Disclaimer on Chapter One

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Actress in the Mirror

Chapter Three - Getting Back on Track

Zell and Selphie were both sitting on the unfinished stage in the quad. There were tools scattered around and a ladder was leaning up against a wall. The pair were not talking to each other, yet Selphie was humming a tune which was getting on Zell's nerves. It sounded as though there was no end to it and her head was bobbing along in rhythm.

"Will you stop that!" he finally yelled.

She frowned at him and poked her tongue out in a playful manner. "You could have asked nicely Zelly."

He sighed and leaned upon his hand. If there was one thing he hated more than her annoying song then it was that name. It made him sound like a kid and he liked to argue that he was anything but.

"You wanna know what I'm thinking?" Selphie spoke this question in such a way that it showed he did not have a choice. "I'm thinking that you've become way too serious. What happened to the good old days when all you cared about was hot dogs?"

"I had one," Zell replied flatly.

"Yeah but still, I think it's weird how we've all changed!" she said. "I mean, ever since you became a teacher you've become, well, old. Squall is much more talkative now and it's like Quistis has taken over his place. Have you noticed her?"

"Wha-what's that supposed to mean?!" he asked, looking rather flustered.

"She's so much more distant. I have a feeling that a man is involved somehow."

There was not enough time for Zell to protest about this remark as Irvine came walking in holding a bunch of flowers. A huge grin appeared on Selphie's face as soon as she saw them but she was going to be disappointed. They were not for her but for Rinoa. Irvine had bought them for Squall to give to her but Squall was not there.

"No Squall?" he asked, rather bewildered at this fact.

"No," Selphie pouted.

"No Quistis either," Zell added. "I don't know what they're doing but they're really cutting it fine. Rinoa is going to be here any minute."

Irvine let out a tiny smile and Zell began to wish that he had not said anything. The cowboy sharpshooter strolled up to him and placed an arm around his shoulder.

"So….?"

"Look, I haven't had enough time," Zell admitted quickly.

"Not enough time?!" Irvine asked quite angrily. "Zell you have to do it! You only have five more days!"

Selphie, who was now also standing, could make neither head nor tail of what they were talking about. She knew that in five days time it was the charity ball so she guessed that it had something to do with that.

"Is she not here yet?"

Squall was standing in the entrance and was obviously enquiring about Rinoa. Selphie shook her head and wondered if she really did just see a look of a relief on his face. Irvine gave him the flowers and explained the reason behind them but Squall did not look happy.

"So…err…..isn't Quistis with you?" Zell asked.

Squall took a while to answer and in the end just told them that she was too busy and would catch up with Rinoa later. He knew that there was no chance of her showing up. She did not want to see either him or Rinoa.

Selphie caught a glimpse of something blue standing a couple of meters behind Squall and she smiled the biggest smile ever.

"RINOA!" she ran up to her and gave her a hug.

Rinoa smiled at everyone who was there and slowly walked up to Squall who quietly handed her Irvine's flowers. She gave him a quick kiss on the lips as a thanks and then hugged him tightly.

"I've missed you so much," she whispered. He did not say anything but his warm embrace was good enough for her. She did not want him to let go.

Irvine shoved Zell to the side a little and made a signal for him to leave. Zell knew there would be no way of him getting out of it and he wished that he had never told the guy.

"Hey, guys," he said, getting everyone's attention. "I've just got to go talk to Quistis about something so I'll meet up with you later."

He turned to go and as he left he heard both Selphie and Rinoa make a couple of small jokes about this. He wondered who he was doing this for, him or Irvine? Ever since he had confided in him all he would do was give him stupid advice. Just because he saw himself as a chick magnet it did not mean he was an expert on women.

Zell's pace seemed to have quickened as he walked out of the quad and towards the dormitories. He just wanted to get this over and done with. All he had to say was "do you want to go to the ball with me?" but even that was going to be quite hard.

A group of female students were hanging around in the hall outside of Quistis' dorm just talking. He knocked on the door slowly and waited anxiously for her to greet him. As the door slid open he tried to say hi but all that came out was a small grunt.

"Zell? What are you doing here?" Quistis asked.

"Well, I-I-I wanted to ask you something. In private," he added quickly, remembering about the girls behind him.

She let him in and he was a little confused. She did not appear to be busy like Squall had said.

"So what is it?" she smiled sweetly and his heart skipped a beat.

"I just wondered if…you know the ball…I wanted to know…who are you going with?" he finally managed to get something out though it had not been what he had rehearsed.

Quistis was quiet for a short while as she thought of what to say. "To be honest Zell," she replied quietly, "I don't really feel like going this year. Too many couples, it's a bit depressing eh?"

"Oh," Zell tried not to show his disappointment. "OK that's fine."

"Was there anything else?"

"Nothing that I can think of," he said quickly as he rushed to the door.

"But I'd probably say yes if someone asked me," she revealed.

He smiled. "I'll meet you here at seven then." Within an instant he was gone. Probably needed some air, Quistis thought. The poor guy.

She sat on her bed and thought about what she had just done. It would be good for her, she knew that. No matter how hard it was going to be she needed to forget about Squall and her love for him. This was going to be the start.