Chapter 13

Confused Emotions

Rinoa went back to Squall's room after the birthday party. She walked in and left a note saying she was sleeping in Selphie's dorm with her and Quistis. She placed the note on his desk and put "Love Always" and then her name at the bottom.

As she left his room she saw people staring at her. She was still wearing her leather outfit. She kept going and just ignored the strange looks she got.

Eventually, she made her way to Selphie's room. Quistis and her were already in their pajamas on the bed talking. When Rinoa walked in they both smiled up at her. She closed the door and took the gunblade off and leaned it against the wall.

"So…?" She said. "How did I do?"

"It was awesome!" Selphie said. "Did you see the other guy's faces? They couldn't believe it!"

"Especially Squall's! He didn't say anything! I think he was too shocked!" Rinoa took her boots off and sat on the bed.

"How was it?" Selphie asked, her face beaming.

"How was what?" Rinoa asked.

"You know…the kiss!" She and Quistis couldn't contain themselves anymore. They fell over giggling at their own curiosity. Rinoa smiled.

"The kiss? Well, I wouldn't call it the best because, as you can tell, he was so not expecting it…" Selphie and Quistis sat back up to listen.

"But…"

"But what?" They yelled together.

"For someone not expecting it…it was really good!" They started laughing. Rinoa finally stopped and looked over at them. "Do you think he liked my outfit?"

Selphie looked at her with an eyebrow raised. "Are you kidding me? He loved it, I'm sure of it! You should have seen how big his eyes got when he saw you with that mini skirt, tall black boots, HIS jacket AND white shirt, and even a GUNBLADE! Believe me! He probably though you were the girl of his dreams!" Rinoa laughed.

"You might want to watch out Selphie! I saw Irvine looking, too!" Quistis said, poking her in the side. Selphie immediately glared at her.

"He would never betray me! I just know it!" Quistis laughed.

"I'm only joking!"

"Don't worry Selphie…I won't steal Irvine from you." Rinoa said, putting a comforting hand on Selphie's shoulder.

"Yeah! You've got your eyes peeled on another special someone!" Selphie said giggling once again. Rinoa blushed.

"Yeah, you're right…I guess I do."

Squall walked back to his dorm room after the party. It was about seven forty now. He had stayed back to hang with the guys for a little bit. They had talked about Rinoa constantly, bickering about what their favorite part of her outfit was. Irvine said he liked her skirt and boots because they reminded him of Selphie. Zell said he liked her gloves because they made him think of the ones he used for martial arts. Squall had been asked what his favorite part was, but he was still unable to talk.

When he reached his room, he fell down onto his bed. Thoughts were running through every corner of his mind. He had flashbacks to the moment when Quistis and Selphie pulled the doors apart, revealing Rinoa behind it. He saw her outfit once again. Leather skirt instead of pants, black boots, his shirt and jacket, but cut up to the shoulder having frayed edges. Then he saw the lion on her necklace. It matched the one on his ring. Then there was the gunblade. Zell was right. It had been his whole outfit, except for the fact that it had been modified into her own style.

"That's why she wanted my jacket…" He thought. She already had his white shirt. He had to admit it; she did look really good in those clothes. His mind wondered some more and he thought back to when she was asking him if he had been a good little boy. His voice had choked, leaving him unable to answer. Her hand had touched his shoulder and she had circled him. He even remembered how she walked, the gunblade clanking on her hip. Then when she had suddenly sat in his lap…

He had no objections to this and had to admit it…he liked it, but the shock had been so great. Then she had kissed him in front of everyone! It felt like they stayed like that for eternity, but then she stopped and stood up. Then he had aftershock and still couldn't speak.

"What's wrong with me?" He asked. He turned to face his desk and saw a note lying upon it. He picked it up and read it.

"Dear Squall,

I'm staying with Selphie and Quistis in Selphie's dorm room. We're going to have a girl's night! I just thought you should know so you wouldn't worry too much. Happy Birthday! I'll see you later!

Love Always,

Rinoa H."

Squall stared at the bottom of the letter. "Love Always" it said. "Maybe that's what I'm feeling." He said to himself. "I've always liked her, but I've never thought about us dating and…kissing…" He turned over on his side. "What do I say to her when I see her tomorrow...I don't know…"

Rinoa sat up on the bed still awake. Selphie and Quistis were already asleep. "I wonder what Squall's doing right now…I hope I didn't make him to nervous or move to fast…" She wondered. "What do I say when I see him again tomorrow? I guess I should just act normal, like nothing ever happened…then I can see how he is and continue from there. I have to admit though…I had a lot of fun dressing like that. It made me feel special…sort of like…I was his girl…" Rinoa closed her eyes and fell asleep a few minutes later.