Balamb High Forever

A Final Fantasy VIII Fan Fic

All rights to the characters and names of locations are owned by SquareSoft

The Highwayman Copyright Jim Webb

Rated R for language and sexual content

By Toysaurus

Chapter Six

A place called Boulder on the wild Colorado
I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below
They buried me in that great tomb that knows no sound
But I am still around.

It all goes round and round and round and round and round and round.

I'll fly a starship
Across the universe divide And when I reach the other side
I'll find a place to rest my spirit if I can.

The Highwayman
All rights reserved Jimmy Webb

On Friday night, the Balamb High football team defeated the team from the school of Shumi Village by the score of 70 to 0. Seifer ran wild on the field as usual, but for once in his life he couldn't concentrate fully due to his feeling distracted by something he couldn't even identify. All through the game he had kept glancing around the stands, as though searching for someone as the crowd wildly cheered him on.

Often in the huddle he would discover Raijin staring at him as if he were shocked, but Seifer had declined to ask him what the matter was. At that point he simply didn't care. All he could think about was getting the damn game finished.

……….

Much later that evening, Zell's gang wiped the harsh pavements of Balamb's streets with the gang from Shumi Village. In fact, it wasn't even fair as there appeared to be something bad in the water in that town, because their gang had substantially less members than the gangs from the surrounding areas. They always had difficulty in recruiting members, being as Shumi Village was such a placatory environment.

……….

Quistis hadn't been home from school for more than a few minutes on Monday afternoon, when she heard someone knocking on her front door. Hurrying to the door, she was confused as to who it could be, but also was irritated since it was taking her away from her valuable study time.

When Quistis answered the door and observed Selphie standing at her doorstep, she was completely flabbergasted. No one from Balamb High had ever visited her, nor had anyone ever been invited to.

"Hi ya Quisty, what's up?" Selphie greeted cheerfully.

This too shocked the young strawberry-blonde woman. No one had ever dared to call her that. Then why does it seem so familiar?

"Uh…nothing," Quistis finally answered.

"Well, aren't you gonna ask me in?" Selphie pouted.

Not really. "Uh, sure, come on in," Quistis half heartedly invited.

After Selphie entered the house and closed the door behind her, she and Quistis stood staring at each other for several seconds. Finally Selphie spoke, "Can't we sit down somewhere?"

"Sure," Quistis answered while thinking, What does she want, for God's sake? "I guess, come on up to my room."

Quistis led Selphie back up the staircase and into her small bedroom. Selphie glanced around at the room's spartan appearance and thought sarcastically, Now why doesn't this surprise me?

There was simply a bed, a closet, a chest of drawers, and a desk and chair. Nothing adorned the walls or stamped the room with someone's personality. It held all the charm of a completely empty jail cell.

Selphie crossed the small room and flopped down on the bed, much to Quistis' chagrin.

"Selphie, please don't take this the wrong way, but pull your dress down."

"Oh sorry," Selphie said with a smile, while adjusting her attire.

Quistis sat in her chair by her desk and waited patiently. Sensing Selphie was hesitant to begin whatever had brought her here, Quistis asked, "Was there something you wanted to talk about?"

"Yeah," admitted Selphie. "Why did you stand me up at the football game?"

Quistis was initially completely at a loss, as to what Selphie was talking about, but then remembered vaguely that Selphie had been speaking about the football game when Quistis had been attempting to study during lunch.

"I'm sorry, I never expected to go to the game at all," the strawberry-blonde young woman answered. "There must have been a lack of communication somewhere."

Selphie emitted a big sigh and shook her pretty head. "What do you want out of life, Quisty?"

Quisty again! "I fully expect to obtain, at least, an M.A. at Garden University, if not my Doctorate and then I want to move to New York City and get a great job, perhaps in publishing or computers."

"And then what will happen?" Selphie persisted.

Quistis answered, completely confused by this question, "Then I'll be a success."

"Will you be happy?" Selphie further questioned.

"Happy? I suppose so, I've never really thought about it."

"Why will you be happy?"

Selphie was beginning to get on Quistis' nerves, and she responded, "What do you want, Selphie?"

"Do you have any friends?"

Quistis was taken aback and was about to reply that of course she had friends, but then realized that simply wasn't true. What about Squall? Quistis flushed wondering where that absurd thought had come from.

Tears began to form in the corner of the eyes of the beautiful young woman and Quistis shook her head as if to clear it. "No," she said simply. "I have no friends."

……….

Seifer and Raijin stood in the shower room beneath the running water, washing off after their strenuous football practice.

"What'd you do this weekend?" Raijin asked.

"Well, I dumped that little witch," answered Seifer.

"Who? You mean Brianna, ya know?" inquired Seifer's large friend.

"Well, I'm certainly not talking about Rinoa, she's a sorceress."

"A sorceress? What the hell ya talking about, Seifer, ya know?" Raijin exclaimed.

What the hell am I saying? Seifer wondered.

"I don't know, Rage. Don't pay any attention to me," Seifer answered wearily.

Raijin asked worriedly, "Are you okay, Seifer? You've been acting weird lately, ya know."

"I'm just tired. Come on, let's get dressed."

A few moments later Seifer and Raijin were completely dressed and Seifer reached into his locker and pulled out his long gray coat. He slipped it on, but left it hanging open.

Raijin, wearing a puzzled expression, asked, "When did ya start wearing that, ya know?"

"Today," was Seifer's answer. "It was weird, but I just felt like I was supposed to wear it."

As Seifer turned and began walking from the locker room, his friend asked, "Seifer, where ya going? Wanna go to 'Balamb Burger', ya know?"

Seifer didn't even turn around to answer his best friend, but just continued to walk away. "Nah, I think I'll go home."

Watching his mentor and friend leave the locker room, Raijin thought worriedly, What's up with him?

……….

Zell and Kristine were walking home after school. Zell's mother forbade him to use his car to travel back and forth to school. She was attempting to discourage him from skipping school, even though Zell realized he still could cut if he wanted to. He never would, because it would disappoint his mother too much and up until he had met Kristine, his mother was the only person he cared about pleasing.

"I've been thinking about quitting my gang," Zell spoke.

"Oh," Kristine replied noncommittally, although inside her emotions were doing backflips. She knew instinctively to not over react, but allow it to be Zell's decision. It wouldn't count otherwise.

"Yeah," the blond haired man reaffirmed. "What'd you think?"

"It's up to you."

"Well, maybe I will," Zell murmured.

Good, Kristine thought, holding her secret smile inside.

……….

"So anyway, you never told me, how'd your date go, ya know?" Raijin asked Fujin.

They were both sitting in a booth at 'Balamb Burger' eating a late afternoon snack. Raijin had three double 'Balamb Burgers' sitting in front of him and a order of large fries. Fuijin was sipping a diet 'Balamb Cola.'

"Scored," Fujin grinned.

"Alright! Serves her right, ya know."

Fujin appeared sad for the moment and shook her head softly. "No."

"No!? Why, ya know?"

"Sweet," Fujin replied.

"Rinoa's sweet?" Raijin couldn't keep the amazement from his voice.

Fujin nodded her head emphatically. "Yeah."

"I'll be damned, ya know," Raijin replied.

"Probably."

"Har har," Raijin laughed. "Very funny."

Fujin smiled at him and winked.

……….

An hour after school had let out, Cid was driving away in his old Toyota with Edea sitting as close to him as possible in the front seat. She noticed he suddenly began smiling for no apparent reason.

"What's so funny?" the dark-haired woman asked.

"Oh, I was just thinking, it's been a long time since I've had a girlfriend."

Edea laughed and asked, "Is that what I am - your girlfriend?"

Cid replied, "Play your cards right, you could move up in status to fiancée."

Edea laughed again and asked playfully, thinking he was joking, "Oh, is that a proposal?"

"Yes," Cid answered seriously.

Edea was nonplussed for a few seconds and then spoke slowly. "Isn't this rather fast?"

"No, I don't think so. I feel as though I've known you all my life. In fact, I'm not normally a mystical person, but I feel as though I knew you long ago."

Sounding completely stunned, Edea said in her low throaty voice, "You think we're connected from the past?"

Cid sat blushing realizing how ridiculous he must have sounded to her. "Yes," he admitted nonetheless.

"Me too, I've been feeling that ever since we met," Edea responded.

Currently sitting at a red traffic signal, Cid gazed upon his newfound 'lost' love and then leaned over to her and they kissed passionately for a moment. An angry motorist's car horn broke the kiss and Cid drove away from the intersection.

"Was that a yes?" Cid inquired nervously.

"Uh huh," Edea answered dreamily.

Cid cleared his throat several times in an effort to regain his voice and then he asked, "Do you wanna go grab a bite as a celebration?"

"Sure," Edea agreed and then she bent over and gave Cid's shoulder a quick bite.

"Hey! Oh yeah, your quirky sense of humor, I keep forgetting," Cid smiled.

"Cid, are we dressed appropriately for this place?" Edea asked concerned, as Cid pulled into the parking lot of 'The Hamptons,' one of the more fashionable restaurants in Balamb.

"Well, we're not exactly dressed in rags, so the hell with them if they can't take a joke."

"Ha ha," the dark-haired beautiful woman laughed. "I like your attitude."

Cid finished parking the car and then he looked at Edea. "After all, how many nights do you expect to be celebrating your engagement to be married?"

"No more after this one."

Edea was relieved when she and Cid entered the restaurant and the maitre d' didn't look at them in askance in any manner and appeared most gracious. After they were seated and the wine steward appeared, Cid asked, "Would you care for some wine?"

Edea smiled impishly and replied, "You hoping to get me drunk and have your way with me?"

The wine waiter offered a low laugh and Cid blushed, but answered, "Sure."

"Okay then, see that you do."

Cid ordered a carafe of Chablis and after the waiter had left, he leaned slightly forward in order to keep their conversation private. "After we get married, what do you think about us starting a private school?"

"Oh Cid, that's a wonderful idea, but do you have enough money?"

"I have a willing backer from Shumi Village," Cid explained. "But I want this to be more than just another prep school. I want people, who can afford it, to support orphans to enter. I also have plans to make it quasi-military, where martial arts are taught."

"It sounds like you've done a lot of thinking on this," Edea commented.

"Yes, I have, but it would take both of us to run it."

"It's not every day that a person gets a proposal of marriage and an offer of a new job," Edea smiled. "But I'll accept both."

Cid breathed a huge sigh of relief and hoisted up his glass in toast. Edea clinked it with her's and Cid declared, "Here's to us."

……….

After Selphie had taken down Quistis' hair from the bun she always wore it in with her friend's half-hearted permission, she proceeded to brush out the pretty strawberry-blonde hair. When Selphie had finished, Quistis' hair hung beautifully down and around her shoulders.

"I don't know why you insist on wearing your hair up," Selphie commented. "It's so beautiful."

Quistis flushed, not being used to receiving compliments for her physical appearance and didn't know how to respond. Selphie reached out and took Quistis' glasses carefully from her face. Quistis pulled her head back quickly from Selphie's touch, but didn't protest.

"Why do you wear these? Do you need them to see?" Selphie asked.

"Just to read small print," Quistis answered softly.

"Then why do you wear them all the time?"

"I don't know," Quistis admitted. "It's just easier I guess."

But Quistis did know. I wear them to keep boys away. I don't have time for that nonsense. I have to work hard, I have to study, I'm not allowed to have fun.

Quistis was stunned at her last thought. Selphie remained quiet recognizing her friend was presently lost in some inner turmoil. Why can't I have fun? Am I being punished? Am I punishing myself - what for? I don't need to study all the time. I've almost completed a half of year's work already. Why do I keep doing it? - because I find it easier, that's why. I don't know how to be a friend to anyone.

Selphie stood up from the bed, crossed the room to Quistis's closet and pulled it open. "What are you doing?" Quistis asked in some alarm.

"Looking for something better for you to wear. Why do you dress the way you do? What is that you're wearing - some kind of sack dress?"

Quistis blushed but fired back, "What concern is it of yours?"

"I'm your friend and to be quite blunt - that thing looks hideous on you. It hides your entire figure."

Good, Quistis thought. Good? Why did I think that?

"What's this?" Selphie suddenly inquired.

She proceeded to pull out an outfit consisting of a long brownish-orange skirt and mid-riff blouse that fastened with a zipper. Quistis felt faint as a wave of weakness passed through her.

What is that? Where did that outfit come from?" Quistis suddenly thought.

"I don't know," she admitted. "I've never seen it before."

"You don't know?"

Selphie looked at her strangely. Removing the outfit from the hanger, Selphie held it out. "Oooh! Look at this, this is awesome. Here, try it on."

Selphie lay the outfit momentarily on the bed and before Quistis could protest, the quick young woman stepped behind Quistis, pulled the long zipper down on the back of her dress and allowed it to fall to the floor. Quistis blushed even more to suddenly be standing in front of another person in only her underwear.

Selphie looked on in shock at Quistis's under apparel. "What in the world are you wearing - some sort of industrial strength bra and panties?" she asked sarcastically. "We need to go shopping and get you some frillies."

Quistis fought the temptation to hide her underclothing with her hands realizing it would only cause her to appear more foolish in Selphie's eyes.

"Whatever for?" she questioned sharply. "What's wrong with what I have on?"

"Because men like sexy, not industrial."

That statement certainly nonplussed Quistis and it gave Selphie the opportunity to retrieve the outfit from the bed.

"Here, put this on," Selphie directed, handing the top to her friend.

Holding the long skirt down by Quistis' feet, Selphie instructed her to step into it. Selphie pulled it up around her friend's waist and then fastened the zipper. Now that Quistis had donned the blouse, Selphie stepped back.

"You look great!" she exclaimed, "But it's missing something."

What in the world is going on here? Why does this seem so right? I've never even seen this before, Quistis thought, thoroughly confused.

Selphie returned her attention to her friends' closet. "Oooh, what's this?"

Selphie stood up with two brown sleeves and a pair of brown boots.

"Oh, these will go great with that. Put 'em on."

Once Quistis had complied with her friend's orders, Selphie spoke, "Go look in the mirror. You look awesome!"

Quistis felt as though she had lost control of her body and was being ordered around as if she were just a robot. She looked in the mirror and again felt faint. Who am I?