Romeo and Juliet (FF8 style!)

Haha, hey people! Thank you SO much for waiting patiently for my Chapter 2! Like I said, my computer crashed, and I have to re-do everything from scratch! So if this chapter is crap, don't hesitate to tell me! Because I did not exactly plan on what I want to write, so yeah, hope you like this chapter!

Chapter 2 - More people known to us!

"Attention, to students to Balamb Garden, this is your commander Squall. As you all know, Christmas is around the corner, and Balamb just requested us to put up an item for their Christmas celebration.

"Selphie Tilmitt has suggested that we put up a play on Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'. It is open for all students to try out for parts. Selphie Tilmitt is the overall in-charge. For more information, please refer to your desk in the level 2 classroom. To the members of the Garden Festival Committee, there is an immediate meeting at the Quad. Courtesy from Selphie. Thank you for you attention."

When Squall finished his announcement, Selphie rubbed her hands in glee. "Great! But, oh darn!" She exclaimed, realizing something. "I was thinking of us going for a quick bite, but that meeting..."

"Oh, just go, silly girl!" Rinoa smiled. "We can always go some other day!" Selphie smiled, and dashed out. "I guess that means we can go too right?" She smiled, running her fingers through her glossy hair. Everyone grunted their agreement, and headed out, with Seifer grumbling about wasting his time.

Squall turned to head out. But Rinoa called him. "Yeah?" he asked.

"Where are you going now?"

"Nowhere, actually. Why ask?"

"Oh, nothing, there is this person that I am supposed to meet, but I'm getting the cold feet. He's just a childhood friend!" She laughed when Squall gave her a questioning look. "What's the matter? We are just meeting up for, you know, good ol' times!"

Yeah, what's wrong with me? He asked himself. He shrugged. "How about Quistis? Why don't you ask her? Since she's a female, it's better, right?"

"She has lessons."

"Oh, ok, then... why not?" He smiled.

She grinned. "Thanks a lot! See you at the cafeteria at 1800 hours! That's like, an hour from now ok? Don't forget!" and with that, she skipped out of the door. Squall watched on, and gave a sigh...

"Hey, Selphie!" Selphie turned her head, and saw Irvine Kinneas running over. She smiled and asked what the matter was. "Just wondering, is the play going to be like, very long? And do you need help? I could maybe sponsor some props."

"That would be great! Well, the play IS long, so I am going to abridge it, so it will be more interesting to the audience!" She smiled, and rattled on about her plans. Irvine looked at her and wondered to himself, Why do I even bother to listen to all this?

That is because you loved her ever since you cast your eyes on her. The tiny voice in his head said quietly. He had to agree, it has been more than 3 months since he met her at Galbadia Garden, and she never left his mind after that. He tried a lot of times to tell her his feelings. But...

"Irvie? You ok? There must be some motive to why you accompanied me! C'mon! 'Fess up!" Selphie's voice interrupted his thoughts, she smiled so radiantly that he had to give in and his reason for accompanying her to the Quad.

"Oh nothing, I just thought that you might want someone to accompany you to the Quad, and I always love talking to such a babe like you." He grinned.

"Oh, Irvie, you flatterer! I'm not a kid!" She gave a musical laugh, "But thank you, escort, for your concern!" She bowed low before him. "And to show my gratitude, how about dinner? But you'll have to treat!"

"Uh... sounds great!" He grinned. "So... erm... Balamb Hotel? I'll pick you up here at about... 1900 hours?"

"Good for me too! See ya later!" She cried, skipping down the stairs to the Quad.

Irvine waved, the only thought running through his mind. When is she going to get the fact that I'm smitten with her? He checked his watch.

Well, another 2 hours from now...

At 1800 hours, Squall waited outside the cafeteria impatiently for Rinoa, not knowing that Zell is behind his back, ready to scare him.

"BOO!" He yelled, making Squall almost jump out of his skin. "Haha! I scared ya!" Did I? Did I?"

Squall narrowed his eyes and said, "Seriously, Zell, GROW UP."

"Haha, look who's talking!" A voice came from the door. Squall looked up to see Rinoa, along with some guy. "This is Firzen, my childhood friend. Firzen, Squall Leonheart and Zell Dinct. And Zell, aren't you supposed to thank me for that comeback?"

"Hi Firzen," Zell exclaimed. "Hehe... thanks for that comeback!" He and Rinoa exchanged hi-fives.

Since when are they so close to each other? Squall thought."... Hi... Firzen."

"Uh, hi everyone..." He stammered.

Apparently, he looked uncomfortable, because Rinoa gave him a smile and said, "Don't be too bothered with Squall; he's just a little moody."

Squall gave a small smile. It was true that he was a little on the depressed side when he first became a SeeD, a mercenary force in Balamb Garden. And how his life all changed, the Timber Owls, Laguna and that dream world, Ultimecia, all these seemed to start from him meeting Rinoa... It was through Rinoa that I snapped out of my introvert self...

"HELLLLOOO???" Rinoa yelled in his ear. "Penny for your thoughts!"

"Uh... nothing..."

"You know, you have been doing a lot of thinking these days... get back down to reality ok?" She smiled. "Besides, it's rude to daydream when you are in a conversation!"

"Fine, fine," He muttered. "Sorry Firzen."

He looked surprised and replied, "Oh! It's nothing at all! Really! I'm just a little skeptical because I just came here not too long ago, and I only know Rinoa here. Oh yes, I heard your announcement about some play."

"Yeah, it's Rodeo and Juliette or something-"

"ROMEO and Juliet, daydreamer!" Rinoa interrupted. "Geez, go read up on it or something!"

"Hey..." Zell started. "I'm getting a little hungry, can we like, sit down and grab something to eat?"

Everyone consented, and before they could do anything, Zell made a bee-line to the queue for hot-dogs. Squall raised his eyebrows, Rinoa giggled, and Firzen smiled.

"C'mon, let Zell gorge his hot-dogs, let's sit for a while."

The three of them sat down, and Firzen cleared his throat. "So, tell me about this play, is auditions open for everyone?"

"I think so..." Squall replied. "But I'm not the overall in-charge. You have to go ask Selphie Tilmitt. You seem very interested in the play."

"Yes, I am. Very interested. I always love plays, and acting!"

"That's good! Then all of us can go audition and try for parts!" Rinoa smiled. "I was hoping on trying for Juliet. How do you think I would do for a Juliet?" She did a pose.

"I think you would look perfect, Rin."

"Aww... thanks Firzen! That's so sweet!"

Squall cleared his throat. "I think so too, Rinoa."

Rinoa looked astonished. "Well, well, well! That's one of thefirst compliments I've ever heard from you! Did you fall off the bed half-way through the night or something?" She knocked playfully on Squall's forehead. He blushed and denied that comment.

She won't look perfect as Juliet; she would BE perfect as Juliet. He thought to himself. With brown high-lighted hair, soft brown eyes, she would be perfect for any female lead. And noticing Firzen glaring at her with some way... Squall knew that Firzen is thinking the same thing too.

Rinoa checked the time with her watch. "Opps, we gotta go. We are having dinner at Balamb Hotel. Just catching up on good old times. See you later!" She smiled as she led Firzen out, just when Zell came with hot-dogs.

"She's gone?" He asked. "And what's with all that Firzen thing? Trust me, that guy is either gay, or he loves her somehow! Aren't you and Rinoa like, a couple or something?"

Squall sighed. "They are just childhood friends, going out to Balamb Hotel for dinner. Don't be so paranoid ok?"

"Look at you, you are bothered by the fact that they are going for dinner!"

"It's just some catching up!"

"Squall, I'm serious. That guy doesn't look like he's friendly."

"Zell, you are just paranoid, skeptical, doubtful, whatever..."

"Ok, fine..."

Just, then, Irvine burst into the cafeteria, singing, "Honey, I gotta lotta money! Could you be my nasty girl? And let me do that dirty dance with you!"

Squall narrowed his eyes, and Zell grinned, and he almost sang along with him, but fortunately, Irvine sat down with them, grinned as he said, "Selphie and I are having dinner tonight!"

Zell looked happy for them. "That's absolutely fantastic! Squall and I are talking about Rinoa's childhood friend, called Firzen. I don't trust him at all. He got the hotsfor Rinoa."

"Zell..."

"Don't you 'Zell' on me! Anyway, he looks really GAY, and he doesn't look friendly. Wait... Are you guys going to Balamb Hotel or anything? Because they are going too! Then you can judge for yourself!"

"Zell..."

"I said, don't 'Zell' me, ok? Discussion on Firzen closed! Now, Irvine, how's about you and I go and see how are you going to prepare for tonight! Sing it!"

Irvine raised his eyebrows. "Sure!"

As the two of them waltzed out singing "Nasty Girls", Squall sighed and wondered. Firzen? Dangerous? And Rinoa, asking me to come all the way here, just to say that she and Firzen are going for dinner? It almost sounds like she wants me to be jealous or something.

What's that all about?

Woohoo! Chapter 2 done! Like I said, this chapter wasn't too well planned, so don't hesitate to give me any comments for improvements!

It seems like Zell is kinda gay... I was surprised when I was typing all this, because Zell is my favourite character. But, to all readers, just read on to find out about Zell ok? You noticed that I added song lyrics this time. Irvine was singing "Nasty Girls" by Nitty. I will be adding songs to the story... so quick! Go hear the songs and imagine them really singing it!