Zell was doing one-handed push-ups (with his feet high up in the air) when Squall came in.It was evident from Zell's expression that he didn't enjoy breakfast that morning.

"Two hundred ninety-seven...two hundred ninety...eight...stupid hot...dogs...where...was...I? Two...hundred ninety...nine...Three..hun---"

"Hey,Zell, you want a hot dog?"

That did it. Zell lost his concentration (and his balance)and fell on the floor. He suddenly stood up, while rubbing a little bump on his forehead.He was furious.

"OH MAN!...You almost broke my freakin' NECK there!What's the deal? I was about to break my record, and you come barging in here like that? I'm in a REALLY bad mood right now, so if you want anything..."

Zell kept on blabbering. Squall didn't say anything; he just turned his head to one side,and held out the hot dog to Zell.

"I came over to give you this."

Zell stopped talking, then looked at the hot dog, then at Squall. Then he turned his attention back to the hot dog...

"Really? Gee, thanks, man!" He accepted it, almost reverently, then began to eat it. "Hey, how'd you get one? You're up late, right? I woke up real early to get one...but when I got there, they were fresh out! It's like, just my luck!"

Squall smiled. "Let's just say I had a little help."

Zell finished eating. "Man, that was good...darn cafeteria...it's like there's a hot dog crisis there everyday...Thanks,Squall!"

Squall turned to go. "Glad you enjoyed it. You've got Rinoa to thank for that."

"So THAT's why she was carrying a tray to your room this morning! What's the matter? Don't like 'em?"

"No...she made some salt-free scrambled eggs. I had no choice."

Zell looked quizzically at him.

Squall ignored him."Whatever...I gotta go.."

He was about to leave when Zell stopped him. "Hey, Squall?"

"Yeah, what is it?"

"I...need...your help on something..."

Squall looked back, and saw Zell looking at the floor, making circles with his shoe.

"Zell, I'm kinda busy-----"

"It won't take long." Zell looked at him. "I just want to ask you something."

Squall turned around and faced Zell. This'd better be important..."Okay. Shoot."

Zell said it carefully. "How do you...ask a girl...out on a...date?"

Squall was barely able to hide his surprise. Eh? First,Rinoa brings me salt-free eggs,now THIS?...oh boy...what'll come next?

"Wait...why're you asking me? You should go to Irvine...you know how he is with girls..."

"IRVINE?" Zell almost laughed. "He can't even ask Selphie out for a stroll outside the Garden! But you..." Zell came closer. "You've got Rinoa...she really loves you...she even brings you breakfast...HOT DOGS,even!" Zell suddenly knelt in front of Squall, then hugged his knees. "C'mon, man! help me out, will ya? I'm not used to this stuff! PLEAAAAASSSSE?"

Squall was almost kicking Zell,trying to get free. "Let me go! Let's talk about that later,ok? I've got to see the Headmaster today! OKAY! I'll help you! Just let me go!"

Zell let go of him. "Man, you're the best! Thanks! I'll do whatever you tell me! Okay! What do I do?"

Squall rolled his eyes skyward. "You can start by standing up."

Zell stood up. "Sorry..."

Squall was kind of annoyed, but he stayed. "Now sit down. You really want to know how?"

Zell sat down on his bed. "Yeah..."

Squall came close, and looked at Zell eye to eye. "What you've got to do is..."

Zell was silent. He was listening intently to what Squall had to say.

"Be yourself. Go straight to her, look in her eyes, and tell her that you'd like to take her out to dinner tonight. That's all. Think you can do that?"

"Uhh...yeah...but..."

Squall was getting impatient. "but what?"

"can you go with me to the library, to say that to her?"

Squall wanted to be annoyed, but he realized he just can't. Still the same old Zell we know and love,he thought. And then suddenly an idea came to him...

Squall walked out of the room. "Can't do it yourself," he looked at Zell...

"Chicken-Wuss?"

"SAY WHAT?" Zell suddenly picked up his towel and left his room. "I'm taking a shower, and then I'll go there RIGHT NOW! YOU'LL SEE!" And with those words, Zell rushed to the showers.

Squall can't help smiling. Zell still hated the word, and would do anything you bet him to do if you said that to him face-to-face. If you bet him to knock down a T-Rexaur with one punch, and said the magic word to him, he'd do it.

"Oh, I forgot to tell him," Squall said to himself, a smile creeping across his face. "The library's still closed."

He laughed, a full hearty laugh. Then he realized it was the first time he heard himself laugh in a long time...ever since...

No, he didn't want to remember it.Just thinking about the Time Compression angered him. Just like I said,Squall thought, it's all over.No one's going to do that again...to my friends...Rinoa...

"I have work to do." The smile disappeared from his face, and he silently made his way to the showers.