Quistis had begun to look at Zell.

Really see him for the first time. Catch subtleties she'd overlooked before. Like the way one side of his lip quirked upward when he found something amusing. Or the way he'd cover his mouth when he laughed. Something she only ever saw him do. Or even how overly aware of the contact she was whenever he'd nudge her playfully. Tell her he was just joking.

The way he expressed emotion was almost enthralling at times. It was like he felt more than others. So much so that everyone else in the room would look stiff and dead in comparison. A part of her did find his excitability childish sometimes, to the point of it being embarrassing. It was hard to resist scolding him for his behavior and ordering him to calm down, as well. But there was another part of her, her more sensitive side, that actually kind of liked it. Was even charmed by it.

There was something about the way he looked when he was concerned. It wasn't as simple as a contortion of the face to mimic the emotion. She had the impression there wasn't a person out there who could care more for her well-being when he looked at her like that. Even if he probably looked at everyone like that. It should have been as comforting as a warm blanket draped over her soul. Instead, it only left her ill at ease.

The mental image Quistis had carved of him was gradually shifting into one that was entirely different. One with layers and depth and complexity.

Then there was the compliment. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary. He'd said similar things to her before, in fact. But this time, when he offhandedly stated that her hair looked nice, the words floated around her mind for the remainder of the day like a massive banner. They instilled a vibrancy within her that made everything else seem so drab by comparison.

To make matters even worse, Quistis had begun to fumble when speaking to Zell. Stumbling over her words as though she'd forgotten how to enunciate properly. Actually even stuttering on occasion.

Had it been anyone else behaving so oddly, it probably wouldn't have been cause for alarm. But, because it was her, prim and proper Quistis, even Zell was able to pick up on the peculiarity of it. He'd looked at her funny at one point...asked her if she was okay. His confusion managed to snap her out of her thoughts and she reverted to her composed self. But it was still a memory to cringe at when reflected upon. She was at least grateful that Zell wasn't a bundle of nerves around her, which would only escalate the tension that had suddenly developed between them. Although it was mostly one-sided tension, but still.

Was all of this really over Zell, of all people? Somehow, she hadn't felt anywhere near this conflicted when she had first gravitated towards Squall. Was there something about Zell in particular that was leaving her so rattled?

It wasn't like he was attainable anyway. He was interested in a librarian, after all. And Quistis wasn't the type to meddle in someone's love affairs. Not that they would ever actually date, of course. Although they were good friends, they meshed together about as well as cactuars and Trabia. So all of this turmoil she was enduring was meaningless anyway.

This was all so confounding it made Quistis dizzy. How long would it take for her jitters to go away and for her to see Zell as just her friend again? Not too long, she hoped. She wasn't sure how much more of this internal battling she could take. She especially didn't want Zell to suspect she had a crush on him. That would just be awkward.

No, she had to keep her feelings to herself. Especially since they weren't anything serious. She didn't really like Zell like that. Hell, more often than not, she found his personality grating. You don't just go from grinding your teeth at the sound of someone's voice to wondering what it would be like to hold them in your arms.

You just don't.

And yet she couldn't help but wonder...what would it be like if they closed the distance between each other one day? With him reaching forward and tangling his hand in her hair, eyes burning with desire. And her letting him, as she finally gave in to the pressure.

Would it feel good?

...Could it happen?