oo, last chapter. please R&R!

everything belongs to S-E...? obviously...

The sun was just rising when Squall woke up. He was always one of the first people up at the Garden; habits were hard to shake.

Careful not to wake Zell, he crept down the hall and peeked into Rinoa's room. Her sheets were flung on the ground, but she wasn't there.

He hurried downstairs. Her familiar sleeping figure was curled up on the couch. He couldn't help but think of all those nights in FH, out in the ocean, alone, her sleeping against him. He leaned down and brushed her lips with his.

"Bye, Rinoa," he whispered. As much as he loved--had loved--her, she'd disappointed him, and hurt him. His heart was still in pieces. He wouldn't go through that again. Never again.

"No, don't…" Rinoa mumbled, grabbing out for him and succeeding in securing his hand. She pulled it close. He felt a chain, a ring. His ring.

"Not yet, Squall…" Her hands were clasped around his. He didn't want to wake her up, but he couldn't just stand there.

"Okay, Rinoa. Not yet." Her grip loosened. He was able to draw his hand from her grip. He cupped her cheeks and kissed her again.

She still had his ring. She still had to give it back.

"Rinoa!" Zell called. "Hurry up or we'll leave without you!"

I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror. My hair was tied up in a sloppy yet cute ponytail; a touch of makeup around my eyes; I was wearing a black tank top with sequined edges and tight black jeans that hugged my waist. Today, my necklace wasn't tucked into my shirt, leaving Griever in full view for everyone to see. Wouldn't that infuriate Squall!

"I'm coming! Hold on!" I was set on snagging a guy at Irvine's party. It was time to get over Squall, I'd decided earlier that day. He was obviously ignoring/avoiding me.

I sighed. Balamb was too small; I knew most of the guys, and not one came even close to Squall in looks or personality. Some--okay, many--may say that Squall was nothing but an emo, tight-lipped loner who happened to be excellent at using his gunblade, but I knew better. I knew there was a kind, caring person underneath the unfeeling front he put on.

"Let's get this show on the road, gentlemen!"

Zell and Squall stared at me. Zell was wearing his everyday black shirt and baggy jeans. Squall was in the clothes he'd worn yesterday.

"You're going in that!" Zell yelped. I put my hands on my hip.

"You got a problem with what I'm wearing?" I looked at him through narrowed eyes. He climbed into my car. I was letting him drive, though I wasn't sure if that was a good idea. Squall looked me up and down, but his eyes eventually rested on my necklace. I stuck my nose up at him. He could look all he wanted; he wasn't going to get any of it, even if the ring was his, if he kept ignoring me.

The party was well underway when we arrived at Irvine's house. He lived in a mansion in the rich part of Balamb. Perfect for parties when the 'rents weren't around. There were a few cute guys, nothing special though. I quickly lost Zell and Squall and found Selphie.

"Oooh, Rinoa!" she squealed. "You look absolutely gorgeous!"

"You too, Selph." Her hair was in its customary bounce, but she had ditched her yellow dress for a flirty, off-the-shoulder tee and a short denim skirt. "Where's Irvine?"

Selphie pouted. "He's off flirting with some girl. Is that Squall? Wow! I didn't know he had a social life!"

I laughed. "I don't think he does. Zell forced him to come."

"Zell? No way. Squall doesn't listen to anyone. That reminds me. Did he actually stay over at your place?" At my affirmation, she squealed again. "I think someone has a crush on you, Rin!"

I blushed. "No way. He's been completely ignoring me."

"That's just his way of saying he's especially fond of you! Aww, you guys are such a cute couple!"

At this I raised my eyebrow. "That's enough, Selphie."

The huge living room had been cleared, the furniture pushed to the walls. A writhing mass of bodies danced on the hardwood floor. I knew that floor would be destroyed by the end of the party from all the heels the girls were wearing.

"Who needs guys anyway? Wanna dance?" I asked.

It was getting too hot inside, so I escaped into the cool night. A few students from the Garden were smoking. I sat down on the dew-wet grass, away from the drugs.A tall blonde in a white trench coat leaned against the wall a few feet away. He waved.

"Seifer Almasy."

"Rinoa Heartilly."

"You're Zell's sister?"

"Yeah."

Seifer came closer. "You're way better-looking than chicken-wuss."

"I don't appreciate the nickname."

"Sorry." Seifer bowed. "Didn't mean to offend you. Can I make it up to you?" He leaned in closer, his eyes blazing. I could now see that he had a scar across the bridge of his nose, running in the opposite direction of Squall's.

I raised an eyebrow. What a player, but he was so much nicer than Squall had been the whole day.

"Perhaps…"

His lips found mine. He was almost as good a kisser as Squall. Almost.

He smiled. "You're good."

"Ditto."

We kissed again. Then Seifer froze.

"Get your paws off my girl, Almasy," a low, dangerous voice growled. I saw that Squall was holding a pocket knife to Seifer's throat. His eyes shot daggers at us both.

Seifer slowly turned around. "I don't see your name on her, Leonhart."

I stood up. "Since when am I 'your girl'?" I demanded.

Squall glowered at me but remained silent. Seifer laughed.

"Made a mistake, did you, Leonhart? She says she's not yours."

I snapped. I was angry at Squall for intruding and claiming me, angry at Seifer for butting into others' business, angry at myself for giving my heart away so naively and not being able to take it back.

"You get out of here. Now!" I yelled at Seifer. I was angry enough to kill. He got my drift and wandered away.

"What is your problem?" I hissed. Squall flipped the blade of his knife. He refused to look at me. "You act as if I don't exist and then when you see me with another guy you completely flip! I thought we were over. You said yourself it was only a fling."

"You don't know what you put me through," Squall retorted.

"I won't if you don't tell me! Squall, you were never like this before. I can't read your mind! I want to know what you're feeling, but you have to tell me." I shivered; it was suddenly very chilly. I hugged myself for warmth. "This cold person you've become…this isn't the kind and caring Squall I met at FH, the Squall I came to know and…and love. And still love."

There. I said it. Squall looked surprised, the first glimpse of emotion since Fisherman's Horizon.

He blushed.

He blushed!

I couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, Squall. You pretend to be tough guy but you're just a cutie on the inside." I hugged him.

We both pulled back at a sharp pain in the chest.

"Griever..."

I undid the clasp of my necklace and took the ring off, slipping the ring onto his ring finger. Perfect.

"Will you go out with me?"

Squall kissed me. His answer vibrated through my body.

Yes, Rinoa.

I love you.