Chapter Nine

((Next day at school))

"Oh…my…gosh!" Selphie ran into Quistis, panting for breath, and doubling over.

"Selphie, breathe, and tell us what you've heard." Quistis put a helping hand on her friend's back as Selphie caught her breath.

"I-It's about Rinoa…a-and Seifer…" She coughed as Quistis gave her a confused look.

"What do you mean, Selphie?" Selphie finally caught her breath by then.

"They'regoingouttogetherandrinoaisn'tourfriendanymoreandsheactslikeasnobbie

cheerleaderandshehangsoutwiththeingroupandshe'sabrat!" Selphie got it out all in one breath, and by now, Squall and Quistis understood her language. "I'mnotfinished—theybothareenteringthedancingcontesttowinfiftythousandgil!" She sighed a breath of relief, and smiled, proud of herself. Quistis and Squall exchanged glances of surprise.

"What do you mean there's a dancing contest to win fifty thousand gil?" Selphie laughed nervously.

"I actually meant to say a million gil, and some of that to be used as a scholarship." She shrugged, and all of a sudden, Quistis burst out laughing. Selphie and Squall exchanged worried glances.

"Explanation, please?" Squall and Selphie asked in sync as she finally caught her own breath.

"Rinoa doesn't know A THING about dancing! She couldn't dance, even if her life depended on it! Gosh, this is the funniest thing ever…and I knew that she wouldn't hang out with us, given the time and place and who else she would be-friend! She only used us as leverage!" Quistis laughed a bitter laugh. "And with Seifer Almasy? She wouldn't ever be able to keep up! He's been taught most of his life, and—" Quistis gave out an irritated grunt. "Oh, WHY THE HECK AM I DEFENDING HIM!" She let out an irritated sigh as the three walked to their lockers.

"Because you love me, Quis." Quistis stepped dead in her tracks, looking around for the person the voice belonged to. Her mind clicked. She waved goodbye to her friends, and closed her locker.

"Stay out of my head, Almasy, or else…" She felt him laugh.

"Or what, Trepe? You'll call your mom back to put up the block again?"

"Yeah, of course! Anything to keep you out of my mind!"

"Well, too late, because your mom is who let me in!"

"Mom!"

"Sorry, sweetheart…" She heard her say, and then fade away.

"What is up with you and Rinoa? I heard she's quite the brat, now."

"Oh, yes…forgot. She's my girlfriend."

"She can't dance, you know that, right?" She felt him freeze.

"What? She can't?" Quistis felt like laughing. "Just kidding. I knew she couldn't, so I've been teaching her."

"Get out of my head, now! I need to assist the teacher, WITHOUT distractions!" She felt him laugh at her.

"Actually, it's quite comfy here. I'll stay."

"Mom!"

"Okay, okay! I'm going!"

"And don't you think that I will be jealous of HER, because I have my own friends to help me!"

"Yeah, but she has me, Quis…"

"Out!"

"Alright, alright! Don't have a chocobo…"

He then finally left her in peace to help the instructor out.

((Lunchtime))

"Hey, Quis!" Rinoa and her new "friends" walked up to her table where she was currently studying for a test. Quistis only raised an eyebrow at her entrance.

"What do you want, Heartilly?" Quistis sighed, rubbing her temples as she leaned back in her chair.

"Oh, just to see my competition for the Ballroom Contest." Her groupies laughed, but Quistis' head snapped up at that.

"But…I'm not in it." Rinoa snorted.

"Oh, yes, you are." She retorted in disgust. Quistis only shook her head.

"I never registered."

"You're joking, right?" A deep frown creased her fat lips. Quistis tried not to laugh.

"Yeah!" Selphie and Squall appeared behind Quistis, registration forms in hand. "She's joking! Isn't that right, Quisty?" Selphie nudged her friend, and Quistis got the hint. But, she didn't like the idea. She only sighed, nodded, got up, and walked towards the hallway, dragging the two with her.

"What the heck!" Quistis exclaimed as they reached an empty hallway. "You guys signed me up! Are you two crazy?" Selphie sighed, and knelt down to where Quistis decided to sit on the ground.

"You are good, Quisty!" She told the blond with a smile. "You beat Almasy the other day! And with heels on! Come on! You can beat him again!" Quistis laughed a little at the memory.

"She's right, sweetheart…" He mother told her inside. "You will prove that Rinoa girl that you're better at the things YOU like to do. Not to mention you'll show her how to fight for your man…"

"Mother!"

"Oops! I think I hear your father calling!"

"Fine!" Quistis said, getting up. "Let's show them who's the best!"

"Alright, we'll practice with the rest of the contestants on the required dance tonight at six sharp." Squall said in his gentle, brotherly voice. "You ready to kick butt?"

Quistis raised an eyebrow at his word choice. She chose the word Squall knew only too well.

"Whatever."

A/N: So, what'd ya guys think? (Nudge-nudge) Eh? Anyways, you readers and reviewers have been awesome and supportive, thus far! And not to mention patent! Thank you all so much!