Selphie Kinneas
Roses
The Sniper's Rose
Chapter Seven-Suspicions Grow
Now, just to skip the predictable, we're jumping ahead like about a month. Yes, Irvine and Selphie are like always together. And yes they really like each other. Irvine has never improved his Triple Triad game.
A month later
Irvine sat across Selphie in the cafeteria. Beside Selphie was his roommate Zell and his girlfriend Amy sat beside Irvine. Selphie's lips curled each time Amy and her eyes met. Zell, eating a overly large amount of food as always, stuffed his mouth with a mouthful of ham sausages. Selphie tried hard no to notice it, Irvine couldn't help a chuckle each time Selphie gave a disgusted look. Selphie choked the rest of her food and stood to leave. Irvine swayed his head as he joined her.
"You have a disgusting roommate!" Selphie scoffed. Irvine shrugged.
"Well, only when he eats. He fights pretty well." Even though, I've kicked his butt each time. Selphie placed her arm around Irvine's waist.
"It's okay…can we avoid him during meals?" Selphie begged. Irvine raised his eyebrows.
"Fine with me." Irvine crossed the cafeteria to the exit. Selphie's eye was directed someplace else.
"Irvy! Look at this." Selphie pulled a small colorful flyer for Irvine. "Balmab Garden Festival, coming to you next month. From slow jams to pop up tempos, we have it all. Games and constants and much more! Refreshments will be served. For details see the Garden Festival Committee." Selphie grimaced happily. She said nothing though.
That Night
Selphie sat with Rinoa in the dorm.
"You sing at the garden festival?" Selphie exclaimed in question. Rinoa nodded.
"Every year, I sing one song. I don't know what to sing." Rinoa past small picture frame, a elder lady with dark brown hair sat there smiling. "Maybe I'll ask my mom…" Rinoa touched a CD cover. The same lady, except younger, was placed there.
"YOU'RE MOTHER IS JULIA CARAWAY?" Selphie screamed. Rinoa faced her causally.
"Yeah. Didn't you know she married the General Caraway…and had me?"
"I'm more up to date with Esther than Galbadia." Selphie replied. Rinoa shook her head as she pulled out a small CD and placed it in her CD player. The soft piano filled the room.
"I never sang my song…on this stage, own my own. I never said my words, wishing they would be heard. I saw you smiling at me," Rinoa spun around the room singing.
"So…what about you? Are you going to the festival with someone special?" Rinoa pressed. Selphie shuffled her feet uncomfortably.
"If you mean Irvine…"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN!? OF COURSE IRVINE! WHO ELSE?!"
"Well, he has to ask me first. And he has a month."
"Oh? I've seen this before."
"What?"
Rinoa sat on the bed.
"I remember…when I first met Squall. I got all ready for the dance. I was so prepared, and he never asked me to go. On the dance night, I was sitting here like an idiot." Selphie sat beside her.
"How ya'll meet?"
"You're going to laugh, but… it all started with my mom. Her old friend was President Laguna, before he was president. Well when both of them got married, and had kids, they thought it'd be adorable if an arranged marriage were placed into order! Every holiday we were pushed to meet each other. We hated it, and hated each other. Soon Squall was 16, and was sent to garden. My mom said there was no better idea than to send me there along as well. When I met Squall, I was completely surprised. I decided I was going to act like an idiot, then look like an idiot. Just to see his reaction. He completely ignored me, regardless who I was. And I tried to introduce myself, Squall acted so mean! Then the dance came along …that jerk. So I made a new plan, I made myself look normal and went for Squall. I used a different name too. Rena Heartily. So we talked, and he really liked me. One night, asked him about Rinoa, he was dumbstruck. I told him the truth, and he was begging for forgiveness. Serves him right." Rinoa placed a proud grin on her face.
"You're evil Rinoa." Selphie giggled.
"So true."
"Damn you Squall." Zell shouted.
"I'M FREAKIN SERIOUS!" Squall argued.
"You always are! He's my roommate! Why the hell do you think he'd share anything with me?"
"Look! There is something about Irvine and I'll find out what it is!"
"You've been like this ever since he came here!"
"SO!?"
"Rinoa's really mad about it, so is Selphie, and if Irvine knew I bet he would too! I'm not helping!"
"………Fine." Squall spun on his heels and made his way to the door. He turned the knob and pulled the wooden door. Irvine stood in front of the frame. "Irvine? What are you doing here?" Squall asked hurriedly without thinking.
"This is my dorm Squall." Irvine said with a blank stare. Squall nodded as he walked out. "Oh and Squall!" Squall turned around towards the call from Irvine.
"What?"
"Don't play around with the gunblade so much, it might affecting up here." Irvine held his index finger to his forehead. Squall scowled as he turned to leave. Zell shook his head in amusement as he sat comfortably on his chair.
"Man you got him gooood." Zell cackled. Irvine raised an eyebrow.
"Why? What did I do?" Irvine asked bluntly. Zell shook his head.
"Nothing, never mind." Irvine dropped his body on the floor.
Damnit…I forgot the meeting.
Irvine jumped to his feet.
"I'm going to class." Irvine explained coldly.
"It's Saturday." Zell informed confused. Irvine ignored him and rushed out anyways.
Another hour later
Selphie opened an eye. Must've dozed off after Rinoa's story. Selphie curled her legs in a ball. Sh fell over to the other side of her bed. Her green eyes started to close again. I want to go see Irvy. She laid her bare feet on the floor. She shifted her hair and quickly strapped her boots on her feet.
She pushed the door open and walked out. She knew Irvine's dorm number, 259. She walked hastily through the dormitory hall. Finally she reached the 250's. She clenched her hand in a fist and knocked softly.
"Yeah?" A familiar voice called from within the room. Selphie wet her lips to answer.
"It's Selphie."
"Irvine isn't here." Zell replied. Selphie raised her eyebrows as she opened the door.
"Where is he?" She asked curiously.
"I dunno, he said he was going to class."
"On Saturday?" Selphie commented awkwardly as she entered.
"I said the same thing!" Zell argued in relief. Selphie shook her head. I guess I'll just go take a walk.
"Bye Zell." She waved as she closed the door behind her. Zell blinked a few times.
"Wait! Why is everyone doing that?!"
Irvine paced the empty plain. They said to be here an hour ago, I'm leaving. Irvine pulled his rifle and placed it along his left arm. He slowly started to trudge back to the garden.
"Are you going somewhere Irvine?"
Irvine turned his head. Two teens stood there. One was a muscular male. His face was tanned and cruel. His uniform was a long pant with the G.A.E.R.O crest on each leg. His shirt was also a G.E.A.R.O uniform piece. It wasn't as noticeable though. His head was bald from hair. The other person was a young lady with golden hair with highlights of bright, bright red. Her uniform was the same except it was a mini skirt instead of pants. A leather strap crossed over her chest and held a thin sheath on her back tightly.
"What took you?" Irvine snapped. The girl giggled.
"Gee, wearing a G-AERO uniform is too obvious, we had to stay as low as we could go." Irvine shook his head.
"Why'd you wear it then? I never did."
"You'd threaten anyone who tried to tell you." The girl scowled. The man scratched his head.
"We came to tell you boss wants ye back." He said in a deep hollow voice.
"You're kidding right?" Irvine laughed. The two shook their heads.
"No joke Kinneas. We have to move the hideout again. We need all the help we can get." The girl said quietly.
"Look Bloody Mary, I don't care what boss says. I'm stayin until I'm ready. Tell him that." Mary bit her lip in anger.
"YOU ARE AN IDIOT!" She screamed in frustration. The man stood with his fist clenched.
"We're takin you if ya like it or not!" He grumbled. Irvine grabbed and aimed his rifle with his right arm,
"Say that again." He threatened icily. Mary pulled out a small sword. She crouched with her legs out wide.
"Listen! This is no joke! People are reporting you on crimes of other people. And they're not misdemeanors!" Mary objected.
"They're felonies." The man groaned. Irvine placed his finger near the trigger.
"I said no." He whispered coldly. Mary sheathed her sword. The man placed his hands in his pocket.
"We'll be back in another two months…" She began.
Squall cut through the soft flesh of a gayla. The gayla swept the ground and patted Squall harshly with its tail. Squall felt his lip bleed.
"Oh dang." He muttered as he threw a fira magic at it. The gayla panicked as it slowly fell to the ground in death.
"In two months?" Squall turned his head towards the voice; it was Irvine's. Squall slowly advanced to a large bush. He carefully placed his hand between the thick leaves. Silently he pushed aside a small twig. There was nothing there, only three shadows. One was very tall, one was average, and one was a slender lady.
"No won't be an answer." A deep voice said. Squall's eyes widened. What are they talking about?! He squeezed the leaves and pushed it a little more. The leaves ruffled softly.
"Did you hear something?" Irvine's voice asked quietly. The two shadows quickly ran out of sight. Irvine's shadow moved closer to the bush. With a few rustles the two shadows disappeared into the distance. Irvine's hand appeared in front of Squall's hole. Squall jumped away hastily causing him to fall on his back.
"What are you doing?" Squall slowly raised his head. Irvine towered over him.
"Just…layin around." Squall replied causally. Irvine shrugged as he started to walk away. "Who was that Irvine?" Squall asked icily. Irvine turned around slowly. A gleam of anger flickered in his eye.
"It isn't any of your business." He replied in a hollowing voice. Squall squinted his eyes,
"I think it is…" Irvine gritted his teeth.
"DAMNIT LEAVE ME ALONE! STAY OUT OF MY BUSINESS AND LIFE!" Irvine rushed into garden. Squall stood in awe. Maybe…they were just friends. Nah, then why was he so nervous?
Selphie pushed the garden doors open. A whiff of fresh air zoomed in and blew through her brown hair. She smiled as she blinked her eyes. The afternoon sun was so refreshing. Selphie ran into something, or someone.
"Ow…" She moaned. She squinted upwards and the person she tumbled onto.
"Sorry Selphie." He smiled. He lent his hand; it was the one and only Irvine. Selphie jumped onto her feet immediately.
"Tee-hee! I'm okay." She chirped with glee. Irvine grinned and lowered his eyebrows comfortably. Selphie clasped her hand around his. His palm softly guided her back into garden. Selphie leaned her head against Irvine inviting shoulder.
"It's been the greatest month of school Irvy." Selphie whispered sweetly. Irvine wrapped his arms around her. It has. He swayed side to side as Selphie gripped his wrists. He past the first hall, there must've been seven or eight of the same flyers about the school festival. Irvine looked down at Selphie. Her soft face was calm with serenity. So irresistible, so wondrous. Irvine held Selphie tighter.
"Selphie?" He asked calmly. Selphie gazed up at Irvine's face.
"Yes Irvy?" Irvine released Selphie from his grip.
"Selphie do you want to go to that festival?" Selphie's eyes lit up with joy.
"Oh Irvine! I would love too!" She threw her arms around his neck and jumped into a sudden kiss. Irvine's eyes widened as he slowly placed his arms around Selphie's back.
Squall sheathed his Lion Heart. The zircon blade shined in the setting sun. Maybe I should start to back off. Squall collected his magics and potions as he head back into Balamb Garden. But I don't want anyone hurt. Squall waved to the gate manager as he walked along the hallway. If he is Irvine Kinneas…?
"Hey Squall." Rinoa called as she grabbed his arm. Squall gave a small grin. He may harm the people of garden. Rinoa snapped her fingers in Squall's face. "Squall? Are you listening!?" Squall blinked.
"Huh!? Oh yeah…course I am." He replied. Would he hurt Selphie? It looks like they really have it going on.
"I'm thinking of singing "Eyes on me" at the festival. What do you think?" Rinoa squinted her eyes as she realized Squall's head was some world elsewhere. What if it is just a disguise?
"SQUALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"Rinoa screamed on the top of her lungs. Squall jumped away a few feet.
"What's wrong with you!?" He stammered. Rinoa scowled as she turned on her heels. She scurried away without another word. Squall scratched his head. What if it all was a disguise? What if he'll runaway, leaving her heart broken without the truth?
Selphie and Irvine walked in front of dorm 348. Selphie's hand was clutched tightly in Irvine's palm. It wasn't as if she was trying to pull away though. Selphie giggled.
"I can't wait till the festival!" She chuckled happily. Irvine nodded.
"Neither can I." He grimaced. Selphie leaned her head as she puckered her lips. She moved her face close to Irvine's cheek.
"MEN CAN BE SUCH JERKS!" Rinoa screamed as she pushed Selphie out of the doorway. Selphie tipped on her heel and fell against the wall. Rinoa slammed the dorm door shut. Selphie bit her lip. Dang Rin! What a way to spoil a good moment. She bit her thumbnail as she bobbed her head towards Irvine.
"See ya tomorrow." She waved. Selphie went into the dorm and closed the door behind her. Rinoa was in her room listening to music, and apparently she was blaring it as loud as she could. Selphie banged the door open. Rinoa sitting on her bed calmly, she was singing softly to the song, it was a faster version of "Eyes on me." Selphie sat beside her. "Did you have a fight with Squall?" Selphie asked curiously. Rinoa nodded.
"I don't get it…why doesn't he listen? Why can't he stop it! I nearly begged him once to leave this case alone!" Rinoa burst into tears, "Why doesn't he listen to me!?" Rinoa breathed heavily as she quieted her sobs. "It's all he cares about…ALL HE CARES ABOUT!" Selphie patted Rinoa softly. Everyone knew the only reason Rinoa ever got mad at Squall recently was because Squall wouldn't give up on his suspicions on Irvine Kinneas. Squall always would cheer her up somehow, but Rinoa would always stay angry for sometime. Rinoa quickly wiped her tears. "I'm never going to speak to him." She said cruelly. Selphie raised her eyebrows.
"Seriously?"
"No, but I will slap him across the face." Rinoa replied casually. She closed her CD player. "I want to make sure he asks me to the festival, I have a good song to sing." Rinoa trotted out of the dorm. Selphie laughed. Watch her be all lovey dovey with Squall tomorrow.
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