Legal mumbo jumbo: I own this story, but not any of the entities it contains. The world and characters belong to Square.
A/N: I had a lot of fun writing this, but I just don't know if I can continue it any longer. School is dominating my life and I just don't have much free time anymore. I was really proud of this story, but I'm sorry I won't be able to keep it going.
Previously: Matt took a trip to Balamb with Selphie and Irvine to stock up on necessities for the upcoming school year. Irvine revealed feelings of wanting to quit being a SeeD and find a place to settle down with Selphie, and Matt was caught off-guard by a monster yet again.
Chapter 4: Home at Last
I had just woken up, but still had my face buried in my pillow. I wanted to go back to sleep, but my body wouldn't let me. My mind said sleep, but my body said get out of bed. I finally mustered up enough strength to lift my head up and open my eyes.
What the fuck!? Holy shit! How!? How can this be!? Was it all a dream!?
I looked around my room. It was no longer my room in Balamb Garden anymore, but my room from the old world I left behind. Was it possible that I had dreamt up the whole week I had spent in Balamb and at Garden in just a single, short nap?
Sure enough I was dressed in the same clothing that I was wearing when I went to sleep earlier that day. I got up off the bed and went over to the PlayStation. I found my Final Fantasy VIII case and opened it up, and of course, there were only 4 discs.
Wow, what a strange dream. It felt so real! Oh well, I'm glad it's over with!
At first I felt a little disappointed since I had fun during my short stay and I was looking forward to getting to know everyone better. I hadn't even begun any of my SeeD training yet, either! In any case, I was better off in my own world and not some videogame world that manifested itself as a dream in my head. It would be a while before I ever touched that game again. I picked up the case and put it up high on a shelf, away from the other games and out of view. Hopefully I'd forget it was there and I wouldn't be tempted to play it again and never have to go through any of this nonsense anymore.
I took a look outside my window and remembered what I thought earlier, before I went to sleep.
Yes, it is a beautiful day. And this time, I think I'll go outside, regardless of how hot it is. Screw hyper-realistic dreams that mess with my head!
I put on my shoes and headed for the front door. I opened it up, smelled the fresh air, and stepped out into the sun and let it warm my skin. I needed to take a walk to clear my head.
Goodbye Irvine and Selphie, that day in Balamb was fun. Goodbye Zell, I looked forward to being your roommate. Goodbye Quistis and Squall, I really was excited to be at Garden and learn from you and become a SeeD. Goodbye Balamb Garden.