"...For me there lies,
Within the lights and shadows, of you eyes,
The only beauty that is never old..."
The young man's blue eyes opened slowly, appealing to the uprising sun. He slowly sat up, glancing wearily over towards the clock on the mantel, and surpassed that towards the now open window. He rubbed his eyes, gently, as he leaned back on a free hand. He took in a deep breath, as he stared down at himself. He was a mess that previous night, that was one thing he recalled.
He took in a deep breath, as he ran his slender, bold fingers through his wavy brown hair, as though searching for his hat that was always usually there. He blinked slightly, his eyes closing once again, as a peaceful thought escaped him. How long had it been? He'd often wonder to himself. He was far from what he had somehow came to known. For the most recent times, he stayed in his own little apartment in Galbadia. Somewhere, he'd tell himself to go, just to be alone, to get things off of his mind.
He slowly stood up, as he began stretching oddly, then walking over towards the open window, yet again, only to see a crowded city filled with people who most likely couldn't have found anything better to do. His blue eyes slowly fixated onto the half open suit case, that slumped solemnly in the corner of his room. He wouldn't have thought, a thing would bring him to remember those "memorable" days at Garden. He tormented it, it wasn't as though he couldn't have gone through one day without having someone getting completely on his nerves.
He let out a soft humble laughter, as a name fell into place. Selphie. Selphie Tilmitt...he had wondered about her, but never had made much of an attempt to keep in touch. He wanted out, ever since the end, ever since that day. But somehow, somewhere, things just keep bringing up what was so much of his past. It seemed so long, yet it had only been a meir 5 months at the most. The young man quickly turned away, as he inhaled deeply, squinting out at the skies before him. And how he longed for those days...
Irvine quickly snapped himself out of the trance, as he heard the loud roaring of the train, as it came to a quick stop. He gazed around the nearly empty ride, as he blinked roughly, making sure he was fully awake. Was I dreaming? He wondered, as the radio turned on, signaling off riders. He scratched the back of his neck, as he took in a deep breath, glancing out at the train yard just outside his window.
"NEXT STOP, BALAMB GARDEN" the announcers voice replied, as though answering his curiosity. Irvine slowly leaned back, getting comfortable once again, as he tilted his hat, slightly, running his fingers across the brim. His blue eyes gazed out as the train continued moving, little by little until it started completely. Irvine recalled a moment that day, where he was happier than ever, not once thinking as he did. He often found himself in a long train of thought, once alone. As though, the quietness was too much.
I wonder if she knows, he thought, something upon his mind. He brought his hand to his hat as he tilted it back, away from his eyes. Those eyes that most girls truly just couldn't resist. He took in a deep breath, thinking solemnly to himself. He recalled a phone call that morning. A squeaky little voice just on the other end. Selphie seemed no different, nor had he remembered much of that. So Squall and Rinoa is finally getting married, he thought, with somewhat of a smirk and smile. How long has it been since then? He let out a soft laughter, as he thought of how excited Selphie had sounded.
Irvine wouldn't have thought of going back, not since then. Everything just seemed to bear too much of a burden, something he just couldn't get rid of. He hated thinking, and especially thinking too much about one thing. He sighed, turning his eyes away, as he glanced around the unfamiliar room, saying softly in his head, 'so, we'll meet again.'
Selphie jumped up happily, as she stared down at the letter that had came in earlier that afternoon. Zell glanced over to the young brunette, as he watched a smile spread across her thin lips. What the hell is she so happy about? He wondered, resuming his hot dogs, as he shook his head, hopelessly. She quickly skipped over towards the table where they all sat, as she leaned down to them.
"Guess what?" she piped up, her deep brown hair bouncing up, as she talked. "I've got GREAT news!" Squall didn't seem to pay much of his attention, although, Rinoa did.
"What is it, Selphie?" she questioned, a bit concerned.
She gave her a wide grin, "Irvy's coming back!"
This statement, suddenly caused Zell to swallow hard, as he began to take it in, "Wha?? Irvine's coming back? The hell is that all about? After this long?"
Selphie rolled her eyes, her hands upon her tiny hips, "Duh! Quit asking so many questions. You're getting on my nerves."
He smirked, as he took another bite of the hot dog in front of him, "Talk about anybody gettin' on anyone's nerves...."
"ANY-WAYS," she began again, a bit proud, "Isn't it great?"
There was a slight pause, as silence became of them. Rinoa took in a deep breath, "I wonder..."
"What is it this time?" Squall uttered, sounding a bit annoyed at her curiosity. She gave him a look, as her eyes fell upon Selphie, "Does Quistis know this?"
The young brunette paused, as she stared blankly at her friend, "...Umm....I don't remember telling her..."
Her eyes watched, as the skies stood in silence, as well as she. She breathed in heavily, as she then let out a deep sigh. She hadn't quite recalled, those reasons that she so much wondered about. Reasons that she questioned, outcomes that were never fully there. Quistis' blue eyes trailed, solemnly, around, as she watched the seagulls flying just above her. The Lighthouse was quiet, yet so abandoned. So many memories surrounded it, for every time she was there.
She stood as the sounds of the gentle breeze swept around, gently rustling through her golden locks. Quistis' hand came to her face gently, as she brushed back her tousled hair. A chill ran down her spine, as she felt the air swept passed her, roughly. She didn't quite understand her reasons for being there, so often. It was restless at times, when it hurt her even to think.
Her blue eyes slowly trailed onto the ground, as she stared down at the wet sand. She slowly kneeled down, as a smile crept onto her pale face. Her gloved hands gently ran through the sand, stroking it slightly, as she used her finger to draw out a heart, a question mark inside. Quistis sat in silence, as she gaped down at it, her eyes hurting then.
The sound of the gentle breeze rustled surpassed her, as she sat, her knees pulled up to her chest. The sun had begun to set, although, everything seemed endless and she couldn't help but hear the soft tune that she so much remembered. She recalled those times, when she lived in a house far off from cities known. She had learned to play the piano, to a song she remembered as 'Staring at the Sea.' Quistis smiled, slightly, as her blue eyes became wearily. Her hands trailed softly the deep sands, as she began to drift off yet again.
She didn't realize how long she had been there, nor did she care. All she ever wanted, right then and there was to be alone. And that was where she was, and she liked it. Her head slowly lifted from her knees, as she brought her attention to the darkening sky just above.
"Geeesh! It's about time you sent something here!" Selphie exclaimed, a smile upon her face, as she stared up at her tall friend. Irvine smiled slightly, as he seemed to look around the familiar Garden. His blue eyes slowly adjusted onto the petite girl beside him, she hadn't seemed to change one bit. But everything seemed so long, it was even hard for himself to remember.
"So, how was it, Irvine?" Rinoa questioned, a smile upon her face, as she held onto Squall.
"The typical," he replied, simply, as he strode around the empty Quad, "Things you wouldn't have been surprised about, ya know." Zell scratched his head, as he yawned briefly.
"Yo," he began, walking over towards the tall cowboy, "Its 'bout time you decided to finally come back."
Selphie smiled, exuberantly, "YEAH! There's people that misses you, hehe...." Rinoa paused, as she stared, studying the expression Irvine held onto, ever since he stepped foot back into Garden. A look that seemed so distant, it was hard to even figure out.
"Where is she?" he questioned, suddenly out of the blue. Squall's eyes fell upon Rinoa, who stared back at him, blankly.
"Ummm," Selphie began, as she glanced around, noticing the expression everyone had on their faces. She slowly crept up beside him, staring up at him, ".....Where's who?"
Irvine hesitated, as his blue eyes met hers, and a false smile fell upon his face, "Oh....no one...." He took in a deep breath, as he turned his back to his friends. Why hadn't he stopped thinking of her then? He had somehow forgotten about her, as well as the other women he'd encounter. But it was so hard, to even try. That, he couldn't quite understand. He didn't know what made her so different, or perhaps it was only that he came back to Garden, that he couldn't stop himself.
Irvine stood against the railing of the Training Center, as he gazed off at her. She seemed to have not noticed him, ever since he was there. He paused, as he brought the lit cigarette to his lips, and blew out a puff of smoke into the air. His blue eyes squinted slightly, as a slight smile fell upon his face. Quistis seemed so determined, he would think to himself. One thing in which he truly admired about her. But how could such determination fail so?
Quistis watched as the young children began to follow her lead, as she instructed them. Who'd have thought she would have recovered her Instructor License again. She was situated to much younger children, that were held in much smaller groups. That she didn't mind, she loved her job, something that she wouldn't need to think much about. A smile played role across her rosy red lips, as she stood aside, instructing them.
He couldn't help but think, as he noticed how happy she implied. He wondered if she was thinking of him too, at that moment. Her blue eyes trailed away, when she slowly turned in his direction, suddenly noticing him. Their eyes met, as thoughts streamed through her mind, she slowly glanced away. Acting as though, nothing had happened. What's he doing here? Quistis wondered, her eye brows arched. How long has he been staring at me like that?
She quickly snapped back to reality, as she then dismissed her session. She awaited until they all exited, and she later followed. Quistis glanced downward, but held her head up high. She came to a stop, as her eyes fell upon the tall figure. She stared up at him, for what seemed eternity, as he glanced down at her.
"Surprised, seeing you here," she uttered, her arms crossing her chest, something she always found herself doing. Irvine leaned back against the rail, holding onto his cool exterior as he cocked his head to one side.
He slowly brought the cigarette to his lips, as he took in another puff, "....Yeah....been awhile. I see you're doin' all right."
Quistis smiled slightly, "Of course, how else would I be doing?"
"I wouldn't know," he uttered, his blue eyes burning into her own. Quistis stared back at him, fixated. She remembered how she so much found comfort in him. How every time, she'd stare into his eyes, and question him, knowing that he would always have an answer. But then she couldn't help but realize the same things, in which she endure not so long ago. She held back.
"...I agree," Quistis uttered, coldly, "You wouldn't know."
Irvine let out a sigh, as he turned away, then adjusted his blue eyes back upon her, "Quistis, can we just talk without you using every single thing against me?" She paused, as she stared up at him hard.
"....and what would that be?" she uttered, avoiding his eyes.
There was a sudden pause, as the two stood in the silence, "...Can we just....go back to the way we used to be? When it was all right, for me to sit here and talk to you....When you'd open up to me..."
"Haven't I opened up to you, enough?!??" Quistis remarked, angered by his words. Her voice revealed hurt, as she gaped up at him. "Wasn't that what you wanted? To just have your part, and leave?"
He stared down at her, angered, "What? You think I do that to every girl I meet?"
Her voice stayed calm, as she replied softly, "You did that to me..." He stayed quiet, as her part got the best of him. He didn't have much else to say, for the words that escaped her fell through. Quistis blinked hard, as she slowly reached over for his half lit cigarette from his hand, bringing it to her lips. Irvine stared at her, a bit startled, at what she did.
Her blue eyes turned away from him, changing the subject, "...Is that what you do, when you wanna stop thinking?"
"It doesn't help," he replied, solemnly.
Quistis turned to him, as she held onto the cigarette, "Can I ask you something?" She slowly grabbed his gloved hand, as she held onto it. She stared down at it, as she slowly brought the lit cigarette and pressed it down against his hand, roughly. Irvine squinted, at the stinging pain that evolved him in that instant. Her blue eyes never turned away from his own.
"Does it hurt?" Quistis questioned, filled with curiosity. Before giving him a chance to say anything, she began again, "You remember?...........I just wanted you to know....that it hurt me 1000 times more."
AWWW MANG! It sucked I know...help help...^-^ ooppsies. hehe.. Well, yea hope you can review for me...don't be too harsh..I didn't know exactly how to finish up this chapter. More to come soon. If you''ll be nice and review!
