[Thanks AngelD, Riona and DarkSaiph! I hope to do it justice, and I hope you enjoy this next chapter!]

Soft ivory heels hit the pavement as Rinoa stepped off the train, now stationed at Balamb, and walked towards the exit into town. Heavy footsteps were soon heard as Zone and Watts ran to catch up with her. Standing at the top of a flight of stairs at the entrance of the train station, Rinoa placed both hands on her hips, one wrist now adorning a silver bracelet, waiting for her two friends to catch up.

It was unreasonably warm for a March night, and Rinoa was happy for her choice in clothing attire; an ivory colored, short dress which was cut to fit, with a shiny chiffon layer on top, going about 2 inches past the length of the dress. I had nothing in that closet of mine. Good thing I just ordered this! Didn't think it would come on such short notice. Lucky me!

Zone and Watts finally showed up, with a dog in tow, both of them in regular clothing. Smiling at them, Rinoa walked down the stairs and walked through the town of Balamb towards the car rental. "I'll be back at around 12-ish. You guys can stay in the town if you want. Have fun! Cause we'll be extremely busy once we get the mission started," Rinoa talked as she walked.

Coming across the edge of town, Rinoa turned and squatted down to pet the dog. "You be a good girl, Angelo! Keep an eye out on these two, okay? Especially Zone." Angelo barked happily and Rinoa had to keep the dog at bay as it was trying to lick at her. She didn't want to have to reapply her makeup, but lovingly petting Angelo to make up for it.

"Hey, what is that supposed to mean?" Zone said as Rinoa stood back up.

Rinoa winked at him. "I know about those special magazines of yours. The poor girls here won't know what hit them."

Zone turned red and Watts and Rinoa laughed. "You be careful out there, Rinoa. We want you back in one piece," Watts said as his laughter died down.

Rinoa waved it off and began walking towards the car attendant. "Don't worry about me! I'll see you guys in a few. Bye!"

Zone and Watts waved and walked towards the water's shore, Angelo apparently leading the way.

"What can I do for you, miss?" The attendant asked as Rinoa approached.

"I need a ride to Balamb Garden," Rinoa answered.

The attendant nodded and a car soon pulled up, and she paid for the vehicle. "Thank you," Rinoa said as the man opened the door for her, and Rinoa got inside. The car exited Balamb and out onto the open road. As she stared out the window to the beach, the driver began making conversation to make the ride more enjoyable.

"Off to the open dance party at the Garden, hm?"

Rinoa pulled her eyes away from the scenery and nodded, looking at the driver. "Yes. My friend invited me."

"Ah, so your friend's a SeeD now, huh? There's a woman back in town who has a son attending that school. She sure hopes he passed his exam. Say congratulations to your friend! It's truly an honor."

The car had pulled up at the Front Gate, and Rinoa smiled and opened the door. "I will. Thank you."

"You have a nice night, miss."

Rinoa got out of the car and closed the door, and the car made its way around the driveway, another car behind it taking its place and delivering more people. Rinoa looked in wonder as she made her way towards the main building, the light music and laughter heightening the experience. Everywhere she looked she saw teenagers like her, huddled in groups and talking excitedly, and Rinoa only hoped that Timber would someday hold such happiness.

Upon entering the building, it was even noisier than the outside, the lights bright. Rinoa looked around, lost, wondering where to go.

"Welcome to Balamb Garden's Open Inauguration Party!" A female announcer's voice boomed over the PA system, and Rinoa stopped to listen, awaiting directions to where she had to go.

"For all festivities, head to the third floor ballroom hall! For tonight and this night only, the third floor is open to all graduated students as well as the public, except of course for Headmaster Cid's office, which is only open upon direct invitation. Again, head to the third floor ballroom hall! The night is young and the party's just begun!"

The announcer then signed off, and Rinoa was left with the bustling noise around her. She made her way towards the center, and climbed the stairs to the elevator. Having to wait for the next elevator for the one that had just left was full, Rinoa pressed her lips together to smooth out her lip gloss. I wonder if Seifer is waiting upstairs? I don't see him anywhere down here or outside.

The elevator made a ringing noise and the door opened once again, and Rinoa filed in along with half a dozen other people. The one closest to the control panel pressed the '3F' button, and it made its way up yet again. The elevator chimed again as it reached its destination, and Rinoa walked off with the others, following them to the ballroom. She scanned the people who stood chatting away in the halls, but didn't find Seifer anywhere.

So Rinoa headed into the ballroom, where it was the only place left that Seifer could have been. At least, where she was allowed to venture in. She gasped in astonishment at the upbeat waltz music, and at the people dancing. But she didn't find him anywhere, unaware that Seifer had failed to become a SeeD again, and wasn't going to be present at the celebration. She figured there was just too many people around for her to spot him. Alone on the dance floor, Rinoa looked up through the glass roof at the starry night sky to notice a shooting star. To Timber's independence, Rinoa wished silently to herself.

Feeling someone's eyes on her, Rinoa lowered her head and turned to find that someone was indeed staring at her. Figuring the person noticed the shooting star as well, Rinoa pointed up to the sky and smiled. The guy nodded slightly, and Rinoa let down her hand and walked towards him. There were plenty of students dancing, and it was embarrassing for her to be alone. The guy seemed to be alone as well, a wallflower, and Rinoa was going to take the opportunity to get herself a partner. Maybe dancing around would enable her to finally find Seifer.

Reckoning he was like most guys, heck, like most people, he had to like a compliment, right? So as she stood in front of the wine holding man, Rinoa gave it her best. "You're the best looking guy here. Dance with me?" The guy didn't respond, and Rinoa resisted the urge to bite her bottom lip in frustration. Okay…so he's tougher to crack.

"Let me guess…You'll only dance with someone you like? Okay then…Look into my eyes…" Rinoa looked into the guy's crystal blue eyes, and raised her hand up, pointing her index finger at him. She began rotating it in a circle in front of his eyes as she spoke, trying to hypnotize him. "You're-going-to-like-me…" Rinoa said slowly. "You're-going-to-like-me…Did it work?" Rinoa tilted her head and looked to him hopefully.

The man opened his mouth and Rinoa smiled as he finally spoke. "…I can't dance," he said.

Rinoa put a hand to her hip. Was that honestly the reason he was refusing to dance with her? Why he was resisting her charm? Because he couldn't dance? "You'll be fine. Come on. I'm looking for someone. I can't be on the dance floor alone." Rinoa noticed the man beginning to open his mouth again, probably to say no, but Rinoa quickly grabbed onto his hand and physically dragged him to the dance floor. She was very used to getting what she wanted, when she wanted, and although she wouldn't have taken 'no' for an answer, the guy hadn't rejected her yet, and Rinoa had to stretch that as far as she could.

Weaving in between dancing couples, Rinoa found a clear space for them and watched the others to see where the dance was. Rinoa stopped walking and turned to face him, finding the guy looking at her expectantly, and Rinoa placed his hands where they were supposed to go on her body. She began swaying this way and that, though she might as well have been dancing with a skeleton model. Rinoa twirled herself out, and as she twirled back in, the man bumped into her roughly, almost causing them both to trip over. Ow! What is with this guy?

Rinoa stomped her foot on the ground and let go of his hand, and the man looked down as if saying 'I told you so' and turned to walk off the dance floor. Are you doing this to me on purpose? Rinoa thought, and ran after him, grabbing onto his hand yet again. You're not leaving me now! Holding his hand up, her arm bent at the elbow, Rinoa turned as she started to get into the dance again, the guy inactively turning with her. As they came closer together to sway again, the guy hesitantly put his other hand to her side.

While Rinoa began to think that he was getting better, they bumped into a neighboring couple. Rinoa made a face at them, almost threatening to stick her tongue out childishly, upset that they ruined their momentum, and looked back at her partner and smiled, hoping to keep his spirits up. You're not as bad as you think. The music slowed then went to back to regular tempo, coming to its climax in both tune and dance. They finished off the dance perfectly, and as Rinoa was pulled back towards the mysterious man after being spun out, they stopped dancing and stared at each other, both amused by the stranger's antics, everyone else continuing to dance.

Fireworks interrupted them, and both looked up at the lighted sky in surprise. While he continued to stare at the fireworks, it now changing from green to red, Rinoa took the time to look at him more closely, trying to figure him out. Just then she recognized someone behind him, and decided it was time to leave. Rinoa raised her hands up to her face as if praying to excuse herself, and walked toward Headmaster Cid and the people surrounding him, leaving the man with nothing to do but stare after her.