Thanks to my loyal reviewers. I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long. Also, let me know if I should make this an R rated story (not this chapter) or keep it at its current rating.
Disclaimer: I don't anything from FF8/Squaresoft, or the Westlife song in here (Puzzle of My Heart).
Chapter 14
Squall and Rinoa entered the dance after Irvine and Selphie. The ballroom was beautifully decorated with white and red roses adorning the tables, and windows. The scent filled the room, as couples were on the floor dancing to romantic tunes. The room was softly lighted by the starlight from the enormous window built into the ceiling. Fortunately for Rinoa, it was difficult to see more than five or ten feet in front of herself. Irvine would have a hard time finding her, or so she hoped. Squall wanted to hide in the corner. He didn't want to let Rinoa know that he didn't know how to dance, but he just smiled at her. Squall knew that she would find out soon, and for that he was anxious. A new song started to play, as Squall saw Rinoa smile at him.
(She's so beautiful…so perfect.) He thought, as the moonlight and starlight fell upon her hair.
It's the way she fills my senses
It's the perfume that she wears
I feel I'm losing my defenses
To the color of her hair
Rinoa motioned to the dance floor, and Squall froze, remembering his inability to dance. "I…uh…" He blushed and Rinoa loved him the more for it. She nodded, still smiling, understanding what he was unable to say. Squall was amazed by her ability to read him so well.
She leaned close to his ear. "Everyone has to learn." Squall gulped but held his trust in her as she led him to the dance floor.
And every little piece of her is right
Just thinking about her
Takes me through the night
She placed one of his hands on her hip and the other in her hand. Rinoa guided him through the steps. Squall barely managed to keep up at first, but when the steps repeated again, he learned.
Every time we meet
The picture is complete
Every time we touch
The feeling is too much
She's all I ever need
To fall in love again
I knew it from the very start
Squall held Rinoa close, listening to the truth of the words of the song.
She's the puzzle of my heart
It's the way she's always smiling
That makes me think she never cries
I feel I'm losing my defenses
To the color of her eyes
This moment belonged to the fairy tale couple. Rinoa whispered in Squall's ear, "I love you. If you forget everything, at least remember how to dance…"
"I'll never forget you Rinoa. You'll always be in my heart."
I knew it from the very start
She's the puzzle of my heart
Like a miracle she's meant to be
She became the light inside of me
And I can feel her like a memory
From long... ago
The fates would grant the beloved couple their wishes. They returned to reality after the song. Squall and Rinoa had been in their own world, drinking in each other's presence.
Meanwhile Irvine and Selphie were having a good time as well. "Want me to get you a drink hon?" Asked Irvine. Selphie replied with a smile and nod. Then as he left, she spotted Rinoa and Squall, as well as Quistis who was watching from a corner. Quistis nodded to Selphie, and they understood that she would distract Squall if needed. Selphie was walking over to talk to Rinoa when a young cadet cut in between Rinoa and Squall.
"Dance with me?" she flirted with Squall. He was too surprised to answer and Sally took the opportunity to drag him to the dance floor. He had be yanked from gazing into Rinoa's beautiful eyes. Selphie was equally surprised, but caught up to her new friend.
"Everything going ok Rinoa?" Selphie asked.
Rinoa was still chuckling from the reaction of her startled date, and eyed her new company. "Yep! Everything is going really well. Who's that girl that just stole Squall though?"
Selphie laughed. "One of the girls from the Squall Fan Club. Irvy is off getting a drink, but you can dance with him the next one if you want to. That way he'll know you showed up."
Rinoa nodded and went to find Irvine, but not before looking back at Selphie. "Irvy?"
The usually hyper and talkative girl blushed and was quiet. "It's just a nickname," she said quietly.
Rinoa walked away, finding Irvine on his way back from getting a drink. "Oh hey Rinoa! I was just getting this drink…for you!" He exclaimed a little excitedly in trying to cover up who he had originally gotten the drink for. She smiled and relieved him of the cup. She sipped a little before Irvine asked her to dance. They went off to the dance floor as Selphie sighed at the feelings she had for the cowboy.
Quistis leaned against the wall on a far off corner of the ballroom. She didn't have to distract Squall for the current dance; the young cadet, Sally, was doing that just fine. She did notice that the usually in control Squall was having a difficult time being in control of Sally's hands, which were currently sliding down towards Squall's butt. Quistis could just imagine Squall's immense desire for the song to be over. She could have interrupted the two and saved Squall…but she was having too much fun watching him in his current predicament. Suddenly a tall familiar figure stood before her, blocking her view of Squall and Sally. The intoxicating cologne was very familiar, as she saw the broad, muscled chest. Quistis looked up to see none other than Seifer, who held his usual confident smirk.
"Care to dance Instructor?" Seifer asked casually, extending a hand out to the woman who currently held his attention.
Quistis sighed. She still was not over the pain that Seifer had afflicted on her from their break up. "Seifer…" she began, but he put a bare finger up to her lips. His gloves were gone, as they did not match the green vested, black overcoat tuxedo he was wearing. She let herself be lead to the dance floor. It was another slow song and Seifer drew her close to him. She rested her head on his shoulder, momentarily forgetting about the very recent events between them.
Seifer gently and with a cat like grace danced and held the beautiful Quistis Trepe. He decided to tell her then as he she laid her head upon his shoulder. "Quistis…I'm sorry…"
She looked up quite surprised. With gentle force, he pushed her head back down on his shoulder. "It takes a lot of courage just to say it to you…let alone have you gaze at me with those sea blue eyes of yours." Seifer's usual cocky manner was replaced by a rarely seen heart felt one. "I…" He took a breath in. "Ever since the orphanage, I've always cared for you Quistis Trepe." The song ended and he left her in the middle of the dance floor as he disappeared into the crowd.
Quistis was too shocked to notice that Squall was looking for Rinoa, who was currently dancing with Irvine.
Squall tapped Irvine's shoulder. "May I steal her from you?" Fortunately, Squall was not looking at Rinoa who had her mouth open in shock. This was exactly what she feared would happen.
And just as in her nightmare scenario, Irvine said: "Sorry Squall, Rinoa's with me for the dance."
He raised an eyebrow in surprise and looked at Rinoa who was blushing. "For this dance or the entire dance?"
Irvine gave him a cocky grin. "The entire dance."
Squall nodded and didn't look at Rinoa, who knew that he must be hurt. "Have fun then Irvine…and Rinoa." He stressed the and as if to suggest they were together. Squall then rushed out of the ballroom. He needed air to breathe. The woman who told him she loved him had just betrayed him. (That makes it two for two women. Hyne! I wish I didn't feel anything. You can't get hurt when you don't feel anything.) Squall's heart ached as he rushed outside of Garden, finding his favorite and secret spot. He lay back on the grass and closed his eyes, not wanting to give in to the tears that were threatening to fall. He remembered how the other woman that he had loved, in a different way, had also left him. Sis left him. Now Rinoa. It was too painful. Then he heard his ever faithful Shiva speak to him.
"Master. There is a way…to forget her…forever."