Lost Memories of my Love
Chapter 37 – Goodbye?
Squall had finished making his speech, and Quistis had dismissed all the students back to their proper classes. Once they were all gone, the blonde instructor flopped onto a chair and blew a strand of stray hair out of her face to express her tiredness.
"Today has been nothing but hectic," she said with a sigh.
Zell began packing up the microphones and other technical equipment and nodded in agreement. "Too true. I was instructing the kickboxing class and those eight-year-olds still can't get it right!"
"Dude, you can't just rock up on the first day expecting a couple of kids to be at top rank SeeD level straight away," said Irvine, glancing out the backstage door to see if the media had packed up and left yet.
"Have you got anything planned after this, Squall?" asked Quistis before Zell and Irvine could get into a pointless argument.
Squall looked up from his notes and nodded at the instructor. "Yeah. I've got a meeting with the Galbadian government in six hours."
"Ooh!" squealed Selphie with delight, "Can we come too, Squall?"
Squall shrugged. "Whatever."
"No we can't, Sefie, we've got all this Garden paperwork to fill out," said Irvine, turning away from the window.
Selphie stomped her foot in frustration. "Damn! Can't we leave it 'til a little later? Quisty?"
Quistis shook her head. "No, afraid not, Selph. I've got classes to teach and that paperwork was due three days ago."
"Aww, rats!" Selphie scrunched her nose in disappointment.
"Why don't you accompany Squall, Rin?" asked Zell, detaching one of the stage lights.
Rinoa, seated on the edge of the stage with her legs dangling off the side, looked at Zell. She hadn't said a word the whole time, for she was intently gazing at Squall. His expression was uneasy; she could see it in his eyes…
"Huh?" said Rinoa.
"Well, since all of us have stuff to do," said Zell, switching off the microphone, "You can go with Squall."
"Yeah, and I bet Squall would just hate to go alone," said Irvine sarcastically.
"What's that supposed to mean?" snapped Squall from his entranced state, leaning against the wall.
"Whoa there, Squall, didn't mean to upset ya," said Irvine.
"I'm not—"
"I'd love to go," said Rinoa, before Squall could say anything else. "If that's okay with you, Squall?"
Squall looked away from Irvine and back to Rinoa. She gave him a weak but innocent smile. Enjoy what's left … maybe … after my enjoyment I can break the news to her…
He shrugged in response. "If you want, I guess."
Selphie giggled. "That's code for 'please Rinoa I'm begging you!'"
Squall got off the wall and turned around from his friends, hiding the hurt in his expression. "Whatever."
Yep, thought Rinoa, There's definitely something wrong…
Selphie scrunched her nose. "I thought you were over the 'whatever' phase, Squall."
"Are the press gone, Irvine?" asked Squall flatly, ignoring Selphie's comment.
"Huh?" said Irvine, confused with the quick topic change. "I mean, yeah, they've left. Probably got sick of waiting around for you to come out. I mean, the doors are locked pretty tight—"
"All right," said Squall monotonously, not caring about what else Irvine had to say. "I'll see you all later." He headed to the side door and before anyone knew it, he was gone.
Everyone was left staring after him in abysmal shock. Everyone except Rinoa, that is. She was staring after him in a mix of curiosity and sadness … it wasn't like Squall to just walk away like that. Well, maybe it was, but she thought things had changed…
"Is it just me … or is Squall … different?" said Zell, blinking.
"I wonder what crawled up his backside!" pouted Selphie, not liking the way Squall told her off.
"I'll go check up on him," said Rinoa at last, standing up.
"That's if he hasn't left yet," said Irvine.
"Wish me luck," said Rinoa, as she headed toward the door.
"Good luck," the four companions said in unison.
The young sorceress ventured outside, to where she saw Squall leaning over the limousine window he arrived in and talking to whoever was inside. Rinoa stood there for a moment, wondering if he was going to get in it and leave. To her surprise, he backed away from the vehicle as the limousine sped away.
Squall stood there, a lone and forlorn figure just staring after the limousine. He shoved his hands in his pockets and turned the other way, walking slowly with an empty expression.
"Squall!" called Rinoa, running up to him.
Squall turned around, and was met with Rinoa's smiling, angelic face as she ran up towards him. He forgot about his problem for a split second as he smiled a small smile back at her, but returned to his remote self afterwards.
"Where are you going?" asked Rinoa curiously.
"I'm just going to walk back to the residence for my car," said Squall, shrugging, "Then I'll be taking a long drive to Galbadia."
Rinoa smiled. "Sounds fun. Mind if I join you? Just for the walk, I mean. You don't have to let me come to Galbadia with you."
Squall shrugged. "Sure, if you can handle walking a couple of blocks."
"What's that supposed to mean?" said Rinoa, narrowing her eyes down at him cheekily. "Just because I'm not a top SeeD like you doesn't mean I can't walk a couple of blocks!"
Squall smiled, feeling slightly better about himself. Rinoa never failed to cheer him up.
"All right."
Rinoa grinned and linked arms with him. Squall kept his hands in his pockets and didn't pull away from Rinoa, acknowledging her presence with both glee and sadness. As they walked, Rinoa snuggled into Squall's shoulder, recognising his cologne. At first, the walk was silent, but the silence gave them both a chance to enjoy each other's company.
"Squall," Rinoa whispered quietly.
"Hmm?"
"I miss you," said Rinoa softly.
"You miss me?" said Squall, slightly chuckling at what Rinoa had said, "I'm right here."
Rinoa smiled soundly. "What I meant to say was … I missed you."
Squall didn't say anything, but just faintly smiled.
"Don't leave me again, okay?"
These words gripped at Squall's heart, sending a wave of guilt and sadness surging throughout his body. He said nothing and kept a straight face as they continued to walk down the busy street. Nobody seemed to take notice of either Squall and Rinoa, which brought great relief to them both.
"Is something bothering you, Squall?" asked Rinoa, when he didn't say anything.
"No," lied Squall.
Rinoa stood up straight but kept her arm linked around Squall's. "Don't lie, Squall. You should know by now that I can read you like an open book."
"It's nothing," said Squall, shaking his head.
"Oh come on," said Rinoa encouragingly, "You can tell me."
No I can't, thought Squall sadly, Not yet…
They reached the presidential residence, and the couple stopped at Squall's black sports car parked on the side of the road.
"Okay, I'll tell you Rinoa," said Squall slowly. He hesitated and looked at Rinoa's intent face. He turned away slightly. "Will you ... come to Galbadia with me?"
Rinoa's curious face was replaced with a sheepish grin. "Is that all? That's nothing to be ashamed of. Of course I'll come with you!"
Squall looked at Rinoa and couldn't help but smile when he saw her cheerful face. "Great. Get in." He unlocked the car and opened the passenger door for her. Rinoa beamed and got into the front seat.
Squall closed the door and walked over to the driver's side. Leonhart, you're the biggest asshole…
The beginning of the drive was uneventful. It was mostly Rinoa talking about random things with passion, and Squall either agreeing or disagreeing. She didn't give him much of a chance to talk, but Squall didn't mind. He didn't really feel like saying much. He just enjoyed listening to Rinoa laugh and talk, even if the things she laughed and talked about were stupid things like her favourite colour, or something sleazy Irvine had said by accident.
"…I wonder how Irvine and Selphie put up with each other," said Rinoa with a giggle, "Sometimes they're the cutest item ever, but sometimes it's just a war zone!"
Squall smirked. As he turned the corner onto the freeway, Squall cursed under his breath at the amount of traffic on the road.
"At this rate we'll be in Galbadia by Christmas," said Squall, annoyed.
Rinoa laughed. "But you're vice president! Can't you just cut across?"
"That's only when I have little Estharian flags on the limousine," said Squall with a snicker.
"Oh, well that sucks," said Rinoa. She smiled at him, and for a minute, there was silence as the two of them simply stared at each other.
At last, Rinoa laughed, not standing the silence anymore. She broke the stare and began rummaging through Squall's CD pile.
"What're you doing?" asked Squall.
"Looking for music," answered Rinoa, flipping through all the albums. She scrunched her nose at Squall's taste of music. "Don't you have anything here besides rock?"
"I don't think so," said Squall, "My car was broken into a couple of months ago. Luckily the guy didn't steal anything. Well, except for a few of my CDs. But he decided to be a wise guy and only stole the CDs he liked, and left behind the ones he didn't. So not only did he break into my car, he discriminates my music taste as well."
Rinoa laughed out loud. "Typical!" She stopped at the CD on the very bottom and took it out, staring at the cover for a moment. "Wow, something that's not rock."
Squall glanced at what Rinoa was holding, and he turned slightly red when he saw it was Julia Heartilly's Eyes on Me. One thing was for sure, he was somewhat glad that the robber didn't steal that CD.
Rinoa opened the case and propped the CD into the CD player. She pressed play, and the instrumentals started playing. She giggled and began to sing. "I saw you smiling at me! Was it real or just my fantasy?"
Squall groaned. "Please Rinoa, don't."
"Excuse me Mr Leonheart!" said Rinoa in mock anger, "Are you criticising the way I sing?"
"Just in that voice," sneered Squall.
"Well, sorry I can't sing, mister!" cried Rinoa.
Squall shook his head with a smile, rolling his eyes at Rinoa's childishness. He looked up ahead onto the road, only to find that the line of traffic had only moved one or two inches. He groaned in frustration again.
It was then that Rinoa began to look through Squall's glove compartment. She flipped around all the stray pieces of paper and documents, and at one point saw a packet of uneaten gum. When she thought there was nothing interesting in there, she found a small tape recorder.
"Ooh, and what's this I see?" said Rinoa, examining it carefully.
Squall looked at Rinoa. "Oh, that … play it and you'll know."
Rinoa cocked her head in curiosity. "All right then." She turned the volume of the CD player down and pushed play on the tape recorder.
"Okay ... so, umm, me and Squall are driving home right now. We just came back from the beach. Today was really fun, 'cause we got to hang out with Selphie, Irvie, Quisty and Zelly and get really wet. I stole Squall's ring and ... umm..."
Rinoa gasped. "This is the day we went to Balamb beach!"
Squall nodded in response.
The tape continued to play, and Rinoa had a huge smile planted across her face with every passing word.
Rinoa giggled. "Okay, that's enough for now – I'm turning this off! Bye Squall!"
"Bye Rinoa," said Squall with a laugh.
"That was cute," said Rinoa with a laugh.
"There's more," murmured Squall.
"Hey, Rinoa. I'm in your room now."
Rinoa looked up at Squall with cheeky glee and curiosity in her eyes when she heard his voice on the tape again. Yes … she remembered. It was the tape that Squall recorded for her before he went to Esthar. It was also the same tape that she denied having any knowledge of.
"I know when you hear this and when you find out, you're gonna murder me."
"Yes, Squall Leonheart, I am," said Rinoa, "What were you doing in my bedroom anyhow?"
Squall simply grinned sheepishly and didn't say anything.
" But you know ... I just wanted you to know something. I'm a bit of a wuss for not saying this to your face ... but you know I'll always wait for you."
Rinoa smiled.
" You're my strong girl. And I'll try to be strong for you too. But ... I don't know. By saying this ... do you think I'm weak? I'm still a teenager now, I'm not that old ... and maybe I'm not at that age to know it yet ... but I've never felt this way about anyone before."
Her heart began to melt…
" And I mean you. I don't know what it is ... is it ... love? But ... if it is ... I just want you to know ... that I love you. And ... I hope that you love me too."
Rinoa looked away from the recorder, tiny tears welling up in her eyes. She almost forgot about this tape…
"I … I love you, Squall," said Rinoa quietly.
"I love you, Squall…" Her voice on the tape said it at exactly the same time Rinoa did.Squall turned away from the road ahead of him and looked at Rinoa, right in the eyes. She held a look of happiness and sadness merged into one, and looked as if she were about to cry. In her earthen eyes, he could see his reflection staring straight back at him, with equal amounts of happiness and sadness.
Rinoa blinked long and hard. She turned back to the tape recorder. "Let's have a redo of this."
Squall watched her in curiosity.
Rinoa pressed the record button. "Six years later. Squall and I are in the car now, on the way to Galbadia."
Squall couldn't help but laugh.
"We just listened to this whole tape," said Rinoa into the speaker, "And I didn't know what to say. Life has been rough, right Squall?"
"Yeah," answered Squall.
"Yeah," said Rinoa, nodding. "So I just want to make sure that this is never forgotten about ever again. No matter what happens, I pledge myself to Squall."
"Rinoa…"
"He said love always returns. And he was right. Love … it does always return. And I, Rinoa Caraway-Heartilly, am living proof."
There was silence for a moment.
"Love returned … and I hope it stays this time…" Rinoa whispered.
Squall was staring fixedly at Rinoa, down to her very last detail. This feeling … what was it? There were so many mixed emotions within him, too many to name. He didn't know what to do or what to say. All he could do was … stare. Stare at the heavenly angel before him, and curse himself for having to let her go…
Rinoa looked at Squall again. She sensed the emotion running through him. She didn't know what it was; all she knew was that it was strong. For a moment, they simply gazed into each other's ever-going eyes again in silence. But the mixed feelings soaring between them easily drowned out the silence, not making it noticeable at all.
"I … I love you … Rinoa…"
Rinoa's eyes lit up and her heart skipped a beat. Did Squall really say that? He had never said it to her before … well, not to her face anyway. On tape it made her emotions stir, but in real life … she couldn't help but feel light weighted and happy…
Squall found himself inching closer and closer to Rinoa, not taking his eyes off her. Rinoa found herself very much in the same position. She felt butterflies fluttering around in her stomach, as she pursed her lips together and closed her eyes, getting ready for their long awaited kiss…
Suddenly, a loud horn blared from behind them, and both parties jumped in surprise, snapping them both back into reality. Squall remembered where he was and looked at the road in front of him. The long line of cars ahead of him was already driving off into the distance.
"Oh … looks like the traffic is moving again," said Squall as he stepped on the gas pedal, embarrassed about what had just happened.
Leonheart, that was the stupidest thing you could ever do, thought Squall to himself, Making a move on her while we're on the road! What the hell were you thinking? Hyne, I am the worst romantic on the planet…
Rinoa laughed nervously and sat back in her firm position, staring out the window to hide the red in her cheeks. Eyes on Me had come to an end, but she didn't bother changing the CD.
Well … that was embarrassing, she thought. Oh crap … the tape is still recording…
Rinoa quickly pressed stop on the tape recorder and placed it back into the glove compartment, hoping that Squall was going to tape over that last bit with some SeeD reports or something. She secretly wanted that kiss. She couldn't even remember the last time she and Squall shared something so deep…
"What? What do you mean I can't speak with him today?" demanded Squall in frustration.
The young receptionist looked rather frightened and didn't want to provoke Squall. She lifted her glasses up closer to her eyes and tried to keep a straight face.
"Mr Deling's sister was just taken to hospital, you see," squeaked the receptionist.
"Why didn't someone inform me?" said Squall, exasperated. "I just drove for four hours from Esthar to meet up with him."
"I'm sorry, sir … it was a last minute emergency," said the young woman, "He only left an hour ago…"
"When will he be back?" asked Squall.
"By tomorrow morning, I'm positive," said the woman, nodding.
"Tomorrow morning … damn it, I'm a very busy man…"
Rinoa walked up to Squall from behind him and took his hand. "We'll stay here for the night," she said quietly, "That way you don't have to drive all the way home and all the way back again."
Squall sighed. "All right. But if he's not back by tomorrow, then I won't be very happy.
The squeaky receptionist nodded, clearly frightened of Squall. "If … if you want, I'll arrange a night for you at the hotel free of char—"
"Forget it," said Squall, shaking his head. He turned around and began to walk out of the building, leaving Rinoa there on her own for a minute.
"Don't worry, he's just in a bad mood," Rinoa said reassuringly to the younger woman.
"Is he always like that?" questioned the receptionist.
Rinoa laughed. "Not always."
The two women exchanged goodbyes and Rinoa followed Squall out of the building. He was standing outside with his arms folded, holding a blank expression. Rinoa crept up behind him and smiled comfortingly at him.
"Don't worry, Squall, it's just one night," she said. "And this is Vinzer Deling's son we're talking about here. He's just a rookie, y'know, after his dad died and all. Give him a chance."
Squall shrugged. "Whatever. I don't care. His sister's in hospital and all … I guess it's understandable that he put family before work."
Rinoa smiled sweetly. "That's the spirit! Anyway, onto a more important subject. I'm starving here, Squall. Take me out to dinner!"
Squall smiled back at her. "All right. Where do you wanna go?"
The young couple walked to a nearby restaurant in Deling. They sat and talked and ate. Well, more like Rinoa talked and ate. She managed to eat two whole courses and three serves of ice cream, all in forty minutes. They exchanged anecdotes and ended up being in the restaurant for two whole hours.
Squall insisted on paying the bill in the end, and the two of them walked out into the night streets of Deling city. Rinoa grasped onto Squall's hand tightly, resting her head on his shoulder as they walked. She sighed dreamily, thinking that this was the perfect end to a wonderful day.
They ended up in a quiet park, sitting on a wooden bench. The only sound heard was the merry chirping of crickets. Rinoa was leaning on Squall, looking up at the night sky. Squall had his arm around her, stroking her silky hair, not wanting the moment to end.
"The night is so beautiful," whispered Rinoa.
Squall agreed silently.
She swooned and pointed up into the velvet sky. "Look, Squall … a shooting star!"
"As always," said Squall with a bit of a smirk.
"I wonder where it'll land?" said Rinoa quietly.
"Yeah…"
There was a momentary silence between the two of them. Both had their own thoughts and feelings gathered up into a ball, wondering when was the best time to exert them…
"Squall—"
"Rinoa—"
The two of them said each other's names in unintended unison.
"You go first," said Squall.
Rinoa wriggled out of Squall's arms and looked at him with a quiet smile, the moonlight flickering in her eyes. "Well, I just wanted to tell you about my trip to Deling the other day."
Squall, slightly disappointed that Rinoa was out of his arms, nodded. "Who would've thought that you'd be here again the next day?"
Rinoa laughed softly. "Yeah … well … I know all about my past now."
"Really, now?"
The raven-haired girl nodded. "Yeah. Everything. I don't ever want to let it go again."
"Oh, okay…"
"Well, I don't know how to say it," said Rinoa slowly, "But the way I lost my memory … do you know how it happened?"
Squall shook his head in response. When Rinoa was about to say something, he noticed the third ring on Rinoa's chain and wanted to know about it.
"Hey, what's this?" asked Squall, touching the new ring on her neck.
Rinoa looked down and slightly blushed. "Oh, that … it's the ring Seifer gave to me…"
"Seifer?" questioned Squall.
Rinoa laughed nervously. "I mean, Marcel … whatever. It's a long story. I'm about to tell you now."
Marcel, Squall thought, That guy she was going out with before?
"Oh okay … why'd he give it to you?" asked Squall, wanting to know more.
Rinoa laughed weakly again, just a teensy bit annoyed that Squall wouldn't let her finish talking. But then again, he was just being protective … she couldn't blame him.
"Well, it's his engagement ring," began Rinoa, "But—"
"What?" said Squall, not liking where this conversation was going, "Engagement!"
"Well, yeah," said Rinoa slowly, "But that was before. It doesn't matter now, because you and me … we've found each other. We'll be together forever now. Right?"
Squall avoided Rinoa's gaze and said nothing.
"Right?" Rinoa said again when Squall didn't answer. She wanted him to respond, so she could get on with telling the story about how she lost her memory.
"Rinoa…" Squall murmured slowly, wanting to avoid what was to come. But he couldn't lie to her anymore. He couldn't keep acting like they were going to be together forever, because the way things were going, they weren't. But … he loved her so much that he didn't want her to get hurt physically, even if it meant her getting hurt emotionally.
"Squall, what is it?" asked Rinoa, concerned. She tried to look Squall right in the eyes, but he kept turning away.
I don't want to do this, Rin, thought Squall.
"What's the matter, Squall?" she asked.
"Rin … I … I don't know how to say this to you," said Squall, still looking to the side.
Rinoa took his hands in hers supportively. "You don't have to know how to say it, Squall. Just … say it."
"I … I can't," said Squall uncomfortably.
"And why is that?" asked Rinoa curiously.
"Because … I'm afraid I'll hurt you," said Squall quietly.
A surge of panic came wavering past her, but she didn't show it. She tried to stay strong, because that was what she was. "What could possibly hurt me?" she said, "I've been through it all … nothing can hurt me anymore. Not now that you're with me."
"But Rinoa … that's exactly it…"
Rinoa cocked her head. "Hmm? What's it?"
I can't believe I'm doing this, thought Squall. But there's no turning back now... He slowly turned to look at Rinoa, only to find question and innocence flooding through her eyes. She doesn't deserve this…
"Rin … I … I can't…" Squall tried to speak, but the hurting words couldn't leave his mouth. "I … can't … be with you anymore…"
Rinoa's eyes widened. Did he just say what I think he said? "W-What do you mean?"
Squall sighed, holding Rinoa's hands tightly. He didn't want to let her go … he really didn't…
"I'm so … sorry," muttered Squall.
Rinoa was confused. She was more than confused. She was distressed and perplexed. This couldn't be real. It had to be one of those nice dreams that ended up being a nightmare. It just had to be.
But … it was all real. The look in Squall's face told her so. It wasn't a sick joke. It wasn't a dream. It was reality.
"S-So … you're breaking up with me?" said Rinoa, her voice wavering. Breaking up … were we even together? Hyne, I'm so confused…
"I don't want to," said Squall quietly. "But we can't … be together … I'm so sorry…"
"W-Why?" she asked, her voice shaking uncontrollably, "What did I do?"
"No, no … it's not you," said Squall quickly.
"Then what is it?" asked Rinoa, her voice rising, "Is it because Seifer asked me to marry him? If that's it, then you've got it all wrong—"
"No, Rin," said Squall quietly, "It has nothing to do with that."
"Then what is it?" cried Rinoa. "Is it someone else?" Her grip tightened around Squall's hands. She couldn't believe this was happening.
Squall couldn't stand to see Rinoa in such a state. He had never seen her like this, with so much hurt plastered all over her face … it tore him up inside just thinking that it was his fault. His heart was racing. What was he supposed to say? Everything he had planned beforehand seemed to have disappeared. He forgot where he was, and what was happening. All he knew was that Rinoa was hurt and it was his fault.
"It's just … Ashleigh—"
"Ashleigh!" exclaimed Rinoa, "Wait a minute … you're still marrying her, aren't you?"
"Rin, please understand—"
"Oh, I understand all right," said Rinoa, disgusted, "Are you too afraid to break it off with her? Even after all we've been through … you're still afraid?"
"You don't understand—"
"Then tell me, Squall," said Rinoa, the anger fading away and the sadness coming back again. Tears began welling up in her earthen eyes and she tried to blink them back. "Make me understand. Why…? Why are you still marrying her?"
Squall hesitated for a moment. He couldn't tell her the real reason … or else Rinoa would hate and blame herself. She would hate herself for being what she was, and that was a sorceress. He didn't want her to hate herself … or else it could've led to things he didn't even want to think about. But the very reason why Squall loved Rinoa was because … she was Rinoa. And if she tried to change that, then his love would be in vain. He was doing this because he loved her, not because he wanted to be an asshole. And even if it meant that Rinoa couldn't know it … then it was fine with him … as long as she was alive. As long as she was safe.
"I can't tell you," said Squall finally.
A teardrop rolled down her cheek and Rinoa pursed her lips together, holding back any further tears. Ever since she was a teenager, she swore to herself that she wouldn't cry over a guy. But all of that seemed to be a part of her memory now. The hurt swelling up inside of her couldn't be explained by words alone.
"So what am I going to do, Squall?" asked Rinoa, her trembling. She let go of Squall's hands and wiped away the new tear that had fallen from her eye. "While you're enjoying your life with Mrs Ashleigh Almassy-Caraway-Loire-Leonheart, I'll go sorceress-berserk in my little corner. What ever happened to 'I'll be your knight'?"
Squall didn't say anything, his body feeling numb. He had completely forgotten about his promise to Rinoa. That only made him feel worse.
Rinoa sniffed and wiped away another tear. "Some knight you are, Squall."
She took one last look at Squall. He sat there, remorse clearly stamped on his face. But it was too late for remorse. The wound Squall had inflicted on her was too deep for words to heal. She just wanted to curl up into a ball in a corner on the far end of the world and bawl her eyes out. She thought that she would never cry again … she thought all the tears within her were gone. But she was wrong.
"And I suppose you don't even want to hear what your beloved Ashleigh did to me," spat Rinoa. She stood up and pulled her jacket closer towards her. With one more tear, she turned around and broke into a run.
Squall stood up quickly, hating himself. "Wait! Rinoa…" He was about to run after her, but what was he supposed to say? 'I'm sorry, let's kiss' just wasn't going to cut it. He had already hurt her deep, and anything else he said would probably have hurt her more.
So he watched Rinoa run, and to him, it looked like the third time she walked out of his life.
A/N: Hah … there's your long chapter for you. This one was longer than intended, but I hope that isn't a bad thing. I think one day I will add up all the evil plot twists in this story :D I know that was a very negative ending to the chapter … but I really did try to make it happy and stuff with Squall and Rinoa during the first part of the chapter. I hope it wasn't corny, though! It's amazing how I usually end on a bad note at the end of almost every chapter 8-D I hope my pessimism doesn't discourage you from reading on. Anyway, I appreciate all of your support :) Sorry if I take a while to update, my other PC is screwed and I have school starts again next week :( But I'm looking forward to writing the next chapter … the end is drawing near...
