Talk To Me

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: See Prologue.

It was business as usual at Balamb Garden. Students were just finishing up classes for the day, so the main hall was packed with cadets that were heading off to do their own thing. Most were making their way towards the quad and cafeteria, since most waited until the last possible minute to study for an upcoming exam or complete a homework assignment. Needless to say, Jayden felt really out of place just standing by the fountain with her hands in her pockets.

They'd arrived maybe twenty minutes ago, and had been standing in the same spot since then. Instructor Trepe and Irvine had left them there, telling them they'd just be a few minutes. They had to report to the headmaster or something like that. She didn't really care. All she wanted to do was get her stuff and be shown to her dorm. After listening to Matt and Nic argue over who was better at Triple Triad the entire way to Balamb, she was ready for a little peace and quiet.

Ignoring Matt and Nic's comments about their soon-to-be comrades, Jayden took in her surroundings. The hall they were standing in was huge. All around them cadets went about their business, not paying them any mind, only glancing at them every now and then. She didn't notice any looks of hostility towards them; they probably had no idea who they were. She was hoping that was the case. She'd like to at least get through her first few days without any trouble. Of course, that wasn't likely to happen. Her and her pals tended to attract trouble.

She sighed as she ran a hand through her unruly locks. It'd been a long time since their guides had left them there. She didn't like this feeling of anxiety. It just wasn't her. Back home, she had a reputation amongst fellow thieves of being cool, calm, and collected. Allowing her to get out of almost any situation. Heh. Almost. If she could get out of any situation, then why was she here?

"Where in the hell are they?" she heard Nic ask. She just shrugged her shoulders in response. That's when she saw her, surrounded by a group of cadets. Jayden suspected they were students of hers, but from the look on Instructor Trepe's face, she wasn't all that happy to see them.

Looks like it's Jayden to the rescue! she thought. And in her mind she heard the sound of trumpets roaring, as if she were a dashing knight jumping in to save the heroine. Psh, whatever, she continued, like someone like her would be interested in a street rat like me.

"Instructor Trepe!" she called out over the bustling crowd. When she saw the instructor look her way, she waved her hands above her head before trying to maneuver through the crowd. Unfortunately, some cadets weren't pleased with this and they weren't afraid to express their displeasure.

"Watch it loser!" she heard one guy yell. He even had the gall to push her, straight into another cadet. A big, muscle-bound cadet with the face of a horse. In turn, he pushed her back into the guy that'd pushed her first, causing them both to stumble into another cadet. Jeez, these people are fucking crazy! Jayden thought. Figuring it was time for her to get the out of there before things really got hectic, she stayed in a crouching position and slowing but surely made her way towards the center.

She was so busy watching to make sure she didn't get stepped on that she was startled when she bumped into a pair of legs. A really long pair of legs. A really long pair of legs that she recognized immediately. Alright Jade don't make an idiot of yourself. she thought. And as an afterthought added, And don't blush!

Allowing her gaze to travel upwards, she grinned what she hoped was a charming grin as her eyes met those of Instructor Trepe…who was also grinning! "Hi there."

"Um…hi." Jayden stood up and as a way to cover the blush she knew was covering her cheeks; she looked down at her feet and sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck. "We were wondering what was taking so long, so…".

Quisits giggled at the young woman in front of her. She found her uneasiness to be quite adorable. And the grin she'd given her just a moment ago was enough to make Quistis go weak in the knees. She had to push these thoughts aside however, for it wasn't appropriate to be thinking such thoughts about a cadet; especially since she was going to be this cadet's instructor. "It's quite alright. I'm sorry it took us so long."

She turned her attention towards the students that were eagerly awaiting her attention, but not before giving Jayden a small smile that many of the Trepies noticed. "I'm sorry, but I have to go. I'll see all of you in class tomorrow."

"Awww, shucks!" many of Trepies groaned in response. As they were leaving, she also heard comments like "Going to show those Estharian losers around." and "Hmph, fucking hoodlums." Turning to face Jayden once again, she saw that she apparently heard the comments also. She didn't know why, but she felt the need to comfort the girl. "Don't worry about them. You'll prove them wrong. All three of you will. I can tell you have it in you to become an excellent SeeD."

She noticed the look of determination that had suddenly appeared in Jayden's eyes. It was one she recognized all too well. She'd seen it in Squall's eyes many times; and look at where it had landed him. He had defeated Ultimecia and became the commander of Garden at the age of 18. Some thought he would even be appointed Headmaster when Cid stepped down.

She sighed at the thought of Squall. Squall Leonhart, the only person that'd ever been able to get to her. The only person she'd ever had any kind of romantic feelings for. She remembered that night he'd told her to basically fuck off all too well. It at the SeeD graduation party. He was dressed in his uniform, looking handsome as always. She remembered watching him dance with Rinoa for the first time. The feelings of jealousy that had reared their ugly heads, the need to get him to see her as someone other than his instructor.

She'd told him to meet her at the "secret spot"; which he did. She'd told him about losing her instructor's license, some of her deepest inner thoughts. And what was his response? He told her to "go talk to a wall". And then came Rinoa Heartilly. The only one who could get Squall to actually show emotion. No matter though. She considered Rinoa a dear friend now, and she was definitely over Squall; she recently discovered that she preferred women. It would explain why she found Squall so attractive; he was awfully feminine after all. And it was becoming increasingly clear that Jayden was definitely her type.

She was shaken out of her revelry when she felt someone tapping on her shoulder. Turning to see who it was, she nearly burst out laughing at the expression on Jayden's face. She was standing as far as she could from Quistis, and she was tapping her shoulder like she expected Quistis to attack her. It was awfully cute. Stop it Quistis, she thought.

"It's okay Jayden, I'm not going to bite." she smiled when Jayden finally relaxed.

"Anyway", she continued, "I have your schedule right here, and now I'm supposed to give you a tour of Balamb Garden. Irvine's going to show the guys around. So…shall we?", she motioned for Jayden to walk beside her as she started off in the direction of the infirmary.

So most, if not all, of Balamb Garden knew they were the juvies from Esthar. So much for going unnoticed, Jayden thought. She thought about what Instructor Trepe told her about being an "excellent SeeD". She figured she was just being nice. Still though, Jayden liked the idea of proving those fuckers wrong. She'd become better than all of them. If it took all of her spare time to master that damn gunblade, then damnit she was going to do it. There was only one tiny problem. She didn't have a gunblade.

"Instructor, how are we supposed to train with weapons when we uh, don't have any?"

"We'll supply you with a standard gun blade and scimitars. They won't have any magical properties or modifications. The same goes for Matt, Nic, and the rest of our new cadets. Should you choose to modify a weapon after you've had some experience with it, we leave that entirely up to you. No modifications are done at Garden. For that, you'll have to go to Balamb.", Quistis explained as she walked.

"Over to our right is the Infirmary. If you are ever injured during training, or sick, go see Dr. Kadowaki. She's been here since the Garden opened, so she's very experienced."

"That's cool. When will we start training anyway?", she raised an eyebrow, hoping she'd get to start weapons training the very next day.

"According to your schedule you have regular classes in the morning, and you start training that afternoon. I'll be your instructor for both. Once I finish showing you around, I'll take you to pick up your weapons and uniform."

"Alrighty. Lead the way instructor."

"Wow, this thing's kinda heavy", Jayden examined the gunblade in front of her, "but very cool." It was a typical, standard issue revolver gunblade; it was similar to the one Squall carried, minus the Griever engraving. Quistis had to admit, the weapon suited the young woman.

"Don't worry about the weight. After you start training with it, you'll get used to it.", Quistis smiled as she picked up the two scimitars that were laying on the counter in front of them. "And these are much lighter and more suited for combat in close quarters."

Jayden put the gunblade back in it's case before taking the two deadly blades from Quistis. Just like the gunblade, there wasn't anything special about them. The blades were thin and sharp, the scabbards were black, with the Balamb Garden insignia engraved in the middle, and the belt that held them was made of plain leather. "These are awesome. And they look dangerous to boot."

Quistis watched in amusement as Jayden posed with the weapons. She couldn't help but check her out. Her body was lean, but curvy in all the right places. The cargo pants she was wearing hugged her hips and only served to emphasize how nice of an ass she had. She'd taken her jacket off some time ago to try on her cadet uniform, and Quistis noticed her pale complexion. Quistis thought she looked like one of those elves from her fantasy novels.

She sighed under her breath. It was going to be hard seeing this girl day after day, week after week, in HER class, and not being able to even try and ask her out. She already knew Jayden was into women just from overhearing her conversations with Nic and Matt on the Ragnarok. Of course, she wouldn't remain a cadet forever…

She was broken out of her revelry by the sound of the garden's intercom. It was the usual announcement signaling that curfew would begin in fifteen minutes. At this time student's were to stop what they were doing and report to their dorms. If they were caught out after curfew without a pass they'd serve an afternoon in detention.

"Come on. I'd better get you to your dorm before we both get in trouble.", Quistis helped Jayden gather up her supplies

"Why Instructor Trepe, how nice of you to walk me home.", Jayden said in a playful manner. Yes, she was flirting with her. Little to Quistis' knowledge, Jayden didn't care about the teacher/student relationship. Whenever she wanted something, she went after it and didn't stop until it was hers.

She balked at the comment. It was certainly unexpected, that much was for sure. However, it would be unwise for her to let her feelings show. She had to remain calm and collected, like an instructor should. "Think nothing of it. Besides the Headmaster and Commander Leonheart, I'm the only one with the code to lock and unlock your room."

Jayden raised an eyebrow in response. "So that means you're going to be walking me back every night?"

"Not necessarily. I will, however, be dropping by every night to lock your door, and every morning to unlock it."

"…Bummer."

End Chapter 1.

A/N: Sorry this chapter seems a little blah-ish, but I felt a little interaction between the two characters was necessary. Things will start progressing more smoothly starting with the next chapter. Enjoy!

P.S. Thanks for the kind reviews. I'm glad you enjoyed the changes I've made so far.