Hatred to Love
A/N: Hey there again! Luckily for me, I took a little break, so I decided to write out another chapter, because I haven't updated for a while and also because I know all of you want to see what happens between Rinoa and Squall. This chapter takes place two months after the last chapter. Please read and review! There's a heap of drama in this one! If you don't like it, I'm sorry. It'll fit in with the rest of the story, I can promise you that. Remember, I just invent the drama! Ok, onto the fifth chappie! This is officially the longest chapter I've ever written!
Chapter 5 – Not Yet a Happy Ending
It's been two months since Squall and Rinoa realised that their hatred for each other was something else. It was actually love. Almost everyone was happy for them. Almost everyone. Except for Mandy, who finally decided that the only way to win Squall back was to get rid of Rinoa Heartilly once and for all.
It had been a bit of a shock to Selphie, Irvine, Zell and Quistis, but they decided that if Rinoa and Squall were happy, then they would be too.
"Leanna, what am I meant to do? Squall's dating Rinoa now!" Mandy wailed into her phone.
Leanna had to hold her phone far away from her ear, because when Mandy wails, screams or cries, they all sound like an unfortunate duck about to die.
"Mandy, can't you be happy for them? I mean, it was your fault that Squall broke up with you in the first place. If you hadn't cheated on him with Paul, then you'd probably still be together, so move on sweetie, or get a new boyfriend, please Mandy, leave them both alone" Leanna said softly into the phone.
Mandy snorted into the phone. "Some friend you are Leanna, I thought you'd actually help me in my moment of grief," She said angrily and hung up.
Oh well, sometimes, you have to be a bad friend in order to be a good friend…Leanna thought.
The next day…
Rinoa woke up pretty early today for once. Ever since Squall became her boyfriend, she had stopped feeling lonely. Sure her mother was still on her promotional tour and wouldn't be back for around a month and her father was busy working and spending time with Amber, but she didn't really care anymore. She had Squall now and the greatest friends in the world and that's all that really mattered to her right now.
She buttoned up her blouse and put on her skirt and also pulled on her short white socks.
She wanted to be early because a new café had just opened near Balamb High and Zell wanted to test out the food there so he invited Squall, Rinoa, Selphie, Irvine and Quistis to have breakfast with him and he promised that he'd pay for it all if the food didn't satisfy them.
Rinoa ran to her bathroom and grabbed a hairbrush. Her hair was really messy, but after she gently brushed it, her raven hair fell back into place.
After that she ran down the stairs, put on her shoes and ran out the door.
Wow, if Squall and I weren't partners for science, everything wouldn't have fallen into place like it is now…I feel like my life is complete, even if I hardly ever see my parents that much anymore…
Today was actually April the First, April Fools Day. While Rinoa was walking on her own to the café she wondered if anyone would prank her today.
As she reached the café, she could hear Selphie and Irvine arguing.
"That was so not funny Irvine!" Selphie yelled throwing spoons and forks at Irvine.
Irvine tried his best to dodge them all, but once in a while, he was hit by some pieces of cutlery.
"Selphie, it's April Fools Day, it was a joke, come on Seffie," Irvine pleaded while trying to place his arm around her shoulders.
Selphie quickly whacked his arm away. "So you think that telling me you had the hots for Erika was funny! Irvine Kinneas, you're gonna wish that you've never met me or dated me!" Selphie yelled.
Almost all of the people that were eating in the café that morning were staring at them with funny expressions on their faces.
"Hey everyone, what's going on?" Rinoa asked as she was sitting down next to Squall.
Quistis rolled her eyes. "Irvine thought it would be funny to tell Selphie that he preferred Erika the loud-mouth to her, our bubbly energetic girl,"
"Yeah and now they're both having a lovers' quarrel," Zell added.
"Rinoa, I hope you didn't mind that I already ordered for you," Squall said softly.
Rinoa looked at Squall with and angelic smile on her pretty face. People at school often told her that she was the only girl besides Mandy who could actually melt the ice in Squall's heart. She wasn't about to pull a Mandy and cheat on Squall after she opened up his heart.
Rinoa knew that Squall loved her, but he was the type of guy who didn't show his feelings. He kept it all on the inside instead of showing it on the outside. That's what she liked most about him. She'd prefer a guy who didn't show his feelings over a guy who was love-crazy. But every now and then, she wished that Squall would tell her how he really felt about her.
"Awwww…here's one perfect example of a couple who will never have a lover's quarrel: Rinoa and Squall," Quistis said with a small smile forming on her pretty face.
"Seffie and Irvy, from now on, they'll be your role models," Zell said jokingly.
"No way! We'll be role models for them," Selphie replied hastily.
All of them laughed except for Squall who smiled one of his 'rare' smiles.
Then a waitress came out with their breakfast and carefully placed them in front of them.
It only took them five whole minutes to eat all of it.
"So, what do you think of the food? Good or bad?" Zell asked playfully.
At first, no one spoke. They didn't want to be wrong about thinking the food was bad and admitting they were wrong to Zell, so Quistis forked out 150 gil, hoping that it would be enough for all their meals and of course to keep Zell quiet.
"We are so lucky! There's only another 5 days of school left and then there's the holidays! So what are we doing in the holidays? Movies? Sleeping in? Eating hotdogs?" Zell said excitedly.
"Studying for final exams," All of them said in unison.
Zell flinched. He was a good student, really he was. But sometimes, he never really showed it.
"Come on guys! The finals aren't on until August! That's like four months away! Can't we have some fun in our lives? Please?" Zell pleaded.
Zell was still pleading when he realised that everyone on his table was laughing at him. He tried to look serious, but then started laughing as well.
"Crap, school starts in ten minutes; we have to leave now if we want to make it in time for homeroom and listen to sir drone on," Irvine said tucking his chair in.
All of them got up and left the café. Then they made their way to Balamb High. But for some reason, Squall and Rinoa were walking a bit slower than Selphie, Irvine, Quistis and Zell.
"Squall, how come you were so quiet when we were at the café?" Rinoa asked softly so the others wouldn't hear.
Squall blinked as he looked down at his girlfriend's face. "But Rinoa, I wasn't that quiet, I talked to you,"
Rinoa laughed. She loved to annoy her Squall. There was so much more to him then meets the eye. She shouldn't have judged him because of the people she thought he associated with; the popular sluts and guys. Just because one hangs around the popular sluts and so-in-love with themselves guys, does not mean one will act like one.
Then she slipped her hand into his. "That's what makes you my Squally," Rinoa said softly so only he could hear.
"I know Rinoa, I know," Squall said.
Squall, who was not a big fan of public affection didn't try to slip his hand away from hers. But for some reason unknown, he liked Rinoa's comfort. She was the one who truly tried to understand him. The past two months had been the most pleasant of his life. Rinoa had come into his life, lightened it up and stayed in his life. He hoped that she wouldn't leave his life, the same way Mandy did. Their love for each other was just like two years ago…except more.
Why am I even thinking about Mandy? I have Rinoa now and that's all that really matters to me. I'll never ever cheat on Rinoa. If I ever did, I'd be shattering her world as well as mine. I'll never forgive myself if I do.
They might have fallen for each other in a short amount of time, but if you know deep down in your heart that they're the 'one' then you wouldn't really care if it took you a couple of weeks to figure out your true feelings and emotions to fall in love.
"Squall, Rin! If you stay like that any longer then it'll practically be the weekend!" Zell called out.
Rinoa giggled while Squall grunted.
Then they both quickly ran to the school with a few minutes to spare. First period was homeroom for them and the others.
"I'm going to ignore that Selphie Tilmitt," Quistis said shaking her head.
"Come on Quisty! I have Irvine, Zell almost has that library girl, what's her name again? Oh yeah, Kate. Squall has Rinoa and you have no one," Selphie counted off.
Quistis scowled. "Hasn't a little spark in that little pea sized brain of yours ever thought that I'm perfectly fine without a boyfriend in my life? Or are you just way too happy to realise that?"
Zell and Irvine grinned at each other. It was obvious that Quistis had won today's round of 'Quistis versus Selphie'.
"I am NOT always happy! Are you planning on becoming a priest or a nun? Or are you perfectly fine staying a virgin for all your entire lonely miserable life?" Selphie shot back.
"Hey Quistis, are you sure you plan on staying a virgin for the rest of your life? I'm available tonight if ya want me sweetie," A guy called out.
"Shut up Paul! Don't you have Mandy to get it on with?" Quistis snapped back.
Selphie sunk into her chair and sighed in defeat. Against Quistis, she'd probably never be able to win in their arguments.
Irvine leaned over and tenderly kissed her cheek. "It's ok Seffie; you're always a winner in my eyes,"
She smiled a little while he kissed her, but then she swiftly slapped his face away.
"Ouch! What was that for Seffie?" Irvine complained while rubbing his cheek which was now bright red.
Selphie pointed a finger at him. "Don't you think that I'm going to fall for your tricks that easily cowboy! Just because I go weak when you kiss me doesn't mean that I've forgotten about our little argument today…"
Zell chuckled. "Busted Kinneas,"
Irvine glared at Zell.
"What are you glaring at me for? I'm not the one who told my girlfriend that I preferred a big-mouthed chick," Zell started.
Irvine rolled his eyes. "It was a joke Zell, today's April Fools' Day. You know the tradition; you prank someone and then say 'Haha! April Fools'!' Don't you know that?"
Zell sighed. "Well, it was your fault anyway. And I don't want to listen or watch another round of "Quistis versus Selphie" or "Selphie killing Irvine," ok?"
"How's it my fault?" Irvine asked.
"Who was the one that told her that I preferred Erica to her? Who was the one that just had to prank his girlfriend on April Fools' Day? Let me think…you Kinneas," Zell said.
The pair of them argued for a while until Squall and Rinoa walked in.
"How is it that every time we walk in, someone's arguing?" Rinoa asked playfully.
"If it isn't the couple that wants to make me vomit," Mandy whispered to her clique. Leanna however rolled her eyes. She was a loyal friend to Mandy, but nowadays, Mandy was getting nastier and nastier which really bothered Leanna.
Mandy walked over to where Zell, Selphie, Rinoa, Squall, Irvine and Quistis were sitting and casually chatting and teasing each other.
"Hi gang! How are you all?" Mandy said in a fake sweet voice that made people want to gag.
"Hi gang?" Selphie said choking on her words.
Mandy gave her the evil eye and casually pulled up a chair and sat down near Squall. "Bite me Selphie," She sneered.
"I've been doing some thinking sweetie. Don't all celebrities give their exes a second chance? What about you give me one Squally?" Mandy said and gently slipped her hand into his.
Everyone in the classroom looked at them. Mandy what the hell are you thinking?
Squall quickly took his hand out of hers. "Mandy, for the last time, leave us all alone! And get lost! I have a girlfriend now. Why would you compare us to celebrities?"
Mandy looked alarmed. "Squally…Please? One more chance honey? Maybe you'll realise that we were meant to be and not you and ugh Rinoa. If you just use that brain underneath that gorgeous mop of brown hair of yours, you just might realise that you and Rinoa won't last that long anyway. We on the other hand lasted for very a long time," Mandy said softly while entwining Squall's fingers with hers.
"That was before you figured that two boyfriends were better than one Mandy," Irvine interrupted.
Squall looked at her coldly. "How many chances have I given you? Now for the frickin' last time, get a life! And if you already have one, then get a better one that includes a guy that will dearly wait on you. But that guy better not be me!"
Mandy snorted and got out of her chair. She looked at them all sneeringly and said "Fine then! I tried to give you a chance Squall! Don't expect any more from me!"
Squall just stared at her coldly through his ice blue eyes.
Then looking over to Rinoa she spat "Rinoa, I hope that you enjoy your trip to Deling this afternoon! And expect a new school as well!"
"What was that all about?" Irvine asked when Mandy walked sadly and furiously back to her seat.
"A new school and a trip to Deling? Wow Rin," Zell exclaimed.
"I'm sure that she was just bluffing and trying real hard to freak me out," Rinoa said with a sly smile.
"Rinoa, you never know. Expect the unexpected," Quistis said with a look of concern on her face.
"How would she know anyways? It's not like she's very smart or anything, I remember last year in a class math test, she got like 35 or something, the lowest in the whole class!" Selphie said giggling.
Then Rinoa and Selphie both burst into a fit of giggles.
"Selphie," Quistis scowled.
"What now? Well, it's true she did get 35! Mr. Smith read out everyone's test results and he said if we got a low mark, we should be very ashamed so that we'll study harder for the next surprise test he'll give us," Selphie said, the laughter still in her eyes.
"Selphie, what I mean is just because she's mean to us, doesn't mean we have to gossip about her. That goes for you too Rinoa, you never know what she can do to you behind your back," Quistis said with a worried look.
"Oh Quisty, stop worrying, all this stress and pressure might lead to wrinkles," Zell said winking to Irvine.
"Yeah Quisty, you know what that means don't ya? You might not ever get a boyfriend or a husband!" Irvine said and he and Zell both cracked up.
Quistis sighed remembering today's little argument.
This was going to be one entirely long day…
The bell finally rung and all the students were finally let out of the classroom by their English teacher. One more week until the holidays!
Squall and everyone else (English was the only class that everyone in their group was in) quickly walked outside before Mandy had a chance to continue her whining and begging, just in a pathetic attempt to win Squall back.
"Are you two going to come over to my place and stay for the night?" Irvine asked. "My parents have left for some business trip, so yeah. All they said was 'No wild parties Irvy and please look after yourself',"
"Nope, Squall's going to help me baby-sit for a neighbour today. I promised that I'd baby-sit ages ago, so I can't really cancel on her," Rinoa explained while Squall was standing nearby trying not to blush.
"Bye! See you two lovers on Monday!" Selphie yelled at the top of her lungs while the others waved at them.
"Rinoa, why'd you tell them that we were baby-sitting when we really aren't?" Squall asked after the others left.
Rinoa pouted. "Don't you want to spend some time with me?"
Squall sighed. "I do, but Rinny, you don't have to lie to our friends,"
Rinoa laughed softly while she and Squall were walking back to her house.
We've spent some intimate moments together, but why won't he tell me that he loves me?
When they finally reached her house, she opened the door and walked into the kitchen with Squall.
"What do you want to eat Squall?" Rinoa asked while opening the fridge and looking inside.
"I'm not hungry,"
"Fine then Squally," Rinoa replied and took an apple to eat.
"Rinoa, I think you have a message on your answering machine," Squall said.
Still munching on her apple, Rinoa walked over to where Squall was standing.
She clicked on the 'Play' button of the machine.
"Hello Rinoa, it's your father here. I'm sorry that I haven't been keeping in contact with you."
Rinoa choked on her apple. Father?
"As you see my dear, I've had very important issues to work out and I was very busy with work, but now that your mother's on her tour and I've completed all my work, what about you come over this afternoon and we can spend some time together and get to know each other a bit more. I have missed you my little angel,"
Squall raised his eyebrows. He knew Richard Caraway better than that. It was obvious that Richard wanted something from Rinoa. But what was it?
Liar. You probably only miss me because Amber's dumped you already. I know you way better than that.
"So please come visit me today, we have some very important issues to discuss, goodbye for now my dearest daughter, you were always my favourite,"
I am your only daughter. Rinoa thought bitterly.
"Rinoa are you okay?" Squall asked his girlfriend.
Rinoa ran into his arms. "Oh Squall, what do I do? He wants to see me now! I thought Mother and I did a good job of keeping him from contacting us,"
Squall pulled her closer to him and stroked her hair. "It's ok Rinny, its ok to be afraid,"
Rinoa loved how he embraced her. It made her feel loved and protected.
"But I might as well see him, if that's what the old man wants," Rinoa muttered.
"Can we go by your limo Squall?" Rinoa asked and looked up into his eyes.
Squall sighed. "Fine,"
"Thanks Squall," Rinoa said happily and kissed his cheek.
At Caraway's Mansion…
"Squall, do you want to go in first?" Rinoa asked when they arrived in front of her father's mansion.
"Rinoa, he's your father and not mine. I should be the one that's afraid because isn't it a father's job to hate his daughter's boyfriend?" Squall said with a small smile on his face.
Rinoa smiled back at him weakly.
Squall sighed. "Rinoa, we'll both go in together, but I'll talk to him first while you wait outside of the room, ok?"
Rinoa nodded.
They entered the mansion and walked inside. But several security guards stopped them.
"Name?"
"Squall Leonhart and Rinoa Heartilly, here for an important meeting with General Caraway," Squall said with a smirk on his face.
They opened the big doors for Squall and Rinoa to proceed inside.
"I haven't been here in ages! But I still remember where all the rooms are," Rinoa said blissfully while holding onto Squall's arm.
Squall smiled at Rinoa's happiness. I wonder if she remembers…
"Look, there's the ballroom!" Rinoa said pointing to a large room that could've been suitable for parties and dancing.
Flashback
"Squall, you know that I'll always be with you forever," Rinoa said with a happy sigh while leaning on Squall's chest.
"I know Rinoa, I know. Anyway, it's your thirteenth birthday party, you should be dancing with other guys instead of just me," Squall said.
Rinoa looked around. Most of them were snobby rich people and their children from her father's country club. She wasn't allowed to invite any of her friends at all. The only person she knew besides her parents was Squall.
"I don't care for them at all Squall, I want to be with you, always," Rinoa said with a warm smile on her face.
"Is that a promise Princess?" Squall said teasingly.
Rinoa led him outside the ballroom away from all the people. "Yes, my knight," She said when they were alone outside. And she kissed him on the lips and he pulled her closer to him. One birthday party to remember always…
End Flashback.
"We're here Squall," Rinoa whispered when they were outside of her father's office.
Squall simply nodded.
He walked inside by himself. Richard was still on the phone.
When he was finished with the call, he looked up at Squall. "You again?"
"Yeah," Squall said.
"What are you doing here in my mansion?" Richard asked.
"I'm here with Rinoa," Squall replied.
"Leave her alone! She's already been hurt by you once and she's not going to be hurt by you again,"
"The first time was an accident Richard! I didn't intend for her to get hurt!" Squall said, the anger in his voice rising.
"Really Squall? Then how come for the first couple of months, she didn't remember anyone? She didn't recognise anyone, until she finally remembered everything, except for the accident and of course her memories of the times you both spent together," Richard said with an evil smile on his face.
"Don't remind me!" Squall said loudly almost yelling.
"Let me see Rinoa," Richard said calmly.
"What?" Squall asked.
"Let me see Rinoa, but you must wait outside for her," Richard said even more calmly.
Squall grunted and then left the room.
"How'd it go?" Rinoa asked.
"It went fine Rinoa, but he wants to see you now," Squall said not meeting Rinoa's eyes.
"Yeah," Rinoa said sadly and walked into her father's office.
"Hello Father," Rinoa said.
Her father smiled. "Sit down Rinoa,"
Rinoa sighed then walked over to the chair and sat on it. "Look I don't have much time right now, so can you just talk about what you called me here for? Something about an important issue to discuss?"
"Ah, yes that. Rinoa, my dear, what do you feel about attending a private school?" Richard asked.
"Um, all the children of your colleagues go to private schools. I really don't like them, nor do I dislike them," Rinoa said looking out the window.
"Rinoa, there's a very prestigious private school not far from this mansion; it has everything I've ever wanted for you. Qualified, higher experienced teachers, better discipline, smaller classes and it has the best education money can buy. And I'll be able to see you almost every day. So what do you think?" Richard asked warmly.
"Father, I like my school a lot and I won't attend a private school! If I do attend that school, won't I have to travel quite a bit?" Rinoa asked weakly.
Richard nodded. "That's why Amber and I both decided it's best for you to stay here, in this mansion with us while your mother's gone. You'll be able to see me everyday, it's easy for you to get to school and best of all, you'll get to spend some quality time with your soon-to-be stepmother and stepsister!"
"Stepmother and stepsister? As in Amber and her…daughter? Is this an April Fools' joke? No way! I refuse!" Rinoa yelled and stood up from her seat and ready to run out the door.
"Rinoa Caraway, sit yourself back down this instant! How dare you use that tone whilst speaking to me?" Richard roared.
"Heartilly. My last name is Heartilly and always will be," Rinoa said through clenched teeth and quickly before her father could say anything ran out the door.
Richard shook his head sadly.
Squall stood up quickly when he heard Rinoa's footsteps. "What's wrong Rinoa?"
Rinoa looked up at him with a tear stricken face. "Let's go back to your house,"
Squall wanted to know what was going on, but he knew that now wasn't the best time to ask questions.
Squall was just about to walk one way when Rinoa pulled him back. "Wait Squall! The security guards have probably been alerted by my father, so let's go another way,"
"Another way?"
Rinoa nodded smiling mischievously. "Follow me,"