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TROUBLED

CHAPTER 2

-Hotdogs and Bathwater

~

Irvine hurriedly walked toward the cafeteria with two things on his mind, hotdogs and Zell. A week had past since Squall found a nearly lifeless Zell in his dorm-room.

Zell had survived but barely and it had taken the week to recover. Today he and Quistis helped Zell walk back to his room with a worried Ma Dincht right behind. Irvine, along with Squall, Quistis, Selphie, and Rinoa, had promised Zell's mother they would take care of Zell so she could get home, and after an hour or so of arguing, she kissed her son goodbye and had a nice relaxing walk home.

Zell enjoyed the love coming from everyone, and Irvine knew it. He felt sorry for Zell, the whole time thinking that no one cared for him, and he wanted to do something to show he cared. He couldn't think of anything amazing so he did the obvious and went to get him hotdogs.

"I'd like six, please."

"Coming right up."

A few minutes later, Irvine was back at Zell's room.

"Hotdogs! Woo-hoo!" Selphie yelped as Irvine came in the door.

"No Selphie, for Zell."

"Oh.."

~

Zell smiled the whole time everyone was in his bedroom, but his outside didn't reflect his insides.

*Yeah right.. like they actually care, they just don't want me to die, I don't think they would anybody to die, but that doesn't mean they care for me. Ugh, they are all full of shit.. they wont stop me next time, I'll be extra careful..*

And so his thoughts had continued for the rest of the day, interrupted when they turned to joy at the sight of hotdogs.

*Thanks Irvine, I needed that*

With that Irvine pulled everyone into the other room, giving Zell time to eat.

"I think I need to get some sleep before I go nuts."

"All of us do." Quistis yawned.

"Do you think it's a good idea to leave him alone? What if.." Selphie cut herself off and then perked up again, "Squall, I vote you to stay with him!"

"...whatever"

Rinoa wanted Squall with her, for her own obvious personal reasons. "Selphie, why don't you stay?"

Immediately Irvine spoke up, "I vote Squall!"

Rinoa snickered but then Quistis settled it.

"Squall, you're the leader, you get to take care of him." With that she walked back into Zell's room and told him she was going to bed and she would see him in the morning.

Irvine and Selphie did the same, and took off for Selphie's room. *Oh, so that's why* Squall thought.

Rinoa sighed.

"First thing in the morning then Squall," and off she went to Squall's dorm.

~

Zell wasn't sure if everyone had left or not, so he got up and walked dizzy to the bathroom. He closed the door and pulled open the curtain to his shower that doubled as a bathtub.

He put the plug in the bath and started the shower.

~

Squall decided he would go into Zell's room and sit by his bed and read. He muttered something about having to always be the babysitter and walked into Zell's room.

Zell wasn't still in bed and he heard the shower. *Oh my gods, he's naked*

His curiosity got the better of him and he turned the knob slowly.

*Heh.. he forgot to lock it*

He pulled the door open and did indeed find a naked Zell, but laying face down in the tub.

Squall was irritated now and he grabbed Zell by the shoulders and yanked him out of the water.

Zell had only been there for a few seconds, around 30 at the most, but he still gasped for air, still somewhat weak from his last attempt.

Squall blew up.

"What the Hell is wrong with you, can't you see you are gonna hurt everyone if you do this."

"Fuck you Squall, they all just feel sorry for me, once I'm gone, they won't have to"

"How can you say that!?"

"Prove it, no one cares for me. Especially Seifer and Irvine.. assholes"

"Seifer is a loser, he doesn't have any self-esteem so he picks on you and calls you names, but who cares about him anyway."

"Who cares about me anyway?"

The moment got the better of him and he quickly stated, "I do."

"Yeah, right, leave me alone.."

"I do!"

Zell sat down on the side of the tub and put his head in his hands.

Though Squall was still worried and pissed at the same time, he kept thinking things like, *He doesn't care that he is naked in front of me?*

"If you do, prove it, say something that proves you care for me. What has anyone done for me recently? And stopping me from suicide doesn't count, you would've done that for anyone." *I sound so selfish...*

Squall thought about his answer for a second.

"See... I knew you couldn't think of anything."

"I don't know if I should say what I want to."

"Go ahead, see if I care."

*I'm not sure you are going to like this Zell...* "I think you will care."

"Go for it then..."

"Okay..." Squall stammered, "I, I l-love you Zell, I am completely in love with you."

Zell's jaw dropped and Squall took advantage of it to kiss him.







-So there it is, chapter 2! Chap 3 is on the way but school is such a pain in the ass, and I'm an honors student so homework takes up a lot of time too, I'll try to get them out as soon as possible though! 3rd chapter coming right up ^_^ Review please!