Disclaimer: I don't own FF8...

Author's Note: Thank you so much to everyone that reviewed the first chapter. I'm really glad that you like this.

Rhapsody

Chapter 2- Meeting the Stranger

"What the hell was that?" Seifer spat at Rinoa. "You think you're funny, huh? Trying to embarrass me in public?"

"Well, obviously the thought never crossed your mind when you reserved a seat for tonight, Seifer." Rinoa replied. "Perhaps you thought that I was going to make up with you?"

Seifer seethed with fury. "You're going to pay for that little comment, Rinoa dear." He said as he pulled Rinoa up roughly from her place on the floor.

"Let go of me, Seifer!" Rinoa said as she tried to break free from his grip on her arm.

"Are you scared, Rinoa?" Seifer laughed. "Aw, you don't have to be afraid of little old me..."

"Excuse me, but is there a problem here, Seifer?" Squall asked from behind the man.

Seifer spun around. "Squall? What the hell are you doing here?" He asked in surprise.

"That doesn't concern you. Let go of the girl." Squall commanded.

Seifer burst out laughing. "Since when do I take orders from you, Squall?"

"Seifer, what did this girl ever do to you? Just let her go." Squall tried to reason.

"What did she do to me? I'll tell you what she did! She sang that freakin song about me so that I could be humiliated in front of all these people!" Seifer screamed, causing everyone in the club to look up.

"Did she use your name?" Squall asked reasonably.

"Well...uh...so what? It was still about me." Seifer said defensively.

"Seifer, nobody in this club knew that the song was about you until you just announced it to everyone." Squall informed him. "Now let her go, and get the hell out of here."

Seifer reluctantly let Rinoa go. "This isn't over, Puberty Boy. Just remember where that scar of yours came from." He said as he exited the club.

"Are you okay?" Squall asked Rinoa.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Realizing that she was still on stage, Rinoa hurried down the steps, gesturing for Squall to follow her. Once they were out of sight, in the back of the club, Rinoa turned to him. "Thank you...Squall, right?"

"Yeah, Squall Leonhart." He replied.

"Pleased to meet you Squall. I'm Rinoa Heartilly...well, obviously." She said sheepishly as she shook his hand. "Um, do you mind me asking how you know Seifer?"

"Seifer and I have been rivals for a long time. We grew up together in an orphanage, but we were never friends..." He trailed off.

"What was he talking about when he said to remember where you got your scar from?" She asked.

"We were having a duel." Squall answered simply. "He cheated and gave me the scar, and in return, I gave him one."

"I always wondered where Seifer's scar came from, but he never told me..." Rinoa said thoughtfully.

"I'm guessing that Seifer's your ex-boyfriend."

"Yeah..." Rinoa said sadly. "He really hurt me..." She trailed off. "Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. I'm sure that you don't want to hear about my problems."

Squall didn't know what to say to that, so he chose to say nothing at all. "................."

"Hey Rinoa! We've been looking everywhere for you!" Selphie exclaimed as she came up to Rinoa, with Quistis following behind her. "Ooh, who's this?" Selphie teased.

"Selphie, Quistis, this is Squall Leonhart." Rinoa told them. "Squall, these are my best friends Selphie and Quistis."

"Hiya Squall!" Selphie exclaimed.

"Nice to meet you." Quistis said.

Squall nodded. He was anxious to get going. This was turning into a very long night.

"Can you speak?" Selphie asked, teasingly.

"Whatever. I'm outta here." Squall said as he began to walk off.

"Squall, wait!" Rinoa exclaimed as she ran to catch up with him.

He turned around. "What?"

Rinoa was startled by the sudden coldness in his voice. "Um...I just wanted to say thanks again. I really mean it." He nodded. "And...um...will you be coming back?"

"It looks to me like you already have enough business." Squall could have swallowed his tongue when he saw the hurt in her eyes at his statement.

"N-no. I was just asking to see...you know..." Rinoa sighed. "Just forget it. You're obviously not interested. Good bye, Squall Leonhart." Rinoa said as she turned and fled up the stairs.

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"See Squall, the night wasn't so bad, was it?" Irvine asked as they were driving home to Balamb Garden, which happened to be stationed just outside of Deling City. "You even scored with that chick, Rinoa."

"Whatever, Irvine." Squall replied from behind the wheel.

"Squall, what are you talking about? She was completely into you!" Zell exclaimed.

"Nothing happened. She was in trouble and I helped her, end of story." Squall said coldly.

"Whatever you say, man, but just listen to this. You said more to her in one night than you say to us in a week. Deny it all you want, but-"

"Enough!" Squall shouted. "Will you just drop it?"

"Whoa, sorry man. Just forget that I said anything." Zell told him.

"We're here anyway." Irvine said as they pulled into the parking lot and got out of the car. "I'm hitting the sack. See ya." He waved and headed to his room.

"Me too, man. See ya tomorrow!" Zell said as he energetically ran off.

Squall sighed and started towards his room. He might have "scored" with Rinoa in the beginning, but Irvine and Zell hadn't seen how he had treated Rinoa before he left. Why do I care? She's just a girl that needed help. I'm never going to see her again... Squall was surprised at the dull ache he felt when he thought about not seeing her again. I'm just tired. This will all be over with in the morning.

Looking up, Squall discovered that he had arrived at his dorm. He walked in, dumped his jacket on his chair and laid down to sleep. Unfortunately, sleep just didn't want to come tonight. Squall's head was swimming with thoughts...thoughts about Rinoa. Sighing, he stood up and looked out his window at the night sky. Suddenly, a shooting star shot through the sky, and for the first time in his life, Squall closed his eyes and made a wish.

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"Squall Leonhart..." Rinoa said the name out loud to herself, loving the sound of it. Why am I even thinking about him? Sure, he saved me from Seifer and actually listened to what I had to say...but...he was so mean to me before he left. Rinoa contemplated Squall's actions. Something in his eyes had told her that he was sorry. Forget all about him, Rinoa. She told herself. He's just another Seifer. But in her heart, she knew that he wasn't a thing like Seifer, and that she wouldn't be able to forget him so easily.

Sighing she looked to the sky. She always loved to see the stars...they were so beautiful. A sudden glisten in the black depths caught her eye...a shooting star, Squeezing her eyes shut, Rinoa made a wish from within the depths of her heart.

Author's Note: That's all for this chapter. I hope you all liked it and please review!