Dedicated to Angelwhispher for an inspiring review …
Chapter 4
Squall returned to his room, hoping for the impossible, that Rinoa would stop by to thank him. He went to the bathroom, washing up his cuts. He looked at the enormous tear in his shirt. (Great,) Squall thought, (there goes another shirt.) He took it off, revealing his well muscled chest. The deep gash in his shoulder slightly worried him. (It should be fine,) he reassured himself. Squall never wanted to think of himself as weak. He wanted to believe he would be able to handle everything – every pain, every agony. He didn't want to let anyone into his heart, his problems, they wouldn't understand. Behind the façade of being extremely social, he was very reserved. Squall knew his friends knew who he was, even how he felt sometimes, but they didn't know him. (Why do I even bother pretending when it hurts so bad sometimes?)
He laid down on his bed, staring up at the ceiling and forcefully changed his thoughts. (Why am I so attracted to a girl who won't even give me a kind word?) It was her eyes, her soul that drew him to her. All Squall had to do was look into her fiery brown eyes, and he could see the need to prove herself, her distrust of people. What had gone so wrong in her life that she couldn't trust people? He felt connected to this girl like no other. He shared that same pained look in her eyes, that barrier she had put between herself and others. It was just more obvious than his. Then he remembered the way she looked at him when she was in his arms. (What was that? Love? Trust? Admiration?) Her kind look. With just one look, Squall felt as if he could live on it for weeks to come.
Rinoa 'woke' up in the infirmary, and had the doctor explain to her what happened. She nodded at the doctor's suggestions to take it easy for the next couple of days. Rinoa walked, gracefully and slowly back to her room. Thoughts of Squall troubled her. (Why was he … nice?) She tried to push those thoughts way. (That's impossible. No one is nice without a reason.) But the way he protected her, and even getting her out of trouble implied otherwise. He had only tried to talk to her, to get to know her better, but she pushed him away. She struggled with her feelings walking along the corridors. Rinoa was so immersed in her thoughts she didn't notice the guy following her, the one who didn't believe that any woman could reject him. He followed her to the dormitories, where his room, Squall's and Rinoa's were relatively close to each other. His room was the first to reach. He quickly ran forward, checking to make sure no one was looking, and covered her mouth. Then he dragged her to his room, locking the door behind him.
"Who do you think you are?!" Rinoa demanded, turning around to face her kidnapper. She was furious. She gasped, a little surprised at the familiar face. "Seifer?!" She laughed in pity and disbelief. "Don't you ever take a hint? Although it was more of a direct statement: Go away."
He sneered at her. "I know you didn't mean that baby," he drawled. "It's all part of your façade, trying to pretend that you weren't attracted to me. I played your stupid game for a while, but now, here I am, just as you wanted." He leaned closer to her, revealing his drunken state.
"You're drunk. And stupid. But I'll let it pass for now. If you'll excuse me." Rinoa tried to push past him towards the door, but he barred the exit with his strong arm. He roughly pushed her towards his bed.
"Come on. Give me a kiss." He roughly pulled her towards him.
(EW!) Rinoa thought. (How gross!) She took her hand back to slap him, but he stopped her hand. He almost crushed her hand in his strong grip. "Ow! Let go of me jerk!" She yelled. Seifer leaned in closer, about to kiss her when she kneed him, hard. He doubled over in pain but wasn't phased for long.
"You like to play it rough, I see." He slapped her across the face, and she crumpled to the ground from the force of the blow. Then he picked her up and threw her onto the bed. He unbuckled his belt.
(Oh no … Please no!) Rinoa screamed defiantly in her mind. She'd never even kissed a guy, let alone … (NO! He won't do this to me! I won't let him!) Rinoa sat up, still hurting from the slap. Seifer took one stride towards her, and reached the bed. He pushed her back down, because she wasn't strong enough to push him off. She started to scream, but he punched her again. She was almost unconscious. (I have to fight it. I can't, I …) She groaned in pain and in protest. He tore at her clothes, almost succeeding in taking off her shirt when the door burst open.
"What the …" Seifer never finished his question. A strong punch knocked him out. A rough hand pulled him off Rinoa. She managed to see kind, concerned eyes looking at her. Sky blue eyes … then she gave in. Rinoa became unconscious.
Squall looked at the bruised Rinoa and tenderly caressed her face, checking to make sure she was going to be alright. He saw her half torn off shirt, revealing more of her angelic, soft skin. His protective nature took over and he took off his jacket, wrapping it around her. Squall gently picked her up, cradling her light frame into his arms. He wanted to hold her in his arms forever. Squall exited Seifer's room, and kicked the door closed behind him. (Phew. No one in the halls right now. Should I take her to my room? Or should I take her to hers …but she might not appreciate me searching her.) Squall decided to take her to his room. He managed to walk through the hall with Rinoa in his arms, unnoticed. He fumbled holding her and opening his door, but he managed. He lay her down on his bed then closed the door behind him. Pulling up a chair, he resolved to wait until she was awake.