Chapter Two
Blue and Brown
Too often do we
underestimate the power of a touch, a smile,
a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment,
or the smallest act of caring. All of which have the potential to turn a life
around.
-Leo
Buscaglia-
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A thousand shards of glass penetrated the drunken numbness of my face and neck. In the elongated nanoseconds of the crash I expected an airbag to save me, but it failed to deploy. I was more interested in the pinpoint pains across my face than the shattering of my ribs and rupturing of my internal organs against the unyielding body. I don't recall closing my eyes but I could not see. The blaring of the other vehicles' horns faded and vanished, as did the taste of the blood in my mouth. One by one the small pains at each entry point of glass diminished. I could sense nothing.
Then, the nothingness was gone.
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Slowly yet cautiously she opened her heavy eyelids. Her vision was as clear as having soft sand blown into her eyes, something she noticed when her eyelids were only half opened. Hoping to rid herself from the blurriness, she tried to lift her right hand up to rub away the fuzziness, but due to the numbness, she realized that her limbs were out of her control. Her entire body felt numb yet at the same time incredibly sore.
A soft relieved sigh escaped her lips as she felt the numbness gradually subsiding. She silently decided that she'll simply lie there, staring up at the clean white ceiling, patiently waiting for her body to move again. Her apartment ceiling however, was not white, it was light blue, so without questioning, she knew exactly where she was. Unlike scenes in movies, she knew where she was and what had happened. The only question plaguing her mind was, 'How bad was it?'
She closed her eyes in concentration, recalling fragments of the incident.
The pounding rain. The sudden glare of headlights. The swerving. The crashing. The pain. The hand.
Her eyes opened slowly once again as she remembered the warm hand that held tightly onto hers. She felt like smiling when she memorized the security it brought her, but once again she failed to do so. Her body was too tired and aching that the only thing she felt capable of doing was opening and closing her eyelids.
Her eyes were starting to adjust to the soft lighting of the room when all of a sudden; a blinding light filled the whole room. Immediately she winced from the sudden change. She felt her eyes water up as the stinging registered without delay in her brain. Despite having her eyes closed, she was able to feel the change of temperature in the room. Warmth. Just like the feeling she had when that hand grasped onto hers. The right side of her lips twitched upwards without realization when she once again thought of that hand. But before she was able to dwell on the thought any further, she was jerked out of her contemplation by a familiar voice echoing in the room.
"Hey, you've awaken, how do you feel?" The soft voice asked her.
Knowing now that she was able to do more than just controlling the movement of her eyes, her raspy voice choked out, "Sore,"
She heard her visitor giggle softly before replying, "Yeah, that was expected. The doctor said that you'll be fine, but your body will be quite sore for a few days. Consider yourself lucky Rin," she paused for a second before continuing in a more serious tone, "Some weren't as lucky as you. I checked them out before; some didn't even make it through the night."
Some. Yes that's right, there were more than just two cars in the car crash, meaning that there were probably a couple more people rushed into this very same hospital. The thought of that reassuring hand disappeared from her mind in a flash. She closed her eyes thanking Hyne that she not only made it out alive, but her worst injuries were mere scratches and aches. Something that could not even compare to death. Her heart felt for the families for the more unfortunate people. She felt sadness overcome her as the memories of last night flashed through her eyes once again. No matter what one did, no one deserved death. And now, not only were these people innocent, they probably had a loving family or a bright future ahead of them.
Anger took over Rinoa as more thoughts entered her head. How could fate be so unfair to these people? What have they done to earn such cruel punishment? But her anger disappeared as fast as water running down a tap. Who was there to blame? It wasn't like someone actually held up a knife and killed these people. It was the weather and the lack of alertness. It was Mother Nature.
She released a sad sigh, gradually opening her eyes when she realized that she had momentarily forgotten about her visitor. Doing her best, she smiled softly, "Thanks Quistis."
The blonde sitting beside her bed gave her a questioning look, silently asking Rinoa 'For what?'
Knowing what she meant, Rinoa explained, "For being here,"
Quistis Trepe gave a soft laugh in understanding, saying, "Oh, I guess you're lucky that I'm a light sleeper,"
It was Rinoa's turn to look confused. Quistis continued, "The rain was so loud I couldn't sleep so I switched on the TV hoping to tire my eyes out. That was when every channel I switched to showed the accident you were in."
Rinoa furrowed her brows slightly, "Quistis, it was eight something, why would you go to sleep at that time? And there were news reporters there already?" her hoarse voice asked slowly.
"Firstly, it was nine to be exact. Secondly, duh they'd be news reporters there already. I mean think about it, that's going to be like the top story for the month. Every news reporter wants a piece of it,"
Rinoa grimaced slightly at her answer. An accident this serious was nothing to be excited about. Deaths were caused. Injuries were caused. Fine, it was okay to be the top story or whatever, but the fact that reporters raced there to get 'a piece of it,' as Quistis had put it, was simply for their own benefits. To boost their ratings, to gain more money. Overall, Rinoa had a certain disliking towards reporters.
"And thirdly, I was supposed to attend an interview for a job I applied for weeks ago today, so I figured going to sleep early wouldn't hurt." Quistis finished.
Rinoa's eyes widened a bit, "Please don't tell me I made you miss the interview," again, asking at a very slow rate as the numbness had not fully gone. Her eyes showed how apologetic she was, assuming that she was correct.
Quistis shook her head faintly, "Don't flatter yourself Rin. My life does not revolve around you." Quistis spoke with a rather serious tone, but Rinoa was able to detect hints of sarcasm.
"So, you went to the interview right?" Rinoa needed reassurance.
And that was what Quistis gave her, "Yes," she lied.
Truth be told, Quistis had not attended her job interview. It wasn't because she did not have enough time or she lacked rest, it was because of Rinoa. It was a dilemma between going to the long awaited interview, or staying by a friend's side while she was in such a state. After pacing around the room countless times, she chose the latter. That's not to say that she never had second thoughts of staying. Every time she glanced at the clock and realized that she would still make it in time to the interview, she was tempted to leave.
'If you've got true talents, no matter where you go, no matter who you're with, you'll never remain jobless for long.'
That is one of many of Quistis' theories.
"Hyne, where are the doctors?" Quistis asked in slight annoyance.
As if on cue, a short stubby man in a white doctor's coat came in with a clip board held tightly by his left arm. He had glasses resting on the brim of his nose and he wore a friendly smile on his face. He reminded Rinoa greatly of Cid.
"Ah, Miss Heartilly, I see that you're awake now. How do you feel? Any headaches?" He asked in the tone many doctors used. The 'suppose-to-be-soothing' voice yet sounding like they're almost falling asleep.
"No," Rinoa's raspy voice choked out, "Just sore… and numb."
The doctor chuckled softly, "Yes, that's not a surprise. I'm quite sure the numbness will leave within minutes. You were only unconscious for a night. Now, do you remember what happened last night?"
"Yes." was the simple yet blunt reply Rinoa gave him. It was obvious she preferred not talking about it and the look-alike Cid understood. It wasn't at all a pleasant memory. Numerous unconscious people stained with blood rushed into the hospital. Family members waiting anxiously for results. Seeing death happen in front of you. Not a pleasant memory at all. And it's sad to say, but truth is, after time, doctors get used to it.
"Well then, can you please tell me your age Miss Heartilly?" He asked. He needed to be sure that the car crash had not affected her memory, and given that short answer before was simply not enough.
"I'm 22 years old doctor,"
"Doctor Russ. Well despite your soreness and a few cuts, there's nothing wrong with you. After I had a body check up on you last night, results show no sign of any injuries or broken bones. Therefore it is highly possible that you were rendered unconscious due to having your head hit onto something hard or solid. But judging by the numerous cuts on your face, I am guessing that your head probably made firm contact with your side window. So good news is, you may leave when you feel like you can, but you can also stay one more night if you feel that your muscles aren't co-operating. Just go to the reception and sign out."
With a final nod and a friendly smile, Doctor Russ was about to leave the room but stopped when he heard Rinoa call for him. He turned around, hand still on the door knob and waited for Rinoa to speak.
"Yesterday, after the car crash, someone helped me out of the car. I was wondering by any chance, if you saw that person."
Doctor Russ held his chin with his index finger and thumb, pondering on that question. "No, I don't think so. When the ambulance arrived, you were the only person in it. No one else was accompanying you." With that said, he finally left.
Rinoa closed her eyes in disappointment. She was really hoping that she'd get a chance to thank that person. But now, she was starting to have doubts if that hand even existed. Was it just her hallucination? Then she remembered. The voice. That voice, she would never forget those words and voice that kept her going for a little longer. She was lucky that someone, no, a man, the voice told her it was a man, was by her side helping her during all the pain. Wait, the doctor said she would be okay, but what about her shattered ribs and ruptured internal organs? Just scratches? Is this doctor an imposter or something?
"Quistis, what about my ribs and organs?" The question sounded stupid but Rinoa was too tired to rephrase herself.
"Um, what about them?"
"Well, I'm pretty sure my ribs are broken and there are damage done to my organs,"
Quistis laughed at her over exaggeration, "Rin, you were in a car crash, it might've felt like that, but seriously, the worst injury you've got is that gash on your temple. I'm pretty sure it won't leave a scar, but even if it does, your hair will cover it."
'You bet it felt like it!'
Nonetheless, Rinoa nodded and breathed a sigh of relief. For the third time today, she was thankful, and as far as Quistis could see, her warm brown orbs showed the same.
"So, we leaving later or not?"
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"For the sixth time, I don't know what happened," Ellone sighed, trying in vain to eat her lunch while Laguna kept questioning her.
The weather had unexpectedly decided to take everyone by surprise by providing the whole of Esthar a cloudless sky and an eye piercing sun. Seagulls were soaring high above the palace as Laguna and Ellone had decided to eat lunch in one of the several gardens in the palace. If it'd been not the disturbing incident yesterday night, Ellone would've found the sudden change and difference of the weather in a way, amusing. Cold and dangerous to warm and alive. Little did she know the irony within it.
By reading Laguna's facial expression, Ellone knew that there were still many questions pestering him. Sighing for the umpteenth time that afternoon, Ellone swallowed her ham and salad sandwich and said, "Look, why don't you just wait until Squall wakes up and then ask him,"
"You bet I will!" Laguna half yelled half said. Ellone simply shook her head and continued with her sandwich.
Not even a whole two minutes had gone by and he had started talking again, this time in a hushed tone, "But what if he doesn't want-," however, before he was able to finish his sentence, he was interrupted by a monotonous voice.
"Morning,"
Laguna jumped up from his chair, surprised and startled, "Morning," he once again half yelled and half said, hopelessly trying to hide his nervousness.
The new arrival stopped in his tracks, raising his left eyebrow at Laguna as Laguna slowly retreated back onto his chair, his face slightly flushed.
"Afternoon to you too!" Ellone corrected the both of them. She covered her mouth attempting to conceal her fits of giggles. One moment Laguna was acting all macho like, the next, he looked like a kid caught with their hand in the cookie jar. The effect Squall had on him was, well, amusing.. sometimes.
The tall brunette uncaringly strode over to the vacant chair next to Ellone and sat himself down as a random maid placed his lunch in front of him. He effortlessly mumbled his appreciation while quickly taking a bite out of his roll. The sun remained shining dazzlingly down onto the garden where the trio sat themselves in as the seagulls continued flying around. Squall winced up at the Seagulls and slightly glared at them. Hyne did he hate the noises they made. He continued silently glaring at the yellowed beak animals, mentally hoping that they would just leave him in peace.
"What? Don't you like this weather?" Ellone asked.
"No, just don't like the noise," Squall replied, eyeing the seagulls.
"Sure," Ellone responded, obviously not convinced. "Squall, dad wants to ask you something." She smiled evilly.
Dad. A word so foreign to him yet so easily spoken out by Ellone. Sometimes he wished that he could be nicer to this man sitting in front of him, but the things he does just triggers his annoyance. He was glad that Laguna didn't take everything to heart, or so he thought, but then again, his cold demeanor was nothing to be surprised about. It was basically him.
Squall reluctantly diverted his attention to Laguna, hoping against hope that he wasn't going to say something stupid or something that would annoy him. Even if no one knew it, Squall didn't particularly enjoy being mean to his own father, he just couldn't help it.
"Yes?" Squall asked.
"Um," choosing his words wisely, "Seifer called your cell phone last night, said you hadn't arrived yet. I'm guessing you were supposed to meet up with him last night?"
Sighing, Squall ran his fingers through his unruly hair, a gesture highly contagious as Laguna also sub-consciously moved his hand though his black hair. Ellone noticed this straight away and did not even try to suppress her laughter. In unison, the father and son looked at Ellone with confusion evident on both of their faces. The giggles, however, did not subside; instead, she eyed the both of them. Turning around to look at what Ellone was hinting at, Squall and Laguna both realized that both their hands were still mid-way in their hair. They understood instantly and almost immediately retreated back their hands away from their hair.
Ignoring what just happened, and at the same time wondering why he didn't realize that he had left his cell phone behind up until now, Squall started to explain, "I'm sure you either would've heard or seen the car pile up yesterday right?"
Squall knew the media and press all too well. To his disliking, a little too well.
Immediately, Ellone stopped her soft giggles and in exchange her eyes widened in shock. "You were there, weren't you?" It was more of a statement than a question, nonetheless Squall nodded.
"I didn't end up meeting Seifer and co. because not only did traffic stop, I was there… helping." Squall summarized.
The shorter frame sitting beside him gave a soft gasp, "You weren't just caught up in the traffic. You were actually there?" again, it was said more like a statement than a question.
"Yeah, after the ambulances came, finally, there was major traffic jam, so I was stuck there for about two hours,"
Ellone wondered why Squall had not hopped into the ambulance as well if what he said was true, that he was helping. Ellone knew exactly what he meant by helping, he just didn't know how to express it clearly. He was probably in the pouring rain all that time; he may have very well gotten himself seriously sick. But then again, knowing Squall, it was obvious that he would not jump into the ambulance with a complete stranger or even more, he would not admit that he needed help. Of course this was generally speaking.
"Well, if you're both done with me," Squall said, placing his half eaten roll down on his plate, "I have some where to be." And with that, Squall got up from his chair and began making his way along the footpaths back to the palace. Laguna and Ellone remained silent.
Upon arriving to the few marble steps and large sliding glass doors, Squall turned around and took one more look at the weather. His cold blue orbs looked up into the sky and he smiled lightly.
Even if no one knew..
Squall Leonhart liked the warm weather.
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An: Well there's chapter two for you guys! Not much going on there but I hope you guys weren't really expecting that. Anyway, thank-you so much for the kind reviews and emails, I really appreciate it. They're extremely encouraging so keep them coming!
Just a quick thanks to the people who also reviewed my other fic. You guys are great!
[SkyeLight]
lil_ole_meh@hotmail.com