Author's note: Hmph, only two reviews.... Oh well, thanks for those :)

to Lizzie : Nooo, not like that. I think the guy still has some decency, don't you? :P

to Iskander : Ugh, yup. Nothing to say, really. Thanks :)

Oh yeah, this is the chap I warned you 'bout... I guess you'll see what I mean, once you get to the discussion in Delray's gang. I was actually present when a person said that. Tho he used more words and even his hands to demonstrate.

-Squall's POV-

It feels like forever has passed when we finally see the Centra continent ahead of us.

"How long's this gonna take?" I hear Seifer ask Quistis behind my back.

"A couple of hours," she replies. "Maybe you guys should go have something to eat in the meanwhile."

"Good idea."

A hand grabs my arm. "Squall? You coming?"

"No, I wanna stay here."

He sighs. "Listen, we will get there at the same speed, whether you'll be standing here or not."

I turn to him. "Alright."

We go down to the cafeteria, which is stuffed with excited, blabbering SeeDs.

"Squall!" someone shouts and runs in front of me. "Is it true that the Sorceress is your mother?"

"...whatever."

"Hey I just---"

Seifer pushes the kid aside. "Don't mind 'em, they don't know nothing."

"...whatever."

"Hey don't you start that with me."

"...sorry."

"Hey Leonhart! Didcha really kick some Sorceress ass?"

I recognize that voice. The boy's a real Seifer-wannabe, always trying to act so tough.

"Shut up, Delray," Seifer says to him.

We sit down at a table in the back, unfortunately quite near the Delray-kid.

"You just gotta ignore them, Squall," Seifer says.

"Yeah I know."

"You want some coffee?"

"...sure."

He gets up and goes to the counter.

"I hate 'em," someone from Delray's table says.

"Yeah, me too. Gay-people are just pathetic."

I hold my breath and listen more closely.

"I think it's sick," Delray himself says. "I think if you're a fag, you gotta realize it yourself, that it's not all that sane and put a gun to your head."

I can't breathe. How can someone say something like that...? Don't they.... I can't breathe....

"Here," Seifer says and sits down. "Squall? What's wrong?"

"Seif... I... I gotta go," I mumble and hurry out of the room.

"Squall?"

I don't raise my head from the pillow. "What?"

He sits on the bed and strokes my back. "What happened?"

"Those guys..."

"What did they do?"

"They..." I sigh and sit up. "They were.. talking..."

"What were they talking about?"

"'bout... gay people."

"What did they say?"

I can't help sobbing. "That... that it's sick."

He sighs and hugs me. "Squall..."

"And that.. If you're gay, you should put a gun to your head."

He holds me tighter. "Squall, they're just---"

"How can anyone be so cruel?"

"I don't know. I wish I could tell you."