Author's note: Words can't describe how sad I feel, having to end this..... To be honest, I never really knew if I'd actually finish this. But I did.
I would personally like to hug all of you, but I obviously can't, so I just have to thank you here :) Thank you for sticking all the way to the end, it means a lot to me.
Well, this is the final chapter. The 69th. Whoa. I wrote this story for ten months, can you believe it? But not to worry! I have started to write the sequel!! :D
to Hikari Heijin: Yeah, I wished for that too... Thank you :)
to JadeAlmasy: Aww, that's so sweeet.... I will, thanks :)
to Iskander: Yeah, isn't it? :) Thank you :)
to Angels-Obsession: Wow, I'm not the only one then :) Aww, thanks :)
-Seifer's POV-
Whenever there's a Selphie around, there's gotta be a party.
I look around in thr crowded ballroom. I don't know half of these people.... Or then I've just been away for so long that I don't remember them anymore.
"Hello mr Almasy," Cid says.
I turn to him. "HeadMaster Kramer."
"How is everything?"
"Good, just good."
"That's nice," he says, rocking back and forth on his heels and looking around. "And you're alright?"
"Yeah, just a little tired."
"Yes, that figures, yes. Well don't worry, after tonight, you all will have as much freetime as you want."
"Thank you, sir."
"The least I can do after what you guys did."
".........yeah."
"Well then. Take care, mr Almasy," he says, pats me on the shoulder, sees Quistis and heads off to see her.
"Hi Seifyyy!"
I look down. "Selphie."
"Having fun yet?"
"Yeah, I'm cracking up."
She giggles. "Well, the others seem to be having fun. Everyone's so relieved and happy and all the anxiety and excitement of the last weeks is now finally---"
"Is that Matron?"
She spins around. "Where? Oh yeah, that's her." She looks around the room. "Now where's Irvy with that camera....?" she mumbles, wandering off.
Camera? Better watch out...
"Seifer," Matron says and hugs me.
"Hi Matron. I... I didn't know you were coming."
She smiles. "Now that I don't have the dominate world, I finally have time for my children again."
The tone of her voice or the sadness in her eyes makes her joke seem kinda bitter.
"....yeah, that's great."
"Darling, will you come congratulate our new Commander?" Cid says, taking Matron's arm.
"Oh yes, of course," she says. "Excuse me, Seifer."
"Sure," I say and return to my spot by the wall. So Cid made Quistis the Commander? Hm, then again, why not? She led us all thru the Ultimecia-thing and we survived just fine, and saved the world too in the process.
"Hey Seif."
I look down again, this time at Zell. "Dincht."
"Where's Squall?"
"Why would I know?" The truth is, I don't know.
He shrugs. "Just that he's usually always around you."
"Yeah. Well not now."
"Yeah, I see that. So, is everything...... fine?"
"With me?"
He shrugs again. "Yeah."
"Yeah, I'm fine. Why you asking?"
He shrugs yet again and glances around. "Just wanted to know. You know.... being friends and all."
Friends? Us? Since when? Oh well, guess I might play along as well. "Sure. And you?"
"I'm good, everything's nice...."
"That's good then," I say, smirk, pat him on the shoulder and leave. It's simply just too freaky seeing chicky so quiet. Wonder what's happened to him?
"Almasy!"
I turn around and face a video camera. "Good evening, Kinneas."
Just then, Selphie appears to steal the cowboy's hat and to put it on her own head.
"Aww, that's so cute," Irvine says, turning to the camera to her. "Smile, honey."
I walk away again as Selphie starts to pose for the camera.
"Seifer."
I turn around again, this time to face Quistis. "Hello Instructor. No wait... it's Commander now, isn't it?"
She smiles. "So you heard... Yes, it'll be official on Monday."
"Congrats."
"Thank you. I'm sorry, but I just have to ask... Where's Squall?"
I shrug. "Honestly, I don't know."
"Oh. So, everything's good?"
"You mean even tho he's not here?"
"Well I meant with you, but you can answer both."
I can't help but smirk. "Yes, everything's fine. That's the answer for both."
She smiles. "Good. I'm happy for you."
"Thanks. Me too."
"Quisty! Come here!" Selphie shouts.
I turn as she leaves to star in Irvine's home video(I don't dare even think how that's gonna turn out.....), and see Zell by the table, hogging hot dogs. Well, at least he seems to have cheered up. Who's that girl next to him? Didn't know Zell had some action going on...
"Hi Seifer."
I don't recognize the voice before I see the shy boy next to me. "Laxell."
"So you made it, huh?"
"What, you didn't have faith in us?"
"No no, it's not that, I just.... It sounded pretty bad, from what I heard. But then of course, the rumors, they tend to get all exaggerated and... Well. Have you seen Squall?"
"Nope."
"Oh. Well ugh... bye then," he says and walks away.
I walk out the open doors and onto the balcony for a cigarette, hoping the Instructors will be on a festive or grateful mood so they won't come and complain.
"Should've guessed that I'd find you here of all places."
I smirk and turn to look at Squall, who's leaning on the barrier next to me. "Where've you been? Everybody's been asking me about you."
"Sorry. I ugh.... Didn't feel like coming to a party, really."
"Come on, this is a once in a lifetime party. We saved the world. It's alright for you to take some credit and enjoy the attention."
"I don't enjoy attention, and you know it."
"Yeah," I say and wrap my arm around his shoulders. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," he says, pressing his head against my chest. "The stars look beautiful tonight."
"Yup, they do."
He sighs, staring at the stars. "Did all that just really happen?"
"Yeah, I think it did."
"It feels more like.... a book or a movie or..."
I kiss his head and look up at the stars. "Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction."
---
Finished: 13.12.2005, 7.41 am.
Darling, so share with me
Your love if you had enough
Your tears if you're holding back
Or pain if that's what it is
(Julia Heartilly)
In you I see dirty
In you I count stars
In you I feel so pretty
In you I taste god
In you I feel so hungry
In you I crash cars
We must never be apart
(Smashing Pumpkins)
I used to be a little boy
So old in my shoes
And whatI choose is my choice
What's a boy supposed to do?
The killer in me is the killer in you
My love
I send this smile over to you
(Smashing Pumpkins)
You're my blessing in disguise
You make me realize
Just how and where I want to be
Years from now
(TapRoot)
I'm finding that you and you alone can break my fall
I'm living again, awake and alive
I'm dying to breathe in these abundant skies
(Switchfoot)
The End.