadowaki removed all her unanswered questions from her mind and reached for the cupboard behind her. She took out long strands of thick bandages, made of elastics and healing fiber to soften the skin and bones and wrapped it around the small of Selphie's ankle.

With that done, she clipped both ends of the bandages and handed the girl a pair of crutches that fit her height. Selphie moanded and took it wearily from the Doctor's hands.

"You usually don't give me crutches," the girl spoke, examining the two items grasped in her hands.

The woman folded her arms across her chest. "It'll remind you now and Ms. Tilmitt to be careful."

Selphie stuck her tongue at her playfully, which made the Doctor laugh. The girl put the heels of both crutches on the floor and carefully put her armpits on the arm rest. With one slow motion, she put her good left foot on the floor and kept her wounded right one hovered on air. She grimaced, feeling the uncomfortable pressure underneath the arm as she put her weight on the crutches.

"Don't worry. You'll get used to it after awhile," the Doctor pronounced, watching her trot away as the door slid open.

Zell was waiting in the waiting room from Selphie to step out. He instantly stood up when he noticed the timid girl promenade her way towards him.

"You look terrible!" he joked, letting her stroll towards him.

Selphie wrinkled her nose, which Zell often found really cute and stopped in front of him. "Just wait when it's your turn!" Her face suddenly fell. "What am I going to tell Irvy when he sees me on crutches?"

Zell looked at her as if she said the most inane thing. "Tell him it was my fault." He reached for the knob on the foor and twisted it open. He let Selphie pass him and the door closed behind them.

When Selphie heard Zell step beside her, she looked up to meet his eyes. "I can't do that, Zelly. Besides..." She looked ahead of her. "It wasn't your fault. I have myself to blame for that." She suddenly broke into a smile when their eyes met again. "I was the one who forced you to teach me."

Zell shook his head. "No way! I could've said no, but I didn't."

"Because I made you feel guilty," Selphie concluded, with a beaming look.

Zell was about to speak, when a booming and cheerful voice echoed the hallway. Both surprised teens looked up, regarding a dark haired Rinoa.

"Selphie! What happened to you?" Rinoa inquired, walking up to them.

"Rinoa!" Selphie gave Rinoa a hug with one arm and shrugged, after removing her arms from the taller girl. She smiled. "Silly me! I was so bored out of my mind that I decided to do something fun!" She shifted her weight to her left. "I saw Zell riding his T-Board and asked him if I could ride it!"

Rinoa arched an eyebrow towards the two. She glanced at Zell. "But I thought your T-Board was confiscated?"

Zell cleared his throat. "I... well, uh-"

"He got it back and I don't know how," Selphie cut in. They both looked at Rinoa, waiting for her reaction.

It seemed like forever they waited. Selphie and Zell have been holding their breaths, until Rinoa finally got a word in.

"Oh, okay! I don't know what you guys have been doing today, but I gotta go! I have dinner plans with Squall tonight!" RInoa waved her hand at the two. "See ya!"

The two waved back, watching Rinoa disappear into the dark hallway. Zell turned to Selphie and stared at her.

"Why did you do that?" he asked.

Selphie giggled. "Well, if I told her what really happened, she'll sure to tell Irvy that!"

Zell chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, I guess not.... that reminds me! It's..." He glanced at his watch. "Almost six..." He looked up to meet her eyes. "Are you hungry?"

The hyper-active girl nodded. SHe was about to jump in the air, when she remembered her injured foot. She smiled instead. "Sure!" she squeeked. "I could go for something good to eat!"

Zell nodded. "Well, let's get going then. Are you ready?"

Selphie gave him a strange look and with a repeated nod, which was slighter than she expected and said, "Yes!" Forgetting the crutches, she threw her hands up in the air and stumbled forward. Zell was on time, once again to catch her. The crutches fell on the ground, making a loud snapping sound on the cement floor.

The young man rolled his eyes, putting his arm around her waist and bending down to pick up the crutches, whereas Selphie hung on his back. He handed her the crutches and sighed. "You gotta start watching yourself, Selph!"

Selphie adjusted her crutches underneath her arms and looked at Zell. "I will, don't worry! So... are you buying me dinner?"

Zell was taken aback. "Who do you think I am, your date?"

Selphie shrugged and smiled. "Maybe. I promise I won't buy anything expensive!"

Zell, as much as he wanted to be alone, agreed. Before he could say anything , Selphie was starting to walk towards the cafeteria in a fast pace. Zell ran after her, calling her name. As much as he resented following her, he didn't like it when she was left alone on crutches.

What would Irvine say exactly? Zell could only think of one thing. "How could you leave her alone like that?!" Then Irvine's large hands would surround his throat. The thought of that made him nervous. Hopefully Irvine would stay a few more days or enough to give Zell a chance to sort out what to say to him when he gets back.

















*Note: Thanx again for all the reviews!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!