Be Mine- Chapter 4: "Hold Me"
By Matoko Shizaki
Disclaimer: Blah blah blah, same shit, different chapter... Well, I don't own Final Fantasy VIII... or any of the hot guys in it... Damn. So, don't sue me. I've got nothing anyway.
Notes: I think I finally have a break-through with my ideas for the ending!! YAY!!! Some people will probably be disappointed but never fear! I'm already planning a sequel that will (hopefully) be sure to please!! So please, if you don't like my ending, stay tuned for the sequel.
By the way, I'm really sorry I haven't been writing much this summer. I've been busy with road trips, camps, and all sorts of things. Please excuse my lack of effort!!
Reviewer's Column!
Jeanieh
SeiyaMatsuya
Angel Reid
Trio Wing
Selphie 108
Crack-Anne
Zell's Girl with a Pigtail
FF Fan
R
PV-chan
Twin Lance
Phoenix Rising
Jania
Elvi-Rose
jennstar
Zeto
Dude, you guys rock!!
"Across the room her knight... solitude..."
"Zell, what're you mumbling about?"
Zell blinked and looked up into Irvine's concerned eyes. The Galbadian cowboy had talked him into going into Balamb for lunch in an attempt to break his infatuation with the notes. Apparently, it hadn't worked.
"Sorry, you say something?"
Irvine sighed. "Man, Zell, this is odd for even you." He reached across the table and plucked the poetry volume from where it stood open in front of Zell.
"Hey! Give that back!"
"Listen, a little man to man advice: own your women but don't let them own you."
Zell grudgingly took the book back and sat it down next to his uneaten meal. "I suppose that's why you always let Selphie talk you into decorating or something?"
"Th-this isn't about me and Selphie!" Irvine cleared his throat and adjusted his hat. "It's about you and whoever's writing those notes. It's getting a little obsessive if you know what I mean."
Another sigh, one of many that day, escaped Zell's mouth. "I understand your concern but tomorrow's the dance and Valentine's Day. Either I figure this out today or I spend another Valentine's Day alone. But then again, you wouldn't know what that's like, would you?" The blond stood up, grabbed the book, and headed for the exit.
"Zell, just don't let it get outta hand!" Irvine called to him.
'A little late for that...' Zell couldn't help but think.
It had become an obsession. All Zell could think about were the notes, who was behind them, and what his first Valentine's Day date would be like.
Once back in his dorm room, Zell opened the book again, arranged all the notes so he could read them, and took out a spare sheet of paper.
"This is going too far." Zell muttered to himself. "Now I'm going to figure out who this is once and for all!"
He put pen to paper and began to write.
"The only people who could've planted the notes in the ballroom were Selphie, Quistis, or one of those other girls..."
The names Selphie and Quistis were listed down the paper.
"And then there's Seifer."
Seifer was added to the list.
"What about that girl in the library? She knew just where the book was without even looking."
Girl with ponytail.
Zell sat his pen down and glanced over the list, doubt running through his mind.
"It couldn't be Selphie. She wouldn't have the gall to go to that ledge..." He crossed out her name. "But Quistis can. She has the authority to be in the office." Quistis stayed. "And the library girl could use her duties as an excuse..." She stayed. "Seifer would just barge in there..." He stayed as well, much to Zell despair. If it was Seifer, it had to be some kind of vicious prank... He wasn't like that... was he?
"Dammit, Dincht! Snap outta it! What in hell are you thinking!?" He put a hand to his forehead, cursing his own wandering thoughts. Zell cleared his throat and stood up, tucking the latest note and his list of suspects into his pocket.
"Alright," he said heading for the door. "Time for some detective work."
"Instructor Trepe?" The boy Zell had asked considered for a moment. "Nope, haven't seen her all day. Ask one of the Trepies. They'll know."
"Thanks."
Zell, without any progress on his "case" trudged past the student and towards the library.
'Well this is really a big help. Might as well move onto the next suspect.'
He stepped up to the entrance of the library and the door slid open. The interior of the library was calm and serene as usual and only a few people other than library assistants were roaming up and down the aisles of books. Rather than search the whole library, Zell decided to investigate the easy way and stepped up to the service counter.
"May I help you?" the dark skinned girl behind the counter asked. She had been busy flipping through a magazine but now turned her attention to Zell.
"Hey, have you seen a girl around here? She's about this tall," Zell demonstrated by placing his hand next to his eyes. "Kinda pale, and has a pigtail."
"Oh Marina?"
'Marina... so that's her name... never asked before...'
"Yeah, I think that's her."
"Sorry, but two days ago she got really sick. She's been in the infirmary since then."
"Oh..." Zell's heart dropped into his stomach. "Well... thanks anyway."
"No problem."
And with that, Zell's hope shattered and the girl went back to her magazine.
Rinoa, who had been briefly talking to Squall about the goings-on in Timber, glanced over at where Zell was sitting across the table. His head was down, face pressed into the middle of the poetry book.
"...What's his problem?" Squall asked.
Without an answer to provide her boyfriend, Rinoa leaned over and decided to ask herself.
"Zell...? Are you ok?"
The blond lifted his head, eyes narrowed and a frown plastered on his face. "Do I look ok?"
"No... What's wrong?"
"This whole damn love letter!!!" Zell pulled the note from his pocket and threw it down on the table.
"Oooh! Another one?" Selphie picked it up and studied it for a moment as Rinoa continued to question Zell.
"What's wrong with it?"
"Everything!" Zell moaned again. "I can't even figure out this one! And I made a list of suspects. Selphie didn't do it," He glanced at Selphie, waiting for a reaction, but the brunette hadn't even heard. "And that cute girl from the library's been sick! That leaves Quistis and Seifer!!!"
Rinoa paused, biting her lip in order to stifle the oncoming laughter. "S-Seifer?"
Zell nodded. "Unless all the snooping I've done is wrong."
"Wouldn't put it behind Seifer to play a prank on you." Squall commented.
Squall had always been such a voice of encouragement...
"Naw." Rinoa shook her head. "That's too low for even Seifer."
"Yeah, you only think that 'cause you're never at the receiving end of his wrath!" Zell sighed. "I might as well give up."
"Don't give up, Zell! Your true love might be waiting for you!"
"Or a trap from Seifer." Squall added. He looked away, silenced, when Rinoa glared at him.
"Zell," Rinoa looked back at Zell, compassion in her eyes. "If you don't take a chance, you'll never fall in love."
"How am I supposed to take that chance without any idea where this clue is going?"
Rinoa, for the first time, didn't know what to say.
"Heeeeeeeeeeey!!!"
Both Zell and Rinoa looked up as Selphie smiled and handed the note back to Zell.
"I know where that is!"
Zell jumped up, chair tumbling over backwards and his hands slamming down on the table. "You do?!?!?!"
Selphie, wide eyed, nodded.
"Where?! You gotta tell me Selphie!!" The blond clutched Selphie's shoulders, eyes pleading with her.
"...It's the secret place behind the Training Center. You know, where kids go to escape curfew? There's a statue of a knight on the balcony there that kids are always drawing and writing things on." Selphie sighed dramatically. "Poor little guy..."
"Selphie... I love you..." Zell hugged the brunette. "You're a genius!!" He released the stunned girl and bolted from the cafeteria.
"Hey! I am?" Selphie blinked and then smiled. "I am, aren't I?"
Ten random battles later, Zell found himself panting at the steps leading up to the secret place. He'd been here a few times, avoiding curfew himself. Now it seemed even more of a safe haven than before.
Zell straightened himself out, adjusting his jacket and preparing himself for the moment where he'd find out who his true love was. He took a few shaky steps, taking the snow covered steps two at a time. The balcony area rose into view, it's statues and railings decorated in glimmering snow. The knight stood guarding one side of the railing, across from him a dragon roaring in rage. This knight, as Selphie had said, was covered in graffiti.
"Battle scars, huh?"
The blond approached the knight and reached out, studying its face and the 'scars' upon it. "You're the guy alright."
Sure enough, the note was folded and placed at the knight's feet, his body blocking snow from falling and ruining the paper.
"Thanks buddy!" Zell chirped, seizing the note. "Finally, the last one!!!" Zell held it aloft, proclaiming to the winter skies and the whole Garden that he, Zell Dincht, was victorious... until it was snatched from his hand.
"Hey!" Zell turned to meet Seifer's snickering gaze as he held the note.
"And what's this?"
"None of your fucking business, that's what!" Zell cried, attempting to steal the note back.
Seifer turned his shoulder towards Zell, blocking the other blond's futile attempts at recovering his treasure. "Now you wouldn't mind if I took a look, would ya, Chickenwuss?"
"Yes I would!!"
The former knight had already opened the note and was reading it out loud his best attempt at a girl's voice.
"Dear Zell,
Congratulations! You've found the last note and the rest of the poem!
In the silent courtyard
Their lonely eyes meet,
Hearts palpitating
To the waltz's soft beat
He takes her hand in his
True love dare not fail
Both glad it didn't shatter:
Their glass fairytale
Tomorrow night I hope to see you in the courtyard outside of the ballroom, just in time for the Valentine's Day Dance."
Seifer finished with a snort. "This is retarded. A secret admirer?"
"Yeah? So what?!" Zell took the note back from the disgusted Seifer and tucked it into his pocket.
"So you mean to tell me that you're going to instantly be in love with whoever wrote those even though you don't know them?"
"I..." Zell paused, considering that for the first time.
"That's just pathetic." Seifer turned, his white trench coat swirling around him as he turned. "Have fun on the fucking honeymoon, Chickenwuss!" There was no sneer in his voice, just hate.
"Yeah! I will!!"
As soon as the head of the disciplinary committee was out of sight, Zell drew the note from his pocket with a grin.
"Damn right I will..."
Short chapter! I wanted to get this out to you guys as soon as possible and I have to say I'm not sure how long the next chapter will be. Remember to look for the sequel after this fic is over!
By Matoko Shizaki
Disclaimer: Blah blah blah, same shit, different chapter... Well, I don't own Final Fantasy VIII... or any of the hot guys in it... Damn. So, don't sue me. I've got nothing anyway.
Notes: I think I finally have a break-through with my ideas for the ending!! YAY!!! Some people will probably be disappointed but never fear! I'm already planning a sequel that will (hopefully) be sure to please!! So please, if you don't like my ending, stay tuned for the sequel.
By the way, I'm really sorry I haven't been writing much this summer. I've been busy with road trips, camps, and all sorts of things. Please excuse my lack of effort!!
Reviewer's Column!
Jeanieh
SeiyaMatsuya
Angel Reid
Trio Wing
Selphie 108
Crack-Anne
Zell's Girl with a Pigtail
FF Fan
R
PV-chan
Twin Lance
Phoenix Rising
Jania
Elvi-Rose
jennstar
Zeto
Dude, you guys rock!!
"Across the room her knight... solitude..."
"Zell, what're you mumbling about?"
Zell blinked and looked up into Irvine's concerned eyes. The Galbadian cowboy had talked him into going into Balamb for lunch in an attempt to break his infatuation with the notes. Apparently, it hadn't worked.
"Sorry, you say something?"
Irvine sighed. "Man, Zell, this is odd for even you." He reached across the table and plucked the poetry volume from where it stood open in front of Zell.
"Hey! Give that back!"
"Listen, a little man to man advice: own your women but don't let them own you."
Zell grudgingly took the book back and sat it down next to his uneaten meal. "I suppose that's why you always let Selphie talk you into decorating or something?"
"Th-this isn't about me and Selphie!" Irvine cleared his throat and adjusted his hat. "It's about you and whoever's writing those notes. It's getting a little obsessive if you know what I mean."
Another sigh, one of many that day, escaped Zell's mouth. "I understand your concern but tomorrow's the dance and Valentine's Day. Either I figure this out today or I spend another Valentine's Day alone. But then again, you wouldn't know what that's like, would you?" The blond stood up, grabbed the book, and headed for the exit.
"Zell, just don't let it get outta hand!" Irvine called to him.
'A little late for that...' Zell couldn't help but think.
It had become an obsession. All Zell could think about were the notes, who was behind them, and what his first Valentine's Day date would be like.
Once back in his dorm room, Zell opened the book again, arranged all the notes so he could read them, and took out a spare sheet of paper.
"This is going too far." Zell muttered to himself. "Now I'm going to figure out who this is once and for all!"
He put pen to paper and began to write.
"The only people who could've planted the notes in the ballroom were Selphie, Quistis, or one of those other girls..."
The names Selphie and Quistis were listed down the paper.
"And then there's Seifer."
Seifer was added to the list.
"What about that girl in the library? She knew just where the book was without even looking."
Girl with ponytail.
Zell sat his pen down and glanced over the list, doubt running through his mind.
"It couldn't be Selphie. She wouldn't have the gall to go to that ledge..." He crossed out her name. "But Quistis can. She has the authority to be in the office." Quistis stayed. "And the library girl could use her duties as an excuse..." She stayed. "Seifer would just barge in there..." He stayed as well, much to Zell despair. If it was Seifer, it had to be some kind of vicious prank... He wasn't like that... was he?
"Dammit, Dincht! Snap outta it! What in hell are you thinking!?" He put a hand to his forehead, cursing his own wandering thoughts. Zell cleared his throat and stood up, tucking the latest note and his list of suspects into his pocket.
"Alright," he said heading for the door. "Time for some detective work."
"Instructor Trepe?" The boy Zell had asked considered for a moment. "Nope, haven't seen her all day. Ask one of the Trepies. They'll know."
"Thanks."
Zell, without any progress on his "case" trudged past the student and towards the library.
'Well this is really a big help. Might as well move onto the next suspect.'
He stepped up to the entrance of the library and the door slid open. The interior of the library was calm and serene as usual and only a few people other than library assistants were roaming up and down the aisles of books. Rather than search the whole library, Zell decided to investigate the easy way and stepped up to the service counter.
"May I help you?" the dark skinned girl behind the counter asked. She had been busy flipping through a magazine but now turned her attention to Zell.
"Hey, have you seen a girl around here? She's about this tall," Zell demonstrated by placing his hand next to his eyes. "Kinda pale, and has a pigtail."
"Oh Marina?"
'Marina... so that's her name... never asked before...'
"Yeah, I think that's her."
"Sorry, but two days ago she got really sick. She's been in the infirmary since then."
"Oh..." Zell's heart dropped into his stomach. "Well... thanks anyway."
"No problem."
And with that, Zell's hope shattered and the girl went back to her magazine.
Rinoa, who had been briefly talking to Squall about the goings-on in Timber, glanced over at where Zell was sitting across the table. His head was down, face pressed into the middle of the poetry book.
"...What's his problem?" Squall asked.
Without an answer to provide her boyfriend, Rinoa leaned over and decided to ask herself.
"Zell...? Are you ok?"
The blond lifted his head, eyes narrowed and a frown plastered on his face. "Do I look ok?"
"No... What's wrong?"
"This whole damn love letter!!!" Zell pulled the note from his pocket and threw it down on the table.
"Oooh! Another one?" Selphie picked it up and studied it for a moment as Rinoa continued to question Zell.
"What's wrong with it?"
"Everything!" Zell moaned again. "I can't even figure out this one! And I made a list of suspects. Selphie didn't do it," He glanced at Selphie, waiting for a reaction, but the brunette hadn't even heard. "And that cute girl from the library's been sick! That leaves Quistis and Seifer!!!"
Rinoa paused, biting her lip in order to stifle the oncoming laughter. "S-Seifer?"
Zell nodded. "Unless all the snooping I've done is wrong."
"Wouldn't put it behind Seifer to play a prank on you." Squall commented.
Squall had always been such a voice of encouragement...
"Naw." Rinoa shook her head. "That's too low for even Seifer."
"Yeah, you only think that 'cause you're never at the receiving end of his wrath!" Zell sighed. "I might as well give up."
"Don't give up, Zell! Your true love might be waiting for you!"
"Or a trap from Seifer." Squall added. He looked away, silenced, when Rinoa glared at him.
"Zell," Rinoa looked back at Zell, compassion in her eyes. "If you don't take a chance, you'll never fall in love."
"How am I supposed to take that chance without any idea where this clue is going?"
Rinoa, for the first time, didn't know what to say.
"Heeeeeeeeeeey!!!"
Both Zell and Rinoa looked up as Selphie smiled and handed the note back to Zell.
"I know where that is!"
Zell jumped up, chair tumbling over backwards and his hands slamming down on the table. "You do?!?!?!"
Selphie, wide eyed, nodded.
"Where?! You gotta tell me Selphie!!" The blond clutched Selphie's shoulders, eyes pleading with her.
"...It's the secret place behind the Training Center. You know, where kids go to escape curfew? There's a statue of a knight on the balcony there that kids are always drawing and writing things on." Selphie sighed dramatically. "Poor little guy..."
"Selphie... I love you..." Zell hugged the brunette. "You're a genius!!" He released the stunned girl and bolted from the cafeteria.
"Hey! I am?" Selphie blinked and then smiled. "I am, aren't I?"
Ten random battles later, Zell found himself panting at the steps leading up to the secret place. He'd been here a few times, avoiding curfew himself. Now it seemed even more of a safe haven than before.
Zell straightened himself out, adjusting his jacket and preparing himself for the moment where he'd find out who his true love was. He took a few shaky steps, taking the snow covered steps two at a time. The balcony area rose into view, it's statues and railings decorated in glimmering snow. The knight stood guarding one side of the railing, across from him a dragon roaring in rage. This knight, as Selphie had said, was covered in graffiti.
"Battle scars, huh?"
The blond approached the knight and reached out, studying its face and the 'scars' upon it. "You're the guy alright."
Sure enough, the note was folded and placed at the knight's feet, his body blocking snow from falling and ruining the paper.
"Thanks buddy!" Zell chirped, seizing the note. "Finally, the last one!!!" Zell held it aloft, proclaiming to the winter skies and the whole Garden that he, Zell Dincht, was victorious... until it was snatched from his hand.
"Hey!" Zell turned to meet Seifer's snickering gaze as he held the note.
"And what's this?"
"None of your fucking business, that's what!" Zell cried, attempting to steal the note back.
Seifer turned his shoulder towards Zell, blocking the other blond's futile attempts at recovering his treasure. "Now you wouldn't mind if I took a look, would ya, Chickenwuss?"
"Yes I would!!"
The former knight had already opened the note and was reading it out loud his best attempt at a girl's voice.
"Dear Zell,
Congratulations! You've found the last note and the rest of the poem!
In the silent courtyard
Their lonely eyes meet,
Hearts palpitating
To the waltz's soft beat
He takes her hand in his
True love dare not fail
Both glad it didn't shatter:
Their glass fairytale
Tomorrow night I hope to see you in the courtyard outside of the ballroom, just in time for the Valentine's Day Dance."
Seifer finished with a snort. "This is retarded. A secret admirer?"
"Yeah? So what?!" Zell took the note back from the disgusted Seifer and tucked it into his pocket.
"So you mean to tell me that you're going to instantly be in love with whoever wrote those even though you don't know them?"
"I..." Zell paused, considering that for the first time.
"That's just pathetic." Seifer turned, his white trench coat swirling around him as he turned. "Have fun on the fucking honeymoon, Chickenwuss!" There was no sneer in his voice, just hate.
"Yeah! I will!!"
As soon as the head of the disciplinary committee was out of sight, Zell drew the note from his pocket with a grin.
"Damn right I will..."
Short chapter! I wanted to get this out to you guys as soon as possible and I have to say I'm not sure how long the next chapter will be. Remember to look for the sequel after this fic is over!