Queen Luana: Here it is, the final day of Zell's bet! His final chance to cheer up Selphie. Things are going rather well, but will –he – succeed? Yeah, baby, here we go. This feels good. This won't be the final chapter. Don't worry. And enjoy, cause this is an extra long chapter. With extra long I mean longer than the other ones.

Lady in red

"Selphie loves to party. I think if there's anything that'll pep her up, it's a party."

"Come in!" two girls chanted in unison. Zell entered Selphie's room and found Rinoa sitting on Selphie's bed.

"Hi, Zell," she said with a smile. Behind her, Selphie was putting on her boots.

"Rinoa's taking me out today," she said, "going to get ourselves spoiled today. Have lunch in town."

"Haven't I spoiled you enough?" Zell asked and tucked his hands in his pockets, then leaned against the wall.

Selphie giggled. "Yes, but not in a girly way," she said. "Rinoa and I are going to do everything girly. Manicure, massage, that sort of thing." She cocked her head sideways and looked at him. "You don't mind, right?"

Zell shook his head with a smile. Actually, he'd been the one asking Rinoa to go and have fun with Selphie. The last phase of his plan was the bash that night. Other than that he'd had nothing planned, but he didn't want Selphie to be sitting in her room all day. Enter Rinoa.

"Hey, I heard you and Squall found a place," Zell directed himself at Rinoa.

She leaned back against Selphie's chocobo pillow and nodded. "Yep. Moving in in a couple of days. You guys should come and see it someday."

"That'd be great," Selphie smiled, "where is it?"

"Above a little shop in Balamb," Rinoa explained. "It's not too big, but it'll do for now. Give us the privacy we need, and all." She glanced at Zell who quickly turned his attention to his gloves. She cast him a nasty smile. "How's that sunburn, Zell?"

Zell's eyes widened and Selphie burst into a giggle.

Both of them got up, Rinoa with a triumphant smirk broadening on her face, Selphie waved and with arms hooked they left the room. Zell pressed his face into Selphie's pillow and screamed.

Zell stomped through the corridor back to his own room. He'd blushed more this past week than he had done his entire life. So this is what he got for being so helpful. Mockery and embarrassment. He collapsed in his bed and rubbed his eyes. However, despite all the awkward moments he'd really enjoyed these past few days. Making that bet with Selphie had been a wise decision. He felt like not only had he helped her, he'd also helped himself. He rolled over with a smile.

When he woke up again he saw it was already half past two. He groaned. "No hotdogs today then…" But he smiled when he thought of the free amount of hotdogs he'd get tomorrow and got to his feet to grab himself a croissant. When he tried Selphie's door after lunch no one answered. So she and Rinoa were still out. He'd told Selphie he'd come pick her up at nine and that she had to be ready by then. He didn't feel like waiting and just shivered at the thought he'd have to watch her get changed.

He shook his had. No, they'd have fun tonight. Who knew, she might even feel like flirting. Best way to get over an old love is by finding a new one.

When he checked Selphie's room that evening to ask if she wanted to have diner with him, she still didn't answer and now he was starting to worry. They'd be back by nine, right? It was almost seven. He tried not to think about it too much and made his way to the cafeteria. You could tell there was going to be a party tonight. Balamb students were running around excitedly and the quad entrance was decorated with flowers and long, silky curtains. This would be big. Perhaps even bigger than the Garden Festival.

After dinner he went to get changed himself. It was still more than an hour before he would fetch Selphie, but he had nothing to do. He buttoned up his vest and smoothed his pants. It had been a while since he'd worn this. To kill the time he practiced his hitting and his kicks. He could go to the training centre but that would just end up in losing track of time and being exhausted by the time the bash began. At precisely nine o' clock he went to call on Selphie, hoping she would be back by now. Else what'd he do? Wait by her door for her to return? Or go back to his room and go check once in a while? Or just head to the party by himself?

With a sigh he knocked and waited for an answer. Nothing. "Oh, come on!" he said.

"Zell?"

His heart leapt when he heard Selphie's dimmed voice from the other side of the door.

"Oh, darn it, it's nine already! Let yourself in! I'm still getting ready."

He opened the door and found an empty room. "Selphie?"

"I'm in the bathroom! Five more minutes!"

He sat down on Selphie's bed and folded his hands.

"We missed our train! It took forever for the next one to arrive! I didn't even have diner, I'm starving! They better have lots of snacks."

He shook his head with a smile and paced around the room. When she said five, he knew she meant fifteen. He ambled over to the green paper and read his five lines again. But he was surprised when he found a sixth one, in feminine handwriting, right bellow the blue smudge.

Got to know Zell better.

He smiled feebly and ran his fingertips across the swirly letters.

He heard the bathroom door open and turned around, only there to find Selphie and his jaw dropping. He'd seen her trying on the dress before, but now the look was finished, together with her black pumps and a black ribbon around her neck. She wasn't wearing make-up, only a thin layer of gloss made her lips sparkle when she smiled.

"Ready to go?" she asked. "Come on, I need crackers."

The bash was quite different from the Garden festival. The guys were wearing their uniform, as always, but the girls' dresses were less elegant than they had been at the festival. The serene music was absent and had been replaced by a much louder and wilder kind. The ceiling was decorated with colourful balloons and paper chains and the lights were slightly dimmed.

Some students turned around curiously when he and Selphie entered side by side. Selphie beamed when she spotted the decorations. "They kept the balloons! I had to fight for those balloons, you know," she said proudly. She turned to face Zell. "I was in the committee, remember? But when things went downhill I signed out. They didn't like my ideas."

"Like what?" Zell asked and guided her over to the snacks table.

"I wanted to put this huge ice sculpture in the middle of the dance floor," she said, "but they said it was too much work and too expensive. But it would've been so cool with the coloured spots." She took a cracker and stuffed it in her mouth. "At leasht they kept the balloonsh."

Zell handed her a cup of punch to wash down the cracker.

Selphie looked around then waved. "Oh there's Quistis!"

Zell spotted her, being one of the few girls wearing her uniform, and she walked over. She'd taken of her glasses and pinned up her hair. Classic Quistis. "Hey, Selphie, it's been a while," she smiled and looked her up and down. "You look amazing."

"Thanks," Selphie beamed. "Zell picked it out for me."

Quistis hesitated for a moment then nodded slowly. "Oh, I see. You two are..?"

Zell shook his head wildly, almost spilling his drink as he did so. "No-no," he said hastily, "still just friends."

Selphie glanced up at him and smiled. "He's been really helpful," she said.

Quistis was called over by a taller man and then their ways parted.

"Makes you wonder, huh," Selphie asked him and gazed around the room.

"About what?"

"How many people would think we're a couple?" she asked him and sipped her punch.

"Not too many I hope," he muttered. He was keeping a keen eye out for Seifer. He placed his empty cup on the table and took Selphie's arm. "Come on, let's dance." He dragged her to the middle of the dance floor, where the temperature instantly seemed to rise twenty degrees. It only took a few seconds for Selphie to get fired up. Within moments she was moving to the music the way only Selphie could. While Zell kept his movements subtle she danced with an energy that seemed to have no limit. Ecstatically she hopped around, swaying her arms and shaking her hips to the music. Some people stepped aside afraid to get an arm in their face, but others watched and applauded.

Zell smiled to himself. That's it. No worries. She'll be fine, now that she's here.

"All right," she said after going at it for over half an hour without pausing to catch her breath. "I need a drink."

Zell followed her back to the punch table where they caught sight of Rinoa, chatting with some other girls. She was wearing the same white dress she had made her appearance with at the Festival, and she looked just as stunning.

"Hey, Selphie," she smiled and Selphie got herself some punch. "I saw you going at it out there."

"I love parties," she smiled and rocked back and forth. "I can dance all night!"

"I don't doubt it," Rinoa smiled and whistled. "And you look gorgeous."

"Thank you," Selphie beamed and emptied her drink in a matter of seconds, before pouring herself another one. "Is Squall here?"

"Please, Selphie," she smiled. "Even if I had managed to drag him along, where would you think he'd be now? Out socializing?"

Selphie almost spat out the punch but managed to swallow it quickly before expressing something that was a mix of a cough and a giggle.

"He was still packing when I left," she explained. "But he's probably asleep now."

"Oh, packing already?" Selphie asked.

"Yeah, we'd like to have moved in by Tuesday," Rinoa said with a smile. At last she turned to Zell. "And how are you enjoying the party?"

He nodded. "Okay. Still waiting for Selphie's energy to pass on to me."

Selphie made some bizarre hand gestures. "Woosh! Woosh! Take my energy! Woosh!" She giggled and stared down at her cup. "There's waaaay too much sugar in this."

"Better go dance it off, then," Zell smiled. "See ya!"

Rinoa turned back to chat with her friends and Zell and Selphie headed back for the dance floor. Zell felt like melting in this uniform. He'd like nothing better than at least take out the vest, but he was wearing a grey shirt, and sweat stains were almost inevitable. When it got too much, he and Selphie could always head for the balcony for a couple of minutes to cool down. But for now, he let her have her fun. She twirled around and the white ribbon danced along happily.

After two more songs she jumped up and pointed. "Oh! I see Squall!" she cried. "Hey Squall!" But with all the music, the young man who walked by at the edge of the dance floor was completely oblivious to her calls. Apparently he'd put on his uniform as well to come and make a short appearance. "Oh, I hope Rinoa can talk him into dancing."

Zell laughed. "I'd like to see that. Him waltzing had been a sight, just imagine…" He tried picturing the stern man making Selphie's moves and had to suppress a giggle. "It would be priceless."

Selphie nodded in agreement. "It would really make my day."

Zell blinked at her. "Be right back." He forced his way through the wildly dancing crowd and searched for Rinoa. She was still standing there with her friends, and apparently Squall hadn't found her yet. Zell hurried over and tapped her shoulder.

Rinoa laughed when he finished whispering in her ear. "I'll try, but I'm not making any promises."

"If there's one person who can do it…"

"I know, I know, it's me," she smiled. "I'll do my very best."

"Thanks," he said and hurried back to Selphie. She hadn't stopped moving and only noticed he had returned when he tapped her shoulder. "Back," he smiled and danced along. He really did wonder whether Rinoa could pull it off. Well, she'd done it once, why couldn't she do it twice?

And indeed. Only ten minutes later Selphie gasped. "Unbelievable!" she cried and pointed excitedly. "Look! Look! It moves!"

Zell turned and sniggered at the sight. All he did was just slightly move his shoulders back and forth, but fact was fact, Squall was dancing. Rinoa took his hands in order to make him move a little more and yes, the hips went along as well.

Selphie screamed with joy. "Look at him! Look at him go!" she cried. "Yay, Squall!"

This time he had heard Selphie and glanced at her. Blushing he stared back at his feet.

Selphie had to grab Zell's arm in order to keep herself up. "He's so adorable!"

Suddenly the spots dimmed and were replaced by a white light reflecting on the ball hanging from the ceiling. The room was instantly filled with small lights and around them, people started to pair up as a slow music began.

"Whenever sang my songs…"

With a smile Selphie rushed up to Zell and placed her hands on his shoulders. "I love this song."

Shyly, Zell placed his own hands on Selphie's waist. Over her shoulder, he could see Squall pulling Rinoa close more confidently than before and for once he truly envied him.

"This party is so absolutely perfect," Selphie smiled. "Just the way I imagined it when we started working on it."

"Glad your enjoying it," Zell said.

"I am," she said with a nod. "Thanks to you, I guess." She laid her head against his chest. "Thank you, Zell."

"I kind of liked it your way, how you shyly placed your eyes on me."

Zell smiled softly. "No problem, Selph."

"Did you ever know, that I had mine on you."

When the song was finished they headed for the balcony to cool down. There was a fresh breeze up there and Zell inhaled deeply.

"Look at all the stars," Selphie said dreamily as she gazed up to the sky. "Such a clear night."

Zell checked his watch. "A quarter to midnight."

Selphie leaned against the balustrade and smiled at him. "My week of being spoiled is reaching his end then."

"So is our bet," he said and looked at her. "Well, what do you think?"

"Fifteen more minutes, Zell," she smiled teasingly.

Zell rolled his eyes. "Fine, I'll just go and get us some punch to celebrate. At midnight." With a smile he headed back into the room, only now noticing how the air had gotten thick with heat and sweat. He rushed towards the table and quickly poured in two cups of punch. So she hadn't really said it, but it was plain obvious. He had won. Free hotdogs, here I come!

He took the two cups up the stairs and back to the balcony, where a couple just missed him. They had rushed down the stairs, the girl giggling, the boy laughing. "Hey, watch it!" Zell called after them. By pulling away he had spilled punch over his hand and right sleeve. "Darn it." He looked up and froze.

Selphie was crying. She was standing there, head slightly bowed, fists clenched at her side and tears streamed down her face.

It only took a split second for Zell to realise what had just happened. That boy passing by was her ex, the girl his new girlfriend. He'd like nothing better than to run after him and beat the crap out of that guy, but Selphie needed him now. He couldn't just leave her there. He trusted the two cups into the hands of a nearby boy and hurried back to Selphie.

"Selphie."

But she didn't even look up. She couldn't muster the strength to raise her head.

Zell wrapped his arms around her. "It's okay, Selphie. I'm here." She sobbed and shook in his arms. He lifted her up and carried her away. On his way through the room several people stared after her and Rinoa gasped when she saw her cry.

"Selphie?"

But Zell didn't halt to explain what had happened. He had to get her out of here, away from all these people. Back to her room where she felt safe. Apart from the quad, Balamb Garden seemed to be deserted. He didn't meet a living soul on his way back to the dorms yet was relieved when they finally reached her room and the door closed behind him.

He placed her down on the bed where she continued to cry, loud, uncontrollable sobs. He took of her shoes and then pushed her down on the bed. He wasn't going to take off that dress. She'd just have to sleep in it. He didn't think she'd care at that time.

He gently tucked her in and as he did, he looked over at her alarm clock.

0:04 AM

He sighed and stroke a lock of hair from Selphie's face. She still didn't look at him, her eyes stared blankly ahead and her face had turned red from the crying. He shook his head sadly. "I'm so sorry, Selphie." He felt so powerless and guilty. He should've known she'd run into him at that party. But they hadn't run into him the past few days so he thought, maybe he wouldn't come… If only he could do something to help. But he had tried to help for an entire week. He was clueless right now.

He sighed deeply. "I'm sorry." He placed a kiss on her forehead and dimmed the lights. When he left her room, he felt like crying himself.

Queen Luana: Sad ending! Anyone saw that coming? I did, cause I wrote it! Haha! Like I said, there's going to be one more chapter. Then I'm through with this one. Wow… This went faster than I thought it would.