Chapter 5 – Back on Track
"Close your eyes
Give me your hand
Darling
Do you feel my heart beating?
Do you understand?
Do you feel the same?
Am I only dreaming?
Is this burning
An Eternal Flame……"
The strains of Eternal Flame, a huge hit sung by the Bangles could be heard from the radio. The song always brings on a bittersweet feeling, even though it isn't really my style. It reminds me of someone I've known for a long time.
It is only when she's gone, that I know of the torch I hold for her, and it looks to me like an "eternal flame", just like the song title suggests. How can I smother this torch? I can't even go on each hour without thinking about her face, her smile, or her eyes.
And most vividly, her last words.
"Yaaaaaagh!!" I run my fingers in a crazed manner through my already-standing hair. Now it looks even wilder than ever, even I have to admit. Seifer's gonna have a field day when he sees me.
But then, I haven't seen the gang for a week now. I shut myself up in my room, or go to the Training Centre.
I've been placed under a month-long restriction from missions, as a punishment for my rash behaviour. Just as well. I couldn't have been in the state to work. My concentration lapses more than it can stay focused. It would have been dangerous to my team-mates, and myself as well.
I look outside my window, where the sun shines and graces every tree, branch, leaf, flower, bird, head etc with its wonderful rays of light and warmth. Why couldn't some of it shine in my heart at the time when it is most needed?
Someone is pounding at the door… I loathe answering it, whoever it was.
"Hey, Chicken-wuss! Wakey-wakey! Your punishment's been lifted! You've got a mission!" Seifer's shouts were loud enough to drift through the barrier of the thick wall… and the pounding was hard enough to wake the dead and turn them into vengeful zombies.
A tad surprised at his normal tone, for I had expected maybe a trace of resentment, I opened the door, only to see him lying sprawled on the ground.
"Damn… of all the times, you had to open it so quickly this friggin' one! I had wanted to barge in with force!" He growled, getting up with a grunt and rubbing his head.
"Don't you know that you're not supposed to force your way in exactly one second after knocking on the door?" I said, breaking into a grin. Oh… how good it feels. I must have set my face in plaster for this whole week, either frowning or sighing the whole time away.
"Now listen. You have orders to assemble at the garage at oh nine hundred hours sharp, which leaves you just half an hour to freshen up. And I strongly suggest you do that." He cringed his nose in disgust. "Yeesh… your breath stinks… and I wouldn't want to go on a mission with a wild mountain chicken! Your usual was bad enough, Chicken-wuss!"
With that, he stalked away with crisp, rapid steps.
I stared after him in wide-eyed amazement. Who would have thought that HE would be the one who pulls me back on the track? I guess I misunderstood the guy too much. But then again, he could not resist throwing in an insult just before he leaves!
I shook my head and let out a little laugh. And I realise how much we've both changed… no longer bickering at the drop of the hat.
I look at the time, gasp in horror, shower, change and dash towards the garage.
All within the space of fifteen minutes. Hah. I must have been really excited about the mission. THAT side of me couldn't ever change…it kills me to sit still… let's not talk about what would happen if it carries on for a month!
Upon arrival at the garage, I saw the whole gang assembled there… wearing sly grins and exchanging knowing glances with each other.
"Hah! Gotcha!" Selphie exclaimed and tapped me on the shoulder.
"Huh?" I looked from one to the other in complete confusion. Something smells a fish, and it's definitely not a mission.
"I thought this was supposed to be a mission? Seifer?!!" I looked at him accusingly.
"Hey, ain't my idea!" He shrugs with a nonchalant smirk.
"There IS a mission, Zell!" Yuri came up to me with a bag of something.
"What's that in there? And what mission?" I opened it, only to see a towel, my swimming trunks and a bottle of suntan lotion inside. "Huh?"
"A NO-HOLDS BARRED TRIP TO BALAMB BEACH! Woohoo!" No prizes for guessing whom that was jumping up and down like a pogo stick. This human pogo stick would probably be the one behind this idea too.
"Now let's go, before the sun sets." Quistis winked, as they all "escorted me to a fire-red convertible so flashy that it blinds. "And you get to drive, just this once."
"I do? Oh yeah, baby!" I quickly slid into the driver's seat before they could change their minds… cos they never let me touch the wheel again after a certain car trip last year… claiming that I drove like an evil-sorceress-possessed marionette. Ouch.
The two cars set off and the sound of screeching rubble screamed across the gravel as we made our way to the beach.
"Way to go! Woo Hoo!!" Selphie shouted right into the ear of Irvine, who was the driver in the other car. Ouch again.
"Heehee… Selphie! You're gonna fall off the car if you don't sit down properly!" Rinoa quipped from the backseat.
"Push her out of the car!" A voice behind me shouted, while we all turned and looked at the culprit with shocked (and some disapproving) expressions…
"Hey, can't you peeps take a joke? Loosen up! And Chicken-wuss, shouldn't you be looking in front instead of at me? I know I'm hot… but we wouldn't want to die of a car accident just because of that!"
"Who wants to look at you? I'd rather look at a T-Rexaur pooping in my face!" I replied caustically.
"Touche!" came the reply, as the rest all collapsed into hysterical fits of laughter.
Yes! After so many years of being the brunt of his insults, I have finally gotten back at him. Revenge, sweet revenge… HEHEHE…
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Author's notes: I know, and you know, Eternal Flame isn't mine. Anyway… the lyrics may not be correct… but that was what I can remember from my rusted brain.