Disclaimer: ugh! look at last chapter and the one before that! nothing has changed...unfortunately
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Chapter 5: Hidden Affection and Family Connection
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"If tomorrow never comes
I would want just one thing
I would tell it to the stars and the sun
I would write it for the world to see
And it's you
The light changes when you're in the room"
- It's You (Michelle Branch)
. . .
Squall quietly sat in the back seat of Jem's car, observing the little scene occurring in front of him – Jem skilfully driving with one hand as his other held Rinoa's. Unexpectedly, he found himself feeling a pang of…jealousy.
Why does she hate me so much? I've never done anything to her, hell! I don't want her to hate me since I've…always liked her. Some people would say its stupid to carry on a silly boy crush for so long, but I can't help it. Worse now since Jem's her boyfriend…but are there are rules saying you can't like your best friend's girl in that way? Probably…this is complicated. This is shit!
Squall shook his head, banishing such shallow thoughts from his mind, as Jem turned into a street that was obviously their destination. The windows had begun thumping slightly a few minutes before, so Squall had no doubt when the thumping had gotten stronger that Irvine's house wasn't too far. The car stopped in front of a brightly lit house, people standing on the front yard, phones in their hands. Jem got out as soon as he turned off the car, while Rinoa flipped down the sunshield to use the mirror while she applied more lip-gloss. Squall was about to exit the vehicle but glanced back at her and said without thinking, "You look really good, Rin."
She appeared unmoved, she'd even smiled a bit until the car door had slammed, straightening out her thoughts. What the…? Did Squall just say that…? Frowning with a shake of the head, she got out of the car and walked over to Jem who locked the doors and put his arm around her waist and whispered into her ear, "You look stunning tonight."
"Thanks," she replied shyly with a smile.
"Did he invite the whole school or something?" Squall asked over the noise as they entered the fairly big house and observed the crowd before them.
Jem smirked. "Nah, just the whole grade."
"Which consists of?"
"247 people. Or something like that."
"Right," he replied with raised eyebrows. "Interesting crowd."
"Hey sweetie," Rinoa started as she eyed Quistis waving her over, "I'm gonna go see Quisty. Find me later?"
"Sure thing. I'll go introduce Squall to some people."
Yes! Good! Take him out of my hands! "Yeah alright. I'll see you later," she smiled at Jem one more time before letting goof his hand and making her way to a distracted Quistis.
"Who is that gorgeous guy you came with?" the blonde asked, still staring in the direction from which Rinoa had come.
"Hello to you too, Quisty," Rinoa replied with a raised eyebrow, glancing back at the two boys she'd come with. "Oh, you mean Jem?"
"Hi hun, funny. You know who I was talking about. So is that Squall?" she asked with a hint of a smile.
Rinoa feigned disinterest. "Yeah it is."
"Gosh, he's hot," she sighed almost dreamily, receiving another raised eyebrow from her bestfriend.
"Umm, aren't you with Seifer?"
"Not officially. Besides," Quistis continued, "Even if I was, it wouldn't mean that I can't look and not touch."
"Look? What is there to possibly look at?"
"Rinoa, do you honestly not see it? You're so caught up hating the six year old version of him you can't even see how hot he is! I'd be really surprised if he was still single by the end of tonight."
"I wouldn't," she murmured, glancing to the floor.
Quistis eyed her friend suspiciously. This is so childish! "Rin."
"What?"
"Rin!" she tried again to get eye contact. Let's hope she's easily annoyed tonight.
The black haired girl's head shot up. "What?!"
Oh good! "Look at him and tell me he isn't the least bit good looking."
Rinoa rolled her eyes as Quistis turned her in the direction to face Squall who was now talking to Irvine. She actually noticed him for the first minute they'd spoken at her house. He was wearing dark jeans and a white button up shirt – simple but effective. She dared to look at his eyes and saw them brightly lit, obviously by the conversation he was having with Irvine. Subconsciously, she bit her lip and cocked her head slightly as if something had taken over her.
I…can't believe I never noticed it before. Squall really is…something. What the hell…? I'm with Jem! I shouldn't be thinking like that about someone else, least of all his bestfriend. But his eyes…there's something about his eyes. And his smile…
Yum…
…Shit! Quistis is right! I have been deluding myself by picturing him in his state ten years ago. But now…
"Ugh! Fine, I guess you are a little bit right. He isn't unfortunate looking, I'll give him that much," she stated rather shakily, her eyes still trained on Squall.
"Ahem," Quistis coughed, shaking Rin out of her reverie.
"What?! I already admitted it ok."
The blonde smiled shrewdly. "I know you, Rin. You give him much more credit in that mind of yours."
"I DO NO-"
"And don't try to deny it," she cut in quickly, having anticipated her friend's course of action. "I saw you smile and tilt your head just then. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
"Whatever, listen can we go get a drink?"
Sure…change the subject why don't you. "Yeah, alright. Come on," she acquiesced as she went to lead Rinoa in the direction of the kitchen.
Rinoa followed suit, turning back to glance at Squall who'd caught her gaze. Almost as quickly, she turned back around, closing her eyes and biting her lip nervously.
What had just happened?
- - -
Squall frowned to himself before looking back at where Rinoa had disappeared into the crowd. For some reason I half expected her to glare at me…but she didn't. His last thought made him smile momentarily.
"Hey Squall," Jem interrupted his thoughts, "Where'd Irvine get to?"
He turned and accepted the drink his friend offered him. "Oh he saw some girl, her name was Selphie I think, yeah she just arrived I think."
"Selph? Yeah, that's his girlfriend. So…" Jeremy eyed his friend cautiously, "What's up?"
"What ya mean?" Squall asked, genuinely ignorant of his friend's intent.
"Your little smile. Did some chick catch your eye?"
You have no idea. "Nah I was just thinking," he replied, quickly changing the subject, "Hey, you know everyone in the grade, right?"
"Umm…" Jem took a sip of his drink. "Almost. Not really. I just know 'em by face."
"Okay, so you know Emily Vella?"
"Emily Vella? Yeah, she's a pretty quiet kinda chick. Wouldn't think she'd try to attract you, how d'you know her?"
Squall frowned as if considering what Jem had just said. "I guess she is quiet. She's my cousin."
"Your cousin?" Jem frowned at Squall scrutinisingly, observing his features and comparing them to Emily's. "Yeah I see it. You got the same eyes. Same age as well I guess."
"She's ten days older than me. You seen her around?"
"I did actually, she was in the kitchen – a lot of girls are actually. Weird if you ask me, but anyway, I'll show you," he said as he nudged his head in a direction, Squall following closely.
"Your parties always this loud?"
"Not always, but you'd be hard pressed to find a party too much quieter. If a party is 'quiet' then it's not a party, its 'just a few friends over', despite the number of people attending," Jeremy explained, trying his best to be heard, but also taking care not to be too loud.
Squall smirked. "I see you've been around."
"No, I had Rin. She was like my first 'friend' here."
"And first girlfriend," he put in with a smile. "What was wrong with all the girls in Esthar?"
"Nothing…they had a problem with me. Remember? Everyone thought I was a nerd."
"Yeah, I never did get that," Squall laughed as they entered the kitchen, receiving many glances from around the room. His laugh faded at the immediate attention. Crap…
Jem leaned in to comment, "Having fun?"
"I'm not so sure that I am," he swallowed nervously as the numerous girls around the room eyed him.
"Well you better get used to it," Jem rallied with a snicker, causing Squall to turn directly towards him, his back facing the staring female eyes.
"What the hell is that meant to mean?"
Jem gave him an unbelieving look. "Come on Squall. Look around you. These chicks won't leave you alone until you get yourself a girlfriend."
"Why?!" Squall panicked. I never asked for this! I hate attention from pawning tarts!
"Because you've got 'gorgeous blue eyes'." He sniggered as he remembered Quistis' enthusiasm.
"What the…?! Who the hell said that?" Who knows me long enough to even say that. Unless Rin said something…NO! she wouldn't say anything like that. Not about me anyway.
"Quistis."
"Who? Oh wait…blonde chick?"
"That's the one. She's right over there with Rin," Jeremy pointed past him, "But she's unofficially Seifer's girl."
"I'm not interested. I was just commenting. But Seifer, haven't seen that guy in ages."
"Umm," an uneasy voice sounded behind him. "Squall?"
He turned around at the small voice to face the slightly petite girl with mid-length hair the same colour as his own, and the same distinct, blue eyes that set him apart from any other guy. Even though her voice alone was enough to distinguish his older cousin's identity, seeing her in front of him rendered a smile.
"Hey Emily."
At her received confirmation in the flesh before her, she rushed forward and flung her arms around him, receiving many odd stares.
- - -
"What is Emily doing?" Rinoa frowned as she watched the shy girl throw her arms around her 'enemy'. "Who the hell dared her to do that?"
Quistis threw her an unbelieving look. "How dya know she was dared?"
"'Cause it's Emily – she never does that sort of thing, even if she does have something against me," she replied as she crossed her arms, eyes still fixed on the exchange occurring between Squall and Emily.
"Okay, so first she's not allowed to hit on any guys and now she has something against you. Aren't you going a bit too far now, Rin?" Quistis rallied, a little annoyed with her friend's behaviour.
"I'm not saying she can't hit on a guy, it's just unusual." Rinoa lifted an eyebrow as she saw Emily laugh and tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Very unusual."
"Well I think it's a great breakthrough. And just 'cause she doesn't flirt or hang around guys at school doesn't mean she's totally against interaction with them out side of school."
"I guess," Rinoa stated distractedly as she continued watching the two. For a fleeting moment, she frowned as she saw Emily glance at her nervously and continue talking to Squall.
They're probably talking about me right now – how they have so many similarities and how they just both happen to despise me. Oh those two are made for each other if that's the case. Oh its disgusting! How could she put herself in that position. Someone has definitely spiked her drink! Why do I even care? I mean, I try to always be nice, she's the one that always finds some excuse to not be within a metre's range of me. What the…?
Rinoa frowned and nudged at Quistis. Together they watched the two subjects of their staring exit the room, heading for the back yard.
- - -
"Oh my God, Squall! It really is you!" The brunette exclaimed as she stepped back from her hug with Squall. "What are you doing here?!"
"Dad had to move back. I thought I'd surprise you. Man, I haven't seen you in ages! You haven't changed a bit, I swear you still look like you're thirteen."
Emily's gaze faltered downward as she laughed at his comment, pushing the strands of hair that had fallen out of her face and behind her ear. "I'm not sure whether that's a good thing or a bad thing."
"Well I meant it with good intentions, but you girls are weird and always take compliments the wrong way," he continued childishly.
"We do not! Who brought you anyway?!"
"Jem, here," he answered as he motioned to his silent friend who smiled at his cousin. "And Rinoa."
"Rinoa?" she asked nervously as she glanced past Squall at Rinoa who was looking at them. "You came with her?"
"Yeah, why? What's up?"
"It's just that well…umm…" she started as her focus shifted from Squall to Jem as if to say 'I don't want him to hear'.
Squall caught on and offered they go outside where they could talk normally without the blaring music and voices. "I'll see you later, Jem. I haven't seen my cuz in ages. I really wanna catch up."
"Yeah sure, go ahead. See ya around Emily."
With that Emily lead the way out of the kitchen to the backyard area designated for cellphone users. Once they'd escaped the noise from within, they settled on sitting on the cold, cement stairs leading up into the ornate gazebo.
Crap! This guy is loaded! They all must be around this area… "So, what's the matter? I've never seen you this uncomfortable about anything."
Emily gulped nervously. "You said you came with Rinoa, right?"
"Yup."
"So are you two on…'good terms' or something?"
"Hardly 'good terms', Em," he replied with a laugh.
"Yeah well, I figured if she still hated Seifer that she'd hate you too."
"Gee, you're not just a pretty face," he nudged at her playfully. "To tell you the truth she does hate me and I have no idea why."
Emily swallowed once more before replying. "I do."
Squall frowned as his head quickly turned to face his cousin. "You do?"
"Yeah…" She could feel Squall's intent gaze on her, but she kept her's far away from his. "I know how much you used to like her. I don't know if you still do. But I'm so sorry.
"Sorry about what?" he tried once again to catch her gaze.
Finally she turned to him with a sigh and bit her lip. "It's all my fault."
. . .
A/N - wo0t! another update! I'm totally loving this! I never realised how long I'd initially intended this fic to be, but wow! I stumbled upon some notes I'd written about this fic's plot and everything and I had no idea how much I'd already planned out! Well that's a good thing I must say! Easier for me too . Anyhoozy! Please review! It means so much to me and I really love to see how you all are finding my fic, my writing style, and just anything in general. Even if it's just a line to say you read it...that would be great! And here they are! Finally! REVIEWER RESPONSES! See?! You even get something from me in return ....So here it goes starting from chapter 2/installment 3:
Noacat: I think you're one of the only people who feel sorry for Rinoa. Personally I think she's being a brat, but hey! She'll come around in the end ;) Thanks heaps for the review!
Angelprinczess29: AH! It's YOU! AH! I cna't believe you're actually still reading my fic! I cna't believe anyone still is! It mightn't have been the longest gap between updates, but still! I had my doubts...THANKYOU SO MUCH! It means so much that one of my favourite authors takes the time to R&R...as I've said many a time before...thanks again! . huggles
Black Demon567: I'm sorry for that huge gap, though its nothing compared to my freind who hadn't updated in a year and it was her last chapter to be posted or sumthing...I won't do anything that drastic! I hope shifty eyes...Thankyou so much for taking the time to R&R...YOU ROCK!
archangle3000: Thanks for the review! Who says it's gonna be rin to tell Squall? hint, hint hehehe. hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Dark Angels: I certianly hope this chapter didn't bore you out of your mind! thanks for reviewing! .
angel broken-sorrow: You wouldn't be hte only one who's angry at Rinoa. I acutally find myself telling her off mentally all the time! But then I remember! SQUINOA GOODNESS! And that sorta stuff shall come soon! in about 3 chapters hahaha I think, but don't hold me to that...I'm not sure yet. Anyhoozy, sorry about the wait once again and thankyou so much for tkaing the time to R&R.
Just a Friend: When i first read your review i was like...what the? 20, 22? But s'all good now hehehe. Glad to hear you're enjoying it and thanks for reviewing!
bakashinji01: this chapter was a little longer, yes? The party was gonnabe ust one chapter but then I figured it'd be uber long so i cut it in half...kinda. Anyhoo! Hope you like this chappy and won't forget to review hint, hint hehehe. SALAMAT!
Chapter 3:
Noacat: again! Squall...well what can I say?! he's so in love with Rinoa! And I hafta kill of Jem eventually, pity for me cos he's based on someone [special] I know ;) lol! thanks for the review! you're such a good reader that you get two, maybe even 3, responses! cheers to ya!
ayumi-hamasaki: o0o0o I really like Ayumi Hamasaki - just thought I'd put that in hehehe. Thanks for reviewing! .
Angelprinczess29: misundetstanding indeed! And all shall be revealed drum roll NEXT CHAPTER! I think -. thanks again! you rule my school! [trying something differenet from 'you rock my socks'...how'd this one work? lame, eh?]
Black Demon: Oh the tables will turn, trust me...Squall won't be so very poor anymore and Rin...well...she gets put in place . I can't wait for that moment!...I think, hehehe I'm not really certain of anything atm! I'm so lame...so thanks for revieiwng anyway!
Dark Angel: You're meant to all like Jem as much as I do shifty eyes not as much as Squall, but not hate him...but he will go eventually, it might take some time, but trust me...it will happen. Theen...SQUINOA! hahaha thanks again!
Rinoa Leonheartilly: Yes Jem will leave soon and Squall is poor [not literally, but you know what I mean]...all will turn out right in the end...I hope hahaha. thanks for the review!
angel broken-sorrow: How was the subtle Squinoa action in this chappy?! I loved it, but that's just me hehehe. Yeah chapter 4 was mroe or less to introduce Jem and distinguish the fact that he and Squall were good friends, and also to hint Squall's feelings. But yeah! thanks for reviewing all the same! .
School IS Evil: Goodness I like your alias hahaha! thankyou so much for R&Ring! Means a great deal to me .
DBH: Well I personally like Jem, he's a really nice guy...really! And all will be revealed soon, trust me, I deal with all of your questions...I think. I don't sound very convincing to I? hahaha thanks for reviewing all the same!
Sickness in Salvation: If you're look for Squall/Seifer interaction you should check out my other fic 'Moonlight Sonata' - it's the comic relief of the fic, not to adverstise or anything =S...oh and theres always a hint of Seiftis in all my fics hehehe. THANKS FOR REVIEWING! I'm so glad you're enjoying it!
zornoid13: thankyou so much for reviewing! .
Chapter 4:
bakashinji01: My next fic 'Once in a Lifetime' will come out when I finish this one. I don't want to have to be writing two fics at once...I've tried it before and I just get confused hahaha. Thanks for your interest though and for revieiwng!
Noacat: Rinoa portrayed?! hahaha, I'm ashamed to say a lot of my personality is coming through Rin's character. I hope you liked this chapter! Thankyou so much for your continual support!
Dark Angels: How's the party turning out for you? More 'interesting' stuff should happen next chapter I hope, if I remember hahaha. thanks for your interest!
Sickness in Salvation: called the 'cliffy effect', m'dear. Hahaha...thanks for the review!
Black Demon567: Sure I'm updating quick now, just wait until i get back to school in three weeks! No such luck unfortunately, as much as I would love to! I'm in my second last year of highschool [Aussie school system different for your's obviously :) ] and it's hell! thanks for reviewing and making me feel all gooded inside! .
Knighted: I updated as fast as I could! Thanks for reviewing for all chapters!! I really appreciate it! I hope you enjoyed this chappy! .
zornoid: How was this update? Will it suffice until next update? I hope so =S...thanks again!
angel-brokensorrow: Well nothing that drastic happens, I don't think...but it can always be arranged ;) hahaha...thanks for your continual interest and support! your reviews means so much more than you may think! you rock!
Buttered Angie: Last but not least...aha! Miss Angeling herself! so...shall you have a little cameo in this fic as well? If you want one, I'm sure you can have a part arranged by yours truly. hahaha...AH! when you gonna upadte again huh?! I can't wait! and i'll try not to badger you and everything - just wait patiently [cough] hahaha. anyhoozy...thanks for reviewing! unexpected, but welcome all the same . ttyl! huggles
And that just about wraps it up! phew geez that took a while hahaha! anyhoo...please don't forget to review! I luv you all! .
3 e.t.