Chapter Seven: Only Memories
By PasifikStar
Author's Note: I cannot read any of the new reviews, so I can't reply to any of them. :( So I don't know what you all thought of the last chapter. Did I loose any readers? -_-;;
* All standard disclaimers apply: I do not own Final Fantasy or it's characters.
"What?" Squall asked, his voice deadly as venom. Nida swallowed hard and took a slight step back.
"Headmaster has put you on probation," Nida said nervously. Squall opened his mouth to ask why, but Nida held up his hands. "I'm sorry, but I don't know any more. I was just sent to bring you to his office."
Squall narrowed his eyes and nodded. "All right." he mumbled. He reached over and turned off the lights in his room. Nida stepped back and allowed the seething, yet cold looking commander to step into the hallway.
The journey to Cid's office was silent and filled with tension. Nida decided it was best not to speak to Squall, as the commander seemed ready to kill at any moment. Part of him wondered what exactly was going on that was getting Squall so angry. When they reached Cid's office, Nida went straight to his door and knocked.
"Sir, Commander Leonhart is here." Nida said.
"Let him in. You are dismissed Nida." Cid said in an authoritative voice. Nida nodded and stepped aside.
Squall walked past him and entered the room. Cid was sitting at his desk, his eyes downcast. Sitting in front of him was a tall man who was oozing out military prowess. He sat on one of the leather chairs and next to him, sat Rinoa. Her head was turned away, her hands clenched over the arms of the chair she sat in.
"Commander Squall Leonhart reporting." Squall stated coldly as he noticed the tension in the air.
Cid nodded and motioned his hand to a folding plastic chair to the left of the stern looking man sitting before Cid. As he sat down, he noticed the dark gray uniform that the man wore. The markings on his sleeves and collars identified him as a General. The symbol on his sleeve showed that he was a Galbadian General. Squall immediately realized who that man was - Rinoa's father.
"Commander this is General Caraway," Cid said in a low voice as he lifted his head to meet Squall's. "He has come today in regards to his daughter, Rinoa Heartilly Caraway."
Squall turned his head to the man to his right. Caraway gave a subtle nod of his head to acknowledge Squall. "It's an honor to meet you, sir."
"Likewise." Caraway replied in a deep voice.
Cid took a deep breath. "Rumors have reached the General in Galbadia," Cid said. "It seems that you and Miss Caraway, despite Garden rules and a personal warning from myself, are involved in some way. The General as come to personally see to this matter."
"My daughter denies all charges," Caraway told them. "However, knowing her, she is lying for the sake of protecting you. As a highly regarded SeeD that Headmaster Kramer has assured me that you are, I will ask you. Please answer truthfully. Are you and my daughter romantically involved?"
Squall stiffened. His eyes took on an icy cold look as he glanced over at Rinoa. Her dark bangs shielded her face from him as she turned her head away. Squall looked over at the General. "I can honestly say that at this moment, your daughter and I are not involved romantically. At the most, she is my student and a friend of a friend and colleague." Squall answered.
Cid let out a heavy sigh and was about to open his mouth, when Caraway continued to speak. "I have heard from the mouth of a very respectable man that you and Rinoa are seeing each other. I fail to see how and why he would lie about such a topic."
Squall's eyes narrowed slightly. "With all due respect sir, I would like to know the source of his account."
"His daughter claims that you two are involved. She saw you with my daughter at the Balamb Speedway." Caraway answered.
Rinoa felt her blood turn to ice in her veins as she heard that. *What...who would've said that!? Who saw us!?*
"Commander, were you with Miss Caraway at the speedway?" Cid asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Squall took a deep breath and opened his mouth. "It's not LIKE that!" Rinoa cut in. All three sets of eyes looked over at her. "The Commander has said it before - we have the same friends. He invited them to watch him race and I tagged a long. You can even ask Seifer and Irvine!"
"And what were you doing tagging along?" Caraway asked his daughter. Rinoa sat up straight in her chair and met her father's steady gaze.
"I wanted to go hang out with my friends," she stated simply. "Is that such a crime, FATHER?"
"I did invite a group of friends to attend the exhibition run a few weeks ago," Squall admitted. "However, I was not aware that Miss Caraway would join them."
"Headmaster, please let in Seifer Almasy and Irvine Kinneas." Caraway said, ignoring the two teens and looking directly at Cid. The headmaster nodded and pressed a button on his phone.
"Send in Almasy and Kinneas," Cid said. Within moments, the door opened and two tall young men walked in. Both carried solemn looks on their face as they stood at the door. "I'm sorry I don't have seats for you two," Cid told them honestly. "Please bare with us."
Seifer nodded his head and Irvine's keen eyes shifted from Rinoa to Squall. When he had seen Seifer waiting in the lobby before Cid's office just moments earlier, he knew something was up involving Rinoa. However, he never expected General Caraway to actually be physically there, in the same room. His presence never ceased to make him nervous and now was no exception.
"Why did you want to see us, sir?" Irvine asked as calmly and respectfully as he could.
"He called you in because I wanted to speak to you," Caraway said. He kept his back rigid and turned to the two men behind him. "A few weeks ago, did you two go to the Speedway here in Balamb with Rinoa?"
Cid looked up a them and nodded subtly. "Yes, sir, we did." Irvine replied.
"Our friends were invited and so we went along with them." Seifer added.
"And was there any contact between Rinoa and Commander Leonhart?" Caraway persisted. The two exchanged glances.
"Yes, sir," Irvine said. Rinoa mentally swore and closed her eyes. "I believe she asked him for his autograph at one point."
"Other than that, there was no other contact." Seifer continued. Rinoa glanced up at them.
"What about her stay here? Has there been any sort of romantic involvement between my daughter and Commander Leonhart?" Caraway asked.
"None that we could discern, sir," Irvine answered, sounding extremely convincing. "We have followed your orders and saw to it that Rinoa has been kept out of any sort of romantic engagement."
Caraway opened his mouth to speak, but Rinoa shot up from her chair. "So you DID send Irvine and Seifer to be my watch dogs!" she gasped. Her eyes were narrowed as her hands turned into fists at her sides. "WHY? I wasn't doing anything wrong!"
"Sit down," Caraway ordered in a deep voice. "You know very well why I sent them to watch you. Do you think I want to see you stalked out of Balamb Garden as well? It's best that you abstain from that sort of relationship at this point and time!"
Rinoa remained standing and stood over her father, glaring daggers at him. "What in the world made you think that I would be stalked again!?" Rinoa gasped. "I'm perfectly safe here at the Garden! That's why you sent me here in the first place!"
"I was only concerned-"
"About what!?" Rinoa shouted furiously.
Caraway kept his eyes focused at the window, past where Cid was sitting. "I see enrolling you here was a mistake." he suddenly said. His voice was much too calm for the situation.
Rinoa's eyes went wide. "WHAT?" she asked in a partially disgusted voice. "What do you mean by that?"
"Irvine, assist Rinoa to her room. Help her pack her things. She's leaving. Today." Caraway stated. Rinoa gasped as Cid sat up straight. Squall sat on his chair, a cold look on his face.
Irvine and Seifer immediately turned to look at Rinoa as she fumed next to her father. "General Caraway, are you sure about this?" Cid asked nervously.
"Don't worry, Headmaster, I will pay her tuition until the end of the year in full," Caraway replied. "From now on, I'll just have Rinoa home schooled."
"What!? NO!" Rinoa screamed. "No! My finals are next week! How can you drag me out like this!?"
"I'll arrange for the rest of her things to be picked up at the end of the week," General Caraway continued, as if Rinoa weren't yelling next to him. "I'm sorry to had to have bothered you like this, Headmaster."
"Don't ignore me!" Rinoa shouted. "You can't do this!"
"Rinoa, let's go." Irvine said. He reached out and grabbed her wrist.
"Let me go, Irvine!" Rinoa growled. Irvine looked up into her eyes and saw a flash of light go through her brown orbs. His eyes immediately darted away as he pulled his hand back.
"Rinoa, go pack your things," General Caraway stated coolly as he stood up. "Headmaster, I trust that Commander Leonhart will be properly dealt with."
Cid closed his eyes and nodded as he stood up, signaling the official end to the meeting. "Yes, General. Thank you for your generosity."
"What generosity!?" Rinoa shouted. "What the hell is wrong with you!? What the hell are you so afraid of!?"
"I will meet you in the limo outside," Caraway told Irvine as he turned around. He didn't give Rinoa a second look. "Just bring the things she can carry. The rest will be picked up."
Irvine nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Almasy, you're free to stay," Caraway said, turning to the blond. Seifer nodded, but kept his eyes diverted. "Good luck with your studies."
"Thank you, sir." Seifer mumbled. Caraway walked out of the room with a casual grace, as if Rinoa wasn't in tears. Seifer's green eyes turned to Rinoa. Clear, heavy drops were sliding down her flushed cheeks as she crumpled back into her chair.
"I'll see the General out." Cid said nervously, quickly standing up and going around his desk. He squeezed past Rinoa and Irvine and out the door.
It closed behind him. "He knew all along..." Rinoa sobbed uncontrollably. "That bastard...he never believed me..."
"Rinoa, you were lying," Irvine said. "We all were. Hell, even the headmaster knew and was lying through his teeth."
"Squall, I'm so sorry..." Rinoa whispered. Her head lifted up to look at him. Squall just sat there numbly, his eyes looking away from her. "I'm so sorry..."
"Cid said that if I broke the rules, my request for time off for the G-14 would be retracted," Squall said in a low, monotone voice. "I'm on probation now."
Rinoa's eyes filled with tears. "Oh, Hyne..." she whispered. "You...you can't go... I'm sorry...I'm so sorry..."
Squall stood up, a cold look on his face. Rinoa's heart stopped as he strode towards her. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her up to face him. Suddenly, his arms were around her, holding her against him as Irvine and Seifer looked on. "Don't be sorry..." he whispered. "There is always next year. I don't regret anything."
Rinoa closed her eyes. Her arms went around his body tightly. She didn't care that Seifer and Irvine were in the same room as them. They already knew anyway. She buried her face in his chest, inhaling his scent as the soft material of his leather jacket caressed her face. Just for a moment, with his arms around her, she forgot where she was. However, that feeling soon fled.
"Rinoa..." Irvine's voice said, almost hesitantly. "We have to go...your father is waiting."
Rinoa nodded slightly as Squall slowly let her go. He looked down at her, engraving her face into his memory before she vanished. His hands rose and cupped her face. He gently wiped her tears away. "I'll see you again..." he whispered softly.
"Squall..." she whispered back softly. Irvine put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her away from Squall.
"Seifer, can you take Rinoa to her room. I'll be right out." Irvine said.
Silently Seifer nodded and took Rinoa's hand. He pulled her out the door as her face looked back at Squall, full of longing and regret. She stumbled out behind him. Squall closed his eyes. "Why did you lie?" he asked Irvine.
The cowboy looked over at him and shrugged. "Honestly, I don't know," Irvine admitted. "Maybe we didn't want to get in trouble. Then again, maybe we didn't want to see Rinoa go through all of that."
"What's going to happen to her now?" Squall asked.
"Caraway's going to keep her on lock down," Irvine said. "She'll be home schooled. She'll probably only be let out to go do recordings and performances, but he'll send someone to watch her at all times," Squall nodded and Irvine looked at him. "I like you, man. I think that under different circumstances, you and Rin would've been perfect for each other. I've never seen her as happy as she was when she was thinking about or near you."
"Then why is her father so against us being involved?" Squall asked.
Irvine looked away. "It's not that it's you in particular...but any man in general. He's very protect of Rinoa. He doesn't want her to be with a man like that."
"He's taking it too far."
"With Rinoa, it might not be..." Irvine mumbled. Squall narrowed his eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"Forget it," Irvine said. He took a deep breath and smiled at Squall. "Listen... I'll keep an eye on her for you, you know. Keep away the vultures. But don't worry... she won't forget about you. At least not for a long time."
Squall didn't reply as Irvine turned around and headed out the door. Irvine rushed to Rinoa's room and was about to turn the corner when he ran into someone. "Hey, Irvy! What's the rush?"
"Selphie..." Irvine said softly. A small smile graced his face as he looked at her. She tilted her head to the side, slightly confused as to why he was looking at her so intently.
"What is it?"
Irvine smiled and bent over, pulling the petite brunette into a warm hug. "I'm going to miss you the most..."
"What?" Selphie asked, confused. He let her go hesitantly and kissed her softly. "Irvine...? What's going on?"
"I have to go back to Galbadia with Rin," Irvine said, a sad look in his eyes. "I'm sorry it's such short notice."
"Wait, WHY?" Selphie said. Irvine was trying to get around her, but Selphie was quickly blocking his way. "Why are you two going back?"
"They were caught Selphie," Irvine sighed. Selphie was about try to feign ignorance, but Irvine shook his head. "You know who," he stated. "Her father heard from someone that they were involved and came to get her."
"Oh no..." Selphie whispered. She brought her hand to her mouth and shook her head. "But..."
"All of us denied it," Irvine added. "But her father didn't believe us."
"What about Squall?" Selphie gasped.
"He's on probation," Irvine replied. "He's not going to the G-14 any more. Selphie... I didn't want this to happen to them. I love Rinoa like a sister and she's really hurt."
Selphie nodded. "Don't worry," she told him with determination. "Everything will be all right, Irvy...we'll help them."
Irvine winked and smiled. "I knew I could count on you."
"She's ready to go." a deep voice said behind them. They turned and saw Seifer standing there, with Rinoa in front of him.
She was holding a duffel bag, her lap top case, and purse. Selphie ran up to Rinoa and gave her a big hug. "Don't worry, Rin...I'll watch Squall for you."
Rinoa closed her eyes and hugged Selphie back. "Thank you..." she sniffled slightly. She pulled away and offered a smile. "Don't look so sad...it'll all work out."
Selphie nodded and stepped aside as Irvine and Seifer seemed to switch and Irvine began to escort Rinoa back. Seifer stood where he was. "Rin," he said suddenly. The dark haired girl turned around and looked back at him. "I'll slice puberty boy in half if he cheats on you."
Rinoa felt her lower lip tremble as she smiled and nodded. "Thanks..." she said. Irvine smirked and lead Rinoa to the elevator. They stepped in and Rinoa clutched her things tightly.
When they walked out, the corridor suddenly seemed crowded and their path to the front doors were lined with students. They were all whispering among themselves and looking at her. Rinoa held her head up and took a deep breath. "Let's go." Irvine mumbled.
She nodded and followed behind him. Her footsteps sounded in the empty halls as she passed the students. Zell waved at her weakly, not really understanding why she was leaving. Quistis was by the door way, standing next to Squall with a concerned look on her face.
"Rinoa-" the blond began as she took a step forward. Rinoa merely smiled.
"Thank you for all your help, Instructor," Rinoa said warmly. "I'll study hard."
Quistis watched as Rinoa walked past her. She stopped in front of Squall and turned to face him. She extended her hand. Squall carried an unreadable expression on his face as he raised his hand and shook hers. He felt something against the palm of his hand and glanced down quickly.
A small piece of paper was being slipped into his sleeve by Rinoa's hand. When it was securely in place, she removed her hand from his and bowed her head in apology. Squall watched as she stood up straight and met his eyes for the last time. *I love you, too...* his mind replied as he read the expression in her eyes.
Irvine tugged at Rinoa's other hand and pulled her away. The doors were opened as she walked outside. Cid was standing by the limo and looked away as Rinoa walked down the steps. She paused as she reached the last step and looked over the limo. She squinted her eyes as she looked over at the parking lot. It had been a clear night when they first met.
He had almost killed her then, she realized. A thoughtful look went over her face as Irvine put his hands on her shoulders and helped her into the limo. She was seated in the back seat, her father sitting on one of the seats to her left. Irvine had put her things into the trunk of the limo before climbing in after her.
He sat down to her left side, coming in from the other side of the vehicle. The engine started up and Rinoa looked out the tinted window to her right. Selphie, Quistis, and Zell were on the top steps waving at her as they carried sad looks. She looked past them and saw Seifer sulking with Raijin and Fujin. She was about to smile, slightly amused by his expression, when she saw him.
Squall walked down to the last step and stood next to Cid. She raised her hand and pressed it against the glass. The limo began to move away and she turned her head and then her body to keep her eyes on him. He grew smaller as the limo pulled out of the Garden.
"Did you tell him?" Caraway asked, cutting through Rinoa's thoughts.
She turned slowly and set her narrowed eyes on her father. She gritted her teeth as her hands balled into fists. "I wish I did."
Cid paced in front of Squall in his office. He didn't know what to say. Squall was sitting on the chair in front of him, in the exact same spot where Rinoa had been sitting earlier. Now he sat there, slumped to one side with his eyes glazed over. "Squall-"
"You knew all along," Squall said suddenly. Cid stopped and looked over at the young commander. Squall lifted his head to meet Cid's look. "You knew about me and Rinoa. Why did you deny it?"
Cid took a deep breath and sat back in his chair tiredly. "You are the best SeeD this Garden has, Squall," Cid told him truthfully. "I couldn't bring myself to punish you. And I know you've been working towards the Galbadia-14 for years, I didn't want to take that from you so suddenly."
"So I suppose taking it from me slow and steadily was better?" Squall spat out bitterly.
"You KNEW what you were getting yourself into," Cid replied. "And yet you still persisted. This is the first rule you've ever broken! Why? Do you really love her? You're seventeen, Squall - not even eighteen yet! How do you know you love her!?"
"I just do," Squall said as he shot up from his seat. Cid jerked his head back. "I don't care about the time off or the probation. I broke the rule so I'll take the punishment."
"Until further notice, you are suspended from your duties here at the Garden," Cid said. "You will have no training room time and your pay will be held."
Squall turned his head away sharply. "Whatever."
"You do realize that this means you cannot participate in the Galbadia-14..." Cid added. Squall nodded.
"There'll be other years," Squall said in a low voice as he headed for the door. "I only have once chance with her..." he mumbled.
"Squall!" Cid shouted. Squall grabbed the handle of the door and pulled it open. "We're not through here, Squall! SQUALL!"
He slammed the door and stomped outside. Cid's secretary and faculty members who were passing by turned their heads as Squall stormed past them. "Squall, are you okay?" Zell said as Squall passed.
Squall didn't reply and Zell frowned. "Leave him alone," Quistis said behind him. "He just needs to be alone right now."
The brunette didn't bother waiting for the elevators. Instead, he headed for the stairs and ran up several flights of stairs to the floor his room was on. He burst from the stair well and made a beeline for his room. As soon as he entered the sliding doors he threw off his jacket and slammed his fist into the nearest wall.
The dull, throbbing pain shot through his arm as his fist made contact with the hard wall. He paid no attention to it as he leaned against it heavily. His shoulders heaved up and down as he breathing grew shallower. When the first sob escaped him, he finally realized he was crying.
Salty bitter tears rimmed his eyes and slowly slid down his cheeks as he turned his back and leaned against the wall. He slid down the side of the wall and sat down, leaning forward tiredly as if life had left him. It might as well had. Rinoa was gone. The G-14 was gone. Even his job was non existent. *What the fuck is going on?* he asked himself as he leaned his head back. "When did I loose everything?" he whispered.
He raised his hand up to wipe his face when he realized that he had been gripping something the whole time. He looked down at his hand and opened his palm. *Rinoa's note...* With shaking hands he unfolded the crumpled piece of paper.
I love you.
It was so simple, it hurt. Squall stared at the paper and read it a hundred times over. He lifted his head and looked up. He saw his laptop on his desk and slowly crawled over to it. He put the note next to some papers and sat on his chair.
As if afraid to be burned, he lifted the screen of the laptop up and tapped his finger on the touch pad. The screen came to life and he looked into her eyes once more. The picture he had been admiring no less than a few hours earlier was still up on his desktop. Her beautiful smile looked back at him, giving him a comforting warmth.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he raised his hand to trace the outline of her face on the screen.
Rinoa looked across from her. Her father was sleeping on the train ride back to Deling City. Sitting next to her, leaning against side of the private cabin, Irvine slept. She looked out the window thoughtfully. She could see her reflection in the glass.
Her eyes were still red from her earlier fit of tears. Slowly her eyes settled on the reflection of the chain around her neck. Her slender fingers followed the chain and pulled it out from under her shirt. Two silver rings dangled together on the thin necklace.
She wrapped her fingers wrapped around the cold metal and she closed her eyes. She pressed the precious objects against her chest. Squall had just lost his chance to the one race that would forever define him in the world of motorsports. And it was her fault.
She opened her palm and looked down at the lion engraved ring. It immediately reminded her of the heavy necklace that Squall always wore. It would rest steadily on his chest no matter what he did. She could still remember how it felt to have her arms wrapped around him. She could almost feel the beating of his heart against hers as they raced back to the Garden on his motorcycle.
She remembered the moment she first saw the machine barreling towards her. Her heart almost burst in her chest as she fell to the side from the sheer shock of nearly getting hit by it. She recalled the concern she felt as she realized that the driver had taken a worse spill and was even bleeding.
Yet regardless of his wound, he had still stopped to help her search for her ring. The look of boyish satisfaction was on his face as he found the object by a car. And when he turned to face her, giving her a good look at his face, her breath was stolen.
He was easily the most gorgeous man she'd ever seen. His blue eyes captivated her as he lifted her ring and held it out. She looked back down at the rings on her chain once more. *It was like he was asking me to marry him...* Rinoa thought to herself. *And it felt so right...*
Unbeknownst to her, Irvine was awake. He studied her from underneath his cowboy hat. He noticed her stare at the rings around her neck and narrowed his eyes. He only recalled her having ONE ring - her mother's. Where had she gotten the other one? He tried to get a better look at it, but Rinoa lifted them up and tucked them back under her shirt.
"Are you okay?" Irvine whispered. Rinoa nodded, almost emotionlessly. She closed her eyes tightly and wished desperately to be dreaming.
He watched as she reached into one of her bags and pulled out notebook. There was a mechanical pencil stuck in it's pages and she pulled it out as she opened it. When she did, something slipped out. Rinoa paused and slowly lifted the item up. Irvine couldn't see, since Rinoa held the notebook's sides up, keeping the item hidden from view.
Rinoa put the picture back into her notebook and stared at it. Selphie had just given it to her the night before. It was the only copy of that picture that Selphie had made. Rinoa smiled to herself.
Had the camera been able to see through the dark skirt of the table, it would've captured their intertwined hands under the table. She blushed at the memory and looked over Squall's face. He had a rare, but pleased smile on his face as he sat up in his chair with her next to him. *Did he regret anything?* she asked herself. His face said no.
"What are you writing?" Irvine asked.
"A song," Rinoa said as she turned the page to hide the picture. She lifted the mechanical pencil and began to write on the note book. "Irvine..."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"For what?" he asked confused. Rinoa turned to look at him and smiled.
"For being a good friend."
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!?" a voice screeched over the phone. Squall pulled his cellular phone away from his ear as a furious Tifa yelled into the phone. Behind her, he could barely make out Cloud's voice begging her to calm down. "NO, I WILL NOT CALM DOWN!"
"Just give me the phone, Tifa-" Cloud pleaded. Squall could almost see them climbing over each other to get to the phone while Tidus and Zidane did their best to stay out of it.
"Not until I get this straightened out!" Tifa announced. "Squall, are you still listening?"
"Yes-"
"I'm going to come to the Garden RIGHT NOW and talk this over with your boss... what's his name?" Tifa asked.
"Headmaster Cid Kramer," Squall sighed. "Don't bother, Tifa. He as every right to do this-"
"He as no proof!" Tifa stated. "Why should you be punished? There is no proof that you're guilty!"
"But I AM guilty."
"Don't tell me that! What if they ask me to testify!?" Tifa shouted. Squall took a deep breath and tried to relax.
"Just please send in the retraction notice," Squall sighed. "I can't go."
"Then just quit and go!" Tifa gasped, as if it were such an easy choice. "You've been dreaming of this since you got your bike, Squall. Don't throw it all away."
"But I've trained my entire life to be a SeeD, Tifa," Squall insisted. "I can't just throw away a life's work. Besides, I can always try again next year."
He heard her let out a heavy sigh on the other line. "Please don't do this," Tifa pleaded calmly. "What if you don't make it next year? Or the year after that? You won't always have next year to make it. And if you win, you'll be set for life. You wouldn't need to work at the Garden any more."
"I broke the rules," Squall insisted. "I fell in love with Rinoa and tried to see her despite the fact we were told not to. I'm glad I did and I don't regret it, so I'll deal with the punishment."
"That's very gallant of you, honey, but please, just think this over." Tifa continued to plead.
Squall was laying on his back, staring up at the ceiling. He shook his head. "I've made my decision..." he said. "And I'm sorry to say that I won't be able to go to the track in a while. I'm under house arrest for another week."
"Oh, Hyne..." Tifa sighed. She closed her eyes and ran her hand down her face. "All right. But I won't submit the retraction notice for a while. Just in case you change your mind."
"I won't," Squall insisted. "Thanks."
"Bye..." The phone went silent and Squall slowly put it down next to him. He reached over and blindly hit the clock radio next to his bed with his hand. After a few tries, he managed to hit one of the buttons and music sounded. He frowned as he realized that the station was playing a slow ballad, but didn't bother changing it.
The song ended eventually as Squall laid there. The DJ's voice went on suddenly. "That was the piano solo from Rinoa Caraway's first album, Angel Wing. Call now for two front row and back stage passes to her spring concert in Deling City! Caller 92 and a friend will be flown to Deling City, attend the concert and meet Rinoa in person! All expenses paid! Call now and good luck!"
Squall grumbled and rolled over, turning his back to the radio. He couldn't escape her. Every thought was saturated with Rinoa. Now, even the radio was mocking him. It was saying that two total strangers would get to personally meet the woman he loved while he himself couldn't.
He couldn't even call her. When he tried, he found that her phone had been disconnected. Her father probably had it done. He had checked for any emails from her religiously in the mornings, but found that none awaited him from her. Only spam and Selphie's joke of the day emails.
Once, in desperation, he had attempted to connect to her computer, but found that he couldn't find her. All contact between them had been cut off. The only way he could see her was through old photos and things he found in the media about her.
"Caller 92! Congratulations! You're going to see Rinoa in concert in Deling City!" the DJ shouted all of a sudden.
"No way!? Are you serious!?" a deep voice said. "Yes!"
"Are you excited!?" The DJ asked.
"Hell yeah! She's so hot!"
Squall's hand flew over the clock radio and shut it off. He needed to get away. He felt so trapped in the last week. *But I'm on house arrest...* he thought to himself. He sat up and looked over at the unused motorcycle helmet hanging off the bed post. He narrowed his eyes and stood up. *Screw it...what do I have to loose?*
He grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair and put it on quickly before grabbed his keys and the helmet. His doors slid open and he walked outside. He looked around, making sure that no one was around. The sun was just about to set.
Just as Squall turned the corner to get to the stairs, he ran into someone larger than him. "Watch where you're going, puberty boy!" an all to familiar voice snorted.
*I do NOT need this right now...* Squall thought to himself. He looked up and saw Seifer looming over him with Raijin and Fujin behind him. "Get out of my way."
"You're under house arrest," Seifer said coolly. "Where do you think you're going?"
"Out."
"No you don't." Squall narrowed his eyes. He was at his breaking point already and now Seifer wanted to push him to the limit, too? Hell no.
Squall grabbed Seifer's jacket's collar with one arm and shoved him aside. Seifer narrowed his eyes and ran up to Squall. He shoved the dark haired boy back and Squall fell against Raijin. "Hey! Watch it, ya know!"
A crack was heard and a small phone fell from Squall's jacket. It slid across the floor. Squall wasn't paying attention and pulled away from Raijin. He ran forward, dropping his helmet and punched Seifer.
"Oh my Hyne!" a voice shouted behind them. "Stop it immediately!"
Seifer reached out for Squall and slammed his foot down as he stepped forward. It was then that they realized that Seifer had just crushed Squall's cellular phone. Seifer was smirking as he rubbed his jaw with one of his hands. Squall lunged forward, only to be held back by Raijin and Fujin.
Quistis suddenly appeared, running between the two males. Selphie and Zell were running after her and arrived. "What's going on!?" Zell gasped.
"Squall, your phone!" Selphie gasped. She pushed Seifer out of the way and picked up the broken flip phone.
"Seifer, what did you do!?" Quistis demanded angrily as she stood in front of him.
"Don't ask me, ask puberty boy there," Seifer said arrogantly. "He shoved me first. He was trying to escape."
"Squall, is this true?" Quistis asked, turning around to face the blue eyed brunette. Squall merely turned his head away as Raijin and Fujin let go. He tugged his jacket on straight and reached down to grab his helmet. "Squall!"
"Just leave me alone." Squall hissed.
"Squall, wait!" Selphie said. She ran past the group and towards Squall, who was still making his way to the elevator. "Here!" she said, taking out her sleek silver phone. "Take my phone."
"Get out of my way, Selphie-"
"Squall, PLEASE," Selphie pleaded. "Just in case you're in an accident or something, just bring this with you!" She looked up at him with large green eyes. "And keep it on. Just answer the phone if someone calls and say you're using my phone. That's all I ask. Just bring it with you."
Quistis watched as Squall hesitated. "Just take her phone, Squall," Quistis said. "If Cid is looking for you, we'll call. Just take it in case something happens and we won't mention a word of this to Cid."
His black gloved hand wrapped around the small phone with the yellow star dangling from it's top. He slipped it into his pocket and Selphie let out a heavy sigh of relief. Squall walked past her and pulled open the door to the stair well and disappeared within it.
Quistis turned to Seifer. "Are you okay?"
"He didn't have to hit me..." Seifer mumbled as he rubbed his jaw.
"Well, you did break his phone..." Zell said as he looked over the broken pieces. "How are we going to get this replaced...?"
"Irvine! What are you doing here?" General Caraway asked as he walked up the steps to the Caraway mansion and saw the cowboy standing at the door, about to knock.
"Just visiting, sir," Irvine said. "I thought I'd drop by and see how she's doing."
"She's still sulking for no reason," Caraway said. "She's such a stubborn girl. Perhaps you can cheer her up."
Irvine nodded and looked at the man oddly as he was let in. General Caraway was such an enigma to him. The man was a powerful general, respected and feared all over Gaia. He cared about his daughter but to such an extreme as to rip her away from all she held dear. One moment he was ignoring Rinoa, the next he was worried that she wasn't eating enough. *He's suffocating her...*
When he entered the foyer, he heard the sound of a piano being played. "She's been playing that song for days..." Caraway grumbled. "Rinoa! Play something else!" He shouted as he walked into the piano room, followed by Irvine.
He found her sitting on the piano bench, her fingers playing a song that he'd never heard before. Laying next to the bench was Rinoa's dog, Angelo, who seemed to be sleeping. Rinoa herself ignored her father as she concentrated on playing the music.
"Rinoa...?" Irvine asked softly. "Hey, Rin..."
Her hands landed heavily on the piano keys and stopped. Angelo perked her head up and wagged her tail as she saw Irvine approaching. Rinoa turned around and saw Irvine. He smiled at her and slowly approached her, as if approaching a wounded animal.
"Hi, Irvine..."
"Hey..." he said. "You know, I was just in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop by. How are you feeling?"
Rinoa opened her mouth, but no answer came out. Her face turned away slowly. "I've been writing a song..." she whispered softly. Irvine nodded subtly.
"Uh...sir," Irvine said as he turned around to look at the General, who was having the curtains in the dark room opened. "Would it be all right if I took Rinoa out for a few hours? Just a drive around. Nothing special. Just so she could get some fresh air?"
"I don't want to go out," Rinoa said numbly. "I want to finish the song."
"Is that all right, sir?" Irvine asked, ignoring Rinoa.
"Just have her back by her curfew, Irvine," the General said. "And I trust that there will be no other party?"
"No, sir. Just us," Irvine assured him. The General nodded and Irvine turned to Rinoa. "Okay, Rin. Let's hop in my car. Where do you want to go?"
"I want to finish the song." Rinoa insisted.
Irvine's eyes squinted slightly. "Rinoa...you have to go out sometime. Come on, I'll buy you ice cream..."
"No..."
"How about the beach?" Irvine asked casually. "You like the ocean, right? Why don't we go there? You can bring your note book and finish your song there."
Rinoa thought about it for a moment and nodded. Irvine let out a sigh of relief. He was really starting to worry about her sanity. Within a few minutes, they were out the door and in his car. He drove out of the mansion's drive way and out of the city. They headed towards the ocean and Irvine looked at his watch.
Rinoa was silent the entire way there. Her eyes were focused directly ahead of them as her hands clutched her blue note book with a pencil pinned between the covers. Every time Irvine tried to talk to her, she would merely nod or answer with one word. After two hours, he gave up.
The sun had already set when they reached the sea shore. The air was salty and crisp as a cool wind blew threw the area. Irvine parked his car as close to beach as possible and then got out. He opened the door for Rinoa and allowed her to step out, dressed in a light blue sun dress and white sweater and sandals.
"I can't write in the dark." she stated simply.
Irvine sighed and took the book from her hands. "Then just to put your feet in the water," he said. "Here," he added as he dug into his back pocket and pulled out his phone. "Why don't you call Selphie and tell her hi? She probably misses you."
Rinoa nodded slightly and took the phone without question. She began to walk out into the shore. Soft sand fell into her white sandals as she walked towards the water. She lifted the silver phone and began to go through Irvine's phone book. She smiled slightly. *He sure has a lot of girls' phone numbers in here...* Finally, she found Selphie's cell phone number and pressed dial.
The darkness covered him as he rode a lone road along the sea shore. As he turned the corner, the tires gripping the asphalt road below him, he could almost feel her arms around his waist once more as she pointed out into the sea. His hands tightened around the handles as he sped up.
The street lights had long since become few and far between when he finally came to a stop. Squall parked his bike by the guard rail, underneath a street lamp. He tore off his helmet and hung it on the bike's handle before he jumped over the railing and headed towards the ocean.
He could hear the crashing waves against the tan sand as his black boots dug themselves into it. *It's so dark...* he thought to himself as he looked out into the horizon. The sky seemed to melt into the ocean.
He stood there, on the wet packed sand, just a few feet from the rising tide. He didn't feel like getting wet. All he could hear was the water.
That was quickly shattered by the sound of a polyphonic ring tone cutting through his thoughts. Squall frowned and reached into his pocket, taking out Selphie's phone. Without another thought, he opened it.
"Selphie's letting me borrow her phone," Squall said. "Can you call back later?" Then, all time seemed to stop as a sweet voice answered him.
"Squall?" The voice sounded confused, yet hopeful at the same time. "It's me."
