Disclaimer: Final Fantasy 8 belongs to Squaresoft.

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A Voice from the Past: Part 1

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Flashback…

A bouquet of flowers lied on her table with a small greeting card next to it. Wondering who sent it, she picked up the card and read it. Tears slowly formed in her eyes as she recognized the signature beneath the heartwarming message. It had been a long time since she has heard from him.

'Weeks after Ultimecia's defeat, he decided to return to Galbadia Garden. She tried to stop him at first, but reluctantly agreed to let him go back. She didn't cry though, knowing that she has a lot of friends beside her. But something just didn't feel quite right. It's as if a big part of her was taken away. She knew that everything would never be the same without him.'

Then a pair of hands covered her eyes and a voice that was very familiar to her spoke up.

"Guess who?"

A smile formed through her lips as she removed the warm hands and gave him a big hug.

"I missed you a lot," she whispered.

"So did I," he answered back.

He kissed her forehead and smiled at her as she slowly removed her hands from him.

"What took you?" she asked.

"The whole place was a mess when I went back. They needed extra help and since I grew up there, I decided to assist them to show my gratitude to Galbadia Garden for taking good care of me," he explained.

She nodded, knowing how it feels.

"Don't worry, I promise I will never leave you again. I'll always be here for you," he said.

Tears started to flow from her eyes once more. She has been longing to hear that for a long time already.

He wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "Where's the old Selphie that I know? She's always cheerful and never cries."

She backed a little away from him and stopped herself from crying. Then she grinned at him and replied, "I cry too you know. I'm not the kind of girl who doesn't know what sorrow is…Irvine."

He smiled at her then said, "Come on, everybody's waiting for you."

They went out and headed towards the cafeteria, Irvine's arm around Selphie's shoulder.

"Welcome back Irvine," Quistis greeted as the others went near him.

Irvine's arm slipped away from Selphie as he enjoyed himself with the guys talking about stuffs and reminiscing the past. Selphie sat down with Quistis.

"So, feeling better?" asked Quistis.

"Much," Selphie replied happily.

"He hasn't changed a bit from what I last remembered about him. Are you sure you want to go on a relationship with him?" Quistis asked her in a very low tone.

"What do you mean?"

Quistis shifted her head towards Irvine and both saw him staring at a girl who just passed by their table.

"I'm just worried about you," Quistis said.

Selphie sighed, "I know. Don't worry, I'll be fine."

Selphie drank her juice as Quistis looked at her with a concerned expression on her face.

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A week has passed since Irvine's return and Selphie noticed that he has been flirting with some girls even when they're together. She couldn't help but remember what Quistis had told her.

Selphie went to the library to get those things off her mind. As she was reading the summary of one book that she chose, she heard some voices. One was very familiar.

"So…you're going out with me?" he asked.

"Why not? I have nothing to do anyway," the girl answered. "But, don't you have a girlfriend already?"

"I never said she is," he replied.

Selphie took out a book from the shelf and peeked through it. She saw Irvine together with the girl that Quistis and she had seen before. (A/N: The same girl that Irvine was staring at.)

She returned the book and ran out of the library, as she headed towards her room.

"Maybe promises are really meant to be broken," she thought sadly.

She fought the urge to cry and sat alone for some time. After awhile, she heard someone knocking at her door. She stood up and opened it, only to see Irvine smiling at her.

Selphie ignored him and went out of her room, bumping him in the shoulder.

"Hey, what's with the cold shoulder?" he asked.

Selphie continued walking as if nobody talked to her. Irvine ran after her and grabbed her arm. He made her look at him in the eye but Selphie simply avoided it and stared at the floor. Irvine raised her chin and gazed at her eyes. He saw pain, anger, sorrow and coldness in them. There were no signs of joy and love, which he used to see in them

"There's something I need to tell you," Selphie said.

"What's that?" Irvine asked.

Selphie stared at Irvine and said, "I want to break up."

Irvine opened his mouth and wanted to argue with her. Then he closed his mouth and nodded, "If that is what you want, then it's fine with me. But there's something I want to give you before I leave."

Irvine bent down a little and kissed Selphie. Selphie pushed him away and slapped him in the face.

"Don't you dare do it again! How low can you get? Dating another girl behind my back!" Selphie said in a disgusted tone as she controlled herself.

"So you heard us," Irvine said as he touched his face.

"Look Selphie, I'm really sorry about that. But you know how I am," Irvine tried to explain.

"There's no need to apologize. I was a fool not to heed the warnings of my friends," Selphie said.

She left him standing alone.

Author's Note: Selphie's a bit emotional here. Hehe…^_^

I now that Selphie isn't a child anymore so…=P

Hope you guys enjoy this! =D

Sorry if I made everyone think that this is a one-shot story. ^_^

Thanks to those who reviewed!!! =D

I'll try to update as soon as I can!!! =P