Disclaimer: um…I have a computer! That's about it…I lead a very boring life. Trust me.
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Chapter 4: Girls and Gossip
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"I know you had to go away
I died just a little, and I feel it now
You're the one I need
I believe that I would cry just a little
Just to have you back now
Here with me"
- Here With Me (Michelle Branch)
. . .
The sea of blue and white clothed students began moving off the front courtyard of Deling Grammar to make their way to their respective homerooms at the sound of the bell. Quistis, clad in her uniform consisting of a white blouse and blue kilt, scanned the crowd before her, biting her lip in anticipation. She saw Jeremy and waved him over, though he wasn't who she was looking for.
The blonde girl smiled at him warmly while still examined the plethora of people hastily vacating the yard. "Hey Jem, you seen Rin?"
"Not since last night," he shook his head.
Her eagerness to find Rinoa diminished slightly. "Oh, so you were the one who interrupted our conversation last night."
"I don't think so," Jem frowned, "She was talking to Squall when I came."
"Who's Squall?" she queried.
"He's actually a friend of mine from Esthar, but he used to live here ages ago."
Quistis' eyes widened. "Oh Squall! Brown hair and gorgeous blue eyes?!"
"Umm…yeah, I guess." Jem lifted an eyebrow, suppressing a laugh. 'Gorgeous' blue eyes? That's something I've never heard before.
"I used to have a crush on him! Don't tell Rin though, she's always hated him and Seifer. Those two were the worst when they were together. But wow!" she grinned. "So he's back, is he? What's his last name again?"
"Leonhart."
"That's right. So that's probably why she was silent for a while." Instantly, her scanning-the-crowd game resumed. "Man! I have to find her! I need details. Shit!" Quistis exclaimed as she saw a teacher walking in their direction. "We better go before we're late. I'll just ask Rin in Chemistry. See ya, Jem!" she shouted back as they made their ways to their lockers in separate directions.
"Later, Quistis," he replied with a wave. Girls and gossip – a dangerous match.
- - -
Rinoa hugged her books and entered the lab, making her way to her usual bench where Quistis was already seated. Putting her books down, she crossed her arms and leant against the pile she'd just relinquished.
"Today is a good day," Rinoa smiled, receiving a raised eyebrow from her friend.
"You're in a good mood," the blonde stated, a nod being her response. "It must be the fact that Squall's back in the neighbourhood." Quistis smirked as the smile on her friend's face diminished.
"I take back my previous comment. How the hell did you know?" she said with a frown as she took her place next Quistis.
"I'm psychic," she said, wiggling her fingers and leaning closer to Rin, who raised an eyebrow unbelievingly. "Jem told me this morning. So what happened last night?" Quistis asked in a sort of hushed voice.
Rinoa narrowed her eyes. "What makes you think anything happened last night?"
"Just humour me. Besides, you with someone you hate – something was bound to happen."
"Fine, fine. At recess, though," she replied as she eyed her Chemistry teacher starting to write notes on the board.
"So?" Quistis queried as soon as the bell for recess went. "What happened?"
"Nothing, he came over with his parents for dinner, it turns out the parentals have organised to have a weekend by the coast, so I'll be stuck with him in the same house for two or three days," Rin shrugged nonchalantly.
"What else?"
The black haired girl cocked her head to one side. "What makes you think anything else happened?!"
Quistis narrowed her eyes. "I'm not stupid, Rin. Come on…tell me!"
"Ugh!" she exclaimed as she threw up her hands in exasperation. "Fine…he's coming to Irvine's party this Saturday cos my mom won't let me unless he goes."
"Really?! That's so cool!" Quisty beamed.
Rinoa raised her eyebrows. "It is?"
"Well yeah, I mean I haven't seen him for ages, it'll be cool to catch up and everything."
"Oh trust me, you'll have plenty of time to 'catch up'. He's starting here next Monday."
"How cool!"
"Do I need to remind you how much I detest him?" Rinoa snapped impatiently.
"No…but it was so long ago Rin, can't you just let bygones be bygones," she offered softly, not to sound too demanding.
"That's a bit rich coming from you, Quisty. I never asked you to forgive Zell for deleting that really important assignment for English last term, did I? And you still hold it over his head."
"I guess, but I'm still nice to him. And I don't hate him with a passion."
"That's 'cause what he did to you was nothing compared to what Squall did to me."
Quistis sighed feeling slightly sorry for her friend. How do I put this… "Rinny, I'm sure Squall didn't mean for your dad to…you know."
"Yeah, but it is his fault for pulling that stupid prank in the first place. Don't worry, I've promised him that I'll be civil."
She raised her eyebrows at this development. "Oh really, now. How'd that happen?"
"Totally different story." They had arrived at Rinoa's locker and Quistis leant against the one adjacent.
"You're not going to tell me?" she asked as she swiped a lolly from one of the shelves in Rin's locker.
"I'd rather not. What have we got next?"
"Physics and Geo. Come on, it can't be that embarrassing."
Rinoa stopped unpacking her books and threw a glance at her friend. "Yes it can."
"I'll be the judge. Come on, spill!"
She bit her lip in hesitation before turning to face Quistis. "Okay. Well after dinner, mom told me to take Squall into the kitchen and get him dessert. So I took him into the kitchen then pulled him into the spare bedroom-"
Quistis' eyes dilated in a second. "What?! Rin! I thought you hated him! Worse! You have a boyfriend! How could you cheat on Jem, he absolutely loves you!"
"Oh my God. What do you think I am? Some kind of tart!? Let me finish! As if I'd cheat on Jem with him!" Rinoa shook her head unbelievingly, cringing as the very thought. Flicking Quistis on the forehead she continued, "Anyway, as I was saying, I pulled him into the room and started telling him off. And I was so close to hitting his tummy when-"
"He grabbed you and took advantage of you! I knew he wasn't to be trusted," she interrupted, yet again, sarcasm dripping off every word.
"NO! He blocked my attack and held my arms behind my back, then he said he wouldn't let go until I promised to be nice and non-violent."
"So you complied? Wow! This is a turn for the better I'd say."
"As if I was gonna go against someone who's done taekwondo! He had the upper hand and besides, he's Jem's bestfriend," Rinoa finished as she closed her locker door.
"Ahh…I see. What an interesting little pickle," Quistis pondered as they resumed down the corridor to her own locker.
"Hardly."
"I can't wait to see him again on Saturday."
Rinoa rolled her eyes. "Oh, happy thoughts."
- - -
Rinoa hummed the tune playing in the background as she chose her outfit from her walk-in wardrobe. Finally deciding on her favourite pair of jeans and a red halter-top, she took out the garments and tossed them onto her bed. Hearing footsteps with a purpose pounding up the stairs, she waited momentarily before getting changed, not wanting to be caught in the middle of the act by anyone, even if it was her mother who barged into the door without to much as a knock.
"Rinny, Squall's downstairs. Hurry up and get changed so you can keep him company. He's in the TV room, but try not to take too long." Without waiting for a response, Mrs Caraway closed the door and made her way back down the stairs.
The black haired girl turned to the clock on her wall and narrowed her eyes. 6:45. Talk about being punctual. Breathing a sigh of disbelief, she changed out of her sweatpants and shirt into her outfit. Stepping closer to her mirror, she applied some lip-gloss before stepping back to observe herself entirely. After lifting and lowering her head in various positions several times she finally smiled at herself contentedly, grabbed her already packed bag and turned off her stereo. Taking one last look into her room, trying to remember whether or not she'd forgotten anything, she closed the door to her darkened room and ambled down the stairs into the TV room.
Rinoa observed how Squall impatiently flicked through each channel. She said nothing, but somehow he'd sensed her presence. "You know, with 150 channels you'd think there'd be something worthwhile to watch."
"Well keep going, you're only on channel 78," she smirked as he continued on his hunt.
Squall turned slightly, mirroring her expression. "Thanks for the encouragement. Got a preference?"
"Not really. Me and mom don't really watch all that much TV."
"Then what's the point in having cable?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Keeps kids busy during parties. Besides, mom really isn't too worried about where the money goes."
"Which would explain your life of luxury."
"More or less." She watched Squall smile slightly as if she'd just supported one of his thoughts about her. "That doesn't mean I'm a spoiled little princess, though," Rinoa added with a frown.
"Oh no, I wasn't thinking that at all," he replied sarcastically.
"Evidently," Rinoa stated before turning to see who'd rung the doorbell. When she opened the door and saw it was Jem, she stepped forward to kiss him. "You owe me."
"For?"
Rinoa threw him a look that said 'you know what I'm talking about.'
"Ah…Squall's here then?" he nodded knowingly.
"Yup."
Jem held a breath momentarily, releasing it when he'd convinced himself that everything would turn out fine. "Well let's go then." To which Rinoa acquiesced, calling for Squall to 'get up off his ass'.
Little did they know what lay ahead of them that night.
. . .
A/N-ok...the formatting was stuffy uppy on IE so I hope I've fixed it all up. ok...yeah, next chapter will probably have more meat to it but as I said, this is a prety simple story, not very 'deep' at all. So yeah, I hope you're all still enjoying this...i promise next chap will be better! Have a great day! Been busy all day with website updates and I almost forgot to update my fic! shock...so anyhoo, I know I've been promising individual replies for a while, but I honestly didn't have time this time. Besides, you get quick updates! what else could you want lol! so THANKS to everyone who has been R&Ring you rock my socks! . Thanks again!
3 e.t.