[A/N Sorry… School is just so… time-consuming, you know? It's taken up like, half of my personal time. Anyway, here's another chapter. A very short one but at least I updated, right? Sorry again.]
Chapter 6: Sudden Tears
I brushed off that thought. Why would Seifer...?
I pushed it aside and tried to concentrate on our lessons. It was going to be a tiring day, I could already tell.
"I assume you have brought all of your needed materials." I said.
"Like what, Quistis?" He asked. I couldn't tell if he was serious or just making a fool out of me.
"Must I remind you once more that I am your Instructor?"
"My mistake, Instructor Trepe." He said teasingly.
I shook my head in exasperation. "Never mind, Seifer... Just forget it." I turned towards the class with a plastered smile on my disgusted face. The result was gruesome. "Alright class, take your seats. Now we have a new student... He isn't a newstudent exactly so I suppose most of you know Seifer Almasy."
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"...Hmmm..." I nodded. "Correct. Now, Alaine, make sure to tell Dr. Kadowaki that it wasn't a magic spell but a weaponry attack..."
"Yes, Instructor." Alaine nodded briskly as she and her friends helped Samuel make it to the Infirmary.
I rubbed my forehead, a habit I got from Squall, and sat down on my desk. I could see lightly the silhouette of Seifer, walking towards me.
"Sit down, Seifer." I said tiredly.
He sat down with no expression, without saying a word. His face showed no sign of remorse though.
"Seifer..." I began testily. "We had a talk about this. You could get expelled. In all honestly, it would be nice to have my normal, risk-free class again but I for one will not sit and watch you throw your education and life out the window just like that." My voice showed extreme tension and it hung in the air as well.
"Why..." I continued. "Why, I ask, did you attack Samuel? Do you want to be expelled? Do you want to leave the Garden? Why the hell did you come back then? So you could just bother all of us on your ride down to nowhere? I am telling you, tolerance is not a gift I had received."
He looked up at me with a bland expression. "He started everything. You may not have the gift of tolerance. Neither do I. He was being an ass. He got what he deserved."
"Seifer, we do not attack classmates just because we know we are well-trained." I said not bothering to hide the impatience so clearly shown in my tone of voice. "This is only your first day. I can only hope you shall do better in your next few days or else the impression I shall get from you is that you have not changed, that you are still dangerous and that you do not deserve to be taught in this Garden." I ended curtly. Hell, I even scare myself at times... My frustration was going too far. My voice though remained steady and I had the upper hand in this argument. Though I knew he would not regret having done what he had done.
"Fine." He said shortly. His facial expression had changed. Not as bland, not as blank... he showed some feeling. I don't know what and I don't know why. But my tone had become gentler... gentler but still firm and angry.
"You have to pay for this and you shall... greatly. Be glad your fellow classmate was not too badly hurt. We all trusted you to understand the chance you are being given here..." My voice was getting louder. "Edea changed. Why couldn't you? Why can't you see how much we tried to accept you and how difficult it is... to have you in this Garden. Do us a favor and save us from this hell we are encountering... Life isn't all that easy!" I yelled suddenly, my voice shaking. "Don't you think it's hard enough for me? Don't you think it's easy to live a life like I do? In constant uncertainty and fear and confusion? Its hell and what your doing isn't making my life any easier... It isn't making anyone's life any easier..." My voice shook dangerously. Tears threatened to flood my eyes but I held them back with great effort. My vision blurred, Seifer looked at me with concern. A tear fell to the desk.
What was happening to me? I was falling apart.
I shook my head and took of my glasses, rubbing my eyes and gently brushing the tears away. "You may leave now, Seifer. There's no reason for us to talk."
He stood up slowly, with uncertainty. "Good-bye, Quis- I mean, Instructor." He said quietly.
He left.
I stayed.
I sat there, just letting the tears fall freely without restraint for once in my life. I experienced the freedom in not wiping the tears away and hating myself for crying... For once, I did not run away and wash my face before anyone saw me as this crying woman... I wanted everyone to think I was made of stone. Cold-hearted Quistis. And so they did... and the consequences coming with it were great.
I let the salty teardrops form a small puddle on my desk as I pondered my nagging fears. I hated it. I was disgusted by my life. I laid my head down on my arms, trying to stop my crying plea for help.