Disclaimer: Okay, I know I haven't had one of these, and I don't wanna get sued, so here you go, these people DON'T BELONG TO ME.

Author's Note: THANK YOU ALL FOR READING THIS! Thank you so much, it means a lot. I hope you don't think this is going downhill, cause this chapter is a little bit out of place, but I assure you, things will go better. Please continue to read, I'd really like to see what all of you think of this before I publish it for my Creative Writing class at school. Thanks again! And please keep reviewing! (



1 Alternate Realm

Chapter 4

Life at Garden





Squall sighed as morning sunlight stung his eyes. Mornings at Balamb Garden occasionally started this way, as much as Squall hated it. He'd been there for almost two years, and they almost always began that way. He always awoke to bright sunshine and bright voices, both making his already tired mood worse. This morning was no different.

He lifted his heavy body out of the warm sanctuary, attempting to clamber into the shower faster than the cold could take over his body. Another day of training was about to begin, and Squall could never be ready enough for the period of time he was about to endure.



Seventeen-year-old Quistis Trepe brushed through her silky blonde hair, pulling it back in an intricate looking clip. Her icy blue eyes pierced the heart, grabbing your gaze and only making her more beautiful to look at. As she walked down the halls in her Instructor's outfit, she felt a bit out of place as other instructors ten or twenty years older than her passed by, waving or mumbling a friendly greeting to her. Even as a newbie among the teachers, Quistis seemed to be easy to make friends with. She always wanted to be the professional, and oh, that she was. She was determined to make it where everyone believed the odds were against her.

Quistis headed for her classroom, preparing for the first period of the day to start. She felt refreshed and ready for anything the students wanted to dish out. But as she walked into the room, a girl around her age startled her.

"Oh, hello. Can I help you?"

The girl seemed quite shy, for she remained silent after Quistis' question. "What's your name?"

"Rinoa Caraway- Loire."

Wow, Quistis thought a bit in amusement, that's quite a name. She had to admit however, she felt a little intimidated in Rinoa's presence. She was strikingly attractive, just as Quistis was. Raven hair covered most of her fair face, and stunning dark chocolate eyes burned into hers. The eyes seemed to capture Quistis the most though… for they held such intense feeling. A malicious aura rose goose bumps on her arms, sending a skitter down her spine.

"Well, I'm Instructor Quistis Trepe. Call me Instructor Trepe. Is this your first period class?"

Rinoa nodded, staying quiet. "Okay, good. Go ahead and choose that desk back there, the class will start any minute now," she directed, pointing a finger to the desk. "I'll introduce you to everyone at the beginning of class okay?"

"Okay," she replied meekly, letting her eyes wander around the room and fall on the desk Quistis had pointed to. As she walked toward it, the bell rang. A few students strolled in within a few seconds, and one by one they began to flow in faster and in larger clumps.

Rinoa turned her head away, knowing that all of the curious faces would be on hers. Someone sat down beside her, but they seemed to have no interest in meeting her.

Instructor Trepe called for the classes' attention, and the room fell still. Rinoa's heart pounded.

"Class, I'd like you all to meet Rinoa Caraway. She's a new student here, and I would like all of you to make her feel welcome here. Would anyone like to show Rinoa around?"

Thank God she didn't call me Rinoa Loire, Rinoa thought as she watched a few hands pop up.

"Okay Selphie, thank you for volunteering. After this class is over, I'll expect you to show her where to go next."

"Sure! No problem!" she responded happily, and Rinoa couldn't help but smile a little. Maybe all of this would be okay after all. The person next to her still said nothing, which she was fine with, until Instructor Trepe spoke again.

"Okay now, please turn on your panels and go into your personal lesson logs."

Everyone did as they were told around her, but Rinoa sat, dumbfounded. She looked over to the person next to her, but her breath was taken away.

God… he's gorgeous, she thought silently. He wore the Garden uniform for students, but she quickly noticed that anything could look sexy on this guy. Mahogany strands of hair accented his stormy ocean pools, and full, pursed lips fit his melancholy persona.

"E- excuse me?" she stuttered, hoping she didn't sound like a moron.

"Yeah?"

She groaned internally. Even his voice is sexy… she thought.

"Could you show me how to access all this?"

He nodded, leaning over just enough that she could take in his sweet smell and lovely features. He flipped a small switch, and the screen flashed.

She smiled at him. "Thanks."

"Sure. Just tell me when you need help."

He said everything with no emotion, but his kindness meant the most to Rinoa. Finally, she thought happily, maybe I've actually found someone like me.

For the rest of the class, they said nothing to one another. Rinoa secretly watched him from the corner of her eye, hoping he wouldn't see her. As the bell rang for the next period to start, Rinoa observed in wonder and amusement as he scrambled to gather his things.

For fear that he'd disappear and she'd never see him again, Rinoa said, "Thanks again. I didn't get your name…"

He hurried to get out, but said back quickly, "Leonhart."

"Well, that's an interesting name," she said sarcastically aloud.

She tried to smile as the young girl who was to show her around walked up to her. "Hi!" she greeted happily. "I'm Selphie. You're Rinoa, right?"

"Right."

"Awesome! Okay, where do you go from here?"

Rinoa glanced at her schedule, and then back up at Selphie. "Instructor Peterson."

"Oh! Cool! I have him too! C'mon, we'll walk together!"

She's cute, Rinoa thought as they walked out. Selphie jabbered away, and Rinoa answered her questions about herself. She was glad she'd at least made one friend, besides, "Leonhart," who she wasn't really even sure was her friend.

"Hey Selphie?"

"Yeah?"

"Who's Leonhart?"

Selphie raised an eyebrow at first, but it seemed as if a light bulb clicked on, and she said, "Oh! You mean Squall Leonhart! Yeah, what about him?"

Rinoa smiled dreamily. Squall… even the perfect name.

"Oh, no reason."

"Hey, c'mon, I know that sigh! You like him, don't you!?"

Feeling panicked, Rinoa answered quickly, "No! He just… helped me with something, that's all."

"He's cute, huh?"

"Very!"

Rinoa clapped a hand over her mouth. "Oh man… my secret's out…"

Selphie giggled gleefully. "That's so cute! You guys would make a perfect couple!"

Rinoa blushed deeply. "That's a little fast Selphie…"

"Oh! Sorry, my big mouth and me. I'll be quiet now."

Although she was glad to get off the topic, Rinoa smiled as she thought more about Squall.