Disclaimer: I don't own FF8 and I don't own the song "Your Face" by Mandy Moore.
Author's Note: Thanks for the great reviews everyone! I changed the lyrics around in the song "Your face" by Mandy Moore very slightly when Rinoa sings so it is more realistic. Merry Christmas ^_^
Rhapsody
Chapter 15- Your Face
"Squall! Cid needs to see us right away!" Zell yelled as he pounded on Squall's door.
Squall opened his door, clearly irritated. "What the hell does he want now?"
Irvine shrugged. "He didn't say. He just told us to come and get ya."
Sighing, Squall locked his door. "Fine, let's go."
All three of them walked to the elevator silently. Zell had learned his lesson about trying to talk to Squall when he was in this kind of mood. Unfortunately, Irvine hadn't caught on.
"So, Squall...what do ya think Cid wants to talk to us about?" He asked.
"I don't know." Squall answered coldly.
"Yeah, but you're Cid's right-hand man." Irvine pressed. "He must have told you something."
"Would I be meeting with him now if I knew what it was about?" Squall snapped.
Irvine didn't have time to answer because the elevator stopped just then and they all got out. When they approached Cid's office, the door was wide open and Cid stood by his desk beaming.
"Ah, boys, you made it! Excellent, excellent! Please shut the door behind you."
After shutting the door, all three turned expectedly to Cid.
"I suppose you are wondering why I called you here." Cid began. "You see, I have to be very secretive about this. Edea cannot find out about it."
Squall tried hard not to roll his eyes. "Sir, could you just get to the point? Did you call us here to tell us to keep a secret of yours?"
Cid chuckled. "I suppose I should get to the point. I don't want Edea to find out about this because it's about our anniversary. You see, our anniversary is in three days, and I want to throw her a huge party. The thing is, I don't know of anyone who could organize it on such short notice, and also, a band that would play. That's why I need your help."
"What do you want us to do, Sir?" Zell asked.
"I was hoping that you would be able to help me with my two problems."
"So you're saying that you want us to find you someone to organize the anniversary party for you and your wife?" Irvine asked.
Cid nodded. "Yes, and also find a band that could play at the party."
"That shouldn't be a problem." Irvine told him.
"Good." Cid said approvingly. "What about you, Squall? You're acting quieter than usual."
"It shouldn't be a problem, Sir." Squall replied.
"Very well, you are all dismissed." Cid saluted.
They returned the salute and exited the office. Once outside, Irvine turned to Squall expectantly. "You're going to ask her, right?"
"What are you talking about?" Squall asked annoyed.
"Rinoa, man!" Irvine exclaimed. "She could come perform for Cid and Edea's anniversary. It's perfect because Selphie could be the organizer!"
"Forget it. We're just going to hire some professionals." Squall told them.
"Professionals?!" Zell burst out. "God, Squall, you know Rinoa is perfect for this. She's the most popular singer in Deling!"
"Enough!" Squall shouted. "You guys do whatever the hell you want. I don't have time to run errands for Cid." With that, he turned on his heel and left.
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"Rinoa, someone's here to see you!" Selphie called.
"Who is it?" Rinoa asked as she stepped out of her room.
"It's Zell. He says that he needs to talk to you right away." Selphie told her.
"Did he say what it was about?"
Selphie smiled. "I have an idea about what he's going to say. Irvy's here, too, and he wants me to organize a party for the headmaster and his wife. I told him I would!"
"That's all great, Selphie, but what does he want with me?"
"Go down and see." Selphie urged.
"Okay, I will." Rinoa agreed as she walked down the stairs to meet Zell.
"Rinoa, hi!" Zell called as he waved her over. "How are you holding up?"
Rinoa shrugged. "I'm doing my best...starting to face the world again." She lowered her head. "Truthfully, I'm not over him, and I won't ever be. I really thought that we had something special..."
Zell sighed. "I'm really sorry about this, Rinoa. I don't know what has gotten into Squall. He won't talk to anyone...he's even worse than before."
"Worse than before?" Rinoa asked puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"You don't know? Before Squall met you, he was a very cold person. He wouldn't talk to anyone and it took Irvine and me many years before he would trust us. After he met you, he was like a new person! Open an caring...he had it bad for you."
Rinoa sighed. "That's just it, had...past tense. Anything that went on between us is over."
Zell shook his head. "Squall's not over you. He never wanted to break up with you."
"Did he tell you that?" Rinoa asked, her voice filled with hope.
"Not exactly, but trust me with this. Squall's in love with you, Rinoa."
"Is that what you came here to tell me, Zell? If you want to know why Squall broke up with me, all I know is that he thinks it's dangerous for me to be around him."
Zell grinned. "You see! Squall broke up with you because he loves you and doesn't want you to get hurt."
"He could have told me that!" Rinoa said exasperatedly. "Enough. I don't want to talk about this anymore. What did you really come here to tell me?"
"The Headmaster at Balamb Garden is throwing a surprise party for his wife for their anniversary. Selphie has agreed to organize it. The thing is...we need someone to sing..." He trailed off.
"Are you asking me to perform at the party?"
"Well, yeah. I mean, you're the best singer in Deling City and it would be perfect!"
Rinoa sighed. "What does Squall think about that?"
"He was supposed to pick the band, but he left it up to us. He said we could do whatever we wanted." Zell gave her a desperate look. "Please?"
"I don't know...I'm not sure if I can face all of those people."
"Rinoa, I know you can! Please, you won't let us down!"
"Alright, fine. I'm not promising anything, but I'll try." Rinoa told him.
"Yes! Thank you so much Rinoa!" Zell grinned. "Me and Irvine should probably go now. Thanks again!"
"Okay. Oh, and Zell? Thank you." Rinoa said sincerely.
"For what?" Zell asked confused.
"For telling me about Squall." Rinoa smiled. "I honestly feel a lot better."
"You're welcome." Zell smiled. "See you in three days. Take care, Rinoa."
Zell and Irvine left the club and Selphie ran up to Rinoa.
"Did you say yes?" She asked excitedly.
"So you knew all along, huh? Well, if it makes you happy, I did say yes. We're going to perform at the anniversary party in three days." Rinoa told her.
"Woo-hoo, I'm so happy you agreed! This party is going to be a blast!" Selphie exclaimed.
"I hope so."
"I heard what Zell said about Squall. Sorry, but I couldn't help it! You need to ask yourself what you really want, Rinoa."
"What do you mean?" Rinoa asked.
"Don't wait until it's too late. Seize the moment and capture it." Selphie smiled. "I guess what I'm saying is that Squall will be at the party. Maybe you could work things out?"
"I don't know, Selphie. I'm going to go up to my room now, okay?"
Selphie nodded. "Just remember this: true love only comes once in a lifetime and you've got it. Don't give that up."
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Three days later...
"You really did a fantastic job with the decorations, Selphie." Irvine commented happily.
"Tee-hee, thanks Irvy! Do you think the Headmaster and his wife will like them?" She asked nervously.
"Why don't you ask them? They're right over there." Irvine pointed to where Headmaster Cid and Edea stood in the ballroom.
"Maybe later. He looks like he's ready to make a speech." Selphie watched as Cid made his way to the stage. "That's my cue. I've gotta go round up Rin and Quisty so that we can perform. I'll see you later, Irvy!" Selphie waved and immediately found Quistis and Rinoa in a corner of the room.
"Hey Selphie." Quistis greeted. "Ready to perform?"
Selphie bounced up and down excitedly. "You bet!" Turning to Rinoa, she said, "Are you okay? You look kinda queasy."
"I'll be fine." Rinoa said firmly. "Once I get on stage, I'll be alright."
"Good! Look, the Headmaster's starting his speech. We'll be on after that!" Selphie said happily.
Headmaster Cid stood at the podium. Everyone in Garden was at the party...everyone except for Squall. No one had seen him all day and Irvine and Zell had wisely chosen to leave him alone.
"Thank you all for coming here tonight. My wife, Edea, and I have been married for thirty years now." Cid looked at Edea and beamed. "Thanks for putting up with an old man like me!" He chuckled. "Anyway, I'd just like to give a special thank you to Selphie Tilmitt, who helped organize all this, and Rinoa Heartilly, who will be singing tonight." The crows applauded loudly. "Oh, and I'd also like to say thank you to Squall Leonhart, Zell Dincht, and Irvine Kinneas for helping me out through the years. Now, let the party begin!" Cid smiled and left the stage.
Selphie walked onstage next and took her place behind the drums. She wearing a yellow dress made of silk that reached to her knees. Next, Quistis took the stage with her guitar. She looked great in a light peach colored dress that reached just above her ankles. Finally, Rinoa took the stage, microphone in hand. She had on a white, full length gown. The straps wrapped around her neck, on which she wore a silver necklace. She looked breathtaking.
Here we go...
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Squall slowly walked through the halls of Balamb Garden, dressed in his formal attire. He had thought about not even going to the party, but Cid would eventually notice if he was missing...so would Irvine and Zell. Of course, the real reason he was going was because of Rinoa. Better late than never, right? As he neared the ballroom, he heard Rinoa's voice, singing like an angel. I need to stop thinking about her. This is for her safety. But still... Squall took a deep breath and got ready to enter the ballroom.
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Inside of the ballroom, Rinoa finished her song and the crowd applauded. She had sung song after song, but still there was no sign of Squall. She was going to have to sing this final song with or without his presence.
For this song, Selphie remained on drums, but Quistis switched to the piano. Zell was going to play the flute for this song. Rinoa swallowed nervously. She was disappointed that Squall hadn't even shown up. The song was for him, after all. She didn't care about the breakup anymore...she wanted him back with her.
Here goes nothing... Quistis began playing the piano, followed by Zell on the flute, and Rinoa began singing:
"Oh yeah
Your face
I'm still not over
Your face
Headlight's break through the rain
Over Deling's winter light
I came all the way here tonight
To look in your eyes
I came all the way here tonight
Just to see you"
Rinoa noticed someone moving in the back of the ballroom...Squall. Her heart leaped in her chest and she let the emotion carry in her song.
"Your face
Holds me over
Your face
It wipes away the rain
With a hundred summer skies
And every time I talk to you
It's like I'm alright
And every time I talk to you
I get a little closer to light
You are the face
That heaven showed me
When I needed someone
Someone to love
And stay
You showed me
The quiet kind of love behind your face
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah
Your face
Let me shoulder
Your face
All the stars and suns above
Are jealous in it's light
You steal the sky away from there
Bringing it aside
You steal the sky away from them
And bring it to life
'Cause you are the face
That heaven showed me
When I needed someone
Someone to love
And stay
You showed me
The quiet kind of love behind you face
The quiet kind of love behind your face
Rinoa's gaze met Squall's and all of time seemed to stop. Squall turned away quickly, tears glistening in his eyes. How much longer would he be able to hold out? He spun around as he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"So...you decided to show..."
Author's Note: Thanks for reading everyone! Please tell me what you think!