Disclaimer: Please note that I do not own FFVIII nor any of its character... (although i wished i do...) and the story below is purely out of imagination, although most ideas are indeed from FFVIII, esp. the characters and story plot.

-------------------------------------------------------------ooOoo------------------------------------------------

Eyes on me

A seventeen year-old SeeD member leaned against the wall of a secluded corner, staring into his half-filled goblet. He had a hand stuffed into one of his pockets while strands of brownish copper hair fell over his forehead to cover bits of his face. Dressed in full SeeD uniform, the guy looked awesomely gorgeous to anyone who bothered to notice. The liquid in the goblet swirled once more, forming the shape of a tiny whirlpool. New music was being played, causing the group on the dance floor to change their styles. Lights dimmed as the music started, while thousands of tiny stars still shone brightly outside Balamb Garden. For some reason, the guy stopped staring into his glass and diverted his attention to something else outside the Garden. Hair fell to the sides when he looked up, revealing the deep scar that slashed across his face. A pair of blue eyes followed something bright that flashed across the dark skies of the Garden, travelling at such speeds that it disappeared quickly into the darkness.

A shooting star.

At the same time unnoticed by Squall, a pretty girl of around his age was also staring at the same star just when the fireworks coloured the skies above Balamb Garden. She had shiny straight hair up to her shoulders, and skin as pale as the moon. The white coloured dress she wore fitted her perfectly. Her head turned towards Squall, her eyes twinkled as her mouth curved into a warm smile. A finger pointed up to where the shooting star has been. Squall noticed, and stared at her for a second before switching his attention back to his goblet. Crowds that have unknowingly gathered near the windows started to walk back to the dance floor to prepare themselves for the next dance.

The pair of blue eyes stared into the golden translucent liquid inside, seeming to question it for the reason of its owner's presence at the ball which was full of dancing couples, while he was alone and doing nothing more than staring into goblets. Suddenly, Squall found himself staring into another pair of eyes through the translucent liquid. The eyes blinked once and twice before disappearing and reappearing right before him. It was the same girl who smiled at her just now. Squall looked at her questionably before she gave a mischievous smile.

Whatever.

"You're only good looking guy here, I suppose" At that, she giggled.

What's that supposed to mean?

"Would you have a dance with me please?"

Rinoa clasped her hands behind her and tilted her head in such a manner that it was impossible for anyone to say she was not adorable and really meant it.

"Please, Please?" She begged again and peered up pitifully at Squall, who has not spoken a word ever since Rinoa has talked to him. "I can't be on the dance floor alone..."

Silence.

"I see So you'll only dance with the girl you like? Well Let's see if this works!"

Rinoa rubbed her palms together and placed a finger in front of Squall's eyes, muttering something too loud to be unheard as her finger drew imaginary circles.

"You'll like me, you'll like me, you'll like me."

Squall continued to look at Rinoa without at word.

Sigh.

"So, does that work?" A cheerful voice asked. Rinoa's hands clasped behind her again as she peered up at Squall smilingly once more.

Sigh... Oh well...

Squall placed his hand on his forehead and shook his head slightly.

"I don't know how to" he started finally.

Even before he could finish his sentence, Rinoa jumped up gleefully and hooked her arm around Squall's, dragging his reluctant body towards the dance floor.

"Never mind, I'll teach you, it's very easy"

Great My fault

Sooner than Squall had expected, he was already on the dance floor with Rinoa.

Now what

Squall felt a hand his wrist and before he knew it, his right hand was already resting on Rinoa's hip while his left hand palm to
palm with Rinoa's.

Why am I in such a situation?

"Here we go..." Rinoa gave Squall her all-too-adorable smile and tightened her hold of Squall's hand. She moved step by step, but in spite of that, Squall has clumsily stumbled a few time over Rinoa's foot.

What the...

Another outburst of pain could be heard again, together with stares from the injured party. Rinoa swung around and stuck a tongue out at the couple, who seemed to be amused by her action.

Why did she do that? It's my business... Argh, forget it.

---------------------._(``ooOoo``)._----------------

Squall pulled himself away from Rinoa's reach and tried to leave the dance floor, which was unfortunately not successful under Rinoa's watchful eyes. She ran after him and caught hold of his arm, then dragged him back onto the dance floor.

Why can't you just let go... We're looking silly here...

In the end, Squall decided to give in anyway. No point arguing. Squall turned and face Rinoa, looking into her eyes for the first time, seemingly stunned and mesmerized by her slightly tinted brown eyes.(Well, we all know that Squall has been focusing on the floors just now...)

Such similarity...

A few seconds has passed before the previous music was replaced by a slower one. Rinoa, amused by Squall's expression, giggled softly to herself as they prepare for the next dance. This time, there was no trampling or stumbling of foot. And Squall had his eyes on Rinoa's eyes this time, and not on the floor. They glided across the dance floors gracefully, bringing those who have more experience to shame.

(Whenever sang my song, on the stage, on my own
Whenever said my words, wishing they, would be heard
I saw you smiling at me, was it real or just my fantasy
You'll always be there in the corner, of this tiny little bar)

Rinoa gave Squall an adorable smile. There, I told you that you could do it.

Erm...

(My last night here for you, same old songs, just once more
My last night here with you? Maybe yes, maybe no...)

Rinoa leaned in closer to Squall and rested her head on his broad shoulder.

Whatever... Just let her be.

(I kind of like it your way, how you shyly placed your eyes on me
Did you, ever know? That I had mine on you)

Sounds of fireworks caused Squall to stop dancing. His eyes soften as they admire the colourful fireworks that brightened up the sky for a few seconds. Rinoa held her breath as she noticed how beautiful these blue eyes were. But she quickly looked away before Squall noticed anything wrong with her. Her eyes roamed the ballroom and caught sight of something that she has been searching for.

Squall felt a light push on his arms and looked down just in time to see Rinoa pushing him away lightly before excusing herself with a smile, her eyes remained downcasted, presumely afraid of Squall's gaze. He appeared to look quite shocked at her abrupt leave but accepted it anyway. Squall stole a glance at Rinoa's receding form, before she disappeared within the crowds.

Sigh.

The celebration was full of fun and excitment, a cool night decorated naturally with a full round moon. Billions of tiny bright sparkles fitted perfectly into the picture with Walts on the Moon humming by your ears. Sad to say, Squall normally did not appreciate being in this kind of party. If given a choice, he would rather be in the training centre upgrading himself or just sleep himself worthless in his dormitary. But today - today was an exception. At least, he did enjoyed himself, even though it was only for a few minutes. And he smiled. A smile rarely seen after he joined the Garden. Legendary smile as some named it. The smile that seemed as though he had recalled a happy occassion, which cannot be bluffled or mistaken by his warm and longing look in his eyes, differentiated by his normal cold stares that has often caused people to shun him.

---------------------._(``ooOoo``)._----------------

Such similarity...

A picture of Rinoa's smiling face flashed across his memory, her brown eyes peering up at Squall once again. Squall shifted uneasily on his new bed, tucking his hands under his head as if in deep thought, ignoring the soft creaking pleas the bed emitted. He stared up at the ceiling, both eyes remained transfixed on the slowly revolving fan which stirred its surrounding air lazily.

I've seen these eyes before... I know them... but, where?

Squall frowned slightly, his eyelids threatened to shut him off his thoughts and let his brain escort him into the world of dreams. The small little clock on his desk ticked away patiently and mercilessly, taking away seconds and paying no attention to Squall even when his surroundings turned into just a part of a blurred vision. Sleep drifted into his mind, forcing him to surrender all his thoughts. Before Squall lost consciousness, another picture flashed across his blank mind, causing the corners of his mouth to curve upwards ever so slightly.

Fireworks...

~Oo----------'----------'----------'----------.'`-.( ^-^)-`'.----------'----------'----------'----------oO~

Alrighty! (suddenly just up and crashed into the laptop... ouch....) That's it! While, I try to get the next chapter up as soon as possible, and meanwhile, please bear with my grammatical mistakes..... (hungs head down in shame) Anyway, I'll try to check and recheck them to make sure there is as few mistakes as possible.... It may be a long wait to the next chapter, as I have to prepare for my O'levels examinations as well as my preliminary examinations. Till then, enjoy the FFVIII game and the story of Squall and Rinoa!!! _

All the best to you all out there! ---(c-