Chapter 9: May the Best Girl Win Part 1

Rinoa is so relieved now. Squall is fine and that's all that matters. Back there she was really worried. Everyone knows that fighting a T-Rexaur is a real suicide. If Squall was killed by that monster, she can't even seem to wonder what could've happen. And just by thinking about Squall, her heartbeat started to increase, and the unusual feeling started to linger in her senses once again. She is confused... very much. She desperately needs some answers to this weird things that's happening to her. What was she feeling for Squall?

"Love…Love…Love…Love…" someone seem to shout into her.

Wait…love…isn't it too early for this? Like…they just met and they're just in the stage of getting to know each other that will turn to friendship and eventually into…! She doesn't like where the idea is leading. And she doesn't want to take the risk. She's not sure if the feeling was mutual. But then again…what's the purpose of the word "trying"? Then with all the ideas in her head starting to go right…she has decided. "I'll make Squall fall in love with me!" she thought to her self. And with that…she had gone into her beauty sleep.

Meanwhile…

"How's your mission Major Biggs?" asked King Laguna.

"Not very well Sire, we've been searching Dollet for quite a while now." answered the man.

"Then search far and wide to find my son…my beloved wife is not pretty well."

"I understand Sire. Very well I'll order my men to start searching in different regions and areas." Major Biggs said in an assuring tone of voice.

"Then I hope you'll succeed. You're dismissed now." he said.

"Aye sire!" he answered then he exited the room. Then a minute later…Queen Raine, his beloved wife came in. She sat beside him. His wife is not really going well. Ever since their only son ran away from home, she had not been well.

"What is it that you desire my dear?" he asked although he knew very well.

"You know very well what I want. Please do everything to find our son." she said.

"My love, I am doing everything in my power to find him immediately." he answered. He understands why his dearest wife was acting this way. Years ago… the Royal Physician said that it's impossible for her to conceive a child. They were very depressed. Raine prayed hard because she wanted a child of her own so badly. And she felt that she was useless… because she can't even give him a child. He also wanted their own child but his wife's welfare was also important to him. Then by miracle or not…a year later, she bore a child. And that child was Squall, the only child they have. They gave him everything and also guarded him well, but then maybe it went too much.

"You know how much I love our son." she suddenly said, breaking the long silence.

"I know and I love him too…and I promise…we'll find him." he just replied.

Rinoa woke up with a smile on her lips. She had a very wonderful sleep. She got up and went in the bathroom to take a bath. She was very excited to see Squall once again. She wore her uniform for that day. Then she decided to fix her hair in a neat half-ponytail. She applied a few lipgloss to add color to her lips. She looked at the mirror to make sure that she looked fine. She grabbed her things when she was satisfied with her look. Little did she know that something was bound to shock her just outside the doorstep. It was Kiara and her friends who just came out from Squall's room. Jealousy was starting to rise within her but maybe she must know the real situation first. She saw Kiara and her friends walking away but she stopped them by calling Kiara. She looked back at her; an irritated look was obvious in her face.

"What do you want!" she asked.

"I was just wondering…why were you inside Squall's room a while ago?"

"Well you see…Squall was already allowed to go back to his own room…and apparently we accompanied him because you and your friends are not that very much of help." she replied.

"Not that very much of help? Excuse me…if only we knew that Squall will be going back…we would've accompanied him instead!" she answered back at her. Tension is rising between the two ladies. Both of them seem to be ready to charge at each other any minute now.

"Well sorry…it's not my problem anymore and besides there's no use talking to you. I like Squall…and I assure you…he'll be mine in no time." Kiara sounded very sure of what she just said. Clove and Jasmine was just looking at her as if she had no chance against Kiara. There was no use keeping it so she answered…

"Well…you see, here's the thing… I like Squall also…and I'll make sure you won't hook him." she answered. The tone of her voice is very much determined.

Kiara didn't seem to be affected and instead answered…"Oh yeah? We'll see about that. "she said then the three of them walked away.

"May the best girl win!" she shouted.

"May the best girl win!" was the reply she heard.

Squall heard some voices outside. Out of curiosity, he went out to see who that was. Little did he know that something was bound to surprise him just outside the doorstep. It was Rinoa who was standing outside his dorm room. Just by seeing Rinoa there, his heart felt very happy and excited at the same time. She looked at him then she smiled.

"Goodmorning Rinoa...do you need something?" he asked.

"Uhmmm... nothing. Just dropped by to see if you're fine."

"Oh... I'm fine. Thank you for your concern." he answered then smiled.

"And also... I want to apologize for not being there to help you."

"Never mind that. It's fine with me. It's not your obligation anyway."

"I know but I want to do it for you and many other things. I hope you don't mind."

He was surprised yet very happy. Are these things true? He hopes so.

"No it's fine…I also want to do things for you. I hope you won't mind also."

"No, I won't mind at all." she replied.

"Are you going to class now?"

"Yup..."

"Then let's go together. Anyway we're on the same classes right?"

"Are you sure you can go? Why don't you rest first?"

"I want to go to class because I've been missing a lot. Don't worry, I'm fine."

"Okay... if that's your decision then."

"Oh... can you please wait for a minute…I have to get my things." Rinoa just nodded. He went back inside his room to grab his things. Good thing he have prepared a while ago. He made sure everything is prepared before leaving. Everything was there so he went out.

"Ready?" he asked Rinoa.

"Ready!" she answered.

Rinoa just looked at Squall who was now seated in front of her. But unfortunately... Kiara and her friends were seated in front of him. Selphie and Quistis were seated beside her. It was homeroom period and it was mostly about the coming activities of the Garden.

"Two days from now, the Garden Party will be held. I hope everyone has a partner already and also the proper attire to wear." Instructor Xu said. Proper attire... she has to buy some new clothes already. She knew her friends will be buying new things as well. She would just talk about it with them later. She looked at Squall who was now looking at her too. He just smiled at her...then went back on listening to Instructor Xu.

"There are also many upcoming activities... so I hope everyone will be ready. Understood?"

"Yes Instructor." everyone answered. The bell rang signaling that it's time for the next class. Instructor Liu went in. "Goodmorning class." she greeted.

"Goodmorning Instructor…" they all greeted. She posted a big map on the board

"Okay, class our lesson for today is about powerful kingdoms. And the particular kingdom we'll be discussing for today is the Dollet Kingdom. It is...we can say the most powerful and influential of all." she said.

Squall froze in his seat. He was certainly not expecting this topic. As much as possible he was avoiding things about his homeland.

"Who can tell me something about Dollet Kingdom?" Instructor Liu said. Now that was another thing he was not expecting. As the prince, of course he knew Dollet very much.

"I gave this as an assignment right? Well... if nobody can answer me...then all of you will make a seven-page essay about Dollet Kingdom." she said. There were so much groaning and complaining. The party will be in two days… how could they have homeworks?

"Does anybody know anything about Dollet?" he heard Rinoa said. He doesn't like to see Rinoa and their other classmates to have a hard time so he raised his hand.

"Yes...Squall." the Instructor called out. He was really nervous about this.

"May I please have the honor of answering?" he asked.

"You may, and class… consider yourselves lucky if Squall will answer correctly."

"Dollet, the kingdom in the far eastern continent. It has a land area of 2,175,600 km2 (840,004 mi2). They use Gil as type of money there. Their population is 120,058 including the royal family. Their culture is very rich there. From literature to fine arts... it's all magnificent. Maybe you should see for yourselves so you can prove it. Dollet have proven themselves many times how well they fight in battles. Many have tried to invade their land... but none of them conquered in doing so. They use hi-tech weapons and equipments. Their forces are much stronger especially with the aid of Galbadian and Esthar soldiers. At present... Dollet Kingdom is being ruled by King Laguna and Queen Raine Loire. There is only one heir to the throne... the only son of the king and queen. The prince is the next in line for the throne. Anyhow... moving on...the—"he was cutoff by a question.

"Hey Squall... do you know the prince's name?" one of their classmates asked.

"Uhmmm... actually... his name is Squall Loire." he answered.

"Really... are you by any chance the prince?" asked another.

"I'm afraid it's just coincidence that we have same name." he just reasoned out.

"How old is he?" one of their girl classmates asked.

"He is in the age of 17... turning 18." with his answers many of his girl classmates went wild.

"Oh my gosh! Maybe that prince should go and study here." one said.

"Yeah... I bet he's handsome like any other prince." said another. All of their girl classmates are giggling but not Rinoa nor Kiara. They were just there looking at him.

"Class... that's enough. Let Squall continue." said the instructor. Squall continued to discuss matters about their kingdom. He had no choice about this. He knew he's the only one who could help.

Rinoa just looked at Squall. She was still surprised that Squall knew a lot about their lesson. It seems that he knew about it by heart and not just by brain. Could he be? No... certainly not. He himself said it was just mere coincidence. She should just think about asking her friends to come with her to Deling. And maybe ask Squall also. Good thing Squall answered correctly and so they didn't have to write that essay.

"Thanks to Squall. He really is heavensent." she just said.

A/N: yippee...at last I'm done with this. I'm so sorry it took so long. Well I hope you'll continue to read and review. Thanks for all those who reviewed and waited patiently. The next chapter will be posted maybe after five days. Thanks again!