Was she really in love? That was the question Quistis pondered standing there in front of the two men. Both of them were after her heart. She undecided and unknowing. The emotions were sudden powerful, and overwhelming. She hated it. She hated not being in control, control had always been her element.
"Can I think about it for awhile and meet the two of you back here?" Quistis asked desperately needing to get some advice on the matter. Both of them nodded almost in unison. She watched for a moment as Irvine plopped down into one of the swings. Seifer sat down leaning against one of the out most trees looking up at the sky. She fled the clearing leaving the both behind. She headed straight for Rinoa and Selphie's tent.
"Hey girls?" Quistis asked poking her head into the tent flap.
"Hey Quis! Come on in" Rinoa chirped happily as Quistis ducked into the tent.
"Hey 'noa, Selph" Quistis said plopping down next to Rinoa on her sleeping bag.
"Uh-oh it looks like you've got something on your mind" Selphie said frowning. She set down the brush she was using on her hair turning her whole attention to Quistis.
"Boy trouble" Quistis muttered. How could she possibly tell them, how in world did she think they could help.
"Boy trouble?" Rinoa questioned raising an eyebrow. She looked over her shoulder at Quistis with her sparkling brown eyes.
"Yeah. It's a war Seifer vs. Irvine. When the hell did I get so attractive?" Quistis wondered out loud.
"Seifer?" Rinoa blurted out, just as Selphie said
"Irvine?"
"Yeah" Quistis said trying to ignore the weird look hat Rinoa was giving her. This was just what she needed, the jealous ex-girlfriend. More stress, joy.
"He's my ex-boyfriend" Rinoa said slowly.
"I know, Rin. He came on to me!" Quistis said. She hoped that would be explanation enough.
"This make me very uncomfortable Quis" Rinoa said getting that whiny tone in her voice. Quistis bristled immediately.
"Hyne forbid anyone ever be attracted to me" Quistis spat standing up.
"Quisty" Selphie called after her as she ran from the tent. Quistis ran past Zell who was roasting hotdogs outside his tent. Past Matron and Cid playing with Angelo in the flower field. She ran all the way to the warm sand of the beach. She walked along the surf staring up at the stars. She stopped short, spotting a dark figure sitting on a rock. The burning cheery on the cigarette dangling from his lips, stuck out in the night air. Brown hair fell in front of his face, cigarette smoke twirling upwards around it.
"Squall?" Quistis said tentatively taking a step closer.
"Shit" he muttered fumbling with his cigarette for a moment.
"It's me Quistis" she said. A whole calm over took his body, and he took another long drag.
"I thought you were Rinoa, she'd string me up if she caught me smoking" Squall said his lips turning up a bit as she stepped closer.
"I didn't know you smoked" Quistis said plopping down on the sand next to him.
"Not many do, I started shortly after the war began. Too much stress" he said as he took the last drag off the smoke before flicking it into the frothy surf.
"Everyone has their vices" Quistis said shrugging one shoulder.
"What brings you out here tonight?" Squall asked. Quistis found it strange to be around him when he was so relaxed. Never before had he been so laid back, and talkative to her.
"Getting away from everyone" Quistis said.
"Escaping your admirers?" Squall asked lips turning up in that small smile again.
"How'd you know?" Quistis asked surprised.
"I notice things. Seifer's been gaga for you since before he left us. Irvine, well that one was a surprise" Squall said. Quistis eyes about popped out of her head. Squall had just said gaga. The world must be coming to an end.
"They want me to choose" Quistis blurted out before she realized it.
"Who are you going to pick?" Squall asked.
"I have no clue" Quistis said her eyes misting over a bit.
"Hey now, don't get yourself all worked up over it. Give them both a chance, then you heart will show you the path" Squall said standing up. He dusted the sand off his pants for a moment before walking away.
"Hey Squall, thanks!" Quistis called after him.
"No problem, sis" he called over his shoulder filling her world with light. Joy fuzzed inside her as she realized what she was going to do.
Quistis entered the clearing a sense of calm around her. She had a plan. Both of the hopped to their feet looking at her with eager puppy dog eyes. She raised both of her hands a silent plea to allow her to speak first.
"How about we make a deal. Over the next three days each of you will be allowed to take me out on one date. On the third day I will both let you know what my decision is" she said confidently. Irvine nodded slowly. His hat shadowing his eyes hiding any emotion lurking there.
"Sounds fair" Irvine said.
"I'm game" Seifer replied. His eyes were hard as rock, glaring at Irvine. Quistis shifted her eyes back and forth between both of them.
"Who will go first?" Irvine asked.
"Oh, I don't know. Play paper, rock, scissors for it" Quistis said a little exasperated. Seifer looked positively mortified as he turned to face Irvine fist resting on palm. Quistis stifled a giggle at seeing the two men count to three. Irvine threw paper, Seifer rock. Irvine looked like he was about to whoop in joy. Seifer scowled looking like he was going to punch Seifer in the face.
"Ok Irvine, I'll see you tomorrow" Quistis said with a curt nod, before sauntering out of the clearing.
A/n: I honestly tried not to make Rinoa too much of a bitch. But have you ever had one of your friends date your ex-boyfriend? That was the emotion I was trying to convey, hope I didn't fail.
