A/n: This chapter may be a little shorter than the others, but i'll make up for it in the next update. Be prepared for a twist in the plot, people . . .
'. . . And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down, for without the rain, there would be no rainbow . . .'
Zell, Rinoa, Squall, Selphie and Irvine all sat around one of the tables which had been set out at the side of the ballroom, near the buffet section. The silver draped tables originally only seated four, but the group had pulled up other chairs and squeezed in, resulting in a rather cosy environment for the friends. As of yet, Quistis wasn't there, namely due to Seifer being difficult. The blonde instructor wanted to be with her much-cherished acquaintances, but also didn't want to leave her date for the night, who was being uncharacteristically charming (to her only).
At the time being, Zell was talking at a speed that seemed humanly impossible, but despite that, Rinoa seemed to be engrossed in what he was saying, leaning forward with her elbows upon the table and her chin cupped in her hands.
"So, anyway, after we began talkin' I kinda lost all the worries I had 'bout us not gettin' along, 'cause we clicked jus' like that, y'know what I'm sayin'? And after we danced, well, she whispered somethin' really dirty, and then begged me to do her right then and there."
Zell grinned and folded his arms casually behind his neck, before slouching back in the standard wooden chair.
"Zell?"
"Yup?" The blonde fighter glanced over at Irvine, who had spoken his name.
"That last part . . . it didn't really happen, did it now?"
A blush crept up Zells usually tanned cheek bones, sending his skin a delightful shade of rose petal pink on being caught out.
"Well . . . No, but . . . a guy can dream."
Irvine let out a short, breathy laugh, where-as the other male on the table, Squall, sent his blonde comrade an appalling look, which Zell shrugged off, never being one to take his sullen leader seriously. Rinoa, upon noticing the sour expression on her boyfriends face, reached out a hand to pinch his ivory cheek in a comical fashion, the way one's grandma might when greeting a youngster. Squall batted her hand away, crossed his arms over his chest and frowned as his friends laughed. However, when the furrow in his brow let up, he focused his vision on Rinoa and saw how she seemed to glow with raw energy when she was happy and giggling. Unable to contain himself, he let his guard down and pulled her lithe figure haphazardly onto his lap.
Zell was still talking away speedily about the library girl to Irvine, but Selphie hadn't failed to notice the affection that Squall seemed to have for Rinoa. She smiled to herself, always having been the romantic at heart. So caught up was she in her two friends showering attention on each other, that she jumped when she felt a hand entwine itself in her own which was resting upon her knee. Selphie looked away quickly from the couple opposite her (who had inevitably started to kiss) and fixed her attention on Irvine, who was the one who had reached out and taken her hand gently. Although Zell was still chattering away unfazed by the lack of interest, Selphie had drowned out his voice a long time ago and now felt as if she was in her own little world, consisting only of herself and one man; Irvine Kinneas.
As she gazed into his clear amethyst eyes with intensity, something seemed different compared to the other times she had sat and watched his beautifully coloured orbs. There was a mixture of emotions shining through, but amidst the love and common flicker of mischief, there was a hint of anxiousness playing in the depths.
What could he possibly be worried about?
Before Selphie could start her own little motor of apprehension running, the short distance between herself and Irvine began closing in and she soon found herself with his lips upon hers. As he pulled her into him closer and snaked his arms around her small waist, Selphie placed her hands upon the lapel of his tux-suit and gripped onto it loosely.
"Heyyyy! Am I really that boring that everyone resorts to makin' out?" Zell whined.
Not getting any response from his friends, he added, "Can I at least join in with you guys? Please?"
The blonde was just joking around in his usual light-hearted manner, but it made Rinoa pull away from Squalls kiss-bruised lips and turn towards her companion.
"Zell! Gross. Go and find Anna . . . From what Selphie and Irvine said, it sounded like she couldn't get enough of you . . ."
At the raven haired teens comment, Zell bared his teeth in a somewhat triumphant grin, before leaping up out of his chair and walking off in the direction of the hallway, where he presumed his date had gone. Turning back to her crush, Rinoa smiled gently at him. The corners of his perfectly shaped mouth turned up in a faint smile and he nodded in the direction of their two remaining friends. Rinoa appeared to be baffled at her boyfriend's actions for a few moments, but her brain soon clicked into gear when she turned her vision the opposite way to behold a still-kissing Irvine and Selphie. Stifling a small 'aww' before it escaped her lips, she lightly hopped off Squalls comfortable lap, took hold of his hand and led him away, to leave the couple alone with each other (well, alone if you didn't count the other fifty or so students in the ballroom).
………………………………………………………….
Zell ambled past the buffet tables, picking up a hotdog as he went. They had somewhat cooled down since they were first put out, but the blonde fighter didn't seem to notice or care as he took a rather large mouthful of the snack in his hand. For a while, he simply stood there, chewing and looking around the large room before realising that some people may label him as an idiot; he certainly must've looked like one. Remembering the task at hand, he started up walking again, weaving through the dancing couples and heading towards the hallway, where his 'date for the night' had headed. Just before he could get there, he literally bumped into Quistis, making her stumble on her heels; she was obviously not expecting a fully grown Dincht to come colliding into her. Shoving the last of his hot dog into his large mouth rather ungracefully, he apologised to his female friend whilst wiping his hands down the front of his suit jacket. Quistis hoisted one golden eyebrow up and tutted.
"What? Ma will wash it, so it doesn't matter."
"That doesn't mean that you can smear it with all sorts of food substances, Zell."
The blonde fighter gave her a nonchalant look over, before asking where her date was.
"Oh, he's gone to hang up his jacket and tie in his dorm-,"
"Tch, yeah, I bet that was his lame excuse to try and get YOU in there."
Quistis placed her hand upon her curved hips and cocked her head to the side, letting one blonde tendril of hair fall from its style and come to rest upon her shoulder.
"Zell, don't be so rude . . . and don't interrupt me when I'm speaking."
"Fine, Instructor."
"You sound like Seifer."
Zell knotted his eyebrows together in a powerful frown, making him look like a sulking child. Quistis brought a small hand up to her mouth and began to laugh, before taking hold of her friends upper arm and dragging him over to the wooden seated area where they both sat down. A thoughtful look came upon the instructors' delicate features, one that had been seen many times before when she was trying to work something baffling out.
"Zell . . ?"
"Yup?"
"Is Selphie okay now? I know you're the one she speaks to the most about her . . . problems."
The martial artist leant back in his chair, whilst reaching his hands out in front of him and clicking his fingers, one by one, much to Quistis' displeasure.
"I'm not too sure. Her and Irvine seem to be gettin' back on track, so I guess she's got him to talk about stuff with now."
The petite blonde in front of him nodded her head slowly.
"But what if he turns around and decides to be an idiot again? We all know Irvine changes like the wind."
"He won't. I was speakin' to him earlier, before the dance, and well, he said that tonight, when they play the very last song, he's goin' to ask Selph if they can make a relationship out of what they've got.Y'know, he's gonna ask her out, as in boyfriend/girlfriend,-,"
"I know what you mean Zell; I'm only one year older than you, I'm not that out of touch yet. I wondered why he looked so worried earlier. It must really be a big step for such a ladies man."
…………………………………………….
Selphie was the first to pull away, ending the mind-numbingly good kiss that Irvine had commenced. She still held onto his lapel, mouth slightly open, trying not to make it obvious that this small display of affection had stirred her senses. After a couple of moments, she looked away from the sharpshooter, a frown creasing her brow as she noticed all their friends seemed to have abandoned them.
"Oh, that's nice," She mumbled, still wrinkling up her pretty little features.
"Maybe they're just playin' hide 'n seek . . ."
"Well, if that's the case, they'll be hiding forever, because I'm not searching for them."
Irvine ran a hand through his auburn locks and smirked at the stubborn girl before him.
"And why's that?"
" . . . Because I just want to be with you . . . Right after I've emptied my bladder."
"Oh how pleasant. Don't go missin' me too much, cutie," Irvine replied, cool and cocky as ever, earning him a smack on the arm before Selphie departed for the ladies restroom. Pushing open the pink entrance and stepping inside, she walked towards an empty cubicle and locked the door; not a moment too soon it would seem, because Celia and her two bitchy friends strutted in after her. Although Selphie had already confronted them, she couldn't help herself from holding her breath in fear of them hearing her and doing something much nastier than spilling punch down her dress.
"That cow! I can't believe she destroyed my dress! She's ruined my night!"
"Not to mention that she stole your date-,"
"Shut up, tart. I don't need to be reminded of that. Even SEIFER has gone with one of her friends! The instructor . . . of all people! You can't get more prudish than her!"
"Celia, honey, calm down, your cheeks are going all red and it really doesn't match the colour of your ball gown."
Selphie sat on the toilet, not daring to move a muscle, but listening with a racing heart to the brainless conversation that her three enemies were having outside her stall.
"So, when are we gonna do what we planned a minute ago back in your dorm?"
"As soon as possible. We can't let her think she's won, stupid ugly bitch."
"Cel . . ."
"Yes, Nich?"
"Someone's in here . . ."
As soon as those three words had been spoken, Selphie's mind went into full panic mode and she began seeing red circled rims around her usually perfect vision, despite a voice in her head telling her she could handle this if she just stayed calm. The girls outside had stopped talking, but a lot of shuffling and whispering could be heard. Selphie put her ear to the door of the cubicle, trying to make out what was being said. It was useless. Little did she know that Celia had made Amber enter the next stall and stand on the toilet to peer over the top.
"Look who I've found!" The model-like girl chided in a sing song voice, whilst peering down upon the petite brunette. At this moment in time, Selphie felt like a trapped rabbit being stalked by three, ravenous wolves, without a hope in the world of escape.
Calm down, they can't do anything they haven't done before . . . oh that's reassuring.
Pushing herself up from her seated position on the cold, closed toilet lid, the teen inhaled a deep breath, although quietly; she didn't want her adversaries to realise she still felt a little weak when it came to confrontations. Maybe that moment of strength in the hall had been just that; a moment, a singular, never to happen again . . .Suddenly, the stall door in front of her flung open, the lock holding it shut completely broken and splintered in its wooden holdings as it hit Selphie with some force. She almost, but not quite, lost her footing and fell backwards.
Since when did she get so strong? Has she junctioned up? . . . But, we're not allowed to unless we're in the training center or on missions . . . Duh, since when has Celia ever followed rules? She thinks they don't apply to her. Why would she need GF enhanced strength tonight of all nights? She certainly didn't have it earlier when I pushed her.
"You think you're so smart don't you?"
Celia's usually high pitched, girly voice had taken on a harsh undertone, showing she meant business as she attempted to start yet another fight. Frankly, it made Selphie oddly curious but not without the old saying 'curiosity killed the cat' springing across her already fogged mind. The three vicious girls crowded around the small toilet cubicle, glaring with fierce intent. Amber reached in and grabbed Selphies left arm, yanking her out into the open sink area, being none too gentle about it. Putting two and two together, the small chesnut haired girl realised, with a shiver running through her, that they hadn't junctioned for nothing; their intentions were crystal clear as soon as Amber threw her down into the corner, underneath a hand dryer.
The shock of the cold, hardfloor made Selphie let out a small yelp. Celia seemed to revel in this, and simply stood looking down upon the pathetic sight that had been created.
Your pager . . . it's in your pocket! Page Irvine!
Fumbling in her pocket, she typed out the word 'help', knowing the lettered buttons off by heart. Before she could press 'send', Celia grabbed the wrist with the hand that had vanished into the pocket and tugged it out, digging her sharp nails in as she did so. Selphie gasped and dropped the small, electronic device when she felt the extreme hurt shooting up her limb. A loud clatter filled her sensitive ears almost as soon as the pager had slipped from her fingers. The noise echoed through her senses and she turned her sight towards the source just in time to see Celia's heel come down upon it, crushing it into jigsaw-like pieces.
The leggy blonde looked at her cohorts, nodding her tanned face at each of them, receiving a smirk in return in way of confirmation. Selphie let her eyes slide shut for a second, deciding that she didn't want to have to ponder over what was going on. She hoped that maybe, if she did this, the childish theory of 'if I can't see you, you can't see me' might just come true. Alas, with heavy lids, she revealed her forest green eyes to the world again, or rather to the enemies in front of her. Whether it was lucky or unlucky, Selphie couldn't decide, but the moment her sight was freed from behind closed lashes, the vision of Celia casting blizzard magic was the first thing seen.
A brilliant white light appeared around the lithe brunette's form, before she felt the full brunt of the spell upon her body. The ice prison she was encased in for no more than 2 seconds sent a scorching sensation right through to her bones, and left her skin screaming with agony. Selphie had no time to respond anymore, because as soon as the ice around her had gone, one of the girls aimed a fira ball in her direction. Unable to move out of the way due to the intense pain of the blistering the ice had caused, the small brunette could do no more than grit her teeth, curl up into a ball and wait for more brutal damage to come her way. Barely did she get herself into a foetal position when intense heat struck at her legs, burning and smouldering against her skin in a sickening opposite to the cold that was once there a few moments ago. Selphie lay still, eyes shut, body numb and unresponsive. She screamed at herself to move out of the way before another spell was directed at her. She couldn't. Nothing was working, nothing. Her eyes wouldn't open, her legs wouldn't move, her fingers could only twitch in a poor attempt at trying to push herself up. It hurt to breathe, feeling as though her lungs had been crushed due to the elemental force inflicted upon her petite form.
Something struck down at her upper area from above, it seemed, and sent a sharp, tingling feeling all over, the severe burning coming back once again. From experience, Selphie had enough strength left in her mind to realise that this was a thundaga spell that someone had brutally exacted on her. She prayed that they would leave her in peace, not wanting them lingering over her or causing her anymore harm.
The room around her felt as though it were spinning; she would've retched to be sick if she had enough power to heave. All the small brunette could do was lay there, limp. She couldn't hear anything after the thunder bolt had hit her. It had rendered her ears completely useless for the time being. It was as if she was listening into one of those large shells you find on the beach, where you're supposed to hear the ocean trapped inside. In a way, it was peaceful; the only thing she could draw from since herphysical formwas in so much pain and completely wrecked. Her body had gone and her mind was failing quickly. Trying to stay conscious, Selphie called upon images from her brain, the first one to come to mind was a short, movie-like vision in which she was in the sun, with her all her friends, laughing and running. Just before it ended, an image of Irvine smiling that dazzling smile came to her until finally he faded away, leaving nothing but a cold,empty darkness behind . . .