Disclaimer - I don't own Final Fantasy 8.

The Way She Is

Chapter Five - the People We Care About

"Hey, come here for a second." Squall guided the small brown-haired woman away from everyone else into an empty hospital room.

"Squall, Cid must almost be done…" It was the late afternoon and they had all waited patiently for the young man to awaken. Selphie was finding it harder to contain herself with her wishes of seeing Irvine so close to coming true.

"This probably won't take long." Squall looked like he had when Rinoa left, like a beaten puppy. His beautiful blue eyes were distant and his normally calm face was dark with shadows.

"I'm just going to say everything. Please don't interrupt me… I'm sorry I kissed you." Selphie opened her mouth to speak but Squall made a hand gesture to silence her, "No. I'm not done. I used to think…you could save me from the hurt and maybe you did. You helped me be more dependent without the girl. I guess, I thought I should love you because I had loved Rinoa when she had saved me." Selphie shook her head. "I kissed you because I wanted to love you and wanted to feel you loved me—I'm sorry."

"Squall," Selphie breathed. "It's okay, nothing bad came from it. I'm sorry too. I guess we both were delusional. Everyone wants to be with the man who saved the world." She smiled and moved to him, giving him a brief hug.

Squall fell into it slightly but then pulled away cautiously, "What about you and Seifer? Did I ruin anything between you two?"

"What!" Selphie took a step back and stared at her friend, confusion written on her face. "What are you talking about?"

The brown-haired man smirked and oddly enough resembled the man he had mentioned above, "I saw you hugging him."

"Pssh. I hug everyone."

"You hug him differently."

"You can't hug someone differently."

Before Squall could make another point, Cid walked lightly into their room. "Hmm, good to see you aren't making out." Squall answered with a "whatever" while Selphie flushed. "Irvine is ready for you Selph."

Selphie looked once at Squall who caught her eye and raised his eyebrow and then at Cid who grinned knowingly. As if he knows anything, She thought as she glided out the door ungracefully.

The cowboy was waiting propped up in the uncomfortable bed with a eyes on the television. He glanced over at her before turning it off. She sat herself down on a more comfortable chair than the ones in the hall but still far from one, a queen would sit in. They locked eyes and said nothing. Selphie placed her hand on his and smiled weakly.

"I heard you were worried." He seemed proud of himself.

Selphie scoffed, "Of course I was! What would I do if something happened to you? There would be no one to laugh at my jokes!" She put her other hand to her face and started weeping.

"Oh Selph… Baby…" Irvine pulled her to him and she nudged her head between his shoulder and neck. "Don't cry over me."

Once she had pulled herself together and checked the damage in the mirror she went back to her spot on the slightly comfortable chair. Again, they said nothing and just stared at each other. The man frowned and pulled his hand away, looking at everything but her.

"What?" It was all so confusing.

"I saw you and Squall together last night… You guys were kissing." The woman felt her stomach drop. "Are you two together now? Are you in love?"

Selphie thought of the conversation she just had with Squall and tried to put what they had into words. "No, we're not together and we're not in love. That kiss was a mistake and we both admit it. It may be cruel to say this out loud but we were just…using each other…"

Irvine looked up from the dull bedspread and asked, "Really?" He looked oddly relieved. "I was jealous." He looked at her and they knew.

"Irvine—"

"No! I know what you're going to say and I don't need to hear it. Just sit here, be my best friend…I'm heartbroken." They linked hands again and stayed silent for the rest of Selphie's visit.

Squall walked through the park thinking heavily, like he was good at. He felt very at peace with himself and if anyone were to ask him what his purpose in life was he would be able to answer. He was happy and he didn't feel guilty about it for once. He knew he and Selphie would always be good friends and they had both learned something important from each other.

Up ahead were trees and birds, the path veered off in all directions and Squall wasn't afraid of which to pick. He turned to the left and there she was, the beautiful raven-haired girl that had plagued his dreams for months. He stopped and watched her for a moment before going over and sitting down. Neither of them are ready to speak but there's time for that later.

Reyna entered his room and stalled by the door. Selphie and Irvine were laughing heartily at something they saw on the television. Selphie saw her and stood up, saying something to Irvine, and leaving quickly. She squeezed her arm as she passed out the door.

The man was attractive, with brown eyes and long brown hair that lay over his shoulders. He had a small, secretive smile on his face as if he knew something she didn't. "Hey you." That unnerved her slightly. What had happened to the cool, collected Reyna?

"Um, hi I'm Reyna Nation. If you didn't know… I was the one who was driving the car…" She hadn't moved from the doorway and wouldn't until she felt welcome.

He had a serious expression on his face and he nodded slightly, "I know, Cid told me."

"I'm really sorry! I don't really know what happened. You seemed to come out of nowhere. If there is anything I can do, please, tell me."

He shook his head, "It wasn't your fault. I was looking for hurt." He smiled charmingly at her. "You know, let's be friend." She literally stumbled. "Sit, sit." He gestured at the chair Selphie had vacated.

Irvine began to talk and flirt and didn't stop until the blonde girl laughed. She gave him a side ways glance, "You're crazy."

"Well…" Irvine smiled. The corners of his eyes crinkled.

Headmaster Cid was droning on about looking both ways before you cross the street and Zell was having a hard time paying attention. He was the one in the hospital bed. Besides he was to busy watching Quistis. Wow, she was beautiful and not just beautiful like a flower but breathtakingly beautiful. Zell didn't know if could live his life without being close to her.

Nida was piloting the aircraft back to garden. Cid and Irvine decided that the young man should stay for the remainder of his vacation with Squall. Reyna had a new mission, to take care of the healing man. Seifer had chosen to stay to accompany Reyna, Squall, and Irvine when they come back to Balamb.

Zell was thinking about Seifer Almasy coming back when something, or rather someone, poked his ribs. He startled up and saw Quistis indicate to follow her into the back room. He felt a little scared. What could this be about? She stood with her hands on her hips staring him head-on.

Quistis glared at him. "Why do you keep staring at me?"

He flushed and stepped forward, "You're beautiful."

Surprisingly enough she blushed and looked away at the bench to their side. When she looked back, Zell had moved closer, his face all sincerity. She coughed and said, "Well… What should I say to that?"

Zell laughed goofily, "Nothing. I'm not expecting anything. Hey, why did you really break up with Nida? It couldn't be just over Irvine."

"I'd rather not talk about this with you."

"Me? What's wrong with me?"

"Nothing is wrong with you! It's me!" She sighed and closed the distance between them putting a hand on his tattoo. "I think we should become better friends."

He looked at her intently and then moved his head in encouragement. He knew it would take some time for her and he was willing to wait.

Selphie drove Seifer home to his apartment that night. When she stopped out side his apartment the man paused as if waiting for something. He was about to step out of the car when the small brunette reached out and intertwined their hands. "I was sad when you said you were leaving."

Seifer slid his other hand over hers and smiled a sweet smile that although lovely seemed out of practice, "Yeah?"

"Yeah. You're the first friend I had in a long time. Maybe the only friend I didn't force into the friendship." She forced a laugh.

Seifer leaned back into the car chair, thinking. She didn't interrupt him but she did study him. It might be a long time before she saw him again. She took in his thin blond hair, his unique green eyes, his pointed noise, and his quirky mouth. He seemed perfect to her, almost the god he used to say he was, except for the angry red scar cutting across his face. Nevertheless, even though it was ugly it seemed to fit and make him the more beautiful.

"You know," Selphie jumped in her seat and Seifer smirked. He looked over at her with that I'm-so-much-better-than-you smirk and pushed forward and kissed her. Selphie was surprised but it did feel good. Seifer tried to push his tongue in her mouth and Selphie had to pull away.

"Oh my gosh!"

Seifer started laughing, "Yeah I am pretty good."

She hit him on the arm. "No! You tried to tongue me!"

Seifer's smile faded a little. Balamb Garden was the only home he ever knew. He couldn't just let a chance to go home pass him by. "Selph. I'm going to Garden in a few days and I don't think that's going to change…but that doesn't mean we have to loose contact or anything."

"Yeah…"

"We can visit a lot on weekends. You may be able to come back too. I know your mom will want you to be happy and I think she knows you're happy at home, with everyone," With me, Seifer paused and leaned in to kiss her quickly. He smiled and opened to car door stepping out. "I'll call you tomorrow… or tonight." Then he walked to his old apartment building thinking of ways to get his landlord to keep him a few extra days and hoping the guy wasn't too mad about the door.

The small girl watched him from the car. Driving away, she thought about the last several days. Nothing turned out to be what she expected it to be but she supposed that was just the way life was.

End of Chapter Five and "The Way She Is"

Author's note - I hope you liked it! Finally it's done. It's way different then what it was intended for but that's okay. I kind of like it this way. Anyways, please review and flame if you want but only if the flames can help in some way. I don't want stupid ones that say they hated this story because it was Seifer and Selphie and not whoever and whoever. Yeah, just had a bad experience… Anyways till next time.