2: Big Plans
Oonagh and I finished lunch and went our separate ways. I had a meeting to go to and she had to help in the library. The meeting I was going to was a mandatory meeting of the Garden committee. I made my way to the Quad, where the meeting was being held. I had to be there first because I was the president. I made sure that the stage was set up and the lighting was just right.
"Selphina!" I turned my head and greeted my friend Jacob with a smile. He was a newer addition to the committee. He had black hair and brown eyes and was very friendly. He was training under Squall to be a gunblade expert.
"Jacob!" I shrieked in response. He grinned and took a seat. "You're here early!"
"I know!" Every few seconds another member of the committee would filter inside the Quad. I checked them off a list I had with me. Finally every name had a check mark next to it. I smiled brightly at all my friends in the Garden committee. There were about ten of us in the committee, and every single one of them was good at something that was helpful to our organization. I tried to get Zell and Squall on the committee about a month ago, but neither of them were interested. On the stage there was a microphone waiting for me, but that'd have been overkill.
"Thanks for coming, guys!"
"You're welcome!" the jovial few shouted.
"If I'm not mistaken, one of our members has a great idea for something we can organize soon. Everyone, please welcome the committee's vice-president, Nida Jones." I clapped along with the others. Nida meekly got up from his chair and walked onstage. He looked so ordinary, so plain. That's where looks deceived. Nida was a great friend and an even greater planner. His brown hair was neatly combed as always, his brown eyes sparkling with life. I convinced him to join the committee before he was given the task of Garden pilot. We haven't had a need to fly around lately, so he's back to his first duty. I gave him a hug; he gently returned the gesture. The microphone was for him to use; he stepped up to it and cleared his throat.
"Thank you very much, Selphie."
"No problem!" I chirped. Several people in the room laughed.
"This idea is not entirely mine," he continued. "Selphie and I have been discussing this for some time. We thought it a great idea to hold a Spring Festival of sorts. It will be sort of like a SeeD graduation, only everyone will be allowed to come." Murmurs floated around the room.
"Tell 'em about the tickets!" I insisted. He smiled at me.
"I was getting to that. To come, everyone in the Garden will be required to purchase a ticket from one of us. If they don't buy a ticket, they can't come. The tickets are ten Gil each. The profits will go to the committee fund so we'll be able to hold events like this in the future."
"How much is this gonna cost?" someone demanded.
"Let Nida and I worry about money. You guys worry about putting up posters and selling tickets!" I advised. "Marie is standing at the doorway and will hand you a roll of thirty tickets as you exit. I think that'll be enough, unless someone from outside the Garden wants to come." The Garden committee members got up from their seats and exited the Quad. Nida and I stayed behind making sure they each got a roll of tickets.
"Now what?" asked Nida.
"Duh!" I laughed, pushing him playfully. He grimaced and rubbed his arm.
"Please, Selphie, not so rough."
"Oops! Sorry!" I giggled. I smiled and answered his question: "We announce our plans to the whole school!" We walked out of the Quad and got our roll of tickets. Marie smiled at us and wished us luck. On our way to Headmaster Cid's office, I tried to convince Nida to let me do the announcement. He was a shy person by nature so he gladly let me take it. I think he was glad I was so eager to do it. We rode on the elevator to the third floor. I began giggling like crazy as we got closer to the Headmaster's office.
"Selphie, if you don't calm down, I'll have to do this," hissed Nida warningly.
"I'm okay, I'm okay," I insisted. I knocked on the Headmaster's door.
"Come in." Nida and I obeyed. Headmaster Cid was busy writing something on a piece of paper. Nida and I politely waited until he was finished. His brown hair was neatly parted, gray strands peeking out here and there. Spectacles perched on his nose and his wise face held a few wrinkles. He wore a crisp white shirt with a red knitted vest over it. I knew that he also wore khaki pants and shiny dress shoes. He had the appearance of someone's grandfather. At last he looked up, his face crinkling into a smile. We saluted smartly. "Selphie. Nida. To what do I owe this honor?"
"I need to use the PA!" I said. The headmaster's smile widened.
"Very well, but try not to shout into it."
"Okay!" I saluted again and rode the special elevator to where the PA system was located. I had used the system before and knew how it worked. I found the correct button and pushed it. The preliminary chime sounded over my head. I took a deep breath and broke into my most cheerful grin. I knew the students wouldn't be able to see me, but it was my belief that smiling can be heard just as well as seen.
"Hi, everyone! This is Selphie Tilmitt of the Garden committee. Myself and the other members of the committee have decided to hold a Spring Festival…" I paused and counted on my fingers, "about a month from now. In order to go, you have to buy a ticket from one of the members. Please see myself or Nida Jones if you have any questions. Thanks a bunch and have a splendid day!" I turned off the PA. That went well. I never had a plan for what I would say, but when it got down to crunch time I always formed the right words.
I rode back down the elevator to fetch Nida. He and Headmaster Cid were talking about something. It would've been rude to listen in, so I waited outside the office until they were through. He joined me a few minutes later and we went down to the first floor together. We both had another class to go to. I certainly didn't want to be late to two classes in the same day! We said our good-byes and parted ways. My heart was pounding with excitement. I was really looking forward to this Spring Festival.
See, I didn't have such a great time at my SeeD graduation. I thought this would be a great way to make up for that. Also, my friend Irvine never really went to a Balamb Garden party. This way I could show him how fun they are. I had a secret ulterior motive that I didn't really want anyone to know: I wanted Irvine Kinneas to ask me to the Festival.