Disclaimer: Since the last time I posted, not only have I failed to conquer Squaresoft and obtain FF8, but I finished my glass of milk and lost my keychain. Damn . . .

Making It On My Own

Chapter 3- Could this be something more?

~(Quistis's POV)~

I stepped out of my new apartment and locked the door behind me. The bright sun of the beautiful Sunday morn glared in my eyes, causing me to squint quite unattractively. I set forth for the elevator and pressed the obtrusive white button so the car would ding sweetly and take me down the thirteen stories to the ground. While waiting for the elevator to arrive at my floor, I rummaged through my purse for my sunglasses, whilst the wind tugged at the fabric of my bell-sleeved peasant shirt. The metallic silver door slid open just as I placed the dark frames upon the bridge of my nose.

I nearly groaned as I strode onto the elevator and the pitiful attempt at entertainment, a slow, boring melody, floated through the air. The elevator door slid shut and started its excruciatingly slow trek downward with a daunting, yet expected, lurch. Riding down always seemed to take longer than then the fifty some seconds I knew it took to reach ground level. Tapping my foot impatiently, I waited for the car to reach the parking level so I could get to my SUV and get on my way to the restaurant for breakfast.

Usually Seifer and I met for dinner at this particular restaurant, the one we attended the first day I arrived. We'd eaten there for supper every Sunday for two and a half months. Two weeks after we started our 'tradition', I gave Seifer my phone number. We made it a point to call each other at least once a day to vent a little and share our triumphs with one another; I'd easily say he was my very best friend. He'd come over a few times, for lunch or to comfort me in some way. On Monday he asked if I'd like to meet him for breakfast instead and then go to an amusement park for the rest of the afternoon, I excepted, sharing with him my love of roller coasters. He smiled and nodded, like he already knew.

And for some reason, I think he does know. He always seems to know. No matter what I do, he always appears to anticipate my move and counter me. It's a mystery to me, but no matter how mysterious he is, I want to keep him that way. I already know him like the back of my hand from the days of our childhood to the days of my instructing. But it's that little bit that's changed, the bit I grow to know more and more each day, the bit that makes me grow to love him more and more each day.

When the doors to the elevator finally opened up, I glided out of the metallic box, found my midnight blue suburban, unlocked the door, and started the huge machine. Before I shifted out of 'park', I opened my large case of CD's and sifted through the pages of discs. I looked at each critically before finally pulling on out of its protective slip and putting it into the CD player. The sound of one of my favorite soft rock singers filled the car's large expanse as I pulled out of the parking garage and navigated the familiar path to our favorite diner.

(Seifer's POV)

I waited for Quistis outside of the restaurant. She was running a few minutes behind, but knowing Quis the way I did, it was more than likely traffic that was keeping her. Seating myself on one of the benches right outside of the restaurant, I reflecting on the past few weeks since everyone's favorite blond goddess came into my life.

Every since she arrived, I found companionship in one of the most uninviting cities. I looked forward to coming home every night because it was then I'd be able to talk to her. And the weekends became less tedious; I had Sundays with Quistis.

She had a new job; she was a daycare supervisor at one of the only child-care facilities in Deling. Without her knowledge, I went to see her at work one day. It was fascinating to watch her with small children, she was so gentle and every move radiated a maternal glow. I mean I knew that she was a good teacher, I'd seen her in action. But it was different with the younger children; she treated every youngster as if they were her own. I can tell she's going to be a great mother someday, if she has enough patience for fifteen kids' scraped knees, then she'll do great when she has her own.

I watched her blue suburban pass the front of me, her brow knitted in concentration. I can always tell exactly what kind of mood she's in, what she's thinking, and how to approach her. I'm not sure how I do it, but I do know why I can.

I realized it a few weeks ago. There was a horrific thunderstorm tearing through Deling; the rain beat down upon the windows so hard that one couldn't hear themselves think. The lighting would sporadically light the sky with its fluorescent white light preceding the thunder that shook the buildings on their foundations and no one but Quezacotl himself could do better. The lighting knocked out a phone line, disconnecting me from Quistis. Though she hadn't said it, I knew she was terrified of the storm. Once again, I don't know how I knew, but at that point I didn't know why either. I scurried and tripped my way down the five or six flights of stairs to the parking garage just below my building.

By the time I reached my car my knees were both pretty banged up. My car roared to life and I tore out into the driving rain like a bat out of hell. I found her apartment complex without much effort, even in the next to zero visibility, every turn already memorized. I rapidly pressed the elevator button; as if pressing it more than once would make the elevator come any faster. Once it reached my floor, I clambered into the steel box and prayed to Hyne all the way up that the elevator wouldn't stop. I let myself into Quisty's apartment with the extra key she gave me. I found her crumpled up in the corner of her bedroom, shaking slightly with fear and her own sobbing. She must have heard me enter because she looked up at me with her sad, tear filled baby blues and scrambled up to cling to my chest. Before I knew what I was doing, my arms had wrapped themselves around her and held her to me while her warm tears mingled with the cold raindrops on my shirt.

It was then that I figured it out, and it was the way she looked with her hair a little mussed, and her body melted against mine, her fingers clenched in my shirt, and her breathing even. I realized that I was in love with Quistis Trepe.

'Speak of the devil', I thought to myself as the angel herself sauntered down the street in my direction. When she saw me, she ran towards me and threw her arms around my neck. My thicker, more musculature arms encircled her waist to pick her up off the ground and spin her around in circles. Her delighted squeals of protest only proved to encourage me, and I didn't stop spinning until I felt I was going to be sick. Quistis staggered back and placed a hand on my shoulder to keep herself balanced while she continued to laugh. It pleased me that she didn't care that the two of us were getting numerous stares from those passing us by.

After she settled down, I offered her my arm and we waltzed into the diner, taking our usual seats.

(Quistis's POV)

I stood outside on my balcony with Seifer. The sky was dark and each star shone like a diamond in a sea of velvet. He and I were leaning against the railing, just staring at the sky. It reminded me of a time when I'd watched Squall and Rinoa out on the balcony at the Quad; she'd pointed to something that made him smile. It occurred to me that I'd never asked Rinoa what it was.

I smiled, recollecting the memory of today. After breakfast, he and I went to the amusement park just outside of Deling. Amazed at the height of many of the coasters, we wandered in awe for a while before getting in line for the largest of them all. We waited for an hour and a half to get on that ride, but it was worth it. We climbed into our seats, second from the back. Once everyone was settled, the cars were released and we started the three hundred-foot trek to the top of the hill. I can only recall one other time I was that scared, I frantically grabbed at Seifer's hand, clasping it in my own and holding it against my chest. He looked at me quizzically and I pointed down at the people below. At only half way up the hill, every person already looked like an ant scurrying about on the ground. When Seifer looked up I could tell that I'd frightened him. He squeezed my hand gently and pulled me closer to him, if it weren't for the fact that we were about to drop three hundred feet at an almost vertical incline, the whole thing would have been romantic.

My ears, and his more than likely, are still ringing from our screams. Despite our fear of the first ride, the coaster turned out to be more fun than I thought it could be. Seifer and I rode it three or four more times that afternoon. And now, we stand outside, mugs of coffee rest on the table to my left. He straightens and expresses how late it is and how he should be getting home. I want to invite him to stay with me tonight, but I can't find the words to tell him all that I feel inside. Instead, I walk with him to the foyer. Before he can open the door, I place my hand on his arm and open my mouth to say something.

"Seifer, I want to thank you for tonight."

He smiles and I want to melt. "It's no problem Quis, I had fun."

"So, I'll see you on Tuesday for dinner?"

Nodding, he opens the door and steps outside. I reach out to shut it when his hand on mine stops me. He leans forward and presses his lips to mine, not pressuring, just utter sweetness. I kiss him back, to let him know that I want this too. Ever so gently, he breaks our kiss and holds his face near mine for a moment. I know what he wants to say, and I want to say it too, but something holds both of us back.

"Goodnight Quis." It was more of a breathy whisper than a sentence, but I understand all it means.

"Goodnight Seifer."

He leans back and grins a cheeky grin, and I smile back. Shutting the door, I lean against the cool wood and sigh a sigh of contentment.



Well folks, I finally finished this chapter. I've had some issues with the whole school business; English 2, World History, Spanish- the list goes on. It also doesn't help me that I broke my wrist not too long after I posted the 2nd chapter and that I'm working technical for our school's fall play and that I'm on the swim team. Did you know that you still have to go to meets even if you can't swim? Anywho . . . I promise to have the next chapter out sooner, but I can't guarantee anything.