Aww, thanks for all the feedback. I really do appreciate it!
To Lady-Rinoa sorry if you don't like Rinoa pictured as a whore, but she's not really a whore. She's a free spirit. Squall just mean like that, so he calls her one.
Oh yes and to Ittan Momen Kringle is not my song; I just forgot to give credit where credit was due. It's a song by Jack Off Jill. I recommend you check them out kids; they were awesome before the band broke up!
And again, thank-you to my reviewers.
Sorry if I have a lot of spelling/grammer mistakes. I have no beta-reader!
And for those who don't know, an Au Pair is a helping hand, a housekeeper/nanny.
Chapter 2: Anywhere but here.
I took the silver key out of my pocket and quietly opened the door to the empty house. "Good, Andrea's not home..."
Ever sense my mom died, the General constantly remarried. In my experience, all of his wives have been bitches. But Andrea? She was the absolute worst. She made Cinderella's step-mom look like Mother Teresa. But if you met her she'd convince you other wise. She was one of the best liars I've ever met.
As soon as I got in the door, I ran up to my room, locking the door behind me. I know that no one's home, but I guess it's just something I've gotten used to. See, it's a kind of a long story, how I came to get a lock on my bedroom door. But then again, we're not going anywhere are we?
See, it all begins when I moved to Balamb from Galbadia when I was three. Since the only thing the General seemed capable of doing was work, my mom decided to get separated from him, and she took me to live out here.
She thought a peaceful community was just what we needed, a place I could grow up happy and secure. Except it wasn't just me who she wanted to be happy. Even being as young as I was, I could see the pain that plagued her. It wasn't me she moved out her for; it was the hope of escaping him. However, life is cruel and fate decided a long time ago, that no matter where she was in the world, there was going to be someway he could hurt her.
All those hopes of me growing up a well-adjusted child were soon shattered the day she died. Yeah, one of those soap opera type situations. One night, when I was only two weeks away from turning five, it was raining hard. She had one too many glasses of wine, and decided to go out for a drive, hoping to ease her mind of the pain that the general caused her. She never came back.
After that, the General thought that it would be in my best interest if he and his new girlfriend moved out to Balamb. But being the General of the whole Galbadian military, he never actually moved out here. 2 months in the year he came to 'stay'. Only his girlfriends, wife's, fiancée's and an Au Pair lived with me. None of them actually liked me. I was just a pain to all of them. Well, except one, but we'll explain that another time.
So as it ends up, the General seems to collect women with anger management issues. Andrea had been living with me for about a year now, and the longer we live together, the more violent she gets. This woman is just crazy. Now, I can take the slap in the face, even a $250 vase being thrown in my direction, but when the woman throws a goddamn knife at me, that's when I go to the local hardware store and buy the heaviest fucking lock I can find.
And that's the story of how Rinoa Heartilly got a lock on her bedroom door. That wasn't too long was it?
I sat down at my computer and clicked the little blue icon for the Internet. I reached around my pocket and typed in the web address listed on the flyer I pulled out. I looked at the page, and rolled the cursor over the section entitled "Requirements" and read it out aloud.
"You will perform a total of 20 songs throughout 2-month period.
All music must be original, it may not be written by any one other than your band unless you are covering a song.
You must be at least 16 years of age.
You may not have any form of relationship with any of the judges.
Your band must consist of 4-7 people.
In result to any misconduct or breaking the rules, your band will be disqualified and sent home.
Click here to view the dates when you can sign up at your local record store"
Four people? Two months? I took out my cell phone and pressed speed-dial number one. "Hey Quistis..."
The next day
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE LEAVING THE BAND!" Zell yelled as he looked at his friend.
"I'm moving to Dollet in two days! What do you expect me to do, leave my parents?" Brian explained.
"Dude, it's our last year in high school, how can they expect you to move right before graduation!" Zell asked, still upset.
"My grandma is really sick, we have to go out there to take care of her..." He told them.
Zell looked down, "Squall, don't you have anything to say?"
"..." Obviously he didn't, he continued to run his hand through the long hair covering his eyes. If that isn't the epitome of an emo boy.
"I'm really sorry you guys, I want to move about as much as you want me to. But you'll find another drummer." Brian explained as he stood up, putting on his backpack. "Later..."
Zell watched as he walked away... "Fricken Hell! Where are we gonna find a replacement?"
Squall looked up. "I don't know. But for that battle of the bands thing, we need to have at least four band members..."
"What! Ah man, now we'll never get to be in the competition." Zell looked down and walked off, leaving a silent Squall to play with his hair in peace.
Quistis and Selphie were busy eating their lunch when Zell pulled up a chair and sat next to them.
"Zell, you look super bummed. What's the deal?" Selphie asked, noticing his glum expression.
He sighed, "Brian's moving to Dollet and he's quitting the band!"
"That sucks" Quistis said.
He looked at her and said, "Tell me about it! And that's not even the entire problem! Now we find out we have to have at least four members in our band to be part of the competition."
"Yeah, Rinoa just told us about that rule last night. We need to find another member. We're thinking of another guitar player or something, cause Rinoa said all she wants to do is sing. Not play guitar." Selphie told him in an attempt to relate to his problem.
Suddenly Quistis sat up straight. "Hey you guys, I just got the greatest fucking idea ever."
Zell and Selphie gave her a questioning look. She sighed and began to explain her master plan.
"Zell, your the bass player, Brian was the drummer, and Squall was guitar and vocals, am I right?" She asked.
Zell narrowed his eyes at her, "Yes...but what does that have to do with anything?"
She continued, "And I play bass, Selphie plays drums, and Rinoa is guitar and vocals. Put it together! We can combine bands! Selphie can play drums, you can play bass, and since Rinoa doesn't want to play guitar anymore, she can sing while Squall plays!"
Selphie shook her head in a pleased manner. "Quistis, you forgot something...what the hell will you do!" She asked
Quistis smiled. "Well, I know how to play the piano, so I can play keyboard. And that'll allow me to added sound effects we can't usually use."
Zell thought for a second. " Quisty, it sounds like a great idea, but... have you gone crazy! Squall and Rinoa hate each others guts, how could they ever work together?"
"Hey, it's everything for the band. If they really want to compete in the contest, then they'll have to get over their petty differences and learn to work together!" Quistis said, slamming her fist on the table. She cringed and rubbed the side of her hand.
Selphie smiled and nodded her head, "Quistis is right! It's not just about them, it's about the whole band! All for one and one for all!" She exclaimed.
Zell liked the idea of that. He thought Squall was just a little to cocky for his own good anyways.
Quistis then continued eating her fries and said, "Plus...we just won't tell them for until later."
I walked up to the counter in the library and checked out the book, "War and Peace". All we ever do in my stupid English class is book reports. And Sister Anne was the meanest nun I ever met. It's no surprise she had to become a one, she probably wasn't able to get a husband, so she decided she'd "marry god".
The librarian (why yes she's also a nun, good guess) handed me back the book and I hurried out of the library. I decided it was best I find Zell and come up with a solution to our little dilemma.
I walked into the cafeteria, and spotted Zell, who was sitting with Selphie, Quistis and, of course, my best friend. Note the sarcasm.
I reluctantly treaded over to the table and sat down next to Zell. I put my books on the table and looked at my hands.
"Hey Squall." They all, with the exception of Rinoa, said in unison.
I gave them a quizzical stare. I noticed Rinoa doing the same. . Something is up.
"Hi..." I answered suspiciously. They all continued smiling at each other. Something was definitely up.
"What the hell is up with you guys today?" Rinoa asked.
Selphie just shrugged, "I don't know what you're talking about Rin. What's up with you today?"
She just crossed her arms and looked away, obviously confused by the statement. Not that it's hard to confuse her.
After and moment of awkward silence I finally spoke up. "Zell, have you thought of anything yet?"
Zell looked at me with a stupid grin on his face, "Yeah but I can't tell you right now."
I was about to say something when the bell rang. This was going to be a long day. And the fact that it's Monday doesn't help.
I waited patiently for the bell to ring, which is more than I can say for the lovely girl sitting next to me. Again, with the sarcasm.
"Will you stop fidgeting?" I snapped at her.
She glared at me and continued to shake her leg, making our desk slightly shake. "No, will you stop wearing your pants so tight? I mean, do you actually sew your uniform so your pants are like that? Sometimes I question your sexuality."
"Do you purposely pull your skirt up that high, or does it come natural to skanks?" I shot back.
She opened her mouth to say something when there was a loud rap on the desk. We both looked up to see a very angry nun.
"Would you two be quite? That is unless you'd like me to send you to see Father Flanagan?"
We both looked down and muttered the words "Sorry."
"Good. You two will be staying after school to clap erasers." She informed us, as the bell rang and everybody left the classroom. I noticed Zell and the door, pointing at me and laughing. Dammit, why doesn't Sister Sarah just turn the fuck around?
Before I could even glare at him, Sister Sarah set a box of erasers full caked with chalk dust in front of us.
"You two aren't leaving until all these erasers are clean." She told us and walked out of the room.
Rinoa stared at me angrily. "This is all your fault Squall!"
"My fault? Your the one who can't sit still!" My fault? What a little bitch!
"You could have ignored me, we only had one more minute! But NO, you had to be a jackass and get us in trouble." She said as she threw an eraser at me.
It hit me right in the crotch. Not that the impact of her weak throw hurt, but now there's a big white mark on my crotch.
She smirked and turned around, clapping the eraser away from her face. I took another one and threw it. And it hit her right in the ass. Ah, sweet revenge.
I continued to clean the erasers when she jumped, yes jumped, on my back.
"What the fuck do you think your doing?" I yelled, "Do you honestly think your bony arms could choke me?"
"You – are – such – an asshole!" She yelled. She continued trying to injure me until we heard a voice yell, "What do you two think you are doing!"
We stood there in shock before she got off of me. "Um..." She began, but was interrupted by Sister Sarah
"Forget it! Go home now you two, or I will send you to Father Flanagan!" I don't think I could say enough Hail Mary's to be forgiven for what I want to do to Rinoa.
I don't think I could say enough Hail Mary's to be forgiven for what I want to do to Rinoa right now.
Why we were still walking together, I don't know, but we hadn't said a word since Sister Sarah caught me trying to kill Squall. I don't even want to imagine she thought we were doing, it was humiliating.
Suddenly my cell phone rang. Quistis. "Hello?" I asked.
"Hey Rin, are you and Squall together right now?"
I grimaced at the words 'you and Squall together'. "Unfortunately, yes."
"Great, can you guys stop by my house? Bye!"
She hung up before I could even answer. Great.
"Quistis wants us to stop by her house." I sighed.
Squall just kept looking at the ground, hands in his pockets. "Whatever..."
I rolled my eyes. "You're so emo..."
"Great! You guys are here!" Selphie exclaimed as Squall and Rinoa walked into the garage. Zell and Quistis stood next to her, arms crossed and smirking.
Squall looked uneasy. "...What's going on?"
Quistis looked at the two of them. "Sit." She commanded. And so they did.
"Now, you two are aware of the contest rules stating that there must at least be four member in the band." Zell began.
Rinoa put her head in her hands. She didn't like where this was going.
"Well, Selphie just happens to be a drummer, I happen to be a bass player and Quistis knows how to play the keyboard. Now, what else does a band need?"
Selphie smiled. "Hmm, Squall knows how to play guitar and Rinoa can sing like there's no tomorrow. Gee..."
"I have a great idea! Why don't they join our band!" Quistis said. They weren't very good at acting.
Rinoa and Squall stood up and started yelling.
"You guys are on CRACK!"
"If you think I'm working with her then you need therapy!"
"Cause there is no way I'd ever, ever, ever-"
Quistis interrupted them. "Whatever happened to "anything for the band" Rinoa?"
"Yeah, all for one and one for all, Squall!" Zell added.
"Just cause you guys are the lead singers means you get to make the final decisions. Majority rules and it's three to one." Selphie started, and then took a more serious tone.
"Can't you guys just put asides your differences to work together! We're saying this as your band members, but more importantly as your friends. This band is just as important to all of us as it is to you guys, and if you can't sacrifice your silly pride for this, then maybe you aren't as good of friends as we thought you were."
Squall looked away and put his hands in his pocket. He did feel kind of bad for always bossing Zell around. And he did make a vow that nothing would come between the band.
Rinoa pouted and stomped her feet, like a four year old. They were right, and that frustrated her. "Fine, I don't care..." She finally answered.
"Squall?" Zell asked
He folded his arms and looked away. "Whatever..."
"YES!" Selphie yelled jumping up and down.
Quistis smiled. "Great, we have two and a half months to practice. We'll be meeting here everyday after school."
: So ya guys, what did you think? I have a feeling this story's gonna be a long one, so you better keep on reviewing if you want me to update! So long &goodnight :