Disclaimer: I own nothing! You hear! N-o-t-h-i-n-g! I own Louise…oh and the plot, but who really wanted to know that? Come on tell me! Erm…just ignore me…the hot, Aussie, summer is getting to my brain…enjoy!
Chapter 13-Surprise, surprise!
The fresh morning sun flooded Rinoa's room, surprising her for a moment as she opened her eyes and searched for the annoying alarm clock. I can't believe I was stupid enough to leave the blinds open last night! Feeling slightly grumpy with herself, she grabbed her towel and some clothes and padded her way to the bathroom. After about half an hour she emerged from the bathroom, dressed and her towel wrapped around her head. As was usually the case each morning, she walked past her bedroom and knocked loudly at Quistis' room which was right next to her's.
Opening the door she called, "Quisty, wake up!" A call that received the usual grunt and turn of the head. Smiling to herself, she proceeded further down the corridor to Selphie's room, repeating the process.
"Did you leave me some hot water?" Selphie asked as she sat up, rubbing the sleepiness out of her eyes.
"Of course I did," Rin rolled her eyes. "I'm not that selfish." The two girls exchanged a smile before Rinoa turned on her heal and went into her room. Removing the towel from her head, she immediately started rub some more water out of her hair with it. At that moment the phone began to ring. Frowning slightly she answered it, "Hello?" Who the hell would call so early in the morning?!
"Hello? Rinny?"
"Zell?" she asked as a smile broke out onto her face.
"How ya doin'?!"
"Pretty good. How about you?"
"Not bad at all! Hey, listen, could ya do me a huge favour?"
"Sure, what's up?" she queried instantly, although slightly confused.
"Open the door for me." And with that he hung up. Rinoa frowned as she took the phone away from her ear and stared at it for a moment.
Umm okay, she thought as she returned the phone to its cradle. Grabbing a comb, she began to straighten out her hair as she walked towards the front door. Not really expecting anyone to be there, she nonchalantly opened the door, releasing her comb at the sight of the man.
"ZELL!" she gasped as she threw her arms around him. "Oh my God! What on earth are you doing here?!"
"Can't I visit my little sister once in a while?" he replied cheekily.
"Of course you can, but I had no idea you'd be arriving today. Shit! I haven't prepared a room or anything. Crap!" She slapped a hand to her forehead.
"Rinny, don't worry! I thought I'd surprise you. Besides, I can only be here for a couple of days since I have to be back at Esthar on Saturday morning. So just stick me on a couch, you know I'm not fussy."
"Yeah, but its not very hospitable," she said as she pouted.
"Pfft, as if I care! I'll only be here one night anyway and I'll probably have to leave after your concert."
"That's okay. Wow! I can't believe you came! I thought you'd be too busy."
"Never too busy for you." He smiled warmly before smirking. "Shall I come in?"
Rinoa slapped her hand onto her forehead again when she realised she'd been blocking his way all that time. "Crap! Yeah, come in, come in. Don't mind us, we're still waking up," she warned as she stepped aside, picking up her comb from the floor.
Zell walked in, picking up his bag, and made his way to the living room, encountering a very groggy Quistis. At the sight of him, her eyes immediately shot wide open. "Shit Zell! Where the hell did you come from?!"
"My mother's womb, of course. Why do you ask?" he laughed as he watched her comb her bed hair with her hand.
"That's not what I meant! And please don't expand your answer."
Zell laughed once more as he dropped his bag and held out his open arms. "Come here," he said before enveloping her into a huge hug. "Good to see you too, Quisty."
"OH MY GOD, ZELL!" Selphie shrieked, emerging from the bathroom behind him, just before she jumped on him. Fortunately she had thrown on a robe after her shower, rather than just wrapping a towel around her.
"Hey there, Seffie. You're as jumpy as ever, I see."
"You betcha!" she grinned as she let go of him. "I'll be right back." And with that said, she bolted into her room to get changed. Quistis, too, walked past him to get to the bathroom.
"You know where to dump your stuff," Rinoa said as she entered the kitchen. "You had breakfast already?"
Zell dumped his bag onto the couch and followed where Rinoa has entered. "What was that?"
"Have you had breakfast yet?"
"Oh," he began as he took a seat at the circular table, "Yeah I have, but you can never have too much breakfast."
"You mean you can never have too much breakfast."
"True, true," he replied with a grin as the other two girls entered. "So how have my little sisters been?"
They all glanced at each other before responding in unison, "Pretty good."
When Rinoa's father had remarried, she was apprehensive to accept Zell as an older brother, but he had a personality that just radiated love, so it wasn't too long until she, and her best friends, had considered him as their older brother. As Zell was three years older than them, they always looked up to him and loved him, even though he'd be away most of the year only being able to visit on special occasions. It'd been that way since the girls were 15 years old, when Zell had gone to college in Esthar.
"So listen, Zell, I've got work today so I won't be able to go out with you," Rinoa said, with a hint of disappointment.
"Me and Quisty can take him about!" Selphie jumped at the opportunity.
"Don't you girls have work as well?"
"Nope!" the bubbly brunette replied. "I don't have a job, besides I still get allowance from my parents."
"You're kidding! But you're 22 already!"
"So what?! My parents are still willing and who am I to stop them," she grinned as she scooped another spoonful of cereal into her mouth.
"What about you Quisty?"
"Nah, I've got nothing to do today either. I teach at the local school twice a week, on Wednesdays and Fridays so my work is pretty easy."
Rinoa glanced at the clock. "Yes, so unlike some, I have to be going. I'll see ya later, any thoughts for dinner?"
"I'm gonna take you all out, how's that sound?"
"Sure, I'm cool with that," Rinoa smiled. "Okay, see ya tonight." She quickly kissed Zell on the cheek and waved at her friends.
When Zell heard her car drive away, he looked both the girls in front of him in the eye. "Okay, so what's up with Rinoa?"
Selphie and Quistis immediately stiffened and glanced at each other. "What do you mean?" Quistis finally asked, somewhat hesitantly.
Zell tilted his head, as if he were studying them carefully. "Well, she seemed kind of distracted and more thoughtful than usual."
"Well, she's got a lot on her mind right now," Quistis replied cryptically.
"Like what, exactly?"
The blonde girl shook her head subtly at the brunette sitting opposite her. Selphie promptly nodded in return. "I don't think we're at liberty to tell you. You should probably ask her yourself."
"Alright," he said, calming his curiousity. "So, what'll we be doing today?"
- - -
"Dude, I'm in love," Seifer sighed as he sunk further into his couch, hands behind his head.
"Yeah, I've heard that before," Squall replied as he aimlessly flicked through the TV channels.
"No, this time it's real, I'm sure of it."
"Seifer, you're really starting to sound like a girl now. How long have you known this one?"
"Less than a week."
"And you claim that you're in love?" Squall raised an eyebrow at him.
"Why? How long was it until you figured you were in love with Rinoa?"
He inwardly frowned at the blonde sitting across the room. "That's beside the point. This is you we're talking about."
"So I'm incapable of finding in true love?"
"No, just not that quickly, that's all."
"Whatever man, at least I'm with the girl I love."
"Ok, you're starting to weird me out."
Seifer smirked at him before closing his eyes. "So tell me, how long was it after you two got together that you told her?"
"Who?"
"Rin, you idiot."
"Umm," he sighed, remembering the moment he'd first uttered the words. "It was about a year after we started going out."
"Dude, are you majorly slow or just plain stupid?"
"That's when I told her, you moron, you didn't ask 'when did I first realise' cos I realised after two weeks of knowing her. It's all about the timing."
"Yeah, great timing you've got. May I remind you that you broke up with her on Graduation day?"
"Shit Seifer, will you shut up about Rinoa! Don't you think I've got enough on my mind!" Squall lashed out as he threw the remote control onto the coffee table.
"Okay," the blonde replied, not too fazed by his friend's outbreak. "Now this girl I'm going out with, well not really going out with 'cause we haven't done much but talk on the phone, you'll meet her tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? What's tomorrow?" he queried as he rubbed his forehead furiously in frustration.
"Louise's competition. You're still going, right?"
"Oh yeah, yeah I am. So you're coming? I thought it 'wasn't your thing'."
"Yeah, well, I wouldn't want you to be alone. Like you said, I'll be there to keep you sane."
"Whatever," Squall rolled his eyes. "So tell me about this girl."
"Nothing I say will do her justice," Seifer smirked, receiving another roll of the eyes from across the room.
"I never thought I'd live to see the day when you turned into a soppy romantic."
"Well, what can I say? You must've rubbed off on me," he laughed as he dodged a pillow being thrown at his head.
- - -
Zell and the three girls sat around the circular table of the elegantly set up restaurant. There was a slight tension in the air, for Selphie and Quistis knew that Zell was going to bring up the subject of him…a subject they'd wisely left alone unless Rinoa was the first to bring it up. Zell and Rinoa, however, could just feel that there was something in the atmosphere, though neither were quite sure why, or what was causing it. Rinoa swallowed as she glanced around the somewhat familiar restaurant. This is the same restaurant Michael took me to last week. After a few minutes, the waiter came and took their orders. Smiling at Zell, she closed her menu and gave it back to the waiter who nodded sincerely and walked away. "So, what did you guys get up to today?"
Immediately, the tension was broken and conversation poured freely from around the table.
"Oh, well, these girls just can't help being girls," Zell began easily, "And they decided to take me shopping, not that I needed to get anything, but they were so keen I just had to give in."
"Well you spent about an hour in the music store anyway," Quistis sharply added.
"That's because Selphie was talking to Irvine."
"I already apologised for that and you said it was fine."
"Hey, I wasn't complaining! I was just making a statement."
"You had a good talk to him to! So what you think of him, Zell?"
"He'll do, I suppose," he grinned.
"We were gonna drop by your studio and pay ya a visit, Rin, but we figured you'd be too busy with your lessons," Quistis stated as she sipped at her water.
"Really? You should've, I mean, I had an hour of nothing to do between lessons so I ended up playing some really lame game on my computer."
"Well you should've called!"
"Yeah I should've. Oh well, it's all in the past, nothing we can do about it now."
Tension rose once again as they all gave Rinoa a funny, concerned, look. At that moment, the waiter decided to appear with their meals. Once their food had been distributed, silence once again ensued as they began to eat. Swallowing carefully, Zell glanced again at Rinoa who was intently playing around with her food. Beginning his approach, he wiped his mouth with his napkin and sipped his drink.
"So, Rin, are you okay?"
She was so startled at his voice breaking the silence she let her fork fall against the plate. "What? How do you mean, I'm fine." She smiled briefly trying to emphasise what she'd just said as she subtly picked up her fork again.
"Rinny," he continued as he tilted his head unbelievingly. "Don't lie to me, alright. Since I came this morning I noticed that you were sort of…distracted." Quistis glanced at Selphie who glanced straight back at her before they both returned their focus to their food.
"Umm…I've just had a lot on my mind lately."
These girls really do live together, Zell thought, almost smiling. "Such as?"
Rinoa put down her fork this time and let her hands fall into her lap. "What have they told you so far?"
Both heads shot up quickly to stare at Zell. "Nothing, they told me absolutely nothing. They told me to ask you."
Rinoa's gaze shifted to look at Quistis questioningly. "I swear on my life," the blonde began, "We didn't say a thing."
"Not. A. Word." Selphie added for effect.
Rinoa sighed. "Fine, well…you remember Squall Leonhart, don't you?"
"The guy who broke with you at your graduation? Yeah of course I remember the moron."
"Well, it seems our paths have crossed again."
"Ahh, a rekindled love. How is that a problem?" he smirked across the table at her.
She glared slightly in response. "It isn't and wasn't ever love, trust me. Yeah well, it turns out he's engaged."
"Ah…I see," Zell nodded apologetically. She's in denial.
"And you wanna know why he broke up with me in the first place?" she smiled fakely not really expecting an answer. "He thought I was cheating on him…with you."
"Eh? Why the hell would he think that? I haven't even met him."
"Yeah, well, you know the night before graduation, you would've met him then, but you were asleep, face down as usual, on my bed and he thought the worst of me and broke up with me. Now I have to be all polite to him because he's engaged to the girl I'm accompanying."
Brotherly protectiveness fired up inside him. "Okay, if I ever do meet him there'll be hell to pay."
"Oh, don't worry, you'll probably meet him tomorrow at the competition," she continued with her sarcastic attitude.
"I'll kill him, I swear I will."
"No, don't!" Quistis interjected without thinking.
"What?" Rinoa said, not quite expecting that kind of response.
Shit! Don't tell them about Seifer, don't tell them about Seifer and the fact that Squall's gonna call off his engagement for Rinoa! "I mean, at least wait til after the competition. You wouldn't want Louise and Rin to screw up because you just killed someone."
Unexpected laughter erupted from Zell confusing the three girls.
"I wasn't gonna actually kill him, Quisty. You forget, that's sort of illegal. I'm just gonna threaten him or something like that."
"Oh, right," the blonde laughed forcedly. "Pfft, I knew that, I was just playing along, geez!" Good, unnecessary save, you idiot.
Rinoa frowned at Quistis, studying her behaviour. You can't lie for shit, Quistis…what's going on…?
- - -
A/N-AH! I never thought I'd get this chapter done in time to update on schedule. I know Zell is OOC, but this is a slightly AU fic, I figured I was allowed to do that. Now here's the thing, I'm going overseas before my next update deadline, so don't expect another update for about a month, but I might update before I go, so just keep a look out okay? It depends on how I'm feeling and whether or not I feel like writing another chapter before I leave. Ok, so another thing. It's kinda my birthday tomorrow (the 3rd of Jan), so if you wouldn't mind reviewing, each and every one of you out there, it would be the best birthday present that you could give me, so please, please, please review and make me happy ^.^…to those who reviewed last chappy:
remote mine-hello again! I'm working hard and trying to make time but you will have your fic back within the next five days, I promise! I'll email you in a few days, I'll talk more then. Thanks for the review! Keep writing that chapter of 'A Life Unlived'!
Emina-yes I did update! How was this chapter, then? Thanks for the review and the season's greeting! ^.^
baka_shinji_01-how soon is this? I couldn't make it any sooner since I only wrote most of it last night! And about those cookies…well, I've run out of flour and I'm too stingy to go get some more, so you'll have to wait a bit longer for them ;)
BerlinBrownEyes-no no and no! hehehe, my friend, stop guessing what the pairings will be, the end will tell all and the end isn't too far away…I think…*shifty eyes*…oh about my pen name…no one's ever asked me before, this is exciting, yes is does bear slight resemblance to Luthien Tinuviel, but that name was so common that I changed it to Elanor Tinuviel because I really like the name Elanor. Thanks for picking that up ^.^ brightened my day! LTOR ROCKS btw!
Wcigtdniw-OMG! If you didn't live on the other side of the world I'd give you a great big hug! *huggles* I think you're probably one of my favourite reviewers! You make me grin like a maniac when I read your reviews and yes! You were the first person to greet me happy birthday! Omg! Thankyou for that! And about that lil story segment…I should had more interaction with Squally ;) hahaha kidding! Anyhoo, I'm going to the Philippines with my mum. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU TOO! Thank you ever so much, sir John!
!*~moonlight chick~*!-how ya doin' chicadee? I most certainly will try to enjoy myself overseas (without my computer *sniffles*). Thanks so much for your continual support always! *huggles*
Noacat-Louise'll be fine, don't worry, she won't turn suicidal or anything…I hope. Much Ado About Nothing? My sis had taped it over something I taped and I played it thinking it was what I had taped and then it was the beginning with all the naked guys running about everywhere, well my dad walked in and started freaking asking "What the hell are you watching?!"…I suppose it was strange catching his very young daughter watching that…after all that happened about 7 years ago. Anyhoo thanks for the review! ^.^ muahz!
Etherealist- happy new year to you too! Squall didn't have too much of a part in this chap either, but he has more next chap I think…thanks for the review dude!
Melissa-thanks so much for the review! Don't worry, the end is near! Not that that's a good thing, its rather disappointing really.
Tai+Lisa = Squall+Rinoa-I'm sorry if my chapter lengths don't satisfy you, but it can't be helped. I thank you for your review but as to the length of my chapters, my dear, I think they're fine and no one else seems to be complaining, so they'll stay this length, even this chapter was a little longer than last.
Angelprinczess29-aww! Don't worry! I feel for you so much, I start my second last grade in highschool in february and I'm so extremely freaked! I hope you're doing okay in school and that this chapter was ok enough to make you happy for a little while ^.^ your latest chapter was great though! I'm sure I said that in my review ^.^ thanks so much! Muahz!
The Ever Smiling-omg! Did I really say Adam Brody instead of Adrian Brody? *checks last chapter* ack! I did too! I love Adam Brody! You can tell who I think about most of the time ;) hehehe, I love Seth in OC and Dave in Gilmore Girls, he's so cute! Omg! I loved ROTK! I love LOTR! I watched the marathon a couple of days ago, yes I'm a lotr nut! I'm glad you liked last chappy, how did this chappy compare? I hope its ok! Thanks for the review fellow eric/ka!
Black Demon567-thanks so much for your review and no, I wasn't offended…I think. Hehehe, happy new year!
jisAtsU siLENcE-thanks so much for your review! Happiness is what reviews like your bring me! Thanks for taking the time to reivew!
CTHKSI-hehehe, wow! I've never had my stories compared to anything scientific before! Thank you so much! ^.^ you maketh me verily mucheth happily!
Wind Chime Bells-chemistry between the couples? On the way as we speak, madam! Thanks so much for the review!
Kistune Shippo-thankyou for your compliments and especially for taking the time to review ^.^
angel-brokensorrow-thanks for the CC, I've tried to describe a little more but I've never really been good at descriptions…I'll work on that. Thanks for the heads up! Thanks so much for reviewing! How was this chapter?
kairi-heartilly-thanks so much for reviewing! Happy new year!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Please brighten up my birthday by reviewing! It would mean so much to me! ^.^ btw, GO KURT - world idol!!
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