Note: Hi y'all! This is the VERY last of the chapter and then an epilogue. I hope you're enjoying yourselves so far! Thank you so much for all the reviews. First of all, I just want to thank you to the people who reviewed this story and those people are:
Parasite Lin
Siu Saki: Thanks for the support, eventhough you like Selvines.
Selphie Babe
Lil Angel
Ashbear
Zell's Girl
Kam
Fire Lily
Crescent Lancer
[-_-]()
Nuwanda
Black Knight: My awesome fan of Zelphie! And my devoted reviewer! THANX! ;) Oh... I'm glad I didn't give you a heart attack on the last chapter.
Wishgranter: Another Zelphie and Queifer lover!
Infatuated
Car5hovride
amyangel()
Lady Gwen: Triangles are the greatest, but you know....... it never ends up into a threesome... if you know what I mean.
Leah Wesley: THANK YOU! I LUV ZELPHIES TOO!
Selphie Ducky
Lissa
Amanda Swiftgold: You are really right! I didn't make this too dramatic!
Casey
Sefie Gainsborough: I know I'm not that great. I did learned from my mistakes and thank you for that!
Chibi Yuffie
Amy The Booyaka Gurl
Yoshi Mars: Yes, Irvine is a strong boy! ;) ZELPHIE RULES!
Darkness VII: No, I don't think I overused the triangle.
Rin-Chan: I'm so glad I made you change your opnion on Zelphie.
leslie: One more chapter to go Leslie! Well... until the epilogue anyway
Teltoli ()
Akira Natsuki: HEY! Don't you dare whack me with the newspaper! I might not write a Zelphie for you if you do that! I will! J/k! ;) You're my number one fan AMY!
tickle the dragon: Mabuti! Kamusta? THANK YOU!
Aeris D (): I know, I'm getting there and I'm think maybe.... a sequel?
Lil Selphie: HEY ANGIE! Wow, I had no idea you liked Zelphie too! Did you actually read the story?
Talena: Well, cliffhangers are the best. I like the look on people's faces, begging me for more chapters! heh heh, I am soooo evil!
NOW................ on to the story!
Chapter 16 - Living In Lies, Dying In Truth
~ How many lives have been hurt? How many lies have been told? How many secrets have been kept? There is no telling whether the truth had to be told or whether it had to be kept. Either way, we are still hurt. Lies hurt and yet, even the truth keeps us from saying it was 'okay.'
___________________________________________________________________
What starts off a dream, ends up into a nightmare. Zell had that exprience. He dreamed of being with Selphie for the rest of his life, but when his dreams became real, his nightmares started to unfold. It clutched his very soul, squeezing him until he fell to pieces. Nightmares rips the life out of an individual, takes away their soul and lets them forget to breath. Zell had that experiences, but he sighed a breath of relief when that nightmare quickly began to fade as Selphie took a decent breath.
He watched her small form on the bed, her face pale from and conquered with grief and pain. A large, thick bandage was wrapped around her torso and a small stitch on her left face, when she cut herself as she fell, was clearly visible. He squeezed her hand and lifted her palm up to his lips to kiss it. She felt so cold under his touch and he wondered if he was staring at a ghost. When he noticed her open her eyes, he knew that she was back from the dead and into the living. He touched her face with the back of his hand and smiled.
"Hey," he whispered.
Selphie opened her eyes and looked up at him, the shadow of the moon never leaving her face. The window overlooked the ethereal glow of the moon, making the room even brighter for them, while the rest of the world slept underneath the darkness. She smiled when she saw him there. She lifted up her hand and placed it upon his that were resting on the bed beside her. Squeezing it lightly against her own, Selphie took a deep breath and tried to move closer, but she was unable to do so.
"Hi," Selphie answered in a quiet voice.
Zell smiled back, lifting up her hand to his face to feel her warmth that now changed her. Overwhelmed by what almost happened to Selphie, he said nothing and closed his eyes, while he touched her skin.
"I'm sorry, Zell for giving up on you," Selphie spoke, turning her eyes away from him.
Zell shook his head and kissed the inside of her palm. "You never gave up on me, Selphie. You're still here...." He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "You're still here right beside me."
"I could see Death looking at me right in the face," Selphie said, looking into the blond man's eyes. "He lent out a hand for me to take and I was about to take it. But when I heard your voice, I knew I had to keep trying. Why should I give up when there is someone waiting for me to try harder?" She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. In truth, she was afraid of Death, always been. Most people, like Rinoa would just forget everything about death and think about life and Selphie had almost forgotten her words. She had almost given up! She had almost given up on Zell.
"Almost," Zell murmured, as if reading her thoughts.
"Zell? Why can't I feel my legs?" Selphie asked, looking down at her legs. She tried to move, but she felt nothing. She felt numbness. She looked at Zell in fear. "What's wrong with my legs?"
Zell didn't know what to say. His memories went jolting back into his brain, remembering the moment just minutes ago after Selphie had her surgery. Dr. Kadowaki came out, with a frown on her face. She had told Zell that Selphie was shot at the back of her spine and went through the side of her hip. The bullet had fractured her lower spine, thus causing her a permanent leg injury. Zell heard nothing after that, the screeching noise that came out of nowhere, caused him to go deaf, but he knew what she was going to say next. He looked at her mouth as it moved and saw the words clearly.
"Zell, Selphie can never walk again," she had said. "She's paralyzed from the waist down."
The blond man shook the thoughts out of his head and gripped the blanket on the bed tightly with his free hand, causing Selphie to look up curiously towards Zell. Zell looked into her eyes and frowned. The way he looked at her made her see what he just remembered.
Selphie looked away from him, tears streaming down her face. "I- I can't walk anymore..." she whispered towards the window. She closed her eyes in dispair.
Zell watched her retreating form. "What matters now is that you're alive, Selphie. I don't care if you have to walk on a cane or use a wheelchair, just as long as you're here." He smiled, but as she looked back at him, there was no trace of a smile, not even a slight grin on her face. He ran the back of his hand on her wet cheek. "I want to see your face again, Selphie. The same glowing face that reminds me of the sun and the stars."
This time, Selphie smiled. It brought joy to his heart to see her smile, her real smile that he valued about her. He loved her smile. It was a gift to him to see her mouth turn into a wide grin like a little girl excited about getting a puppy on her birthday. It was a gift to him, wrapped in a yellow wrapper and a green ribbon tied securely around it. This same gift was given to him and when he opened it, the gift turned into a treasure for him to find. A treasure that he will always keep in his heart.
Smiling, he leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips. Selphie kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck. Zell placed his hands around her back and their kiss turned intimate and meaningful.
Unknow to them, however that someone was watching them nearby. His face, gleaming in shock and confusion forced him to move his feet and interrupt the couple inside the room with a loud shout.
"What the hell is going on here?!" Zell and Selphie quickly let go of each other to see a red-faced Irvine clenching and unclenching his fist. His armpits were resting on the arm rest of his crutches as he stormed in. He stared at Zell right in the face, his mouth turned more into anger than shock.
"Irvine!" Selphie gasped.
Irvine looked at Selphie and glared at her. "Is this some kind of joke? Are you playing a game with me? Because if it is, it really hurts, Selphie." He gave another hurtful glance towards Zell, before stomping out of the room.
Selphie's heart felt like it was crushed between large boulders, hurting every bones in her body and forcing her to close her eyes in guilt.
Zell glanced at her over his shoulder. "I'll go after him," he said. He ran out of the room, after the frustrated cowboy.
****************
His girl friend and his... best friend?! He couldn't believe this! It was clear to him now. The way they looked at each other and the way they react towards each other finally concluded his suspicions between them. At first, he thought that Zell really did dislike Selphie for being so giddy all the time. Either that, or Zell was acting this whole time. He heard his name being called, but he was too hurt to respond to Zell's calls. Neverthless, he was also too upset to keep himself from hurting Zell.
He felt someone's hand touching his shoulder, forcing him to turn around to look into the eyes of his betrayer. Without even giving him a chance, Irvine clenched his fist and whacked Zell across the face, almost toppling over him as he lost his balance. He succeeded in not falling by steadying himself, his feet firmly on the ground, while he held on tight to his crutches.
Zell leaned back in astonishment, placing a finger on his bloody nose. He swiped the blood off of his face with the back of his hand and looked at him.
"Now we're even!" Irvine yelled, keeping his fists clenched.
Zell closed his eyes and nodded. "Yes, I deserve that, but please hear me out, Irvine."
"Hear you out?! How can I do that when I see my best friend making out with my GIRL FRIEND?!"
Zell lifted up his hands and looked around him, making sure no one was around to see them. "I didn't want you to find out this way, Irvine. I-"
"And how do you wanted me to find out, huh?! HUH?! When you and Selphie end up in bed together?!" His voice was getting louder and louder, ringing Zell's ears.
Zell shook his head. "Of course not! Selphie and I wanted to tell you this together, but-"
"BUT WHAT?!" Irvine interrupted, his tone of voice changing into a shout. "You didn't tell me, because you wanted to sleep together before you told me?!"
"Why do you keep saying that we slept together? We never did, Irvine! NEVER!"
"Oh well, I think maybe you should, because that slut will sleep with anyone who's with her while her boy friend is awa-" His speech was interrupted by a painful blow from Zell. He placed a hand on his cheek and sneered at Zell.
"Don't you ever call her that, Irvine! You know her better than anyone, because she's not that kind of person!" He pointed to the door to the room where Selphie was. "She's in there paralyzed from the waist down! She can't walk, Irvine! Can you hear me?! SHE CAN'T WALK!"
Irvine didn't say anything. Even with his pain, his heart was still taking the advantage of realizing how hurt Selphie was and how much she has been through. However, his anger did not subside. He was angry with both of them without telling the truth in the first place and most of all he was angry, angry at the betrayal they both caused. He limped around, away from Zell's form. "You know, Zell, it would have been better off by telling me that you were in love with her so I wouldn't have this kind of reaction on you." He began to walk away. "Have a happy life with her," he murmured, before walking out, leaving Zell in guilt and remorse.
****************
How many lives have been hurt? How many lies have been told? How many secrets have been kept? There is no telling whether the truth had to be told or whether it had to be kept. Either way, we are still hurt. Lies hurt and yet, even the truth keeps us from saying it was 'okay.'
Quistis laid on her bed, thinking about the events that had happened today. She thought about the days that all of them hung together in the orphanage as kids and got along just fine, except Seifer being a bully towards Zell, but they have all grown. They have all faced the consequences and even if they faced these situations, they were able to overcome these problems, yet not all could live happily ever after as most fairytales do.
She felt someone curl a strand of blond hair behind her ears and caress her face. She turned around and placed an arm over Seifer's side.
"Seifer, do you think it's better to tell the truth, even if it hurts them or tell a lie to keep them from hurting?" She leaned closer towards him and looked into his eyes.
Seifer moved a lot closer and slid a hand underneath her, while he placed an arm on her side. He pulled her in for an embrace, resting his chin on her head. "I would rather tell the truth, even if it hurts them, Quisty. Lies hurt even more than truth does." He kissed her forehead and looked at her.
Quistis sighed and closed her eyes, feeling Seifer's lips upon her brow as he kissed her. "You want to know the truth, Quisty?" She heard Seifer say. Quistis nodded, opening her eyes.
"The truth is, love hurts, but love can conquer as well, even the ones who are heartbroken, love will always be the conquerer of things." He flipped her over so he was on top of her and began to passionately kiss her lips. He curled another strand of blond hair from her eyes and around her ears and smiled softly. "I may not be that passionate about everything, but when it comes to truth and love, I am always there."
Quistis wrapped her arms around his neck and rolled her eyes. "Now, you're sounding more like Sailor Moon."
"Really?" Seifer grimaced, then shrugged. "Oh what the hell, it doesn't matter anyway." He kissed her again as Quistis rolled him over so she was on top of him.
"It doesn't matter? Well, I guess it doesn't matter to me as well." She reached over to the side table and turned off the lamp light.
****************
Squall wrapped his arms around Rinoa and embraced her. After watching Selphie almost fall to her death and almost dying, he couldn't help but imagine her as Rinoa. They were almost the same, almost identical towards each other. She was almost the same height as Selphie and he couldn't help but see her instead of Selphie falling and dying. He kissed her forehead and closed his eyes as he let sleep take over him.
****************
He opened the drawer, anger still seething inside of him. He knew Selphie was not what he said before. Selphie was special and will always be special in his heart, even if it means losing her to his so called best friend. He took out a small, red velvet box and opened it. Inside was a golden ring and a diamond in between two swimming dolphins. Taking that ring out of its keeping, he stared at the small inscription that said:Irvine Loves Selphie Forever and threw it across the wall, where it made a clinking sound. It landed on the carpeted floor, without making a sound and stayed there. Irvine stood up, walked out of his room and frowned.
'I need a drink,' he thought, seeing an image of Balamb bar in his mind.
****************
He gripped her hand gently into his own and sighed, shaking his head to her question.
"Are you sure? I mean, maybe he didn't mean it and-" she paused, noticing Zell shake his head. She looked down, tears streaming down her face. "Well, I think it's for the best. I hurt him."
Zell looked at her. "I hurt him even more. I'm his best friend, Selphie. I betrayed my own best friend." He stood up. "Maybe I should go. It was a stupid thing to do to kiss you in the first place. I shouldn't have kissed you at all. I'm sorry."
Selphie leaned over and took Zell's hand. "We're both guilty of the same crime Zell. Please don't go. I don't want to be alone. And I'm not sorry."
Zell looked at her. "I'm going to get Irvine. I think you should talk to him." He was about to leave, when Selphie pulled him down on the chair. "Selphie please.... I think we should just let it go. Irvine really loves you."
Selphie closed her eyes. "That may be the case, Zell, but I- I want you here by my side. I want you to hold me, please..." She looked up. "I want you here with me."
The blond man hesitated for awhile, but finally pulled the chair closer to her and gently squeezed her hand. "All right, Selphie I'll stay with you." He leaned over and rested his head on the pillow, right by her head.
Selphie kissed his cheek and closed her eyes. "Thank you, Zell."
Zell watched her form as she closed her eyes. Her face was pale as a ghost and her small body, bare from her yellow dress, was covered with a white blanket starting from her chin and ended all over her feet. She stirred for a some time, before she finally went back to sleep. Zell wanted her to have some time alone for herself, but the request Selphie was asking for forced him to stay. He was afraid that if he left, he won't be able to come back. Closing his eyes, he let his tiredness take over his body as he slept with his heard resting on the pillow by Selphie. Guilt took over his tired mind, but love, the love that he has been hiding all these years was surrounding his ever lonely heart.
GoodGurl: AH! Finally, the second last chapter! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, not that kind of enjoyment, but I hope you are crying right now like me *sniff! sniff!* I'm also crying, because I'm happy for all your guys' reviews and for making this fic successful! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The epilogue will be coming soon, so hang on tight!
Parasite Lin
Siu Saki: Thanks for the support, eventhough you like Selvines.
Selphie Babe
Lil Angel
Ashbear
Zell's Girl
Kam
Fire Lily
Crescent Lancer
[-_-]()
Nuwanda
Black Knight: My awesome fan of Zelphie! And my devoted reviewer! THANX! ;) Oh... I'm glad I didn't give you a heart attack on the last chapter.
Wishgranter: Another Zelphie and Queifer lover!
Infatuated
Car5hovride
amyangel()
Lady Gwen: Triangles are the greatest, but you know....... it never ends up into a threesome... if you know what I mean.
Leah Wesley: THANK YOU! I LUV ZELPHIES TOO!
Selphie Ducky
Lissa
Amanda Swiftgold: You are really right! I didn't make this too dramatic!
Casey
Sefie Gainsborough: I know I'm not that great. I did learned from my mistakes and thank you for that!
Chibi Yuffie
Amy The Booyaka Gurl
Yoshi Mars: Yes, Irvine is a strong boy! ;) ZELPHIE RULES!
Darkness VII: No, I don't think I overused the triangle.
Rin-Chan: I'm so glad I made you change your opnion on Zelphie.
leslie: One more chapter to go Leslie! Well... until the epilogue anyway
Teltoli ()
Akira Natsuki: HEY! Don't you dare whack me with the newspaper! I might not write a Zelphie for you if you do that! I will! J/k! ;) You're my number one fan AMY!
tickle the dragon: Mabuti! Kamusta? THANK YOU!
Aeris D (): I know, I'm getting there and I'm think maybe.... a sequel?
Lil Selphie: HEY ANGIE! Wow, I had no idea you liked Zelphie too! Did you actually read the story?
Talena: Well, cliffhangers are the best. I like the look on people's faces, begging me for more chapters! heh heh, I am soooo evil!
NOW................ on to the story!
Chapter 16 - Living In Lies, Dying In Truth
~ How many lives have been hurt? How many lies have been told? How many secrets have been kept? There is no telling whether the truth had to be told or whether it had to be kept. Either way, we are still hurt. Lies hurt and yet, even the truth keeps us from saying it was 'okay.'
___________________________________________________________________
What starts off a dream, ends up into a nightmare. Zell had that exprience. He dreamed of being with Selphie for the rest of his life, but when his dreams became real, his nightmares started to unfold. It clutched his very soul, squeezing him until he fell to pieces. Nightmares rips the life out of an individual, takes away their soul and lets them forget to breath. Zell had that experiences, but he sighed a breath of relief when that nightmare quickly began to fade as Selphie took a decent breath.
He watched her small form on the bed, her face pale from and conquered with grief and pain. A large, thick bandage was wrapped around her torso and a small stitch on her left face, when she cut herself as she fell, was clearly visible. He squeezed her hand and lifted her palm up to his lips to kiss it. She felt so cold under his touch and he wondered if he was staring at a ghost. When he noticed her open her eyes, he knew that she was back from the dead and into the living. He touched her face with the back of his hand and smiled.
"Hey," he whispered.
Selphie opened her eyes and looked up at him, the shadow of the moon never leaving her face. The window overlooked the ethereal glow of the moon, making the room even brighter for them, while the rest of the world slept underneath the darkness. She smiled when she saw him there. She lifted up her hand and placed it upon his that were resting on the bed beside her. Squeezing it lightly against her own, Selphie took a deep breath and tried to move closer, but she was unable to do so.
"Hi," Selphie answered in a quiet voice.
Zell smiled back, lifting up her hand to his face to feel her warmth that now changed her. Overwhelmed by what almost happened to Selphie, he said nothing and closed his eyes, while he touched her skin.
"I'm sorry, Zell for giving up on you," Selphie spoke, turning her eyes away from him.
Zell shook his head and kissed the inside of her palm. "You never gave up on me, Selphie. You're still here...." He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "You're still here right beside me."
"I could see Death looking at me right in the face," Selphie said, looking into the blond man's eyes. "He lent out a hand for me to take and I was about to take it. But when I heard your voice, I knew I had to keep trying. Why should I give up when there is someone waiting for me to try harder?" She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. In truth, she was afraid of Death, always been. Most people, like Rinoa would just forget everything about death and think about life and Selphie had almost forgotten her words. She had almost given up! She had almost given up on Zell.
"Almost," Zell murmured, as if reading her thoughts.
"Zell? Why can't I feel my legs?" Selphie asked, looking down at her legs. She tried to move, but she felt nothing. She felt numbness. She looked at Zell in fear. "What's wrong with my legs?"
Zell didn't know what to say. His memories went jolting back into his brain, remembering the moment just minutes ago after Selphie had her surgery. Dr. Kadowaki came out, with a frown on her face. She had told Zell that Selphie was shot at the back of her spine and went through the side of her hip. The bullet had fractured her lower spine, thus causing her a permanent leg injury. Zell heard nothing after that, the screeching noise that came out of nowhere, caused him to go deaf, but he knew what she was going to say next. He looked at her mouth as it moved and saw the words clearly.
"Zell, Selphie can never walk again," she had said. "She's paralyzed from the waist down."
The blond man shook the thoughts out of his head and gripped the blanket on the bed tightly with his free hand, causing Selphie to look up curiously towards Zell. Zell looked into her eyes and frowned. The way he looked at her made her see what he just remembered.
Selphie looked away from him, tears streaming down her face. "I- I can't walk anymore..." she whispered towards the window. She closed her eyes in dispair.
Zell watched her retreating form. "What matters now is that you're alive, Selphie. I don't care if you have to walk on a cane or use a wheelchair, just as long as you're here." He smiled, but as she looked back at him, there was no trace of a smile, not even a slight grin on her face. He ran the back of his hand on her wet cheek. "I want to see your face again, Selphie. The same glowing face that reminds me of the sun and the stars."
This time, Selphie smiled. It brought joy to his heart to see her smile, her real smile that he valued about her. He loved her smile. It was a gift to him to see her mouth turn into a wide grin like a little girl excited about getting a puppy on her birthday. It was a gift to him, wrapped in a yellow wrapper and a green ribbon tied securely around it. This same gift was given to him and when he opened it, the gift turned into a treasure for him to find. A treasure that he will always keep in his heart.
Smiling, he leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips. Selphie kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck. Zell placed his hands around her back and their kiss turned intimate and meaningful.
Unknow to them, however that someone was watching them nearby. His face, gleaming in shock and confusion forced him to move his feet and interrupt the couple inside the room with a loud shout.
"What the hell is going on here?!" Zell and Selphie quickly let go of each other to see a red-faced Irvine clenching and unclenching his fist. His armpits were resting on the arm rest of his crutches as he stormed in. He stared at Zell right in the face, his mouth turned more into anger than shock.
"Irvine!" Selphie gasped.
Irvine looked at Selphie and glared at her. "Is this some kind of joke? Are you playing a game with me? Because if it is, it really hurts, Selphie." He gave another hurtful glance towards Zell, before stomping out of the room.
Selphie's heart felt like it was crushed between large boulders, hurting every bones in her body and forcing her to close her eyes in guilt.
Zell glanced at her over his shoulder. "I'll go after him," he said. He ran out of the room, after the frustrated cowboy.
****************
His girl friend and his... best friend?! He couldn't believe this! It was clear to him now. The way they looked at each other and the way they react towards each other finally concluded his suspicions between them. At first, he thought that Zell really did dislike Selphie for being so giddy all the time. Either that, or Zell was acting this whole time. He heard his name being called, but he was too hurt to respond to Zell's calls. Neverthless, he was also too upset to keep himself from hurting Zell.
He felt someone's hand touching his shoulder, forcing him to turn around to look into the eyes of his betrayer. Without even giving him a chance, Irvine clenched his fist and whacked Zell across the face, almost toppling over him as he lost his balance. He succeeded in not falling by steadying himself, his feet firmly on the ground, while he held on tight to his crutches.
Zell leaned back in astonishment, placing a finger on his bloody nose. He swiped the blood off of his face with the back of his hand and looked at him.
"Now we're even!" Irvine yelled, keeping his fists clenched.
Zell closed his eyes and nodded. "Yes, I deserve that, but please hear me out, Irvine."
"Hear you out?! How can I do that when I see my best friend making out with my GIRL FRIEND?!"
Zell lifted up his hands and looked around him, making sure no one was around to see them. "I didn't want you to find out this way, Irvine. I-"
"And how do you wanted me to find out, huh?! HUH?! When you and Selphie end up in bed together?!" His voice was getting louder and louder, ringing Zell's ears.
Zell shook his head. "Of course not! Selphie and I wanted to tell you this together, but-"
"BUT WHAT?!" Irvine interrupted, his tone of voice changing into a shout. "You didn't tell me, because you wanted to sleep together before you told me?!"
"Why do you keep saying that we slept together? We never did, Irvine! NEVER!"
"Oh well, I think maybe you should, because that slut will sleep with anyone who's with her while her boy friend is awa-" His speech was interrupted by a painful blow from Zell. He placed a hand on his cheek and sneered at Zell.
"Don't you ever call her that, Irvine! You know her better than anyone, because she's not that kind of person!" He pointed to the door to the room where Selphie was. "She's in there paralyzed from the waist down! She can't walk, Irvine! Can you hear me?! SHE CAN'T WALK!"
Irvine didn't say anything. Even with his pain, his heart was still taking the advantage of realizing how hurt Selphie was and how much she has been through. However, his anger did not subside. He was angry with both of them without telling the truth in the first place and most of all he was angry, angry at the betrayal they both caused. He limped around, away from Zell's form. "You know, Zell, it would have been better off by telling me that you were in love with her so I wouldn't have this kind of reaction on you." He began to walk away. "Have a happy life with her," he murmured, before walking out, leaving Zell in guilt and remorse.
****************
How many lives have been hurt? How many lies have been told? How many secrets have been kept? There is no telling whether the truth had to be told or whether it had to be kept. Either way, we are still hurt. Lies hurt and yet, even the truth keeps us from saying it was 'okay.'
Quistis laid on her bed, thinking about the events that had happened today. She thought about the days that all of them hung together in the orphanage as kids and got along just fine, except Seifer being a bully towards Zell, but they have all grown. They have all faced the consequences and even if they faced these situations, they were able to overcome these problems, yet not all could live happily ever after as most fairytales do.
She felt someone curl a strand of blond hair behind her ears and caress her face. She turned around and placed an arm over Seifer's side.
"Seifer, do you think it's better to tell the truth, even if it hurts them or tell a lie to keep them from hurting?" She leaned closer towards him and looked into his eyes.
Seifer moved a lot closer and slid a hand underneath her, while he placed an arm on her side. He pulled her in for an embrace, resting his chin on her head. "I would rather tell the truth, even if it hurts them, Quisty. Lies hurt even more than truth does." He kissed her forehead and looked at her.
Quistis sighed and closed her eyes, feeling Seifer's lips upon her brow as he kissed her. "You want to know the truth, Quisty?" She heard Seifer say. Quistis nodded, opening her eyes.
"The truth is, love hurts, but love can conquer as well, even the ones who are heartbroken, love will always be the conquerer of things." He flipped her over so he was on top of her and began to passionately kiss her lips. He curled another strand of blond hair from her eyes and around her ears and smiled softly. "I may not be that passionate about everything, but when it comes to truth and love, I am always there."
Quistis wrapped her arms around his neck and rolled her eyes. "Now, you're sounding more like Sailor Moon."
"Really?" Seifer grimaced, then shrugged. "Oh what the hell, it doesn't matter anyway." He kissed her again as Quistis rolled him over so she was on top of him.
"It doesn't matter? Well, I guess it doesn't matter to me as well." She reached over to the side table and turned off the lamp light.
****************
Squall wrapped his arms around Rinoa and embraced her. After watching Selphie almost fall to her death and almost dying, he couldn't help but imagine her as Rinoa. They were almost the same, almost identical towards each other. She was almost the same height as Selphie and he couldn't help but see her instead of Selphie falling and dying. He kissed her forehead and closed his eyes as he let sleep take over him.
****************
He opened the drawer, anger still seething inside of him. He knew Selphie was not what he said before. Selphie was special and will always be special in his heart, even if it means losing her to his so called best friend. He took out a small, red velvet box and opened it. Inside was a golden ring and a diamond in between two swimming dolphins. Taking that ring out of its keeping, he stared at the small inscription that said:Irvine Loves Selphie Forever and threw it across the wall, where it made a clinking sound. It landed on the carpeted floor, without making a sound and stayed there. Irvine stood up, walked out of his room and frowned.
'I need a drink,' he thought, seeing an image of Balamb bar in his mind.
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He gripped her hand gently into his own and sighed, shaking his head to her question.
"Are you sure? I mean, maybe he didn't mean it and-" she paused, noticing Zell shake his head. She looked down, tears streaming down her face. "Well, I think it's for the best. I hurt him."
Zell looked at her. "I hurt him even more. I'm his best friend, Selphie. I betrayed my own best friend." He stood up. "Maybe I should go. It was a stupid thing to do to kiss you in the first place. I shouldn't have kissed you at all. I'm sorry."
Selphie leaned over and took Zell's hand. "We're both guilty of the same crime Zell. Please don't go. I don't want to be alone. And I'm not sorry."
Zell looked at her. "I'm going to get Irvine. I think you should talk to him." He was about to leave, when Selphie pulled him down on the chair. "Selphie please.... I think we should just let it go. Irvine really loves you."
Selphie closed her eyes. "That may be the case, Zell, but I- I want you here by my side. I want you to hold me, please..." She looked up. "I want you here with me."
The blond man hesitated for awhile, but finally pulled the chair closer to her and gently squeezed her hand. "All right, Selphie I'll stay with you." He leaned over and rested his head on the pillow, right by her head.
Selphie kissed his cheek and closed her eyes. "Thank you, Zell."
Zell watched her form as she closed her eyes. Her face was pale as a ghost and her small body, bare from her yellow dress, was covered with a white blanket starting from her chin and ended all over her feet. She stirred for a some time, before she finally went back to sleep. Zell wanted her to have some time alone for herself, but the request Selphie was asking for forced him to stay. He was afraid that if he left, he won't be able to come back. Closing his eyes, he let his tiredness take over his body as he slept with his heard resting on the pillow by Selphie. Guilt took over his tired mind, but love, the love that he has been hiding all these years was surrounding his ever lonely heart.
GoodGurl: AH! Finally, the second last chapter! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, not that kind of enjoyment, but I hope you are crying right now like me *sniff! sniff!* I'm also crying, because I'm happy for all your guys' reviews and for making this fic successful! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The epilogue will be coming soon, so hang on tight!
