Dedicated to the reviewers: Tiger Eyes, Skar, Mr. McFrugalshtein, Chibi Tsuki
Chapter 7
Rinoa slumped against the door after Squall left for breakfast. (What am I doing?) she asked herself. Her new relationship with the handsome cadet was moving so quickly. Even she couldn't believe she had changed so much in a few hours. (Or did I really change?) When she though of other talking, mingling with other people, Rinoa was hesitant. She sighed. (But Squall's different…I can trust him…he cares for me…right?) Her nagging doubts, caused by years of neglect from her father, caused her to be unsure of Squall even after yesterday. Then she smiled, remembering how he had held her protectively, only caring about her well-being.
Seifer was already awake and dressed. He vaguely remembered the events of last night: being so drunk that he acted upon his desires, then someone hitting him. He thought hard, (Who punches like that? Who would care?....Squall. He must have been the one that took Rinoa from me. Damn him! I was so close.) He smirked. There was one way to find out, and he was set on destroying any relationship between Squall and Rinoa, if any existed. If Seifer managed to destroy the only person she remotely trusted, she'd be vulnerable. Vulnerable enough for him to comfort her, and turn to his charms. He grinned and set off for Rinoa's room.
Rinoa opened the door to go to training. What shocked her was Seifer ready to knock on her door. (What's he doing here?!) she said to herself. Rinoa assumed a defensive position: arms crossed, and blocked him from coming in, if that was his intention. "What do you want Seifer? I'm in a hurry," she said, sighing impatiently.
He gave her a small smile. "I wanted to apologize for last night. I was really drunk, and I didn't mean to hurt you like that…are you ok?"
Rinoa laughed bitterly. "Since when do you care?" Seifer pretended to look hurt, and Rinoa felt a little guilty.
"I can see that you don't trust me…but maybe you will after I tell you something that he didn't want you to know…" Seifer paused for the effect, and saw Rinoa confused, and slightly worried. He continued, "I think you know Squall…well, you should be careful of him."
Rinoa looked at him, trying to see if he was lying or not, "Why?"
Seifer gulped, pretending this was hard for him to say. "Please don't tell him I told you. I've had enough fights." She nodded, but didn't know if she believed if Seifer ever had enough of fighting. "Well, Squall is a real lady charmer. He's very outgoing, as you know, but it's all a pretense. The entire chivalry behavior is an act. He thinks it works really well for getting the ladies in…his bed. I mean, he dumped Quistis after two dates because he was able to sleep with her in that time. I had to comfort the poor girl because she was so heartbroken. So, please Rinoa, I know you don't trust me, but at least be careful of Squall." She nodded and swallowed, looking hurt and weak. When Seifer decided the damage was done, he wished her a good day and left. She didn't know how long she sat in the chair, thinking, hoping, and confused.
(Squall? Why didn't you tell me about Quistis? Is this all true? Is that why you were so eager to have me stay the night…hoping for more?) Rinoa was confused and hurting. She slumped into the nearest chair, trying to sort things out. A few minutes passed, but Rinoa didn't seem to notice. The one person she trusted…had he betrayed her? She didn't know, but was intent on finding out. Then there was soft knock on the door. "Rinoa?" called a gentle, masculine voice. She opened it and saw Squall. "You weren't in the training rooms, so I came here."
"Squall?" She looked at him with hurt eyes, needing to know. He looked at her with concern. "Why didn't you tell me about Quistis?" He was shocked that she had asked him that. (How did she know about that?) Squall thought to himself.
He looked down. "She's not one of my fonder memories. I try not to think about those days."
Rinoa looked as if she would cry. "Didn't you think it was important to tell me though? I mean, I was going to find out sooner or later."
"It's not important. She's in the past. You're all that matters to me." Squall touched her elbow tenderly as if to draw her to him.
Tears began to fall down her angelic face. "Don't touch me! I'll only matter to you until I sleep with you right?! How could I be so stupid in trusting you!" She slammed the door on him and refused to answer. Squall left after a few minutes, defeated and sad that she would ever think that. (How could she think that? Who would have told her that?) he asked himself, depressed that he had hurt the only girl he had ever cared about.
Rinoa slipped out of the dormitories later that day. She ran out of Balamb Garden, not caring where she was going. She just wanted to get away from it all. Someone should have warned her more on the dangers outside the garden, on the open plains. There were no guards, no protection, and the only thing that would save you was yourself.