Nida's Story
(Author's Note: Square owns 99.99999999'% of this fic. From here on it's fluff mainly, and also a little bit on Nida's mystery illness. Of course there is more to this story than Quistis's relationship problems.)
Chapter Five: Squall's Plan
Nida sat in the cafeteria, dreading the day ahead. It was going to be bad enough with a class of sixteen kids to teach, nevermind the fact he'd have to try and explain everything to Quistis.
"You ready?" Zell asked. Nida raised his eyebrows and let the question answer itself. Zell grinned.
"You'll do fine, don't worry! And Quistis... She'll be professional about all this. It'll be fine!" Zell assured him. Nida looked into his coffee. Maybe they were right? Then again, he'd never known Quistis lose her temper until he had been around.
"Morning," Quistis said cheerily. She looked directly at Nida and smiled.
"Ready to face the Kraken?" She asked. Nida frowned and didn't reply, instead he got out his timetable.
"09, Jeng's class, what are they like?" Nida asked. Quistis folded her arms.
"I never really noticed anyone except-" She stopped short and closed her eyes.
"Seifer," Nida finished for her. He looked at the clock. "Best get it over with then."
*
Quistis watched Nida as he entered the classroom. There was immediate silence, then a snigger from the back of the class. She ignored it, and looked in Nida's direction, waiting for his authoritive stance to kick in, it didn't.
"Hey," He said it loud enough to be heard but quiet enough to still sound shy and gentle. "Most of you know me already, for those who don't, I'm Instructor No. 16. Nida Denz, and I'll be taking you for History and Battle Theory for the next term, along with Instructor No. 14 Quistis Trepe," He said it so differently from any other instructor that the class were captivated, hanging on to each soft syllable. Quistis noticed a few girls begin to blush.
"I don't have a clue about each of your abilities, I don't think I know any of you. I hope by the end of the lesson that I'll have at least some idea where to place you," Nida paused for a second. Quistis stepped to the front of the classroom. She pulled out her laptop and brought up the register.
"Can you raise you hand as your name is called?" Quistis asked as she began to read out all the names. Nida meanwhile was drawing something on the Computerized OHP (OverHead Projector) it wasn't until Quistis had finished the register that she realised it was, in fact, a very detailed picture of Sorceress Adel.
"I'm sure most of you know a fair bit about the second sorceress war, even though we'll be spending half a term on it. However, if I am not mistaken, the Second Sorceress War was just a repeat of the first, with the same cause. Of course at the time, Adel was thought to be the problem. The problem is, that Adel was in fact, evil, though in history such a word does not exist," A girl in the front of the class out her hand up. Nida nodded to her. She smiled at her friends and blushed a little.
"Wasn't the current President of Esthar responsible for the disappearence of Adel? And Esthar's silence?" She asked. Nida raised his eyebrows and looked to Quistis. Quistis had seen the high tech. city, she knew how to answer this question better than he did.
"Laguna Loire, the President of Esthar, did rid Esthar of Adel, we'll be covering that later on. Esthar's silence was a- a misunderstanding. Loire did not mean to cut Esthar off, but- well it just happened," Quistis struggled. Nida smirked.
"Esthar was hated by the world. It was only wise that Laguna kept everything secret. Not many people came back from Esthar because it was ten times better than any rumours that circulated. I believe that's correct?" Nida addressed Quistis. The class tittered with laughter. Quistis made her unconcerned face and sat on the desk.
"I'll leave this to you then?" She asked. Nida raised his eyebrows. Then Quistis found herself smirking back at him. Nida folded his arms and began to talk about the events leading up to the First Sorceress War.
"Sorry I'm late, people to see, Squall to piss off," came the famous drawl. Quistis turned to see the only man she really hated. What was he doing back in Garden? Surely Squall wouldn't let him back? Or Cid?
"I thought you were expelled Seifer?" Nida asked politely. The classroom was deathly silent. Seifer smirked and looked over to Quistis. It was then that she saw it, the burning love that was held in those eyes.
"I haven't come here to cause trouble. I've come to sit out the rest of my year, then I'm being transferred to Galbadia, to begin an instructorship there. I just need to talk to both of you, in private," Quistis looked to Nida who was standing, his head tilted.
"Class, please draw a poster explaining to junior classmen the vital points leading up the the Sorceress War," Nida commanded, before leading Seifer outside. Quistis followed, and the room exploded into whispers.
*
Nida stood there, waiting for Seifer to explain himself. Nida tapped his fingers against his arm, only half aware it was his mechanical hand. Quistis was leaning against the wall, looking worse than Nida had ever seen her. She suddenly looked tired, as though she'd been wearing a mask all day, and it only took one man to bring it all crashing down.
"I'm sorry," Seifer began. Nida didn't acknowledge him but waited for him to continue. "I love Quistis, more than anything in the world. Even more so than SeeDship or glory or anything. But I know, Quistis would never be happy with me. I never meant to hurt her. That's why I'm giving her up. Take care of her, okay?" Seifer asked, taking Nida's shoulder. Quistis didn't speak, she just looked at the wall with blank eyes.
"You could give her up? Just like that? You sure? If you walk back into that classroom, you'll have lost her forever," Nida said quietly, disbelievingly. Seifer stood up tall.
"I've lost everything Nida, but I know that there will be others," He leaned close to Nida's ear. "She loves you," Seifer whispered and walked into the classroom. Nida watched as the man he'd hated for his entire life became the man he most respected and thanked. He turned to Quistis.
"You wanna go lie down? Perhaps you should go talk to Rinoa?" He suggested. Quistis looked at her feet.
"I'll do that..." She began to walk away, then turned around. "Thanks Nida," She said. He frowned, what had he done?
"You tried to make him change his mind. And he didn't. It makes things, so much clearer for me," Quistis stumbled over her words. Nida had an idea of what she meant. He smiled and nodded, before turning to the door and braving the class alone.
*
Nida slumped down in the cafeteria, glad of a break. He had a two-hour lunch break and then it was back to teaching Gunblade lessons to junior classmen. What was it with younger kids, that they always have to question? He was understanding and patiently answered their questions, although it was obviously just an excuse not to do any written work and get straight to practical.
"Well done, you did pretty well," Squall said pulling up a chair. Nida smiled weakly. Squall laughed.
"It took that much out of you, huh?" Squall ran his fingers through his hair. "Did you and Quistis fight at all then?" He asked casually. Nida sighed, when Quistis had returned from her talk to Rinoa she'd been silent, and only spoken quietly to Nida.
"Who let Seifer back into Garden?" Nida countered, not really knowing if Quistis was speaking to him or not. Squall sighed.
"I did. Only because he got on his knees and begged. He also has agreed to take a transfer to Galbadia at the end of the year. Is that not enough for you Nida?" Squall asked. Nida shook his head, it was enough he supposed.
"Wotcha talkin' about?" Lucinda said. Nida hadn't even heard her approach. Squall stood up and rolled his eyes.
"Seifer," Squall replied before leaving. Lucinda looked at Nida questioningly, but Nida was in a completely different world.
*
(A few hours earlier, after the meeting with Seifer.)
Quistis remembered all the checking up she needed to do on Nida. His health records needed to be checked, above everything else. After her mind-reeling meeting with Seifer. He;d loved her so much he'd been willing to let her go. That meant a lot to her, and it had made a lot to Nida as well.
She walked into the infirmary and saw that Dr. Kadowaki was busy seeing to a student with a broken arm.
"Doctor Kadowaki, I'm here to pick up Nida's health files. I'll just get them out, ok?" Quistis called. Doctor Kadowaki waved her on. It was only when Quistis got into Doctor Kadowaki's office that she realised that she could access anyone's health file, even the confidential ones. She searched for Nida's files, going passed Zell's name reluctantly.
"Nida Denz," She said triumphantly. Then she saw the two files, she got out the public file, the file that officials were allowed to view, but something drew her. She wanted to know more about Nida, more about that man who she was falling in love with.
There was a birth certificate, then a Garden admission paper. A few legal documents, but nothing personal in it. A piece of paper fell out of the folder and onto the floor. Quistis bent down and picked it up.
"Nida Denz is to be provided with the Heroin to keep him mentally and physically stable. We will continue to monitor his progress," Quistis didn't read anymore. She put the piece of paper in her pocket, took the files and left, trying not to look obvious. She put the files in her bag and headed back to class. She couldn't even look at Nida for the next few hours.
*
Quistis knew Nida was in the cafeteria, she had watched him go in. The truth was, that she couldn't believe that Nida was a drug addict. It was impossible. The quiet, shy, sensitive mouse-like Nida was really a mentally and physically unstable druggie. She walked up to his room and kicked the door down. No one was around, she'd checked earlier in the day, all the dorms here were taken by SeeDs who were out on a mission.
Quistis made immediately began to turn the place upside down, making it look like a simple burglary. She pocketed a few things worth stealing, promising herself that she'd leave them somewhere where Squall would find them. After tipping out his desk, bathroom cabernet and checking under the bed, Quistis turned to the wardrobe.
She pulled open the doors and immediately saw something that was out of place in a wardrobe. A brown box with "Balamb Paper" printed across it. Quistis opened the lid and saw all the evidence she needed. Syringe after syringe, and enough heroin to keep all the junkies in Deling City happy.
"Quistis?"
*
Nida refused to see what was before him. Why was Quistis in his room, after it had been trashed so thoroughly? He stood there, taking in the scene. Quistis straightened up, her face was a mask of horror. Did she hate him that much?
"I came to see if you were here and- and the door was open and- the place was trashed. I was just wondering if they had taken anything," Quistis lied. Nida could tell she was. She wasn't very good at it.
"Oh Quistis, why?" He asked. She emptied her pockets of his few trinkets, then produced a slip of paper, handing it to him. He saw one word and knew why she was here. But to be so desperate? Why?
"Why do you take heroin Nida?" Quistis asked. For a moment Nida didn't reply then he gathered his wits and looked Quistis square in the eyes.
"If I don't I get sick. Really sick. Not withdrawal symptoms, but something completely different. Something that is fatal. And how did you find this anyway?" Nida asked. Quistis's eyes filled with tears.
"Your health file. I had to check it for you to become a proper instructor. I-I have to withdraw my support for your instructorship Nida, I can't let a guy high on heroin lead a class full of impressionable kids," Her tears were coming more steadily.
"Quistis, this condition cannot be cured. But the effects of heroin don't work on me. I can show you," Nida moved towards the box, pulling up his shirt sleeve. He picked up a syringe and injected himself. Quistis forced herself to watch. She was amazed when Nida pulled the needle out there wasn't any sign he had injected himself at all. Not even a pinprick mark. He closed his eyes and blinked a few times before sitting on the bed.
"Ugh, I-I'll be okay in a minute, hang on," Nida's arm began to twitch violently, he grimaced, then suddenly he was still. So so still.
"Nida?" Quistis whispered. He opened his eyes and smiled at her softly.
"I'm okay. I-I'm glad you're worried about me, but it's best that you don't remember this, not until you need to," Nida raised his hand and placed it on Quistis's lips. She leaned forward and kissed him gently.
"That's something you'll forget," Nida whispered against her lips and suddenly white light filled the room.
*
When Quistis awoke in her bed she found Nida sitting on the corner. She looked around, how had she got here. She could only remember bits and pieces of the last day. She had left Nida, gone to collect his medical files, taken the public one, left, but then she remembered being in Nida's dormitory, it had been trashed. How?
"What happened?" Quistis asked. Nida smiled, like a crocodile smiles at a weak wilderbeast before it attacks.
"You were attacked by a burgular in my room. He saw you, panicked, knocked you out and fled, leaving everything behind. More importantly, are you okay?" Nida leaned forward, checking the back of her head. He was so close.
"Nida? I've forgotten things. Things I think are important. Things about you," Quistis said it as quietly as she could. She had to say it aloud, but she didn't really want him to hear. He must have picked up on this and ignored it. He sat back down and slowly a blush worked up his face.
"I-I better be going... I'll send Doctor Kadowaki in to check on you," Nida stood up. Quistis suddenly knew, Nida wasn't going to leave. He was going to stay, or he owuld never have come. But it was her call.
"No, please, stay," Quistis managed. He turned, something in his eyes, it seemed to reflect exactly what Quistis felt herself. A strange kind of confusion that could only be one thing, love. It was sleeplessness, it was excitement, it was electric, it was a school girl crush and so much more.
"I r-really have to go Quistis," Nida stuttered. Quistis smiled at him, in a way she hoped was attractive.
"No you don't. Do you hate me so much?" She asked. Nida's face looked hurt, Quistis didn't know what she'd said.
"I far from hate you Quistis," He said, calmly. Quistis bit her lip and took a chance.
"Then don't go. I want you to stay. I need you," She managed to say, though opening herself up like this and leaving herself vunerable was scary and exciting.
"N-Need?" Nida repeated, disbelievingly. "You need Seifer, he can offer you much more excitement." Nida turned again.
"No no no, I need you. It's been you ever since that kiss. Can't you tell?" Quistis asked. Nida looked over his shoulder.
"I think you hit your head too hard Quistis. Now don't get up until Doctor K has had a look at you," He was about to leave, his hand was on the doorknob. Quistis couldn't bare to have him walk out on her. Suddenly everything came flooding back, her memories, although strange to her, as though they had only happened in a dream, made everything make sense. Without realising she was on her feet and- falling.
She braced herself to hit the ground, but she didn't. She saw the ground a few feet from the tip of her nose. She put her hands out and slowly floated to the ground. Quistis looked up to see Nida with his hand outstretched. He had his eyes closed, the air around him was glowing with a faint light.
"I told you to stay in bed," He joked. Quistis stood a little shakily.
"What are you?" Quistis asked. Nida looked at the floor.
"Forget about it. I'm just Nida, the quiet guy, who people forget," Nida sagged slightly. Quistis wasn't about to let him go now. She took a few tottering steps towards him but then fell just before him. He caught her, and she buried her face in his chest.
"Love you," She whispered. Nida's heart began to pound faster, she heard it. After a second he kissed the top of her head.
"I'll go get you something to eat," Nida whispered into her hair. He picked her up, gently carrying her like a princess in the fairy stories. He lay her down on the bed and placed another kiss on her forehead.
"I never thought you even remembered."
Six Years Before
"Quistis?" Nida walked into the secret area alittle cautiously. Usually either Squall or Seifer were with Quistis and that meant trouble for Nida.
"Yeah?" She looked over her shoulder. Nida saw the tears running down her face. For the first time he felt pity for the girl, who up until now had been the only person to best him in wit.
"Why are you crying?" Nida asked, beginning to worry something was seriously wrong.
"Oh Nida it's awful! Seifer is picking on me! He's saying I'm-I'm a fridge!" Nida rolled his eyes at Quistis's over-reaction.
"You are only fourteen," He pointed out.
"Would you-Would you get off with me?" Quistis asked. Nida coughed in shock.
"What!?"
"Oh, sorry."
"Nothing to apologise for, it's just... I've never kissed a girl before," Nida scuffed his boots on the dirt. Quistis got up and took one of his hands.
"There's nothing to it. Just take my lead," She leaned forward, not giving Nida a chance to escape.
"Ok..." He managed to say before their lips met. Suddenly something stirred in Nida's heart, something he'd never felt before. He was also aware of something else happening, something very embarrassing. Quistis pulled away, her eyes still closed.
"Love you," She whispered. Nida blinked a few times before running out of the training area. From that day on, Nida was always too shy to express himself.
Present
"I remembered Nida. How could I forget?" Quistis giggled softly. Nida bit his lip, he felt like a kid again. This time there was no where to run.
"I don't know what to say. Can we just, do this? For as long as it lasts?" Nida asked, as usual he was clamming up when it was most important to express what he felt inside. Quistis took his hand and entwined her fingers with his.
"Perhaps we better start saving for a retirement home together then?"
(Author's Note: Square owns 99.99999999'% of this fic. From here on it's fluff mainly, and also a little bit on Nida's mystery illness. Of course there is more to this story than Quistis's relationship problems.)
Nida sat in the cafeteria, dreading the day ahead. It was going to be bad enough with a class of sixteen kids to teach, nevermind the fact he'd have to try and explain everything to Quistis.
"You ready?" Zell asked. Nida raised his eyebrows and let the question answer itself. Zell grinned.
"You'll do fine, don't worry! And Quistis... She'll be professional about all this. It'll be fine!" Zell assured him. Nida looked into his coffee. Maybe they were right? Then again, he'd never known Quistis lose her temper until he had been around.
"Morning," Quistis said cheerily. She looked directly at Nida and smiled.
"Ready to face the Kraken?" She asked. Nida frowned and didn't reply, instead he got out his timetable.
"09, Jeng's class, what are they like?" Nida asked. Quistis folded her arms.
"I never really noticed anyone except-" She stopped short and closed her eyes.
"Seifer," Nida finished for her. He looked at the clock. "Best get it over with then."
Quistis watched Nida as he entered the classroom. There was immediate silence, then a snigger from the back of the class. She ignored it, and looked in Nida's direction, waiting for his authoritive stance to kick in, it didn't.
"Hey," He said it loud enough to be heard but quiet enough to still sound shy and gentle. "Most of you know me already, for those who don't, I'm Instructor No. 16. Nida Denz, and I'll be taking you for History and Battle Theory for the next term, along with Instructor No. 14 Quistis Trepe," He said it so differently from any other instructor that the class were captivated, hanging on to each soft syllable. Quistis noticed a few girls begin to blush.
"I don't have a clue about each of your abilities, I don't think I know any of you. I hope by the end of the lesson that I'll have at least some idea where to place you," Nida paused for a second. Quistis stepped to the front of the classroom. She pulled out her laptop and brought up the register.
"Can you raise you hand as your name is called?" Quistis asked as she began to read out all the names. Nida meanwhile was drawing something on the Computerized OHP (OverHead Projector) it wasn't until Quistis had finished the register that she realised it was, in fact, a very detailed picture of Sorceress Adel.
"I'm sure most of you know a fair bit about the second sorceress war, even though we'll be spending half a term on it. However, if I am not mistaken, the Second Sorceress War was just a repeat of the first, with the same cause. Of course at the time, Adel was thought to be the problem. The problem is, that Adel was in fact, evil, though in history such a word does not exist," A girl in the front of the class out her hand up. Nida nodded to her. She smiled at her friends and blushed a little.
"Wasn't the current President of Esthar responsible for the disappearence of Adel? And Esthar's silence?" She asked. Nida raised his eyebrows and looked to Quistis. Quistis had seen the high tech. city, she knew how to answer this question better than he did.
"Laguna Loire, the President of Esthar, did rid Esthar of Adel, we'll be covering that later on. Esthar's silence was a- a misunderstanding. Loire did not mean to cut Esthar off, but- well it just happened," Quistis struggled. Nida smirked.
"Esthar was hated by the world. It was only wise that Laguna kept everything secret. Not many people came back from Esthar because it was ten times better than any rumours that circulated. I believe that's correct?" Nida addressed Quistis. The class tittered with laughter. Quistis made her unconcerned face and sat on the desk.
"I'll leave this to you then?" She asked. Nida raised his eyebrows. Then Quistis found herself smirking back at him. Nida folded his arms and began to talk about the events leading up to the First Sorceress War.
"Sorry I'm late, people to see, Squall to piss off," came the famous drawl. Quistis turned to see the only man she really hated. What was he doing back in Garden? Surely Squall wouldn't let him back? Or Cid?
"I thought you were expelled Seifer?" Nida asked politely. The classroom was deathly silent. Seifer smirked and looked over to Quistis. It was then that she saw it, the burning love that was held in those eyes.
"I haven't come here to cause trouble. I've come to sit out the rest of my year, then I'm being transferred to Galbadia, to begin an instructorship there. I just need to talk to both of you, in private," Quistis looked to Nida who was standing, his head tilted.
"Class, please draw a poster explaining to junior classmen the vital points leading up the the Sorceress War," Nida commanded, before leading Seifer outside. Quistis followed, and the room exploded into whispers.
Nida stood there, waiting for Seifer to explain himself. Nida tapped his fingers against his arm, only half aware it was his mechanical hand. Quistis was leaning against the wall, looking worse than Nida had ever seen her. She suddenly looked tired, as though she'd been wearing a mask all day, and it only took one man to bring it all crashing down.
"I'm sorry," Seifer began. Nida didn't acknowledge him but waited for him to continue. "I love Quistis, more than anything in the world. Even more so than SeeDship or glory or anything. But I know, Quistis would never be happy with me. I never meant to hurt her. That's why I'm giving her up. Take care of her, okay?" Seifer asked, taking Nida's shoulder. Quistis didn't speak, she just looked at the wall with blank eyes.
"You could give her up? Just like that? You sure? If you walk back into that classroom, you'll have lost her forever," Nida said quietly, disbelievingly. Seifer stood up tall.
"I've lost everything Nida, but I know that there will be others," He leaned close to Nida's ear. "She loves you," Seifer whispered and walked into the classroom. Nida watched as the man he'd hated for his entire life became the man he most respected and thanked. He turned to Quistis.
"You wanna go lie down? Perhaps you should go talk to Rinoa?" He suggested. Quistis looked at her feet.
"I'll do that..." She began to walk away, then turned around. "Thanks Nida," She said. He frowned, what had he done?
"You tried to make him change his mind. And he didn't. It makes things, so much clearer for me," Quistis stumbled over her words. Nida had an idea of what she meant. He smiled and nodded, before turning to the door and braving the class alone.
Nida slumped down in the cafeteria, glad of a break. He had a two-hour lunch break and then it was back to teaching Gunblade lessons to junior classmen. What was it with younger kids, that they always have to question? He was understanding and patiently answered their questions, although it was obviously just an excuse not to do any written work and get straight to practical.
"Well done, you did pretty well," Squall said pulling up a chair. Nida smiled weakly. Squall laughed.
"It took that much out of you, huh?" Squall ran his fingers through his hair. "Did you and Quistis fight at all then?" He asked casually. Nida sighed, when Quistis had returned from her talk to Rinoa she'd been silent, and only spoken quietly to Nida.
"Who let Seifer back into Garden?" Nida countered, not really knowing if Quistis was speaking to him or not. Squall sighed.
"I did. Only because he got on his knees and begged. He also has agreed to take a transfer to Galbadia at the end of the year. Is that not enough for you Nida?" Squall asked. Nida shook his head, it was enough he supposed.
"Wotcha talkin' about?" Lucinda said. Nida hadn't even heard her approach. Squall stood up and rolled his eyes.
"Seifer," Squall replied before leaving. Lucinda looked at Nida questioningly, but Nida was in a completely different world.
(A few hours earlier, after the meeting with Seifer.)
Quistis remembered all the checking up she needed to do on Nida. His health records needed to be checked, above everything else. After her mind-reeling meeting with Seifer. He;d loved her so much he'd been willing to let her go. That meant a lot to her, and it had made a lot to Nida as well.
She walked into the infirmary and saw that Dr. Kadowaki was busy seeing to a student with a broken arm.
"Doctor Kadowaki, I'm here to pick up Nida's health files. I'll just get them out, ok?" Quistis called. Doctor Kadowaki waved her on. It was only when Quistis got into Doctor Kadowaki's office that she realised that she could access anyone's health file, even the confidential ones. She searched for Nida's files, going passed Zell's name reluctantly.
"Nida Denz," She said triumphantly. Then she saw the two files, she got out the public file, the file that officials were allowed to view, but something drew her. She wanted to know more about Nida, more about that man who she was falling in love with.
There was a birth certificate, then a Garden admission paper. A few legal documents, but nothing personal in it. A piece of paper fell out of the folder and onto the floor. Quistis bent down and picked it up.
"Nida Denz is to be provided with the Heroin to keep him mentally and physically stable. We will continue to monitor his progress," Quistis didn't read anymore. She put the piece of paper in her pocket, took the files and left, trying not to look obvious. She put the files in her bag and headed back to class. She couldn't even look at Nida for the next few hours.
Quistis knew Nida was in the cafeteria, she had watched him go in. The truth was, that she couldn't believe that Nida was a drug addict. It was impossible. The quiet, shy, sensitive mouse-like Nida was really a mentally and physically unstable druggie. She walked up to his room and kicked the door down. No one was around, she'd checked earlier in the day, all the dorms here were taken by SeeDs who were out on a mission.
Quistis made immediately began to turn the place upside down, making it look like a simple burglary. She pocketed a few things worth stealing, promising herself that she'd leave them somewhere where Squall would find them. After tipping out his desk, bathroom cabernet and checking under the bed, Quistis turned to the wardrobe.
She pulled open the doors and immediately saw something that was out of place in a wardrobe. A brown box with "Balamb Paper" printed across it. Quistis opened the lid and saw all the evidence she needed. Syringe after syringe, and enough heroin to keep all the junkies in Deling City happy.
"Quistis?"
Nida refused to see what was before him. Why was Quistis in his room, after it had been trashed so thoroughly? He stood there, taking in the scene. Quistis straightened up, her face was a mask of horror. Did she hate him that much?
"I came to see if you were here and- and the door was open and- the place was trashed. I was just wondering if they had taken anything," Quistis lied. Nida could tell she was. She wasn't very good at it.
"Oh Quistis, why?" He asked. She emptied her pockets of his few trinkets, then produced a slip of paper, handing it to him. He saw one word and knew why she was here. But to be so desperate? Why?
"Why do you take heroin Nida?" Quistis asked. For a moment Nida didn't reply then he gathered his wits and looked Quistis square in the eyes.
"If I don't I get sick. Really sick. Not withdrawal symptoms, but something completely different. Something that is fatal. And how did you find this anyway?" Nida asked. Quistis's eyes filled with tears.
"Your health file. I had to check it for you to become a proper instructor. I-I have to withdraw my support for your instructorship Nida, I can't let a guy high on heroin lead a class full of impressionable kids," Her tears were coming more steadily.
"Quistis, this condition cannot be cured. But the effects of heroin don't work on me. I can show you," Nida moved towards the box, pulling up his shirt sleeve. He picked up a syringe and injected himself. Quistis forced herself to watch. She was amazed when Nida pulled the needle out there wasn't any sign he had injected himself at all. Not even a pinprick mark. He closed his eyes and blinked a few times before sitting on the bed.
"Ugh, I-I'll be okay in a minute, hang on," Nida's arm began to twitch violently, he grimaced, then suddenly he was still. So so still.
"Nida?" Quistis whispered. He opened his eyes and smiled at her softly.
"I'm okay. I-I'm glad you're worried about me, but it's best that you don't remember this, not until you need to," Nida raised his hand and placed it on Quistis's lips. She leaned forward and kissed him gently.
"That's something you'll forget," Nida whispered against her lips and suddenly white light filled the room.
When Quistis awoke in her bed she found Nida sitting on the corner. She looked around, how had she got here. She could only remember bits and pieces of the last day. She had left Nida, gone to collect his medical files, taken the public one, left, but then she remembered being in Nida's dormitory, it had been trashed. How?
"What happened?" Quistis asked. Nida smiled, like a crocodile smiles at a weak wilderbeast before it attacks.
"You were attacked by a burgular in my room. He saw you, panicked, knocked you out and fled, leaving everything behind. More importantly, are you okay?" Nida leaned forward, checking the back of her head. He was so close.
"Nida? I've forgotten things. Things I think are important. Things about you," Quistis said it as quietly as she could. She had to say it aloud, but she didn't really want him to hear. He must have picked up on this and ignored it. He sat back down and slowly a blush worked up his face.
"I-I better be going... I'll send Doctor Kadowaki in to check on you," Nida stood up. Quistis suddenly knew, Nida wasn't going to leave. He was going to stay, or he owuld never have come. But it was her call.
"No, please, stay," Quistis managed. He turned, something in his eyes, it seemed to reflect exactly what Quistis felt herself. A strange kind of confusion that could only be one thing, love. It was sleeplessness, it was excitement, it was electric, it was a school girl crush and so much more.
"I r-really have to go Quistis," Nida stuttered. Quistis smiled at him, in a way she hoped was attractive.
"No you don't. Do you hate me so much?" She asked. Nida's face looked hurt, Quistis didn't know what she'd said.
"I far from hate you Quistis," He said, calmly. Quistis bit her lip and took a chance.
"Then don't go. I want you to stay. I need you," She managed to say, though opening herself up like this and leaving herself vunerable was scary and exciting.
"N-Need?" Nida repeated, disbelievingly. "You need Seifer, he can offer you much more excitement." Nida turned again.
"No no no, I need you. It's been you ever since that kiss. Can't you tell?" Quistis asked. Nida looked over his shoulder.
"I think you hit your head too hard Quistis. Now don't get up until Doctor K has had a look at you," He was about to leave, his hand was on the doorknob. Quistis couldn't bare to have him walk out on her. Suddenly everything came flooding back, her memories, although strange to her, as though they had only happened in a dream, made everything make sense. Without realising she was on her feet and- falling.
She braced herself to hit the ground, but she didn't. She saw the ground a few feet from the tip of her nose. She put her hands out and slowly floated to the ground. Quistis looked up to see Nida with his hand outstretched. He had his eyes closed, the air around him was glowing with a faint light.
"I told you to stay in bed," He joked. Quistis stood a little shakily.
"What are you?" Quistis asked. Nida looked at the floor.
"Forget about it. I'm just Nida, the quiet guy, who people forget," Nida sagged slightly. Quistis wasn't about to let him go now. She took a few tottering steps towards him but then fell just before him. He caught her, and she buried her face in his chest.
"Love you," She whispered. Nida's heart began to pound faster, she heard it. After a second he kissed the top of her head.
"I'll go get you something to eat," Nida whispered into her hair. He picked her up, gently carrying her like a princess in the fairy stories. He lay her down on the bed and placed another kiss on her forehead.
"I never thought you even remembered."
"Quistis?" Nida walked into the secret area alittle cautiously. Usually either Squall or Seifer were with Quistis and that meant trouble for Nida.
"Yeah?" She looked over her shoulder. Nida saw the tears running down her face. For the first time he felt pity for the girl, who up until now had been the only person to best him in wit.
"Why are you crying?" Nida asked, beginning to worry something was seriously wrong.
"Oh Nida it's awful! Seifer is picking on me! He's saying I'm-I'm a fridge!" Nida rolled his eyes at Quistis's over-reaction.
"You are only fourteen," He pointed out.
"Would you-Would you get off with me?" Quistis asked. Nida coughed in shock.
"What!?"
"Oh, sorry."
"Nothing to apologise for, it's just... I've never kissed a girl before," Nida scuffed his boots on the dirt. Quistis got up and took one of his hands.
"There's nothing to it. Just take my lead," She leaned forward, not giving Nida a chance to escape.
"Ok..." He managed to say before their lips met. Suddenly something stirred in Nida's heart, something he'd never felt before. He was also aware of something else happening, something very embarrassing. Quistis pulled away, her eyes still closed.
"Love you," She whispered. Nida blinked a few times before running out of the training area. From that day on, Nida was always too shy to express himself.
"I remembered Nida. How could I forget?" Quistis giggled softly. Nida bit his lip, he felt like a kid again. This time there was no where to run.
"I don't know what to say. Can we just, do this? For as long as it lasts?" Nida asked, as usual he was clamming up when it was most important to express what he felt inside. Quistis took his hand and entwined her fingers with his.
"Perhaps we better start saving for a retirement home together then?"