+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
11.01.03 – 11.04.03
woooo hoooo… itz 11.30 AND here am I typing it all again.. XD watching endless love 3: summer's rain… am trying to get some ideas there lol! Wahehehehe… Happy All Saints Day!! ^^
a very much long chappie here… XD wahehehehe.. thankies minna for the patience in waiting for the next chappie to be brought up..!! ^^ please keep the R&Rs coming!!!! ^^
Standard Disclaimers apply… ^.~ (tho I would like to own them!! XD)
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
Ffviii: Sweet Love...
Story Four: Dared to Dance
9:00 am Skating Rink
Music from the gray portable stereo blared throughout the deserted area. A girl in her jeans skated solitarily, spinning around on the center of the cold, icy rink. Her smooth moves and excellent reaction to the chosen music made her to be like a very experienced professional figure skater.
Yesterday's events flashed back to her memory.
"Blue Magic – Ray Bomb!" Bright light followed.
Quistis appeared. "I'm sorry." Then she disappeared.
Besides, it seems like him not his type anyway.
Seifer suddenly appeared. "So, what brings you here?"
"I.. I wanted to be your partner for the dance… that is.. if you say 'yes.'"
"Seifer.." Rinoa mumbled as she made a final twist, which last for two minutes.
"If I show up tomorrow night, then it means I'll be your date, deal?"
Afterwards, Rinoa gathered her belongings, her portable stereo, and gray duffel bag right after she changed her skates for her boots. She then started walking towards the exit. Outside the door, Perilemia greeted her with a wicked smile.
"Hello, Ms. Rinoa."
"Oh, hi. Ms. Aura." Rinoa wasn't expecting to see her at an early time in the morning.
"You could remove the title, and just call me Perilemia."
"So is mine." She answered in a monotone.
Perilemia twirled her finger around her reddish brown lock of hair. "Alright. I'll be straightforward with you, Rinoa. Well, since you are a close friend of mine. You'd be the first one to hear my news. My relationship with dear Squall is quite developing – one step later to be exact, and sooner or later, he will be asking me out to the dance.
"Oh, great." Rinoa mumbled disgustedly, simultaneously rolling her eyes.
Perilemia raised her eyebrows. "Uh, what were you saying?"
"I – it – it's nothing much… haha…" Rinoa released a nervous laugh and checked her watch. "Oh, my time's up. Gotta go!" She quickly left Perilemia, who was satisfied on Rinoa's actions.
~*~*~*~*~
And I'd give up to touch you…. Cause I know that you feel me somehow… You're the closest to heaven that I've ever seen… and I don't wanna go home right now… and all I could taste is this moment… and all I can breathe is your life… but sooner or later is over… and I don't wanna miss you right now…
Rinoa looked out at the huge yet colorful expanse of the campus garden from the hallway's balcony. She sighed wistfully, with two hands supporting her head.
Should I really go tonight or not? I mean, it's so frustrating… I do hope there's a sign to tell me if I should go.
Coincidentally, Zell and Irvine passed by the girl's back, not noticing the downhearted female due to their engrossed conversation.
"Ey, Zell. Tonight's the dance. Who's gonna be your date?"
"Well, I dunno.. if Selphie's even available.." Zell sighed, receiving a soft pat on the back from Irvine. "Uh, what's on your mind?"
"Uh me?" Irvine laughed nervously. "Well… I… Quistis…"
"HER?!" Zell half-hollered, loud enough for Rinoa to hear. Her face displayed a cunning smile, a hint that a plan had just been newly developed, and then she decided to follow them out.
~*~*~*~*~
11:00 am Dormitory Section C, Dorm No. 410
"C'mon, printer… Print faster." Selphie mumbled as she tapped her foot impatiently while standing in front of her desk. She already waited half a day for the printer to finish printing her twenty-five pages report that was due two hours later.
She deeply sighed as she flopped on her seat, subsequently eyeing the gown that was hanged on the cabinet's doors. "Tonight… should I really have to go? I mean… I don't know if Zell's available." She turned crimson red upon realizing what she had just said. "What was I mumbling about? He's a guy who would definitely prefer a girl who's outgoing… not a goody-good two shoes like me…. " She then focused back on eyeing the printer to be done. Suddenly, her lips moved once more. "If only…"
~*~*~*~*~
Quistis looked at her own reflection in front of her dorm's mirror, sighing for the millionth time. She then headed towards the window and sat on the still.
I cant help but wonder why would men be afraid of me… Is it because I'm strict? No, I'm only following SeeD's codebook… or is it I decide the ones which are against them?
"Decision…" She murmured as some memories of the past haunted her.
"Quistis… I got news for you…" The sixteen year old Irvine began as they walked hand in hand at the park during one of their past dates.
"Um, what is it? You sound so… sad…" Quistis, during her fifteen year old days, inquired with worry attached to her voice.
"My father told me that I have to go tomorrow for Trabia for a year… to undergo training on handling our family business in the future.." He announced in remorse.
"Trabia… isn't that place very far from here?" Quistis sounded disappointed with tears falling from her eyes.
"Yes, but I'll write and call you often, ok?" He wiped the unwanted tears from her eyes.
Quistis held his warm hand close to her white smooth face, smiling. "Promise?"
"I promise." Irvine smiled at her.
"Ok then… I'll wait for you… even if it takes many years…" Irvine put his two fingers on her pink lips.
"Shh… I love you, Quistis…"
As she held her face with her hands, tears unconsciously started dripping from her ocean blue eyes. "You promised, but you never did live up to that promise… I guess promises are really meant to be broken.." She whispered as she held a picture of them as a couple smiling on that day. "I.. I waited for you… for two straight years.. why .. why did you… Irvine Kinneas…"
~*~*~*~*~
3:30 pm Hallway
"Damn.. now what?? I'm short of coins. Just one gil away… and too bad this machine can't even return my money!" Rinoa complained as she glared at the machine angrily.
I can't just leave my money here… I craved for that ice cream for so long.. She thought as she sighed, eyeing the ice cream cup longingly and with such desire.
"Miss Rinoa! Miss Rinoa!" A maidservant called out, searching the mansion's living room for the five-year-old Rinoa. "Come here at once. You need to be clean as soon as your mother gets home… put down that ice cream cup!"
"I don't want to be clean!" Rinoa stuck her tongue out and ran away, still clutching the ice cream cup.
"Miss Rinoa, please!" The maidservant followed behind. Rinoa, running, faced the maid's direction and stuck her tongue out at her. Unknowingly, she bumped into a vase in front of her. As a result, the vase scattered into a thousand pieces, and Rinoa received a wound on her forehead.
"Miss Rinoa!" The maid attended Rinoa. Suddenly, Mrs. Heartilly arrived and didn't say a word when she saw Rinoa and the maid. After some minutes filled with tension, Mrs. Heartilly approached them.
She smiled at Rinoa. "I guess you're at it again, my little angel!" She playfully pinched Rinoa's little nose.
"I'm sorry, Mama.." Mrs. Heartilly planted a tender kiss on Rinoa's forehead.
"Mommy… I miss you…" She murmured as a couple of tears rolled down her cheeks.
"When are you gonna get done?" A voice demanded in a mean tone, impatiently waiting behind her. "Christmas? New Year?"
She quickly wiped her tears away and turned around. "I'm sorry… my… "
"You?!" Rinoa and Squall chorused in surprise, pointing at each other. Time seemed to stop before Rinoa tried to speak.
"Uh… I guess… we crossed each other's paths again…"
"Now, will you step aside and allow me to use the machine, hmm?" Rinoa stepped aside before she actually remembered.
"Uh no! Wait!"
"Why not?" Squall snapped back, very much annoyed.
"My money… I ran out of gil…. So if…" Rinoa began, blushing at her little problem.
"So.. what are you going to buy anyway?" Rinoa slowly pointed the said ice cream cup. Squall then supplied the remaining money inside. Her eyes sparkled when the ice cream cup reached the receiving bin.
"Tha… "
"Who said I'm giving it to you anyway..?" Squall said as he ate a scoop.
"No fair… give it back..!" She protested, of course; her money contributed the larger half of the ice cream he was eating.
"Uh-uh.." He refused, finishing it up,
"Give it.." Upon seeing the cup was empty already, she saw it was already useless to protest anymore. She sighed in defeat. "Men.. they don't understand… " She turned the opposite direction Squall was heading.
"Eh? Hey!" Squall followed her. She didn't turn around. "Hey.. I'm sorry…" She still didn't turn around. So he decided to meet her face to face. Surprised, Rinoa stepped back, then she returned to her serious face.
"What do you want?" Rinoa demanded.
"I'm sorry… here," He held out two candies from his pocket.
"For compensation's sake, huh?" Rinoa joked. "Alright." She unwrapped one and popped it into her mouth. "Thanks." Squall turned around.
He noticed the Statue of Truth on their left. "This statue.." He began. "It is told that anyone who talks here… what he'll say is the truth…"
"Oh really? By the way… I never got to know your name… uh, who are you?"
Squall stammered. "Me? Uh… I… I'm a friend of Squall Leonhart… in fact., his best friend."
"The Squall Leonhart?! You must be joking…" Rinoa loudly denied, laughing nervously.
"Please do believe…" Squall whispered, going closer to Rinoa. Then unexpectedly, Rinoa's watch alarmed. She turned to look.
"Oh… it's already 4:30.." Rinoa remembered, turning away from Squall. "Nice meeting you, Mr. Best Friend of Squall Leonhart.. see ya!" Rinoa smiled as she walked away and waved at him before leaving. "And thanks again!"
Unconsciously, Squall raised his hand and waved her back.
~*~*~*~*~
6:15 pm Dormitory Section C, Dorm No. 476
"Finally! I got a date!" Zell happily announced as the two men settled themselves on the floor inside Zell's dorm.
"Who's the lucky gal?" Irvine inquired as Squall continued to remain silent, eating his potato chips.
"Selphie, of course." Zell answered, fixing his tuxedo in front of the mirror/
"Well… I got mine too." Irvine confessed, simultaneously turning into bright red.
"Now, who's yours?" Zell asked back, applying gel on his blonde hair.
"She's – "
"Quistis Trepe." Squall finished, standing up to throw the empty pack and sat on the chair instead.
"You.. you mean… that woman-prowler?!" Zell half-screamed, almost dropping the gel tube in shock.
"Hey, she's not that bad, ya know…" Irvine defended.
"Must have a past, I suppose." Squall grumbled before yawning.
"Know what? Although you're a loner, you are right…" Irvine smirked at Squall.
He replied nonchalantly. "Thanks for the so-called comment of yours…"
"So, what's your relationship with that woman?" Zell inquired with intrigue as he settled himself beside Squall.
"Quistis… she's my first and last ex-girlfriend."
"Your… Your ex?!" Zell stammered.
"Yes.. we were until I left to handle family business back at Trabia."
"Trabia?"
"Zell, will you let me finish first?"
"Uh… ok…"
"Before I left, we have made a promise to call back and write each other frequently. But I became so challenged and engrossed in accepting the responsibility that I forgot out promise… even the secretary told me that the answering machine were filled with Quistis's calls. I promised myself to call her back… which I never did. So when I returned back to Galbadia after two years, I found out that she already left without telling anyone where…"
"How… " Zell commented. "It figures… maybe that's the reason why she hate men so much ever since she had arrived at Balamb…"
"Eh? Hate men?"
"Zell's talk are all nonsense." Squall finally spoke. "At least now, you were given a chance to make it up to her."
"You're right, Leonhart. Hey, but you never spoke like that before…"
Squall blushed a little. "Me? Uh… no… nothing…"
"Hey, guys… enough talk… it's seven already… let's go." Zell realized before he got up and turned off the lights as they went out.
~*~*~*~*~
Rinoa hummed happily, swaying her loose hair and ends of her gown rhythmically as the three women headed to the Quad which is a portion of the Second Building, where important affairs and parties of the school were usually held.
"You seen to be too happy… so what's going on, Rinoa?" Quistis observed, as she straightened her dress.
"Well, " Rinoa began as she turned around to face them. She then saw a glimpse of two men, Irving and Zell, behind, each with a bouquet of roses at hand. "The reason lies behind you…"
Selphie and Quistis wondered in chorus, but they followed anyway. They saw what Rinoa was talking about.
"What the…" Selphie gasped in disbelief.
Quistis's eyes narrowed. "What is he doing here, for goodness sakes?!" The two ladies faced Rinoa for an answer.
She just shrugged. "Oh well, isn't that already obvious? I fixed you up dates for the dance."
"I'm sorry, Rinoa. I'm going back. There's absolutely no way I can date that jerk." Quistis refused as she swiftly went past Irvine and Zell.
"But…" Rinoa began. Then Quistis balked for a moment when Irvine held her hand firmly.
"Please, Quistis. " He begged. "Listen to me.. I… I can explain…"
Quistis didn't turn. "You don't need to explain, Irvine." Her cold voice began. "All that matters is that you're not true to your word. You didn't call me or write me a single note for those five years time span. Five years was a long time for me, Irvine, a very very long time. I was there, waiting… waiting… time seemed to stop for me since you left… I was even worried if you already had found someone to replace me in your heart… if you're hurt… if you're dead… You… you never cared for my feelings back then… Never!"
Rinoa began to say something to stop the heated argument, but Zell held her back.
"Just let them settle their long-term argument."
"But.. I…" Selphie gently held her hand, smiling at her.
"I'm sure they'll be ok… don't worry much… they could work it out themselves…"
"All… Alright…"
Irvine released her hand to face her. "I… I know… and I do admit it's all fault.. why our relationship never worked out… I was dumb.. dumb to choose my work over you… but I know and I'm sure I don't want to lose you, Quistis. I don't want to lose you again… You're the best thing that ever happened to me." Irvine then kneeled down in front of her. "Will you forgive me and let me have a second chance to start over again..?"
Quistis stood there again, frozen. Time seemed to be pushed to a halt for all of them. However, one voice had broken the silence, and it was Quistis herself. "When I had arrived at Balamb three years ago, the moment I stepped out that train… I vowed to myself that I will start my life again without you.. forgetting the horrible past… however, now… I'm beginning to reconsider that vow… will you be with me from now on?" She flashed a reassuring smile as she held her hand out to Irvine.
"I will be… and it's a vow to you I'll surely keep." Irvine accepted her hand and hugged Quistis, lifting her up the ground as they spun.'
"Umm… I guess we should leave them to their privacy.. too much drama for one night…." Selphie whispered as she, Zell, and Rinoa left the area.
"Whew… I'm glad that things worked out smoothly…" Rinoa sighed as she went a few steps ahead.
"Yeah…" Selphie agreed. "I never knew Quistis had quite a past already… imagine… after all that years…"
Zell then cleared his throat as they reached the Quad entrance. "Ms. Tilmitt, may I be your date for the night..?" He bowed down in front of Selphie as he simultaneously extended his hand.
"Why… certainly.." She accepted his hand and let him lead her inside. She waved towards Rinoa before disappearing inside the crowd.
Rinoa sighed, crossing her arms at the same time. "What a night… it already burned me out… hrmm.. why do I have this feeling that I'm forgetting something?" She entered inside the Quad to get something to drink.
~*~*~*~*~
Raijin was taking a drink at the refreshments stand as his eyes meticulously made an eye sweep among the dense crowd in search for Rinoa, Seifer's dare date,. After a while, he saw Rinoa approaching distance to the table. He took out his radio to contact Fuujin.
~*~*~*~*~
"Seifer, aren't you supposed to be at the Quad right this very minute? Had you already forgotten that being late is a major turnoff , especially to Ms. Rinoa?" Fuujin asked as she entered Seifer's dorm, surprised to see Seifer unprepared. "Here's Ms. Rinoa's gift." She placed a swan figurine on his dresser as the radio beeped. "Oh, must be Raijin."
"Fuujin, it's me. Ms. Rinoa's here. Over."
"I read. Over."
"Is Seifer ready? Over."
"Not yet. But we'll be there within fifteen minutes. Over."
"Better hurry up. A lot of males are in line to dance her. Over."
"Ok. Stay in you present position; update me within five minutes. Over and out." Fuujin closed her radio and turned around, only to see Seifer disappear in thin air. "Seifer?"
"I'm here… be out in four minutes…" Seifer answered inside the bathroom.
Fuujin sighed as she flopped on Seifer's bed. I envy Rinoa… sometimes I wish I should really be his date tonight…
~*~*~*~*~
Squall leaned on one of the green post corners of the Quad, lonely once again, watching the couples dance from a safe distance. Then the face of the girl he just met earlier replayed back into his mind, but these thoughts were interrupted by the voice on the microphone.
"Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please? As we all know, we have gathered her to celebrate the newly inaugurated SeeD cadets. So, I, Irvine Kinneas, will be your emcee for tonight's very special affair. For the opening of our affair, may I ask Ms. Selphie Tilmitt for some announcements." Irvine smiled as he and Selphie exchanged positions.
"Oh, hello, everyone. I hope everybody's having a great time. Well, wondering why I'm here again? Actually, I'm representing the SA Committee for some announcements. " Selphie began, smiling widely as if she was on a press conference. "First of all, I wanted to thank you all for supporting our skating club survey. Your cooperation is truly and highly appreciated. Secondly, there is an available position for the over-all SA Committee chairman. For those who are interested, please file your application tomorrow. Last day of applications are on Friday. Finally, may I have the privilege to introduce our guest of honor tonight, champion skater and the hottest girl in town, Ms. Rinoa Heartilly. Let's give her a big hand of applause…"
The audience lively applauded as Squall made his way to the table, away from the stage.
~*~*~*~*~
"Boo!" Squall turned with no expression of surprise written on his face a few minutes later.
Rinoa laughed. "I knew I couldn't scare you that easily…" She pointed to a seat beside Squall. "May I sit?"
"Help yourself." Rinoa followed.
She noticed Squall'ss facial expression. "What's with the sad face?" Still, Squall remained placid.
"Hey, are you even listening to me?" Rinoa clapped her hands in front of his face.
"Uh.. what were you saying?" Rinoa sighed, drinking her punch instead. When she set down her glass, she stood up, bowing in front of Squall a while after/
"May I have this dance?" She offered, extending her hand.
"What…" Rinoa then frowned, taking her hand back.
"C'mon. Since I'm not being invited to dance, I might as well invite you then… I won't let a handsome guy like you to walk away without even dancing me…"
Squall smiled, amused as he stood up. "Then, miss… may I have this dance?" He bowed down as he extended his hand. Rinoa gladly accepted the offer.
"Of course…I loved to…" She led him towards the dance floor. She then put Squall's hand gently on her waist and hers around his neck. "Dance like this.. one, two, three.. one, two, three… " She smiled as Squall tried to follow her steps. He nervously smiled as he almost fell over Rinoa. She stopped short, blushing. At the same time, the music came to an end. Rinoa immediately spotted Seifer behind Squall's back.
"Oops.. I have to go now." Rinoa apologized. "I feel bad for leaving you now…" She walked a few steps forward, then she made a quick glance back. "I had fun tonight. Thanks. " Afterwards, she dissolved into the throng, leaving Squall.
~*~*~*~*~
"I thought you never came." Seifer began as he and Rinoa walked together to the terrace after dancing a while after.
"Oh really? I was beginning to think you stood me up." Rinoa pointed out, laughing.
"I'm really sorry that I had kept you waiting… Miss Rinoa." Seifer apologized. "Here. Accept this. As a token of my sincere apologies." He gave her the swan figurine Fuujin was holding earlier.
:You didn't have to,,, but thanks anyway.." Rinoa held the swan figurine up with her pale hands. Afterwards, she put it down and leaned on the railing. "Quiet evening, isn't it?"
"Uh.. ye.."
"Buzz.. zzzz.. " A sound came out from nowhere. Rinoa turned to locate its source. Then Seifer covered his ear.
"Err… may I be excused, Ms. Rinoa? For a minute please?" Seifer stepped away, unnoticingly and accidentally dropping his black leathered organizer. Rinoa slowly picked it up as soon as Seifer was nowhere in sight. She then decided to browse through its thick pages.
"Be obliged to fill in silences. Promptness is important. Sit up straight. Act casual. She likes swans. I bought figurine for her."
Rinoa giggled a little. A woman's handwriting… she must had practiced him very hard. She thought, browsing further. The writings on the next page made her upset.
"Be sure not to let Miss Rinoa know that date is dare." Then, she left the organizer fall from her hands unto the marble floor.
Next ep: Now that Rinoa knows that date is a dare.. what will she do?
Up next: Story Six: Unexpected Confession