Chapter 3: " Good luck!"

The group stood to attention as Cid finished his briefing.

" Does everyone understand?" Cid looked over the rim of his glasses at the SeeD. Selphie looked down the group who were all lined up in a row, then she raised her hand jumping a bit.

" Will we be back in time for the Garden Festival?"

" Of course, this should only take a day or so," Cid smiled warmly, and chuckled at Selphie's bubblyness.

" Okay, then that's all!"

" .... They're not going to try to lock Rinoa up in that.. thing, are they?" There was almost a threatening sound in Squall's calm voice.

".. No, they won't."

"..."

Matron's approach broke the awkward silence.

" Hello , everyone," she bowed her head. Matron wore her normal long black dress, as well as her long black hair down.

" Hey Matron!" Selphie waved. The group began talking, but everything droned out for Squall. How does he know? They.... stop thinking, Squall..... just stop. He looked over to Rinoa. She was smiling she looked so happy.. How? You always smile...

" Hmm...," Rinoa turned to face Squall. " Is everything okay?" She said quietly.

".. Yeah."

" Okay," she didn't really believe him, but she dropped it.

" So, who's squad leader?" Seifer crossed his arms and looked at Squall, knowing the answer.

" Squall will be leader, anything he says, goes," Cid make sure to drill that idea in Seifer's head. he knew Seifer had a tendency to disobey orders.

" How did I know?" Seifer scowled.

" Don't get your panties in a bunch, Seifer," Zell said as he walked over patting Squall's shoulder. " Besides, Squall's a natural leader!"

" .. Whatever," Squall brushed Zell's hand away.

" Hehe," Rinoa covered her mouth as she giggled a bit.

"..... Is something wrong?" Squall turned his eyes to Rinoa. She shook her head putting her hands down, a bright smile remained on her warm face.

" No, nothing at all."

Squall knew Rinoa was laughing at how serious he could be. It bugged him before, but now he didn't mind. In fact, it almost made him want to smile, just to know Rinoa was happy and he could make her smile.

Selphie watched Squall and Rinoa, she could tell the two were sending silent messages between their eyes. She couldn't help but giggle to herself. I guess Squall's not so cold after all, tee hee.

Irvine noticed too, though his attention was drawn to Selphie who stood a bit in front of him. Nice a-

" C'mon! Let's get going!" Zell was getting impatient. Zell of course noticed nothing but how much time was being wasted. "Let's go kick some monster ass!!" He threw up his fist as if upper cutting something.

" Calm down, Zell. Headmaster Cid, I think we should get going before Zell pops a nerve," Quistis saluted to Cid.

"Yes yes, heh," he rubbed the back of his head chuckling a bit at Zell.

" Tch, I'm just ready to rumble, is that a crime?"

" Well then, I wish you all the best of luck!" Cid bowed his head.

" Thankyou," Quistis did the same.

" Good luck!" Matron waved as the group headed to the parking lot, to get a car to drive to Balamb.

As the group entered the parking lot the problem of "who would drive" arose.

" Me!! OOOO!! ME!" Selphie bounced flaring her arms.

" Oh yeah, we're gonna let the shorty drive. Can you reach the petals?" Zell laughed, pointing.

" Stop being a jerk!!" she kicked Zell's shin.

" Ow!!!" Zell jumped back. " The hell?!!!"

" You kind of deserved that one," Irvine chuckled. " Don't diss Selphie."

" Yeah yeah," Zell shook his leg a bit, trying to get the feeling back in it. " So who's driving?"

" I'll drive," Quistis stepped into the driver's seat.

" Alrighty then," Zell followed getting in the back. Selphie and Irvine got in afterwards.

" Well someone has to ride in front with me..," Quistis looked at the back seats of the SeeD van.

" Maybe we're all just too scar-" Zell began. Selphie elbowed his side.

" Sorry, Zell," She said with a fake smile, she had of course done it on purpose.

" No problem.....," Zell rubbed his side looking like he might have been a bit of pain.

" Why doesn't Squ-," Seifer was going to suggest Squall ride in the front, as he glanced at Rinoa who cut him off.

" I'll ride in the front," Rinoa took the other front seat and shut the door.

" After you," Seifer held his hand out, the way you would for someone to go ahead of you.

"...," Squall climbed in, and Seifer followed, the doors shut and the car was off to Balamb.