A/N: O.k. I decided to continue with the story. Thanks so much for those who reviewed and told me to keep going! That was sooo nice! So, on with chapter eight!
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"Hey guys! Guys, over here!" It was lunch time and everything was going fine for Squall until Laguna showed up. He was running their way waving his hands in the air like an idiot.
'Why does he have to show up? And why does he have to be so loud? God, I still have a headache from yesterday.' That was all Squall could think of. Is WHY he had to even exist!?
Laguna made it to them and stomped both of his hands down on the table. Heaving in and out gasping for air. His black hair dripped over his eyes and his chest was pounding faster than any time before.
"What is it?" Rinoa questioned with widen eyes.
"I'm……… I'm…" He was still trying to catch his breath.
"O.k. I'm going to become a teacher at Galbadia Garden!"
Everyone went silent. That was Balamb's enemy. How could he go and teach there. First of all, did he even have half a brain to teach, second of all, it was Galbadia, third of all, he is president of Esthar, and he can't just decide to become a teacher.
"How do you think you're going to be able to juggle being Esthar's president AND being a teacher at Galbadia?" Quistis asked very skeptical that he could even talk sense into a student let alone TEACH sense to a student.
"Well, I figured since I was a soldier once for Galbadia, why not teach there? It's not like I'm gonna automatically hate Balamb. Hell, you guys are the ones gettin' the miracle crap that made me look like this! So don't worry, I was just going to teach, nothing else. And as far as Esthar, I think Ward and Kiros can handle it for a little while longer. So say hello to Instructor Loire!"
Squall looked at him dumbfounded. Was he serious? Instructor? Ha, he was delirious! He couldn't read a book if his life depended on it. Heck, he thought Zell smarter than Laguna at this point. And that's pretty desperate.
"So… want a hotdog to celebrate?" Zell asked innocently.
O.k. maybe Laguna possessed slightly more brain cells than Zell.
"Nah, gotta go and get some transferring papers from Cid. Then I pack, and I'm off to Galbadia baby! See ya! Oh yea, come and visit some time!"
He ran off out of the cafeteria and was gone.
"How odd." Quistis remarked.
"No matter how old he was before he always acted like a child. Now the soul fits the body I guess." She said sipping coffee out of her white mug.
Will Irvine Kinneas please report to my office. Thank you.
It was the voice of Edea over the speaker.
"Oooo, Irvine's in trouble!" Rinoa teased.
"What did ya do this time, Irvine?"
"Rinoa if you weren't a girl I swear I'd smack you right here." He said raising his hand in the air.
"Oh I'm scared now."
"You want scared? O.k. I'll give you scared. Come here little princess." He walked over to her and lifted her in the air carrying her fire fighter style out of the cafeteria.
She kicked her legs back and forth and hit his back with her hands.
"Irvine Kinneas you better put me down right this instant!"
He continued to stride down the empty hallway with her in his arms until he heard Selphie's voice echo off the walls.
"Irvine what are you doing?"
"Selphie, my savior!" Rinoa said lifting her head in an attempt to look at her.
Irvine swung around causing Rinoa's head to drop its weight again on his back.
"Well, now you're talking to me? You acted as if I didn't exist yesterday. What's up with you?"
Selphie felt a rush of jealousy fill her entire being as she saw Rinoa draped over his masculine body.
"I don't know what's come over me lately."
"Well, all I want is an apology and we're fine."
She put her hands on her hips and looked at him with angry eyes.
"An apology for what?"
Letting Rinoa drop a little from his shoulder enough so they were face to face he whispered to her,
"Work with me a little here."
She gave him a look of confusion before catching on. Wrapping her legs around his waist she pulled his cowboy hat off and placed it on top of her head.
"Woo-hoo! Let's go partner!" She said swinging her hand in the air as if she had a lasso.
"All righty!" He shifted her from the front of his body to the back and she was now riding him as if on a horse.
"See ya Selph!" He said walking away.
Selphie bit her lip and twiddled with her fingers for a bit.
"Alright, I'm sorry!" She said as she watched every inch of Rinoa's body.
"Thank God!" Rinoa whispered to herself. She jumped off and as she walked back toward the cafeteria she glanced at Irvine one last time.
"You owe me buddy." He tipped his hat her way as to say thank you.
After she was gone Selphie ran up to Irvine and gave him a bear hug. And least she tried to wrap her petite body over his.
"I am so, so sorry!" She said as he wrapped his arm over her pulling her close to him.
"That's alright, just don't ignore me no more okay?"
"Never!" She hugged his torso and they walked towards Edea's office together.
Rinoa returned to her seat in the lunch room. Picking up a bread stick she said,
"It was cute out there in the hallway. I think I just helped Irvine get the girl of his dreams."
"You what!?" Zell asked impatiently.
Rinoa, remembering when Selphie told her about the kiss she and Zell had shared, dropped her bread stick and stared up into his eyes.
"Umm, n-no. I mean I just-"
"Damn it!" He shouted cutting her off. He pushed back his chair and ran out of the room.
"Oh no." She said staring down at the table.
"What just happened?" Quistis asked with a look of utter confusion. Rinoa stared at her for a while and then at Squall, who hadn't seemed to be effected by the whole thing.
"Well,… you see Selph and Zell sorta… how can I put this?"
"Just say it already!"
"O.k. o.k. they kissed back in Delling! And now I think Zell was seriously contemplating feelings for her. At least until I blew the entire thing for him! Oh, I'm such a terrible friend!" She buried her head into her arms and looked as if she was going to burst into tears any moment.
Quistis rubbed her back in a soothing way and calmly replied,
"It's okay Rinoa. Its better Selphie realized she had feelings for Irvine instead of going off with Zell when she felt no real emotion towards him. I think you actually helped them."
She lifted her head to smile at Quistis.
"This has been such a bad day. First, Laguna decides he wants to leave here, then this whole Selphie and Zell drama! Ugh, I hate Mondays!" She stormed out of the room leaving Squall and Quistis alone.
Quistis didn't enjoy being around Squall when no one else was there. Her feelings for him still lingered in her heart and she was afraid of it all spilling out if the chance was presented. The pain of keeping something like love all bottled up inside was unbearable, and being around him only made it worse.
"Well, Squall, I have to go and meet Nidia now. I'm giving him a test to renew his piloting license." As she got up she actually heard a response from Squall. Something she didn't expect, he rarely talked, so it was quite shocking to hear his voice directly addressing her.
"You do everything around here don't you?" At first she didn't know what to say, but she wanted him to keep up the conversation so she quickly brainstormed to find the words to produce.
"Umm, y-yes. I guess I do. Where are you headed after lunch?" He looked away from her as if he was going back to his dream world. A feeling of disappointment overtook her. How could she be as stupid as to think she could actually raise Squall's interest enough to carry on a conversation with him?
"I don't know. Some class, I guess. Have to check with Cid. My schedule has been getting changed around a lot lately." She couldn't believe it. He spoke more than one word to her. He actually discussed where he was going. But the feeling of happiness was soon diminished when she figured out why the sudden change of behavior. Rinoa's influence. It was the side effects of love. And she knew him to be in love with Rinoa. Not her.
"Oh. Well would you like to walk with me to his office? I have to go there anyway to get Nidia's test."
He thought for a moment as she gathered her stuff, and then proceeded to remove himself from the table.
"Guess I have to see him sooner or later. Fine, let's go." She couldn't believe it. Squall Leonheart was really walking somewhere with her. Was she dreaming? Well if she was, she did not want to wake up. This was too good to be true.
Meanwhile, Rinoa was contemplating what to do about Squall and Seifer. She sat in the library watching faces not known to her come and go. Until she spotted Laguna's face. She brightened up a little, putting a smile on, and walked over to him.
"Hey, hot-shot. Never expected to find a stud like you hanging out in the library." She said playfully coming up from behind him. He turned around and smirked at her.
"Well, look at who's talking? A princess in here? Never!"
"Oh, stop! … Still can't believe you're leaving for Galbadia. I'm gonna miss you so much!"
"Don't worry, I'll come visit when I have time." She smiled again and then,
"Well, there's actually something I needed to talk to you about." This time looking more serious.
"What is it?"
"How can I put this? I really… want to, um, transfer to Galbadia with you! There, I've said it."
"You want to transfer? Why?"
"Well, I've just been having some problems that can only really be solved by my absence. I'm hoping maybe if I'm gone long enough, certain people will just forget about me." He could tell from the sound of her voice this was no little problem.
"Well, Rin, I'm no expert or nothin' like that, but I don't think the way to solving you're problems is by runnin' away from em'. Not that I don't want to take you along with me, I just think there's a few people who might need you more than I do right now. And you need to be here for them." He said with his hand on her shoulder. She stared up into his eyes through tears. She was such an emotional child. But what he said really hit close to home. She knew he was right.
Laguna took her into his arms, petting her hair, and whispered soothing words to her.
Through a muffled, shaken voice she said,
"Maybe I should just go out with you, huh? It'd be a lot easier that way." Both laughed.
"I got to go, Rin. Don't wanna be late on the first day."
"Love you, Laguna. Bye." He waved at her as he walked away.
Now she had to stay at Balamb and fix this mess she had gotten herself into. What a bumpy ride it was going to be.
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A/N: I'm really sorry if this chapter was a little boring. I'm kind of going through a writer's block and its annoying the hell out of me! Guess I was really trying to just show the problems of everyone, not just Rinoa. You know like, Quistis still being in love with Squall, and Zell trying to win over Selphie, and stuff like that. Hopefully I'm out of the writer's block by next chapter. Well anyway, please review!
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"Hey guys! Guys, over here!" It was lunch time and everything was going fine for Squall until Laguna showed up. He was running their way waving his hands in the air like an idiot.
'Why does he have to show up? And why does he have to be so loud? God, I still have a headache from yesterday.' That was all Squall could think of. Is WHY he had to even exist!?
Laguna made it to them and stomped both of his hands down on the table. Heaving in and out gasping for air. His black hair dripped over his eyes and his chest was pounding faster than any time before.
"What is it?" Rinoa questioned with widen eyes.
"I'm……… I'm…" He was still trying to catch his breath.
"O.k. I'm going to become a teacher at Galbadia Garden!"
Everyone went silent. That was Balamb's enemy. How could he go and teach there. First of all, did he even have half a brain to teach, second of all, it was Galbadia, third of all, he is president of Esthar, and he can't just decide to become a teacher.
"How do you think you're going to be able to juggle being Esthar's president AND being a teacher at Galbadia?" Quistis asked very skeptical that he could even talk sense into a student let alone TEACH sense to a student.
"Well, I figured since I was a soldier once for Galbadia, why not teach there? It's not like I'm gonna automatically hate Balamb. Hell, you guys are the ones gettin' the miracle crap that made me look like this! So don't worry, I was just going to teach, nothing else. And as far as Esthar, I think Ward and Kiros can handle it for a little while longer. So say hello to Instructor Loire!"
Squall looked at him dumbfounded. Was he serious? Instructor? Ha, he was delirious! He couldn't read a book if his life depended on it. Heck, he thought Zell smarter than Laguna at this point. And that's pretty desperate.
"So… want a hotdog to celebrate?" Zell asked innocently.
O.k. maybe Laguna possessed slightly more brain cells than Zell.
"Nah, gotta go and get some transferring papers from Cid. Then I pack, and I'm off to Galbadia baby! See ya! Oh yea, come and visit some time!"
He ran off out of the cafeteria and was gone.
"How odd." Quistis remarked.
"No matter how old he was before he always acted like a child. Now the soul fits the body I guess." She said sipping coffee out of her white mug.
Will Irvine Kinneas please report to my office. Thank you.
It was the voice of Edea over the speaker.
"Oooo, Irvine's in trouble!" Rinoa teased.
"What did ya do this time, Irvine?"
"Rinoa if you weren't a girl I swear I'd smack you right here." He said raising his hand in the air.
"Oh I'm scared now."
"You want scared? O.k. I'll give you scared. Come here little princess." He walked over to her and lifted her in the air carrying her fire fighter style out of the cafeteria.
She kicked her legs back and forth and hit his back with her hands.
"Irvine Kinneas you better put me down right this instant!"
He continued to stride down the empty hallway with her in his arms until he heard Selphie's voice echo off the walls.
"Irvine what are you doing?"
"Selphie, my savior!" Rinoa said lifting her head in an attempt to look at her.
Irvine swung around causing Rinoa's head to drop its weight again on his back.
"Well, now you're talking to me? You acted as if I didn't exist yesterday. What's up with you?"
Selphie felt a rush of jealousy fill her entire being as she saw Rinoa draped over his masculine body.
"I don't know what's come over me lately."
"Well, all I want is an apology and we're fine."
She put her hands on her hips and looked at him with angry eyes.
"An apology for what?"
Letting Rinoa drop a little from his shoulder enough so they were face to face he whispered to her,
"Work with me a little here."
She gave him a look of confusion before catching on. Wrapping her legs around his waist she pulled his cowboy hat off and placed it on top of her head.
"Woo-hoo! Let's go partner!" She said swinging her hand in the air as if she had a lasso.
"All righty!" He shifted her from the front of his body to the back and she was now riding him as if on a horse.
"See ya Selph!" He said walking away.
Selphie bit her lip and twiddled with her fingers for a bit.
"Alright, I'm sorry!" She said as she watched every inch of Rinoa's body.
"Thank God!" Rinoa whispered to herself. She jumped off and as she walked back toward the cafeteria she glanced at Irvine one last time.
"You owe me buddy." He tipped his hat her way as to say thank you.
After she was gone Selphie ran up to Irvine and gave him a bear hug. And least she tried to wrap her petite body over his.
"I am so, so sorry!" She said as he wrapped his arm over her pulling her close to him.
"That's alright, just don't ignore me no more okay?"
"Never!" She hugged his torso and they walked towards Edea's office together.
Rinoa returned to her seat in the lunch room. Picking up a bread stick she said,
"It was cute out there in the hallway. I think I just helped Irvine get the girl of his dreams."
"You what!?" Zell asked impatiently.
Rinoa, remembering when Selphie told her about the kiss she and Zell had shared, dropped her bread stick and stared up into his eyes.
"Umm, n-no. I mean I just-"
"Damn it!" He shouted cutting her off. He pushed back his chair and ran out of the room.
"Oh no." She said staring down at the table.
"What just happened?" Quistis asked with a look of utter confusion. Rinoa stared at her for a while and then at Squall, who hadn't seemed to be effected by the whole thing.
"Well,… you see Selph and Zell sorta… how can I put this?"
"Just say it already!"
"O.k. o.k. they kissed back in Delling! And now I think Zell was seriously contemplating feelings for her. At least until I blew the entire thing for him! Oh, I'm such a terrible friend!" She buried her head into her arms and looked as if she was going to burst into tears any moment.
Quistis rubbed her back in a soothing way and calmly replied,
"It's okay Rinoa. Its better Selphie realized she had feelings for Irvine instead of going off with Zell when she felt no real emotion towards him. I think you actually helped them."
She lifted her head to smile at Quistis.
"This has been such a bad day. First, Laguna decides he wants to leave here, then this whole Selphie and Zell drama! Ugh, I hate Mondays!" She stormed out of the room leaving Squall and Quistis alone.
Quistis didn't enjoy being around Squall when no one else was there. Her feelings for him still lingered in her heart and she was afraid of it all spilling out if the chance was presented. The pain of keeping something like love all bottled up inside was unbearable, and being around him only made it worse.
"Well, Squall, I have to go and meet Nidia now. I'm giving him a test to renew his piloting license." As she got up she actually heard a response from Squall. Something she didn't expect, he rarely talked, so it was quite shocking to hear his voice directly addressing her.
"You do everything around here don't you?" At first she didn't know what to say, but she wanted him to keep up the conversation so she quickly brainstormed to find the words to produce.
"Umm, y-yes. I guess I do. Where are you headed after lunch?" He looked away from her as if he was going back to his dream world. A feeling of disappointment overtook her. How could she be as stupid as to think she could actually raise Squall's interest enough to carry on a conversation with him?
"I don't know. Some class, I guess. Have to check with Cid. My schedule has been getting changed around a lot lately." She couldn't believe it. He spoke more than one word to her. He actually discussed where he was going. But the feeling of happiness was soon diminished when she figured out why the sudden change of behavior. Rinoa's influence. It was the side effects of love. And she knew him to be in love with Rinoa. Not her.
"Oh. Well would you like to walk with me to his office? I have to go there anyway to get Nidia's test."
He thought for a moment as she gathered her stuff, and then proceeded to remove himself from the table.
"Guess I have to see him sooner or later. Fine, let's go." She couldn't believe it. Squall Leonheart was really walking somewhere with her. Was she dreaming? Well if she was, she did not want to wake up. This was too good to be true.
Meanwhile, Rinoa was contemplating what to do about Squall and Seifer. She sat in the library watching faces not known to her come and go. Until she spotted Laguna's face. She brightened up a little, putting a smile on, and walked over to him.
"Hey, hot-shot. Never expected to find a stud like you hanging out in the library." She said playfully coming up from behind him. He turned around and smirked at her.
"Well, look at who's talking? A princess in here? Never!"
"Oh, stop! … Still can't believe you're leaving for Galbadia. I'm gonna miss you so much!"
"Don't worry, I'll come visit when I have time." She smiled again and then,
"Well, there's actually something I needed to talk to you about." This time looking more serious.
"What is it?"
"How can I put this? I really… want to, um, transfer to Galbadia with you! There, I've said it."
"You want to transfer? Why?"
"Well, I've just been having some problems that can only really be solved by my absence. I'm hoping maybe if I'm gone long enough, certain people will just forget about me." He could tell from the sound of her voice this was no little problem.
"Well, Rin, I'm no expert or nothin' like that, but I don't think the way to solving you're problems is by runnin' away from em'. Not that I don't want to take you along with me, I just think there's a few people who might need you more than I do right now. And you need to be here for them." He said with his hand on her shoulder. She stared up into his eyes through tears. She was such an emotional child. But what he said really hit close to home. She knew he was right.
Laguna took her into his arms, petting her hair, and whispered soothing words to her.
Through a muffled, shaken voice she said,
"Maybe I should just go out with you, huh? It'd be a lot easier that way." Both laughed.
"I got to go, Rin. Don't wanna be late on the first day."
"Love you, Laguna. Bye." He waved at her as he walked away.
Now she had to stay at Balamb and fix this mess she had gotten herself into. What a bumpy ride it was going to be.
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A/N: I'm really sorry if this chapter was a little boring. I'm kind of going through a writer's block and its annoying the hell out of me! Guess I was really trying to just show the problems of everyone, not just Rinoa. You know like, Quistis still being in love with Squall, and Zell trying to win over Selphie, and stuff like that. Hopefully I'm out of the writer's block by next chapter. Well anyway, please review!