Just Wait

Chapter Five

Through the Keyhole

A/N: Well, after a week's delay, I got chapter five. I hope you enjoy.

Zone opened his front door softly, watching his wife napping peacefully on the couch. He smiled and walked up to it, kneeling in front of her face

"Eugh..." She groaned.

"Hey Rinoa." He whispered.

Rinoa opened one eye groggily and sighed.

"Hey Zone...when did you get home?"

"Just a few minutes ago. How was your day?"

"It was good. I got to take care of a cute little kitty."

"I'm happy for you."

Zone smoothed her bangs away from her forehead and kissed it.

"Thanks." She swung her legs over the couch. "Sorry I was asleep, it's been a hectic day."

"Yeah, same here."

"Really?" Rinoa yawned, stretching her arms into the stuffy living room.

"I guess. What are we eating?"

"Take-out again, I hope you don't mind."

"No, I don't."

She frowned at his expression.

"If you say so..."

I wonder what's up with him...

"Is that your new friend, Squall?" Zell joked. Squall responded by grunting and shoving his friend lightly, but Zell fell to the floor, anyway.

"I'm taking her to the vet over by the Shopping Arcade."

"Oh really?" Zell stood up and brushed himself off. "What's her name?"

"Angelo."

Zell leaned over and picked Angelo up.

"Hey Angelo, are you little doggy?"

Angelo barked happily.

"Where'd you get it, Squall? Didn't take you for much of a dog person."

"....."

"Was it your mom?"

"No, my dad. He wanted me to have a 'companion'."

"Well, Angelo is awesome. Cute little puppy..." Zell nuzzled his nose into Angelo's neck, and the dog barked happily.

"I'm glad you two like each other." Squall rolled his eyes. "But knowing my dad, the Angelo could have rabies..."

"-the hell?!" Zell set down Angelo with a thump. "Man, are you crazy!?!?!?!"

Squall almost chuckled.

"Zell, you really ARE an idiot." He shook his head and tightened his hold on Angelo's leash before tugging the little puppy away to Squall's car.

"Huh?"

Rinoa ate her noodles quietly, watching Zone, who kept sighing and staring at the clock.

"Are you late for something?" She asked.

"What? No."

"Okay."

I wonder what happened?"

"Zone? Is everything all right? You seem to be- distracted."

He sighed again, it was really starting to get on her nerves.

"I'll be fine."

Rinoa frowned.

"If something is bothering you, just say it. What? Do you want me to cook for you?"

"It would be nice..." He set down his chopsticks and leaned back in the wooden chair.

Rinoa was almost seething.

"Well, excuse me, but I'm not exactly Mary Sue Housewife. I have a job, and- I don't even know how to cook very well at all! Or have you forgotten that?"

Zone rolled his eyes.

"I'm not condemning you for having a job. It's nice to have a wife that cares about her life. But can't you just take a few cooking classes down at the community college? I'm sure-"

But before he got to finish, he flinched violently as Rinoa suddenly pushed back her chair, and it toppled to the floor. She seemed mildly surprised at the latter but her fury ignored it almost immediately.

"For you information, dear, I HAVE graduated from college. And guess what? I really don't feel like going back, especially to one where the only people in it are at YOUR level of intelligence."

"My- are you saying I'm STUPID?"

"Well, gee, I don't know." Rinoa bit her lip to stop from crying. "What do you think?"

She jerked sharply left and stepped into the family room, following the path until she groped the doorknob of the front door.

"Rinoa- you know what?"

Rinoa whirled around.

"No, I don't. And I suggest you just save it Zone."

And with that, she slammed the door behind her.

Zone coughed as a little ceiling dust fell on his face.

"What the- damn it...."

Rinoa sobbed quietly as she headed down the street. All of the houses looked exactly like hers. Small and pathetic.

What happened to my life?
She was supposed to be the 'next big thing'. Even her mother, who rarely paid any attention to her had said so. Dreams come true a lot easier when you've got connections. That was what her father had told her.

So why aren't I famous? Why am I stuck in suburban Timber, trying as hard as I can to be happy?
Rinoa Caraway, famous singer. It would've looked so good. Except maybe I would've changed my name. Caraway...hmm..maybe I would've gotten married to someone else, too. Someone REALLY handsome, and wherever we went, our outfits would match. Everyone would talk about us...and we'd be happy.

Zone. She suddenly remembered. Was she happy with Zone? Well, it certainly seemed like it to other people. And to her. Sometimes.

He's always so...demanding. Always telling me what's good for me. Sure, sometimes it's true, but if it hadn't been for him, maybe I would've gotten that record deal..

Memories of that awful and wonderful day came into her head. She and Zone had been dating for a year and a half, and he was going to transfer to Timber. They had cried and complained over it, but Rinoa hadn't wanted to move. Of course, Zone had convinced her, and she had told her friend Quistis to please call the record company considering her demo and say that she was withdrawing it.

Regret had washed over her like spring rain on the train to Timber, but Rinoa kept silent. Zone was excited, and she naturally felt happier than she thought she should.

I wonder where Quistis is now. It's only been a year. Maybe she's still trying to finish her novel. Maybe she'll be famous. Maybe I'll be, too. One of these days.

It started to drizzle, and Rinoa cursed inwardly. She had walked pretty far from her house, and there was no way she was going back tonight, anyway.

Selphie lives too far away.

Rinoa put her hands in her pockets, sighed, and started the trek to a small hotel at the end of the street.



A/N: Hmm...the plot thickens. I hope.

Don't forget to drop me a review if you want the next chapter sooner. Trust me. Since I have school next week.