Disclaimer: I don't own FF8 and I don't own the song "I'd Rather Be In Love" by Michelle Branch.

Author's Note: I finally finished writing this chapter! With all the homework that I've had, I didn't think that I would even get this chapter out until next week, but between last night and today, I managed to finish it. I really suggest that you listen to this song while Rinoa sings it, it makes it more realistic. Thanks a bunch to everyone that reviewed.

Rhapsody

Chapter 4- I'd Rather Be In Love

"Look at this one, Rin! It's gorgeous!" Selphie exclaimed. "You absolutely have to try it on!"

"Rinoa, how about this one? It's much more practical." Quistis said.

Rinoa, Quistis, and Selphie were having a wonderful time shopping in Deling City. Selphie and Quistis were both trying to find the perfect outfit for Rinoa to wear the next night. Unfortunately, Rinoa's arms were piled so high with clothes that she couldn't see the two new dresses that they were holding out to her.

"You guys!" Rinoa laughed. "Don't you think that this is enough?"

"Just this last one!" Begged Quistis. "It's too perfect to pass up."

"Oh, alright, but this is the last one!" Rinoa exclaimed.

"Nope, this is the last one." Selphie said as she added her dress to the pile.

Rinoa rolled her eyes. "I'm going to go try these on. At this rate, it could take a while." Rinoa entered the dressing room and Quistis and Selphie waited outside of the door.

"Don't worry, Rinoa." Selphie assured her. "Once you see the look on Squall's face tomorrow night, you'll forget all about the trouble you went through to find an outfit."

Rinoa sighed. "This better be worth it."

Forty-five minutes later, Rinoa had finally found the perfect dress. It was a simple black dress that went just below the knees. What Rinoa loved the most about it was the way the straps crisscrossed in back and how little stones dotted the neckline. Selphie and Quistis had also found outfits for the performance. Selphie had chosen a cute green, short-sleeved dress, that just reached her knees. Quistis had selected a sophisticated red number, also below her knees.

Rinoa had just finished paying, and was now waiting for Selphie and Quistis to finish. After spending the day cooped up in a shop, she was ready to get some fresh air. "I'll wait for you guys outside, okay?" Rinoa told them.

"Alright." Quistis said. "We won't be long."

Rinoa nodded and exited the shop. She smiled; it was such a beautiful day. The sun was shining brightly and the world seemed perfect in her eyes. Wow...I sure have become a lot happier since I met Squall. I haven't been this happy in a very long time. Especially not while I was with Seifer. Rinoa sighed, thinking about the bad memories the thought of Seifer brought up. Seifer can't control me anymore. He is no longer a part of my life. Squall, on the other hand... Speaking of Squall, she still didn't have a song for tomorrow night. she had started writing, but she wasn't happy with the outcome. Something was missing from it, but she couldn't figure out what.

Rinoa jumped as she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Thinking of me?"

Rinoa shot him a disgusted look. "Go away, Seifer."

Seifer put a hand over his heart. "I'm hurt. When are you going to come back to me, Rinoa?"

"How about never?" Rinoa snapped. "Seifer, you know that it's over between us. It has been over for a while now. Why do you insist on making it harder?" She asked.

"You're the one who's making it harder." He grabbed her roughly. "Let's go, Rinoa."

"I'm not going anywhere with you! Please, Seifer, just go away! Go back to that blonde that I caught you with!" She shouted.

"You will come with me now." Seifer growled as he picked Rinoa up, shoved her into the back seat of his car, and sped down the street.

Moments later, Selphie and Quistis exited the store, all smiles. Their smiled vanished as they realized that Rinoa was nowhere to be found. All that remained was the bag containing the dress Rinoa had bought just minutes earlier...

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Why did I ever agree to go see Rinoa tomorrow night? Squall asked himself. Maybe because those brown eyes bore into your soul and you didn't ever want that to stop. Squall shook his head. You're being ridiculous. He looked towards the sky, the sun shining bright. Must be all this sun...it's getting to my head.

Squall looked up as a car sped past him. Who the hell would be speeding down one of these streets? Something was telling him to follow that car...it looked strangely familiar. The car turned down an alleyway and Squall ran to catch up with it. He slowly crept up to the ally, making sure that he wasn't seen. The car was parked at the other end, and someone was getting out.

Squall couldn't believe his eyes. Out of the car came Seifer. What shocked Squall the most was to see Seifer reach into the back seat and pull out a woman.

"Rinoa!" Squall whispered. Cursing Seifer under his breath, he crept forward. He was very close now...a few more inches and he would be able to reach out and touch Rinoa. He could see the panicked look in her eyes and he wanted to kill Seifer for doing this.

"S-Seifer, what are you going to do?" Rinoa asked, her voice shaking.

"Oh, you'll see." Seifer told her. "You always said that you loved surprises. How's this for ya?" Seifer asked as he forced himself on Rinoa.

Rinoa struggled to break free from his grasp. He was suffocating her! She began kicking and punching him wildly, but nothing was working. Closing her eyes, she waited for what was to come, but nothing happened. The weight of Seifer had been lifted from her. Opening her eyes cautiously, she saw that Seifer was laying on the ground, out cold. Standing next to him was Squall.

Tears ran down Rinoa's face and she collapsed to the ground. "S-Squall." Rinoa choked out before breaking down.

Squall knelt down next to her. He didn't know what to do. He was never any good at these situations. "Rinoa, what can I do?" Squall asked gently.

"J-just hold me." Rinoa said as she hugged him tight.

Squall held her close to him, stroking her hair soothingly. "It's going to be alright, Rinoa. Everything will be fine."

Rinoa nodded. "Thank you, Squall. You saved me again."

Squall shrugged. "It's alright. Would you like me to walk you home?"

"Very much. If you don't mind, that is."

"I don't." Squall turned around. "Let's go."

They walked to the Star in silence. Rinoa was still shaken up from her encounter with Seifer. After all the pain he had caused her, she had never thought that he was capable of doing what he just had. If Squall hadn't been there...

"Rinoa?" Squall's voice broke through her thoughts. "We're here."

Rinoa looked up with tears in her eyes. "Thank you...for everything."

Squall nodded. "Are you going to be okay?"

"Yes, I think so." She told him. "But if you hadn't been there..."

"Don't think about it. Seifer's an asshole, but he's taking this too far. I won't let him near you again." Squall assured her.

He is so perfect! He's my guardian angel... "You're my guardian angel." She said out loud.

"What?" Squall asked in shock.

I can't believe I said that out load! "N-nothing." She stammered.

Squall was giving her a funny look. "You sure you're alright?" He asked concerned.

"Yes." And it's all because of you. "Um...I guess I should go in. Selphie and Quistis have no idea about what happened."

"Yeah..." Squall said. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then."

Rinoa nodded. Squall turned to leave and Rinoa realized that she couldn't just let him go. She ran up to him. "Squall!"

He turned around. "Yeah?"

It's now or never... Gently, she lifted her head and kissed him softly.

Squall was taken by surprise, but caught in the moment, he found himself kissing her back. Suddenly, realizing just what he was doing, he pulled away. "I-I have to go." And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving behind a very confused Rinoa.

Sighing, she entered the Star. It was time to finish her song.

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"He's here, Rinoa." Quistis told her the next night. "Two tables back from the stage."

Rinoa smiled. "I was afraid that he wasn't going to come." She had told Quistis and Selphie all about the previous day.

"Ready to go on, ladies?" Selphie asked. "We're gonna blow their minds!"

"I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be. I'm just nervous." Rinoa said.

"Don't be." Quistis told her. "You look great, and you're going to sound great. The song that you wrote is perfect."

Rinoa nodded. "Let's do it."

From the other side of the curtain, Tim began to speak. "Now, the pride of the Star club: Rinoa Heartilly and her band!"

The girls walked out to the stage and Squall's jaw dropped at the sight of Rinoa. She's beautiful...

"Hello everyone." Rinoa began. "Thank you all for coming out here tonight. This song is called 'I'd Rather Be In Love', and it goes like this." Selphie hit the drums and Quistis played the guitar. Then, Rinoa began singing with all her heart:

"I cannot help it

I couldn't stop it if I tried

The same old heartbeat fills the

emptiness I have inside

And I've heard that you can't fight love,

so I won't complain

'Cause why would I stop the fire that

keeps me going on

'Cause when there's you, I feel whole

And there's no better feeling in the world

But without you I'm alone

And I'd rather be in love with you

Turn out the lights now

To see is to believe

I just want you near me

I just want you here with me

And I'd give up everything only for you

It's the least that I could do

'Cause when there's you, I feel whole

And there's no better feeling in the world

But without you I'm alone

And I'd rather be in love with you

And I feel you holding me

Why are we afraid to be in love?

To be loved

I can't explain it

I know it's tough to be loved

And I feel you holding me

Oh, oh

And when there's you, I feel whole

And there's no better feeling in the world

But without you I'm alone

And I'd rather be in love

Yes, I'd rather be in love

Oh, I'd rather be in love with you

And I feel you holding me, oh."

Rinoa grinned at the standing ovation she received. However, her grin was wiped right off of her face when she saw who was standing in the doorway. "Was that for me?"

Author's Note: That's it for chapter 4. Do you think I rushed that kiss? Please review.