06.25.04 – 06.26.04
a month!! I didn't update for a MONTH!! WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! TT lol well.. enough exaggerating… weya… im really into HP stuff lately lol sooo… gomen gomen nasai, minna-san!! TT I did a LOTS of things this past month.. ; gosh.. and now that the REAL skul year is here.. which I am totally scared off… that means.. ill be busy with skul stuffs again.. huhu… ill really really try to update this fic once a week or two weeks… tell me when I am WAYYY overdue… ; I need constant reminding at times… here's the second part of the story 9… got to chop it since the original length surpassed that of the previous chappie.. sooo long… X3
BOA's KEWLLL! 33
SHOUTOUTS TO:
Dkmagby88 = waii… uber uber uber thanks…it was never late.. sowi if I hadn't replied sooner… SKUL ish EBIL!! X3 I appreciate for you liking how I perceived Selphie in this story.. lol maybe I guess Selphie's "perceived" personality ish a lil patterned after mine.. hahahahahaha… 3 just love you dear!! I really appreciate and ish ever greatful to have you as a friend.. 3 3
lendemoni = weya.. ur reviews overwhelmed me… ; I really glad yew took time to read each one and review each one.. X3 thanks!! bows graciously
hehehe… so much for that… I was hoping to get a review hit of 40… ; oh wells.. but still your reviews, no matter how many lines they are.. matters to me.. coz they keep me working! 33
TRAGEDY: Standard disclaimers apply.. TT but Perilemia and the plot do belong to me.. XD
3 ne0nchan signing out for now!
Ffviii: Sweet Love…
Story Nine Part B: FROM DECEPTION TO THE TRUTH
5:00 pm Campus Gardens
Briand and Rinoa were both taking pictures of sceneries for the yearbook for two hours already. Rinoa then realized the time. "I really have to go now. Are the pictures you've taken enough already?"
Briand replied, "I'm sorry, but I need to take more… but do you really have to go now?"
"Well… I… yes.." Rinoa replied. Suddenly, a girl came out of nowhere and interrupted them.
"Ms. Rinoa?"
"That's me."
"Mr. Squall told me to relay this message to you.." She handed Rinoa a piece of paper before leaving.
It revealed a scripted handwriting clear enough to be read. "Rinoa, the ceremony has been delayed. So just meet me at the party at 7 pm. – Squall."
"Well?" Briand asked.
"What a coincidence! I'll be able to help you after all." Rinoa smiled. He adjusted then his camera lens and enthusiastically began to grab more rolls of film.
"That's great! Let's resume then!"
6:30 pm Main Lobby
"What the heck… What's keeping Ms. Rinoa??" Zell complained as he and Squall waited in the corner where Squall and Rinoa were supposed to meet. "Are you sure you told her the exact date, the exact time and the exact place?"
"Of course. A hundred percent." Squall solemnly replied.
"Oh, why do the two handsome men of the night hang out here?" Perilemia asked as she made an appearance, wearing a stunning back formal gown. "I thought you guys have a victory dance to attend?"
"We will.." Zell answered for Squall. "Once Ms. Rinoa shows up…"
"Oh…" Perilemia took a short pause. "Ms. Rinoa? I heard she's with Briand Chateau.. I think they were taking pictures.." Perilemia recalled.
"What?" Squall asked in a tone higher than his usual composed one.
"Actually.. I think I saw them before I saw you two here. Just follow me." Perilemia said as she led them to the Campus Gardens, being merely two meters away from the two.
"Hey… whatsupwiththat? Is Briand having a big crush on Rinoa?! They're kinda close.." Zell pointed out, making Squall's eyes narrow as they chose to observe the two for a while.
Rinoa looked at the time on her watch, 6:45 pm. "Oh, Briand.. I really have to go now.." She then turned around to gather her belongings. Abruptly, Briand blocked her way.
"Oh.. leaving right now? By the way.. I really had a nice time with you.."
"Er… what.. what do you mean?" Rinoa asked, trying to cover her nervousness with firmness, backing a few steps away from him.
Squall's heat began beating furiously as his eyes continued to narrow when Briand went closer to Rinoa.
"Look, Squall! She's planning to stand you up." Zell blurted out.
Perilemia played a satisfied smile as she moved to Squall. This is going to be so easy. "Well, I know she's not the type of person who just forgets important things… maybe her date with Squall wasn't important to her at all.." She then placed her hand on Squall's cold one. "Maybe you weren't important to her at all… I.. I just can't understand her… When she's with him.. she forgets everything.." Her face then showed a sorrowful look.
Squall remained stiff and silent. Am I important to her? Was she just playing me? Then Zell inquired again. "How do we know that this is not some setup?"
Perilemia then became annoyed at Zell's questions. "Does it look like some setup? Don't you consider Squall's feelings? Isn't he your friend? He's already the victim, okay? So you be quiet there." Zell looked away, sensing something is not right.
Briand then extended his hand. "Well, I'd say we did a wonderful job together. So let's shake on it, shall we?"
Rinoa then released a sigh of relief and smiled. "Ok." She shook his hand. (A/N: LOL a big BIG whew for rin-chan!)
Simultaneously, Squall had enough, turning around to finally face Perilemia. "Well, it isn't a setup, that's for sure."
Zell almost screamed, being carried away. "Whoa.. he's actually holding her hand! Why that jerk! Squall, you beat him to a pulp right now! Come on!"
"I still have a reputation to keep, ya know.." Squall muttered.
Perilemia assured, stoking Squall's back. "Well, all is not lost. I can still be your date, Squall.."
Squall was hesitant at first since without Rinoa, he wouldn't bother to go to the dance anymore. But surprisingly, he gave in. "Um.. I guess so.."
Zell then freaked out, shocked of what he had just heard. "What??!! Are you serious???! Won't you wait for her to explain?"
"Just shut your trap, Zell. You heard him right. He's going to be my date." Perilemia said as she slipped her arm into Squall's as proof, walking away from Zell who was stunned towards the Serenity Park.
7:15 pm Main Lobby
I hope I didn't make him wait that long.. Rinoa wished as she walked briskly towards the meeting place as she could with her strappy high heels, already wearing her gown. When she reached the area, she spotted Zell standing near the pay phone.
"Zell? What are you doing here? Have you seen Squall?" She asked with an obvious puzzled look on her face.
"Well… actually.. Squall.." I couldn't say it to her.. Man!
Rinoa smiled. "He must had had you to escort me to Serenity Park since he's up to something, right?"
Zell then became more nervous. "Uh.. you see.."
"I knew it!" Rinoa said as she grabbed hold of Zell's arm and headed for the door. "Let's go.. I don't want him to wait for me that long.."
7:45 pm Serenity Park Gathering Hall
Squall and Perilemia, joined by other couples, were on the dance floor, dancing to a slow romantic tune. Perilemia can't help but smile at her successfully brillant plan. Finally… I knew I can do it.. I got Squall back into my hands..
"Oh, Squall.." She dramatically purred. "Thank you so much for being my date… I would not know what to do if you're not here.."
Squall paused for a few minutes before managing to reply back. "It's nothing.."
"Hey, look! It's Ms. Rinoa!! She's with… Zell?!" The girls at the near corner of the dance floor exclaimed. "I wonder why she and Mr. Squall aren't together.. Weren't they on a date?"
Squall simultaneously turned at Rinoa's direction as she and Zell entered the party. True, she did look wonderfully beautiful in his eyes, and his heart still yearned for her to be his date. But some things were not going to change. He thought in resolution. Especially not on this night.
Perilemia's eyes narrowed as Rinoa turned their direction and she gritted her teeth in extreme hatred.
"How dare she… How she enter the party.. after the way she had treated you… the nerve!"
Squall? What's going on? I'm so confused. Rinoa thoughfully pleaded as she began to approach them. Upon reaching them, she touched his shoulder, but he refused, brushing her hand off him and turned away to Perilemia. What's the meaning of this? She asked again silently, unable to speak as Squall and Perilemia walked away, leaving the party. Won't you stay to explain to me? Squall?
"I'm just so happy, Squall!" Perilemia cheerily said as she and Squall left the party, walking side by side. "Good riddance to that witch! After the way she treated you.." Squall remained silent, looking upward and ignoring Perilemia and her ramblings eventually.
But Perilemia wasn't that naïve. Thus, as annoyed as she was, she confronted him and his spacy attitude towards her. "Know what, Squall? I really wanted to know the real reason behind this spaciness of yours.. You weren't like that! Especially when you're with that Rinoa! I ask you, yet you don't answer! What's the matter with you? Is it because of her??"
Squall then began to look at her. "Huh?"
"Are you in love with that impostor? The person who's so envious of my fame that she stole it from me by trying to be the best?!?" Perilemia screamed as the rain began to pour from the night sky. "Did she steal you too away from me?"
Squall turned away. "I'm not yours in the first place.. You don't want to know.." Perilemia began punching hard on Squall's back in frustration.
"TELL ME! TELL ME! YOU MUST TELL ME!" Squall then swiftly held her hands back, facing her with an emotionless visage.
"You stop it. I never wanted to hurt anybody nor anyone. Look, stop believing in yourself that I belong to you. There wasn't a time like that.. it never took place."
"But.. But you agreed!!!"
"What are you saying? I agreed to be your date.. not to be your boyfriend.. nor your possession.. snap back to reality, Perilemia…" He pushed her away as he walked few steps from her.
"You.. and Rinoa.. you're both cheaters!! Doublecrossers!! Users!!! You two obviously came to put me down!!"
"Perilemia… we never meant to put you down.. So, get yourself a like, will you?" Squall ended the conversation before leaving her alone in the night shower.
"Rinoa, don't ya think you're drinking too much?" Zell asked as Rinoa put down another glass of champagne on the bar stand in the party. Selphie silently counted the number of glasses Rinoa used that time as Rinoa ordered another glass.
"Wow.. I never knew Rinoa's a very strong drinker." Selphie pointed out. "I bet she can beat Irvine in one sitting." Rinoa shrugged before drinking her tenth glass.
"Don't you think she's way out of control?" Zell whispered to Selphie.
"Yeah.. but what can we do? I mean.."
"Ha!" Rinoa suddenly said, pointing a finger to them at the same time. "What are you doing there, hmm?"
The couple chorused. "Oh.. nothing.."
"You're not planning bad against me, right?"
"Of course not.. we're your friends.."
"Friends, shwends.." Rinoa mocked, swaying uncontrollably while standing. "With friends like him, who needs enemies.. Bah! I'm going back.. alone."
"But Rinoa! You can barely stand up!" Selphie reasoned. Rinoa dismissed them with a wave of her hand as she started heading to the exit.
"Nah.. I can take care of myself! Just have fun, you two! C'ya tomorrow." Rinoa then disappeared into the dense crowd.
Selphie then became more worried as Zell gave her a sympathetic pat. Rinoa, please be careful.
Wow.. I feel so hot.. Rinoa finally noticed as she tried to maintain her balance while walking her way back, holding her strappy high heels on her two hands as she passed through the dim park barefooted.
"Oh.. it's raining already.." She whispered as the cold droplets touched her flushed face. "So, this is the feeling under the rain." Rinoa then continued walking, unmindedly crossing the street.
I just want to sleep.. right now.. right this minute.. to forget it all.. She thought before her body touched the ground. Unknowingly, a car which was fastly approaching towards Rinoa. In a quick movement, somebody rescued Rinoa before it hit them both.
"HEY! What are you two doing in the middle of the road!??! Stupid teenagers! What did your parents teach you anyway???!!" The angry driver angrily scolded before driving away.
"Rinoa! Rinoa! Wake up!" Squall whispered in alarm, quite loudly with worry on his face as he cradled Rinoa towards the other side. Her eyes slowly opened, focusing with blur on his face as her pale lips began to speak.
"Squall…? What… what are.." Her consciousness withdrew, and she knew nothing else from then on.
7:30 am Dorm No. 426, Dormitory Section C
Rinoa groaned as she finally budged on her bed. Her eyes fluttered as she woke up from her dark sleep to the bright light. She slowly sat upright, feeling the dizziness in which she assumed to be the aftermath of yesterday's events.
I wonder how I got back here.. I could clearly remember that I was drinking with Zell and Selphie.. the park.. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden closure of the automatic door. There stood Squall, carrying a tray of food with his eyes fixed on Rinoa who was also staring him back.
"Plane No. 647 is now landing at Balamb. Kindly all passengers fasten your seatbelts." The stewardess announced on the speakerphone as the plane was approaching the Balamb Airport.
"Hey!! Lookie look! Here's our stop! Gee, I'm soo excited!" A girl with wavy chestnut shoulder-length hair and brown eyes pointed at the scenic window to the man beside her.
"Calm down.. I know.. You're excited.. And so am I.. After all, we do have some time-off at Balamb University.." Her companion remarked solemnly as he brushed his golden brown with his hand.
Her eyes sparkled as the plane drew closer to the landing pad. "That's why I'm so excited!"
Now its done!
Now its done!
Lets dance!
Soooo.. what do you think? Hate? Like? Or GRR?? ??? Tell me.. I appreciate your reviews..
… Now what happens between Squall and Rinoa? Who are the 2 new people..? Stay tuned to the next story.. Story Ten: Singing Your Heart Out! Please support my fic 33 Onegai?? 33
PS.. can I have at least 5 reviews so that I'll continue the fic??? Getting a lil bit downhearted already.. TT onegai??? Thanks thanks!! 33