1 Alternate Realm

Chapter 5

Familiar Names





Rinoa shut the door and leaned against it. Her first day had gone beautifully. She'd met the guy of her dreams, and had made almost three new friends, including Selphie. She could hardly wait to tell her Mother. She felt as if she were about to burst at the seams as she bolted up the stairs, almost slamming into a surprised Laguna.

She kept going as he said, "Whoa Rin, slow down!"

Her Mother welcomed her in the doorway of her room. "Hey Rinoa, how was your first day?"

Over the past year, Rinoa had grown up a little. She'd learned to deal with the fact that Laguna was her stepfather, even if she still thought he was stupid and naïve. It didn't mean she still didn't like the fact that he was her stepfather, but she lived with it.

"It was the best Mom."

"What happened?"

She began to tell her about the meeting with Instructor Trepe. How young she was for an Instructor, and how she introduced her. Julia nodded as she folded various clothes, showing an intrigued interest in her child's day at the new school she'd be attending.

As Rinoa talked further about the first period, her eyes brightened. "See, I didn't know how to turn the thing on for our work to be done. He turned it on for me, and was so nice about it."

Laguna walked in as she said "he."

"Who are we talking about?" he asked, giving Julia a small kiss as he walked by her. "You got a boyfriend already?"

Rinoa rolled her eyes. "I was just getting to that part," she retorted, obviously irritated.

"Anyway, so he helped me out. I thanked him, and he was really polite about it."

"Is he cute?" Julia asked. Rinoa smiled, think back as Selphie had said almost the same thing. Is that all girls cared about?

"Yes, quite."

"So what is this young fellow's name?" Laguna inquired. Immediately Rinoa put up her defenses against him, narrowing her eyes, almost like a reflex. She acted as if Laguna had said nothing, and turned back to her Mother.

"His name," she enunciated, "is Squall Leonhart."

Laguna's heart skipped a beat. Leonhart… it couldn't be… Raine?

"Leonhart?" he repeated, and Rinoa's eyes darted to him.

"Yeah…"

"It couldn't be…"

"Couldn't be what?"

No, there's no way. Even if he were Raine's child, his last name would be Loire… right?

"N- nothing. Nevermind."

Again, Rinoa sighed and rolled her eyes. "Well, after that," she continued again. "I met this girl named Selphie. Really perky girl, you know, the kind that never stop talking?"

Julia nodded knowingly. "So she was annoying?"

"No! She was so much fun to talk to. It was entertaining to have someone around who was so bouncy…"

As Rinoa went on about her day, Laguna thought about Raine. Could it really be such a small world that Rinoa had met his lost son? What would he do if it were true? What if Rinoa and he ended up falling in love?

"Laguna?" Julia said, knocking his thoughts away. He noticed that Rinoa had left the room already.

"Yeah?"

"You look kind of… lost. You okay?"

He showed no indication of the imperative questions running through his brain, and returned to his normal self.

"Yeah! Sure, I'm fine. Just… thinkin."

"About what?" her face showed genuine concern, and she hugged him from behind. "Oh, just about the past year with you and Rinoa," he lied, hoping he sounded convincing.

"Good or bad thoughts?"

"Good, definitely. Except for Rinoa… she still looks at me in a parrying way."

Julia began to giggle, just as she did every time Laguna tried to use a big vocabulary word, only to falter and be corrected.

"That's patronizing," Rinoa called as she passed by the room. She swung her head to look in the room and added, "and I do not."

Julia's giggle's turned into fits of laughter.



Squall collapsed onto his bed. Why did life have to be so confusing? Not to mention difficult. It was bad enough that he had to come to this Garden, but now a girl was involved. How would he avoid a situation like this, when all he could think of was she?

"How do I get myself into these messes?" he asked himself aloud, somewhere deep inside wishing that he'd receive an answer.

What was it about her? He didn't even know her name. She was simply a stranger he'd helped in class. Now there's another mystery, he thought silently this time. Why did I feel so compelled to answer her? Usually I don't talk to a person that much…

Especially one I've just met.

He stood up again and began to pace. Something weird was going on, though he did not know exactly what. He made a vow to himself then.

Okay, so I just won't talk to her tomorrow. That'll work, right? As long as I just ignore her, nothing further can happen.

That vow made, Squall couldn't help thinking that it would be broken come next day.



Rinoa's heart lifted as she walked into the school. For once in her life since her Father's death, she felt truly happy with something. She felt like she belonged here, like she really fit in.

Suddenly, someone stopped her. "Oh, hey Selphie!" she called, waving joyfully. Selphie walked up to her, looking just as contented as she had the day before.

"What's up?"

"Oh, just getting ready for my second day. You?"

"Well, see… I kinda had a question for ya…"

"Yeah?"

"How come you go here instead of Galbadia Garden?"

Rinoa was startled by the question. "I…"

"I mean it's not like I don't want you here, Rinoa! I'm just curious cause you said you were from Deling City. I thought that would put you in Galbadia rather than here."

"Well, to be honest Selphie, I really don't know for sure why I'm even at this Garden. What exactly do we do here?"

"Oh! Well, see, we train to be SeeD's."

"And those would be…?"

"We defeat Sorceresses."

Sorceresses? Since when?

"Okay…"

"It's kind of complicated. You'll see when the time comes. C'mon! we have to get to class!"



Here she comes, Squall thought as the striking girl with the raven hair walked in alongside Selphie. His heart thudded as she moved up to her seat next to him, and sat down.

"Hey," she greeted cheerfully. He grunted a reply, though it seemed clear he wanted nothing to do with her.

She looked hurt, but she wouldn't give up easily. "I, uh, I meant to introduce myself yesterday. I'm Rinoa Caraway."

Oh, even the name is gorgeous… he thought as he continued to ignore her. Rinoa's heart sank. Obviously, contradicting to what she thought yesterday, he had no interest in her. "So…" she attempting again, "how long have you been at this Garden?"

"Class is starting."

It was short and to the point, and Rinoa took it as a "shut up" type of cue. Tears filled her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Quistis began the lesson.

"Please turn your monitors on."

I can do this, Rinoa thought confidently. She fumbled for the switch, and cursed as she realized her attempts were futile. Suddenly the screen sputtered to life, and Rinoa's brow furrowed.

"How…?"

She looked up at Squall, and he looked away. She knew he'd turned it on for her. I knew he was still interested…

"Thank you."

Damn, Squall thought, still turned away from Rinoa. What's wrong with me?



Lunchtime came quickly for Rinoa, and Selphie sat right next to her, just like the faithful friend Rinoa had made her out to be.

"So have you talked to Squall some more?"

"Well, he ignored me for a while in class today."

Selphie gasped. "Why?"

"I dunno, I think he's just really shy. You know him at all?"

Selphie's curls bounced as she shook her head. "No one does! He keeps to himself a lot. In fact, I'm surprised you even got two words out of him!"

"Really? Where's he from?"

Selphie's eyes cast down. "No one knows that either. But I've heard some rumors that his Mom died giving birth to him. After she died, no one knew where his Father had gone. They sent him to an orphanage till he was 13, then they sent him here."

Rinoa sat, stunned. No wonder he seemed so stoic and melancholy. They did have one thing in common though.

"Selphie?"

"Yeah?"

"Did I ever tell you about my Father?"

"No…"

"He died last year. Oh goodness, I know exactly how Squall feels…"

Selphie took Rinoa's hand. "I know you share a family death, and I'm sorry you had to go through that, but Squall never even knew his Mother and Father."

Rinoa's heart ached for him. Here she was, the rebel girl who hated her stepfather, acting like no other soul on Earth had ever gone through what she had. Expecting people to feel sorry for her and comfort her, when so many others like Squall were in so much more pain.

"How could I have been so selfish…?"

"You weren't being selfish! Squall's just been through more than you. It doesn't mean that you were being selfish or mean; you just took it a different way than he did. You know what I'm saying?"

"Yeah."

"I think you and Squall would be the perfect couple. Just give him some time."

Rinoa smiled at her friend. "You know Selphie, I'm really glad I met you. You've been so nice to me, and it's only my second day here."

"I love being friends with you! I've never met anyone like you! I'm an easy person to be friends with, if you couldn't tell. I like everyone, although sometimes I bug them with my jabbering." She giggled a little, but Rinoa disagreed.

"It's good to have someone around who talks more than me."

"Well, you've found the right friend then!"

They both laughed and finished their lunches. Rinoa got up with her to throw the lunch remains away, and she stole a glance at Squall. He was eating by himself, and she couldn't help but feel bad for him. She heard Selphie's voice in her ear. "Go sit with him, I bet he wants some company."

She trembled a little with excitement, but worked up the bravery to work her legs. She strode over with a certainty in her walk, an unsuspecting Squall still eating his lunch in peace. Her heart began to thunder as she sat down, and he became aware of her presence. He looked so lonely, she just had to see if he wanted her company.

"Is… it okay if I join you?"

He shrugged as he took a bite of saucy spaghetti. "If you want to."

Boy, Rinoa thought as she stared at him. I hope I was never this bad.

"So Squall, tell me a little about yourself."

"What's to tell?" His eyes never met hers, and she could see he was making an extended effort to keep it that way.

"Where are you from?"

She'd asked the question only minutes before, but Selphie had said they were only rumors. She wanted to know if they were true.

"No where in particular."

"Everyone has to come from somewhere."

He sighed in defeat. "I'm originally from Winhill."

Never heard of it, thought Rinoa, but to make herself look better she replied, "Oh, I know where that is."

Stillness filled their conversation. Rinoa was determined to keep it going though. "How long have you been here?"

"Since I was 13."

"Any family?"

"No."

Rinoa nodded absently. So at least two parts of what Selphie said was true. Geez, it's hard to keep conversation with this guy.

"So how come you keep to yourself so much?"

Finally his eyes came up to meet hers. Her faith rose, maybe she'd hit the right note. Though in fact, it was just the opposite.

"Why do you care? I barely even know you. All I did was help you turn on your computer monitor. That doesn't mean I'm your best friend, okay!?"

A rush of heat fled to Rinoa's cheeks as he stood up and walked away. What had she done wrong? All she wanted was a small conversation, nothing big. She shook her head, wishing to be invisible. She'd never be able to get him back.