Secret Passages- Chapter One: Zelda Equals Detention

"Get off! ....GET OFF!" A high-pitched voice rang through the dormitory hallway, it's owner consumed inside one of the rooms. "You dumb thing! Get off now! I'm warning you!" A faint sound of upbeat music played in the background as Selphie Tilmitt played a video game. It was one of those silly role playing games she had been suckered into buying while in Balamb City with Zell and Quistis.

Her character was slowly dying. Actually, it was on the brink of death, since a monster was currently attached to it's head, sucking the life out of him. Selphie's right hand gripped the controller as her left hand hovered over the buttons, letting her fingers hit them rapidly. All in one instant, she stopped, dropping the controller to the floor. As the upbeat music turned into a depressing piano theme, the screen turned black and, in white lettering, the words 'Game Over' materialized.

"No... I... I- NOOOOOOOO!" Selphie rolled herself into a ball and began rolling all over the floor. "NO! Stop it!"

"Yessssssss! Oh yeah, baby! Whoo-hoo! Keep it goin'!" Zell Dincht jumped up from his seat on the floor and screamed at the top of his lungs as well.

"NO! Stop it! I don't want to li-" Selphie was cut off as soon as she rolled into Zell's legs, sending him toward the floor. This, of course, was the result of Seifer Almasy stepping into the room. Zell had stopped to acknowledge his presence, only to be toppled over by Steamroller Selphie.

"Whoa!" Zell yelled when he tried to grab hold of a nearby dresser in order to catch himself, but his plan failed and he found himself hovering over Selphie's petite body. Had he not stretched out his arms, he would have fallen right on top of her and squished the life out of the poor girl.

Selphie's screams had stopped and she looked up at Zell, both having expressions of either confusion or worry. Zell leaned in closer to Selphie to ask her if she was alright.

"Selph, are ya okay?" Zell hardly finished his words before Selphie began screaming again.

"Get off me, you pervert!" She stretched out her arms so quickly, and with all her strength, pushed Zell off of her, letting him hit his head on her dresser that could have prevented the entire incident. Seifer only laughed at the scene as it took place.

"Oh man! That hurt, Selphie!" The martial artist sat up and rubbed the back of his head. Seifer merely sneered at him as he walked over to Selphie to help her up. He was helping her up? Of course! He isn't as mean and inconsiderate as most of you weird people may think. He's kind at heart and sweet and- forget that, he's just helping her up just because.

"Chicken, you should stop acting like a little boy and grow up." He paused as Selphie took his hand and stood to her feet. He crossed his arms, having no use of them anymore, before he continued. "But I see you've most likely done that by now... And Selphie must have helped you out." He spoke as if implying something.

"What?" Zell and Selphie spoke the word in a synchronized manner as Zell stood and Selphie propped her hands on her hips.

"Nothing. I was just passing by your room Selphie, and couldn't help but hear your screams as well as Chickenwuss'." Seifer snickered and continued, "If it wasn't so early in the morning, I would normally give the two of you detention for three days, in violation of Garden Code, Article 4, line 17. This rule simply states that no one, most importantly no one of the opposite sex, is allowed in someone else's dorm room between a specific time; after curfew and before seven A.M." Seifer wasn't finished, but he chose to stop and wait for a reply, if he were to have one.

"I'm not stupid, Messenger Girl." Seifer went on anyway, realizing they might protest before he could finish. "You two have been in here together all night and stayed up playing video games while pigging out on junk food." The knight saw nothing wrong with it, it was a pretty good way to get a girl like Selphie into the bed, but he just felt like being a jackass sometimes and this was too perfect to pass up.

"Seifer Almasy." A somewhat annoyed voice called out the name as they stood outside the hallway. The three inside the room turned to look out into the hallway, only to find their commander standing there.

"We took you off the Disciplinary Committee. There is nothing you can do about these two staying up all night, in whoever's dorm, just to play a video game. Beside that matter, you have your code-book wrong. The code you mentioned isn't even in there!" Squall shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. "Now leave them to me, you have classes to attend."

Squall Leonhart finally had the upper hand on Seifer, since he was Commander of Balamb Garden and all. Oh how that blonde-headed bully hated it. Seifer shot a glare at Squall as he left the room and headed down the hallway.

"Thank you, Squall." Selphie spoke cheerfully and Squall nodded.

"Yeah man, thanks." Zell spoke his gratitude, but Squall merely shrugged before speaking once more.

"Just because I said he couldn't do anything about it, doesn't mean I can't. The both of you have detention with the Disciplinary Committee for three days. I'll let them know and the two of you will report to them today for two hours of doing whatever they find reasonable for your actions. You will do so tomorrow and the day after." Squall normally wouldn't care, since they are his comrades, but since Seifer had seen them, he couldn't stand there and do nothing. Plus, they were SeeDs and needed to act accordingly to set a good example for the other occupants of Garden.

Selphie and Zell only stood in awe at Squall's statement. However, the both understood what he was saying and knew that his say so in anything, always went first. That was always a good thing about being Commander. They nodded toward their leader and kept their heads down in shame.

"Alright then. Selphie, I'm going up to the bridge to talk to Cid right now, but if you are planning on going to Trabia next month, I better see some paperwork in my hands by the end of the week. That gives you four days. Zell, it's your job to monitor the halls today. Since you don't have any classes to teach today, I'm sure it wouldn't be too much on you, right?" Squall paused, but only for a moment, not letting Zell answer.

"Good. If you find anyone misbehaving, you know what to do. I'll catch up with the both of you later." He turned on his heel to walk out of the room, but stopped and looked back at Selphie as if remembering something.

"You still need to give me a report on that last mission of yours. I'll expect it by the end of the day." With that, Squall walked out of the room and off down the hall.

:::akuru:::

"You dumb, retarded, chocobo-head, tattoo face, indolent loser!" Selphie's voice could be heard throughout the Quad, as she and Zell were arguing about the event that had taken place earlier that day.

"If it wasn't for you and your incompetent self, I wouldn't be in this mess! I had the perfect record. Nothing bad on it! And just because I took up a challenge to see who could beat that silly video game in less than a day, I get THREE days of detention! THREE DAYS!" Selphie, as outraged as she was, picked up a paint brush she had, ironically, been using to paint the 'peace' symbol with, and chunked it across the way at Zell, who had been sitting on a bench, drawing on a piece of paper. The brush hit him on the chest, as he didn't have the time to dodge or block the oncoming paint brush of doom, and landed on his drawing. Sky blue paint was smeared across his black shirt as he looked down and picked the brush off his clipboard.

"You.... Stupid idiot! Look what ya did!" Zell tossed the brush back at her, not really caring if it hit her or not. Thankfully, it didn't. "The flyer design you asked me to draw is ruined now! If you think I'm gonna do it over, you've gotta 'nother thing comin'! I have more important things to do, ya nitwit." Names. There were always so many names one could call someone.

Zell let his foot, which had been propped up on his knee, drop to the ground before standing and crossing his arms over his chest. He began walking.

"Where are you going? And I'm NOT a nitwit!" Selphie shrieked back at her male companion.

"Detention. It's almost time to go. ...And yes, you are. Now stop working on that poster or you'll be late. They don't let late people into the room, they write you down for skipping. Skipping can get you into-" Zell was cut off when a paint brush, thankfully it hadn't been used yet, hit him on the side of his face.

"I know! I know!" Selphie giggled as Zell was totally pissed by now. She was only playing around.
"Just go on. I'll be there, don't worry. I still have a little over thirty minutes... and this won't take long."

"Pft... Whatever." Zell dropped his clipboard onto a nearby bench and walked out of the Quad. Selphie only shook he head and continued to paint the extremely large peace sign on the very large poster. This years Garden Festival is going to be so much fun! Selphie thought as she went on painting. I hope some of the other students will join the committee. We really need people at the gaming booths.

:::akuru:::

Zell sat by himself inside Quistis Trepe's classroom, hardly tolerating the noise coming from all of the 'trouble makers' in Balamb Garden. There were so many students with detentions today, that the Disciplinary Committee had asked Quistis if they could use her classroom. Of course, all of the classrooms were the same size, but Fujin and Raijin only like to speak with Quistis. Only because she was the 'down to earth' Instructor in Balamb Garden who would give them the time of day. Anyhow, Quistis allowed them permission to use her classroom, and so we find ourselves watching Zell Dincht, who seems to be captivated by his watch.

"Man... it's 5:56... Selphie is supposed to be here right NOW. This things starts at six... Frickin' hell! What is she doing?!" Zell slammed his fist down onto his seat. Of course, he was placed in the middle of the room, drawing everyone's attention as the blow shook the classroom. He slid down in his seat, trying not to be noticed.

:::akuru:::

Squall, as always, decided to work a little while later today. He and Cid had been going over the Field Exam for the SeeD candidates. Nothing has really come up lately. The most they could do was either act as bodyguards to people in 'high places,' or help small towns fight off unwanted monsters. Sometimes, there would be an up rise of rebels who wanted to take over the world or something totally ridiculous like that, but nothing important. Cid had left a little while ago, letting Squall do as he wished with the plans, to go grab some food.

Looking up at the clock on the wall, Squall noticed it was going on six o'clock. Soon enough, he piled a ton of papers into a folder and took it with him as he walked into the elevator that could take him to the MD level, or the first and second floors. His destination? Quistis' classroom. He had hopes that she would still be in there, even at this hour. Squall needed to talk someone into training a few of the SeeD candidates by taking them to the Fire Cavern. Quistis had done it several times before, and yeah it was extra work, but he had to pull some strings. If worse came to worse, he might even beg the instructor to do this special assignment.

Even though it will take a while, with them going in one at a time, she should be able to handle it. She's tough. Squall thought to himself as the elevator opened its metallic doors, revealing a desolate hallway.

Stepping out onto the smooth floor, Squall began to wonder where all the students were. The hallways were always full of students who were always putting a new meaning to 'hustle and bustle.' Then again, they might all be grabbing a bite to eat for dinner in the Cafeteria... like they always do around this time of the day.

Upon reaching the end of the hallway, Squall turned in the direction of Quistis' classroom. Again, the hallway before him was desolate, and no one could be found. Walking toward the door of the fellow instructor's classroom, a few papers slipped out of his folder and dropped on the floor. He stopped to pick them up.

After retrieving the runaway paperwork, Squall stood and walked to the classroom door. As soon as it opened, he walked inside to find Fujin and Raijin arguing over what they would have the disobedient students do, as punishment for what they have done.

"SANITATION!" Fujin's voice always seemed to be loud, as if she were using a loudspeaker to amplify it.

"No, they've been cleanin' the Garden, ya know!? It's totally spotless by now, ya know!?" Raijin wanted them to do something other than clean. He was tried of watching them stand around with trash bags all day, picking up hot-dog wrappers that mysteriously appeared out of no where. "They should... Collect bugs or something, ya know? No more trash, ya know!?"

"Ahem..." Squall attempted to get their attention, but failed as Fujin stretched out a leg of hers and swiftly kicked Raijin for his disobedience. "The both of you! Listen up!" Squall yelled at the two and they both turned to him, saluting at once.

"Thank you... Where is Instructor Trepe?" Squall, of course, had to be formal in front of the disruptive juveniles. He didn't really wonder why they were meeting in this classroom, but that wasn't his concern. "Has she left her duties early today?"

"She said she was done for the day, ya know? Went to get some food, ya know?" That's Raijin... ya know? That gets so annoying, Squall made a common mental note. Oh well.

"Thank you." Squall nodded and left the classroom, having no business with the two. Walking away from the closed door, he heard something slam against the other side of the hallway wall. A second later, he heard the sound of laughter, causing himself to smile and shake his head at whatever event had just taken place within the classroom. He had a good idea of what had happened. Fujin can be so hateful at ti-

Squall's thoughts were cut short as he turned the corner, headed toward the elevator. He dropped the folder, but managed to stay on his feet after a little stumble. Looking down to see what clumsy person had run into him this time, he saw Selphie. As always, it was her who hit him at this corner. She needs to pay more attention... Or does she only do this to me? Teasing me all the time...

"Whaah! That hurt!" Selphie was sitting down on the cold tile floor, rubbing her forehead and looking down at the same time. This is... like Déjà vu... Squall shook his head, and placed a hand on his hip. "Are you okay, Selphie?"

She froze. Big trouble. What was she to do? She had spent so much time painting that poster that she totally forgot about detention. And here she was, running into the guy who ordered her to attend it. Even after Zell had practically bugged her for two whole hours, she forgot. ...Oh well. She thought to herself. ...And why didn't they let us know ahead of time, that students with detention were to report to Quistis' room today!? She winced as she stood and looked up at Squall, not even noticing the papers sprawled out on the floor.

"Oh yeah. Sure, I'm fine." She pulled her hands behind her back and looked away from Squall, her face suddenly flushed with embarrassment. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to run into you."
He shook his head and kneeled down to gather the papers from the floor. Selphie glanced down to see what he was doing before kneeling down herself and frantically trying to help him collect the papers.

"Oh, Squall... I'm so sorry." She had collected a few papers in one of her hands and continued to gather more, not looking at anything but the ground. "I was working so much on the posters for the Garden Festival and I forgot all about det-" She stopped. Squall had placed his hand on top of hers, almost as quickly as she had placed her own on top of a piece of paper. Selphie looked up from the contact and her eyes met with his. Those blue-grey eyes, that gave a whole new meaning to the words; sternness and seriousness starred back at the emerald orbs, filled abundantly with cheerful thoughts and excitement. ..He seemed to lean forward, closing the distance between them.

My heart's pounding...What is this I'm feeling?