Chapter 2

Irvine tipped his hat to a few Cadet SeeD girls as he passed them. Sure, him and Selphie were dating, but flirting was in his nature and he couldn't help but be a little friendly to the female students at Balamb Garden.

They giggled to each other, waved to Irvine and went back to the conversation they were having.

Irvine continued on his way to his destination-the Parking Lot. Selphie and Rinoa had been badgering him to talk to Zell all week. He had finally given in to them so he didn't have to hear them yell at him anymore. Besides, Zell was not himself lately and Irvine wanted to get his childhood friend out of the slump he was in.

Zell was in the Parking Lot just about everyday. He was a great mechanic and very good with his hands and he enjoyed cars. So it was no surprise that Zell spent his off time in the Parking Lot fixing up the cars. It took his mind off things and that was the state of mind Zell wanted to be in.

Irvine entered and spotted Zell on the other side of the room. He started to walk toward him and made his presense clear by clearing his throat.

A wrench of some clammered to the ground and Zell rolled out from underneath a car. "Yo, Irvine, sup?" He wiped his hands on his jean shorts and then wiped sweat off his forehead.

"Well, Zell." Irvine started. "What the hell is wrong with you?" He said. He was sick of waiting for Zell to tell his friends what was bothering him, so he was just going to come right out and ask him.

Zell fiddled with his hands and looked Irvine in the eyes. "Damn, Irv, what do you think?" His left eye squinted as a forgotten sweat drop fell into his eye.

Irvine chucked. He didn't laugh because he found Zell's pain humerous. It was a laugh of disbelievement. "Zell, man, get over her. You're a good- lookin' guy and I know a lot of girls. I can set ya up." He wiggled his eyebrows.

Zell shook his head and turned back to the car he was fixing. "I don't want another girl." He sat back down on the ground.

"That's what they all say until they meet someone else." Irvine waved his hand.

"I don't wanna meet anyone else." Zell's voice held anger. He took a deep breath and turned back to look at Irvine. "I will deal with my problems. Thanks anyway." He slid down and back under the car.

Irvine stood unsure of what to say. "Um, ok man, whatever. You goin' to the Ball tonight?"

"Yeah." Zell's voice was muffled.

Irvine seemed surprised. "With who? I thought you didn't want to meet anyone new?"

Zell slid out from under the car once again. "I'm not.I'm going with her." He gave Irvine a smug smile and then disappeared under the car again.

Irvine rolled his eyes. "Later, man." He walked away from the car and exited the Parking Lot. He shook his head as he saw Selphie at the end of the hallway.

Selphie had her same old smile on, but frowned slightly when she saw Irvine's face. "What happened?"

"He doesn't want a new girl and he's going to the Ball with her tonight." Irvine explained.

Selphie nodded. "I knew that. I don't think he wants to get over her."

Irvine put his arm around his girlfriend. "I don't think so either babe, but if he does, then going with her tonight is not the way to do it."