Disclaimer on first chapter.

Author's Note: Just to let you know, Rinoa will begin to have a larger role to play in this story soon (well I did plan for her to be the main character but I think I might have waffled on a bit in the story ^_^). Also, I have a feeling that some of this may get a bit confusing with how it's been written so if there's something that you don't understand then tell me and I will try to edit it. Thank you!

Actress In The Mirror

Chapter Six - Getting Ready

Doing up the last buckle on his jacket Squall looked at himself in the mirror. His uniform looked like it was brand new but the truth was that it was a few years old. He had only worn it a couple of times and there was one occasion which really stood out. The first time he had worn it had also been the first time he had met Rinoa and the first time he believed he had fallen in love. Now things were different. He was no longer that anti-social SeeD but the headmaster of the school he had grown up in and he was also unsure of whether he really was in love.

Being the headmaster meant that there was no getting out of the ball. He was expected to be there and he was also expected to have a partner. His partner had to be Rinoa, going without her would just arouse suspicion and that was something which he did not want to do. He had heard from a few people that Quistis was also going to attend. Apparently she was going with Zell but Squall had not had the chance to ask his friend if this was true. Perhaps this was why he was a little nervous. He had not actually seen Quistis for about a week and she had not even bothered to see Rinoa so he knew the atmosphere would be quite tense.

In the mirror he saw a smiling figure wearing a short white dress and shoes. She looked excited and Squall tried his best to look as happy as she was.

"You look nice," he said feebly.

Rinoa walked up and gave him a small peck on the cheek.

"Well you look totally gorgeous," she said lovingly. "I'm going to have the most handsome partner there."

Squall's laugh was weak but she did not seem to notice. He wished for the ground to swallow him whole, this ball was the last thing he wanted to go to.

***

As Quistis brushed her golden like hair she sighed to herself. This was not a good idea at all but there was no way she could get out of it as she had already promised Zell that she would go with him. She had tried her best to steer clear of both Squall and Rinoa but tonight would be the first time she would see them both together. If she really loved Squall then would she be able to spend just a minute in the same room as the pair?

Zell was a nice guy but she questioned his reasons for asking her. Was it that he would feel more comfortable if he went with a friend? Or was it something more? She could not decide upon whether his feelings were genuine or if he was doing it just because every other member of their group had seemed to have paired up with one another.

The outfit which she was wearing was a two piece ensemble. The top was a dark red corset which laced up at the front and her skirt matched it well. It was black with an uneven hemline at the bottom. It did look as if she was dressing to impress but she had convinced herself that it was not for Squall.

She smiled to herself once she had finished putting her lipstick on. This would be the night to end it all and hopefully start a new chapter in her life.

***

Irvine knew that something was wrong with his girlfriend. She was in a bad mood and had not spoken to him once that day. He had long since been ready for the evening but she was still in the bathroom getting ready. He looked at his watch and sighed, this was going to be a long night.

In the bathroom Selphie was drying her eyes. She still could not get the idea of Irvine having an affair with Rinoa out of her head. Though she had not questioned him about it she was still convinced that it was true. Even so she was still going to go to the ball to prove a point. Irvine was not going to get one over her and she was going to make sure of it. She did not blame it all on her flirty boyfriend but indeed a lot of her anger was aimed at Rinoa. She hated the fact that she had waltzed right back into Garden and was not satisfied with having Squall and wanted Irvine as well. All Selphie wanted was for her to go back to Deling and for all of this to be forgotten. Of course, she still had to confront him and that was going to be a daunting task for her. He would obviously deny it.

Rinoa was going to be there. She knew she would, Squall would have taken her there no matter what. If she tried anything then Selphie knew that she would fly off the handle instantly so wanted to keep a distance from her. And Quistis, she was partly to blame as well. By telling her that is was all harmless was she really trying to buy both Irvine and Rinoa some time before Selphie found out? This was a nightmare. Could Quistis really be so heartless? Surely she would tell her if anything was wrong. Was she in on it too?

"Selphie!"

Irvine called at her through the door and startled her. She took a deep breath and turned the handle.