Author's notes: First of all I would like to say I don't own ff8. I would also like to say, Lea is pronounced like princess Leia from Star Wars. Only because I like that name, and it is also my middle name (Which for the longest time I thought was pronounced Lee-ah until my mother actually yelled at me without a British accent. She isn't even British) Anyway. I would also like to say, if you don't read my other fics, a.k.a. Twins, I announced that my muse has rejoined me. So, beware. It could be deadly.

'Out of sight

Out of mind

Out of time

To decide'

Chapter 2

I re-opened my eyes and noticed I was still in the sheet-covered room. Great. I am going insane! I am really at the hospital. I was just dreaming! WHAT'S GOING ON?! I just want to go home. Damn donuts, why do they cause such big urges. I decided that staring at the ceiling was a pretty good thing right now. It kept me from screaming. Geeze! How many bumps are there on the ceiling? Now that is one math problem Einstein couldn't even figure out. Well, maybe Einstein, but no one else.

The Doctor opened the sheets from where I was laying. YAY! It wasn't Dr. Kadowaki. So it was just a dream and I did get hurt. You don't know how happy I am to be insanely hurt at some random hospital. I instantly propped up on my elbows.

"Nice to see you're awake!" He looked like he was around twenty years old. Obviously he must be a nurse or a doctor in training. 'All right class, here is the idiotic teenager that left to get donuts at almost 5 AM and nearly got herself killed. What is her mental problem?'

"So what's your name?" I didn't want to sound rude, but I was curious on who was checking up on me.

"My name is Eric. Don't worry about formalities. I am just training. But I have access to check up and care for people whom come in here. Don't worry about a thing. I have been studying medical since I came to the garden. I became a SeeD six years ago when I was 15." He smiled sweetly at me. Great. I am still stuck here. WHAT IS GOING ON? I am out of my mind. How can I be in a video game?

"Um Eric, just a question. What are the chances I could talk to the Headmaster?" So I might not know what is going on, but I could sure as hell try to join the garden. Give me something to do before I wake up. Besides, this is my dream, I can do what I want now can't I?

Eric just looked blankly at me then smiled. "Let me call Cid on the intercom to see if you can go talk to him in his office. Other than that, you are fine now. Just be careful. You will probably be a bit weak, and maybe some pain." I smiled at Eric then he walked over to Dr. Kadowaki's desk and pressed the intercom button.

"Yes? What can I do for you?" I heard Cid's gruff voice for the first time. I have always tried to imagine it, but I never imagined it quite like that. I always imagined him to have a little bit higher pitched voice, maybe like Michael Jackson or something, but he had a true militia voice. Sad. This might be a bit more frightening than I thought.

"Cid, this is Eric. The girl that was found a few days ago wishes to talk to you." A few days ago. A FEW DAYS! I thought I was in here for one. What is going on. Arg. This is just stressful.

"Of course Eric. Send her up to my office." On that note the intercom beeped off. Eric walked over to me.

"Well you heard him. You can go visit him. Just take the elevator to." I cut him off before he could go on without realizing it.

"Thanks Eric. Maybe I will see you later." I stood up, grabbed my laptop, swung it over my shoulder and quickly walked out of the infirmary in pain.

Once in the hallway I slowed down to take in everything I was seeing. The halls were amazing! Being able to actually see what the garden looks like. I turned and looked out of the windows that were in the hallway. I gasped in awe when I saw the extravagant beauty of the garden. It was HUGE! I didn't expect it to be this big. It always looked so small to me. I wonder how many rooms are actually here that wasn't even mentioned in the game! Forget about the garden! I don't want to wake up! I want to go see Deiling City! And Esther! I MUST go to Esther before I wake up. I hope I have enough time. Maybe I am in a coma. Just my luck! Time to use my free time wisely. I looked at some students from the window and noticed their uniforms. Wow, my cosplay wasn't even close. Nobodies were even close. It was just so… different.

I decided I have done enough gawking and I just needed to walk slowly towards the elevator. I realized my clothes really didn't fit in much here, nevertheless all of the blood I am wearing. Everyone was wearing uniforms. Sad. That's okay, it's my dream, and I will join the garden. Before I even realized it, I had walked out of the hallway into the main area of the garden. Same amount of corridors shown from the game, but way bigger, and soooooo much prettier! I ran over the railing where it protected students from falling in the water surrounding the pathway. "NIFTY! That is totally Awesome!" If only numbers could explain the way I feel right now, wait, they can. 313t3!1 Great, I am gawking again. I turned and bumped into a person.

"I am SO sorry!" I looked up and saw gorgeous emerald eyes! WOW. He was. BEAUTIFUL! Who would have thought the school bully was soooooo hot. Oh, Seifer, how I wish I could marry you right now.

"What are you staring at? And why were you just staring at the water?" He was trying to put on a macho voice for his posse, Rajin and Fujin.

"Um, I was just admiring the Garden. Anyway, I need to go talk to the Headmaster now." I turned and started to walk away. "Wait, I forgot something!" I turned back around and nearly attacked Seifer. I gave him a giant hug. His eyes were huge. He was obviously disturbed, and now bloody. But you would be too if a random person covered in blood attacked you with a hug. I let go of him and ran to the elevator before he could even say anything. I watched the doors close in front of me. I reached over and pressed the 3rd floor button. Wow, even the elevator buttons are great! They make fun sounds! The elevator stopped on the Headmaster's floor. I watched the doors open in front of me and I quickly walked out and into the Headmaster's office. Cid was sitting at his desk waiting for me. He motioned for me to take a seat. I pulled the chair a little bit closer to his desk and sat down. My eyes trailed behind him, up the giant pole that led upwards where Nida controlled the Garden's movements. He was obviously not up there, well, since the Garden wasn't moving. Probably because it had 'visitors' in the school.

"What can I do for you? Lea is it?" He reached his hand across the desk to shake mine. I won't pull a Squall. I reached my hand to meet his and shook it.

"Yes sir." I retrieved my hand and set my back against the back of the chair. "I wanted to talk to you about the Garden.

"What about the Garden, Lea?" His face was calm, and sturdy. Like nothing could ever touch it.

"Well, I have been interested in the Garden for quite some time now, and I was curious about the chances of joining." My voice was as steady as possible. Even though this had to be a dream, why not make it seem real.

"What high school are you currently enrolled in now?" Uh, oh. Not good. Think quick! AHA!

"Well, headmaster Cid. This is the problem. I have an acute case of Amnesia. It isn't horrible, I just can't remember who my family is, where I live, what school I went to, who my friends are, or most of the daily things in life. However, I do remember my name, and that I am really good with computers, and can sort of fight. But not the best." Was that realistic enough.

"Lea. I am sorry, but for admittance to the Garden we are going to need more info than that. Especially if you don't have any money right now. This is not a non-profit organization. To get a government grant you are going to need to know about previous schooling, family, whether they are dead, alive, or foster, and an address of some sort. However, we can take you to a town you wish to go to and come back to me again when you figure out a little more about your life."

Ouch. This is a dream, why am I not being let into the Garden. This is feeling like a real interview. Damn, what if I am actually stuck here? Nah, can't be! Wait, did he say that he would take me to a town? I need to go somewhere where I can get a job, and somewhere that I could find some place to live. Deiling would be a good place. Lots of action, yet I really want to go to Esther. Windhill is way too quiet, and well, as far as I know, I don't think I would fit in too much with many of the other towns. But if I went to Esther, I wouldn't have an easy time leaving. Guess that leaves me to Deiling.

"Could you possibly take me to Deiling City? I know I have some sort of connection there, just not quite sure what it is yet."

"For having an acute case of Amnesia, you sure remember a lot." Oops. "But of course, the Garden was heading in that direction anyway. We should be there in a couple of hours."

I gave Headmaster Cid my thanks and walked into the elevator and pressed the first floor button. Yay! A couple of hours to get into some trouble, and to discover how the Garden works. But first. Something I have always dreamed of doing since I first ever played the game.

----------------------- 1 313t3: Geek's secret language for the word elite. Can you see it now? GOOD! You really are 313t3!