Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII or any of its characters.  They all belong to SQUARESOFT.

Chapter 16: Holding Onto Nothing

"What?  What do you mean… engaged to Tribal?" Squall's mouth went dry and dozens of questions began flooding in his head.  Had she betrayed him?  Didn't she say she loved him?  Was it… a lie? 

Lies…

He was familiar with the term.  He had lied to many women for many different reasons however this was different.  The only woman he had feelings for, the only one he cared and loved for… Had deceived him.

His breathing became shallow and quick.  His cool blue eyes met his father's and he asked once more, "What the hell do you mean?"

"I thought she had told you." Laguna's chest panged with guilt.  No, he didn't think Rinoa would have told him… She didn't know herself.  But he had to find a way to keep the act going… To keep his son from finding out the truth.

"No… She didn't.  This has got to be a joke." Squall's voice wavered but still remained strong.

"I'm sorry, son." He meant every word of it.

Squall avoided his gaze, "No, you're shitting me.  This isn't happening." Then he turned around and ran out of his father's office, slamming the double, oak doors behind him.

***

Tears ran freely from her eyes, dripping off her chin.  Her hair partially covered her face; her eyes were downcast.  In a fury, she clenched her fists and sobbed quietly.

Mixed feelings of anger and void coursed through her veins.  Engaged?  To Melvin Tribal?  The one whom she partially hated for bringing down one of her friends, the one whom she was afraid of… Engaged to him?

She thought for a moment, her life as Tribal's wife.  He would no doubt be egoistical and vain.  Perceive her as a trophy.  She wondered what it would be like… Sleeping in the same bed as him … then she shut her eyes tightly, not really wanting to know.

Then she thought of Squall.  Compared to the infamous monkey-man, Squall was picture perfect.  His physique, his personality… His kisses… Everything was faultless.  Her thoughts wandered further… And she could have him if only…

If only things were to go her way for once, only for once.  If only this once, things were to go her way… Things would go her way for the rest of her life… Just being with him.  Waking up to his face, spending weekends with him… Being with him without feeling guilt, reproach or anything else.  If only…

Now, without him, she was holding onto nothing…

Her shaking fingers fumbled for the receiver of the phone.  She picked it up and heard the odd droning sound at the other end.  With her free hand she dialed in seven numbers and waited for Quistis to answer.

"Hello?" It was more of a question than a greeting.

She breathed slowly and responded, "Quistis?"

"Rin?" The voice jerked slightly, "You sound like shit!  Are you ok?"

It was funny to know that no matter how hard she tried, she could get nothing past her friends.  They always unmasked her… No matter the situation, no matter her acting skills.

"No… I'm not ok." Denying her angst was futile now, "I need to talk to you… please?  I can't do it over the phone."

"Ok, ok… I'll be there in like… Twenty minutes!" The rushed sentence ended abruptly with the slight click of the ending connection.

Quistis ran about her apartment aimlessly trying to gather her things.  She wasn't so anxious to know why Rinoa wasn't ok… She already knew why.  She was more anxious to get to Rinoa's before her friend did something stupid… like jump out the window for example.  Finding her last item, she rushed out the door, barely remembering to lock it.

***

"What?" Zell's voice could be mistaken for a girly shriek as he jumped out of his chair, glaring at the news Seifer had just told him.

"You heard me!" Seifer scowled in annoyance- repeating it just made it seem worse- "Rinoa is engaged to Melvin."

Irvine's jaw hung loosely as he staggered between the factual and fictional worlds; Zell repeated his question, "What?  How… What?"

Seifer grimaced, "This was all for nothing."

"This can't be happening people!" Zell snapped and pounded his fists on the desk, "I didn't buy 15 snakes for empty results!"

"Guess you did, man." Irvine shrugged, "I mean, guys, it's hopeless.  They were star-crossed before we even tried."

"Never say that!" Zell cried out, "I can't believe you guys are just… Giving up!  You know, it's all nice for you guys.  Seifer you haven't had a steady relationship since… EVER!  And no one's keeping you from Selphie, Irvine!"

Their responses were their disheartened expressions so Zell went on, "You don't know how they feel… Guys, they love each other!  They… They…" Zell gave out a frustrated growl and ran out of the room angrily.

As fast as his martial-arts-trained legs could sustain, he ran out of Galbadia garden and to the Academy Train Station that led to Deling.

***

"I'm getting married to Melvin Tribal." Rinoa whispered softly, still under the preliminary shock.

Quistis whimpered slightly, "I know… I'm sorry I didn't tell you… But I knew."

Rinoa's head jerked up, "You knew?  Quistis…" More tears glazed her eyes and coursed down her reddened cheeks.

Quistis blinked and surprisingly, water that welled up in her eyes flowed down too, "I'm so sorry, Rinoa.  I thought that… Maybe if you didn't know, it wasn't true.  I really tried to come up with solutions… I'm so sorry." She broke out into a downright wail.

"It's fine." Rinoa said quietly, "It doesn't matter anymore… Does it?"

"Yes, it does!" Quistis blurted out, "You're going to marry a homo erectus!  You're suppose to marry Squall and have beautiful, beautiful children… not 'Planet Of The Apes' look-alikes!"

Rinoa realized Quistis was having one of her 'delirious moments' so she let her friend continue, "Sure, Squall may be a little stupid but they might inherit your way of thinking so then everything'll be alright; but not if you marry an ape!"

Realizing the pickle she was in, Rinoa started crying even more uncontrollably then before.  Quistis took out her cell phone, still bawling like there was no tomorrow and speed-dialed Selphie's phone.

"Hey, Selph?  Lost complete control of situation… Come to Rinoa's please." Was all she blubbered into the receiver and cut the connection.

***

Zell kicked a soft drink can in the empty park of Deling.  He was doing something he hadn't done in a while.  Seriously think about something… Serious.  Snorting his disgust at the newly analyzed situation, he kicked the can so hard he heard the ping noise as it came into contact with something.

"Excuse me!" A male voice called out with revulsion

He lifted his head and was about to apologized but then stopped when he realized who it was… Melvin Tribal.

"Hey go back to your snow cones and penguin park, Tribal!" Zell sniggered, blessing his aim with his right foot.

Melvin looked very displeased; to say the least, "Mind your own, filthy business, Dincht.  A measly little SeeD doesn't deserve one eighth of my respect."

"Hey uh… Melvin." Zell drawled, ignoring the previous comment, "Heard you're engaged to Rinoa."

"Hmph… That's correct." Melvin admitted, "Now let's all come clean and say that she's the best you can get."

"I wouldn't know, I haven't fucked her… You should ask Squall though, bet you he knows." Zell smirked.

Melvin's face fell and he snapped back, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, nothing." Zell covered up cleverly, "So, tell me.  Why you getting married to her?"

"Well, my father's plans actually." Melvin confessed, "Said it would give him better ties with General Caraway."

"Well yeah… I mean, Trabia's main economical source would be weapon selling… And Galbadia is the best weapon buying country." Zell acknowledged, fairly surprised at Melvin's openness.

"Yes, exactly." Melvin agreed, "Frankly, I'm doing this to piss Seifer off and I'm picking up a pretty hot girl at the same time."

"Right… So Rinoa's a bonus?" Zell asked, trying to retain his anger.  He had to keep cool until he got some more information out of Melvin.  But… Having one of his best friends spoken about like she was just some whore was very provoking.

"Well, yes really.  My father's after a bigger fish." Melvin gave off a short laugh, "He thinks he can easily get control of Galbadia this way.  Can't blame the fellow, he's a natural genius."

"Right, that is a great plan.  Get the General by the balls through his daughter and then gain control of the whole Galbadian army.  Pretty good." Zell's jaw clenched. 

"Correct. You know, you aren't as dumb as your friends." Melvin grinned.

Zell shrugged and the lying began, "Been trying to ditch them for years." Then he asked curiously, "Why do you hate Seifer anyways?"

"Because he's a sonofabitch… And worst is, he doesn't know who that bitch is!" Melvin laughed at his own clever joke and Zell was forced to join in, "Well anyways, I not only hate Seifer, but I hate Squall too!"

"So like I said… Why?" Zell demanded.

Melvin hissed, "They made a complete fool out of me at a competition … six years ago.  I'd rather stray from the subject."

"Gee, love to stay and talk but I really got to run." Zell faked and ran off in the opposite direction… He needed to get to a payphone… Sometime around NOW.

Sammy-Chan: Chapter 16!  Well, hope you liked it!  Now, please review and tell me what you think… I like reviews… Reviews are good... *grins in an insane kind of way* Anyhow… I have services to offer.  If ANYONE would like to know when this fic is updated (through e-mail) PLEASE say so through your reviews… I'll gladly do so.  Next point: please read and review my new fic (Summing Up The Stars).  That will be all for now… *smiles again* so now… Onto my beta reader's note… And don't forget to review!!

Beta's Note: I was going for dramatics at the beginning. Floating's too calm; try flooding.

Melvin is a 'him'… Unless he got an 'operation' that no one knew about… Ewwww!!!! And did I mention that dramatics are a good thing in a like-wise situation? Ah, screw dramatics… I'd be in hysterics.  I mean…. EWWWWWW! I can't say what I mean! Melvin started off as a truck driver and now he's… Can't say it. Anyways, welcome to tomorrow! TTYL, BBYE!