Falling For You
Chapter Three
Selphie picked out a dress and thrusted it in Rinoa's face.
"Hey!" Rinoa scowled. "Watch what you're doing!"
Selphie held back the dress and nervously giggled. "Sorry… I just… really feel sorry for what happened between you and Seifer."
Selphie came over at around four in the afternoon after going out with Irvine to help Rinoa get ready for dinner with. Clothes, shoes and sandals were strewn all around Rinoa's room. The dresser was cluttered with make-up and jewelry.
Of all the places Seifer has to pick… a fancy restaurant! Rinoa muttered to herself. He knows I hate dressing up and going to those places… That's right, he already has a girlfriend! Rinoa was standing in front of the full-lenth mirror beside her closet.
"Try this one," Selphie said, holding out a light blue number.
Rinoa put on the dress. She saw a smiling Selphie behind her reflection in the mirror.
"You'll knock out Seifer with this one! He'll forget he had a girlfriend!"
Rinoa looked at her reflection and smiled. Selphie was right. The dress had a cowlneck top and was showing a little cleavage. The soft light blue fabric fell to her knees.
Selphie triumphantly held out a pair of light blue beaded sandals and Rinoa slipped them on.
"You really look beautiful, Rin," Selphie said. "But not as beautiful as me!" she jokingly added.
"To Irvine's eyes!" Rinoa kidded back. She twirled around and was really satisfied with the dress and sandals Selphie picked out for her. She grabbed Selphie in a giant bear hug.
"Ooomph! Woah! That sure was a tight one!" Selphie said as she hugged Rinoa back.
"Thanks, Selph… You're a lifesaver," Rinoa whispered.
"Now, now," Selphie said as she pulled out. "You better take a shower, missy. We still have to put make-up and arrange your hair! Now, go!" she said as she put a robe and towel on Rinoa's arm and pushed her into the bathroom.
Selphie sat at the edge of Rinoa's bed. "By the way," she continued. "Irvine bought me a dress for our graduation ball next month!" she squealed happily.
"I forgot all about that…" Rinoa said as she took off her clothes. Too much thinking about Seifer, that's why! she said to herself as she turned on the shower.
"Rumors say that the president of Esthar is going to be the guest of honor. I hope he'll bring along his son. I've heard that he is super cute!" Selphie giggled.
~.*.~ ~.*.~ ~.*.~
Rinoa took a sip from her glass of iced tea. She glanced at her wristwatch. Fifteen minutes late… Where could they be?
"Rin!"
She whirled around in her seat to see Seifer wearing a dark gray turtle neck sweater with a pair of black pants. Rinoa almost forgot to breathe when she saw Seifer looking so handsome. But she caught sight of a hand entwined in his.
The hand belonged to a woman. Her blonde hair was tastefully done in an elegant french twist. She was wearing a black strapless dress that clung to her body.
Rinoa's heart ached at the sight of Seifer and his girlfriend. Hyne, she looks sophisticated.
Seifer smiled at the two ladies. "Rin, I'd like you to meet Quistis… my girlfriend," Seifer said and looked lovingly at Quistis as he said the last word.
Quistis turned a shade of crimson and shyly held out her hand to Rinoa.
Rinoa stood up and shook Quistis' hand. "Nice to meet you," she said forcing herself to smile.
"It's an honor to meet you," Quistis replied sweetly. "Seifer has told me so much about you."
They all sat down and ordered when the waiter approached them. The three talked and the two ladies got to know each other better. After desert, it was time to leave.
Quistis smiled warmly at Rinoa. "I hope this is not our last meeting. I really enjoyed your company," she said.
Rinoa smiled back. "Me too. Maybe we can set up a girls' night out or something. I'll introduce you to my best friend Selphie."
"I'd love that," Quistis replied.
Seifer hugged Rinoa and whispered, "I'm glad that you're getting along fine."
Rinoa surprised herself when she said, "Yup, you really deserve her. She's perfect for you." And I really mean it.
~.*.~ ~.*.~ ~.*.~
A month has passed. Rinoa was putting final touches to her make-up when she heard a honk.
"Rin! It's Selphie! Let's go," Irvine shouted from the other room.
"I'm coming," she said as she grabbed her purse and headed for the stairs.
Rinoa was making her way down when she heard Irvine gasp.
"Who are you?! Where's my cousin? What did you do to her???" Irvine asked with feigned surprise.
Rinoa blushed and retorted. "Shut up, Irv. But thank you!" she said happily. She was wearing a dress she and Selphie bought at the mall a two days ago. It was a simple cream dress held by two straps tied behind her neck. The silky fabric wrapped around her body showing off her curves and stopped just above her knees. She just let her hair down and had light make-up for the occasion.
She handed him her toga. "Please carry this for me, big bro! Thanks again!"
"You look really nice. You sure clean up good!" Irvine said as he took Rinoa's toga.
Today was their graduation day. They finally finished college. Both girls took up Interior Design. Rinoa will be awarded Cum Laude and Selphie finished at the top of their class with a Summa Cum Laude. The graduation rites and ball will be held at the quad of Balamb University.
The cousins got into Selphie's yellow Vios.
Irvine gave Selphie a quick peck on the lips and happily sat in the passenger seat. "Rin, Aunt Julia called a while ago while you and Selphie were having your… what do you call that hand and feet thing again?"
"Manicure and pedicure!" the two girls said in unison and laughed.
"Well, sorreee! Anyways," he continued. "They'll be at the quad early because your dad will be giving a speech."
Selphie grinned as she made a left turn. "Your dad's a really important person. Imagine, giving a speech along with the president of Esthar!"
Rinoa just smiled.
~.*.~ ~.*.~ ~.*.~
Everyone was sitting and waiting for their food to come. Chairs and tables were set up, framing the dance floor. A live band was playing at the left side of the stage, entertaining everyone with their music. Old couples were doing the tango on the dance floor.
Rinoa, Selphie and Irvine were sharing the table with the two girls' parents. The parents were very happy and proud that their daughters graduated with honors.
Seifer and Quistis came to their table and the three stood up. Seifer hugged Rinoa.
"Congratulations!" he said.
"Thanks, Seif," Rinoa said.
Quistis also hugged Rinoa and handed her a gift. "It's from both of us," she said.
"Oh, you shouldn't have. But thanks, you guys. I'll open it when I get home.
The couple hugged and congratulated Selphie. Selphie was surprised when Seifer held out a gift for her.
"For me?" she asked. "Booyaka! Thanks!" she exclaimed as she started jumping around.
Seifer and Quistis laughed at Selphie's antics.
"Selphie, behave!" Irvine said with mocked harshness to his girlfriend. "Hey, man!" Irvine acknowledged Seifer with a pat on the back. Then he smiled at Quistis.
"Enjoy your last night! Tomorrow you'll start looking for work!" he joked. "We'll sit over there," Seifer said as he pointed to a table next to the table Rinoa's group was occupying.
As the couple left, the three sat down again. Selphie looked at the guests that were sitting at the front with the University's president and headmaster. She whispered to Rinoa. "The president looks young and cute!"
Rinoa giggled. "You sure have a taste for men with long hair, Selph!"
"I heard he brought his son along. Where could he be?" Selphie said as she scanned the room.
"He's probably hidden by a bunch of presidential guards. He is the president's son, after all," Rinoa shrugged.
"Rin, check out that hot guy standing all by himself by the wall."
Rinoa followed Selphie's gaze and she swore her heart stopped at the sight of the man.
Who could that be? she thought dreamily. The man was wearing a black coat over a white polo. He had taken off his tie and loosened the top buttons of the shirt. Rinoa could still see his tie protruding out of the pocket of his pants. He had long wavy brown hair. It looks so silky… I just wish I could run my fingers through it.
"Earth to Rinny… earth to Rinny," Selphie said, waving her hand in front of Rinoa's eyes.
Rinoa snapped out and blushed.
"What? You told me to check him out," Rinoa said to her best friend.
"Yes, I told you to check him out… not stare at him as if he were the last man on the face of the planet!" Selphie pointed out.
"I did not!" Rinoa protested.
"Oh, yes you did!" Selphie retorted.
"Rin," Irvine butted in. "You were practically drooling at him," he added.
"Not you too?! I was not staring at him! I was not drooling over him!" she said.
"Really?" Selphie sweetly asked.
"Really! That guy is cute. Period!" Rinoa finished.
"Okay, Rin. If you say so… So, you do not like him? Not a teensy weensy bit?" Selphie asked again, a mischievous grin beginning to form on her lips.
Irvine, upon seeing Selphie's grin, began to catch at what Selphie is cooking up.
"I do not like him," Rinoa firmly stated, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Well," Irvine said. "If you do not like him, as you say so, why don't you go over there and ask him to dance?"
~.*.~ ~.*.~ ~.*.~
A/N: Hi again to everyone! I am very grateful for the reviews Keiry, XxMazLeonhartxX and Seifer's Incarnate gave. Thanks, you guys! This is my first story and I really appreciate that all of you are reading it and reviewing it… most especially for waiting for the next chapter!
Thanks again to my wonderful and pretty sister for helping me out with the story.
The pairing? Well, it's a Squinoa and Quiefer, but I'm focusing more on Rinoa, Seifer and Squall. I'd like to make it clear that this is not a yaoi.
To everyone else, please R&R! And thanks very much in advance!