Disclaimer: Standard things apply... I don't own crap... just the story line... and all that jazz.

Author's Note: So I'm just plain horrible when it comes to writing. I have this great idea and storyline in my head... but I can't write without getting inspired or getting in the mood or whatever. And basically everything that's filled up my mind for the past... oh... 2 or 3 months has been school. Unfortunately. Don't mess with perfectionists like me, we spend hours on small projects that don't even matter and freak out over an A-. Hah... ;; So yeah... but it's summer vacation now. I have more free time, so hopefully I'll get into the mood or something for writing. I apologize for updating late for anyone who cares/reads the story. ) I also apologize for how slow this story is moving along... not only am I horrible at updating, but the plot isn't thickening much. It will though, I promise!

Rainy Days - Chapter 7 - A Murder Mystery Adventure (But Without the Murder)

"Wait... hold on - WHAT?" Selphie slammed her hand down on the table, shaking it hard and almost tipping over Quistis's tea.

"Rinoa, that doesn't seem... I don't know... realistic at all," Quistis added in, grabbing her cup and stirring it while eying Selphie. "A stalker? It's not like we're famous or something..."

"I know..." I sighed and laid my head on the table. "But I swear that's what it sounded like!"

The three of us suddenly became silent for a while, deep in thought. It was just the three of us, the three females that always grouped together. I called them both up this morning, and told them to meet up with me after all of our classes. It was personal though, I added, and asked them not to bring along Seifer or Irvine with them. Selphie was excited at first, for Irvine had filled her in already on the surprise that Squall had set up for me. However, after getting to the cafe and hearing my story, she was no longer full of excitement.

That morning before I had called them I finally checked my messages. I was perfectly happy until the last message played. There wasn't really anything important said in the message - or really, anything said at all. That's what spooked me. The entire message was just breathing, with an occasional mumble. The mumbles were always scary... things like "I see you princess..." or "I'll get you princess..." It played for a full minute before it ended - and when it did end, they finally spoke.

"Hey man! What're you doing? You're taking forever - gimme back my phone!"

"Shit! ... what the hell!"

And the caller hung up. One of the men was the blonde guy that I just went a blind date with a few weeks ago. That much I knew... but didn't tell Selphie and Quistis yet. It wasn't very smart, but that probably would've freaked them out more - so I just told them I had a stalker who left me a message. Which was almost true in a way... Zell was the one who was set up with me on my blind date. He was also there at my apartment, as I walked Squall out. He was so upset then... there was also that night...with Squall. The bush moving... but then again. Maybe not. But it still didn't make any sense... and Zell. ...what was he doing in that message then? My mind finally clicked on something and I straightened up.

"I think..." I breathed out. And then sighed and rubbed my eyes. "I don't know..."

"What? You think... what?" Quistis asked, her wise eyes questioning me. "Rin... we aren't getting anywhere. If someone has any ideas about the creepy caller - Hyne, just let it out! We've been sitting here thinking for half an hour! I don't even know what we're thinking about! I told Seifer I'd meet him at the book store in 20 minutes - are we done yet or what?"

"Gee... you're extra supportive, aren't you Quistis?" Selphie sarcastically shot back. "Rinny needs our help! So let's help her! All you think about is books... think of it as we're in a big murder mystery! But without the murder... I think." She stuck out her tongue to prove a point - or maybe because it was the Selphie-like thing to do at the time.

Quistis just stared at her for a second though and blinked hard. Then she turned back to me. "Alright then - what did you think?"

"Well..." I told them about the entire call, fidgeting a bit in my seat, twisting my a napkin and my hair, and moving the cup around on the table. I added every thought I had, and filled them in on what happened both the night of the blind date, and last night with Squall. "... I honestly can't figure how to tie this all together. But I honestly think that Zell's involved in this completely, if not at least mostly. If it is anyone else, I can't figure out who it is then, and why. But then again..."

Quistis held up her hand to stop me from rambling any longer. "I think I get it now..."

Selphie nodded. They locked eyes and seemed to talk through them before turning back to me.

"You said he threw a jealous rage when he saw Squall, right?" Selphie started.

"Sure..." I didn't quite call it a jealous rage, but... I guess you could call it that.

"And he made a move on you a few nights before that, right?" Quistis continued.

"Yes..." I said slowly. Okay... this all clicked for me already.

"Does that seem stalker-ish to you at all Rin?"

"Yah huh! Stalker alert!" They were both leaned into the table now, towards me.

"Well yeah! Obviously!" I threw my hands up. "I already figured that out! But..." they leaned even closer to me. "That guy on the phone... it wasn't Zell."

"What!" Selphie fell over off her chair.

Quistis sat up and glared at me like I was a lunatic. She looked around at the store, smiling sheepishly at all the people who turned their attention towards us when Selphie fell. She lowered her voice and sternly said, "But you just said one of the guys on the phone--"

"Yeah, one of them!" I said, cutting her off. I lowered my voice as well, and Selphie finally got back up on her chair. We all leaned into the table so that we could talk quietly, and all the people would divert their attention back to whatever they were doing. "The guy on the phone... the creepy guy... I don't know who he was. All I know is that he scares the hell out of me. Zell was the guy who asked for his cell phone back." They began to relax a bit, getting back their thoughtful looks that we had at the beginning our 'session.' I leaned back and let them think.

"What does that mean then?" Quistis asked. "How is Zell involved in this then, if he isn't the stalker?"

"That's just it. I don't know."

We dropped Quistis off at the book store and went separate directions after that, continuing to think on our own. A whole week passed, and none of us came up with anything. I never got a call like that ever again though, and it began to think it was all a joke one of Zell's friends pulled by stealing his cell phone. When I consulted Quistis, she seemed to agree and we let it go.

Things seemed to be back to normal. And with Squall around, we seemed to have a lot more fun - just like the good times we had in high school.

A couple more weeks went by, and nothing else seemed to happen. The six of us showed up at the cafe on a bi-weekly basis together in the afternoon when our classes all ended. Strangely enough, they all ended within ten minutes of each other so we always showed up around the same time; and if not, then we showed up within the half hour.

On one of the those afternoon gathering of ours, the normalcy pattern seemed to shift a bit.

I walked to our table and dropped my book bag in a chair next to Selphie, letting out a heavy breath. "I swear that bag gets heavier every day..."

"You say that every week," she laughed. "And your bag hasn't ripped yet. I think you're just imagining it."

Irvine came up behind me and set down a large platter of our usual order. His arm snuck around my waist and turned me around.

"Here you are darling..." he set down the platter just in front of Selphie. "I need to borrow Rin for a second, I'll bring her back in one piece - I promise!"

Selphie laughed and waved her hand, saying a quick, "Thanks Irvy!" and went back to her book of calculus and physics. While Irvine dragged me out the door, I snapped my head back to our table. Calculus? Selphie? No way!

He got me out of the door somehow and snapped his fingers in front of my eyes a couple times to get my attention. I looked back at him surprisingly and cut him off before he could speak.

"Since when does Selphie know math?" I blurted out. I winced inwardly. That was a stupid way of putting it...

Irvine laughed. "It's not hers. I think it's Quistis's. Not sure though... she borrowed it to for her project or something... to weigh down her book of flat dried flowers I think? Something arts and crafts-y. You know how much she hates math."

I nodded. He shrugged and leaned against the wall. "That's not why I brought you out here though."

"I know..." I casually looked up at him. "You know... you're a great guy and all Irvine, but you belong to Selphie. I love ya honey, but it just ain't gonna work out."

We both burst out laughing and bent over trying to calm ourselves. "That's not it either Rin... although it sounds quite tempting."

I bit my lip and punched his arm playfully. "Then tell me what it is." I crossed my arms and waited patiently for him to speak.

It took him a little time to calm down, and a bit more to think about what to say. "I ran into Zell," he finally said. I raised my eyebrows.

"Really? What'd he say?" Selphie and I filled him in about the Zell incident long ago, a few days after we dismissed the thought of him being a stalker. I hadn't talked to him since though really...

Irvine shrugged. "He did ask about you if that's what you're wondering. He told me to tell you sorry - and that he'd like to talk to you again. But just as friends. He also added in that you don't have to worry about him making a move on you. He's got a new girl now - some brunette who's really shy. Never met her though."

"That's it?"

"In a nutshell, yeah," he stood up straight, no longer leaning on the wall anymore. "Our conversation wasn't entirely about you, you know. Just thought I'd fill you in though..."

I smiled and followed him back into the cafe. "Yeah... thanks anyway." Even though it wasn't really all that important...

An arm snuck up behind me again, and pulled me back out. I huffed and turned around. "Squall!"

He smiled shyly and scrunched up his nose. "What? I wanted to tell you some good news."

I pressed my lips together to pout, as if saying 'I don't appreciate being grabbed' and scrunched my nose as he began laughing at me. I stuck out my tongue for an after effect too, but he didn't seem too fazed by it. He just kept a smile on his face. He didn't even say anything, he just stood there smiling at me.

"What?" I asked shyly, suddenly becoming self-conscious. I stepped away from him and stuffed my hands into my jean pockets. I smiled back and tried to break the weird mood that suddenly overcame us. "What was the good news you wanted to tell me?"

That seemed to snap him out of it. He nodded, but kept smiling. "Right. You passed," he said brightly.

"Huh?" The shy look I had earlier disappeared and a confused one replaced it. "Passed what?"

"Astronomy project. Finally got our grades back. Nice work," He smiled and walked past me, grabbing my shoulders and leading me back with him. My mouth was in a lovely 'o' shape as it dawned on my what he was talking about. But I think I was hoping that it was something else...

When we got back the platter was already taken away and everyone sat in their usual spots. Our drinks were even set to the spots Squall and I usually sat. I giggled to myself. Trust Selphie to do that... Selphie was leaning against Irvine, who was stroking her hair. Quistis and Seifer sat opposite of each other, not looking like a couple in any way - Quistis was absorbed in her book or planner, and Seifer was just sitting and looking completely bored. Two seats were left right next to each other. Mine and Squall's usual spots, as always...

"Ah! Finally!" Selphie jumped up and folded one of her legs under her. "Sit, sit! We have something to tell you!"

I chuckled and sat down quickly, Squall following my suit. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Seifer roll his eyes and mumble something, then wince when Quistis kicked him under the table from next to me. She eyed him threateningly. It shut him right up. Squall and I both took a sip out of our drinks as she began talking.

"It's going to be so much fun!" she said excitedly, clapping her hands. "Quistis and Seifer are inviting us to their beach house for the week!"

"What do you mean our beach house?" Seifer butted in. "My beach house. It was supposed to be only Quistis and me--"

"But it's alright. It'll be fun. All of you guys are invited," Quistis finished. She glared at him along the tops of her glasses. "Right?"

He glared back and sulked, but didn't say anything else.

Typical Seifer... I thought. It's a wonder that Quistis can control him so well...

"We're meeting up at Quistis's place Sunday morning. Do you want to come along? You too Squall! We'll all cram into a van or something and drive down there," Selphie added. "We'll stay the entire week!"

I nodded. "Sounds awesome! I'll definitely be there," I said, taking another sip out of my glass. "What about you, Squall?"

"Sure, why not?" he shrugged. "Don't think I have anything else to do during the break."

Selphie and I smiled widely upon his reply and she even hopped a bit in her seat. She hugged Irvine and mumbled to him, "It's going to be so much fun!" and continued laughing.

I turned back to both Selphie and Quistis smiling. "So what should I pack?"

"I think that's the last of it," Squall huffed, closing the trunk of the van. "You do know that we're just staying there for a week, right? You packed like we were moving or something..."

I smiled sarcastically and stuck out my tongue. "Funny..."

I turned around as everyone else joined us and we planned the seating in the van. Behind me I could hear him following me and mumbling, "Well I thought so..."

I chuckled one last time punched his arm laughing. We climbed into the van after a short tickling match. Irvine got into the drivers seat with Seifer next to him, acting as a navigator. Selphie and Quistis sat just behind them, and Squall and I sat in the very back.

"I still think I should be the one driving..." Seifer mumbled.

"Yeah, stuff it..." Quistis retorted from the seat behind him, adjusting her hair. "We both know you'd get us all killed."

Irvine rolled his eyes and pulled out of the driveway while they began their argument. It lasted a good 10 minutes into the drive there. Behind them, Squall and I continued our tickling match from outside, now seeing how often we could poke each other between laughs. Although clearly I was winning.