Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII.  If I did, I'd be rich and famous, I'd have a nice car a big mansion, a motorcycle, a laptop computer, an indoor pool, a golf cart… *Rambles on for a while* So in other words, I do not own Final Fantasy VIII.

Chapter VII

I had gotten her to help me.  Now I could be assured that everything would turn out good; for the most part anyways.  I still had to pass the exams.

So, to release some stress, I played Sly Cooper.  Hyne, I love that game; did I ever mention that before?  I love that game.  I had finally gotten to the fourth boss… The Panda King.  He was a big, fat… Well, panda. 

I dodged his attacks and tried to get near enough to him and swat my cane at him.  No, not my cane… Sly Cooper's cane. 

Mikey rushed into the room.  The kid had been more hyper these past few days but I never bothered to ask him why.  Kids are usually hyper, right?

"Hey, Squall!" He breathed, "Want to help me practice for the soccer tournament?" He bobbled around the room.

"Sure…" I said slowly, my eyes fixating on the television screen, "Lemme just…"

The Panda King slammed his fists down in a fit of rage, sending Sly recoiling backwards.  Game Over.  Aw… I was getting good too.  I clicked the Playstation2 off and started walking after Mike.

***

Stu ran up to the ball, brought his foot back and booted the ball from the inside of his foot.  Me, being the goalkeeper, lazily reached out to the side of the net and blocked the ball from entering.  We were in the garage… The garage was big… Well, it could fit four cars in.  And there currently were… No cars.

Four garage doors… That seemed luxurious enough.  "Kick the ball harder and hit it with your laces…" I instructed Mike.  There was really no challenge in this.  I was a nineteen year old against a twelve and seven year old? 

He did.  He slammed his foot against that ball and it hit the wall behind me with a thud.  And then a few clangs and bangs when the things that were hung up there (a rake and a shovel) fell off.

"Yeah, that's it." I replied, smirking, "Just try aiming next time."

He grinned sheepishly as I picked up the fallen tools and dropped them out of the way.  Rinoa poked her head in, "What the hell was that?"

"A shovel and a rake fell." Mike explained to her, "Nothing worthy of your reconnaissance, princess." He added sarcastically.

She raised a thin eyebrow, "Thank you, unworthy servant.  If I need you in the future, I'll just ring."

He gave an angered cry and kicked the soccer ball at her head, which she caught in her hands, gave him a satisfied look and left the room… Still holding the ball.

"Hey!" Mike said angrily, "Give it back!" And he started chasing after her.

General Caraway, Julia and Joan weren't home so I was sure they'd have to settle this alone… And that never meant anything good.

I could hear Rinoa laughing as they both stampeded up the stairs.  Stu and I exchanged glances.  "We better go see that they don't hurt each other."

***

"Come on!" Mike tried grabbing the ball away from her, "Give it back!"

"You kicked it at my head.  It's mine now." Rinoa reminded him.

"Rinoa, I need to practice!!  Give it!"  I stood leaning on the doorframe watching them.  They were in the game room.  I was hoping one of them wouldn't step on the PS2. 

Stu was contently watching from the sofa.  This was really fun for him.  I guess I found it fun too.  She was after all… A nice thing to look at.

"Aw, come on Rinny.  Give the kid the ball." I advanced towards her and suddenly she seemed a little less brave.

"Make me." She said nonetheless, sticking out her tongue.  Where did she got the goddamn nerves, I'd never know.

I walked closer to her and she really did seem scared of me.  What?  Was I that ugly and tough looking?  Maybe the scar creeped her out… And why did I care?

"Go, beat her up!" Mike seemed enthusiastic about my intervention.

"Oh, like he can beat me up." Rinoa rolled her eyes; but I could still sense the nervousness.

"Well, actually I can." I grinned.  It was true… I could.  Not that I ever would.

"M'yeah…" She smiled, "But you wouldn't."

I couldn't help grinning, "No?  Why not?"

"Because you're chickenshit!" And she poked me in the abdomen.

Not good.  My abdomen is one of my most sensitive regions.  Not in terms of pain… But of tickling zone.  Yes… I admit… I have a tickling zone.  I am ticklish.

I gave off a dumb giggling sound and she looked at me, almost in hysterics herself, "Did you just giggle?"

"Yeah… Well… you poked me in the abdomen!  It's just a natural reaction!" I countered, not angrily, just fumbling for an excuse.  I could actually feel my ears getting red in embarrassment.

Stu started laughing himself, "It's like the Pillsbury Dough Boy!"

Rinoa and Mikey simply erupted into hysterical laughter.  I crossed my arms angrily and… Very embarrassed indeed.  Rinoa put her hand on my shoulder for support.  She was about to collapse in the laughter.

"I have blackmail material against you!" She started laughing again.

"Not funny." I replied; I was probably so red with embarrassment that it must have looked as though my head was about to explode. 

***

"So Joan, are your sisters coming?" Julia asked at the dinner table.

"Yes.  They will arrive tonight at nine.  I'll go meet them at the train station."

"Alright then, that's wonderful.  I wish I could have seen them, it's been so long." Julia said apologetically.

Why couldn't she see Joan's sisters?  Was she … Going somewhere? "That's right.  Boys, if your finished your meals you both make sure your suitcases are packed properly and then bring them downstairs." General Caraway ordered in his army tone of voice.

Both boys darted out of the dining room.  Suitcases?  Where was everyone going?  "How long are you going to be gone for?" Rinoa asked.

"A week, at the most.  That is… If they win all the games." Julia explained.

"Where are you guys going?"  I asked confused.

"Oh, Hyne!" Caraway slapped his forehead, "Sorry Squall… I completely forgot to mention it.  Every year, Stu and Mike go to soccer playoffs.  This year, its in Timber so we've got to remain there until the tournament for the cup is finished."

"Oh…" So that's why he needed to practice so badly today, "Alright then… That's fine."

"Joan's sisters will be here, so you won't have to worry about meals." Julia reassured.  Rinoa… would she be staying too?

***

"Joan, don't worry about housecleaning so much … Have a nice time with your sisters." Julia hugged the maid. 

Rinoa was staying after all.  Stu hugged her around her middle and said, "Think of me!  Think of me!"

"Ok, ok, ok!" Rinoa pried him off of her and added, "I will, good luck."

"Don't think of me, you'll probably make me lose." Mikey stuck out his tongue.

"Oh, like there was hope in the first place." Rinoa retorted and smacked him in the back of the head. 

"Rinoa!" Julia warned her and Rinoa just sighed in exasperation.

"I'm expecting those college acceptance forms soon." It had been days since Caraway had spoken to his daughter and even after all those hours he had to cool off… His tone was frosty as Trabian wasteland.

"Yeah, yeah…" Rinoa responded almost as if she was barely hearing a word.  I stood back… Wondering what the hell was in store for me.

"Hey Squall, good luck surviving a whole week with princess over there." Mike whispered sarcastically… Luckily, she didn't hear… Mike would have died before he had left the house.

"Yeah, good luck with the game." I grinned. "You too, Stu."

***

"Well, I've got to go to pick-up Josephine and Jennifer from the train station!" Joan looked at her watch that read 8:45 P.M. sharp, "You two, behave!"

She put on her coat and hurried out the door.  There was an uncomfortable silence between Rinoa and I.  We had never been alone in the house before…

No… Not the time to get those ideas…

"Yeah, so you want to start reviewing?  I have Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off this week so we can review then … if you'd like." She asked.

"Sure…"

"By the way… How am I supposed to help you pass that 'Sanity exam'?"

You mean the 'Controlling Hormones' one?  I almost blurted out but kept silent instead… Best keep it that way… She doesn't need to know yet… right? "Uhh… Let's just concentrate on the exams that measure my intelligence first."

Sammy: *Shakes head* What is Squall getting himself into?  Hee hee… Well, anyways!  I updated quickly, didn't I?  *All proud of herself* So now, PLEASE, PLEASE review!!

Beta's Note: Editing twice in a day! Woohoo! An all time record! Anyways, People behind me are going nuts. G'bye! *Runs through the wall* That hole in the wall was NOT caused by me!