Author's Note: I would like to thank everyone for reviewing! It just
makes me so happy when I find out I have reviews!! I know, that sounds a
little sad, but that's just me! Well, I'm finally done my finals at
school... so hopefully I'll have more time to work on my fic(s). But I
also have to do my English assignment! . Evil teacher... give me an
assignment before I even have her!! ARGH!!! Anyway, I'd like to respond to
my reviews...
Hotaru9 - First off, I'd like to thank you for reading and reviewing my other fic, "Wanted Love, Unwanted Person" and secondly, I'd like to thank you for your compliment. ^-^ I try my best to make it seem more realistic!
Quistis Almasy - I'd like to thank you also for reading and reviewing my other fic. And the reason Quistis seems so mean in this fic is 'cause, well, first she lost her Instructor's License 'cuz of Seifer, and second, she lost Squall to Rinoa. If I were in her position, I'd be so pissed off. That's why I try to make her seem a little meaner.
The Omega Weapon - I think Seifer is completely human like everyone else, and that he regrets a lot of things. Not only that, but he's a really sensitive guy, who just doesn't like showing his feelings. I try to make him seem realistic... I hope he does sound realistic! =)
Quistis88 - Like to thank you for reading/reviewing my other fic as well, really appreciate it! I usually like writing Seiftis' that don't have the typical clichés, and well, I figured someone's gonna break Seifer's façade and Selphie seemed like the most reasonable person to do so... despite the fact this is a Seiftis. But who said Quistis had to be the one to break it?
VegaKeep - I think you read my other fic as well (if my memory serves me correctly) so I'd like to thank you for that as well. And I'm glad you liked the brother/sister relationship between Seifer and Selphie. If you ask me, they seem more like siblings rather than couples... though I'm not saying that Selfers are bad... I don't know where I'm going with that anymore, so I'll just hush. ^-^
Satanic-Purple-Onion - I figured SOMEONE had to be nice to poor Seifer... I'd put myself there! But, being the kind (ya right!) author that I am, I decided not too... lol. And don't worry, I'm trying to get chapter 2 up soon! I'm trying my best!!
Jennifer - Hey! Glad to find out that you read this fic and my previous fic too! Ya, Selphie seems like a nice type of person... wish I could be her too!
Setobsessed - This isn't really a Rinoa/Squall/Quistis... actually, it's really weird and I'm not too sure myself either! . I'm a Seiftis fan too, and I only write Seiftis' or something dealing with Seiftis, I don't write Selfers, sry! Maybe one of these days, but this is definitely not going to be a Selfer...
Alrite, now that that is all done, why not we continued with the story? Last chapter left off with Quistis torturing poor Seifer with the physical training. Selphie comes along and finds out Seifer's wound opened again and is taking him to the Infirmary, but before he's there, he passes out! Oh no! My poor Seifer!! What's gonna happen to him?! Er... I meant... Quistis' poor Seifer... ^-^
I awoke with a blinding light shining into my eyes. I wanted to close my eyes, but something was going against my will. I could faintly hear voices, but I couldn't make it out what they were saying. The light pulled away and the force holding my eyes up was gone. My eyelid quickly closed with a little plop. I wanted to rub my eyes, but my arm wouldn't move, it felt like it weighed a ton. I tried opening my eyes again, but I felt too weary. I felt like I was going to drift off to that black void again, but someone plopped beside me and hit me on the arm. Suddenly I could hear voices again.
"Seifer, Seifer! Did you hear that?! Looks like you're not gonna die after all!" A high-pitched voice shrilled with joy. I could already tell who it belonged to.
"It's a pity." Another female voice muttered.
"Quistis! Don't be so rude! You nearly killed him!" The first voice spoke out again. The weight on my arm lifted off. I could just imagine the scenery already.
I would be in either another white room, or the same room I had ditched earlier. The one Selphie had decorated to her liking, but not mine. Quistis and Selphie would also be in the room, Selphie was the one sitting beside me and Quistis would be standing near the doorway, wanting to escape from hell. When the extra weight from my arm was gone, I knew Selphie had stood up and faced Quistis. Quistis would have a shocked expression, wondering why Selphie was defending a traitor such as myself. Next Quistis would open her mouth to defend herself, but Selphie would stop her.
"Look Quistis, I know you really don't like Seifer, but that doesn't give you the right to try kill him!" Selphie would then turn her head away from her friend.
"But I..." Quistis began, but found no other words coming out.
"Quisty... I thought you were the more sensible one... I didn't expect you would be like Squall and them..." Selphie accused.
The next thing I heard was a loud swoosh and the door slamming. No doubt Quistis would leave angrily. But before she exited the Infirmary, Dr. Kadowaki probably stopped her.
"Quistis, I told you Seifer would not be able to handle any strenuous and tedious work right after recovering. Now his wound has reopened. Take it easy on him. I'd advise no more physical training for the whole week."
"Yes, doctor." I could just imagine Quistis in her upright position as if taking orders from a commander. Then I heard the doors to the Infirmary open and close.
"Hey Seifer... come on, wake up! I don't like it when you're always hurt and not awake..." Selphie whimpered slightly while shaking me. I wanted to tell her to stop, but I couldn't open my eyes, nor open my mouth to speak.
"Selphie, maybe you should let him rest for a bit. He seemed awfully exhausted, and not the mention the exhaustion from the blood loss." Dr. Kadowaki said from what seemed like the doorway.
"I suppose you're right. But when he wakes up, be sure to call me okay?" I could hear the chair moving away from me.
"Don't worry, I will. Oh and Selphie, next time when you decide to decorate my room, please ask first, or at least tear it down when the patient leaves. It took me forever to tear down yesterday's decorating job. I'm just lucky I didn't get many patients today."
"Oh, I'm sorry! I will remember to do so next time!" I could just imagine the sheepish grin Selphie was giving Dr. Kadowaki.
It wasn't long after both had left my room when I started to feel sleepy and tired again.
* * * (Quistis)
I pounded my right fist into my desk angrily. I couldn't believe Selphie accused me of trying to kill Seifer. Of course I would be much happier if he were dead, but I wouldn't try to kill him! Besides, if I did try, he'd be dead. [Selphie, why the hell are you helping that bastard?!] I muttered a string of curses as I continued pounding at my desk. It wasn't long before a dent appeared on the desk, but that didn't bother me. In fact, I continued to punch against it to see how long it could withstand this abuse.
"Damn you Seifer!" I shouted angrily as I gave one last punch to the desk. I put so much force in this punch that the desk actually broke. I could feel the shards of wood piercing into my skin.
I gave out one loud sigh before I gingerly pulled my fist from the hole in the desk. I held it to my face and examined it. My knuckles were bleeding and pieces of wood stuck out from my fingers.
I plopped myself on my bed and began attempting to get the slivers out. But when I touched one of them, it pained me. I grabbed a shirt lying on my bed and rolled it up. I took a deep breath and put the shirt between my mouth and clenched onto it with my teeth tightly. I then proceeded to take the wood out. With a swift motion I grabbed and pulled the biggest one out first. I groaned in pain as the blood flowed out from the wound.
Taking another deep breath, I continued pulling them all out. After a long while, and a lot of pain, I finally managed to get them all out of my hand. My hand was all bloody, and some of the blood dripped onto my outfit and blanket. Ignoring the blood, I proceeded to the bathroom and carefully washed my wound. The water stung my hand terribly and I felt like I might die soon, but I somehow managed and slowly began bandaging my right hand.
After I finished bandaging it - - with a terrible job done with my left hand - - I grabbed my blanket and threw it into the washing machine. [I better get a new desk soon...] I told myself as grabbed another outfit and threw the blood stained one in the washer as well. [I should do some training to get my mind off that bastard.] I told myself while I exited my room
* * * (Seifer)
It didn't seem like I slept for long when I woke up again. I was surprised to see Matron stroking my hand, with her eyes closed and humming a familiar tune. My room was an empty, white room, similar to the one I had before, but I knew it wasn't because the window was located differently.
"Ma..." I tried to speak out, but felt my throat and mouth completely dry.
Matron immediately opened her eyes and smiled at me. She reached for the pitcher of water and poured some water for me. Next she helped me sit upright and handed me the glass. I greedily drank the water.
"Matron..." I whispered softly to her.
"How are you Seifer?" She began with the formalities.
"Still alive..." I turned my head away from her. I was ashamed of myself. I had only come back for two days and I had to lie in the Infirmary twice already.
"Of course you are my child." She smiled at me again. "I hope nobody's giving you are hard time here... right?" She seemingly asked me.
[Oh... if you only knew how much I sometimes wish I did die.] "Of course not." I lied. I never did like lying to Matron. She was like a mother to me, someone I could never have for myself. When I was younger, I had to share her with the others, and when I became her knight, she wasn't the mother I wanted nor the mother I remembered.
"Seifer..." She said calmly and stroked my head. "Remember when you were little? You always told me that you never wanted to see anyone sad... but here you are... looking so miserable."
"I don't remember." I lied again, still not able to find courage to look at her.
"And remember when you were little... when you lied to me or when you were ashamed of yourself, you'd always turn your head away from me?" She continued to stroke my head.
I wanted to turn to her and tell her I was sorry. Sorry for everything. Sorry for what I did, sorry for my very own existence, but I wouldn't. I wouldn't turn my head and look at her.
"Seifer, remember how I always hugged you tightly when you were scared or when you were angry? The other children never knew you could be scared because you'd always act angry and then come to me for comfort. You never let them see you scared. Do you remember that?" She continued.
"Look, Matron, I don't remember anything about my childhood, nor do I care! Why do you keep bringing it up?!" I finally turned my head to glare at her. I hated remembering my past. I didn't grow up as a happy kid, but I knew I was happier then, then I am now.
She looked un phased by my sudden outburst. She stopped stroking my head and looked me right into the eyes. "Seifer, you've grown so much... if your parents could see you now, they'd be so proud of you. I know I am."
"Proud?! What are you talking about Matron? Nobody would be proud to have a son as a traitor! A son who nearly destroyed this damn world! Nobody would want a bastard son like myself! No one would care for a lap dog! In fact, they'd probably be much happier if I were to burn in hell!" I screamed out angrily.
"Seifer, everyone has their faults... but look at you... I know you feel guilty for your actions, I know you wish to change. I know you want to change everything you did. I know you regret it... and for that, I'm so proud of you." She stretched her arms out as if asking for a hug. I remember she used to do that when I was little. I'd always feel so safe and protected when she hugged me. that's why I wanted to protect her when I grew up.
"Matron, I don't deserve your pity." I answered quite rudely, immediately I wanted to take those words back.
Matron was a little shocked as she moved back slightly. She lowered her arms and continued talking to me.
"Seifer, it wasn't your fault. You didn't mean to do it..."
"It was my fault! I was the one who decided to serve you... and the sorceress. I was the one who chose that path! My cruel destiny." I looked up at the ceiling and bit my tongue. I could feel my eyes were getting a little moist. I didn't want to cry. I would not cry. I wouldn't let myself. That would just show my weakness...
"That was not your destiny. If it were, you wouldn't be here. Seifer, you have a greater life destined for you... you may not feel it now, but I know you do."
"A greater life destined for me? That's for sure! I'm to die in agonizing pain." I lowered my head as I felt the moistness from my eyes burn away.
"Things are not what they seem."
"Whatever."
There was an odd silence that followed. It seemed to last for eternity, which bothered me a lot. I hated the feeling of isolation. I absolutely hated it.
"Where's Fujin and Raijin?" Matron finally spoke out again.
"Near Esthar."
"In that nearly built town?"
"Yes."
"What are they doing there?" She continued to ask.
"They opened a private military school." I paused for a moment and continued, I knew Matron would continued asking me questions. "They want to help young children to be able to defend for themselves."
"That's very thoughtful of them. I was wondering where they were when you came without them." There was another odd silence after she spoke. I felt a little uneasy and I knew Matron would ask me about yesterday's incident soon.
"I didn't try to kill her." I finally said.
"Kill who?" She asked.
[Don't play dumb.] "Rinoa."
"I know you didn't. You wouldn't want to."
[What does that mean?] I didn't answer her, but it seemed as if she read my mind.
"It's okay to still love someone, even if they don't love you."
"I don't know what you're talking about." I lied again.
"Rinoa's a very nice and pretty girl. Many boys your age want her. I know."
"Matron, are you trying to imply that I like Rinoa?" I asked quite disgusted myself. But I knew it was true. I knew I still liked Rinoa, despite the fact she was the one who tried to kill me. And despite the fact that she loves that puberty boy. [I don't even know what she sees in him. I thought... I was better...]
"No, I'm not implying that, I know you do."
"Well I don't."
"Seifer, have you ever thought about getting to know someone better??"
"I don't need anyone. I am perfectly happy being by myself. I don't need or want anyone else to ruin my 'perfect' life." I said with such sarcasm that made me wonder if I was for real.
"I've seen that you've been talking to Selphie more often nowadays..." I cut her off. "Selphie's more of a little sister to me."
"I never said anything about you needing a girlfriend. I was just saying maybe you just need someone close to you. To talk to, or maybe even care for. It doesn't necessarily have to be a girlfriend. It could be a little brother/sister relationship."
"I don't need anyone."
"Why not...?" She finally asked the question that I knew was plaguing her.
"Because I don't want anyone else to suffer with me!" I got up from the bed and stood up. I didn't want to be here anymore. I hated being in the Infirmary. It only meant that you were weak.
Without letting her say anything else, I quickly exited the Infirmary, thankfully Dr. Kadowaki must have stepped out for a moment, or else she would have stopped me. I practically jogged my way to my dorm in order to avoid talking to Matron anymore.
Once I got into my room, I took off my dirty jeans and pulled on another pair of jeans. I slipped on a black tee shirt on my bare, bandaged chest. Over top, I put on my treasured trench coat. The weight of it on my shoulders made me smile. How I missed wearing it. I slicked my hair back the way it was yesterday and headed towards the Training Center.
I held my gunblade tightly as I walked through the grassy area. I didn't plan to fight any monsters, I just wanted to head to the Secret Area... the place I always went to sort out my thoughts. Fortunately, I didn't encounter any monsters on my way there. As I stepped into the clearing, memories came back to me.
I remembered the last time I came here. It was just before Puberty boy and those others were assigned to aid the Forest Owls. It was night and the dark black sky seemed to spell danger. I came here to look at the sky and tell the stars of my dream.
"One day, I'm gonna be a knight. And when that day comes, I'm gonna win back Rinoa." I recalled myself saying.
I felt a little weak when I remembered myself saying that. I could never win Rinoa back. I didn't become the knight I had always dreamed of being. All of it was useless.
"Seifer!" Someone gasped.
It brought me back to reality. I turned my head to face whoever spoke of a traitor's name. I nearly smiled when I saw the angel standing there, with her hair and blue duster flowing behind her like an angelic dream. I could picture her when I first saw her standing in the field of flowers. The wind blowing softly, making her seem like she was flowing. She turned her head and smiled at me. Only now, she would never do the same.
"Rinoa." I said emotionlessly, acknowledging her presence.
* * * (Quistis)
I wiped the sweat on my forehead as the twentieth beast fell from my vicious whip. I still hadn't gotten Seifer out of my mind as every monster I saw, I would replace the image with him and begin killing it like crazy. Every time I the beast fell, I would see Seifer falling. Strange thing was, every time he fell, I could see remorse in his eyes. It made me feel a little odd, which made me angrier, which then caused me to kill more monsters.
Feeling a little exhausted, I headed towards the Secret Area. I remember when I had talked to Squall here the last time I was here.
"Go talk to a wall."
I would remember those words forever. It pained me more than death itself whenever I remember those words. [What does Rinoa have that I don't?] I would always ask myself.
I could feel tears building up my eyes. So I began running towards the Secret Area, as I neared, I saw Rinoa there, it looked like she was talking to someone, and so I quickly hid myself in between some nearby bushes.
"Seifer." I heard her gasp.
"Rinoa." A deep male voice replied. No doubt it was Seifer's.
"What are you still doing here?!" I could hear someone's feet shuffling. It was probably Rinoa backing up.
"I'm not gonna leave that easily Rinoa. Someone's gonna see through your lies one of these days."
My eyes widened in shock. [What did he mean?] Carefully, I pushed myself up so I could see the two. Seifer held his gunblade, but not in his usual fashion. It looked like his arm was too weak to hold onto such a heavy thing. Rinoa, on the other hand held her Shooting Star tightly and she was edging towards the exit.
"Seifer, don't you see? You don't belong here!"
"Neither do you."
"Seifer... I just... we... we weren't meant to be." Rinoa finally loosed her grip on her weapon. Seifer just looked at the setting sun. He let go of his gunblade and it slid and sat against the wall. "Seifer... we just weren't."
"You and I both know that I didn't try to kill you. You lied Rinoa. You lied to me. It wasn't the first time either..." I could hear him mumbling the last bit.
"It's because you don't belong here Seifer. I don't want you to get hurt..." She began, but Seifer cut her off.
"You don't want me to get hurt so you try to kill me?" He didn't bother looking at her.
"I... didn't... I ... you wouldn't have been killed anyway... Seifer, why do you persist to come here? Nobody wants you here! It's better if you're not here, for yourself and everyone else." She took a step towards Seifer.
"I came to Balamb Garden for a reason, and I'm not leaving till I'm done..."
"To be SeeD." Rinoa finished. "You can't make it to SeeD. You just can't. And if you somehow miraculously did, Squall will see to it that you don't."
"That's not what you first said when I told you I wanted to be SeeD." Seifer still didn't bother to look at her.
"That was different. We were something then... but now... we aren't." [So Seifer and Rinoa DID go out before...]
"Rinoa, I'm not gonna leave here just because you told me to."
"You would have before..." I heard her mumbling.
"Like you said, we were something before... but now... we aren't.." Seifer didn't seem to care about a damn thing she said. [Seifer must have really loved Rinoa then...]
"I'm sorry Seifer! It's just we weren't meant to be! I'm happier with Squall! I'm sorry, but that's just the truth!" Rinoa shouted at Seifer's back and then ran out of the Training Center.
"I was happier with you..." He whispered to the sky. "What does he have that I don't?"
I bit my lower lip. Seifer is just like me. He couldn't give up Rinoa. Just like I can't give up Squall. I slumped down to sit and think, but it proved to be a bad mistake as the bushes rustled, causing Seifer to turn around.
"Who's there?" he asked angrily. I tried to sink lower to the ground to avoid being seen, but Seifer pulled the bushes apart with his gunblade.
"Instructor." He said emotionless. There was an odd silence as I didn't know what do or say and he probably didn't know what to do as I had just overheard his deepest thoughts.
He broke the silence by swiftly turning around and storming out of the Training Center. I continued to sit there thinking about what I had just overheard. [Rinoa tried to kill Seifer, and lied about it. Seifer still likes Rinoa, so he wouldn't have killed her anyway. Rinoa likes Squall and Squall likes Rinoa.]
"Why won't he love me?" I whispered to no one in particular as a single tear slid down my cheek.
* * * (Seifer)
(Tuesday)
I entered the library to be greeted by Quistis' firm posture. Her back was turned to me, and it looked like she was reading a book. If I had been in the mood, I probably would have been looking at her ass, but after what happened yesterday, I didn't want to think about anything at the moment. I turned my head to look at the clock. 8:00. Right on time.
I cleared my throat, which caught her attention. She abruptedly turned around and motioned me to sit. I sat down and smirked at her. I was not going to let her have an easy time after hearing what I had said in the Secret Area yesterday. She gave me an odd look as if trying to say 'What the hell are you smirking about?'
"So Instructor, do like lying on the ground or something?" I would not and could not let my pride go like that. She gave me another expression as if to ask 'What?' "In the Secret Area Instructor. You were lying on the ground as if you were enjoying it." I smirked again.
"Seifer!" She scolded as a few students turned their heads in our direction.
"I'm only stating the truth. That's what I saw. I saw you lying on the ground and enjoying it." I continued to smirk. The few students began whispering among themselves. Quistis looked at me with disbelief.
"I never knew the Seifer Almasy nearly bawled like that." She tried to counter.
"Please Instructor, don't use my name to refer to yourself. I bet you were thinking of that puberty boy when you were lying on the ground." More whispers from the students.
"I do no such thing!" She glared at me.
"Please Instructor, stop denying it. I saw you with my own eyes. Besides, it's normal to do something like that." My smirk grew wider. I knew she wanted to smack me I the face, but wouldn't dare with so many students around. The murmurs from the students grew louder, which pissed Quistis a lot.
"Mind your own business!" She screamed at the other students. They hurried to scurry off, afraid of Quistis' wrath. She reached the collar of my shirt and pulled me up to her face. "Shut up you fukkin' lap dog. I didn't do anything like that. You're the one who's crying over Rinoa. It's a no wonder she chose Squall over you." She spat the words out at me like venom.
"Instructor! We're in public here! If you wanted me so badly, we could have went somewhere more private." I spoke out loud. The other students turned to face us again. Their expressions were priceless! Each of them had their eyes wide open and bulging out as the saw the position Quistis and I were in. She was leaning into me in a very suggestive way and it looked like she tried kissing me. I smirked again. This was getting even better than I thought it would be.
Quistis looked unimpressed. She whipped her head around and glared at the students, they all quickly turned around and minded their own businesses as they were afraid of this vicious bitch. She let go of my collar and grabbed some books on the shelf and threw them on my table.
"Read all of them and give me a five page essay on each. You'll hand them in, in three hours." Without letting me say another snide remark, she marched out of the library. Once she was out, the students began whispering again.
I looked at the seven books on my table. They were huge and looked like they had 1000 pages with size 8 font for each. I grabbed the nearest book and read the title. 'Your Complete Guide to Guardian Forces' [This is gonna be a piece of cake.]
* * * (Selphie)
I stood at the front gates waving Irvine and Zell off. Apparently there were vicious murders near Galbadia Garden, which made them really tense. Zell and Irvine were to 'investigate' the situation. I think they were more likely to solve this little mystery.
"Good luck!!" I yelled at them. Zell was waving vigorously at me, all the while smiling. Irvine was also waving vigorously, but he wore a frown. "Come back with all the good news!" I shouted again.
"Bye Selph! Take care of yourself! And remember to save me some hotdogs when I come back!!" Zell shouted back to me. I couldn't help but laugh.
Once they were had disappeared into the sky, I turned around and hopped to the cafeteria. [After I grab something to eat, I better start decorating the Quad for the Costume Party next week!] As I entered the Cafeteria, I saw Quistis sitting at our usual table. She looked very angry and seemed like she was muttering a string of curses.
"Hey Quisty!" I bounced to her table. She didn't even look up at me. Frowning slightly, I sat across from her. "What's wrong?"
"Damn bastard! He should just fukkin' rot in damn hell." She swore.
I was a little shocked to her Quistis say that. Never have I heard her swear like that before. "Who are you talking about?" I asked, curiously.
"That fukkin' damn lap dog!" She cursed loudly. The cafeteria lady turned her attention to us and pressed her finger against her lips, to tell us to be quiet. I knew Quistis meant Seifer. I frowned a little more.
"What did he do?"
"For existing!" She hissed.
"Seifer's not all bad... when you get to know him better..." I mumbled, loud enough for Quistis to hear. But it turned out to be a bad idea.
"That lap dog is the fukkin' devil himself!" She shouted and slammed her right fist into the table. She winced slightly, but stormed out of the cafeteria right after.
I followed her with my gaze. As she angrily left the cafeteria, a trio of students entered. They were talking quite loudly so that everyone could hear them.
"I wonder why she's so mad..." The blonde asked.
"It's probably because Seifer rejected her." The brunette replied matter-of-factly.
"What?" the blonde asked.
"Didn't you hear?" The shorter blonde said. "Apparently Quistis was trying to do it with Seifer!"
"Wow! Really?!" the blonde one asked, with her eyes wide open.
"Trying? I heard they were actually doing it! In the library! On the table!" The brunette stated.
"No, no! Quistis wanted to, but Seifer rejected her!" The shorter blonde said again. [No wonder Quistis is so mad... Seifer probably said something to make everyone think like that... strange how rumors spread so fast and change so much.] I thought as I got up from the table and walked up to the three.
"Look, Quistis isn't that type to just 'DO IT'. And I know Seifer wouldn't just do it either! Especially in the library! Stop spreading these stupid rumors when they aren't true!" I pushed them apart and walked out of the cafeteria, heading towards Quistis' dorm. [I hope she's alright.]
* * * (Quistis)
I pounded my fist into my desk for the tenth time. The desk broke yet again, creating another hole. My fist was bleeding but I didn't care, I continued to pound the desk.
"Stupid mother fukkin' lap dog. You'll pay for this. I'll make sure your life becomes a living hell!" I cursed.
After that, I stopped pounding into the poor desk and rested both my fists on the unbroken parts of the desk, to hold up my weight. A few tears slid down my eyes as my breathing became uneven.
"Why... why... why do I live in such hell?!" I muttered to myself as the tears began forming a little puddle on my desk. "I hate my life..."
I used my left hand - - the un bloodied hand - - to wipe my tears away. Then I raised my right fist and examined it. There were less chips of wood pierced into my skin, but there was more blood. Probably because the cuts from yesterday reopened. I was about to pull the pieces out when someone tapped on my door.
"Quisty?" It sounded like a frightened little girl, but I knew who it was. There was only one person who called me Quisty. "It's me Selphie. Can I come in?"
I hesitated a bit before I pressed the open button beside the doorframe. The door slid open revealing Selphie. She stepped in and pressed the close button.
"Quisty! Are you okay?" She gingerly held my bloodied fist up. I quickly pulled away.
"Nothing I can't handle." I walked to the bathroom and proceeded to pull to chips out. It didn't seem as painful as yesterday. "What do you want?" I asked quite rudely.
"I was just wondering how you were doing..." Selphie pulled me out of the bathroom. I reluctantly followed and sat on the bed beside her. She immediately pulled out any chips still in and dabbed my hand with some ointment. I clenched my teeth in pain.
Then she proceeded to bandage my hand. "Maybe I should get you a metal desk." She joked and smiled at me. I couldn't help but smile back. When she was done bandaging it, the back of my hand was tied up into a bundle. [That's worse than me doing it...] I thought, but Selphie continued to dab it with some coloring. When she was done, I was amazed.
"So how do you like it?" She asked, smiling brightly.
I held up my hand to my face to examine her creativity. It was beautiful. She had somehow managed to tie it into a flower. I didn't know what kind of flower, but that didn't matter. It was so gorgeous. The flower had a yellow center and three layers of petals. The first layer was a pinkish peach, the middle layer was a gorgeous midnight blue, and the back layer was a violet purple.
"It's gorgeous..." I replied, still gazing at her creation.
"Glad you like it!"
"You know Selphie, when the time comes to take it off, I'm not going to want to!" I laughed.
"Of course you can! If you want to keep the flower, just cut here." She lifted the flowed to reveal a spot I could cut to keep the flower.
I smiled at her again. "Where did you learn to make it?" I asked, truly amazed.
"That's my little secret!"
There was a short pause before I spoke again.
"Selphie, I didn't try kill that traitor." I said.
"I know. I'm sorry for accusing you. I was just a little angry 'cause Seifer seems so fragile nowadays." Selphie replied as she put away the ointment.
"I don't know what you see in that bastard Selphie. What did he do to you?" My voice was raising slightly as the thought of someone being nice to that lap dog entered my mind.
"Quisty, he has a name. I'd appreciate it if you didn't call him 'bastard this' or 'lap dog that' or even 'traitor'. Well, Seifer's a really nice guy once you get to know him..."
I scuffed slightly. I didn't believe one word Selphie said. But I honestly wanted to know why she was so damn nice to that traitor. Then an idea popped into my head.
"Hey Selphie... you need help decorating the Quad for next week right?"
"Yes!" She beamed, probably thinking I was going to help her.
"Tomorrow, I have someone who will help you!" A devious smile formed on my face. [Seifer hates decorating jobs... he's bound to go berserk when he finds out he has to do this...]
"Really?! Who is it?" Selphie's eyes were beaming with delight.
"Can't tell you now. It's a secret." The grin grew wider. [Seifer Almasy, I'm gonna make your life here a living hell.]
* * * (Seifer)
(Wednesday)
"Seifer, since we cannot do any strenuous workout because of your current physical state, I want you to pull out all the weeds and remove any small rocks within this area." Quistis waved her hand around.
"What for?!" I asked angrily.
This was ridiculous! Why would Quistis make me pull the weeds from the field? And not to mention that it wasn't even Garden property. It was outside the Garden for hyne's sake! [She's probably just trying to get me back for ruining her reputation yesterday... that bitch.]
"As you know, Selphie's holding a costume party next Friday, and I'm sure some of the students will want to walk out of the Garden and into this field. I want to make it nice for them." She smiled innocently, but I could tell what was going on in her mind. 'This is payback.'
"Bitch." I swore a little too loudly.
"And Seifer, you should watch that language of yours. I wouldn't want you to influence the junior classmen." She continued to smile. Then she tossed me a pair of gardening gloves and a bag. "Use them."
Angrily, I grabbed the gloves and put them on. I continued cursing under my breath as I began to pull the fist weed out. [This is so pointless.] I turned back my head to face that ice bitch and noticed her hand bandaged. I smirked. [Probably wounded herself after our little 'incident']
"Instructor, what happened to your hand?" I pretended to sound as caring as possible.
"Seifer, did you have a change in heart? I never knew you cared for me that much!" She replied, mocking my tone.
"That hurts to hear Instructor. I've always cared for you." I clutched my shirt tightly over my heart as if her words had just hurt me.
"Strange... last time I recalled, you tried killing me." She smirked at me. She probably knew that every time I remembered of my past, it pained me. It pained me to know how much I suffered... and in the end, I got nothing in return.
I didn't reply and she turned her back at me. I saw her take out a beach umbrella. She opened it up and stuck it into the earth. Next she pulled out a white lawn chair - - the ones you could lie on - - and unfolded it under the umbrella. Afterwards, she assembled a small table and placed it beside the chair. She continued to pull out various items from the big bag she brought, until she was satisfied. After she was done, she fixed herself a glass of lemonade, and pulled out a book. I couldn't tell what book it was, nor did I care, but the sight of her relaxing like that pissed me off. She lie down on the chair and began reading.
"Bitch. Making me do all this crap. Guess it was worth it though, humiliating her like that." I chuckled slightly and continued pulling weeds off the ground.
* * *
It didn't seem long till my back was aching and the sun seemed like it was baking me. I didn't care anymore. I needed a break. I threw the bag full of weeds down and sat down, cross-legged. I pulled off my gloves that seemed to stick to me because of all the sweat. Next I used one of the gloves and used it as a fan. It didn't help much, but it was better than nothing.
"What are you doing?" Quistis asked looking up from her 'interesting' book.
"What does it look like to you?" I scoffed at her.
"By the looks of it, you seem to be taking a break." She put the book down on the table and took a sip of her lemonade. Watching her made me realize how thirsty I was. I wanted to run up there and just gulp down her drink.
"How did you guess?" Sarcasm dripped from my mouth.
Quistis looked up at the sky. "Well I suppose it's about time you took a break." She pulled out two water bottles from her bag. Here." She placed the two water bottles on the table.
Somewhat reluctant, I got from my position and began walking to her. Something seemed odd about this, she was probably planning something. As I stepped under the wonderful shade, I cautiously reached out the water bottles.
"I don't bite." She continued to smile at me. Maybe she had a change in heart and was being nice to me, or she was purposely doing this to make me paranoid. If it was the latter, it was working.
"What did you do to it?" I asked, referring to the water as I untwisted the cap.
"Can't I be nice once in a while?" She flutted her eyes at me. That made me more suspicious, but I drank the water anyway.
When I finished the first bottle, Quistis stood up and stepped towards me. I backed up. [She's up to something. I just know it.] She began unbuttoning her peach battle suit, which caused me to move further away from her. She continued to smile at me, and continued unbuttoning her top, very slowly.
[What the hell is she doing?!] I questioned myself, still feeling quite uneasy. Just as her third button came undone, a pink cloth could be seen. She quickly undid the rest and pulled off the jacket. She wore a pink tank top underneath.
She began laughing. "You... should have... seen the look on... your face!" She said in between giggles.
I gritted my teeth. [What a fukkin' bitch.] I swore. "I knew you weren't going to take off your clothes for me, after all, I'm not your precious puberty boy." I angrily grabbed the full water bottle and headed towards the field again. Quistis stopped laughing. [Only proves that you still love that puberty boy.] I smirked slightly. [You piss me off again, then I'm going to make you think of the things you cannot have. That'll show you.]
"Seifer, grab the bag and gloves and come back here." She said in her strict tone. My smirk grew. I had pissed her off.
I did so and walked back to her, still smirking. I could just imagine all the cursing she was doing in her head at me.
"You have 10 minutes to go to your dorm, shower, and change. Then you meet me in the Quad. Understand?" It was more of a statement than a question.
"Don't I get time to eat lunch?"
She ignored my comment and walked into the garden.
"If I don't eat I might become malnourished! Then how am I supposed to pull weeds?" I continued, as I jogged slightly to walk beside her. She stopped walking and glared at me.
"You get lunch if you deserve it. Besides, one little skipped meal will not make you malnourished." Without letting me say another word, she marched into the Garden.
* * *
I walked into the Quad to be greeted by Quistis. The Quad itself seemed like a mess! It looked like it was being decorated, but some things were being repaired at the same time. I looked around and saw Selphie busily trying to hammer something. [What the hell...? Quistis can't possibly want me to decorate! I hate decorating!]
"You're late." She began.
"What? I'm just on time!" I pointed to the clock on the wall.
Quistis flipped open her pocket watch and showed it to me. "You're exactly 23 seconds late. For that, you have to stay an extra hour. Now, I want you to help Selphie decorate this place. As you see, she cannot finish this on time by herself. Any questions?" She didn't let me answer before she headed to the door. "No? Okay, I'll be back occasionally to check up on you."
[Bitch. Bitch. Bitch.] I swore in my head as I watched her retreating figure. Angrily, I headed towards Selphie. I absolutely hated decorating. It just wasn't my style.
"Need a hand?" She looked up at me with her big, bright eyes.
"More like, need several hands." She smiled at me.
"All I can offer is two." I knelt down beside her and took the hammer from her hand. "So what are you trying to do here?"
"Some of the junior classmen were playing here and they broke the stage. I'm trying to fix it, but I don't know how. There's no way I can finish this on time." She plopped down on the ground, probably feeling quite hopeless.
"Why don't you ask people to help you?" I asked as I pulled the nails out of the board. She was doing this all wrong.
"I tried, I tried. But everyone seems to be busy. You know, sometimes it gets really annoying. I'm the only one who decorates for a party or something, and I'm the only one who cleans up to. Occasionally Quistis and Rinoa or even Zell and Irvine help me clean up once in a while. But I'm usually doing it all by myself. Sometimes I feel like I don't even want to do this anymore!" She threw a block of wood down at the ground angrily.
I wanted to cheer her up, but I didn't know how. I never did cheer anyone up before, nor did I care. But Selphie, she was the only other person other than Matron who believed I had changed. I never actually had a real family in my whole life, but now, whenever I was with Selphie, it seemed like she was my family. She was like a little sister to me. In a way, I couldn't believe it. I have only been here for about four days, and she already made me feel that way... maybe it's just her gift to make people happy...
"You can always ask me for help." I finally said, unaware of what I had led myself into.
"Really?!" Again, her big, bright eyes looked at me.
I nodded my head and began hammered the pieces together.
"You gotta promise!" She held out her pinky to me.
I sighed. [How childish] I thought, but looped my pinky with hers anyway. "I promise I'll help you whenever I can."
"Seifer, you're the best!" She jumped to hug me so suddenly, I fell back with her on top of me. She immediately got up and blushed slightly. "Oops." She said in a childish tone that made me want to ruffle her hair... but I didn't. "Thanks again." This time, she took her time to hug me. She gave me a tight hug, which seemed like she was tying to give me a bear hug.
"Don't sweat about it kiddo." This time I actually did ruffle her hair.
"Hey, hey! You messed up my hair!!" She pulled back from me and stuck out her lower lip at me like a little kid. After a short while, she began giggling. She caused me to chuckle slightly before I returned back to work.
* * * (Quistis)
I sat on the Instructor's chair in the classroom. [This used to be my classroom... and this used to be my chair...] I told myself as I thought back to my Instructing days. How I missed them so... I had practically begged Headmaster Cid for my Instructor's license after the Sorceress Wars, but he refused. Apparently, I didn't have the 'teaching skills' required for the job. What a load of bullshit. All of my students passed the SeeD exam... except for one. The one I hated most... the one I wish would just die... Seifer Almasy.
"Miss Trepe?" A meek voice called from the doorway.
I turned my head to face the intruder. She stood 5'4" tall, and had shoulder-lengthed black hair that was nicely layered. She wore a white sleeveless tee, with matching capris. On her feet, she wore an inch tall white sandals. Perched on her nose were a pair of reading glasses. She normally didn't wear them, but I thought she looked quite professional with them, and without them, she looked beautiful.
"Instructor Lee." I smiled at her.
"Call me Kianne, Miss Trepe. Kianne will just do." She smiled back at me. I stood up from the seat and Kianne took over.
"And I tell you to call me Quistis." I took a seat at a nearby student's desk.
"Alright, Quistis. How are you? And thanks for checking the written exams for me." She was just like Selphie. Everyone loved her. But somehow, every time I didn't see her, I hated her. Probably because Cid thought she was a better Instructor than myself.
"Not a problem at all!" I turned on the student's computer. Might as well check what they had on. "Haven't been doing to good lately."
"Oh? How come?" She took some papers out of her little bag. She grabbed a red pen from her desk and began marking the papers.
"Just... stuff..." I didn't want to tell her it was because of Seifer. I doubt she would know anything about it anyway.
"I heard you have been tutoring a student. Seifer Almasy? Is he, the Seifer Almasy?" She asked, not looking up from her desk.
"Unfortunately so." I clicked 'My Computer' and began exploring the student's hard drive. There were no games... [I can see that Kianne's a good Instructor... wish I could be too...]
"How is that going?"
"Terrible."
"Do you know if Headmaster Cid will give you back your Instructor's License if he passes the SeeD exam?"
"I'm not sure..." [Kianne doesn't seem to care that a traitor might make it to SeeD... then again, she didn't really know the guy...]
"I've never seen him in person, how's he like?" She said, completely changing the subject.
"Who?"
"Seifer Almasy." She flipped the first sheet of paper over and continued grading it.
"You wouldn't want to. It's best that you don't. He's a complete asshole. They shouldn't have let him returned." I turned off the computer.
"Well, I figured if Headmaster re-admitted him in, he can't be all bad. He's probably changed."
[Kianne... thinks just like Selphie, sometimes acts just like Selphie... makes me wonder if she IS Selphie...] "Up to you to judge I guess... just warning you though, you'd probably wish you never met him before." I stood up and headed towards the door.
"See you later..." She said, still marking.
"Bye..." I headed out the door.
I headed to the elevator, but was greeted by Squall, who had just came out from the elevator.
"Have you seen Kianne?" He asked, stopping.
"She's in the classroom." I pointed back to the room I had just left.
"Good. How are you doing with that lap dog?"
"So far manageable. I don't know how long I can last though."
"Just keep it up. We have to get him out. Make him do the most pointless things... he's bound to blow up soon."
"I'll try."
"Good. I know it's a heavy load for you Quistis, but it'll all be worth it." He patted me on the shoulder and headed towards the classroom.
I nearly smiled when he did that... but it just reminded me of my stupidity. [Quistis, you can never get him... so stop thinking that you can!] I mentally slapped myself and stepped into the elevator.
It wasn't long before I stood in front of the Quad doors. I was just about to walk in, when I heard Selphie giggling loudly.
"That looks so ugly!!" She laughed.
I pushed the doors open slightly to see what was going on. Seifer held a balloon with a weird picture drawn on it. I could tell it was supposed to be a rabbit or bunny, but it looked ridiculous.
"That hurts you know..." Seifer laughed along with her as he handed her the balloon. She gladly took it.
"Tank ywoo mister." She said in a childish voice.
"Does the little girl want another balloon?" Seifer asked, looking down at Selphie. He was about to reach for another balloon, but Selphie smacked his hand lightly.
"Hey! Stop wasting the balloons! We're not even supposed to blow them up until next week! You're gonna have to buy a new bag of balloons!" She grabbed the bag of balloons and hugged them protectively, while jumping away from Seifer.
"You should stop fooling around and get some work done... there's so much to do!" Seifer sat down and began hammering something.
"Me?" She pointed to herself. "You're the one who started it!" She took out a balloon and playfully threw it at Seifer's head.
Seifer stood up, pretending to look angry. "Oh that's it. You're gonna get it missy." He began chasing Selphie around as she shrieked with joy/horror/amusement.
I backed up slightly and let the doors close. [This wasn't punishing Seifer... he is actually enjoying it!] I clenched my fist together. [At this rate, Seifer's never gonna leave!]
I continued to back up till my back hit into the wall. [Maybe I can humiliate him with this tomorrow...]
* * * (Seifer)
(Thursday)
I entered classroom five minutes earlier than my little 'session' with my mediocre Instructor, just like she had told me to, late last night. I didn't ever expect her to call me, but she did. At midnight. She called me to tell me to meet her in the classroom the next morning. She probably did that on purpose, waking me up.
I stepped into the room to be greeted by Quistis' 'welcoming smile'. I knew something was up with her. I could just see the gears in her head rotating as she plotted something against me.
"Seifer, you're early for once." She continued to smile. She made me want to slap her or something to wipe that smile off. But I couldn't, nor would I.
"Just happy to see my 'favorite' Instructor." I stretched the word to let her know how sarcastic I was being.
"Aww, how touching." She pretended to wipe a tear from her eye. "So how was the decorating job yesterday?"
"And why does my 'favorite' Instructor care so much for her student all of a sudden?"
"You're 'favorite' Instructor has always cared for ALL her students."
"How forgetful I am! Of course my 'favorite' Instructor cares for ALL her students... that is... if ALL her students are named Squall, and act like Squall, and dress like Squall." I smirked at her. I knew I hit a sensitive spot. Her expression changed so drastically, it nearly made me laugh.
"You make it sound like your 'favorite' Instructor likes a certain person named Squall." She managed to hiss between her clenched teeth.
"I only speak of the truth. I say what I see." I continued to smirk. I knew it was pissing her off. [You can't win your little game... I'm always one step ahead of you...]
"I guess you need to check your vision again. It seems to be a bit blurry." She stood up to leave, but I blocked her path.
"According to you, then EVERYONE needs to get their eyes checked..."
She glared at me. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, I'm pretty sure you do, Instructor. I remember you always favoring a certain student... always giving him a little extra credit... and Instructor, I'm not the only one who can see it..." Quistis tried to walk around me, but I wouldn't let her pass. I was going to make her suffer... after what she's doing to me... I just had to.
"I did no such thing."
"You keep telling that to yourself Instructor... but everyone knows that you had a thing for Squall... and I know that you still have that thing for him."
"I DO NOT!!!" She screamed.
"Deny it all you want. But I know you love that puberty boy. Every time you see him, you want him. I know Instructor. I know you do. But you can dream on, 'cause he's never going to be yours. He would never be with someone like you... Rinoa has him wrapped around her finger... something you would never be able to do."
I was about to go on, but she slapped me in the face... really hard. My face stung a lot afterwards, but I only smirked. This was getting on her nerves, and I loved it.
"You're a mediocre Instructor, and ice bitch, cold-hearted..." Another slap. This time, it hurt even more.
"I do not have time for your... your... immature behavior!" She pushed me aside roughly, which nearly made me fall over. Next she stormed out of the room and into the elevator.
Near the doorway, I saw someone's blue duster flutter by. [Rinoa... she must have overheard everything...] A devious smile crept on my face. [This is going to be interesting.]
* * * (Rinoa)
I crept into a hidden area on the second floor, near the classroom. I crouched down and hugged my knees. I always had that strange feeling that Quistis might have liked Squall... but in front of my face, Quistis was so kind and nice to me... I never actually thought it might have been true. But now... now that I overheard her and Seifer talking... there's no doubt about it.
[Quistis... why did you have to lie to me...?] Tears fell from my face as the thought of my 'friend' loving my own boyfriend. In the corner of my eye, I saw a figure walking out of the classroom, most likely Seifer.
[Quistis... why did it have to be Squall...? Why couldn't you have fallen for someone else...? He's mine... and there's nothing that's gonna make me give him up. There's no way I can do that... I won't let you have him...]
* * * (Quistis)
I was pounding my fist into my desk yet again. My hand had just started to heal from last time, but now, I was going to make it bleed again. [Why did that bastard have to do that to me?!] I screamed in my head. I kept telling myself over and over again that Seifer was the one who I was mad at... but I knew, deep down, it wasn't him. It was myself... [Why do I love a person I can never have? I'm such a fool...] I stopped pounding into my desk. If I continued doing that, it would get me nowhere. It was completely pointless and useless.
I threw myself on my bed, face down. Tears began falling from my eyes. I never did cry often, it just wasn't my style. But I just felt like I had too. Absolutely had to.
[Why do you persist to love that man...? Why do you even bother to try?] I asked myself.
"Because he is the only one that keeps me going..." I whispered, but the voice in my head argued back.
[That is not true, deep down, you know you can never have him. You know that. That's why you're waiting for someone better to come along... but you feel like you don't have enough strength to wait for that someone, so you persist to clutch onto Squall...]
"There is no one for me."
* * * (Friday)
I walked into the cafeteria to be greeted by Seifer's smirking face. It pissed me off every time I saw that. But I kept my demeanor and just smiled at him.
"Good morning Seifer."
"Instructor, have you decided to feed me for once?"
"Unfortunately, not. Today is supposed to be a physical training day, but because of your current state, and what Dr. Kadowaki said, you shouldn't be doing anything too strenuous. Of course, that doesn't mean you can't clean up." I continued to smile.
His expression changed slightly, almost unnoticeable. But I knew he didn't want to clean up. And I was sure to make it hell for him... too bad I couldn't get him a toothbrush to do this...
"Since the cafeteria is closed because of personal reasons from the cafeteria lady, you will have the honor of cleaning this place up. First, you'll start with cleaning the windows until they are spotless. Next you will wipe the tables and chairs until they are spotless. Afterwards, you clean the walls, and lastly, you will scrub the floor. She said not to go into the kitchen, so that area is restricted. Over there," I pointed to the sidewall. "Are your cleaning tools. I will be checking up on your once in a while. You will only stop when you finish. Is that clear?"
"You can't possibly make me do this! This is..." I cut him off before he could finish.
"Oh, I can make you do this. And you will do this. As your Instructor, I have the power to." I continued to smile at him.
"This has nothing related to do with my SeeD exam!" He continued to argue.
"Oh it does, Mister Almasy. This shows clearly how well you listen to instructions, which you are doing quite poorly in. And it also stretches your muscles."
"Bitch." He muttered as he took off his trench coat and threw it onto one of the chairs.
"Mr. Almasy, didn't I tell you to watch that language of yours before?"
"The only reason you're doing this to me is because I stated the truth yesterday. You're getting back at me for telling you what your heart wants." He grabbed the window wipers and cleaning fluid.
"You don't know what my heart wants Almasy. For all you would care, it could be wanting you..." Realizing what I had just said, I quickly continued to cover up the mistake. "Of course, when that day happens, hell would have frozen over." I turned around and strode out the cafeteria, leaving Seifer behind with his string of curses to me.
I walked towards my dorm. [Might as well get some sleep while I have the chance to...]
* * *
My nap was rudely interrupted when a loud knock - - actually, more of a pounding - - came from the other side of my room.
"I'm coming, I'm coming." I groggily threw my covers off and opened the door. I was surprised to see Rinoa pounding at my door.
"Come, come!!" She shouted, pulling me from my room.
"What...?" I asked, in my leave-me-alone tone.
"You have gotta see this!" Rinoa began dragging me down the hallway. "It's so funny! I can't imagine him actually doing this!" I quickly grabbed my whip, just in case.
"Who? Doing what?" I was beginning to wake up completely.
"You'll see, come on!" She continued dragging me until we neared the cafeteria. There was a crowd surrounding the doorway. And then I snapped awake.
"Shit!" I shouted as I raced into the crowd. [Seifer... you had better not have gotten into a fight. Struggling through the crowd, I finally made it through the doors. Inside, the whole area was a mess. Chairs were thrown everywhere, the window wiper was broken and in pieces, and cleaning fluids were spilt everywhere. In the center of this whole mess were two men holding their gunblades tightly. "What the hell happened here?!" I tugged some of my hair. The cafeteria lady would not be happy with this if she found out.
"Miss Trepe!" A former male student of mine began. "Commander and a few students were walking here when one of the students started making fun of that traitor. I mean, he looked so ridiculous wiping those tables!"
"And then what happened?!" I grabbed his collar tightly. I hadn't meant to, but I was getting really frustrated at this.
"Uh... the traitor couldn't take this insults so he threw his own insults back. Commander got pissed off and attacked him... and that's how it started..." The boy managed to stumble out.
Just then, Rinoa managed to push through. "Isn't this exciting? MY Squally's gonna kick his sorry ass." She stretched the word 'my' so much it made me wonder if she knew I liked him.
"This has got to stop." I ran into the room, careful not to slip on any of the fluids.
"Go back to where you belong lap dog! To hell!" Squall shouted as he tried to slash Seifer with his Lion Heart. Seifer easily dodged it.
"Shut the fukk up Puberty boy." Seifer quickly thrashed his Hyperion forward, managing to give Squall a small slash on the chest. His leather jacket was cut through and a red streak of blood could be seen.
"STOP THIS AT ONCE!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. Neither of the two listened to me. Angrily, I cracked my whip in the middle of their fight, causing the to stop.
"Commander! This is no way you can behave yourself!" I scolded at Squall. He gave me a death glare and then stormed off. Rinoa probably followed him.
"And you..." I hissed, glaring at Seifer. "Clean up with whole damn mess."
Seifer opened his mouth to say something, but I wouldn't allow it.
"I don't want to hear another word from you. Just shut up. If you say another word, that's another hour of cleaning." Angrily, I turned around to the shocked students behind me. "Leave at once. This is none of your business!" I practically shouted. The students jumped slightly, but hurried off.
"I leave you here for an hour, and you turn this place into a total disaster..." I gave Seifer a disgusted look and stormed out myself. "This is pissing me off." I was heading towards Cid's office.
* * *
"Headmaster, I do not think I can handle this anymore!" I stormed past the doors. Xu wasn't at her desk, so I could easily do that.
"Handle what Quistis?" Cid turned around in his chair to face me.
"Tutoring that... that..."
"Seifer?" He would not let me curse him.
"Yes! I cannot go on with this anymore Headmaster! I'm sorry, but I just can't!" I shouted angrily, and I took a seat in front of him.
"Quistis... why not you think of this like a SeeD mission? You haven't had one lately..."
"Then consider it failed." I replied immediately. There was no way I can put up with him any longer.
"Quistis, you know that would go on your personal record..."
"I don't care. I can't stand this anymore!"
"Quistis please... if Seifer passes the SeeD exam, then that will get you one step closer to renewing your Instructor's License." Cid began to bargain.
[Why couldn't you just GIVE me my license? Then I probably would.] "I don't know sir... if I continue this, Seifer might be the death of me."
"Nonsense! You're the only one who can handle him. So it's set then? You're going to continue tutoring him and we'll consider giving your Instructor's License." Cid was seemingly talking to himself than to me.
I bit my lower lip. [If I don't accomplish this... Cid might never let me get my license back...] "I guess..."
"Very well then. You are dismissed Miss Trepe."
I saluted him and walked out of his office. [Quistis Trepe, what have you gotten yourself into?]
* * * (Seifer)
It seemed like I had been cleaning for the whole day. I had just started to wipe the tables when puberty boy had to 'show off' his skills. Of course, he was the one who got hurt. Then I had to re-clean everything because of the mess he left. And when I finished that, ice bitch told me she couldn't see her damn reflection on the tables, so I had to clean them again. And when I finished that... she 'accidentally' dripped ketchup on the floor while she ate her hotdog. Afterwards, when I had just put everything away, that mediocre Instructor decided to leave her handprint on some of the windows. It was all just a stressful cleaning day.
I wanted to get something to eat, since I didn't eat for the whole day thanks to Miss-I-love-puberty-boy, but I couldn't find any food. The cafeteria had none in the kitchen all the vending machines were sold out, and Balamb was too far to drive for me at the moment. I was too exhausted. Besides, the restaurants in Balamb would probably be closed. So now, I had to stick with crappy, instant noodles. I only had one package, it wasn't filling, but I guess they were better than nothing.
My hands looked gross too. Thanks to all the fluids I had to touch all day long, it looked like my skin was bubbling. It sickened me. However, the worst was having Miss Bitch insulting me the whole time I had been cleaning without allowing me to say one word back at her. I don't know how long I can last any more. The only reason I came back here was to be SeeD... and after that, I'm going to another Garden... this is hell for me.
I fell backwards unto my bed, just about to go to sleep, but my phone rang loudly beside me. I ignore it, hoping that the caller would just give up soon, but after the eighth right, I got fed up and answered it.
"What do you want?" I snarled into the phone.
"Seifer, go get me some drinks." The voice on the other line commanded. I knew who it was already.
"Instructor, I am not your personal slave."
"Seifer, I told you before, during the week you do whatever I say, regardless if we have session or not. It's 11:46pm so you still have to do what I say. Now be a good little student and go get me some drinks." She said sweetly. "Make sure it's enough for three people for the whole night." She added.
"There is none in the cafeteria, and the vending machines are sold out." I stated.
"Then go to Balamb and get some at the convenience store!" I heard giggling in the background.
I slammed the phone down and got up from my bed. I pulled on my jeans and grabbed a trench coat, not bothering to pull on a shirt. I took some money out of my wallet and headed straight out the door.
* * * (Selphie)
I sat in Quistis' room with herself and Rinoa. We had planned this little slumber party ages ago, but didn't find time to do it until now. Quistis and Rinoa were giggling like little schoolgirls, but I just sat cross-legged, and a little emotionless.
"That's so mean..." I finally spoke out after hearing Quistis' conversation with Seifer on the phone.
"But it's... so funny!" Rinoa wiped a tear from her eye.
"And not to mention he deserves it!" The two burst out into another fit of giggles.
"You know... he's human too... he's got feelings..."
Rinoa and Quistis both stopped laughing, almost simultaneously. "Selphie, when you say that... it ALMOST seems like... you know... that..." Rinoa began, bust Quistis finished.
"You like him..." Quistis said it more of a statement.
"In a way..." I began, and bit my lower lip. I was afraid my friends would shun me because of who I cared for.
"So you do?" Rinoa accused.
"No, no! Not THAT way. I mean, Seifer can be such a nice guy sometimes. He's actually really sensitive too... I like him as a brother... nothing more."
"Whatever." Rinoa said emotionless, then quickly changed the subject. "Hey! Let's play truth or dare!" She grinned mischeviously.
"Sure." Quistis replied.
"Fine."
"Okay, I'll start first... Quistis! Truth or dare?" Rinoa pointed a finger at Quistis.
"Uh... truth..."
"Do you like anyone?" Rinoa was still smiling. To me, it seemed like something was up with her, but I didn't care for it too much.
"I... I..." Quistis stuttered. "I... don't know."
"It's either a yes or a no."
"... yes then." It took Quistis almost eternity to say those two words.
Immediately Rinoa pounced on her. "Who is it?! Who is it?!"
"You only asked IF. Now it's my turn. Okay... Rinoa."
"Dare." She gave Quistis a look as if to say bring-it-on.
"Um... alright... I know! When Seifer comes here to bring our drinks, you'll give him the money back... BUT... in a very flirtacious way!" Quistis smiled slightly.
I couldn't believe this. First they make Seifer bring them their drinks, next they'll tease him. It seemed like it was just on time as there was a knock on the door. "That was fast..." I whispered to myself.
Rinoa grinned deviously as she opened the door. Seifer thrust two six packs to Rinoa. She quickly took them and placed them on the floor. Seifer was about to leave, but Rinoa pulled him back.
She tucked a few bills in his jeans. "Thanks... hot stuff." She winked at him.
He gave her a disgusted look and was about to leave again, but Rinoa threw some bills at his chest, which fluttered down to the ground. "That's tip for ya."
Seifer angrily stormed off, not bothering to pick up the money on the ground. Quistis and Rinoa burst out into laughter.
"I can't believe you two..." I said rudely as I bolted out the closing door towards Seifer. I had to jog a bit before I caught up to him.
"Seifer... are you okay?" I asked.
"Fine." He replied, in a strange monotone I wasn't used to hearing him say.
"Look, I'm sorry for what they did..." He cut me off.
"It's not your fault they did that." He slipped his cardkey into the slot and waited for the door to slide open.
"Seifer..." I began, unsure of what to say. The door slid open and Seifer stepped in, I was about to step in, but I thought it might be better if I didn't. "May I come in?"
"Suit yourself." Seifer flicked on the lights.
I walked in and was surprised to see a clean, organized room. It wasn't typical for males to have such a nice room. "It's so... clean."
"I like it that way." Seifer pulled the bills from his jeans and threw them on the desk.
"Seifer, you shouldn't take no crap from them." I jumped onto his bed. It was very soft and bouncy. It was a lot better than my own bed.
"You think I want to? Quistis is making my life a living hell..."
A michevious smile formed on my face. "I know exactly how to get her back."
Author's Note - okay.. hella. this was a frikkin' long chapter... and if you ask me... it seems a little boring too! . dammit... piece of... shiet... okay... okay... enough swearing... I guess it's up to you whether you thought this was boring or not... please tell me if you thought it was... but don't worry... I *think* better things will happen next chapter... I think it would be so much better than this one... but again, it's up to you to decide.
And I'm very sorry if there are lotsa mistakes/errors in this chapter... I would proof read it (I barely ever do) but I'm just too tired... I've been working on this chapter for far too long... it seems like forever!! Ack!! Okay, okay... well I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed and/or read this! Thanks again!
Hopefully next chapter would be up soon... but I doubt it... school will be starting soon for me again... ack... evilness!
Hotaru9 - First off, I'd like to thank you for reading and reviewing my other fic, "Wanted Love, Unwanted Person" and secondly, I'd like to thank you for your compliment. ^-^ I try my best to make it seem more realistic!
Quistis Almasy - I'd like to thank you also for reading and reviewing my other fic. And the reason Quistis seems so mean in this fic is 'cause, well, first she lost her Instructor's License 'cuz of Seifer, and second, she lost Squall to Rinoa. If I were in her position, I'd be so pissed off. That's why I try to make her seem a little meaner.
The Omega Weapon - I think Seifer is completely human like everyone else, and that he regrets a lot of things. Not only that, but he's a really sensitive guy, who just doesn't like showing his feelings. I try to make him seem realistic... I hope he does sound realistic! =)
Quistis88 - Like to thank you for reading/reviewing my other fic as well, really appreciate it! I usually like writing Seiftis' that don't have the typical clichés, and well, I figured someone's gonna break Seifer's façade and Selphie seemed like the most reasonable person to do so... despite the fact this is a Seiftis. But who said Quistis had to be the one to break it?
VegaKeep - I think you read my other fic as well (if my memory serves me correctly) so I'd like to thank you for that as well. And I'm glad you liked the brother/sister relationship between Seifer and Selphie. If you ask me, they seem more like siblings rather than couples... though I'm not saying that Selfers are bad... I don't know where I'm going with that anymore, so I'll just hush. ^-^
Satanic-Purple-Onion - I figured SOMEONE had to be nice to poor Seifer... I'd put myself there! But, being the kind (ya right!) author that I am, I decided not too... lol. And don't worry, I'm trying to get chapter 2 up soon! I'm trying my best!!
Jennifer - Hey! Glad to find out that you read this fic and my previous fic too! Ya, Selphie seems like a nice type of person... wish I could be her too!
Setobsessed - This isn't really a Rinoa/Squall/Quistis... actually, it's really weird and I'm not too sure myself either! . I'm a Seiftis fan too, and I only write Seiftis' or something dealing with Seiftis, I don't write Selfers, sry! Maybe one of these days, but this is definitely not going to be a Selfer...
Alrite, now that that is all done, why not we continued with the story? Last chapter left off with Quistis torturing poor Seifer with the physical training. Selphie comes along and finds out Seifer's wound opened again and is taking him to the Infirmary, but before he's there, he passes out! Oh no! My poor Seifer!! What's gonna happen to him?! Er... I meant... Quistis' poor Seifer... ^-^
I awoke with a blinding light shining into my eyes. I wanted to close my eyes, but something was going against my will. I could faintly hear voices, but I couldn't make it out what they were saying. The light pulled away and the force holding my eyes up was gone. My eyelid quickly closed with a little plop. I wanted to rub my eyes, but my arm wouldn't move, it felt like it weighed a ton. I tried opening my eyes again, but I felt too weary. I felt like I was going to drift off to that black void again, but someone plopped beside me and hit me on the arm. Suddenly I could hear voices again.
"Seifer, Seifer! Did you hear that?! Looks like you're not gonna die after all!" A high-pitched voice shrilled with joy. I could already tell who it belonged to.
"It's a pity." Another female voice muttered.
"Quistis! Don't be so rude! You nearly killed him!" The first voice spoke out again. The weight on my arm lifted off. I could just imagine the scenery already.
I would be in either another white room, or the same room I had ditched earlier. The one Selphie had decorated to her liking, but not mine. Quistis and Selphie would also be in the room, Selphie was the one sitting beside me and Quistis would be standing near the doorway, wanting to escape from hell. When the extra weight from my arm was gone, I knew Selphie had stood up and faced Quistis. Quistis would have a shocked expression, wondering why Selphie was defending a traitor such as myself. Next Quistis would open her mouth to defend herself, but Selphie would stop her.
"Look Quistis, I know you really don't like Seifer, but that doesn't give you the right to try kill him!" Selphie would then turn her head away from her friend.
"But I..." Quistis began, but found no other words coming out.
"Quisty... I thought you were the more sensible one... I didn't expect you would be like Squall and them..." Selphie accused.
The next thing I heard was a loud swoosh and the door slamming. No doubt Quistis would leave angrily. But before she exited the Infirmary, Dr. Kadowaki probably stopped her.
"Quistis, I told you Seifer would not be able to handle any strenuous and tedious work right after recovering. Now his wound has reopened. Take it easy on him. I'd advise no more physical training for the whole week."
"Yes, doctor." I could just imagine Quistis in her upright position as if taking orders from a commander. Then I heard the doors to the Infirmary open and close.
"Hey Seifer... come on, wake up! I don't like it when you're always hurt and not awake..." Selphie whimpered slightly while shaking me. I wanted to tell her to stop, but I couldn't open my eyes, nor open my mouth to speak.
"Selphie, maybe you should let him rest for a bit. He seemed awfully exhausted, and not the mention the exhaustion from the blood loss." Dr. Kadowaki said from what seemed like the doorway.
"I suppose you're right. But when he wakes up, be sure to call me okay?" I could hear the chair moving away from me.
"Don't worry, I will. Oh and Selphie, next time when you decide to decorate my room, please ask first, or at least tear it down when the patient leaves. It took me forever to tear down yesterday's decorating job. I'm just lucky I didn't get many patients today."
"Oh, I'm sorry! I will remember to do so next time!" I could just imagine the sheepish grin Selphie was giving Dr. Kadowaki.
It wasn't long after both had left my room when I started to feel sleepy and tired again.
* * * (Quistis)
I pounded my right fist into my desk angrily. I couldn't believe Selphie accused me of trying to kill Seifer. Of course I would be much happier if he were dead, but I wouldn't try to kill him! Besides, if I did try, he'd be dead. [Selphie, why the hell are you helping that bastard?!] I muttered a string of curses as I continued pounding at my desk. It wasn't long before a dent appeared on the desk, but that didn't bother me. In fact, I continued to punch against it to see how long it could withstand this abuse.
"Damn you Seifer!" I shouted angrily as I gave one last punch to the desk. I put so much force in this punch that the desk actually broke. I could feel the shards of wood piercing into my skin.
I gave out one loud sigh before I gingerly pulled my fist from the hole in the desk. I held it to my face and examined it. My knuckles were bleeding and pieces of wood stuck out from my fingers.
I plopped myself on my bed and began attempting to get the slivers out. But when I touched one of them, it pained me. I grabbed a shirt lying on my bed and rolled it up. I took a deep breath and put the shirt between my mouth and clenched onto it with my teeth tightly. I then proceeded to take the wood out. With a swift motion I grabbed and pulled the biggest one out first. I groaned in pain as the blood flowed out from the wound.
Taking another deep breath, I continued pulling them all out. After a long while, and a lot of pain, I finally managed to get them all out of my hand. My hand was all bloody, and some of the blood dripped onto my outfit and blanket. Ignoring the blood, I proceeded to the bathroom and carefully washed my wound. The water stung my hand terribly and I felt like I might die soon, but I somehow managed and slowly began bandaging my right hand.
After I finished bandaging it - - with a terrible job done with my left hand - - I grabbed my blanket and threw it into the washing machine. [I better get a new desk soon...] I told myself as grabbed another outfit and threw the blood stained one in the washer as well. [I should do some training to get my mind off that bastard.] I told myself while I exited my room
* * * (Seifer)
It didn't seem like I slept for long when I woke up again. I was surprised to see Matron stroking my hand, with her eyes closed and humming a familiar tune. My room was an empty, white room, similar to the one I had before, but I knew it wasn't because the window was located differently.
"Ma..." I tried to speak out, but felt my throat and mouth completely dry.
Matron immediately opened her eyes and smiled at me. She reached for the pitcher of water and poured some water for me. Next she helped me sit upright and handed me the glass. I greedily drank the water.
"Matron..." I whispered softly to her.
"How are you Seifer?" She began with the formalities.
"Still alive..." I turned my head away from her. I was ashamed of myself. I had only come back for two days and I had to lie in the Infirmary twice already.
"Of course you are my child." She smiled at me again. "I hope nobody's giving you are hard time here... right?" She seemingly asked me.
[Oh... if you only knew how much I sometimes wish I did die.] "Of course not." I lied. I never did like lying to Matron. She was like a mother to me, someone I could never have for myself. When I was younger, I had to share her with the others, and when I became her knight, she wasn't the mother I wanted nor the mother I remembered.
"Seifer..." She said calmly and stroked my head. "Remember when you were little? You always told me that you never wanted to see anyone sad... but here you are... looking so miserable."
"I don't remember." I lied again, still not able to find courage to look at her.
"And remember when you were little... when you lied to me or when you were ashamed of yourself, you'd always turn your head away from me?" She continued to stroke my head.
I wanted to turn to her and tell her I was sorry. Sorry for everything. Sorry for what I did, sorry for my very own existence, but I wouldn't. I wouldn't turn my head and look at her.
"Seifer, remember how I always hugged you tightly when you were scared or when you were angry? The other children never knew you could be scared because you'd always act angry and then come to me for comfort. You never let them see you scared. Do you remember that?" She continued.
"Look, Matron, I don't remember anything about my childhood, nor do I care! Why do you keep bringing it up?!" I finally turned my head to glare at her. I hated remembering my past. I didn't grow up as a happy kid, but I knew I was happier then, then I am now.
She looked un phased by my sudden outburst. She stopped stroking my head and looked me right into the eyes. "Seifer, you've grown so much... if your parents could see you now, they'd be so proud of you. I know I am."
"Proud?! What are you talking about Matron? Nobody would be proud to have a son as a traitor! A son who nearly destroyed this damn world! Nobody would want a bastard son like myself! No one would care for a lap dog! In fact, they'd probably be much happier if I were to burn in hell!" I screamed out angrily.
"Seifer, everyone has their faults... but look at you... I know you feel guilty for your actions, I know you wish to change. I know you want to change everything you did. I know you regret it... and for that, I'm so proud of you." She stretched her arms out as if asking for a hug. I remember she used to do that when I was little. I'd always feel so safe and protected when she hugged me. that's why I wanted to protect her when I grew up.
"Matron, I don't deserve your pity." I answered quite rudely, immediately I wanted to take those words back.
Matron was a little shocked as she moved back slightly. She lowered her arms and continued talking to me.
"Seifer, it wasn't your fault. You didn't mean to do it..."
"It was my fault! I was the one who decided to serve you... and the sorceress. I was the one who chose that path! My cruel destiny." I looked up at the ceiling and bit my tongue. I could feel my eyes were getting a little moist. I didn't want to cry. I would not cry. I wouldn't let myself. That would just show my weakness...
"That was not your destiny. If it were, you wouldn't be here. Seifer, you have a greater life destined for you... you may not feel it now, but I know you do."
"A greater life destined for me? That's for sure! I'm to die in agonizing pain." I lowered my head as I felt the moistness from my eyes burn away.
"Things are not what they seem."
"Whatever."
There was an odd silence that followed. It seemed to last for eternity, which bothered me a lot. I hated the feeling of isolation. I absolutely hated it.
"Where's Fujin and Raijin?" Matron finally spoke out again.
"Near Esthar."
"In that nearly built town?"
"Yes."
"What are they doing there?" She continued to ask.
"They opened a private military school." I paused for a moment and continued, I knew Matron would continued asking me questions. "They want to help young children to be able to defend for themselves."
"That's very thoughtful of them. I was wondering where they were when you came without them." There was another odd silence after she spoke. I felt a little uneasy and I knew Matron would ask me about yesterday's incident soon.
"I didn't try to kill her." I finally said.
"Kill who?" She asked.
[Don't play dumb.] "Rinoa."
"I know you didn't. You wouldn't want to."
[What does that mean?] I didn't answer her, but it seemed as if she read my mind.
"It's okay to still love someone, even if they don't love you."
"I don't know what you're talking about." I lied again.
"Rinoa's a very nice and pretty girl. Many boys your age want her. I know."
"Matron, are you trying to imply that I like Rinoa?" I asked quite disgusted myself. But I knew it was true. I knew I still liked Rinoa, despite the fact she was the one who tried to kill me. And despite the fact that she loves that puberty boy. [I don't even know what she sees in him. I thought... I was better...]
"No, I'm not implying that, I know you do."
"Well I don't."
"Seifer, have you ever thought about getting to know someone better??"
"I don't need anyone. I am perfectly happy being by myself. I don't need or want anyone else to ruin my 'perfect' life." I said with such sarcasm that made me wonder if I was for real.
"I've seen that you've been talking to Selphie more often nowadays..." I cut her off. "Selphie's more of a little sister to me."
"I never said anything about you needing a girlfriend. I was just saying maybe you just need someone close to you. To talk to, or maybe even care for. It doesn't necessarily have to be a girlfriend. It could be a little brother/sister relationship."
"I don't need anyone."
"Why not...?" She finally asked the question that I knew was plaguing her.
"Because I don't want anyone else to suffer with me!" I got up from the bed and stood up. I didn't want to be here anymore. I hated being in the Infirmary. It only meant that you were weak.
Without letting her say anything else, I quickly exited the Infirmary, thankfully Dr. Kadowaki must have stepped out for a moment, or else she would have stopped me. I practically jogged my way to my dorm in order to avoid talking to Matron anymore.
Once I got into my room, I took off my dirty jeans and pulled on another pair of jeans. I slipped on a black tee shirt on my bare, bandaged chest. Over top, I put on my treasured trench coat. The weight of it on my shoulders made me smile. How I missed wearing it. I slicked my hair back the way it was yesterday and headed towards the Training Center.
I held my gunblade tightly as I walked through the grassy area. I didn't plan to fight any monsters, I just wanted to head to the Secret Area... the place I always went to sort out my thoughts. Fortunately, I didn't encounter any monsters on my way there. As I stepped into the clearing, memories came back to me.
I remembered the last time I came here. It was just before Puberty boy and those others were assigned to aid the Forest Owls. It was night and the dark black sky seemed to spell danger. I came here to look at the sky and tell the stars of my dream.
"One day, I'm gonna be a knight. And when that day comes, I'm gonna win back Rinoa." I recalled myself saying.
I felt a little weak when I remembered myself saying that. I could never win Rinoa back. I didn't become the knight I had always dreamed of being. All of it was useless.
"Seifer!" Someone gasped.
It brought me back to reality. I turned my head to face whoever spoke of a traitor's name. I nearly smiled when I saw the angel standing there, with her hair and blue duster flowing behind her like an angelic dream. I could picture her when I first saw her standing in the field of flowers. The wind blowing softly, making her seem like she was flowing. She turned her head and smiled at me. Only now, she would never do the same.
"Rinoa." I said emotionlessly, acknowledging her presence.
* * * (Quistis)
I wiped the sweat on my forehead as the twentieth beast fell from my vicious whip. I still hadn't gotten Seifer out of my mind as every monster I saw, I would replace the image with him and begin killing it like crazy. Every time I the beast fell, I would see Seifer falling. Strange thing was, every time he fell, I could see remorse in his eyes. It made me feel a little odd, which made me angrier, which then caused me to kill more monsters.
Feeling a little exhausted, I headed towards the Secret Area. I remember when I had talked to Squall here the last time I was here.
"Go talk to a wall."
I would remember those words forever. It pained me more than death itself whenever I remember those words. [What does Rinoa have that I don't?] I would always ask myself.
I could feel tears building up my eyes. So I began running towards the Secret Area, as I neared, I saw Rinoa there, it looked like she was talking to someone, and so I quickly hid myself in between some nearby bushes.
"Seifer." I heard her gasp.
"Rinoa." A deep male voice replied. No doubt it was Seifer's.
"What are you still doing here?!" I could hear someone's feet shuffling. It was probably Rinoa backing up.
"I'm not gonna leave that easily Rinoa. Someone's gonna see through your lies one of these days."
My eyes widened in shock. [What did he mean?] Carefully, I pushed myself up so I could see the two. Seifer held his gunblade, but not in his usual fashion. It looked like his arm was too weak to hold onto such a heavy thing. Rinoa, on the other hand held her Shooting Star tightly and she was edging towards the exit.
"Seifer, don't you see? You don't belong here!"
"Neither do you."
"Seifer... I just... we... we weren't meant to be." Rinoa finally loosed her grip on her weapon. Seifer just looked at the setting sun. He let go of his gunblade and it slid and sat against the wall. "Seifer... we just weren't."
"You and I both know that I didn't try to kill you. You lied Rinoa. You lied to me. It wasn't the first time either..." I could hear him mumbling the last bit.
"It's because you don't belong here Seifer. I don't want you to get hurt..." She began, but Seifer cut her off.
"You don't want me to get hurt so you try to kill me?" He didn't bother looking at her.
"I... didn't... I ... you wouldn't have been killed anyway... Seifer, why do you persist to come here? Nobody wants you here! It's better if you're not here, for yourself and everyone else." She took a step towards Seifer.
"I came to Balamb Garden for a reason, and I'm not leaving till I'm done..."
"To be SeeD." Rinoa finished. "You can't make it to SeeD. You just can't. And if you somehow miraculously did, Squall will see to it that you don't."
"That's not what you first said when I told you I wanted to be SeeD." Seifer still didn't bother to look at her.
"That was different. We were something then... but now... we aren't." [So Seifer and Rinoa DID go out before...]
"Rinoa, I'm not gonna leave here just because you told me to."
"You would have before..." I heard her mumbling.
"Like you said, we were something before... but now... we aren't.." Seifer didn't seem to care about a damn thing she said. [Seifer must have really loved Rinoa then...]
"I'm sorry Seifer! It's just we weren't meant to be! I'm happier with Squall! I'm sorry, but that's just the truth!" Rinoa shouted at Seifer's back and then ran out of the Training Center.
"I was happier with you..." He whispered to the sky. "What does he have that I don't?"
I bit my lower lip. Seifer is just like me. He couldn't give up Rinoa. Just like I can't give up Squall. I slumped down to sit and think, but it proved to be a bad mistake as the bushes rustled, causing Seifer to turn around.
"Who's there?" he asked angrily. I tried to sink lower to the ground to avoid being seen, but Seifer pulled the bushes apart with his gunblade.
"Instructor." He said emotionless. There was an odd silence as I didn't know what do or say and he probably didn't know what to do as I had just overheard his deepest thoughts.
He broke the silence by swiftly turning around and storming out of the Training Center. I continued to sit there thinking about what I had just overheard. [Rinoa tried to kill Seifer, and lied about it. Seifer still likes Rinoa, so he wouldn't have killed her anyway. Rinoa likes Squall and Squall likes Rinoa.]
"Why won't he love me?" I whispered to no one in particular as a single tear slid down my cheek.
* * * (Seifer)
(Tuesday)
I entered the library to be greeted by Quistis' firm posture. Her back was turned to me, and it looked like she was reading a book. If I had been in the mood, I probably would have been looking at her ass, but after what happened yesterday, I didn't want to think about anything at the moment. I turned my head to look at the clock. 8:00. Right on time.
I cleared my throat, which caught her attention. She abruptedly turned around and motioned me to sit. I sat down and smirked at her. I was not going to let her have an easy time after hearing what I had said in the Secret Area yesterday. She gave me an odd look as if trying to say 'What the hell are you smirking about?'
"So Instructor, do like lying on the ground or something?" I would not and could not let my pride go like that. She gave me another expression as if to ask 'What?' "In the Secret Area Instructor. You were lying on the ground as if you were enjoying it." I smirked again.
"Seifer!" She scolded as a few students turned their heads in our direction.
"I'm only stating the truth. That's what I saw. I saw you lying on the ground and enjoying it." I continued to smirk. The few students began whispering among themselves. Quistis looked at me with disbelief.
"I never knew the Seifer Almasy nearly bawled like that." She tried to counter.
"Please Instructor, don't use my name to refer to yourself. I bet you were thinking of that puberty boy when you were lying on the ground." More whispers from the students.
"I do no such thing!" She glared at me.
"Please Instructor, stop denying it. I saw you with my own eyes. Besides, it's normal to do something like that." My smirk grew wider. I knew she wanted to smack me I the face, but wouldn't dare with so many students around. The murmurs from the students grew louder, which pissed Quistis a lot.
"Mind your own business!" She screamed at the other students. They hurried to scurry off, afraid of Quistis' wrath. She reached the collar of my shirt and pulled me up to her face. "Shut up you fukkin' lap dog. I didn't do anything like that. You're the one who's crying over Rinoa. It's a no wonder she chose Squall over you." She spat the words out at me like venom.
"Instructor! We're in public here! If you wanted me so badly, we could have went somewhere more private." I spoke out loud. The other students turned to face us again. Their expressions were priceless! Each of them had their eyes wide open and bulging out as the saw the position Quistis and I were in. She was leaning into me in a very suggestive way and it looked like she tried kissing me. I smirked again. This was getting even better than I thought it would be.
Quistis looked unimpressed. She whipped her head around and glared at the students, they all quickly turned around and minded their own businesses as they were afraid of this vicious bitch. She let go of my collar and grabbed some books on the shelf and threw them on my table.
"Read all of them and give me a five page essay on each. You'll hand them in, in three hours." Without letting me say another snide remark, she marched out of the library. Once she was out, the students began whispering again.
I looked at the seven books on my table. They were huge and looked like they had 1000 pages with size 8 font for each. I grabbed the nearest book and read the title. 'Your Complete Guide to Guardian Forces' [This is gonna be a piece of cake.]
* * * (Selphie)
I stood at the front gates waving Irvine and Zell off. Apparently there were vicious murders near Galbadia Garden, which made them really tense. Zell and Irvine were to 'investigate' the situation. I think they were more likely to solve this little mystery.
"Good luck!!" I yelled at them. Zell was waving vigorously at me, all the while smiling. Irvine was also waving vigorously, but he wore a frown. "Come back with all the good news!" I shouted again.
"Bye Selph! Take care of yourself! And remember to save me some hotdogs when I come back!!" Zell shouted back to me. I couldn't help but laugh.
Once they were had disappeared into the sky, I turned around and hopped to the cafeteria. [After I grab something to eat, I better start decorating the Quad for the Costume Party next week!] As I entered the Cafeteria, I saw Quistis sitting at our usual table. She looked very angry and seemed like she was muttering a string of curses.
"Hey Quisty!" I bounced to her table. She didn't even look up at me. Frowning slightly, I sat across from her. "What's wrong?"
"Damn bastard! He should just fukkin' rot in damn hell." She swore.
I was a little shocked to her Quistis say that. Never have I heard her swear like that before. "Who are you talking about?" I asked, curiously.
"That fukkin' damn lap dog!" She cursed loudly. The cafeteria lady turned her attention to us and pressed her finger against her lips, to tell us to be quiet. I knew Quistis meant Seifer. I frowned a little more.
"What did he do?"
"For existing!" She hissed.
"Seifer's not all bad... when you get to know him better..." I mumbled, loud enough for Quistis to hear. But it turned out to be a bad idea.
"That lap dog is the fukkin' devil himself!" She shouted and slammed her right fist into the table. She winced slightly, but stormed out of the cafeteria right after.
I followed her with my gaze. As she angrily left the cafeteria, a trio of students entered. They were talking quite loudly so that everyone could hear them.
"I wonder why she's so mad..." The blonde asked.
"It's probably because Seifer rejected her." The brunette replied matter-of-factly.
"What?" the blonde asked.
"Didn't you hear?" The shorter blonde said. "Apparently Quistis was trying to do it with Seifer!"
"Wow! Really?!" the blonde one asked, with her eyes wide open.
"Trying? I heard they were actually doing it! In the library! On the table!" The brunette stated.
"No, no! Quistis wanted to, but Seifer rejected her!" The shorter blonde said again. [No wonder Quistis is so mad... Seifer probably said something to make everyone think like that... strange how rumors spread so fast and change so much.] I thought as I got up from the table and walked up to the three.
"Look, Quistis isn't that type to just 'DO IT'. And I know Seifer wouldn't just do it either! Especially in the library! Stop spreading these stupid rumors when they aren't true!" I pushed them apart and walked out of the cafeteria, heading towards Quistis' dorm. [I hope she's alright.]
* * * (Quistis)
I pounded my fist into my desk for the tenth time. The desk broke yet again, creating another hole. My fist was bleeding but I didn't care, I continued to pound the desk.
"Stupid mother fukkin' lap dog. You'll pay for this. I'll make sure your life becomes a living hell!" I cursed.
After that, I stopped pounding into the poor desk and rested both my fists on the unbroken parts of the desk, to hold up my weight. A few tears slid down my eyes as my breathing became uneven.
"Why... why... why do I live in such hell?!" I muttered to myself as the tears began forming a little puddle on my desk. "I hate my life..."
I used my left hand - - the un bloodied hand - - to wipe my tears away. Then I raised my right fist and examined it. There were less chips of wood pierced into my skin, but there was more blood. Probably because the cuts from yesterday reopened. I was about to pull the pieces out when someone tapped on my door.
"Quisty?" It sounded like a frightened little girl, but I knew who it was. There was only one person who called me Quisty. "It's me Selphie. Can I come in?"
I hesitated a bit before I pressed the open button beside the doorframe. The door slid open revealing Selphie. She stepped in and pressed the close button.
"Quisty! Are you okay?" She gingerly held my bloodied fist up. I quickly pulled away.
"Nothing I can't handle." I walked to the bathroom and proceeded to pull to chips out. It didn't seem as painful as yesterday. "What do you want?" I asked quite rudely.
"I was just wondering how you were doing..." Selphie pulled me out of the bathroom. I reluctantly followed and sat on the bed beside her. She immediately pulled out any chips still in and dabbed my hand with some ointment. I clenched my teeth in pain.
Then she proceeded to bandage my hand. "Maybe I should get you a metal desk." She joked and smiled at me. I couldn't help but smile back. When she was done bandaging it, the back of my hand was tied up into a bundle. [That's worse than me doing it...] I thought, but Selphie continued to dab it with some coloring. When she was done, I was amazed.
"So how do you like it?" She asked, smiling brightly.
I held up my hand to my face to examine her creativity. It was beautiful. She had somehow managed to tie it into a flower. I didn't know what kind of flower, but that didn't matter. It was so gorgeous. The flower had a yellow center and three layers of petals. The first layer was a pinkish peach, the middle layer was a gorgeous midnight blue, and the back layer was a violet purple.
"It's gorgeous..." I replied, still gazing at her creation.
"Glad you like it!"
"You know Selphie, when the time comes to take it off, I'm not going to want to!" I laughed.
"Of course you can! If you want to keep the flower, just cut here." She lifted the flowed to reveal a spot I could cut to keep the flower.
I smiled at her again. "Where did you learn to make it?" I asked, truly amazed.
"That's my little secret!"
There was a short pause before I spoke again.
"Selphie, I didn't try kill that traitor." I said.
"I know. I'm sorry for accusing you. I was just a little angry 'cause Seifer seems so fragile nowadays." Selphie replied as she put away the ointment.
"I don't know what you see in that bastard Selphie. What did he do to you?" My voice was raising slightly as the thought of someone being nice to that lap dog entered my mind.
"Quisty, he has a name. I'd appreciate it if you didn't call him 'bastard this' or 'lap dog that' or even 'traitor'. Well, Seifer's a really nice guy once you get to know him..."
I scuffed slightly. I didn't believe one word Selphie said. But I honestly wanted to know why she was so damn nice to that traitor. Then an idea popped into my head.
"Hey Selphie... you need help decorating the Quad for next week right?"
"Yes!" She beamed, probably thinking I was going to help her.
"Tomorrow, I have someone who will help you!" A devious smile formed on my face. [Seifer hates decorating jobs... he's bound to go berserk when he finds out he has to do this...]
"Really?! Who is it?" Selphie's eyes were beaming with delight.
"Can't tell you now. It's a secret." The grin grew wider. [Seifer Almasy, I'm gonna make your life here a living hell.]
* * * (Seifer)
(Wednesday)
"Seifer, since we cannot do any strenuous workout because of your current physical state, I want you to pull out all the weeds and remove any small rocks within this area." Quistis waved her hand around.
"What for?!" I asked angrily.
This was ridiculous! Why would Quistis make me pull the weeds from the field? And not to mention that it wasn't even Garden property. It was outside the Garden for hyne's sake! [She's probably just trying to get me back for ruining her reputation yesterday... that bitch.]
"As you know, Selphie's holding a costume party next Friday, and I'm sure some of the students will want to walk out of the Garden and into this field. I want to make it nice for them." She smiled innocently, but I could tell what was going on in her mind. 'This is payback.'
"Bitch." I swore a little too loudly.
"And Seifer, you should watch that language of yours. I wouldn't want you to influence the junior classmen." She continued to smile. Then she tossed me a pair of gardening gloves and a bag. "Use them."
Angrily, I grabbed the gloves and put them on. I continued cursing under my breath as I began to pull the fist weed out. [This is so pointless.] I turned back my head to face that ice bitch and noticed her hand bandaged. I smirked. [Probably wounded herself after our little 'incident']
"Instructor, what happened to your hand?" I pretended to sound as caring as possible.
"Seifer, did you have a change in heart? I never knew you cared for me that much!" She replied, mocking my tone.
"That hurts to hear Instructor. I've always cared for you." I clutched my shirt tightly over my heart as if her words had just hurt me.
"Strange... last time I recalled, you tried killing me." She smirked at me. She probably knew that every time I remembered of my past, it pained me. It pained me to know how much I suffered... and in the end, I got nothing in return.
I didn't reply and she turned her back at me. I saw her take out a beach umbrella. She opened it up and stuck it into the earth. Next she pulled out a white lawn chair - - the ones you could lie on - - and unfolded it under the umbrella. Afterwards, she assembled a small table and placed it beside the chair. She continued to pull out various items from the big bag she brought, until she was satisfied. After she was done, she fixed herself a glass of lemonade, and pulled out a book. I couldn't tell what book it was, nor did I care, but the sight of her relaxing like that pissed me off. She lie down on the chair and began reading.
"Bitch. Making me do all this crap. Guess it was worth it though, humiliating her like that." I chuckled slightly and continued pulling weeds off the ground.
* * *
It didn't seem long till my back was aching and the sun seemed like it was baking me. I didn't care anymore. I needed a break. I threw the bag full of weeds down and sat down, cross-legged. I pulled off my gloves that seemed to stick to me because of all the sweat. Next I used one of the gloves and used it as a fan. It didn't help much, but it was better than nothing.
"What are you doing?" Quistis asked looking up from her 'interesting' book.
"What does it look like to you?" I scoffed at her.
"By the looks of it, you seem to be taking a break." She put the book down on the table and took a sip of her lemonade. Watching her made me realize how thirsty I was. I wanted to run up there and just gulp down her drink.
"How did you guess?" Sarcasm dripped from my mouth.
Quistis looked up at the sky. "Well I suppose it's about time you took a break." She pulled out two water bottles from her bag. Here." She placed the two water bottles on the table.
Somewhat reluctant, I got from my position and began walking to her. Something seemed odd about this, she was probably planning something. As I stepped under the wonderful shade, I cautiously reached out the water bottles.
"I don't bite." She continued to smile at me. Maybe she had a change in heart and was being nice to me, or she was purposely doing this to make me paranoid. If it was the latter, it was working.
"What did you do to it?" I asked, referring to the water as I untwisted the cap.
"Can't I be nice once in a while?" She flutted her eyes at me. That made me more suspicious, but I drank the water anyway.
When I finished the first bottle, Quistis stood up and stepped towards me. I backed up. [She's up to something. I just know it.] She began unbuttoning her peach battle suit, which caused me to move further away from her. She continued to smile at me, and continued unbuttoning her top, very slowly.
[What the hell is she doing?!] I questioned myself, still feeling quite uneasy. Just as her third button came undone, a pink cloth could be seen. She quickly undid the rest and pulled off the jacket. She wore a pink tank top underneath.
She began laughing. "You... should have... seen the look on... your face!" She said in between giggles.
I gritted my teeth. [What a fukkin' bitch.] I swore. "I knew you weren't going to take off your clothes for me, after all, I'm not your precious puberty boy." I angrily grabbed the full water bottle and headed towards the field again. Quistis stopped laughing. [Only proves that you still love that puberty boy.] I smirked slightly. [You piss me off again, then I'm going to make you think of the things you cannot have. That'll show you.]
"Seifer, grab the bag and gloves and come back here." She said in her strict tone. My smirk grew. I had pissed her off.
I did so and walked back to her, still smirking. I could just imagine all the cursing she was doing in her head at me.
"You have 10 minutes to go to your dorm, shower, and change. Then you meet me in the Quad. Understand?" It was more of a statement than a question.
"Don't I get time to eat lunch?"
She ignored my comment and walked into the garden.
"If I don't eat I might become malnourished! Then how am I supposed to pull weeds?" I continued, as I jogged slightly to walk beside her. She stopped walking and glared at me.
"You get lunch if you deserve it. Besides, one little skipped meal will not make you malnourished." Without letting me say another word, she marched into the Garden.
* * *
I walked into the Quad to be greeted by Quistis. The Quad itself seemed like a mess! It looked like it was being decorated, but some things were being repaired at the same time. I looked around and saw Selphie busily trying to hammer something. [What the hell...? Quistis can't possibly want me to decorate! I hate decorating!]
"You're late." She began.
"What? I'm just on time!" I pointed to the clock on the wall.
Quistis flipped open her pocket watch and showed it to me. "You're exactly 23 seconds late. For that, you have to stay an extra hour. Now, I want you to help Selphie decorate this place. As you see, she cannot finish this on time by herself. Any questions?" She didn't let me answer before she headed to the door. "No? Okay, I'll be back occasionally to check up on you."
[Bitch. Bitch. Bitch.] I swore in my head as I watched her retreating figure. Angrily, I headed towards Selphie. I absolutely hated decorating. It just wasn't my style.
"Need a hand?" She looked up at me with her big, bright eyes.
"More like, need several hands." She smiled at me.
"All I can offer is two." I knelt down beside her and took the hammer from her hand. "So what are you trying to do here?"
"Some of the junior classmen were playing here and they broke the stage. I'm trying to fix it, but I don't know how. There's no way I can finish this on time." She plopped down on the ground, probably feeling quite hopeless.
"Why don't you ask people to help you?" I asked as I pulled the nails out of the board. She was doing this all wrong.
"I tried, I tried. But everyone seems to be busy. You know, sometimes it gets really annoying. I'm the only one who decorates for a party or something, and I'm the only one who cleans up to. Occasionally Quistis and Rinoa or even Zell and Irvine help me clean up once in a while. But I'm usually doing it all by myself. Sometimes I feel like I don't even want to do this anymore!" She threw a block of wood down at the ground angrily.
I wanted to cheer her up, but I didn't know how. I never did cheer anyone up before, nor did I care. But Selphie, she was the only other person other than Matron who believed I had changed. I never actually had a real family in my whole life, but now, whenever I was with Selphie, it seemed like she was my family. She was like a little sister to me. In a way, I couldn't believe it. I have only been here for about four days, and she already made me feel that way... maybe it's just her gift to make people happy...
"You can always ask me for help." I finally said, unaware of what I had led myself into.
"Really?!" Again, her big, bright eyes looked at me.
I nodded my head and began hammered the pieces together.
"You gotta promise!" She held out her pinky to me.
I sighed. [How childish] I thought, but looped my pinky with hers anyway. "I promise I'll help you whenever I can."
"Seifer, you're the best!" She jumped to hug me so suddenly, I fell back with her on top of me. She immediately got up and blushed slightly. "Oops." She said in a childish tone that made me want to ruffle her hair... but I didn't. "Thanks again." This time, she took her time to hug me. She gave me a tight hug, which seemed like she was tying to give me a bear hug.
"Don't sweat about it kiddo." This time I actually did ruffle her hair.
"Hey, hey! You messed up my hair!!" She pulled back from me and stuck out her lower lip at me like a little kid. After a short while, she began giggling. She caused me to chuckle slightly before I returned back to work.
* * * (Quistis)
I sat on the Instructor's chair in the classroom. [This used to be my classroom... and this used to be my chair...] I told myself as I thought back to my Instructing days. How I missed them so... I had practically begged Headmaster Cid for my Instructor's license after the Sorceress Wars, but he refused. Apparently, I didn't have the 'teaching skills' required for the job. What a load of bullshit. All of my students passed the SeeD exam... except for one. The one I hated most... the one I wish would just die... Seifer Almasy.
"Miss Trepe?" A meek voice called from the doorway.
I turned my head to face the intruder. She stood 5'4" tall, and had shoulder-lengthed black hair that was nicely layered. She wore a white sleeveless tee, with matching capris. On her feet, she wore an inch tall white sandals. Perched on her nose were a pair of reading glasses. She normally didn't wear them, but I thought she looked quite professional with them, and without them, she looked beautiful.
"Instructor Lee." I smiled at her.
"Call me Kianne, Miss Trepe. Kianne will just do." She smiled back at me. I stood up from the seat and Kianne took over.
"And I tell you to call me Quistis." I took a seat at a nearby student's desk.
"Alright, Quistis. How are you? And thanks for checking the written exams for me." She was just like Selphie. Everyone loved her. But somehow, every time I didn't see her, I hated her. Probably because Cid thought she was a better Instructor than myself.
"Not a problem at all!" I turned on the student's computer. Might as well check what they had on. "Haven't been doing to good lately."
"Oh? How come?" She took some papers out of her little bag. She grabbed a red pen from her desk and began marking the papers.
"Just... stuff..." I didn't want to tell her it was because of Seifer. I doubt she would know anything about it anyway.
"I heard you have been tutoring a student. Seifer Almasy? Is he, the Seifer Almasy?" She asked, not looking up from her desk.
"Unfortunately so." I clicked 'My Computer' and began exploring the student's hard drive. There were no games... [I can see that Kianne's a good Instructor... wish I could be too...]
"How is that going?"
"Terrible."
"Do you know if Headmaster Cid will give you back your Instructor's License if he passes the SeeD exam?"
"I'm not sure..." [Kianne doesn't seem to care that a traitor might make it to SeeD... then again, she didn't really know the guy...]
"I've never seen him in person, how's he like?" She said, completely changing the subject.
"Who?"
"Seifer Almasy." She flipped the first sheet of paper over and continued grading it.
"You wouldn't want to. It's best that you don't. He's a complete asshole. They shouldn't have let him returned." I turned off the computer.
"Well, I figured if Headmaster re-admitted him in, he can't be all bad. He's probably changed."
[Kianne... thinks just like Selphie, sometimes acts just like Selphie... makes me wonder if she IS Selphie...] "Up to you to judge I guess... just warning you though, you'd probably wish you never met him before." I stood up and headed towards the door.
"See you later..." She said, still marking.
"Bye..." I headed out the door.
I headed to the elevator, but was greeted by Squall, who had just came out from the elevator.
"Have you seen Kianne?" He asked, stopping.
"She's in the classroom." I pointed back to the room I had just left.
"Good. How are you doing with that lap dog?"
"So far manageable. I don't know how long I can last though."
"Just keep it up. We have to get him out. Make him do the most pointless things... he's bound to blow up soon."
"I'll try."
"Good. I know it's a heavy load for you Quistis, but it'll all be worth it." He patted me on the shoulder and headed towards the classroom.
I nearly smiled when he did that... but it just reminded me of my stupidity. [Quistis, you can never get him... so stop thinking that you can!] I mentally slapped myself and stepped into the elevator.
It wasn't long before I stood in front of the Quad doors. I was just about to walk in, when I heard Selphie giggling loudly.
"That looks so ugly!!" She laughed.
I pushed the doors open slightly to see what was going on. Seifer held a balloon with a weird picture drawn on it. I could tell it was supposed to be a rabbit or bunny, but it looked ridiculous.
"That hurts you know..." Seifer laughed along with her as he handed her the balloon. She gladly took it.
"Tank ywoo mister." She said in a childish voice.
"Does the little girl want another balloon?" Seifer asked, looking down at Selphie. He was about to reach for another balloon, but Selphie smacked his hand lightly.
"Hey! Stop wasting the balloons! We're not even supposed to blow them up until next week! You're gonna have to buy a new bag of balloons!" She grabbed the bag of balloons and hugged them protectively, while jumping away from Seifer.
"You should stop fooling around and get some work done... there's so much to do!" Seifer sat down and began hammering something.
"Me?" She pointed to herself. "You're the one who started it!" She took out a balloon and playfully threw it at Seifer's head.
Seifer stood up, pretending to look angry. "Oh that's it. You're gonna get it missy." He began chasing Selphie around as she shrieked with joy/horror/amusement.
I backed up slightly and let the doors close. [This wasn't punishing Seifer... he is actually enjoying it!] I clenched my fist together. [At this rate, Seifer's never gonna leave!]
I continued to back up till my back hit into the wall. [Maybe I can humiliate him with this tomorrow...]
* * * (Seifer)
(Thursday)
I entered classroom five minutes earlier than my little 'session' with my mediocre Instructor, just like she had told me to, late last night. I didn't ever expect her to call me, but she did. At midnight. She called me to tell me to meet her in the classroom the next morning. She probably did that on purpose, waking me up.
I stepped into the room to be greeted by Quistis' 'welcoming smile'. I knew something was up with her. I could just see the gears in her head rotating as she plotted something against me.
"Seifer, you're early for once." She continued to smile. She made me want to slap her or something to wipe that smile off. But I couldn't, nor would I.
"Just happy to see my 'favorite' Instructor." I stretched the word to let her know how sarcastic I was being.
"Aww, how touching." She pretended to wipe a tear from her eye. "So how was the decorating job yesterday?"
"And why does my 'favorite' Instructor care so much for her student all of a sudden?"
"You're 'favorite' Instructor has always cared for ALL her students."
"How forgetful I am! Of course my 'favorite' Instructor cares for ALL her students... that is... if ALL her students are named Squall, and act like Squall, and dress like Squall." I smirked at her. I knew I hit a sensitive spot. Her expression changed so drastically, it nearly made me laugh.
"You make it sound like your 'favorite' Instructor likes a certain person named Squall." She managed to hiss between her clenched teeth.
"I only speak of the truth. I say what I see." I continued to smirk. I knew it was pissing her off. [You can't win your little game... I'm always one step ahead of you...]
"I guess you need to check your vision again. It seems to be a bit blurry." She stood up to leave, but I blocked her path.
"According to you, then EVERYONE needs to get their eyes checked..."
She glared at me. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, I'm pretty sure you do, Instructor. I remember you always favoring a certain student... always giving him a little extra credit... and Instructor, I'm not the only one who can see it..." Quistis tried to walk around me, but I wouldn't let her pass. I was going to make her suffer... after what she's doing to me... I just had to.
"I did no such thing."
"You keep telling that to yourself Instructor... but everyone knows that you had a thing for Squall... and I know that you still have that thing for him."
"I DO NOT!!!" She screamed.
"Deny it all you want. But I know you love that puberty boy. Every time you see him, you want him. I know Instructor. I know you do. But you can dream on, 'cause he's never going to be yours. He would never be with someone like you... Rinoa has him wrapped around her finger... something you would never be able to do."
I was about to go on, but she slapped me in the face... really hard. My face stung a lot afterwards, but I only smirked. This was getting on her nerves, and I loved it.
"You're a mediocre Instructor, and ice bitch, cold-hearted..." Another slap. This time, it hurt even more.
"I do not have time for your... your... immature behavior!" She pushed me aside roughly, which nearly made me fall over. Next she stormed out of the room and into the elevator.
Near the doorway, I saw someone's blue duster flutter by. [Rinoa... she must have overheard everything...] A devious smile crept on my face. [This is going to be interesting.]
* * * (Rinoa)
I crept into a hidden area on the second floor, near the classroom. I crouched down and hugged my knees. I always had that strange feeling that Quistis might have liked Squall... but in front of my face, Quistis was so kind and nice to me... I never actually thought it might have been true. But now... now that I overheard her and Seifer talking... there's no doubt about it.
[Quistis... why did you have to lie to me...?] Tears fell from my face as the thought of my 'friend' loving my own boyfriend. In the corner of my eye, I saw a figure walking out of the classroom, most likely Seifer.
[Quistis... why did it have to be Squall...? Why couldn't you have fallen for someone else...? He's mine... and there's nothing that's gonna make me give him up. There's no way I can do that... I won't let you have him...]
* * * (Quistis)
I was pounding my fist into my desk yet again. My hand had just started to heal from last time, but now, I was going to make it bleed again. [Why did that bastard have to do that to me?!] I screamed in my head. I kept telling myself over and over again that Seifer was the one who I was mad at... but I knew, deep down, it wasn't him. It was myself... [Why do I love a person I can never have? I'm such a fool...] I stopped pounding into my desk. If I continued doing that, it would get me nowhere. It was completely pointless and useless.
I threw myself on my bed, face down. Tears began falling from my eyes. I never did cry often, it just wasn't my style. But I just felt like I had too. Absolutely had to.
[Why do you persist to love that man...? Why do you even bother to try?] I asked myself.
"Because he is the only one that keeps me going..." I whispered, but the voice in my head argued back.
[That is not true, deep down, you know you can never have him. You know that. That's why you're waiting for someone better to come along... but you feel like you don't have enough strength to wait for that someone, so you persist to clutch onto Squall...]
"There is no one for me."
* * * (Friday)
I walked into the cafeteria to be greeted by Seifer's smirking face. It pissed me off every time I saw that. But I kept my demeanor and just smiled at him.
"Good morning Seifer."
"Instructor, have you decided to feed me for once?"
"Unfortunately, not. Today is supposed to be a physical training day, but because of your current state, and what Dr. Kadowaki said, you shouldn't be doing anything too strenuous. Of course, that doesn't mean you can't clean up." I continued to smile.
His expression changed slightly, almost unnoticeable. But I knew he didn't want to clean up. And I was sure to make it hell for him... too bad I couldn't get him a toothbrush to do this...
"Since the cafeteria is closed because of personal reasons from the cafeteria lady, you will have the honor of cleaning this place up. First, you'll start with cleaning the windows until they are spotless. Next you will wipe the tables and chairs until they are spotless. Afterwards, you clean the walls, and lastly, you will scrub the floor. She said not to go into the kitchen, so that area is restricted. Over there," I pointed to the sidewall. "Are your cleaning tools. I will be checking up on your once in a while. You will only stop when you finish. Is that clear?"
"You can't possibly make me do this! This is..." I cut him off before he could finish.
"Oh, I can make you do this. And you will do this. As your Instructor, I have the power to." I continued to smile at him.
"This has nothing related to do with my SeeD exam!" He continued to argue.
"Oh it does, Mister Almasy. This shows clearly how well you listen to instructions, which you are doing quite poorly in. And it also stretches your muscles."
"Bitch." He muttered as he took off his trench coat and threw it onto one of the chairs.
"Mr. Almasy, didn't I tell you to watch that language of yours before?"
"The only reason you're doing this to me is because I stated the truth yesterday. You're getting back at me for telling you what your heart wants." He grabbed the window wipers and cleaning fluid.
"You don't know what my heart wants Almasy. For all you would care, it could be wanting you..." Realizing what I had just said, I quickly continued to cover up the mistake. "Of course, when that day happens, hell would have frozen over." I turned around and strode out the cafeteria, leaving Seifer behind with his string of curses to me.
I walked towards my dorm. [Might as well get some sleep while I have the chance to...]
* * *
My nap was rudely interrupted when a loud knock - - actually, more of a pounding - - came from the other side of my room.
"I'm coming, I'm coming." I groggily threw my covers off and opened the door. I was surprised to see Rinoa pounding at my door.
"Come, come!!" She shouted, pulling me from my room.
"What...?" I asked, in my leave-me-alone tone.
"You have gotta see this!" Rinoa began dragging me down the hallway. "It's so funny! I can't imagine him actually doing this!" I quickly grabbed my whip, just in case.
"Who? Doing what?" I was beginning to wake up completely.
"You'll see, come on!" She continued dragging me until we neared the cafeteria. There was a crowd surrounding the doorway. And then I snapped awake.
"Shit!" I shouted as I raced into the crowd. [Seifer... you had better not have gotten into a fight. Struggling through the crowd, I finally made it through the doors. Inside, the whole area was a mess. Chairs were thrown everywhere, the window wiper was broken and in pieces, and cleaning fluids were spilt everywhere. In the center of this whole mess were two men holding their gunblades tightly. "What the hell happened here?!" I tugged some of my hair. The cafeteria lady would not be happy with this if she found out.
"Miss Trepe!" A former male student of mine began. "Commander and a few students were walking here when one of the students started making fun of that traitor. I mean, he looked so ridiculous wiping those tables!"
"And then what happened?!" I grabbed his collar tightly. I hadn't meant to, but I was getting really frustrated at this.
"Uh... the traitor couldn't take this insults so he threw his own insults back. Commander got pissed off and attacked him... and that's how it started..." The boy managed to stumble out.
Just then, Rinoa managed to push through. "Isn't this exciting? MY Squally's gonna kick his sorry ass." She stretched the word 'my' so much it made me wonder if she knew I liked him.
"This has got to stop." I ran into the room, careful not to slip on any of the fluids.
"Go back to where you belong lap dog! To hell!" Squall shouted as he tried to slash Seifer with his Lion Heart. Seifer easily dodged it.
"Shut the fukk up Puberty boy." Seifer quickly thrashed his Hyperion forward, managing to give Squall a small slash on the chest. His leather jacket was cut through and a red streak of blood could be seen.
"STOP THIS AT ONCE!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. Neither of the two listened to me. Angrily, I cracked my whip in the middle of their fight, causing the to stop.
"Commander! This is no way you can behave yourself!" I scolded at Squall. He gave me a death glare and then stormed off. Rinoa probably followed him.
"And you..." I hissed, glaring at Seifer. "Clean up with whole damn mess."
Seifer opened his mouth to say something, but I wouldn't allow it.
"I don't want to hear another word from you. Just shut up. If you say another word, that's another hour of cleaning." Angrily, I turned around to the shocked students behind me. "Leave at once. This is none of your business!" I practically shouted. The students jumped slightly, but hurried off.
"I leave you here for an hour, and you turn this place into a total disaster..." I gave Seifer a disgusted look and stormed out myself. "This is pissing me off." I was heading towards Cid's office.
* * *
"Headmaster, I do not think I can handle this anymore!" I stormed past the doors. Xu wasn't at her desk, so I could easily do that.
"Handle what Quistis?" Cid turned around in his chair to face me.
"Tutoring that... that..."
"Seifer?" He would not let me curse him.
"Yes! I cannot go on with this anymore Headmaster! I'm sorry, but I just can't!" I shouted angrily, and I took a seat in front of him.
"Quistis... why not you think of this like a SeeD mission? You haven't had one lately..."
"Then consider it failed." I replied immediately. There was no way I can put up with him any longer.
"Quistis, you know that would go on your personal record..."
"I don't care. I can't stand this anymore!"
"Quistis please... if Seifer passes the SeeD exam, then that will get you one step closer to renewing your Instructor's License." Cid began to bargain.
[Why couldn't you just GIVE me my license? Then I probably would.] "I don't know sir... if I continue this, Seifer might be the death of me."
"Nonsense! You're the only one who can handle him. So it's set then? You're going to continue tutoring him and we'll consider giving your Instructor's License." Cid was seemingly talking to himself than to me.
I bit my lower lip. [If I don't accomplish this... Cid might never let me get my license back...] "I guess..."
"Very well then. You are dismissed Miss Trepe."
I saluted him and walked out of his office. [Quistis Trepe, what have you gotten yourself into?]
* * * (Seifer)
It seemed like I had been cleaning for the whole day. I had just started to wipe the tables when puberty boy had to 'show off' his skills. Of course, he was the one who got hurt. Then I had to re-clean everything because of the mess he left. And when I finished that, ice bitch told me she couldn't see her damn reflection on the tables, so I had to clean them again. And when I finished that... she 'accidentally' dripped ketchup on the floor while she ate her hotdog. Afterwards, when I had just put everything away, that mediocre Instructor decided to leave her handprint on some of the windows. It was all just a stressful cleaning day.
I wanted to get something to eat, since I didn't eat for the whole day thanks to Miss-I-love-puberty-boy, but I couldn't find any food. The cafeteria had none in the kitchen all the vending machines were sold out, and Balamb was too far to drive for me at the moment. I was too exhausted. Besides, the restaurants in Balamb would probably be closed. So now, I had to stick with crappy, instant noodles. I only had one package, it wasn't filling, but I guess they were better than nothing.
My hands looked gross too. Thanks to all the fluids I had to touch all day long, it looked like my skin was bubbling. It sickened me. However, the worst was having Miss Bitch insulting me the whole time I had been cleaning without allowing me to say one word back at her. I don't know how long I can last any more. The only reason I came back here was to be SeeD... and after that, I'm going to another Garden... this is hell for me.
I fell backwards unto my bed, just about to go to sleep, but my phone rang loudly beside me. I ignore it, hoping that the caller would just give up soon, but after the eighth right, I got fed up and answered it.
"What do you want?" I snarled into the phone.
"Seifer, go get me some drinks." The voice on the other line commanded. I knew who it was already.
"Instructor, I am not your personal slave."
"Seifer, I told you before, during the week you do whatever I say, regardless if we have session or not. It's 11:46pm so you still have to do what I say. Now be a good little student and go get me some drinks." She said sweetly. "Make sure it's enough for three people for the whole night." She added.
"There is none in the cafeteria, and the vending machines are sold out." I stated.
"Then go to Balamb and get some at the convenience store!" I heard giggling in the background.
I slammed the phone down and got up from my bed. I pulled on my jeans and grabbed a trench coat, not bothering to pull on a shirt. I took some money out of my wallet and headed straight out the door.
* * * (Selphie)
I sat in Quistis' room with herself and Rinoa. We had planned this little slumber party ages ago, but didn't find time to do it until now. Quistis and Rinoa were giggling like little schoolgirls, but I just sat cross-legged, and a little emotionless.
"That's so mean..." I finally spoke out after hearing Quistis' conversation with Seifer on the phone.
"But it's... so funny!" Rinoa wiped a tear from her eye.
"And not to mention he deserves it!" The two burst out into another fit of giggles.
"You know... he's human too... he's got feelings..."
Rinoa and Quistis both stopped laughing, almost simultaneously. "Selphie, when you say that... it ALMOST seems like... you know... that..." Rinoa began, bust Quistis finished.
"You like him..." Quistis said it more of a statement.
"In a way..." I began, and bit my lower lip. I was afraid my friends would shun me because of who I cared for.
"So you do?" Rinoa accused.
"No, no! Not THAT way. I mean, Seifer can be such a nice guy sometimes. He's actually really sensitive too... I like him as a brother... nothing more."
"Whatever." Rinoa said emotionless, then quickly changed the subject. "Hey! Let's play truth or dare!" She grinned mischeviously.
"Sure." Quistis replied.
"Fine."
"Okay, I'll start first... Quistis! Truth or dare?" Rinoa pointed a finger at Quistis.
"Uh... truth..."
"Do you like anyone?" Rinoa was still smiling. To me, it seemed like something was up with her, but I didn't care for it too much.
"I... I..." Quistis stuttered. "I... don't know."
"It's either a yes or a no."
"... yes then." It took Quistis almost eternity to say those two words.
Immediately Rinoa pounced on her. "Who is it?! Who is it?!"
"You only asked IF. Now it's my turn. Okay... Rinoa."
"Dare." She gave Quistis a look as if to say bring-it-on.
"Um... alright... I know! When Seifer comes here to bring our drinks, you'll give him the money back... BUT... in a very flirtacious way!" Quistis smiled slightly.
I couldn't believe this. First they make Seifer bring them their drinks, next they'll tease him. It seemed like it was just on time as there was a knock on the door. "That was fast..." I whispered to myself.
Rinoa grinned deviously as she opened the door. Seifer thrust two six packs to Rinoa. She quickly took them and placed them on the floor. Seifer was about to leave, but Rinoa pulled him back.
She tucked a few bills in his jeans. "Thanks... hot stuff." She winked at him.
He gave her a disgusted look and was about to leave again, but Rinoa threw some bills at his chest, which fluttered down to the ground. "That's tip for ya."
Seifer angrily stormed off, not bothering to pick up the money on the ground. Quistis and Rinoa burst out into laughter.
"I can't believe you two..." I said rudely as I bolted out the closing door towards Seifer. I had to jog a bit before I caught up to him.
"Seifer... are you okay?" I asked.
"Fine." He replied, in a strange monotone I wasn't used to hearing him say.
"Look, I'm sorry for what they did..." He cut me off.
"It's not your fault they did that." He slipped his cardkey into the slot and waited for the door to slide open.
"Seifer..." I began, unsure of what to say. The door slid open and Seifer stepped in, I was about to step in, but I thought it might be better if I didn't. "May I come in?"
"Suit yourself." Seifer flicked on the lights.
I walked in and was surprised to see a clean, organized room. It wasn't typical for males to have such a nice room. "It's so... clean."
"I like it that way." Seifer pulled the bills from his jeans and threw them on the desk.
"Seifer, you shouldn't take no crap from them." I jumped onto his bed. It was very soft and bouncy. It was a lot better than my own bed.
"You think I want to? Quistis is making my life a living hell..."
A michevious smile formed on my face. "I know exactly how to get her back."
Author's Note - okay.. hella. this was a frikkin' long chapter... and if you ask me... it seems a little boring too! . dammit... piece of... shiet... okay... okay... enough swearing... I guess it's up to you whether you thought this was boring or not... please tell me if you thought it was... but don't worry... I *think* better things will happen next chapter... I think it would be so much better than this one... but again, it's up to you to decide.
And I'm very sorry if there are lotsa mistakes/errors in this chapter... I would proof read it (I barely ever do) but I'm just too tired... I've been working on this chapter for far too long... it seems like forever!! Ack!! Okay, okay... well I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed and/or read this! Thanks again!
Hopefully next chapter would be up soon... but I doubt it... school will be starting soon for me again... ack... evilness!