21: An Old Friend
Irvine was still locked out of his room and Zell was still being stubborn. I didn't feel right about leaving Irvine by himself, so I put him in Seifer's room for the night. Monday came and still Zell wouldn't let Irvine in. He went to class and took the exam but literally ran to his room afterwards and locked the door. He wouldn't even look at either of us. If I didn't feel so bad about what was going on, I would've smacked him on the back of the head. He was being such a big baby about this whole mess! Anyway, out of habit I went to his room soon after I got the results of the exam (I passed, thanks in large part to Oonagh) just to see what was going on.
I met up with Irvine and together we went to check on Zell. We were surprised to find someone already pounding on the door. We stayed back and watched this new person for a while. His spiky light brown hair was almost blonde; the tips were dyed black. He wore pants the same color as his hair and a dark blue shirt. Like most people, he was taller than me. He looked only a few inches shorter than Irvine. I couldn't quite make out his face at first. Hand in hand, Irvine and I quietly crept closer. The stranger was shouting and I picked up the word "Zell". I grabbed Irvine's arm. We didn't have to say a word; we could understand each other without speaking.
"You little ass! You'd better open this door right now!"
"I don't want to talk to you!" Zell's voice shouted back. I figured that this guy was cool so I went over to him, Irvine soon following me.
"Excuse me, but do you know Zell?" I asked. The guy turned and… let me just say that he was hot! I think he was a year or two older than me. He had a certain air about him that I recognized. It was the same kind of air that was on Irvine. Maybe that's why I thought he was hot.
"Yes, I do." He had dark brown eyes. He stared at me for a moment. "Don't tell me… you're Selphie, right?"
"Yeah, that's right," I nodded.
"And you're Irvine?" he added, pointing to Irvine.
"Yup."
"Thought so. Zell told me a lot about you two."
"Funny. He's never mentioned you," said Irvine nervously. The guy laughed and ran a hand through his messy hair, causing it to be even more of a mess.
"I can't imagine why. He and I are like brothers, in a way. My name is Konnor Bonaparte and I'm so glad I finally get to meet you guys." He grabbed Irvine's hand and shook it. When he got to me, he took my hand and kissed it. "In all that Zell told me about you, he never once mentioned how pretty you are."
"She's taken, pal," Irvine growled, pushing me away from him.
"Oh. Oh, well. I've still got a chance with Instructor Trepe." I figured out fairly quickly that Konnor was a flirt, just like Irvine. How ironic that Zell got stuck with two flirty roommates. "So do you guys want to talk to Zell?"
"He won't talk," I complained. "All because he thinks he can't ever get Oonagh back."
"He even locked me out, an' I'm his roommate!" Irvine added.
"I know, I know. It happened to me all the time," Konnor sighed. "And I bet that you don't have your set of keys. Am I right?" Irvine patted his pockets and shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not surprised. He's probably got them hidden somewhere in his room. No worries. I know how to get in."
"You do?" I gasped.
"Sure, sure. Observe." He whipped out an ordinary-looking hairpin. "Whenever I got locked out, I used this hairpin to get back in."
"You're gonna pick the lock?" Irvine frowned.
"Yeah. I suggest you learn how to do it." Konnor went to work picking the lock. This guy made me think of both Zell and Irvine. The way he spoke reminded me of Zell but his flirtatious nature reminded me of Irvine. "You kind of have to master it in time. I haven't done this in a while, so I'm kind of rusty." At last the lock clicked and he easily turned the knob.
"Woo-hoo!" I cheered. Konnor pocketed the hairpin. The three of us entered the room. It looked a little cleaner but then I noticed that all of the dirty clothes were on Irvine's bed. Zell's bedroom door was closed. "If that's locked, I'm going to scream."
"I can't lock it!" Zell shouted from inside. "I take it that you're with Konnor!"
"You know it, little brother!" Konnor grinned. The door opened and Zell came out, dragging his feet and scowling. "My, my. Looks like we woke you up."
"I'd say 'it's good to see you', but I'd be lying," Zell muttered. Konnor pushed off the harsh words with a smile.
"Wallowing in your own misery never helped anything, little bro. I just came to see you. It seems like your friends have some other business with you, concerning your favorite girl." Konnor sat down and put his feet up on the table. Zell sat across from him and did the exact same thing. They weren't really related but they did look a lot like brothers.
"Might as well sit down, guys," Zell suggested. Irvine and I took seats.
"While I'm here, I might as well ask about Oonagh," Konnor began. "I saw her with… Instructor Oren, I think, in the cafeteria. It looked to me that they were more than just friends. I told you she'd find someone else. Bet you wish you'd listened to me. So, have you given up on her?"
"More like letting her go than giving up," Zell grunted.
"He's giving up!" I chirped. Zell looked annoyed at my interruption but didn't say anything. "Just because he made one little mistake, he's going to totally give up." Konnor sighed and shook his head.
"Honestly, little bro. Weren't you listening when I gave you advice?"
"You don't understand, big bro! It's different for you! You and Irvine are good with women. Me? I couldn't even tell the one girl I liked how I felt."
"You think I'm good with women?" Irvine chuckled. "You got me all wrong, Zell! Sure I could flirt, but I wasn't any good at askin' Selphie to the Festival."
"At least she accepted you," Zell sighed. "I asked Oonagh, but… I guess we all know how that went."
"Don't think about it," Konnor suggested. "What you gotta do now is think of how you can fix things. Listen to your big brother, now. You find her and tell her how you feel. No matter what happens, she's gotta know how you feel about her."
"Not yet," I argued. "It wouldn't seem right to do that yet. You know, because of Walter."
"That's what I've been saying this whole time!" Zell declared.
"I meant it differently," I told him. I really hate to tell him this, but it feels like the right thing to do. Hyne forgive me. "She still likes you." I got the reaction I was expecting.
"What?"
"Hey, you still got a chance, little bro! She just said Oonagh still likes you!" Konnor cried. Zell looked numb. I wondered if he was going to faint.
"She… does? Are you sure, Sellie?"
"She told me herself."
"Then why's she with Walter?" Irvine asked.
"That's pretty obvious! It's because she thought he didn't like her! That's how most of my girlfriends ditch me. See, bro? You should listen to me!" Konnor had a smug grin on his face. "I told him time and time again that girls need to know you care, but he didn't listen to me. See where it got you, bro? Your girl's got another guy and you're here sulking!"
"And you're not really helping the situation," Zell added.
"Now that I know what's going on, I'm gonna do my damn best to get you out there and trying to get that girl back!" I grinned. That was exactly what I wanted to do. "I bet you're gonna listen to your big bro from now on, huh?"
"I listen to you, bro. I just don't always take your advice."
"Well, you'd better take it now before you lose her for good."
"What do I do, Mr. Ladies' Man?" I felt very out of things. Irvine was keeping quiet. Watching those two made me think they were actually brothers. I had to keep reminding myself that they weren't related.
"I suggest you wait. It wouldn't do for you to tell her you like her if she's already got a guy. Maybe hang around her and be nice. You know, show her you care about her. Go in the library, eat with utensils, all that stuff you used to do when you were with her."
"Hey, I know!" I shouted, slapping my palms together. I had just gotten a great idea. "Do you guys have a song?"
"A song?" Zell frowned.
"Yeah, a song. Like Squall and Rinoa's song is 'Eyes on Me'. Do you have a song like that?"
"I… don't think so."
"But Zell! Every couple needs a song!"
"We ain't got a song," Irvine reminded me.
"I know, Irvy, but we haven't been a couple long enough." I turned back to Zell. "You should write her a song!"
"But I can't…"
"Great idea!" Konnor interrupted. "Zell's a good singer, believe it or not."
"Bro, I can't write a song!" Zell complained.
"You want Oonagh or not?" Irvine demanded.
"Uh… I want her."
"Then you'll write a song. It doesn't matter if it's good or not. If you write it with love, that's all that matters. Ain't that right, Sellie?" He squeezed my hand.
"Absolutely!"
"We all agree!" Konnor announced. "Now you've got to write a song, bro!"
"But…"
"Zell," Konnor interjected, "didn't I once tell you to do whatever you could to get the girl you were meant to be with? If it takes a song, then you're gonna write a song. Now quit being such a big sissy and do what your big brother says!"
"Fine! I'll write a song!"
"That's my bro!" Konnor laughed. He grabbed Zell and gave him a rough head-rub. Zell was grinning. I was glad Konnor showed up when he did. I felt a whole lot better about the whole Zell and Oonagh situation. Zell could take care of things for a while.
"Now that that's taken care of, there's someone I want you to meet, Konnor!" I chirped.
_____
Irvine and I didn't tell Konnor where we were taking him or who he was about to meet. He wasn't concerned. He assured us that he would be thrilled to meet any friends of ours. Of course it would help a great deal if there were beautiful women among them. I assured him there were, but was careful not to reveal that these girls were already taken. We finally came to our destination.
"Wait here," I instructed, pointing down to the ground.
"Okay," Konnor shrugged. I left him with Irvine and went to where the posse was waiting.
"You guys are about to meet a really neat guy. Angel, Fujin. I have to warn you guys that he's a bit flirty."
"Like Irvine?" Fujin smiled.
"Sort of. Come on." They followed me around the corner. I presented them to Konnor proudly. His mouth dropped.
"Seifer? Is that you?"
"Konnor?" To my surprise, the two smiled at each other and embraced like old friends. Irvine scratched the side of his head. He looked just as confused as I was. Konnor held Seifer at arm's length.
"I haven't seen you in a long time, man! How's everything?"
"I've been doing a lot better. How long has it been, anyway?"
"Well, I'm pretty sure you didn't have a scar the last time I saw you." Konnor's smile widened when he spotted Fujin and Raijin. "Hey, it's Fujin and Raijin! Come on over here, you guys!" They obeyed. Angel and Jake quietly followed, looking a little awkward. At least I wasn't the only one that didn't know what was going on.
"Konnor, how do you know the posse?" I asked timidly.
"Oh, I got stuck in detention about every day. We got to be pretty good friends." So that's where Zell gets it. "You've been taking care of my little bro, Seifer?"
"No. Selphie, Irvine, Squall, and Quistis have been watching him. He and I never really hit it off." Seifer shrugged his shoulders. "It's kind of strange. You guys are like brothers, but I can get along with you."
"I'm telling ya, it's 'cause you two are so much alike."
"That's what I think too!" I added. So Konnor is friends with the posse too. This is just too cool! "I told Zell that he reminded me of Seifer."
"I am not like him at all!" Seifer denied.
"Who're the newcomers?" Konnor wondered, noticing Angel and Jake.
"My name is Angel." Her hand was kissed.
"I'm Jake."
"Nice to meet you both. You guys with the posse or something?" Angel blushed and discreetly slipped her hand around Seifer's arm.
"You could say that." Konnor's eyes bugged out of his head.
"Damn, Seifer! I find my bro by himself and you with a babe! There truly is justice in this world! Hahaha! I wouldn't be surprised at all if this guy's dating Fujin." Jake grinned in embarrassment.
"You're just upset that you didn't get me first," Fujin smiled.
"True," Konnor admitted. "I still have hope if Quistis is single." He turned to me expectantly. "She is single, right?"
"Uh…" I thought about Nida. He had been so happy with Quistis. I wondered what she thought about him. "As far as I know."
"Score! Hey, if my bro gets his ass in gear, maybe we can all hang out together. Let's see, that'd be a… quadruple date. Four couples."
"Five couples," I corrected. "We can't forget about Squall and Rinoa."
"Well, however many of us there are, we should definitely get together." Irvine nudged me with his elbow.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say that Konnor really was Zell's older brother!" he whispered. I nodded in agreement.
"Seifer, you remember my terms?" Konnor questioned. "You can't make fun of Zell while I'm around. I get to do that."
"You got it, Konnor." Konnor turned to us with a huge grin on his face. I could've sworn I was staring at an older version of Zell with his hair cut short.
"Now all we gotta do is wait on my little bro!" I had a bad feeling that it was going to be a long wait.