Zell strolled down the hallway of Balamb Garden. He had just checked the clock in his dorm. It was 5:47 p.m.
"Irvine Kinneas, please report to the commander's quarters." the intercom blared.
Zell saw Selphie kiss Irvine goodbye and she started to walk towards Zell.
She linked her arm through Zell's and bit her bottom lip. "Hey Zelly." Selphie smiled.
"Hey Selph." Zell responded.
"Zell!" Rinoa called. He turned around and saw her running towards him. She also linked arms with him. "I'm so bored." she said, somewhat exhausted.
"Zell." It was Quistis.
"Sorry Quisty, I don't have another arm. They beat you to it." Zell said grinning.
"Dang it." Quistis frowned.
Lately, Zell hadn't been getting any jobs and Squall was working and Irvine was helping Squall. So, the girls always hung out with Zell. He cherished his relationship with each girl.
"So, whatcha wanna do?" Zell asked. "Train?"
"NO!" All three said in unison.
"Fine, I get the picture." Zell laughed.
"Let's watch Galbadian Girl." Rinoa suggested.
"Whoa, not AGAIN! NO WAY!" Zell said amazed how girls could be so in love with a movie.
* * *
"I can't believe we're watching this again. Stupid chick flick." Zell grumbled as the tape was put in the VCR in his dorm.
* * *
By the end of the movie, all three of the girls were crying. Zell rolled his eyes.
Rinoa grabbed his sleeve and cried into it.
"Not the shirt!" Zell complained.
It took a few minutes for him to console all three of the girls.
"So whatcha wanna do?" Zell questioned.
"Let's play a game." Selphie said still sniffling.
"Truth or Dare." Rinoa suggested.
"No." Zell replied quickly.
"Come on Zell, just tell us who you like." Quistis commanded. He shook his head vigorously.
"Fine then, let's play…twister!" Selphie exclaimed.
"No, you guys always cheat!" Zell accused.
"Please Zell." Rinoa pleaded.
"Oh, fine." Zell consented.
Selphie went into Zell's closet and pulled out twister. She set it out on the floor.
"I'm caller." Quistis said. The other three nodded their assent.
"Left hand, blue." Quistis called. Zell, Selphie, and Rinoa complied.
Five hands and 7 feet later, Rinoa, Zell and Selphie were completely entangled. Zell had to figure out how to get Selphie under him without falling.
Suddenly, Rinoa started to push against Zell.
"Hey cheater, cheater!" Zell yelled. He lost his balance and he fell. Rinoa giggled.
"Yeah!" Selphie cheered. "We got Zell out."
"Oh, Zell, I'm sorry. Come here." Rinoa said sincerely.
Zell walked towards her.
"Time out." Rinoa said and motioned for Zell to hug her.
Zell wrapped his arms around her and leaned in close to her ear.
"Rinoa." Zell started.
"Yeah Zell?' Rinoa asked.
"Time in." Zell said grinning and pushed her down.
"What? No fair." Rinoa complained.
"I win!" Selphie smiled.
Rinoa fake-pouted.
"You're so cute when you do that."
Zell turned around and saw that Squall and Irvine were standing the doorway.
"Squally!" Rinoa ran over to Squall and jumped into his arms.
"Irvy!" Selphie squealed and launched herself at her tall cowboy.
"Just coming to pick up our girls, thanks for watching them Zell." Irvine smirked as he spoke.
Zell laughed. "Sure thing." he replied.
As Squall, Irvine, Selphie and Rinoa started to leave, Rinoa turned around.
"Coming Quistis?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'll be right there." Quistis said. "Go on ahead."
Rinoa quickly caught up to Irvine, Selphie and Squall.
"Hey Zell, thanks." Quistis smiled pleasantly.
She then kissed him on the cheek.
"What was that for?" Zell asked.
"For putting up with all of our crap." Quistis smiled. "Goodbye Zell." She waved as she left his room.
He was left with his thoughts and memories. That was all he had anymore. Sad memories and depressing thoughts. His friends had left him again, he knew they were just dropping Quistis off at her dorm but still, it was time the five of them had alone and left him out of, even if they were just dropping Quistis off and then going their separate ways.
"Oh well." Zell said to himself.
He checked the clock. It was 10:24.
He figured by now they had all made it to their rooms. He slowly opened his door making sure not to make a sound.
He walked around the garden, it was unusual seeing it so tranquil. He walked towards the entrance/exit of Garden and quietly exited. He loved the plains at night, as well as the courtyard and training center of Balamb garden. He walked slowly through the serene beauty of the plains, a breeze floating around him.
He looked back at the Garden, there was Rinoa and Squall standing on Squall's dorm balcony. They gently kissed, his lips just brushing hers. His arm was around her, holding her as close as possible.
Zell frowned. He'd never known love, or the heat of passion or all the other rewards that come with love. Truthfully, he wasn't sure he wanted to. He'd gotten so used to being shunned and being lonely, it didn't matter to him anymore. He just accepted the fact that he'd always be alone.
Love taunted him, it mocked him and everything he said. He hated Love. He wasn't sure but maybe, just maybe he loved depression. That's why he was so determined to be alone.
All Zell knew for sure, was that he needed this time so he could be by himself and just think. About everything. His friends, his family, his life and his "love" life. This was the time Zell released his emotions that he couldn't show in front of his friends for fear of them not accepting him. He knew it was foolish but he didn't care. His anger, his loneliness, his depression, his fear, all of the things he couldn't and wouldn't show his friends.
That's what he did when he went on walks, think. That's why it became a habit.
Zell felt a shiver run down his back.
"Time to go in." Zell whispered to himself.
* * *
Zell flopped onto his bed. Going through all those different thoughts and emotions drained him physically as well as emotionally.
* * *
Zell opened his eyes slowly and stretched. He stood up, a deep frown creased on his face.
"I need a shower." He mumbled to himself.
He went into the bathroom and undressed. He turned on the water and waited for it to get hot. His arms were folded across his chest, indicating he was getting impatient.
When the water was hot, he hopped into the shower.
The water felt great, it swept over his body, washing away the previous night's emotions, turning him back into the hot-tempered, emotional guy his friends knew.
He shut off the consoling water, his only real friend. He stepped out of the shower and dried off. He put on his clothes and sighed.
He put on his effervescent smile, it still fooled his friends. It hid the suffering that had shattered his heart.
He opened the door his dorm to go find his friends.
* * *
He was so bored, everyone was gone. Irvine, Selphie and Rinoa had gone shopping in Esthar. Squall was working as usual. Quistis was teaching a class.
Well, maybe he'd go check on Quistis. It was an all-day class too. From half-an-hour ago until 6:00 that night. (Maybe I'll stay with her all day, I've got nothing better to do.) Zell thought to himself.
* * *
The door to Quistis' classroom was open. Zell stood in the doorway, listening to Quistis teach her students about the draw system, and invisible draw points.
"Excuse me, Instructor Trepe." A student raised her hand.
"Yes, what is it?" Quistis asked.
"We've got a visitor." The girl responded.
Quistis looked towards the door and smirked. Zell grinned back at her, flashing his trademark canines.
"Mr. Dincht, Can I help you?" Quistis said sarcastically.
"Not really, I just came to hang out in your class." Zell remarked. Quistis pointed to an open seat, laughing quietly as she shook her head.
After 30 minutes of listening to Quistis, Zell had zoned out the world around him. He was sitting, perfectly balanced on the back two legs of his chair. He stared blankly out the window.
The student next to Zell leaned over. "Hey…Hey! How do you do that?" The kid whispered to Zell.
Zell woke up from his trance and looked at the kid. "Do wh…Whoa!" Zell fell backwards out of his chair, smacking the floor. Zell felt like an idiot.
"Zell! Are you okay?" Quistis rushed over and asked concernedly.
"Yeah." Zell said, his face flushing.
Quistis couldn't help but laugh. She tried to contain it but she couldn't. The whole class was laughing.
Zell sat up and rubbed the back of your head. "Aren't you going to help me up?" Zell asked.
"No, I know what you're planning." Quistis said, "You'd pull me down there." Quistis started laughing again.
Zell stood up and grabbed his chair. He sat back down. Quistis returned to the front of the classroom.
After another hour and a half of talking, Quistis was just as tired as the students.
"Okay, okay. That's enough talking for now. Meet me on the beach in half an hour, and class, don't forget your swimsuits." Quistis said smiling.
The class was ecstatic. They thanked Quistis and told her she was the best instructor in garden, etc. The class talked happily as they filed out of the classroom.
Quistis sighed as she watched the students leave. She turned towards Zell, who was still sitting in his chair.
"Hey Teach, do I get a private lesson?" Zell mocked Quistis jokingly. Zell stood up and walked towards Quistis.
"So, Zell, what do you want to talk to me about?" Quistis asked.
"I didn't want to talk to you about anything." Zell responded.
"Then why'd you come to my class?" Quistis asked, thoroughly confused.
"I just wanted to hang out with you. Everyone's gone so I thought I'd come help you out, if you needed anything." Zell said slightly embarrassed.
Quistis smiled amusedly at Zell. Zell responded with a broad grin.
They started walking towards the entrance of Balamb garden.
"Quist, where are you going?" Zell asked.
"To the beach." Quistis remarked.
"Aren't you going to go get your swimsuit?" Zell questioned. Quistis shook her nonchalantly.
"Come on, Quisty, it'll be fun. Please." Zell pleaded.
"Fine." Quistis said plainly.
She walked back into the garden, Zell still faithfully following.
They neared her dorm and she unlocked it and entered.
She opened her clothes drawer and pulled out her swimsuit.
She walked to her bathroom and as she turned to close the door Zell was in the door frame.
"Zell, you can't follow me in here." Quistis commented.
Zell's face became completely red. "Sorry." Zell mumbled.
Quistis closed the door and started to change.
"Hey Quist, I'm gonna go change." Zell called through the door.
"Okay." Quistis called back.
Quistis laid her swimsuit out across the countertop in her bathroom. She slowly undressed, her entire body was stiff after hours of speaking.
She stared into the mirror, looking at her own body.
(I'm an attractive woman, what's kept me from having a man for so long.)
Sighing, she slowly slipped on her bikini. She opened the door and stepped out.
"Oh!" Quistis cried, she had ran right into Zell. Zell just smiled.
"You got dressed quickly." Quistis commented. Zell shrugged.
"Ready?" he asked. Quistis nodded.
They walked towards the entrance and saw the class waiting for them.
Quistis walked in front of the talking mass. It all of a sudden got very quiet.
Zell's chest had caught the attention of all the girls in the class. Their eyes were glued to his upper torso. Zell didn't notice, he was watching Quistis speak, she had a way of swinging her body as she spoke, he was intrigued.
The guys in the class were starting to drool as they watched Quistis. Their imaginations were running wild.
"Class!" The class snapped back to attention. "Have fun." Quistis said.
Some of the class jumped into the water, while others laid out beach towels, and still others learned why the Trepies were the Trepies.
As the class dispersed, Quistis noticed Zell staring at her.
"You look good Quistis." Zell said nonchalantly still admiring her beautiful form. Quistis' face flushed a deep vermilion, she looked to the sand at her feet.
Noticing that he had made Quistis uncomfortable, Zell quickly averted his eyes.
After recovering from her embarrassment, Quistis looked up and saw that Zell had laid out two towels right next to each other. He looked as if he was starting to fall asleep, lying on his towel.
Quistis sat down on the other towel. She looked out among her class, seeing all the girls and boys playing games, hugging, kissing and all the other joys of love. Quistis sighed tiredly.
"What's wrong?" Zell asked, not even opening his eyes.
"Nothing." Quistis replied.
"Okay." Zell said indifferently.
(If she doesn't want to talk about it, that's her choice.) "Zell." (That's what I thought.)
"Yeah, Quistis." Zell said.
"Do you ever get…" Quistis stopped herself. "No…never mind. It's not important."
"Quistis, please tell me." Zell said still lying there.
"No, forget it." Quistis shrugged it off.
Zell opened his eyes and propped himself up on one elbow. He stared at Quistis, looking directly into her eyes.
"Quistis, we've been friends for a long time, now are you still not close enough to me to tell me what's wrong?" Zell said, sounding hurt.
"You pull that line on me every time." Quistis said laughing. Zell laid back down, shut his eyes and smiled.
"Hey, it still works, doesn't it?" Zell said beaming. Quistis hit him on his chest.
"That is so not fair. I can't keep any secrets from you." Quistis complained.
"Go on." Zell said.
"I was just wondering, if you every got…lonely. You know, tired of being alone." Quistis whispered.
Zell laughed. "Me, the Zellmeister, lonely. No way. Never." Zell said smiling.
"Really, I've been lonely lately, scared and alone. Zell, it's so scary, I wake up in the middle of night and there's tears in my eyes. I'm drenched in sweat, yet I'm shivering." Quistis said, pouring her heart out to Zell. "I'd tell Rinoa or Selphie this, except their already in love, they'd have no idea how I feel. Only you know how I feel."
(Man, that's pretty heavy stuff. She knows exactly how I feel, on the topic of loneliness that is.) Zell thought.
"Zell, do you ever feel that way?" Quistis asked. She had noticed Zell's smile had left his face and in it's place was a scowl.
"Quistis…" Zell started, his voice low and dejected.
"I know exactly how you feel, sometimes at night I get really…"
"QUISTIS!!!!" Zell was interrupted.
Quistis turned around to see Rinoa yelling at her and Selphie and Irvine playfully kissing..
"Come here, Selphie and I bought you a dress!" Rinoa yelled.
Quistis turned to look at Zell, as if asking for permission to go.
"Go on, go see what it is. You don't need my permission." Zell said his effervescent mask returning to his face.
Quistis grabbed his hand and gripped it tightly.
To Zell her hand was so soft and velvety, so smooth and feminine. It was cold and refreshing like a bottle of water after a long training session.
"Thanks Zell." Quistis whispered, grinning at him. Then just as quickly let his hand go. Quistis jumped up and ran over to Selphie, Rinoa and Irvine.
Zell sighed. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Seifer, Fujin and Raijin.
(Squall graciously allowed Seifer, Fujin and Raijin back into garden. Yet, he doesn't give a flying SHIT about his "best friend".) Zell thought furiously. However, he still managed to maintain the grin on his face.
Zell could overhear the 3 girl's conversation.
"Thank you guys so much, I love it." Quistis said joyously and hugged Rinoa and Selphie.
Irvine opened his arms wide waiting for his hug. Quistis put her hand on her hip and cocked her eyebrow at Irvine.
"I am appalled Quistis, you think I want a hug just because you're in your swimsuit." Irvine joked.
Quistis smiled and gave Irvine a hug. Irvine grabbed her tightly, twirled her around and then set her back down. At this point, all four of them were laughing.
"We're gonna change into our swimsuits and we'll be right back." Selphie commented.
"I'll be waiting here." Quistis replied.
Quistis watched them walk towards Balamb Garden and then turned to go back to Zell. Only he wasn't there, his towel was gone and she could see footprints in the sand leading back to garden.
(Oh no, he's gone. Him and I need to have a long talk. I bet he always feels left out. He is kind of the odd man out. Zell…)
* * *
Zell sighed, another deep frown plastered on his face. He slowly undressed, pulled back the covers and got in bed. He felt so worn out, it was nearing midnight.
Then Zell heard a knock at the door, Zell was fuming inside. The day's events still bothered him and he was both physically and emotionally drained.
"Come in." Zell said.
"Irvine Kinneas, please report to the commander's quarters." the intercom blared.
Zell saw Selphie kiss Irvine goodbye and she started to walk towards Zell.
She linked her arm through Zell's and bit her bottom lip. "Hey Zelly." Selphie smiled.
"Hey Selph." Zell responded.
"Zell!" Rinoa called. He turned around and saw her running towards him. She also linked arms with him. "I'm so bored." she said, somewhat exhausted.
"Zell." It was Quistis.
"Sorry Quisty, I don't have another arm. They beat you to it." Zell said grinning.
"Dang it." Quistis frowned.
Lately, Zell hadn't been getting any jobs and Squall was working and Irvine was helping Squall. So, the girls always hung out with Zell. He cherished his relationship with each girl.
"So, whatcha wanna do?" Zell asked. "Train?"
"NO!" All three said in unison.
"Fine, I get the picture." Zell laughed.
"Let's watch Galbadian Girl." Rinoa suggested.
"Whoa, not AGAIN! NO WAY!" Zell said amazed how girls could be so in love with a movie.
* * *
"I can't believe we're watching this again. Stupid chick flick." Zell grumbled as the tape was put in the VCR in his dorm.
* * *
By the end of the movie, all three of the girls were crying. Zell rolled his eyes.
Rinoa grabbed his sleeve and cried into it.
"Not the shirt!" Zell complained.
It took a few minutes for him to console all three of the girls.
"So whatcha wanna do?" Zell questioned.
"Let's play a game." Selphie said still sniffling.
"Truth or Dare." Rinoa suggested.
"No." Zell replied quickly.
"Come on Zell, just tell us who you like." Quistis commanded. He shook his head vigorously.
"Fine then, let's play…twister!" Selphie exclaimed.
"No, you guys always cheat!" Zell accused.
"Please Zell." Rinoa pleaded.
"Oh, fine." Zell consented.
Selphie went into Zell's closet and pulled out twister. She set it out on the floor.
"I'm caller." Quistis said. The other three nodded their assent.
"Left hand, blue." Quistis called. Zell, Selphie, and Rinoa complied.
Five hands and 7 feet later, Rinoa, Zell and Selphie were completely entangled. Zell had to figure out how to get Selphie under him without falling.
Suddenly, Rinoa started to push against Zell.
"Hey cheater, cheater!" Zell yelled. He lost his balance and he fell. Rinoa giggled.
"Yeah!" Selphie cheered. "We got Zell out."
"Oh, Zell, I'm sorry. Come here." Rinoa said sincerely.
Zell walked towards her.
"Time out." Rinoa said and motioned for Zell to hug her.
Zell wrapped his arms around her and leaned in close to her ear.
"Rinoa." Zell started.
"Yeah Zell?' Rinoa asked.
"Time in." Zell said grinning and pushed her down.
"What? No fair." Rinoa complained.
"I win!" Selphie smiled.
Rinoa fake-pouted.
"You're so cute when you do that."
Zell turned around and saw that Squall and Irvine were standing the doorway.
"Squally!" Rinoa ran over to Squall and jumped into his arms.
"Irvy!" Selphie squealed and launched herself at her tall cowboy.
"Just coming to pick up our girls, thanks for watching them Zell." Irvine smirked as he spoke.
Zell laughed. "Sure thing." he replied.
As Squall, Irvine, Selphie and Rinoa started to leave, Rinoa turned around.
"Coming Quistis?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'll be right there." Quistis said. "Go on ahead."
Rinoa quickly caught up to Irvine, Selphie and Squall.
"Hey Zell, thanks." Quistis smiled pleasantly.
She then kissed him on the cheek.
"What was that for?" Zell asked.
"For putting up with all of our crap." Quistis smiled. "Goodbye Zell." She waved as she left his room.
He was left with his thoughts and memories. That was all he had anymore. Sad memories and depressing thoughts. His friends had left him again, he knew they were just dropping Quistis off at her dorm but still, it was time the five of them had alone and left him out of, even if they were just dropping Quistis off and then going their separate ways.
"Oh well." Zell said to himself.
He checked the clock. It was 10:24.
He figured by now they had all made it to their rooms. He slowly opened his door making sure not to make a sound.
He walked around the garden, it was unusual seeing it so tranquil. He walked towards the entrance/exit of Garden and quietly exited. He loved the plains at night, as well as the courtyard and training center of Balamb garden. He walked slowly through the serene beauty of the plains, a breeze floating around him.
He looked back at the Garden, there was Rinoa and Squall standing on Squall's dorm balcony. They gently kissed, his lips just brushing hers. His arm was around her, holding her as close as possible.
Zell frowned. He'd never known love, or the heat of passion or all the other rewards that come with love. Truthfully, he wasn't sure he wanted to. He'd gotten so used to being shunned and being lonely, it didn't matter to him anymore. He just accepted the fact that he'd always be alone.
Love taunted him, it mocked him and everything he said. He hated Love. He wasn't sure but maybe, just maybe he loved depression. That's why he was so determined to be alone.
All Zell knew for sure, was that he needed this time so he could be by himself and just think. About everything. His friends, his family, his life and his "love" life. This was the time Zell released his emotions that he couldn't show in front of his friends for fear of them not accepting him. He knew it was foolish but he didn't care. His anger, his loneliness, his depression, his fear, all of the things he couldn't and wouldn't show his friends.
That's what he did when he went on walks, think. That's why it became a habit.
Zell felt a shiver run down his back.
"Time to go in." Zell whispered to himself.
* * *
Zell flopped onto his bed. Going through all those different thoughts and emotions drained him physically as well as emotionally.
* * *
Zell opened his eyes slowly and stretched. He stood up, a deep frown creased on his face.
"I need a shower." He mumbled to himself.
He went into the bathroom and undressed. He turned on the water and waited for it to get hot. His arms were folded across his chest, indicating he was getting impatient.
When the water was hot, he hopped into the shower.
The water felt great, it swept over his body, washing away the previous night's emotions, turning him back into the hot-tempered, emotional guy his friends knew.
He shut off the consoling water, his only real friend. He stepped out of the shower and dried off. He put on his clothes and sighed.
He put on his effervescent smile, it still fooled his friends. It hid the suffering that had shattered his heart.
He opened the door his dorm to go find his friends.
* * *
He was so bored, everyone was gone. Irvine, Selphie and Rinoa had gone shopping in Esthar. Squall was working as usual. Quistis was teaching a class.
Well, maybe he'd go check on Quistis. It was an all-day class too. From half-an-hour ago until 6:00 that night. (Maybe I'll stay with her all day, I've got nothing better to do.) Zell thought to himself.
* * *
The door to Quistis' classroom was open. Zell stood in the doorway, listening to Quistis teach her students about the draw system, and invisible draw points.
"Excuse me, Instructor Trepe." A student raised her hand.
"Yes, what is it?" Quistis asked.
"We've got a visitor." The girl responded.
Quistis looked towards the door and smirked. Zell grinned back at her, flashing his trademark canines.
"Mr. Dincht, Can I help you?" Quistis said sarcastically.
"Not really, I just came to hang out in your class." Zell remarked. Quistis pointed to an open seat, laughing quietly as she shook her head.
After 30 minutes of listening to Quistis, Zell had zoned out the world around him. He was sitting, perfectly balanced on the back two legs of his chair. He stared blankly out the window.
The student next to Zell leaned over. "Hey…Hey! How do you do that?" The kid whispered to Zell.
Zell woke up from his trance and looked at the kid. "Do wh…Whoa!" Zell fell backwards out of his chair, smacking the floor. Zell felt like an idiot.
"Zell! Are you okay?" Quistis rushed over and asked concernedly.
"Yeah." Zell said, his face flushing.
Quistis couldn't help but laugh. She tried to contain it but she couldn't. The whole class was laughing.
Zell sat up and rubbed the back of your head. "Aren't you going to help me up?" Zell asked.
"No, I know what you're planning." Quistis said, "You'd pull me down there." Quistis started laughing again.
Zell stood up and grabbed his chair. He sat back down. Quistis returned to the front of the classroom.
After another hour and a half of talking, Quistis was just as tired as the students.
"Okay, okay. That's enough talking for now. Meet me on the beach in half an hour, and class, don't forget your swimsuits." Quistis said smiling.
The class was ecstatic. They thanked Quistis and told her she was the best instructor in garden, etc. The class talked happily as they filed out of the classroom.
Quistis sighed as she watched the students leave. She turned towards Zell, who was still sitting in his chair.
"Hey Teach, do I get a private lesson?" Zell mocked Quistis jokingly. Zell stood up and walked towards Quistis.
"So, Zell, what do you want to talk to me about?" Quistis asked.
"I didn't want to talk to you about anything." Zell responded.
"Then why'd you come to my class?" Quistis asked, thoroughly confused.
"I just wanted to hang out with you. Everyone's gone so I thought I'd come help you out, if you needed anything." Zell said slightly embarrassed.
Quistis smiled amusedly at Zell. Zell responded with a broad grin.
They started walking towards the entrance of Balamb garden.
"Quist, where are you going?" Zell asked.
"To the beach." Quistis remarked.
"Aren't you going to go get your swimsuit?" Zell questioned. Quistis shook her nonchalantly.
"Come on, Quisty, it'll be fun. Please." Zell pleaded.
"Fine." Quistis said plainly.
She walked back into the garden, Zell still faithfully following.
They neared her dorm and she unlocked it and entered.
She opened her clothes drawer and pulled out her swimsuit.
She walked to her bathroom and as she turned to close the door Zell was in the door frame.
"Zell, you can't follow me in here." Quistis commented.
Zell's face became completely red. "Sorry." Zell mumbled.
Quistis closed the door and started to change.
"Hey Quist, I'm gonna go change." Zell called through the door.
"Okay." Quistis called back.
Quistis laid her swimsuit out across the countertop in her bathroom. She slowly undressed, her entire body was stiff after hours of speaking.
She stared into the mirror, looking at her own body.
(I'm an attractive woman, what's kept me from having a man for so long.)
Sighing, she slowly slipped on her bikini. She opened the door and stepped out.
"Oh!" Quistis cried, she had ran right into Zell. Zell just smiled.
"You got dressed quickly." Quistis commented. Zell shrugged.
"Ready?" he asked. Quistis nodded.
They walked towards the entrance and saw the class waiting for them.
Quistis walked in front of the talking mass. It all of a sudden got very quiet.
Zell's chest had caught the attention of all the girls in the class. Their eyes were glued to his upper torso. Zell didn't notice, he was watching Quistis speak, she had a way of swinging her body as she spoke, he was intrigued.
The guys in the class were starting to drool as they watched Quistis. Their imaginations were running wild.
"Class!" The class snapped back to attention. "Have fun." Quistis said.
Some of the class jumped into the water, while others laid out beach towels, and still others learned why the Trepies were the Trepies.
As the class dispersed, Quistis noticed Zell staring at her.
"You look good Quistis." Zell said nonchalantly still admiring her beautiful form. Quistis' face flushed a deep vermilion, she looked to the sand at her feet.
Noticing that he had made Quistis uncomfortable, Zell quickly averted his eyes.
After recovering from her embarrassment, Quistis looked up and saw that Zell had laid out two towels right next to each other. He looked as if he was starting to fall asleep, lying on his towel.
Quistis sat down on the other towel. She looked out among her class, seeing all the girls and boys playing games, hugging, kissing and all the other joys of love. Quistis sighed tiredly.
"What's wrong?" Zell asked, not even opening his eyes.
"Nothing." Quistis replied.
"Okay." Zell said indifferently.
(If she doesn't want to talk about it, that's her choice.) "Zell." (That's what I thought.)
"Yeah, Quistis." Zell said.
"Do you ever get…" Quistis stopped herself. "No…never mind. It's not important."
"Quistis, please tell me." Zell said still lying there.
"No, forget it." Quistis shrugged it off.
Zell opened his eyes and propped himself up on one elbow. He stared at Quistis, looking directly into her eyes.
"Quistis, we've been friends for a long time, now are you still not close enough to me to tell me what's wrong?" Zell said, sounding hurt.
"You pull that line on me every time." Quistis said laughing. Zell laid back down, shut his eyes and smiled.
"Hey, it still works, doesn't it?" Zell said beaming. Quistis hit him on his chest.
"That is so not fair. I can't keep any secrets from you." Quistis complained.
"Go on." Zell said.
"I was just wondering, if you every got…lonely. You know, tired of being alone." Quistis whispered.
Zell laughed. "Me, the Zellmeister, lonely. No way. Never." Zell said smiling.
"Really, I've been lonely lately, scared and alone. Zell, it's so scary, I wake up in the middle of night and there's tears in my eyes. I'm drenched in sweat, yet I'm shivering." Quistis said, pouring her heart out to Zell. "I'd tell Rinoa or Selphie this, except their already in love, they'd have no idea how I feel. Only you know how I feel."
(Man, that's pretty heavy stuff. She knows exactly how I feel, on the topic of loneliness that is.) Zell thought.
"Zell, do you ever feel that way?" Quistis asked. She had noticed Zell's smile had left his face and in it's place was a scowl.
"Quistis…" Zell started, his voice low and dejected.
"I know exactly how you feel, sometimes at night I get really…"
"QUISTIS!!!!" Zell was interrupted.
Quistis turned around to see Rinoa yelling at her and Selphie and Irvine playfully kissing..
"Come here, Selphie and I bought you a dress!" Rinoa yelled.
Quistis turned to look at Zell, as if asking for permission to go.
"Go on, go see what it is. You don't need my permission." Zell said his effervescent mask returning to his face.
Quistis grabbed his hand and gripped it tightly.
To Zell her hand was so soft and velvety, so smooth and feminine. It was cold and refreshing like a bottle of water after a long training session.
"Thanks Zell." Quistis whispered, grinning at him. Then just as quickly let his hand go. Quistis jumped up and ran over to Selphie, Rinoa and Irvine.
Zell sighed. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Seifer, Fujin and Raijin.
(Squall graciously allowed Seifer, Fujin and Raijin back into garden. Yet, he doesn't give a flying SHIT about his "best friend".) Zell thought furiously. However, he still managed to maintain the grin on his face.
Zell could overhear the 3 girl's conversation.
"Thank you guys so much, I love it." Quistis said joyously and hugged Rinoa and Selphie.
Irvine opened his arms wide waiting for his hug. Quistis put her hand on her hip and cocked her eyebrow at Irvine.
"I am appalled Quistis, you think I want a hug just because you're in your swimsuit." Irvine joked.
Quistis smiled and gave Irvine a hug. Irvine grabbed her tightly, twirled her around and then set her back down. At this point, all four of them were laughing.
"We're gonna change into our swimsuits and we'll be right back." Selphie commented.
"I'll be waiting here." Quistis replied.
Quistis watched them walk towards Balamb Garden and then turned to go back to Zell. Only he wasn't there, his towel was gone and she could see footprints in the sand leading back to garden.
(Oh no, he's gone. Him and I need to have a long talk. I bet he always feels left out. He is kind of the odd man out. Zell…)
* * *
Zell sighed, another deep frown plastered on his face. He slowly undressed, pulled back the covers and got in bed. He felt so worn out, it was nearing midnight.
Then Zell heard a knock at the door, Zell was fuming inside. The day's events still bothered him and he was both physically and emotionally drained.
"Come in." Zell said.