*****The Next Day*****
Mornings in Balamb Garden were usually quiet and peaceful. Everyone would wake up and prepare for the daily tasks ahead of them. As Irvine walked down the halls today, though, it was like a circus. Everyone was busy preparing for the huge Garden Celebration coming up in just a few days. Irvine looked around him to see students chatting about who was taking whom, and what they were going to wear. There were
banners being hung, extra lighting being set up, and beautiful bouquets of flowers everywhere.
"I just can't reach it! It's too high!"
Irvine heard a familiar voice, and turned to see Selphie trying to hang one side of a huge banner above some doors. He walked up to her.
"Hey Selph, looks like you need a hand."
"Oh Irvine! Thank goodness!" Selphie said happily. "Could you please?" She held out the banner. "Sure," Irvine replied. He easily hung the banner over the doors.
"Whew! Thanks!" said Selphie patting him on the back. "So where you headin' Irvine?"
"To the library. I'm helping Rinoa out for a little while." He took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair. "Wow, sure is busy around here," he said, replacing his hat.
"You're tellin' me! Try being in charge of it all!" replied Selphie. "So Irvine, you got a date for the Garden Festival yet?" Selphie asked with a grin.
"No. Not yet. Why, you askin' me?" Irvine grinned and winked slyly.
"No! I already have a date! I was just curious!" Selphie replied.
"Well there was someone-
"Matt!! Not there!" Selphie interrupted, " the roses go in the ballroom only!"
Selphie turned her attention back to Irvine. "Listen Irvine, I'd better go. These loonies will have this place turned upside down if I don't watch them!" Selphie turned to scold Matt about the roses some more.
"Oh, all right Selph, talk to ya later." Irvine turned and walked toward the library.
Suddenly he saw Lauren out of the corner of his eye. His heart started beating faster. He turned to go talk to her when he saw whom she was talking to. None other than Seth. They were standing very closely, and Seth had his arm on the wall that Lauren was leaning against. Irvine used the commotion to his advantage and slipped behind a large pot of flowers, so he could hear what they were saying.
"So, Lauren," said Seth, "These guns are only dangerous when you take the safety off."
Irvine heard a small click.
"See, now the safety's on. No one gets hurt."
He heard Seth slip the gun back into its holster.
"Well that's good to know!"
Irvine heard Lauren's soft voice. He looked around the large pot to see the two.
"Make sure you keep those safety's on. I wouldn't want anyone to get hurt"
Irvine's face grew hot when he saw Seth move closer to Lauren.
"I'll make sure to," he said. "Maybe you can come watch me practice some day. I blow the monsters away in the training center." Seth held up imaginary guns and pretended to shoot them. Lauren was laughing.
"Yes, that does sound interesting. I've never seen a sharpshooter at work, but I've always liked a man who could use guns."
"It's a work of art," said Seth. Just to show off, he took out his guns and spun them on his fingers, and quickly put them back in their holsters.
"Show off," thought Irvine. "I could do better."
Seth leaned in so close to Lauren, that he thought they might kiss.
"Well, Lauren," Seth said quietly.
"Please don't ask her to the festival" thought Irvine.
"I ummm… wanted to see if you had a date to the Garden Festival yet?"
Lauren blushed "Oh, well….umm actually Seth, I don't know if I am going to go yet. If I do end up going, though, I will consider your offer."
"Oh, ok Lauren. Well my offer always stands."
Irvine saw Seth smile, but also saw a glint of disappointment in his eyes.
"Well, Seth, I have to be going. My work never stops!" Lauren turned to walk off.
"All right Lauren. Don't forget about my offer!" Seth called after her.
"I won't." She smiled as she walked away. After Lauren left, Irvine watched as Seth slammed his fist angrily into the wall. He was obviously angry about Lauren's decision.
"Ha!", thought Irvine. "Serves him right, he's too stuck up anyway!" It was at that moment that Irvine made a resolution to himself. "So she likes sharpshooters, huh?" He thought. "Well I can give her a sharpshooter. I'm gonna practice everyday until I can shoot circles around that jerk Seth. Lauren won't even remember his name after she sees me work the guns!"