okay. these chapters are going to be short, like the first.

and i forgot to say, but everything (c) S-E, etc.

"Sorry about my stepmom," Zell said as he flipped onto his bed. "She likes to talk."

Squall shrugged. "Runs in the family, I guess."

Zell glared at Squall. "Hey! Not cool, man. Don't diss my family." He jumped to his feet and pounded his punching bag a few times before sitting back down in a huff.

"Sorry."

They talked about the upcoming weekend--or rather, Zell talked and Squall grunted monosyllable replies.

"I was thinking about Kinneas's party tomorrow. We could go with Selph and Rinoa," Zell suggested.

"Hn."

"Since Selphie's already going and all, 'cuz it's Kinneas, and we have nothing better to do. Maybe Quistis will go with us." The blonde tapped his foot. "Man, I'm starving. Mom's cooking is way better than the stuff at the Garden."

Squall's brow was furrowed with thought. He was thinking about Rinoa; the short, dark-haired girl didn't look like her brother at all. He couldn't get Rinoa's image out of his head. She'd acted as if they were strangers. She couldn't even look at him! Had he gone too far? He quickly shoved those thoughts aside. It had all ended the next summer when she never came back. He'd sworn never to expose himself so foolishly again.

"So, Squall, I hear you've been going to Balamb ever since you were ten?" Delia asked. We were sitting at the dinner table, which was loaded with her best cooking. I sat across from Squall, since Zell wanted Squall to sit next to him.

I looked up from my plate. Squall's deep, blue-gray eyes glanced at me before moving on to a plate heaped with mashed potatoes. I quickly focused on my food. Those eyes, the same ones that had once been tender and inviting, were now frozen over again. I shivered at the cold and bitterness inside them, wondering if it was because of me he'd become so withdrawn.

Zell didn't know about our little fling; we'd met behind his back, while he was sleeping. That month was absolute bliss for me. He was so kind to me, but now…

"Are you going to eat?" Zell waved a hand in front of my face, bringing me back to the present. I shook my head, having suddenly lost my appetite. It was funny, what could happen in just a few years.

This was going to be an awkward weekend.

"Movie anyone?" Zell said, pulling out a couple of DVDs from beneath the TV. Squall was sitting on the couch behind me; I was on the floor next to Zell. "How about that new scary movie!" My brother waved the movie around, mostly in my face. I laughed, wondering how my brother could have so much energy.

Zell turned off the lights as the movie started. "I'll pop some popcorn," I said.

I could just pretend I didn't know him. I twirled a strand of hair as I thought. It was natural for a girl to have crushes on hot guys, and Squall certainly qualified as a hot guy. Zell would pick up on my feelings and never bring Squall home again. Did I want that? Did I want to hide my love, my life? Maybe it would be better if we didn't see each other.

An acrid smell filled my nostrils. "Oh, crap!" I yelped, quickly turning off the popcorn popper.

"Everything okay?" Zell's voice called from the den.

"Yeah! Everything's great! I'll be right out!" Yeah right. I quickly dumped the burnt popcorn, salvaging anything that was edible (not much, but enough), and snuck back into the den. Zell was engrossed with the movie, and though Squall was staring at the screen, it didn't look like he was paying much attention to the screen. He turned at the sound of the door closing but ignored me.

I sat down on the couch. Should I talk to him? It didn't seem like he wanted to. I clasped my hands together. They were shaking.

His ring! I still had his ring. He would want it back. I knew how much it meant to him.

I drew the chain out from underneath my shirt. I could feel the grooves, the lion carved into the cold metal. It wasn't the right time.

I couldn't sleep knowing Squall was in the same house, so I fixed myself a midnight snack. The microwave clock glowed 1:03. I sighed. Would he keep ignoring me?

I heard footsteps pad down the stairs. Squall walked into the kitchen in a tight white tank that stretched across the tight muscles in his chest and boxers. (He had filled out nicely since I last saw his skinny self.) I saw his face redden before he turned away. I had to say something before he disappeared from my life for good.

"Squall."

He froze, his hand on the freezer handle. "Zell said I could get something to eat."

"You know that's not it."

Squall sighed and finally faced me. "What happened at FH is over. It was only for the summer, we both know that." With that he grabbed a carton of ice cream and two spoons and left.

Perhaps he hated me. But I hadn't broken my promise, I just hadn't fulfilled it yet. I didn't want to go back upstairs, so I curled up on the sofa where, just hours before, Squall had been sitting.

Perhaps it would be better if I let him go and moved on. Selphie kept telling me to stop breaking hearts because of some guy I was probably never going to see again. I didn't tell her that I had tried, tried every day since Delia and my father told me I wasn't to go to Fisherman's Horizon ever again. I was still trying, but knowing Squall went to the Garden only a few miles away! After all these years, finally getting the chance to see him again! Could I really just throw this opportunity away?

Squall's always so cold in these fanfics...it's kinda sad, don'tcha think? ah well. i suppose his hotness makes up for it. xDDD