Hiya people! CHAP 6 us finally up!!! It's been like what, three weeks since I've last updated…sorry for keeping you readers, reviewers and fans waiting for my fic! And a very big thank-you to all my loyal reviewers! So, you know the usual drill: read and review! DISCLAIMER: FF8 belongs to Squaresoft and the song in this fic belongs to Westlife. [WESTLIFE RULZ!]
THE FIRST PERFORMANCE!
"Squall, you ready?"
"Ready."
"Seifer, you ready?"
"Yeah."
The guys stood in the room corner of the stage, perfecting what seems to be their costume for the grand night. Yes, it was the grandest night of all nights after the Garden Festival, and everybody was dressed in their very best. Rinoa was in the room, trying to gather everybody and made sure they were ready. She was dressed in that white dress of her when she first wore it to Balamb Garden and saw Squall Leonhart for the first time in the Quad. And how they had danced that night, she guiding Squall on the dance floor when they both looked up at the fireworks that brightened up the night sky.
"Such good memories they were." murmured Rinoa dreamily.
"What good memories?" asked Squall.
"The night we danced on the dance floor of the Quad," replied Rinoa.
"Oh, you mean, the Inauguration Ball?"
"Yes."
"Rin?" Rinoa liked the way in how Squall used her nickname. So soft yet had a tingle to it. She turned to her knight who stood arranging his attire in front of a standing mirror.
"How do I look?" Squall was smartly dressed in a black-and-gold-dust-sprinkled jacket with a furry collar and hot black jeans that clung to his form perfectly. His brown hair was for once looked a bit neater and shinier. He looked hotter in this form than his usual appearance.
"Squall…you're…you look very nice tonight," commented Rinoa when she took a glance at him.
"You really think so?" asked Squall, looking down at this attire. "I thought maybe it was a bit too flashy or..."
"…More puberty-like," finished Seifer. Rinoa turned to glare at the blond SeeD who stood waiting at the door when she took in the sight of the ex-sorceress knight dressed in his usual trench-coat-and-red-cross-emblem, this time only in white and the red cross sparkled with what seemed to be silver glitter. He wore a blue shirt printed with the trademark silver cross in front, and the white long pants were held up with a silver metal-links belt. His blond hair was neatly combed back, and his shiny silver-plated medallion hung in front of him, adding an intimidating aura. The smooth face of his gave way to a smirk, then a half-sexy grin.
He definitely looked much better, hotter, and more handsome than his usual self and sad to say, Squall, too. Seifer outshone Squall in looks and attire. "This is NOT the Seifer Almasy I used to know," thought Rinoa as she stared at him.
"How's MY outfit? Definitely better than Puberty Boy's one, right?" asked Seifer, standing and walked a full circle around Rinoa. At that time, a blonde lady in a red flowing dress entered the room. Seifer stopped and greeted the newcomer. "You are really early, or should I say, a bit late."
"Um, excuse me, this is the room for the performers tonight, not the students…" began Rinoa when the lady interrupted her.
"For Hyne's sake, Rinoa! You really can't recognize me from this clothes?" asked the blonde lady, her voice very, very familiar. She shook her head and laughed a very, very familiar laugh. Rinoa's face grew puzzled.
"Really, Rinoa…can't you see? It's Instructor Quistis," said Seifer as he laughed. "Now that you mention it…Quistis! I almost can't recognize you in that attire!" said Rinoa.
"It's a perfect disguise for tonight, ain't it?" asked Quistis. The red gown clung to her body and showed off her perfect body. Her blonde hair was let down, the end only touching the neck, and the front curls were stylishly tucked behind her ears, creating an air of goddess-like around the once stern instructor. Her lips were devil red, and a bit of mascara was added to her already cool pale blue eyes, making her looked even more…stunning.
"…Our work has finally paid off, ya know," Raijin's voice drifted into the room. This snapped the attention of the girls as they watched Raijin and Fujin enter the room.
"GOOD. HOT," commented Fujin, taking in the sight of the leader of the posse.
"It'd better be," said Seifer. "This is the first time I'm onstage and facing a huge audience, and I wanna look good in it."
"What effort?" asked Rinoa.
"Nah…Quistis, Fujin and Raijin helped to find some suitable clothes for me for tonight's show," said Seifer. "I owe them…let's see…500 gil?"
"YES."
"500 gil? I thought it was 1000 gil...kidding!" said Raijin as he was about to protect himself from Seifer's incoming blow.
"And it pairs perfectly with Quistis's…breathtaking attire," added Seifer, praising Quistis.
"Why, thank you, Seifer," she said.
"Anyway, where's the rest of the crew?" asked Rinoa. She looked around the room. "Where is that Selphie and Irvine when you needed them?"
"Selphie and Irvine are out there, somewhere for all I know," answered Quistis when a thundering of footsteps came up to the door.
"Hey guys! Get ready! The night's about to began!" Zell's voice drifted through the door.
"We heard ya, Chicken-Wuss!" answered Seifer and laughed when he heard some growling from behind the door. And the frantic voice of Abby who was trying to control Zell from bashing down the door.
"Okay, people! It's time to get rolling!" announced Rinoa.
* * *
"Greetings Headmaster Cid,
Matron, our dearest Instructors and fellow students. Welcome, to Garden's First
Annual Valentine Night Bash!" announced Selphie proudly into the
microphone. The Quad thundered with what seems the whole school in the Quad.
Headmaster Cid and his wife, Matron stood smilingly at the balcony, waving at
Selphie. She waved back and walked to the side of the stage, her beautiful pale
peach taffeta gown skimmed smoothly as she walked. She smiled at the thought
when she and Irvine went shopping the day before for their outfits; hers was
this nice gown worth a whooping 900 gil, which she felt it was worth it, and
Irvine's outfit was that of a cowboy suit, this time in a darker brown and
nicer cutting. She shook her head when he made that purchase, but well, that
was her Irvine. It matches his black cowboy hat nicely, anyway.
"And now, without much further delay, I would like to call upon our first group of performers to sing their song. Please give a big hand to Squall Leonhart, Zell Dincht, Irvine Kinneas, and Seifer Almasy!" More cheers erupted from the crowd, mostly the avid fans of Squall and Irvine.
"Now, isn't it a rare chance to see people actually supporting Puberty Boy," said Seifer, taking a peek through the red curtains. He turned to face the group when he received a glare from Squall and Rinoa.
"What? Did I say anything wrong?" he asked innocently. "I'm just speaking the truth."
"You'd better shut your big fat mouth up tight before you know what's gonna happen to you," growled Squall.
"Yeah, yeah…whatever," shrugged Seifer.
"Ahem, should
I say that's MY line?" said Squall just when Irvine came and said,
"Time to go. It's show time!" The guys nodded, and the girls ran
offstage, each of them wishing their loved ones their very best before the
curtain was pulled apart to reveal the enthusiastic students screaming and
cheering for the four of them. The music started its song, and the students
quieted down.
NOTE: The ones in (.) are the people's reaction while [.] means the echoing
part of the song ^_^. TO THE TUNE OF 'I LAY MY LOVE ON YOU' BY…YOU GUESS IT,
WESTLIFE!
Irvine: Just a smile and the rain is gone (Selphie smiled)
Can hardly believe it [Yeah---]
Squall: There's an angel standing right in front of me
Reaching for my heart (Rinoa was beaming when she heard those words)
Irvine: (whispering to Squall) You're not supposed to change any of the words!
Squall: (whispers back) Whatever.
Zell: Just a smile and there's no way back
Can hardly believe it [Yeah---]
Squall: But there's an angel calling me
Reaching for my heart
Seifer: I know that I'll be okay now
This time it's
real
ALL: I lay my love on you
It's all I wanna do
Every time I breathe I feel brand new
You open up my heart
Show me all your love and walk right through
As I lay my love on
you (Rinoa, Quistis, Selphie and Abby were practically floating with happiness)
Squall: I was lost in a lonely place
Could hardly believe it [Yeah---] (Rinoa murmured, "Aww…Squall.")
Irvine: Holding on to yesterdays
Far, far too long
Zell: Now I believe it's OK
Seifer: Cause this time it's real
ALL: I lay my love on you
It's all I wanna do
Every time I breathe I feel brand new
You open up my heart
Show me all your love and walk right through
As I lay my love on you
Following the short
instrumental interval, the guys helped their respective girlfriends up onto the
stage, which sent another wave of roars from the crowd. Rinoa kissed Squall
passionately, sending more roars of approval from the students. The couple
pulled apart and Seifer smirked before continuing.
Seifer: I never knew that love could feel so good
"Oh yes, it's good, for
you," murmured Quistis and stifled a giggle as she watched the look of
mock surprise on Seifer's face. Squall and Rinoa were lost in each other's
world, as well as the other two couples. They sang on cue to the hyper rhythm.
Irvine: Like a once in a lifetime
Squall: You change my world---
ALL: I lay my love on you
(the You make me feel brand new
guys) Show me your love and walk right through
As I love my love
Lay my love on you
It's all I wanna do
Every time I breathe I feel brand new
You open up my heart
Show me all your love and walk right through
As I lay my love
I lay my love on
you
Seifer: I lay my love on you
Irvine: (Show me all your love and walk right through)
Squall: You make me feel brand new
Zell: (Open up your heart)
ALL: Show me all your love and walk right through
As I lay my love on
you
Squall walked toward the front
of the stage with Rinoa and he held out his right hand in a sweeping gesture to
the crowd.
Squall: As I lay my love on you...
Thundering cheers rose from the crowd, and the Squall fans were waving banners like 'SQUALL RULZ!' madly, and all that Squall could do was shrug and wave at the crowd, driving the crowd wilder.
"Thank you, people!" Irvine hollered into the microphone, and he blew kisses at the crowd. Most of the girls went "Aww…Irvine!"
"Yes, thank you, Squall, Zell, Seifer and…Irvine," said Selphie dryly into the microphone while giving a 'watch-out' look at Irvine who was smiling sheepishly. The red curtain was pulled down, and the guys descended the stage through the right wing to with their girlfriends.
"Oh, Squall! That was just so sweet of you!" gushed Rinoa, hugging Squall tightly. He hugged her back and murmured, "Yeah, it's all for you."
"I knew you could do it!" said Abby.
"And I thought I was gonna faint with fright!" joked Zell as he laughed.
"A fainted chicken on the stage will just spoil my reputation," said Seifer and Abby was holding back the blond fighter from attacking Seifer. "Thank Hyne everything went smoothly."
"Not so smooth anymore if you continue teasing Zell," said Quistis, waving about a Gunblade.
"Hyperion!" exclaimed Seifer and made a lunge for his beloved weapon, only to let it get out of his reach when Quistis held it far out from him.
"Hey!"
"What was the deal yesterday?" asked Quistis.
"What deal?" asked Seifer innocently as he eyed his Gunblade.
"Remember what you said on Thursday? And let me see…the great chase?" A glint of mischief twinkled in Quistis's pale blue eyes. A few days ago, because of Seifer's 'great words', he got chased all over the Quad by Rinoa's dog Angelo and Squall's Cerberus. And he could not get out of bed due to his aching body, but luckily, with Quistis's great care, he managed to recover just in time for the performance.
"Oh...that."
"And what did
you promise yesterday in the Cafeteria in front of everybody?"
"Um...that 'I don't tease
nor insult anybody to avoid the outbreak of fights before the event until the
night is over'," said Seifer, imitating Quistis's 'short lecture' at that
time in the Cafeteria.
"Yes."
"Fine...so, can I have my Hyper-"
"Quistis! Hurry up! It's our turn now!" called Rinoa from the platform.
"Coming," Quistis called back. She turned to Seifer and said, "Sorry, honey, gotta go first." She planted a small peck on Seifer's cheek before ascending the stage.
"But Quisty-"
"Irvine!" called Quistis and the cowboy instantly appeared behind Seifer.
"What can I do for you, my lady?"
"Please guard Hyperion for a while 'til I'm back," said Quistis as she passed the Gunblade to Irvine.
"Handle with care!" warned Seifer. "Or else…"
"Okay...woah...this thing's heavy...good luck, Quistis!" called Irvine as he waved at her. Seifer glared down at the poor cowboy and Irvine hurriedly said, "Well, aren't you wishing her good luck?"
"Right…All
the best, Quistis!" called Seifer. Quistis winked at the both of them and
stood in place in between Rinoa and Abby. "So, are we ready yet?" asked
Selphie as she slipped in through the curtains to join her place beside Rinoa.
"Yeah…bring it on!" said Quistis.
.TBC. HALT! Chapter 7 in the making! Enjoy this chapter? Hate this chapter?
Review/flame me! (Hopefully, no flame ^_^) Next up: The Second Round!