Cloud's POV

So far today had been alright I guess. I got to school fairly early, deciding to wait at the gate for my four best friends (one of which was my girlfriend) to arrive. Selphie had called the night before (at 9:50 pm!) to let me know that she was going to collect the others on the way to school and how much she was looking forward to seeing me.

So there I was, leaning against the cold stone of the wall, staring up and down the street waiting for that familiar car to come hurtling down the street. Many people passed by me and said various greetings as they went. Zidane and another member of the Baseball team stopped to talk to me before catching sight of their girlfriends and leaving. I smiled at this, since shortly I'd be reunited with my own girlfriend.

The crowds began to thin as the clock ticked closer to the bell. I began singing softly to myself, a song that I'd known since I was a child. It was in Estharin of course and though only a dozen or so people would have any idea of what it was about, I still liked singing it. "Yume no tsubasa, Ni notte" I finished just as I caught sight of what I had been waiting for.

A silver car headed towards me, I recognised the occupants of the front seats as Selphie and Squall, before I noticed the two ladies sitting in the back, Yuna and Lenne, My girlfriend. They were also Estharin. Along with Yuffie Kisaragi and Nida Matsumoto, the five of us constituted the limit of Estharin Students in our year group.

I watched as Lenne fumbled with her seatbelt and began grabbing at her bag. Before Selphie could begin to reverse back into the vacant car park, Lenne had thrown her door wide open and practically launched herself onto me and began to plant kisses on my face. I felt a flush creeping into my cheeks. "They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. I never believed it till now" I joked and in answer I got an endearing pout. "OF COURSE I MISSED YOU!" she yelled in mock offence before collapsing in peals of laughter.

She moved aside to allow Yuna and Selphie to hug me briefly before the five of us headed through the gates and off to the Admin to get our timetables. Upon receiving mine, I groaned audibly at the thought of having 3 of the hardest subjects in one day. On the bright side, I did have a double period of Music this afternoon in Mrs Heartilly's class. She was an amazing singer and I knew that Lenne and Yuna adored her as much as I did.

I always thought that it was impossible that such a lovely woman like her could have had a daughter like Rinoa but I knew it wasn't any of my business. Yuna and Lenne also seemed like they enjoyed the idea of a double period. I knew Squall would be in P.E. with Mr Loire at the time who never allowed his students an easy lesson. Thankfully, Mrs Heartilly was rather easy going in comparison so we were assured to have a period where we were able to relax.

"I knew our Senior Year would be fun" I said disdainfully with sarcasm drenching the words but I still smiled. I thought I saw a shadow of a smile creep across Squalls face though it never progressed past that. As we left the Admin block, Yuna left to stay with Kuja, who I always thought was a nice guy. He watched my back and I tried to watch his. I asked him what he thought of the new timetable and he promptly gave the thumbs down. I nodded in agreement, greeted a couple of the others and then, leaving Yuna and Lenne behind for a while, continued on our way to our secret place.

We only ever referred to it as "Garden" but it was a nice relaxing place, surrounded by tall hedges with only the smallest gap with which to squeeze through. When we arrived, we saw Elena standing there in her usual crisp black suit. This was one woman that DEFINITELY looked good in pants. She smiled at me and told us that we should keep our eyes peeled for the "usual crowd", handed Squall a note and left.

I asked to take a look and read the neat writing, I recognised as belonging to Rufus, the head of the Turks:

To Squall,

Greetings and salutations. According to reconnaissance done by Reno and Rude, it has come apparent that Wakka and others intend on ambushing you. As yet, we have not established an exact time or location though we are looking into it.

Regards,

Rufus

In typical "Turk" fashion, it read rather similarly to a military report. I handed Squall the note again and jokingly suggested that I could probably arrange for the baseball team to intervene. I knew that even if I were serious, he'd never have accepted it, believing that he must fight his own fights and not involve others. I thought that it was quite noble of him though and I doubted very much if Wakka would have extended the same courtesy.

Hearing the first bell was our cue to depart and head toward the crowds now entering the buildings. Before leaving Garden though, I patted him on the shoulder and shot him another comforting smile. We were two of the first to arrive to the classroom, despite being so far away from the buildings originally and we watched as the others slowly arrived. Mrs Kramer was patient as always and when the entire class was present, we entered the room.

She spoke a bit about exams and such but I was only half paying attention. I was top of the class and I knew it so a small smile came across my face without my realising it. I spared a thought to Squall and Selphie whom I'd be more than glad to help if they needed it. My attention piqued at last when the door of the classroom opened and in came a member of the staff along with two new faces.

The teacher introduced them to the class and motioned to the vacant seats behind me and Squall. The two other blondes made their way silently and almost awkwardly to the back of the class and took their seats. This particular English lesson had been a bit of a bore – mainly revision from last year to see who needed help on what topic. I smiled to myself as I saw the look of sheer discomfort on Rinoa's face. After what she did to Squall in 8th grade, I guess I never quite forgave her. She wasn't worth forgiving. However, I breezed through the first part of the lesson quite easily not bothering to pay much attention.

I noticed Squall was off in his own little world, since his eyes had a glazed over look I always attributed to his inner escapades. Since the majority of the class were turning to their fellows, I turned to face the two blondes behind me. I saw the blonde girl – Quistis – looking slightly nervous. After all, she'd only just moved here so I guessed that it was just the jitters of being in an unfamiliar place. Her brother – Seifer – Looked equally put out though he was trying to mask his with an arrogant look which I must say he was failing at.

"Hi, my name's Cloud. So, where are you guys from" I asked pleasantly, eliciting a smile from Quistis. "Galbadia, we moved here about a week ago" she said (her voice was soft and gentle), offering her hand out which I shook gladly. Her brother looked a little more at ease as I shook his hand as well. "If either of you need a hand let me know, our curriculum is way different from Galbadia's so I can help if you'd like" I offered kindly.

Looking closely, I thought that the look of arrogance he had been trying to display seemed far too humbled. I felt like he'd been the kind of guy who seems like everyone's idol, popular, good at sports… though I definitely felt like he'd been thrown off that pedestal for one reason or another and I wasn't much inclined to pry into his business.

Indeed, the smile he gave me after my offer reinforced it to me. Whatever had happened to him had certainly cut him deep. Perhaps I was just looking into it to much but Yuna, Lenne and Selphie always said I was far more intuitive than your average male. His voice was deep in contrast to his sisters though it wasn't any less kind.

Turning back to face the front of the class, I noticed Squall, looking like he was in desperate need of help. I smiled, and shifted my table a few inches closer to his, so that I could see what he needed help with. He was drawing idly on his notebook since he didn't have a clue what he had to do since he wasn't paying attention. I tapped him on his shoulder causing him to start ever so slightly and look at me.

I asked him what he needed help with and he flushed slightly before mumbling his problems to me. I helped him as best I could with his work and after a while he looked a lot more relaxed. While I was helping him, I had a chance to see his drawing. For a simple sketch it was amazingly refined. A tall woman standing on a cliff, the sea below looking towards the horizon. I was amazed by his talent at drawing, though when he noticed I was looking at it he flushed again. "If you want it, you can keep it" he muttered softly.

I was well aware of the twins staring at me, Emerald eyes and Sapphire eyes boring into the back of my head. Squall seemed to notice this as well since he almost immediately went silent and continued on in his work. I was satisfied that he'd be able to manage. Besides, he knew if he needed it, I'd help without question. At that moment though, I turned my attention to Quistis and Seifer to offer them help.

I could see by the looks on their faces that they were somewhat curious about my previous actions with Squall though they didn't say anything. When I offered my assistance, he nodded enthusiastically while she said that she was fine for the time being. I smiled at her slightly and proceeded to focus my attention on helping Seifer.

He wasn't as far off as I'd initially imagined, though he was definitely new to this sort of thing. It didn't take him long before he caught on and was able to continue on his own, grinning at me and giving me a quick thumbs up. I turned back to my desk and noticed the drawing Squall had made. He had obviously torn the page of his book with the drawing on it out. I smiled at him gratefully, wishing I had some of his artistic talent.

The rest of the lesson was uneventful, almost boring. By the end of the lesson, only 6 people out of the class had completely finished the revision test. Myself finishing first and at least 15 minutes before everyone else. In that time, I began to think of the lyrics for the song I was going to write. As I packed up, I noted with satisfaction that Rinoa looked upset though more so angry. Obviously she hadn't done too well.

As I was leaving, Mrs Kramer asked me to hang back for a moment. I complied with this request and as the others were pouring out of the room, I saw Selphie and Squall stand outside the door, clearly waiting for me. I gave them a quick wave, signalling that they should go on ahead. I turned my attention to Mrs Kramer once more, for a moment I was worried that I was going to get lectured for helping people in a revision test.

What came to follow was something I didn't expect. "That was a very genial thing you just did for those two. I couldn't help but notice that you were assisting the new students and I just wanted to say it was a great help that you were willing do that. You are a truly good Student. Anyway, I had best prepare for my next class and I daresay that you may like to continue on to your next class as well".

It was mutually agreed that Mrs Kramer was the best Teacher in the school for a reason. No other teacher was this kind and understanding.