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04.27.04 – 04.28.04

finally updated… X3 got a lil discouraged on continuing this one.. but I still hope to finish this one this year or even sooner! ^^ I do hope you guys would like this chapter.. please do read on.. ^^

3ne0nchan!

Standard disclaimers apply.. ^^ but Perilemia and the plot do belong to me.. XD

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Ffviii: Sweet Love…

Story Seven: ALL FOR YOU

3:00 pm    Hallway

"S-Squall Leonhart?!" Rinoa repeated, almost stumbling down in disbelief. "I-- impossible! Of course-- you're his best friend-- you said it yourself.. so there ain't a possibility that you are Squall Leonhart!"

"Well…" Squall's eyebrows met as he tried to clear things up for the confused and panicking lady in front of him. "It's the whole truth.." He bluntly said.

"Then if so, why should you tell a dirty lie to me in the first place?" She pointed out as any reasonable person would do.

"Uh, well.." He stammered. "I-- uh, kind of… had a feeling that if I told you right away… my real name… on that moment… you wont believe me.. because you said that I was different… I shouldn't had fooled a very honest girl like you… sorry.."

Rinoa unexpectedly blushed at his straightforward comment, most especially on his last word. "Uh.. um.. I guess I can forgive you.. and I always, always keep my part of the deal.." She smiled, extending her hand out. "Rinoa Heartilly. Pleasured to meet you, Mr. Squall Leonhart." He then accepted it.

"Ms. Rinoa Heartilly." He paused. "… I think I heard that name before.."

She giggled softly. "I guess I'm not as popular as they thought I am."

"Aha! I suppose you're the new comer!"

"Yup! That's me.." She playfully bragged. "The newbie in Balamb Garden University!"

"Then… you must be…"

"Hmmm?"

"Never mind.."

"Hey… since we do hang out with the same circle of friends…umm…" Rinoa stopped for a while. "Friends?"

"Friends."

*~*~*~*~*

Perilemia retreated to her former position after spying the two people from behind. Angrily, she crushed the paper cup she had been holding and threw it on the waste basket. Damn you, Rinoa! You already stole my hard-earned fame in one swing.. and now you're stealing my Squall! Her eyebrows met. You're a witch. An unforgettable backstabber.

"I'll get my revenge… sooner than you expected.."

*~*~*~*~*

11:30am    Classroom 2-A

"Rinoa… WAIT UP!" Selphie called out even before Rinoa stepped out of the room for lunch to the dining hall.

"Oh, hi, Selph.. what brings you here?"

"Well.. nothing… just a little chit-chat with my good ol' friend.."

"I remembered.. Who actually won the Garden president position?"

Selphie released a long high-pitched laugh which suspended Rinoa to death. "… Me."

"You?" Rinoa's eyes widened as she and Selphie finished ordering and went to their table.

"Yup, it's me… who else would it be?"

"Oh…" Rinoa brought out a smile upon her doubting face." Congratulations!"

"Thanks! Oh yeah, I also got great news for you! Your ice skating competition's up next month!"

"Next month?!! Really?" Rinoa asked.

"Yup! I was informed by Principal Kramer. And I'll be your manager for the meanwhile- -during your competitions.." Selphie explained. "By the way, that competition will be held at the Rink Plaza--"

"That means I should begin practicing…" Rinoa sighed as she played with the food in front of her using her fork.

"Yeah.. and I'll be supervising your progress then…" Selphie agreed, spooning her chiffon cake.

"Thanks…" Rinoa then sipped her iced tea.

"Oh goodie! There's Quistis and Irvine! Got to tell them the good news! See ya then, Rinoa-dear!" Selphie gathered up her things and left.

"Ok." Rinoa replied, without bothering to look up as she brought out a textbook to read on.

"Excuse me. May I join you?" A voice inquired.

"I don't mind." Rinoa answered, still absorbed on the book she's reading.

"Interesting book you have there.. that you haven't touched your lunch yet…" It observed.

"What.." Rinoa lowered her book to see Squall drinking his softdrink. "Squall?! What are you doing here?"

"Like I have a choice. The dining hall's too crowded." Squall explained. "Selphie was here earlier, right?"

"Um.. yeah. She announced to me that she's the newly elected Garden president." Rinoa took a sip of her iced tea." And she deserves it too. Having those leadership qualities… Friendly and decisive. Her new job will be a success."

"You?"

"You're asking about me?"

"Yes, you."

"Well, actually, there's nothing special about me. Why ask about me anyway?"

"You keep telling about Ms. Selphie that you haven't got anything much to say about yourself."

"But why me? I suppose you should tell something about yourself rather than being a human statue!"

"Then, let's have a deal.."

Rinoa laughed. "Deal again?! Know what?! You'll make a good negotiator or maybe a businessman, Mr. Leonhart. And I'll be your competitor in the future."

"Well.. thank you. I'll be expecting you then." They both laughed together.

"All right." Rinoa surrendered, raising up her hands as signal. "I can.. uh… skate.. there!"

"Do you..?"

"Do I what?"

"Like to skate?"

"I love to skate. Actually I got an upcoming competition next month. I'm gonna practice really hard to win for Balamb, and I hope you guys will be all there to see me."

"I'll try, but I won't promise anything." Squall replied firmly. Quickly, Rinoa changed the subject.

"What about yourself? What do you like to do?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing…? As in nothing?"
"You heard me right. I liked to do nothing. So that I can think about some things alone."

"You're sensible after all. It makes me want to do nothing too.." Rinoa forwardly commented, making Squall surprised simultaneously. "Huh? Did I say something wrong?"

"No.." Suddenly, her facial expression changed.

"I forgot… something… I got to go.." Rinoa hurriedly gathered her books on the table. "See ya later!" She immediately headed to the exit, unaware of Squall's recent amusement on his newly found friend.

*~*~*~*~*

2:30 pm     Student Lounge

Zell, Squall, and Irvine were gathered inside, finishing up some paperwork due next week.

"I can't take this anymore! It's too difficult!" Zell gave up as he threw the book on the table.

"I bet you only need some medicine.. A kiss from Ms. Selphie perhaps?" Irvine joked as he scribbled down some notes on his notebook. Reading still a novel, Squall remained quiet.

"Hey Squall.. I saw you with Ms. Rinoa earlier. What just happened there.. you laughing with her?" Zell asked while playing with his pen. "You guys seemed like close friends in such a short notice.. or even lovers if I knew better." Still, no answer came from Squall who hasn't budged on his position from reading his book.

"Will you just give us a piece of your mind, boy?" Irvine asked, writing until the tip of his pencil broke down. "Damn.."

"Hello, guys! What's going on with these young men…" Selphie joked as she and Quistis arrived at their table.

"Nothing much. We're just finishing up some paperworks." Irvine responded, drinking his soda.

"… And it's already hazardous to my brain!" Zell added as Selphie giggled.

"You must have meant it's dangerous since you had slept all throughout English class!"

"Well, for your information, Selph-dear, I received really hard training yesterday." He then glared at Quistis for added effect. "Thanks to dear Quistis."

Quistis just turned away, with eyes staring at Irvine's notebook. "So, are you done somehow?"

"Mine's done anyway. So you don't have to worry about me." Squall mumbled, started gathering his things.

"C'mon, Zell.. let's go out for a while! I promise to help you in your paperwork later on!" Selphie compromised, pulling Zell away.

"Alright! Alright!" Zell sighed in defeat, since he hated arguing Selphie for some nonsense, namely his paperworks.

"So, I'll be going now.." Squall left the place which is presently filled by the romantic atmosphere.

*~*~*~*~*

4:00 pm    Skating Rink

Alone in the center of the rink, Rinoa was spinning around on the ice. She has been training for the past two hours even after Selphie had left, and her skills were slowly making their steps to progress. She sighed as she sat on the railing of the rink beside her portable radio, resting for a while.

Squall… I really like him… that's why I'm doing this for him.. so that he would notice me.. somehow.. someday.. She determinedly thought, jumping down and pushing the play button to start the music. Then, Rinoa expertly did a series of jumps, spins, turns, and flips, including the swan figure as finale.

Rinoa caught her breath as she continued gliding. She saw a glimpse of a figure watching her. She skated back and forth to see who it was.

"Mr. Squall?" She now clearly saw Squall slumped his back on the wall. She didn't notice where she was headed, and as a result, she hit herself on the railing. "Ouch." She groaned. Squall immediately approached her but was cut off short when Perilemia barged into the place, clinging onto Squall again.

Rinoa froze, digging her skates hard into the synthetic ice she was standing upon. She just stared at the cracks being formed upon to prevent herself from being seen as too emotional, remaining quiet and still.

"Oh, Squall. What are you doing in this ugly place?" Perilemia inquired with obvious disgust.

"It's none of your business." He replied firmly.

"Anyway." She said in an irritated tone, glaring at Rinoa. "Let's go, Squall-dear. We have a lot of things to do." She tagged Squall along. "Bye, Rinoa!"

"Ms. Rinoa…" Squall began as Perilemia led him out.

"I guess I'll see you then." Rinoa forced a smile as the two left the place. She fell down on the ice, despaired and alone.

"Now it really hurts.." She sighed at her own pun, looking at the ceiling wistfully.

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Now its done its done! What do you think? Hate? Like? GRR?? *_*??? Tell me.. ^_^ I appreciate your reviews..

… The SeeD team has a new mission! Danger in Timber! UP NEXT in Sweet Love: STORY EIGHT: A SECRET TO SHARE.. please do support my fanfic.. ^^