Disclaimer: ok…..i am no closer to owning ff8 or Square soft than I was last time I updated. However, if you are interested, I have formulated a way to conquer the world and trade it for Squaresoft to that everyone can think me MUAHAHAHA! Err……I'm awake! I'm awake! That so wasn't me!
A/N-sorry for the long delay, though you prolly didn't notice. Anyway, here I am again, so I hope you enjoy this chappy! Took me long enough to write…well not really, but yeh. I've been so busy lately I haven't had a lot of time to eventhink about this fic, but yeh. Enjoy and R&R! thanks a million!!
~ The Beginning ~
The three performers sat quietly watching the students arrive for the dance, well two of the three were. Zell's drum sticks had to be taken away from him to keep him from making a noise.
"Aww," he complained softly, "gimme the sticks. I promise I won't make a nosie."
"Then you don't need them." She smiled at him. Zell scowled at her then crossed his arms.
"Don't worry, you'll have them soon enough, just as soon as Selphie announces us as being entertainment during dinner." Zell looked up at her in surprise.
"During…dinner?"
Rinoa stifled a laugh. "Yes, after dinner we're off the hook and Irvine's gonna be the deejay."
"During dinner?" he repeated.
"Yes Zell, didn't you know?"
He shook his head slowly, "Umm…Rin, are they serving hot dogs?" Brendan and Rinoa looked at each other, then Rinoa got up and placed a hand on Zell's shoulder.
"Yes Zell, unfortunately enough," she sighed exasperatedly.
Zell's head dropped. "NO!" he moaned.
"Don't worry, Zell," Brendan cut in. "I'm sure there'll be plenty of left for you."
"That's right, I made the cook promise to leave some for you."
Zell jumped up and hugged her. "Thank you so much, Rin."
"Its okay, I guess," she said while carefully tearing him away and returning to her piano stool.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen of Balamb Garden," Rinoa heard a voice behind her say into a microphone. "Welcome to this year's Spring Dance. If you'll all take your seats, dinner will shortly be served."
"Selphie," the black haired girl whispered, turning around, "Isn't it Seifer's job to greet the guests?"
"Hee hee." She giggled, "Nope, not tonight. I'm the MC."
"Why does that scare me?" Rinoa muttered under her breath.
"Now," Selphie resumed, "in front of you are bunches of flowers. Please don't touch them!! They may look edible, but I assure you all they're not."
"That's bull, I ate one this afternoon, they're the same flowers you get on cakes," Zell whispered, his reply being a glare from Selphie. "Try signs, next time Selph."
Putting a smile back on she introduced the trio. "Right, for your entertainment during dinner we have Zell Dincht, Brendan Sullivan and Rinoa Heartilly performing." The students clapped and Rinoa turned on the mike that was positioned on the piano.
"Thanks. Umm…we'll just be performing various songs that we chose. So sit back, eat plenty and enjoy!" Rinoa began playing some chords as an introduction and then began singing. They played the fourteen songs that Rinoa had chosen, perfectly timed so that when it was time for dessert, it was time for Rinoa to do her solo. When dessert was being served, the two boys made their way off the stage, Zell to the kitchen, and Brendan to the table that had been vacated for the performers. Rinoa was left on the stage, and all attention was on her.
"This is the last song that I'll be performing. I think some of you are already familiar with it, its called 'Eyes on Me', and it was written by my mother. I hope you like it."
And for the last time that evening Rinoa played the piano and then let the notes drown in her voice.
"Whenever sang my songs
On the stage, on my own
Whenever said my words
Wishing they would be heard.
I saw you smiling at me
Was it real or just my fantasy
You'd always be there in the corner
Of this tiny little bar.
My last night here for you
Same old songs, just once more
My last night here with you?
Maybe yes, maybe no
I kind of liked it your way
How you shyly placed your eyes on me
Oh, did you ever know?
That I had mine on you
Darling, so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you're never hurt
As if you're never down
Shall I be the one for you
Who pinches you softly but sure
If frown is shown then
I will know that you are no dreamer
So let me come to you
Close as I wanna be
Close enough for me
To feel your heart beating fast
And stay there as I whisper
How I loved your peaceful eyes on me
Did you ever know
That I had mine on you
Darling, so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you're never hurt
As if you're never down
Darling, so share with me
Your love if you have enough
Your tears if you're holding back
Or pain if that's what it is
How can I let you know
I'm more than the dress and the voice
Just reach me out then
You will know that you're not dreaming..."
The students all clapped, or hit their cutlery together, whichever one was most convenient, as Rinoa made her way off the stage over to where Brendan sat.
"Gee, Rin, that was amazing!" Rinoa shyly smiled at him.
"Thanks," she murmured while averting her vision.
He moved his head closer to her so he could whisper something to her but was cut off when Selphie began squealing again.
"Was that good or what? Lets have another round of applause for Rinoa, Zell and Brendan. Right, I hope you all enjoyed that, but now let's have some fun! I hope you've all had your fill of food, so lets get ready to PAAHHTTAAYY with this evening's deejay, Irvine Kinneas!" she exclaimed. As if on cue, Irvine started the music and the students made there way to the dance floor set up in the centre of the ball room." The lights dimmed as well, adding quite a romantic feel to the place. The performers ate the food that was placed in front of them.
"I wonder where Zell is."
"Do you even have to ask?" Rinoa laughed.
"Good point. How does he do it?"
"Do what?"
"You know, eat so much and yet, keep so fit!"
"Dunno, never really asked. Must be his metabolism."
"I feel sorry for it, seems like he makes it work overtime all the time." They both laughed heartily. The music suddenly changed to a sort of waltz, common for the Garden Dances, so all students were prepared, and many even knew how to dance to it.
Brendan cautiously eyed Rinoa then raised his head, as if coming to some sort of decision. "Say, Rinoa, do you want to dance? You did say you would at least once."
She nodded in acceptance, "You're right, I did. Okay." Rinoa stood up and Brendan offered her his arm, leading her to the dance floor. They took their position and began dancing, Brendan not missing a single step, much to Rinoa's surprise. However, when the Waltz for the Moon started up, Rinoa frowned and looked down, stopping abruptly. Without a word to Brendan she made her way quickly to the balcony to get some fresh air. When she had escaped the humidity of the room, she breathed in a long and deep sigh. Moving over to the railings, she looked up at the sky, half expecting a shooting star to appear. This is where it really began, she thought as she stared at where Squall had stood that night five years ago.
It was the night Garden celebrated the defeat of the Sorceress. The two had stood outside in their own world, apart from everyone else. The star had fallen from the sky, just as it did when the two had first met. As if mirroring her actions from that night, Rinoa pointed up at the star and smiled at Squall. To her surprise, Squall revealed a smile as well. The first smile she had ever seen him wear.
And to add to her surprise, he took her hand and pulled her into a kiss. The first kiss they shared, and the most memorable one at that.
"What was that for?" she asked when they had pulled away.
"Rinoa," he started slowly, "I love you, and I don't ever want to be without you."
She reached up and hugged his neck, while he held her around the waist. "Trust me, you won't ever have to worry about that."
When the memory had finished replaying itself in her mind, Rinoa turned back again to where she expected to find Squall to be, knowing full well that he wouldn't be there, and she was shocked when she did see someone. That someone, however, turned out to be Brendan.
A/N-wow! How was that? Good, bad? Tell me. Wanna know how? Press the 'Go' Button at the bottom of the page, and if you do so within the next ten minutes, we'll even throw in a free blender. That's right, Submit a review and get a blender, all yours at the price of a 'click'. G-O. that's the number to call folks. The number again: G-O. and don't miss your opportunity of receiving this great offer*
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