"You are aware that to take part in the final examination you will have to complete the Fire Cavern, right?" Quistis asked, not glancing up from the paperwork spread across her podium, as Squall stepped reluctantly in front of her.

Squall glanced away, frowning. He had planned to finish the Fire Cavern earlier, but Seifer…. "Well?" she prompted, jerking him out of his thoughts, and raising her gaze.

"I was going to do it this morning."

"It has to be completed. You still have some time. I will assist you when you're ready. Do you need to train before heading out?"

Squall nodded slightly, remembering Seifer. Was he actually going to meet with him? They would just end up fighting again. They always did.

"When you're ready to go, let me know. I'll be here grading papers. You're dismissed," Quistis said, returning her attention to the papers.

Squall stepped around her and quickly walked past the cadets eyeing him angrily. Trepe Groupies. He shook his head, sighing. Sometimes he just couldn't understand people. Especially not Seifer, his thoughts returning to the arrogant gunblader.

He pressed through the crowded hallway, eyes narrowing. Maybe Seifer wanted another fight? H couldn't want to talk. Hell, he preferred action to words, right? He'd never be able to stay focused long enough to say anything important. Seifer would have to taunt him, ridicule him….

Something solid slammed into his chest as he rounded the corner, throwing him back several steps as he fought to keep his balance. Squall steadied himself and glanced down at the small girl rising to her knees on the floor. She rubbed her elbow, wincing as she shook her head.

"Are you all right?" Squall asked, holding a hand out to her. She glanced up, a bright smile appearing on her face as she accepted his hand.

"I'm sorry. I was rushing to get to class. I got lost. This Garden is so much larger than my old one, and, yes, I'm fine," the girl said, words rushing together in her excitement.

"It's all right," Squall assured her, stepping away.

"Wait! Is class already over?" she exclaimed, eyes widening in horror. He nodded, pausing. "I missed the first day of class!"

"You didn't miss much. Just discussions about the exam."

"The See D exam! I'm taking that!"

Squall's eyes roamed over the girl, reassessing his earlier thoughts. Not a freshmen? "Relax. She just went over dates and times. Quistis is still in there if you want to ask her what you missed."

"Never mind. Hey, do you have time to show me around? Trabia Garden isn't nearly as large as this one. Please. I'm Selphie. Help me."

"I don't have much time, but… I'll show you around as much as I can," Squall agreed, already regretting his decision when Selphie caught hold of his arm.

"You didn't introduce yourself. Come on. I don't bite."

"Squall Leonhart."

Selphie's eyes widened. "Wow! They were right."

"What?" Squall asked, puzzled.

"You really are hot," she stated cheerfully.

Heat flared up Squall's face as he quickly pulled away. What the Hell had he gotten himself into? Why didn't he just refuse and walk away while he had the chance?

"So, are all the classrooms on this floor?" she asked.

"Yes. Third floor is restricted," Squall replied as they stepped into the elevator. "First floor is opened during the day. All of the dormitories are down there. Most of the other areas are locked down by 10 p.m. If you have a pass, you can go to the library after hours. Dinner is at seven. The cafeteria closes down at 9:30. Miss dinner and you're out of luck until 5 a.m. They lock down the training center at eight."

"All of that is down there?"

Squall stepped out of the elevator and started down the right hallway. "Garden is large," he said, pointing out the library, parking garage, and cafeteria. "The dormitories are further down this hallway. They branch out into singles and doubles. There is a computer terminal near the elevators. You can pull up a 3d map display if you have any questions. I have to go."

"That's cool. Thanks for showing me around," Selphie said, waving as she turned away.

Squall sighed and braced himself before stepping into the cafeteria. He glanced sideways at the teen bouncing from foot to foot in front of the lunch counter. Dincht… Zell? The tattooed boy turned dejectedly away from the counter, face downfallen.

Squall allowed his gaze to drift around the cafeteria until his eyes landed on the three sitting in the back. D.C. The Disciplinary Committee. How Seifer had ended up as leader was beyond Squall. He caused more trouble than any of the other cadets.

Seifer glanced up and saw him, his eyes narrowing. He said something quickly to his companions and stood, pushing his chair under the table before moving toward Squall. Squall tensed, waiting for Seifer to speak as he stopped beside him.

"We'll talk outside," Seifer suggested.

"I don't have time to fight with you, Seifer."

"I don't want to fight you. All right? Just talk."

"I don't have long. I have to…."

"The Fire Cavern. I know," Seifer interrupted. "I won't keep you long. Hell, we can even got to the Training Center. You want to train, right?"

"With you?"

Seifer's eyes narrowed slightly. "I told you I didn't intend to hurt you like that."

"And I should just believe you? It happened, accident or not, and nothing will stop it from happening again. You could have killed me!" Squall flushed, lowering his voice. "You're careless, but not that careless. You struck me intending to hurt me, whether you've admitted it to yourself or not."

"It won't happen again. This isn't the best place to talk, and there's a lot that needs to be said. Come on, you're not scared of me, are you?" Seifer taunted, knowing how to get beneath Squall's skin.

Squall's eyes narrowed. "Let's go."

Seifer smirked and gestured for Squall to lead the way. "After you."