A/N: Ok
Everyone! Before we get started on the next chappy, I just wanted
to make a couple things clear.
I had to up the rating from PG to PG 13 due to the fact that Seifer likes to
use..umm..colorful language.
I have also been getting some questions on just how old everyone is in this
fic. Well....Since this fic takes place 3 years after Ultimecia's
defeat...Seifer is 21,Quistis is 21, Squall, Selphie, Zell, and Irvine are all
20. And finally, Laguna is 47. Whew!
I also wanted to
thank everyone for his or her reviews and nice words! You guys
are the coolest! oh btw...some upcoming
chappy's are going to get a little angsty, so just
warning you guys in advance.
Well..thats all for
now! Enjoy chapter 6!
~Irvy'sLilCowgrl~
*****The Next Day*****
"And class, please remember that the Stardust Masquerade Ball is coming up
on Sunday. I hope to see you all there. Have a good weekend. Class
dismissed."
Quistis smiled as her last class of the day poured out of the classroom. The
last student to leave was Seifer, and as he passed her desk, she quickly
glanced down at her papers and pretended to diligently grade them. Seifer tried
to get her attention, but finally gave up and walked slowly out of the class with
the other students.
Quistis sighed quietly. "How did I ever make it through that
class." She had somehow stammered her way through the day's lesson,
the entire time knowing that Seifer's green eyes were watching her. Every
time her eyes met his, all she could think of was last night, and how he had
kissed her.
Quistis began to gather up her things and put them away for the weekend. She
had been thinking of the ball that was coming up, and she wasn't so sure if she
was going. "What if Seifer asks me...I have to say no. He's my
student! No matter how much I like him, or how well he kisses...."
Quistis touched her lips, and for the hundredth time, ran Seifer's actions
through her head again. Her dreamy thoughts were interrupted by a light
tapping on the classroom door.
"Oh Hyne...Please don't let it be Seifer! I can't talk to him
now."
Quistis straightened her hair, and SeeD uniform, and then in a shaky voice
said, "Come in."
Slowly the doors to the classroom opened, but instead of blonde hair and green
eyes peeking in, a head of long jet-black hair, and blue-green eyes peeked in.
Quistis' features lit up, partly because it wasn't Seifer, and partly because
Laguna had come to visit.
"Laguna! What a pleasant surprise! Please come in!"
Laguna slowly walked in. He was wearing a pair of black pants, and a gray
button-up shirt, that was partially unbuttoned at his neck, showing off his
toned muscles underneath.
"Quistis, how are you today. I thought I'd find you here."
"My home away from home." Quistis said with a small roll of her eyes,
and a laugh.
"You busy?" Laguna asked, walking up to her desk and running a
hand through his hair. A nervous habit.
"No, I was just cleaning up for the weekend."
"Oh...Umm..well I was just wondering if you'd...umm..like to get some
lunch? I mean...I don't have much to do, and I thought we could talk a little
more...I mean...if you're not busy..."
"Hmm..a lunch date?" Quistis thought. "Why not. it will take my
mind off Sei...other things...anyway."
"I would love to Laguna. In fact, why don't we go to Balamb for
lunch? We could get away from all this garden commotion for a while, and
enjoy ourselves." Actually, Quistis wanted to get away from
Seifer's piercing stare.
"Oh sure! Sounds fun. You want to go right now?"
"Yeah, I have a car in the garage that we can use. It's only a
fifteen-minute drive. Just let me lock up."
Quistis straightened up the papers on her desk, and grabbed her keys to lock
the classroom door. After locking up, she and Laguna walked toward the
parking garage, both chatting quietly to each other. As they walked past
a dark corner, a tall figure emerged from it and followed them. His green
eyes glowing in the shadows as he snuck behind them.
************************************************************************
"She can't even look me in the eyes." Seifer thought as he
walked slowly past his instructor.
She had immediately
put her head down and pretended to
grade her papers as he had walked by. He had contemplated talking to her,
but changed his mind. "Now's not the time." He thought as he
continued through the classroom door.
He couldn't believe that he had actually kissed her last night. It just
happened. Seifer had wanted to do it for a while, and last night seemed
like the right time.
At least Seifer
thought it was. He wasn't so sure about what Quistis thought, since she
hadn't spoken one word to him since it happened.
As Seifer walked slowly down the hall, thinking about the kiss, someone bumped
lightly into his shoulder.
Lost in thought, Seifer didn't even bother to
look. He heard a deep voice say "Sorry." and continue down
the hallway.
Seifer turned to yell something obscene at the person, when he realized whom it
was. "It's that ass Laguna!" Seifer thought, "And he's
heading right toward Quistis' classroom!"
Seifer did a quick turn, and quietly followed Laguna. Hiding in the
shadows, Seifer watched as Laguna stood at the classroom door for a few
minutes, before lightly tapping on it.
He heard Quistis'
voice say, "Come in" and then Laguna disappeared inside the class.
Seifer stood in complete silence, dying to know what was going on inside the
class. "How can that bumbling idiot think that Quistis would
actually like
him!"
Seifer gritted his teeth, thinking about all of the possible things that
could be going on behind the classroom doors. "Come on dammit! What the
hell
are they doing!?"
Suddenly the silence was broken by the classroom doors opening, and Laguna and
Quistis emerging together. Quistis said something quietly to Laguna, and
she then turned to lock the classroom doors.
As they walked past, Seifer could hear them talking quietly. He decided
to
follow the couple, and see where they were headed.
"I wonder where
they are going?" He thought, as he fell in step a few yards behind Laguna
and Quistis.
************************************************************************
"So then Irvine wanted to see how many hotdogs Zell could fit in his
mouth. Can you believe Zell shoved 3 hotdogs into his mouth! He then started
choking on them, and ended up spitting half of them onto Irvine's lap! We
thought we were going to die laughing!"
Quistis and Laguna laughed loudly at the story Quistis had been telling.
The two had left
Balamb Garden, and drove to Balamb town for lunch. They had
found a quaint little cafe beside the ocean, and had been sitting there talking
for the past hour. What they didn't know, though, was that Seifer had
also gotten a car, and had followed them all the way to the cafe.
Once he had seen where they were seated, he had taken a seat a few tables away
from them. Far enough so they wouldn't notice, but close enough to hear
their conversation.
"These two are getting too close for comfort. What does she see in this
guy anyways?" Seifer thought, as he watched the two laugh loudly.
He leaned in closer to hear their words better.
"You know Quistis, this is the most fun that I have had in a long
time." Laguna said, smiling.
"Me too Laguna. You are a great person to be around. Always
happy."
"Come on
Laguna, just ask her."
Laguna had decided to ask Quistis to the Stardust Masquerade Ball, since
Selphie was so adamant on him going. He thought it would be a good
opportunity to tell her about his feelings toward her, and he could see if she
felt the same.
"Umm...Quistis...can I ask you something..." Laguna said
quietly, running a hand through his hair.
Quistis saw the glimmer of nervousness in his eyes, and automatically knew what
he was going to ask her. "Oh, Hyne...He's going to ask me to the
ball! I know it!"
"I was j-just w-wondering...." Laguna cleared his throat, after
trying to stammer out a few words in a high-pitched voice. "Ahem..."
Then in his normal, deep voice, he asked, "I was just wondering if you
would like to accompany me to the Stardust Masquerade Ball on Sunday. I
mean, if you don't already have a date, that is..."
Quistis looked into his beautiful eyes, and couldn't imagine saying no to
him. She didn't mind the age difference, and the fact that he was
Squall's father made no difference to her either. In fact Squall never
actually acknowledged the fact that Laguna was his father. There was only
one problem. What would Quistis do about Seifer?
She knew that he wasn't exactly the "sociable type", so she didn't
know if he would even want to go to the ball.
"Oh what the heck." She thought. "You only live
once, and besides, I am starting to really like him."
Quistis smiled, and then spoke. "I would love to be your date to the
ball Laguna. It would be an honor."
Laguna took a deep breath. He felt as if a thousand pounds had been
lifted from his chest. "Oh..well...great! I think we will have a
very nice time."
"I think we will have a wonderful time!" Quistis replied, her
eyes shining. "Now we just have to figure out what to wear!"
Laguna laughed, his eyes shining. "Well, all I have to say is,
anything but Zorro!"
He and Quistis laughed loudly, before getting up to head back to the Garden.
************************************************************************
Seifer looked on jealously, as Laguna and Quistis flirted with each other. He
then heard Laguna say something that made him almost fall from his chair.
"Did he just ask her to the ball?" He asked himself, not sure if his
ears heard right. Quistis confirmed his question a minute later, though,
when he heard her say "I would love to be your date for the ball."
Seifer then sat back in shock. The rest of their conversation was blanked
out by his thoughts.
"I can't believe it. She said yes. Why that
two-timing...No...it's not her fault. She's just been lonely. It's that
asshole Laguna's fault. He knows she's been lonely, and he's going to
take full advantage of it. What would someone his age want with someone
her age! He only wants her to be his little toy.
Someone he can screw and then leave in the dust while he goes off to find
another young girl to feed his mid-life crisis. Damn it Seifer!
You should've stayed and asked her that night in her classroom!"
Seifer then heard Quistis say that they
needed to get back to the garden. He watched as the two stood up, and
walked toward their parked car.
His eyes narrowed as he watched Laguna slowly place his hand on the small of Quistis' back, and lead her through the maze of tables at the cafe. He then slammed a couple of dollars down on the table to pay for the drink he had barely touched, and made his way out of the restaurant, and into his car. As he drove back to Balamb, one thought occupied his mind.
"That damn fool
won't live to hurt Quistis. Not as long
as I am around."
*****Later*****
"Zell! Hellooooo!!! Wake up!!! The ball is tomorrow
night! We have to get these tables set up!"
Selphie walked quietly up to Zell, who had dozed off leaning against a table
that had been set up. She, Zell, Irvine, and Rinoa had been working all
evening since Selphie was short a few helpers due to sickness.
"Aww....He looks like a little baby...so peaceful!" Selphie
quietly said to herself.
"Hey Selph! Ugh....Where do you...Ugh...want this table?"
Irvine asked, walking up carrying a large unfolded table in his arms.
"Shhh! Irvine! You'll wake up Zelly! Just look at
him...."
Irvine dropped the table heavily, and walked up to look at the sleeping Zell.
"What a lazy...." Irvine said.
He then gave Zell a soft kick in the side
with his booted foot. Zell fell over from the kick, and then jumped up
suddenly, ready to fight whatever horrible creature had stirred him from his
nap. Instead of finding a monster, he stared into the laughing faces of
Irvine and Selphie.
"Who the hell kicked me!?" Zell asked confused.
"I did." Irvine replied, adjusting his hat. "This
isn't nap time, we need to help set up for the ball."
Zell looked out of the ballroom windows at the darkening sky. "Sorry
guys, I've just had a looooong day...."
"What's wrong Zelly?" Selphie asked, motherly concern in her
eyes.
"Oh, I can't find a damn costume. I've looked everywhere. I'm
going to give up soon...."
"I'll help you tomorrow Zelly." Selphie said.
"Thanks so much for helping out."
Selphie, Zell, Irvine, and Rinoa had been helping set up for the Stardust Ball
all afternoon. They were almost finished with the last touches.
"Come on guys. We're almost through!" Rinoa yelled as she
struggled with a folding chair.
"Here Rinoa, let me help. I wouldn't want you to strain your pretty
hands now." Irvine said as he jogged slowly over to Rinoa.
Selphie and Zell laughed quietly, and continued to set up the tables.
Suddenly the doors to the ballroom opened and closed quietly. In walked
Quistis.
"Quisty!" Selphie ran over to Quistis, and gave her a friendly
hug. "I haven't talked to you in days!"
"Hi Selphie." Quistis said quietly, hugging the smaller girl
back. "I know, I have been so busy lately."
"Well hello there stranger." Irvine said, as he,Zell, and Rinoa
all walked slowly up to Quistis.
"Hey Guys." Quistis said with a small sigh. She was still in the clouds about lunch with Laguna. She was really starting to like him.
Quistis walked
dreamily over to a nearby chair and sat down with a far away look on her
face.
"Uh Oh..." Rinoa said as she watched Quistis. "Boys
could you excuse us for a few minutes? Girl talk.."
Zell and Irvine looked disappointed, as they both said a quiet
"Yes.." and walked slowly out the double doors of the ballroom.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Rinoa and Selphie both rushed over to the
table Quistis was sitting at, and simultaneously started to talk.
"You have to tell me what is going on Quistis!" Selphie asked with
bright
eyes.
"Quistis, there is something going on." Rinoa said at the same
time.
Quistis snapped out of her dream-like trance, and looked at the two girls
staring at her with eager eyes.
"You two are my best friends in the world. And what I am about to tell you
absolutely has to stay behind these walls."
"We swear Quistis. We wont tell a soul." Selphie said,
genuine honesty in her voice.
"But before you start, wait one second." Rinoa said getting a
mysterious look in her brown eyes.
She walked quickly over to the double doors, and opened them suddenly.
Out spilled Irvine and Zell who had been leaning up against the door in an
attempt to listen in on the girls' conversation.
"Get up you dorks!" Selphie said kicking Irvine in the side with her foot.
"Ouch Selph!" Irvine said as he got up and ran a hand through his hair.
"We were only…..umm…..guarding the doors! Yeah! We were guarding the doors!" Zell said as he handed Irvine his hat that fell on the floor.
"Don't you two have papers to grade, or something…." Rinoa said, looking very annoyed.
"Yeah, you guys go and do that, everything's done, and the rest of the committee will do the finishing touches tomorrow morning." Selphie said, pushing the two men out of the door.
"Fine Fine! We can take a hint! Come on Zell." Irvine said as he was forced out the doors. Selphie watched as he and Zell walked slowly down the hall and around the corner.
She shut the doors and locked them, and then walked quickly over to the place where Quistis and Rinoa sat.
"I have a problem." Quistis said quietly, looking down at her peach colored dress.
"Tell us Quisty, I'm sure we can help!" Selphie said, taking Quistis' hand in hers.
Quistis took a deep breath, and then suddenly let the whole story out at once.
"Well, you see, I really like someone. He's nice and sweet, and the gentlest person you could ever know…
"That's great Quis!" Rinoa said clapping her hands together cheerfully.
"There's just one problem Rinoa." Quistis continued, interrupting Rinoa's little celebration. "I like this man, but I also have feelings for another man. I can't decide whom I like more!"
"Oh no Quis! I'm sorry! I didn't realize it was like that!" Rinoa said, her brown eyes lowering.
"Well aren't you gonna tell us who they are Quis!?" Selphie asked, almost jumping from anticipation.
"You guys are going to kill me when you find out." Quistis said, her blue eyes lowering again.
"Come on Quis, it can't be that bad." Rinoa said, squeezing the blond woman's hand encouragingly.
Quistis sighed loudly, and for the first time, told her friends her secret. "The two men I like are Laguna Loire…… President Loire……and Seifer Almasy…..my student….."
Rinoa and Selphie both gasped in surprise. Of all the people, these were the last men on earth they thought Quistis would be involved with.
"S-S-Sir Laguna! S-Seifer Almasy!" Selphie stuttered, her green eyes growing wide as saucers. "Oh my…."
"Please, don't do that Selphie! You two are my closest friends, I couldn't handle you two leaving me!"
Rinoa, seeing panic in her friend's blue eyes, decided to comfort her, despite her feelings.
"Quis, do you love these men?" Rinoa asked, looking directly into the woman's eyes.
"I don't know Rinoa, I just don't know. What I do know is that it gets worse…. You see, I…umm…kissed Seifer, in my classroom last night. And umm…today, Laguna asked me to the Stardust Ball…and I accepted him."
"Ohhhh Hyne!" Selphie said, obviously no comfort to her poor friend.
"So you kissed Seifer Almasy, and then later accepted Laguna Loire's invitation to the Stardust Ball…" Rinoa said, letting Quistis' words sink into her mind. "Well it's obvious who you like more then, right? You like Laguna more."
"Actually, I don't know Rinoa, I mean I like Laguna a lot, but there's just something about Seifer. Something in his eyes. Of course Laguna's much more practical. I mean he's nice and kind and dependable. Seifer on the other hand is rebellious and charming and….
"Younger…" Selphie interrupted, finally adding to the conversation. "Remember Quistis, Sir Laguna has to be almost 50. He's old enough to be your father."
"That part doesn't bother me one bit Selphie. The fact that Seifer is closer in age, doesn't mean that he's better in any way." Quistis said quietly.
"Quis, I think that this decision is completely up to you. Neither Selphie nor I can decide your fate. It's in your hands." Rinoa said.
"Please, you guys, don't tell anyone what I have told you!" Quistis said, panic in her eyes at the thought of what had happened getting around the garden.
"Trust us Quis, this will remain a secret. I can assure you, though, that when you show up with Laguna Loire tomorrow night, it will be the talk of the garden for a while." Rinoa said, getting up and motioning for Selphie to do the same. "We are going to go now Quis, you can stay in here for a while, and think to yourself if you'd like."
"Yeah, thanks Rinoa, Selphie, you guys are the best." Quistis mustered up a small smile for her friends as they walked slowly out of the beautiful ballroom.
After they had left Quistis stood and walked slowly around the beautiful room, admiring the tables and flowers that had been set up all around. She had agreed to meet Laguna tomorrow morning to go shopping for their costumes they were to wear at the ball.
"In just 24 hours I will be in here. Chatting, laughing, holding on to the arm of the man of my dreams.
Quistis sat down in a nearby chair and put her head down on the table slowly.
"I'm just not so sure who that man will be yet."
************************************************************************
Oh wow! Talk about MAJOR writer's block! I just couldn't get my noggin moving! Well I'm back now! I want to thank everyone who has stuck with the story so far! It's about to get angsty guys! Hope you have you Kleenex's!!! Please let me know what you thought of this chappy! I will update soon!