Waltzing 'til Midnight

This is a kinda short chapter, basically it's the party bit. Not only that, it also depicts what Zell and Selphie did when Quistis and Squall were talking. I have Quistis and Squall talking for a longer time period than they did in the game, just so I could fit more in y'know? It's quite soon after my last chapter as I miraculously had time to go on the computer.Anyway, hope you like it.

Selphie walked beside Squall all the way to the party, but he didn't utter a single word. He was her friend…but it was so tiring trying to figure out what's wrong with him.

As soon as they arrived at the party, Selphie adjusted her jacket, and ran off, leaving Squall to get his own food and drink. Selphie approached the drinks table, and poured herself some non-alcoholic punch. She was planning to save the champagne until later. Selphie grinned to herself. The Garden's didn't allow underage drinking, and this was their only exception, Selphie would make sure she made the most of it. Selphie looked over at Squall again, feeling a little guilty for leaving him. Zell was stood there, talking to him. She managed to catch the end of the one-way conversation.

Zell: Hah, even as a SeeD, you're still the same. Well, that's typical of you. See ya.

Yup, still the same. Annoyingly silent. Yup-yup. Selphie wondered whether he'd ever come out of his shell. Noticing how big a crowd there was, she thought it would be a good chance to mingle and talk about the Garden Festival. Starting with Zell.

Selphie: Oh...hey, Zell. Wanna join the Garden Festival committee and...

Zell: Sorry, I...ahh... Just remembered something! G-Gotta go. See ya!

Zell sprinted away to the dance floor, where he stood on his own, looking rather embarrassed. Selphie rolled her eyes "Squall-style" and turned to her silent buddy instead.

Selphie: Hmmmm... Squall! Hi! Wanna join the Garden Festival committee? You can help out whenever you have time. Please?

Squall: ...

Tch…trust him. Well, fine! Don't bother! I don't care anymore! Selphie stomped off, extremely annoyed and hurt…That is until she spotted Nida, the other new SeeD.

Selphie: S'cuse me! You, right there! Heeeey!

Nida had obviously known her plans, and grabbed the blonde girl he was chatting with, and dragged her onto the dance-floor.

Selphie: Hmph. Fine.

Selphie hung her head and walked over towards Zell, who'd found comfort at the buffet table. Zell muttered the word "Hi" softly, and looked ready to run away again. However, when he realised Selphie was upset, he loosened up.

Zell: You okay?

Selphie: No…No one will join the Garden Festival team! I can't get anyone to join! Why! Why is that!

Zell looked at her, a little bemused, but concerned.

Zell: Well, I guess everyone's already got huge work schedules…but…I'll join if you want.

Selphie looked up quickly, a huge grin on her face.

Selphie: Really! You don't have to, you know, but it would be great! You only have to work when you have time; it'll be so much fun! You do want to, don't you?

Zell smiled at her, and reached out at her, as she was starting to get very bouncy and hyper.

Zell: Yeah, it'll be fun! Maybe we can use some of the budget to get some hot-dogs too! They don't have them here…I saw that damn Nida take the last one!

Selphie smiled at him, but jumped as the music started. Both turned around to see the small orchestra, but were surprised to see Squall attempting to dance with a pretty dark girl.

Selphie: Heeeey! How come he'll dance real close with her, but can't stand to be in the same room as us!

Zell: That's Squall for ya.

Selphie sighed, and the two ate and talked through the whole dance, still with their eyes fixed on Squall.

Fireworks exploded outside, and Zell and Selphie watched in awe as a mix of colours and shapes filled the night sky.

Zell: This is amazing! All for us four!

Selphie: Wee! Bang! Wow! This is great!

Selphie jumped up and down, waving her arms, and then twirled around in mid air so that she could carry on watching Squall.

As the song carried on, the girl looked away, and left Squall standing on the dance-floor alone.

Selphie: She's sooo mean! What's she doing!

The two watched Squall walk slowly onto the balcony, followed closely by Instructor Trepe.

Selphie: This is weird…

Selphie muttered, watching the pair through the open doors, as the next song started up.

Suddenly she felt her wrist being pulled, and when she finally paid attention to the fact she was being dragged away, she realised it was Zell.

Selphie: Woooah! What's up! Heeey!

She dropped her slice of cake, and was pulled on to the dance-floor.

Selphie: Huh? What's going on?

Zell: Isn't that obvious? If he can dance, so can we!

Selphie grinned at him. It was a good idea. The two started waltzing, and soon Selphie realised how perfect their moves were.

Selphie: Zell! We're doing so well!

Zell: My Ma used to teach me how to dance. It was so embarrassing. You better not tell anyone that.

Selphie giggled.

Selphie: Sure thing!

As they danced they stared at the moon and fireworks above them, and forgot about everyone around them. Soon all Selphie had in her mind was Zell and the music. They were dancing together perfectly, but weren't even thinking about it.

Selphie: Da, da, dum, dum, dum, da, da, dum, da, dum…

Selphie looked across at Zell, who was smiling sweetly at her.

Zell: Humming?

Selphie: Heheheh…yeah…

Selphie blushed and smiled back.

Zell: You look great Selph.

Selphie: Huh!

Zell: The uniform suits you…

Selphie smiled again, wider than before. Selphie twirled away, and then back into Zell's arms, and sadly, the song ended.

Selphie pulled away and the two walked back to their position at the buffet, and Selphie giggled slightly at the Faculty member who was cleaning up her cake. Selphie sighed. That was so much fun…it ended too soon! Way too soon!

Zell: Oh well. That was fun though! What do you want to do next?

Selphie smiled up at her friend, and whispered in his ear. Zell smiled back at her.

Zell: Okay, wait here.

Zell sneaked away quickly. Selphie looked out of the window and saw that Instructor Trepe and Squall were still talking. What were they talking about? Selphie folded her arms and bit her bottom lip. Grr…why don't people ever tell me anything! Selphie thought to herself. Zell returned with a sly grin on his face.

Zell: Let's bust outta this joint!

Selphie and Zell walked quickly past the Faculty members guarding the door.

Faculty Member: Go straight to your Dorm, all other areas except the Training Center are closed. Go straight to your Dorm. When you arrive, a SeeD will take you to your new rooms.

Selphie rolled her eyes. Yeah, yeah…we know already…the Faculty members were so annoying. There was something fishy about them too.

Zell and Selphie ran to the Training Center, Zell holding his jacket carefully as he went. They sped through the Training Center, dodging any beasts or monsters that would attack them. A large light shone out of an opening, and the two ran through. They ended up on a balcony. There were four other people there, two couples, both embracing. Selphie felt a little uncomfortable, but shook it off quickly. She looked at the tremendous view. Balamb Garden, illuminated in blue light.

Selphie: Wow…

Zell: Beautiful huh?

Selphie: Yeah!

Selphie suddenly felt a pang of jealousy.

Selphie: Been here before then?

Zell: Only to check it out. I was nosy. I came on my own.

Selphie: Ohh. Poor Zelly-kins!

She patted his head playfully, and turned her back on the view, sinking down onto the floor. Zell sat next to her, and put his hand under his jacket. Selphie watched curiously, with a grin on her face.

Zell: Selphie, your wish has come true!

Zell pulled a champagne bottle from underneath his jacket and sat it between himself and Selphie.

Selphie: Ah! You did it!

Selphie hugged Zell happily.

Zell: Champagne for the Lady?

Zell smiled, opening the bottle.

Zell: Remember, the Garden Faculty bought it, so it's probably cheap.

Selphie grinned at him, and took the bottle from him, taking a sip.

Selphie: It's quite good, not as good as the one I had in Trabia, but they didn't have those freaky Faculty guys there.

Zell: You were lucky then.

Zell took the bottle, taking a sip too.

Selphie: Well…we did it! We passed!

Zell: Uh-huh! This is SO COOL! Ma is gonna be so shocked to hear it! She'll be so happy!

Selphie smiled at Zell. He's so cute…I bet Squall won't be thinking 'bout HIS mother…just himself…Squall's so mean! Selphie looked away.

Selphie: I don't…have a Ma.

Zell: Do you call her Mum instead?

Selphie: I would if…well…I don't have family…I'm an orphan.

Zell blinked. He stared at Selphie for a moment, and then wrapped his arm around her. He handed her the champagne. He began pointing upwards, towards the sky.

Zell: Bet their celebrating up there though. Their little Selph is a SeeD, y'know?

Selphie smiled at him and moved closer. They drank and chatted for a while, until the bottle was empty. Zell helped her up, and they took one last look at the view.

Selphie: It's so…beautiful.

Zell: Very…very beautiful.

Zell stared at Selphie as he said this, and didn't take his eyes off of her. Selphie however didn't notice this.

Selphie: Well, let's go.

They ran through the Training Center, and Selphie could have sworn he'd seen Squall and Instructor Trepe running towards the Secret Area, but the trees were in the way, and he couldn't tell.

They approached the Dormitories, and Selphie remembered the Faculty Member's words.

Selphie: We have to go to our new rooms! Have you packed everything up?

Zell: Yeah!

Selphie: Okay, um…

A female SeeD walked towards them.

SeeD: Are you the new SeeDs?

Zell: Yeah, Zell Dincht and Selphie Tilmitt.

SeeD: Well, being the first ones to get here, you have a choice of rooms! The four rooms up for grabs are these four.

The SeeD pointed out the four Dorms, all next to each other.

Zell: Great! Well, we'll have the two in the middle!

Selphie: Oh, Squall Leonhart might be late, he was talking with Instructor Trepe and –

SeeD: Ahh…yes…she has a lot on her mind, she may keep him a while…okay, well, here are your keys, and Leonhart can go next to Mr. Dincht. Um…if you could go get you things, lock your doors, and bring me your original keys, that would be great.

Selphie: Sure!

Zell: How'd you wanna do this Selph?

The two decided on working together, both carrying Selphie's things, and then both carrying Zell's. Eventually all their things were in their room.

SeeD: Leonhart shows no signs of turning up. Nida Graeme has just arrived, but Leonhart…

Selphie: Oh! I know! If Tom's still awake, I can take his things myself, and then he can hand his keys to a SeeD tomorrow. Is that okay?

SeeD: It'll have to be. It's just after midnight.

The SeeD tapped her watch impatiently.

Selphie attempted to walk into the Dorm, but it was locked. She knocked loudly and Tom opened it quickly.

Tom: Selphie?

Selphie: Hii Tom! Squall hasn't got back yet, and he's holding everything up, we need to take his things to his new room!

Tom: Oh, thank the Lord. He's going then?

Selphie: Yup! Up doing work then?

Tom: I'll kill Instructor Macie. He's evil. He gave us a seven hundred word essay on damn radio waves. The things haven't been used in years!Grr.

Selphie: He's cruel, I know.

It was hard but eventually all of Squall's things where moved into his room, and Selphie eventually could get to organising her things. It was two hours later when all of Selphie's things were un-packed, and she could finally fall asleep in her comfy PJs, in her warm bed. She heard Zell get in at half two, when Squall finally came back. Selphie was going to kill him tomorrow. But, until then, she could sleep dreaming of waltzing 'til midnight with Zell Dincht.

Hope that was okay. Next chapter up soon. Please Read and Review, but don't Flame.