Disclaimer: Alrighty…hmm…..i don't own squaresoft or ff8, nor do I own the song "You are the one" mentioned in this chapter. The aforementioned song belongs the Carpenters. Never heard of em? Loom em up…they're a really good duo…even if they would be considered 'old' I love oldies! Anyhoo…yeh…
A/N-heehee another chappy!!!! Yayayayay!!!^.^ I haven't updated for 4 days…I think that's the longest period I've given in between chapters. I don't have any homework due tomorrow so I decided to dedicate some time to this fic, then take a nap. Anyhoo…enjoy and please review.!! Oh yeh….i haven't had time to edit, so please look past little mistakes, and if it really gets to you, then tell me what the problem is in a review and I'll be happy to fix it!
~ Preparation~
"Rin, I reckon you should put your hair in a twist."
"Yeh, I agree with Selphie, I think that'll look great!"
Rinoa started "twisting her hair, but gave up after two tries. "Selph, can you do it? I never was that great at doing hair."
"Well isn't it a good thing we invited you here?" she giggled.
"Whatever." Rinoa paused and almost laughed, she had been using that word more and more. She shook her head of the notion and focused on the mirror in front of her, watching Selphie with scrutiny. When Selphie had finally finished pinning the twist secure onto Rinoa's head, she stepped back and looked at the masterpiece before her.
"Gee, Rin. You're hair looks fabulous! I'm glad I can take the credit for it." The bubbly girl giggled. Rinoa gazed into the mirror, angling her head in several different ways trying to see its reflection while seeing if it would fall.
"Umm, Selph…exactly how many pins did you put in? I can feel them all poking into my head!"
"I didn't use that many," she replied while nudging Quistis who was making reflections in the mirror at Rinoa. "What dress ya wearin', Rin?"
"Well," Rinoa began slowly, looking at the floor, "You guys remember that dark blue dress…Yeah, well that one." The two girls wisely said nothing about the memories associated with the dress, Selphie did, however, change the subject successfully, if not too subtly.
"So Quistis, what are you wearing? Something that'll make our dear commander Almasy faint at the sight of?"
"Don't be ridiculous! Well, umm…I haven't worn it before, but I've had it for ages. It's a moroon strapless dress…"
"Oh, strapless," Rinoa said as she turned and winked at Selphie. Quistis threw her a glare. "Sorry, Quisty."
"Yeah, well anyway, it goes past my knees, and I'm gonna leave my hair out, so that leaves you with one less worry, Selph."
"How about you, Selphie? Are you going to look drop dead gorgeous for Irvine?"
"Umm…well…mine's kinda similar to Quisty's, except the skirt goes out a bit more, its longer and it's a light kind of blue."
"Well, Irvine sure is getting a prize tonight," Quistis remarked while dodging an airborne pillow headed in her direction.
"Now girls, stop it at once!" Rinoa stated, while doing her best Instructor Trepe impression. They all started laughing, even Rinoa, and the other two were surprised as well as happy to see that Rinoa had started to show signs of 'recovery'.
"Well, I'm going to change I the bathroom, I told Zell and Brendan I'd meet them an hour early for some extra practise," she said as the laughter died down. When she had reached the sanctuary of the bathroom she reflected on what had happened. Did I just laugh? It felt so good, so.....liberating. She put her dress on, brushed her teeth and put a light bit of makeup on. When she was satisfied she opened the door and went outside where Selphie and Quistis were talking about hair. "You know, the party starts in an hour and a half…it might be wise if you two started getting ready." And with that said she grabbed her already prepared bag and quickly headed to the ball room, trying hard to avoid eye contact with any students in the hallways. When she had reached her destination she found Brendan alone, playing around with his guitar.
When he saw her he smiled and stood up. "Hey, Rinoa. I wanted to…"
"Hey there, you two. Ready to party?" Zell interrupted. Rinoa smiled at him.
"Yeah, I guess…umm…what were you saying, Brendan?"
"Never mind, I'll tell you later."
"So, ladies and gents," Zell said with excitement, "Shall we start practising?" it was, more or less, a rhetorical question, for they all moved to where their instruments had been set up on the stage. Rinoa took he place at the piano then turned around.
"What shall we play first."
"On you."
"Hmm….ok…'You Are the One.' Lets take it from the top." She positioned the microphone, then began playing the introduction…
"You are the one who makes me happy
When everything else turns to grey.
Your's is the voice that wakes me mornings
And sends me out into the day."
Zell and Brendan joined in while Rinoa continued singing and playing.
"You are crowd that sits quiet,
Listening to me,
And all the mad sense I make-
You are one of the few things worth remembering,
And since its all true how could anyone mean more to me than you...
Sorry if sometimes I look past you
There's no one beyond your eyes
Inside my head the wheels are turning
Hey sometimes I'm not so wise.
You are my heart and my soul, my inspiration,
Just like the old love song goes
You are one of the few things worth remembering
And since it's all true,
How could anyone mean more to me than you."
Rinoa stopped singing for the instrumental. Then began again,
"You are my heart and my soul, my inspiration,
Just like the old love song goes
You are one of the few things worth remembering
And since it's all true,
How could anyone mean more to me than you......"
"Gee Rin, you're fantastic. I can't believe you've never been asked to perform before," Zell said as he glanced at Brendan. Brendan's happy face turned from happy to a puzzled look.
"Thanks Zell, did you two have any particular that you wanted to practise?"
"Not really."
"How 'bout you, Brendan?"
"I'm cool."
"Okay then, I guess there really isn't much to do then, but wait for everyone to come. You look good, Zell. Where'd ya get the tux?"
"Umm…well I was originally going to dress up as…well…never mind, but when I heard that Selphie dropped the whole masquerade part of the ball, I figured I may as well scrap the mask and all and just wear the tux." Rinoa smiled and continued to play small little songs on the piano. She stopped when she felt someone sit beside her on the stool.
"Oh hi, Brendan. You're really good with your guitar. How long have you been playing?"
"Umm, well about four years now. My uncle used to teach me…" his voice trailed as if remembering a not so nice thought. He shook the thought away. "Anyways, I was hoping I could have a dance with you."
Rinoa looked at him in surprise, not exactly knowing what to say. Brendan was quickly to sense her discomfort. "Oh sorry, I didn't mean it in that way. I just wanna dance with you…and besides I still have to ask you something." Rinoa hastily thought it over then smiled.
"Sure, why not."
"Great, thanks Rinoa."
"No problem, I guess." Brendan smiled and got up off the stool, returning to his guitars. Selphie had just come and was busy hitting the drums creating an awful noise.
"Zell!" Rinoa shouted, her voice battling against the sound issuing from the drumkit. "Get her off!" Zell quickly snatched the sticks from Selphie, and she looked like a rejected puppy. She stuck her tongue out at me then squealed, "Meanie!" How long had it been since I have said that?, Rinoa thought as she recognised her idiosyncrasy.
How long had it been since I'd done a lot of things?
A/N-did you enjoy it? did you not enjoy it? well I can't read minds, so what better way to write your thoughts than to click that 'Go' button and write your thoughts on my fic. Thankyou to all of you kind readers who always review, your suggestions are always appreciated. Right, as said before, I'm off to take a nap…so until I update again, I bid you farewell….hehehe laterz!!