Different From Me

Selphie's been wearing the mask for so long to please so many people, but when she finally removes the mask… Will anyone be pleased with her anymore?

Chapter One: Sick of Sunshine

Selphie forced a big goofy grin to her face as she pressed her hands to her scraped knees. The cafeteria burst into laughter as the young woman tried to climb to her feet but slipped again in the spilt tea. She bit her lip to stave away the tears. Her skirt was ripped and wet, her shirt stained with the brown liquid, her hair a mess. She was falling to pieces in front of them and all they could do was laugh.

Carefully she picked herself up and added the final touch to the matter: a not so graceful bow from Selphie Timlett. This time a hand reached out to her and she sighed in relief as she took the gauntlet-covered hand of Zell Dincht. A real smile brightened her face this time. "Thank you." She whispered as he handed her a towel and a comb. He grinned and scratched the back of his head.

"You looked like you could use a little help." He said, squatting down to pick up her tray and the remains of her food and tea. The cafeteria behind them returned to their food and conversations as they realized that the little 'show' was over.

Selphie growled. "Yeah, too bad Irvine's too busy to help me out…" She spat his name out like it was some vile thing buried in her food. Zell followed her gaze to Irvine who had not noticed the whole incident. The usual crowd of adorers surrounded him. Quistis Trepe was not the only one with a fan club.

Zell shook his head. "I'm Irvine's friend and all but… Why do you let him hurt you, Seffie?" Selphie looked at Zell sadly. She took the tray from him.

"He's the only one who wants the real me, Zell." She turned away from him and dumped her trash and returned the towel to the lunch lady who claimed that Zell was a noble young man, much like her own son. It was a half-hour later that Selphie managed to get the lunch lady off topic so she could leave.

After leaving the cafeteria, she went to her dorm room and collapsed on her bed, still in tea stained and ripped clothes, to cry.