Seifer's POV

Damn – That Squall guy was damned good at Gymnastics! I'd say I was fairly good but I did Gymnastics when I was a kid – before taking up what my teacher referred to as "real sports" (Football in my case). In his case, I don't know if he took Gymnastics as a kid or not, some of his work was somewhat clumsy and unrefined though definitely affective.

Then you had the brunette chick that was also doing well. So she fell off the balance beam, she got distracted is all. She was checking me out I could tell. While I was on the still rings I saw her totally checking me out. Give her a bit of a display (give em all a bit of a display) but like everything in my life, it wasn't serious. As if I'd fall for every pretty piece of flesh.

Truth was I had before and I'd paid for it. A "pretty piece of flesh" ruined me in Galbadia. Found out about my infidelities when we were "dating" – and really, it was her who decided that, after all I didn't "date" anyone – so what'd the bitch do to get even? Stole from a teacher and framed me. Even though I told people she did it, they were all set on believing the worst about me. My Sister was the only one who believed me.

The hag also publicized the fact that I'd been with other guys – hey, they were willing to give head I accepted – so the Football team immediately decided to hate my guts with a vengeance. Of course, people found out about Quistis too since this "girlfriend" of mine - as she liked to consider herself – wasn't happy with just ruining me – oh no – she had to ruin my sister too.

So here I was, staring down at some vapid chick that was blatantly checking me out. "No thanks Sweetie, I ain't interested" I mumbled before releasing my hold, somersaulting through the air and landing on my feet. The teach congratulated me for having "such good form" but I could care less. My eyes were on the guy I'd seen with Cloud earlier.

He was on the high bar this time and he'd give me a run for my gil that was for sure – he was fairly sure this time, no longer clumsy but completely co-ordinated and graceful. My gaze was totally captured by this guy – brown hair fluttering from the momentum, his face lost in concentration occasionally I would see the blue-grey eyes which made me stare even harder.

"Get a grip" I kept thinking. "This is what screwed your life up last time" I reprimanded myself again whilst attempting to ignore the chick flirting with me (She had all the subtlety of a flashing neon sign). Somehow I managed to do it fairly well and after everyone had finished all the equipment, the Teach decided to make us do laps since people complained about "how hard" it was.

Outside, the sun had gone behind clouds again. We took off and I distanced myself from Ms Stalker. I managed to do a couple of laps before passing students who had obviously stopped for breathers. On my sixth lap, I ran into Squall and another chick that was doing well. Under the pretence that I had a stitch in my side, I pulled up next to them panted in a rather exaggerated manner and spoke.

"Hey, you're both in my English class right? Thanks for your help earlier" I flashed them a winning smile. The girl reciprocated and introduced herself as Selphie and the guy lowered his head so that his bangs obscured his face. "This is Squall" the chick said, introducing her silent friend and he mumbled a "pleased to meet you" under his breath.

Somehow I got the feeling that he didn't mean it but that wasn't going to deter me – if anything it piqued my interest even more. "I like a challenge" my mind kept telling me and I kept thinking "STOP IT", trying to shut out the impulse to flirt which I had never bothered to do before. Though I seriously couldn't stop picturing him on the high bar. That thought alone fuelled the slight attraction more-so than anything else and lets face it, he was majorly attractive.

Besides just one look at him told him he had more depth than almost all the people I'd ever been with combined. Shaking my head vigorously as if attempting to shake these thoughts completely out of my head, I flashed them another smile as I took off again. After a further 3 laps, I still hadn't run into Selphie or Squall again, however I felt the beginnings of a real stitch coming on.

Coming to a slow halt, I wiped the sweat from my forehead and took a few deep breaths. Coming around the bend, I noticed Ms Stalker. Gods – I don't think I'd be able to handle this. As expected, she pulled up short of me smiling in what I supposed was a "charming" fashion. A smile I recognised immediately as I myself had given false smiles like this to every person I'd ever wanted.

Such a pity for her that I thought she was as transparent as glass. I knew all the rules in this little "game" of ours and exactly how to exploit them. After all, at my old school nobody played that game better than I did. I paid my price for it eventually. "Hi" she said as sweetly as possible. "My name's Rinoa" she said flashing her pearly whites at me. "You're in all my classes so far" she stated, still smiling intently at me.

"Yeah, Hi" I replied before pushing myself forward and away from her. I tried to get away from my old life – only to find I couldn't escape it so easily. I guess it was obvious that I was a jock. The weaker people in our class seemed to skirt me as I ran past them, avoiding me. It was certainly annoying. I was trying to change here and all I got was this.

On my eleventh lap, I head a whistle shrill out on the other side of the building. I'd run past Selphie and Squall again since speaking to them. They were keeping on a steady pace and didn't seem tired but they definitely looked relieved that this was the last lap they'd have to do. I flashed them a smile as I passed them and rounding the corner found several guys standing there.

"Yo" a guy with red hair called out to me and I stopped. As much as I'd hate to admit this but this guy reminded me of myself when I was in Galbadia. Over-sexed, under-brained and totally thug like. Another point which placed emphasis on how much he was like my old self was the four cronies looking over his shoulder. If I had to bet, I'd say they were probably waiting to ambush someone.

"You seen Squall anywhere brudda" he said with a rather poor attempt at an ingratiating smile. I saw through him as well. "I lapped him about 4 minutes ago, at the rate he was going, you can't have been far behind him at all – he may only be around the next corner?" I offered and as pathetic as my excuse was, it actually worked much to my astonishment. "Thanks Brudda – I owe ya one!" he said and took off.

I stood rooted to the spot completely dumbfounded. How stupid would one have to be to fall for such a blatantly pathetic lie? "about as stupid as you" was all the answer my brain would supply much to my chagrin. "HEY! Space Cadet" a female voice rang out from behind me. There stood Selphie and Squall. "Did I actually hear what I thought I did a few seconds ago?" she said, her eyes widening. "Depends on what you heard Princess" I said, sounding slightly haughty.

She frowned and continued "Did you just lie and say that we were ahead of them? Why would you do that?" a very slight plea was in her voice for answers and for the first time in my life, I actually felt the need to explain myself to someone who wasn't an immediate relative. "Yeah I did. It was kinda obvious that they were planning on doing something cheap." I said, the truth was obvious and for the first time in my life, it did not go unheard.

"That was a nice thing you did. They're always trying to do something to Squall." He had a dull blush creeping up his cheeks when he looked at me and said "Thanks. You're different to how I'd pictured you". Such a heartfelt response from him made me feel like my insides had been sucked into oblivion. "Your welcome" I said rather venomously and forced myself to run again.

Typical. The bitch that ruined me was right – No one was going to give me a chance. People here took me to be some major bastard or something. The weaker ones avoided me - like everyone just assumed that I was a cruel son of a bitch - and I had the jackasses trying to befriend me – jackasses just like those guys I thought were my friends before.

I was really getting sick of people's stupidity.

Rounding the corner, I saw with some satisfaction that Wakka and his morons seemed to be getting lectured for "attempting to waylay and beat another student". I smiled inwardly at that, knowing that I had prevented it. The two people I had left behind a short while ago strode up listening to Mr Loire as he harangued Wakka and the others. My insides squirmed with barely controlled rage. Why does everyone immediately think the worst of me?