Disclaimer: I own the plot and the character of Louise, however, the usual characters belong to Squaresoft and the character of Michael Sinclair belongs to my friend mariedel from fictionpress.com (check out her story Misfortunes. IT ROCKS!) okay, oh with the show…

Chapter 5-Happiness Lies

Rinoa felt the soft, gentle pressure of his lips against her's, but she felt nothing. She felt his arms wrap around her, she felt her hand move to his neck, but she felt nothing.

How is it that I can be so caught up in a moment to not feel anything? Why am I not in love with this guy? He's smart, funny, good looking...but then...why do I only think of Squall?!

With that last thought she broke away, tears almost in her eyes. She kept her gaze downcast, avoiding any contact with Michael.

"Rin-"

"Michael, I'm so sorry, I just…um…"

"No, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that, but I just want to tell you something."

She lifted her head, looking into his eyes.

"Rinoa, you have no idea how long I've wanted to kiss you."

Shit?! How the hell am I suppose to respond to that?! I've had one real relationship, I never had multiple boyfriends telling me how much they loved me, or whatever. I just had one...I only wanted one...

"Um, you're right, Michael, I don't." Real smooth, Rin.

"Ever since I met you. That's right, all those years ago, but I never dared to take a chance once that guy came on the scene, I was sure you'd be with him forever."

So did I...

"I thought I'd forgotten, but then I saw you again and I…"

"I get it, but, you'll just…" Have to understand I can't... "Have to bear with me, this is all happening too fast and I'm not sure that I'm ready."

"I won't rush you, I understand. Listen, I'm really sorry that I had to end the night that way. I'll take you home now."

"Alright." An awkward silence started as they walked back to the car. Once in it, Rinoa leant her head against the window and looked out at the moon as it shone.

Why the hell am I like this? He probably hasn't given me a second thought, and here I am with nothing but him on my mind. Damn you, Squall...

- - -

Rinoa sighed as she entered the house. She slowly walked to the sitting room where she sunk into the huge armchair. Glancing at her friends who had just acknowledged her presence by looking up from their work, she brought her knees up to her chest, hugged them and put her head on them.

"Alright, Rin, what have you done?" Quistis queried immediately as she recognised the idiosyncratic position of her friend's.

"I don't know, I don't even know what I want anymore." And it's all his fault.

Selphie who had left the room when she saw Rin's position came back with a tub of ice cream and three spoons. Giving each of them a spoon, they all took places on the floor, the tub of ice cream placed in the centre of the circle they had made.

"Okay, now start from the beginning."

"Well, Michael took me out to dinner at this really nice restaurant, I'll take you two there one day. Anyway, we're eating and I'm looking at him, obviously because who else are you suppose to look at during-"

"A date," Selphie hastily put in.

"-Dinner. And he's looking at me as well, so I got a chance to fully check him out. So I'm observing his eyes, his smiles and all I can think about is him." She stopped waiting for their reaction.

"Okay, so you were thinking about Michael while checking him out…keep going."

"No," Rinoa shook her head. "I wasn't thinking about Michael, I was thinking about him."

Quistis and Selphie glanced at each other, confusedly.

Rinoa rolled her eyes. "Ugh, all I could think about is Squall."

The two girls shook their heads slightly, everything becoming clear.

"So yeah, everything about him I just had to compare to Squall, and of course nothing holds a candle to Squall because he was my first and…Oh God! WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!?" Rinoa growled through clenched teeth.

"Rin, is this the first guy you've gone out with after that Squall guy?"

"I thought you two knew that."

"Just making sure. Sweetie, okay, this is my theory. You're either still insecure about yourself or…" she paused, assessing Rinoa's state; seeing whether she was ready for the next option.

Rinoa looked at Quistis with eager eyes. "Or what?"

"Or, you really are in love with Squall."

Rinoa shifted to eyes to stare intently at the ice cream. "I thought I was," she stated in a whisper. "But then…"

"Rin, don't think I'm being harsh or anything, but I think you should get over him. How long has it been since you and Squall broke up?"

Since Squall broke up with me? "Five years."

"And you've been in the convent long enough, Rin, just think about Michael, are you sure that he wants more than friends or are you just speculating?"

"Oh, he wants more than friends, I know that for sure."

"How?" Selphie asked.

"He kissed me."

"Ahh, and this is where the feelings of old come rushing back, right?"

Rinoa nodded slowly and she scooped herself some ice cream.

"Rin, give this guy a chance, love doesn't happen that quickly, you were probably just infatuated with this Squall character, talk to Michael some more, give it a week, and if you don't feel any different about him, let him off gently."

"Alright, I'll do that."

Quistis frowned, contemplating her next question. "Rin," she started slowly, "Why did you and Squall break up in the first place?"

Rinoa bit her lip and stabbed the spoon into the ice cream. "That's the thing." She looked up at her friends as if she were looking for an answer. Sighing, she shrugged in response. "I don't know."

- - -

Louise, curled up in an armchair, closed her book and stared across the room at Squall sitting at his computer. Standing up, she made her way over to him, bent down and lent her chin on his shoulder, arms wrapping around him.

"Listen, its getting late, I'm gonna head home alright?"

"You sure you don't wanna stay the night? You know you're always welcome," he smirked.

"You know I'd love to, but I wanna practise one more time before I sleep."

"I've never known anyone as dedicated to their art as you." Except... "I'll see you tomorrow then?"

"Yeah okay, oh hey. I almost forgot."

"What's up?" he asked, turning away from the screen. She sat on his lap, and then quickly got off again.

"You know what, never mind."

Squall caught her hand and pulled her back to his lap. "What's the matter?"

"Well," she bit her lip, "You know how the competition is next Friday…?"

"Yeah."

"Umm, well this coming Friday, there's a party being held for the contestants…"

Squall got the hint and hugged her closer to him. "Does this require me wearing a tux?"

"Kinda, its formal. All the judges are gonna be there and stuff."

"Okay, I'll go."

Hey eyes lit up as she hugged him. "Really?! Thanks Squall! I was afraid of being stuck there alone all night."

"Don't worry, I'll keep you company. Food's provided right?"

"Of course!" Louise laughed before kissing him quickly. "Alright, I'm off, I'll talk to you tomorrow." Louise grabbed her things and made for the door. "G'night!"

"'Night."

Louise headed down the stairs to the apartment block entrance. She got into the car, smiling as another idea came to her mind.

I know, I'll invite Ms. Heartilly as well...

* * *

Squall sighed as her turned his computer off. Another assignment finished. Good. He turned the light off as he stepped out of the living room and into his bathroom. After brushing his teeth, he got out of his day clothes and switched off the light. The window had been opened and was eerily illuminating the room. Making his way to his bed, he lay down with his hands behind his head. Turning his head slightly he caught a glimpse of the moon and sighed.

Its nights like these that I miss her most...God, what's wrong with me?

Its been five years, yet all I can think about it you...Aren't I happy as I am with Louise? Shit, Louise...I love her, don't I? But...first love never dies...

Are you happy, Rin?

- - -

A/N-teehee! You all know what's going to happen next chapter right? Hehehe I aint saying anymore that that! So anyway, back to this chapter, how'd you like it? please review!!! You don't know how much I love your feedback! You're all such a great audience and I really do write to please both myself and all of you out there in the great abyss of the Internet. To those who reviewed last chapter:

XxSquall's angelxX- hehehe yes you were the first reviewer and hence the first to get a message from yours truly. As much as I'd like to make Michael burn in a pit, I've promised my friend (the owner of him) that I'll be nice-ish to him…but as to your other request…the reunion is getting closer ^.^ thanks for the review!

!*~moonlight chick~*!-thanks for the review, my friend! Hope you liked this chapter as well!

Noacat-wow! I feel loved ^.^ hahaha thanks for the encouraging review!!! Hope you like this chapter XD

Jolly B-you wouldn't happen to be filo would you? Forgive me if the answer is no…just got curious…anyhoo, thanks for the review. I hope my telling of their meeting in the chapters to come will live up to your expectations. =S

Wcigtdniw-*sees the rotten fruit and ducks* its not what you think!!! *stands back up*…right…so anyway….THANKS FOR THE REVIEW! Means a lot to me, really it does…methinks you're anxious to see next chapter hehehe gimme a week…hope you liked this chapter! Ps…I can't see it all too well either, I was originally gonna make him a doctor in training then thought otherwise…anyhoo…

Exhile87-hehehe funny reaction….anyhoo, hope you liked this chapter and thanks for the review!

CTHKSI-hehehe you catch on pretty quick! There will be a moonlight scene ahead, I think, but im just speculating atm…thanks for the review!

wInD chIme BeLLs-hehehe patience, grasshopper, I'm getting there…thanks for the review! I hope I didn't "kill" you too badly

Buttered Angie-*stares at the screen, slowly eating her salada and vegemite. Takes a sip of her sprite and dusts hands over the spiral staircase* if it isn't angie herself…HAHAHAHA!! WOW! You read my fic! Omg! Finally! And it took a sickness to do it…well, thanks for the review, it really means a lot…coming from you especially. Well, you know they can't be together at the beginning…it spoils the whole "how they get together" process…but all's well that ends well (I never got that saying) anyhoo…hope you liked this chappy…oh n btw angie was made especially for you hahaha dya feel special now?

THANKS EVERYONE! DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!