Fighter

by Lady Pyrefly

Author's Note: This is a companion story to Bookworm. A couple people wanted more to that story, but I'm just not into sequels, so I wrote this. It's the same events, but in Zell's POV. (Bookworms still rock! )

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I stand there in the hallways of Balamb Garden, and watch her walk down the hallway, her arms loaded with books. I am fourteen and (although I'd never admit it) in love. I'm sure a lot of people think I love Stacey, but it isn't true. I am in love with someone else.

I'm sure this is going to sound really stupid to you people, but I don't even know the girl's name. I try everyday to talk to her in the library, but I always get nervous and end up pretending I want to know if Welcome Home PuPu is in. I don't really even think she notices me. She's always wrapped up in some book or another. She's so smart, so she couldn't possibly be interested in a fighter like me. I'm fourteen and already know how much love sucks sometimes.

Getting back to my story, I watch her walk down the hallway, her arms full of books, when all of a sudden she trips and falls. That mean girl, Fujin, stuck her leg out and made her fall. Then, to make things worse, Seifer walks up and starts laughing his head off at her. Of course (since everyone is a little afraid of Seifer) they start laughing too. Maybe I'm just imagining it, but she looks like she's gonna cry. This would be a perfect time to make her notice me.

I walk up to Fujin. "What did you do that for? She didn't do anything!" I yell. "That was so mean! You shouldn't do that to people just because you're so 'cool'!"

Maybe I pushed it a little too much, because Seifer's getting defensive. "Hey, chicken-wuss, leave her alone. It's that dork's fault she's so clumsy!"

Dork? Dork? No way is the library girl a dork! She's so nice and kind. Just because she was really smart was no reason to call her that! Now I was mad. "You shouldn't make fun of her!" Man, I'm in trouble now. Seifer's eyes narrow, and I can tell he's about to beat the crap out of me. I may be a fighter, but against him, I won't stand a chance. Maybe this whole hero thing isn't such a good idea.

Suddenly the library girl speaks up. "No, really, it's okay. It's my fault. I'm such a klutz." For a moment, I don't want to back down. She is trying to stop us from fighting. Isn't that sweet? Maybe it'd be worth getting my ass kicked to save her. But now Seifer is walking away with Fujin laughing their heads off, and she is picking up her books.

When I bend down to help her, I notice the homework from Instructor Simon's class. That would be a perfect talking point! Too bad I didn't finish mine.

"Hey, you did this homework?" I ask. "What did you get for number three?" Now, again, you're probably going to think I'm an idiot, but the thing is, I got number three. I don't wanna take her answer. (The teacher could probably tell the difference anyway.)

The library girl with her long pigtail takes back her paper and answers me, "A shumi." Her voice is so quiet, I almost couldn't hear her.

"Awesome!" I hand her book over to her (and get my hand all wet) and leave. A few minutes later, after she's disappeared, I remember I should have asked for her name. Why didn't I think of that then? Oh yeah, my mind went numb. I was so nervous...

But, I don't really mind. Tomorrow I will ask her the answer to question four, and her name.