CHAPTER 2





Selphie walked into the wake house an hour early. She wanted to visit Squall and Laguna before the wake. She stood outside the room, there was someone talking inside the room with the caskets. She listened carefully.

"I don't know what happened Squall. I never showed you any proper respect. I was always in my own world, my friends and me. We needed to be more down to earth, like you. But now I will never hear you speak again, never hear you tell me to shut up. I have known you since I was four. Four! I'm 21 now. That's 17 years Squall, 17 years! Dude, I have been here for three hours. Just talking to myself, actually, no, not by myself. You're still with me Squall. You will always be in everybody's heart and mind. Sorry man, but this will be the last time I'll see you. I'm not coming to the wake tonight. I don't want anybody to see me getting all mushy over you. Goodbye Squall, you're like a little brother to me."

Selphie heard footsteps and was then confronted by a huge man. He was at least a foot taller than her. He stepped into the light no seeing Selphie, and then he jumped.

"Seifer?" Selphie said in disbelief.

"Jesus Selphie!" Seifer jumped.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Tee-hee."

"Don't tell anybody I was here," Seifer blurted.

"Why? Don't you want people to think you are sensitive?"

"No. That's just the point. Selphie, I have a reputation to live up to, I can't have people thinking I'm a softy."

"So that's it though? You have been here for three hours, sharing your thoughts with your dead friend. You wouldn't rather come tonight and share your feelings with someone close?"

"With who? Fujin and Raijin left Balamb Garden, and I have been by myself for years. I never talked to anybody, and I don't intend to start tonight."

"Don't you think Squall would like you to come though?"

"Yes, he would. But that's not the point."

"Seifer, listen to yourself. Do you remember what you have been telling Squall for the past few hours? You have been apologizing for not being there for him, and being more friendly to him. Don't you think if you came tonight that would make up for all the time you were mean to him? You would be putting you feelings before your reputation. That's exactly what a good friend is."

Seifer looked down at his feet.

"You're right," he said. "I'll come tonight."





The hour passed very quickly for Irvine and Zell. They were at the wake now. This was the wake for the people of Balamb, and after the wake for all the Estharians was after their wake.

Zell and Irvine walked inside and saw Rinoa and Quistis there. They went and sat down next to them. The girls were silent; they just stared at the casket. Irvine and Zell just sat there quietly and waited for the other people to get there.

Zell saw Kiros and Ward walk into the room and sit down in the middle isle. Irvine looked around and he knew that was probably all that would come from Balamb. But at last minute, a beautiful young girl walked in. Irvine knew that had to be Ellone.

The wake was just about to start, when Irvine noticed someone else walk in, it was Seifer. Irvine elbowed Zell and nodded his head in Seifer's direction.

Seifer sat down in the back; he had not dressed up. He was still in his normal gray cloak. Selphie entered the room shortly after Seifer. She had come and sat next to Rinoa, not Irvine.

Zell didn't want to cry in front of the girls. But his eyes started to water a little, but he did his best to hold it in.

Irvine had his fist clenched. He remembered all the missions he and Squall had gone on. Like when they were going to assassinate Edea. He had gotten so nervous, and Squall helped him get over his fear. The bullet was right on target, but Edea had stopped it. Squall had backed him up the whole way.

Rinoa stood up first to go see Squall. Quistis second, Selphie third, Irvine fourth, and Zell last. Kiros, Ellone, and Ward had gone to see Laguna first, and Seifer got up after Kiros and Ward did and he went up behind Zell.

Seifer looked at the people here. Balamb Garden students would come pay their respects after the Estharians did, and Seifer was glad they were able to go first.

Rinoa leaned over the casket. She pulled off her necklace and put it in Squall's lifeless hand. She kissed his forehead and started to cry. She took a good look at him in the suit. He looked very handsome. The tears gently rolled down her face like rippled on the ocean's surface. She turned away and waited for Quistis.

Quistis leaned over Squall and held his hand. She took a good look at his strong and handsome face. Quistis too started to cry. She gave a slight smile under her tears. She turned and walked back to the seats with Rinoa.

Selphie saw Squall just lying there. She felt an overwhelming need to hug him, but she knew it wasn't possible. Her eyes started to water and she turned back to face Irvine. She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a long hug. She cried hard, for the first time since she had heard the news. Irvine hugged her back as he too started to cry.

Selphie let go of Irvine and went and sat back down with Rinoa and Quistis.

Irvine stepped up to the casket. He removed his brown, leather, cowboy hat, and put it down at Squall's feet. Irvine's eyes watered slightly, but held them back to seem tough, that seemed to be his reputation. Never showing any sadness.

Irvine turned and went back to his seat.

Zell was up next. He was already breaking down crying. His eyes were swelled up and bloodshot. Zell was always made fun of and treated badly except by Squall. Squall had been his best friend, and Zell now had only Irvine to turn to. There was Rinoa and Quistis and Selphie, but no other close buddies that he could talk man to man. Zell wiped his face and pulled Squall's chain out of his pocket.

Zell reached down and lifted Squall's head up. Zell put the chain around Squall's neck and placed the Lion's head at the bottom of the chain on Squall's chest. Zell put Squall's head back on the pillow and turned to let Seifer have his turn.

Zell looked up at Seifer. Seifer was much taller than Zell, but Seifer had not really spoken to Zell too much in the past three years. Not even to make fun of him. Zell looked strait into Seifer's eyes, and saw the new Seifer, somebody more mature, and more down to earth.

Zell smirked and wiped his tears. He turned his attention back to Squall and closed his eyes. He promised himself that he would protect Rinoa.

Zell thought of what he did to try to save Squall and Laguna. Zell had dove into Balamb port to save his friend. He was too late though.

Zell went back to sit with his friends, but they weren't there. Zell looked across the room. They were all visiting Laguna. Zell left Squall's side and went to visit Laguna.

Kiros had already said his goodbyes and so hadn't Ward; Ellone was up there now. Zell could see Ellone's face red, with tears pouring out of her eyes. Laguna was Ellone's father, and she could never let him go.

Ellone sniffed and bent down to kiss Laguna on the forehead. Rinoa paid her respects and goodbyes to her should-be father-in-law, and then Quistis and Selphie did too.

Irvine had not cried all night, but when he saw Laguna, he thought of what a great man he was. He was a strong leader, and a good fighter, and Irvine would miss him.

Zell leaned over Laguna; and took Laguna's hand. Zell had known Laguna for only a few years, but he would miss him dearly. He remembered the night that Laguna heard that Squall was getting married. Laguna came up with the hypothesis that Squall and Rinoa were to complete what Laguna and Julia had never finished. He now knew, that Laguna was wrong.

Someone was crying loudly. It distracted Zell and he looked up at Irvine. But it wasn't Irvine. Zell glanced at Squall's casket and saw Seifer crying like a little baby. Zell turned and walked back to his seat. He would not interfere with Seifer's last moments with Squall…









(I hope you are all liking it so far)