Ok I dont actually have anything smart to say, so I wont waste your time making you read something which you think is going to be of benefit, so sorry if you're reading this thinking, ok where is this going. In fact why are you still reading this i said there was nothing of importance here... oh well, since you're still here, i hope you like the comments section i put into this chapter, and more internet instant messaging will hopefully come in future chapters if you like.

Chapter 6 - King and Queen of Balamb High

The red convertible pulled up into the drive way and the engine was shut off. Rinoa made her way out of the driver's seat and walked towards Seifer as he got out of the car.

"So I hope you don't mind reheated macaroni because I am really tired and can't be asked to cook!" Rinoa said giggling, "Not that you deserve anything nicely cooked after the comments you made about my choice in shoes."

Seifer merely let out a small chuckle before taking a deep breath. "Listen Rin, I was happy when you asked me out" He started.

Oh great here comes the speech. Rinoa thought, am I really that off-putting?

"But I think if I continued seeing you it wouldn't be fair on you. Erm, see there is this girl I like and she is kind of seeing someone else, so I thought that… maybe… you know if I saw someone else…" Seifer tried getting the words right.

"You'd get over her?" Rinoa finished smiling at him for his honesty.

"Err, yeah" Seifer said with a sympathetic smile.

Rinoa just looked down trying not to feel sad. But it was hard, she didn't really have strong feelings for Seifer but he was a nice guy to be around and they had a lot in common. She felt a little deflated and unwanted, Its not like I want him either, but its just nice to know someone cares about you that little bit extra. Rinoa looked back up at the huge figure towering over her.

"Its cool dude" She said smiling, "I understand". She didn't want Seifer to feel sorry for her, she understood that sometimes you liked a person and they didn't always like you back.

"Leonhart?" Seifer asked.

"What?" Rinoa said confused.

"I can see you both like each other". Seifer said looking away from Rinoa and towards the house. Rinoa wanted him to continue as she was aware that he had said 'both'.

"Quistis likes him a lot" was all Rinoa could manage to say.

"But you like him too, don't you?" He asked now looking directly at her. Then he laughed a hearted laugh. "Trust a guy who has never been the open type to have two women head-over-heels for him".

"I don't like him like that" Rinoa tried to dissuade Seifer from any further thoughts. Seifer and Squall were obviously close and if Rinoa let Seifer walk away knowing she had some kind of liking for Squall he would definitely tell him, and that would result in Quistis finding out. Yeah right like I am going to let that happen.

"Yeah ok, well, I am going to head off, it was a awesome night" Seifer said before playfully punching Rinoa on the arm. "Maybe we can do this again, as friends, Ya know?" Seifer said laughing.

"Yeah, no problem, but you sure you don't want to come in?" Rinoa tried to offer.

"Nah, better get home, thanks anyways though" Seifer said, and was about to walk off.

"Seif?" Rinoa quickly got his attention before he left. "I don't feel like being alone right now".

She didn't need to elaborate, Seifer nodded and walked next to her and they both made their way into the house.

Once in the house Rinoa took off the dreaded heels and made her way to the kitchen. She opened the fridge door and took out the Pyrex glass oven dish that contained her dinner and helped herself and Seifer to a large portion on a plate before warming it up in the microwave.
The two sat on the breakfast bar sharing the plate of food and talking about general likes and dislikes. Rinoa filled him in on what her school life was like back in Deling City minus the bit about being the General's daughter. Seifer told her about his time growing up at the orphanage and how he was adopted at the age of 5 a couple of months before he started school. He talked about his childhood friends, one whom Rinoa knew back in Deling and the other a girl of the same age that recently moved to Deling this year.

"Yeah Fujin was kind of like my best mate, she was always there ready to give advice and bring me back to my senses when all I saw was blood" Seifer said slightly grievous.

"You must miss them a lot." Rinoa stated. Seifer merely nodded. "But, you got Squall" She reminded him.

"Believe it or not but me and Leonhart never really got along, I mean we were always friends, but we had that 'love-hate' relationship. We were always fighting, but soon after we'd make up." Seifer explained. "But me and the posse, never had one fight".

Squall watched as Quistis made her way towards the front door and closed it shut behind her. He felt a tad bit guilty for not walking her up to the door, he offered which she quickly declined but he was somewhat happy she did. Thinking about taking her to the door and her waiting for him to make some kind of a romantic gesture made him feel queasy. But watching her walk off straight-faced and showing no emotions made him feel ashamed for ruining her evening.

He had to blame Seifer for that, the plan was for Seifer to make his move, but the whole time he was preoccupied with Rinoa. Rinoa.

Squall looked at the house once more before slowly creeping off into the night.

Halfway through their dinner, Rinoa heard keys jingle in the door knob and Quistis's voice muttering some form of arrival. She sounds sad Rinoa thought and wanted to see on Quistis. She remained seated though just in case her cousin thought she was snooping.

Quistis took off her pumps and walked into the kitchen and briefly glanced at Rinoa noticing Seifer sitting right next to her. "Hey guys" She tried to sound bubbly hiding the sadness she was actually feeling.

"How was your dinner?" Seifer asked genuinely worried about Squall being over the top cold. Quistis muttered her 'okays' and looked closer at the couple's setting. They were both sharing a plate of macaroni and sitting quite close to each other. Again her heart felt a pang and she wished it were her and Squall in the position. But things didn't always work out the way you wanted them to.

After making aware that she was turning in for the night Quistis made her way upstairs and started to undress getting into her pyjamas. She sat on her bed thinking about the events of night and that's when the tears started. She didn't deserve this, she liked Squall and all he did was ignore her, act cold towards her as if he couldn't wait to get away. She felt angry now, how could someone she like so much treat her like this? And more importantly, how could she still like someone that treated her so ill? Who did Squall want? Rinoa? So many questions were popping into Quistis's head and she couldn't help but feel angry towards both Squall and Rinoa.

Squall washed his face in the bathroom sink basin and picked up the small red face towel hanging on the bathroom radiator. He gently rubbed it against his face letting the small cloth soak up the moisture on his face.

Making his way out of the bathroom he went to check on Ellone and tell her he was turning in for the night. He tapped on the door to her room lightly and heard her call him in.

Squall walked into Ellone's bedroom which was dimly lit by the bedside lamp on her desk. The walls were painted magnolia with a patterned silver boarder going along the entire room just below the ceiling line. Her room was very neat and tidy with her clothes all nicely packed into her drawers and wardrobe. A small dirty laundry basket was tucked away to one corner and a study desk was sitting just below a medium sized window that looked out onto the beach. The wall surrounding the window was covered with papers and notes stuck onto a notice board that had scribbles all over. Ellone's final year at Balamb University kept her busy most of the time trying to achieve her best.

Ellone sat on her bed under her covers in her pyjamas, her glasses were still on and she was flipping through a textbook with her pencil busily scribbling away once in a while.

"I just came in to let you know I'm going to bed. Wake me up early if you get up before me." Squall stated and was about to turn to make his way out.

"Wait. Aren't you going to fill me in?" Ellone said tapping on a space on the bed next to her. "Its not every day my kid brother goes out on dates." She joked grinning widely.

"It wasn't a date. It was a group thing." Squall said monotone. He had been repeating the same thing to his father only a couple of hours ago when he informed him of his plans and the added request for some fiscal assistance. Laguna was more than happy to comply to his wishes and even gave him enough to last him through a month's 'group thing'.

"Sure it was." Ellone joked again laughing quietly.

"Whatever." Squall replied and made his way to her bed. He let his body drop heavily onto the bottom of her bed, the back of his head hitting the soft mattress soon followed by the rest of his body. He put his arm over his eyes and closed them thinking of how the turn of events played out.

"Go on, spill" Ellone demanded.

Squall removed his arm and looked at his sister as she put her book away and sat up straight with her legs crossed under the covers.

"We just went out, then they went home and me and Quistis grabbed a burger". Squall informed a very short broken down version.

"You and Quistis? What happened to the others?" She asked curiously.

"They all went home." Squall replied.

"So what did you do with Quistis? I meant after the burger" Ellone further prodded.

"Nothing, we just ate and then I took her home. The ride was quiet the whole way there." Squall finished.

"Oh." Ellone said softly. She placed a hand on Squall's arm and leaned her head in towards him. "Squall hun, no offence, but that sounded really boring."

Squall rolled his eye. "It was, I didn't want to be there."

"Oh no. Squall don't tell me you made Quistis's evening rubbish just because you didn't want to be there." Ellone cried.

"I didn't-"

"Because if you did you shouldn't have said you'd go." Ellone continued shaking her head.

"But I didn't say-"

"Quistis is a really nice girl, she doesn't deserve that."

"I know-"

"How would you like it if you liked someone and they did that to you? You wouldn't like it." Ellone ignored Squall's protests and kept lecturing.

"I didn't do anyth-"

"I feel so sorry for her, she must have been really embarrassed and bored. You know sometimes being around you is like being around a brick-"

"WALL. Yes I know!" Squall shouted waving his arms in the air in frustration. "I couldn't help it. She's been driving me crazy all last year, I don't mean to be rude but I let her down nicely before, she should've just given up!"

"Maybe she thinks you'll change your mind?"

"I won't! And she should stop hoping. God, its like someone has cast a blind spell on her. She's too self involved to see what is right in front of her".

"Squall!" Ellone cried incredulous.

"Its true!" He replied back sitting up now very annoyed. "And that prick Seifer pushed me into allowing her this year, he was supposed to go off with her, instead he leaves me, to go off with…" Squall didn't want to continue. His little out burst stopped abruptly just as it had started.

"With?" Ellone asked concerned. She put her hand on his the back of his hand and looked into his face. She could tell something was bothering him, something happened tonight and it was bothering him more than Quistis's plea.

"No one." Squall replied taking a breath.

"Squall, don't do that, don't bottle things up." Ellone sternly replied.

"Nah. He just went off with her cousin." Squall said shaking his head still feeling disbelief over Seifer's actions.

"Hmm." Ellone said looking at Squall with squinted eyes.

"What?" He looked Ellone in the eyes knowing she was about to come up with her psychological theories.

"Well since you asked." Ellone teased and Squall rolled his eyes waiting the inevitable. "I think you're more pissed off at something other than being left with Quistis, its more because Seifer left you and went off with this other person." She continued.

She's good. Squall thought to himself impressed by Ellone's accuracy.

"I think you secretly have feelings for Seifer"

She's bad.

"I'm going to bed." Squall announced ready to leave.

"No I'm joking, lighten up." Ellone cried stifling her laughter. "Seriously though, who is she? You're obviously more upset at who Seifer went home with than having to spend an evening with Quistis."

"She's Quistis's cousin. She transferred from Deling City and she's in most of my classes." Squall answered quietly looking at the flower prints that adorned the bed-sheets.

"And you like her?" Ellone asked hoping for a positive answer. She didn't want her brother to be love sick over someone that didn't reciprocate his feelings, but at the same time she was finally hoping that the day came when her brother actually felt something for someone of the opposite sex. She had fears about him living his whole life without feeling any atom's weight of romance, she thought he'd miss out on a lot due to his introvert character.

"Yeah" Squall answered honestly and got up off the bed.

"You should tell her Squall. I mean you should tell Quistis about your feelings. She might not like it now, but believe me she'd prefer you being honest than having to find out some other way." Ellone advised before picking up her textbook again and flipping back to her previous page.

"I will" Squall nodded and headed out of the room closing the door quietly shut behind him.

A light knocking came from her door. "Come in" Quistis said and quickly wiped the tears away.

Rinoa's head popped in first and the her whole body came in to view. "Quisty are you ok?" She was genuinely concerned. She made her way towards the bed and gave Quistis a hug. "I thought I heard sniffles." She said rubbing the blonde's back.

"Its nothing." Quistis pulled her head out of Rinoa's embrace and smiled meekly.

Rinoa sat on the edge of the bed and waited for Quistis to explain what had happened. She felt terrible that her cousin was going through this, but at the same time she felt a tiny morsel of happiness that Squall wasn't head over heels in love with Quistis. What?! Quistis, my cousin is going through a heart break and I am happy? How cruel am I? Rinoa felt guilty for feeling like that, but ever since she made that promise she felt somehow she was being forced to not like Squall. But that's all it is, I just like him. Why ruin my relationship with Quisty for a guy I just like? Plus she does have dibs on him since she met him first, right? Rinoa struggled with herself.

She looked over at Quistis who still wasn't talking. "So what happened?" She finally asked.

"He's just not in to me I guess." Quistis said with the most saddest voice Rinoa had heard from her.

Rinoa was contemplating, should she go for the optimistic 'he doesn't know what he's missing' or should she just be honest? "Quistis, sometimes you really want something, but its just not for you. It hurts but I think it just means that there is something better for you waiting in the future". She said hoping she pulled off a medium stance between the two.

"I guess so" Quistis only replied back. "So what's happening with you and Seifer? You both looked very cosy back there" Quistis tried to tease.

"No, he headed off home a while ago" Rinoa said laughing lightly, "we're just friends, Seifer likes someone else".

"Really, who?" Quistis said. She had known Seifer for a long time and he was never the type to actually go out with girls. He'd always flirt with Quistis briefly but most girls he'd just pick on and laugh mercilessly. The only girl he properly ever got along with was Fujin, but she had moved away long ago.

"I don't know, he didn't say, just that she was dating someone else".

Quistis's mind started to wonder. If Rinoa and Seifer weren't happening, and she and Squall weren't happening, what if Squall asked Rinoa out? She wasn't blind or stupid, she saw the stares headed at Rinoa from Squall and the way he wanted to head off when Rinoa refused to come to dinner. She had to do some damage control, she didn't want to see Squall with anyone let alone her cousin.

"Well that's daft, I think he's just trying hard to get. Rinoa you like him, so don't let him get away. Plus you looked cute together" Quistis said getting up and getting into her bed covers.

"I don't think he's trying hard to get and I am not really bothered". Rinoa said making sure Quistis didn't think she was hugely upset over the matter.

"Rin, don't worry, trust me after I am done, he will definitely like you." Quistis said with a wicked smile.

"Quisty, don't do anything. Seriously I am not bothered by this, he's just a friend, don't do anything!" Rinoa said sternly.

"Goodnight" Quistis said and closed her eyes whilst still smiling.

Rinoa accepting defeat walked towards the door and turned off Quistis's lights.

Making her way towards her own room she started dressing for bed. She thought about Squall and how the failed date went with Quistis. She felt guilty for not being completely upset over Quistis's troubles.

You only like him because you can't have him. She thought to herself.

No that's not true. Of course it is, you started liking him after she made you promise not to go after him. Really? Rinoa frowned, she was confused now. Did she really only like Squall because she was forced not to? Want what you can't have. She got into the bed covers and pulled them up to her chin, wrapping her legs round the bottom end of the covers. She thought back to when she first met him in the lobby before he gave her a tour. She replayed the scene in her head trying to find some closure to the endless questions and accusations that filled her mind.

He had walked up behind her, Seifer stood in front of her pointing to Squall's figure. She had turned around not expecting much but instead was faced with a tall, dark and handsome figure that stood looming over her. She noticed his eyes first, the deep pools of steel blue that held such fields of saddness. His eyes were small but perfectly shaped and the scar that ran across in between further emphasised the colours of his iris. His hair was a pile of shaggy brown mess that at the same time neatly fell into place, his bangs covering most of his cheeks and the sides of his forehead. She looked at him taking in his beauty and she could tell he was doing just the same.

Of course he didn't speak at first, but when he did she felt elated, she liked the attention from him and she wanted more. She wanted more from that Squall, and not the Squall that was her cousin's love interest. In that moment when she was walking beside him, she knew him as someone who was filling her with excitement, someone she could see pursuing something with, someone that looked at her with the same hope and care she was searching for.

Now all warm and comfortable she slowly allowed sleep to overcome here. Not before answering to the doubts that filled her mind.

I don't want what I can't have. I want Squall because I care for him… because I like him… because I'm starting to love… with her eyelids shut completely she drifted off into a soundless sleep.

Quistis could hear silence finally coming from Rinoa's room. She got up quietly and made her way towards her desk. She logged onto her laptop and waited for the screen to load. Once she was in she opened up a web browser and typed in Balamb High's school website address. From there she accessed the school's Student Board, a forum where the latest updates of festivals and events took place. One board in particular was the 'What's Hot' where a group of gossip queens and kings spent their time idly talking about the new couples formed in the school along with a list of 'Top 10' hot boys and girls. It was ridiculous and Quistis never gave time to it, but now it would help her in her plan.

She started a new thread and wrote her message before opting to remaining anonymous and finally clicked send.

She logged out of the laptop and headed back to her bed before falling off into a similar deep sleep.

Squall turned from his right onto his left and faced the far end of his wall. He was lying in bed hoping to fall into a deep sleep but with the anxiety and annoyance built up inside him he couldn't feel peace. Moving onto his right side again he faced the wall that ran alongside the side of his bed.

His thoughts drifted back to the evening and the annoyance built up once more. He couldn't believe he was getting hyped up over Seifer and Rinoa. He knew he liked her, he felt something for Rinoa when he saw her. It wasn't love at first sight or anything, but he knew he wanted something along those lines.

But he didn't know how he was supposed to feel. He never liked a girl before, when he was young he thought it was 'yucky' to like girls. The only girl he really liked when he was young was Ellone and that's because she'd share her cookies with him and pour him apple juice when he couldn't reach the shelf in the fridge.

Growing up was the same as his childhood, he was never interested in girls. He knew it wasn't because he was hiding in some kind of closet, just that he hadn't met someone he wanted to give himself to completely, someone he would lay his feelings out to on a table, someone that he would expose all his scars to. Someone he would even take a bullet for. It sounded cliché, but he always felt and believed that if you loved someone, you'd have to give them your heart, and if you gave them your heart, you'd have to give them all the accessories that came with it. There was no point in loving someone if it was based on time or based on mild likeness. Rinoa, would I take a bullet for you? He asked himself inhaling in deep through his nose and releasing it like a load off his shoulder.

He turned and faced the ceiling and focused on the darkness of his room. He couldn't make out any detail of the plaster that made his ceiling due to lack of light in his room.

I wouldn't take a bullet for you, I'd take a thousand.

Rinoa pulled her bag out of Quistis's red convertible and brushed down her blue jeans. She wore a small black jacket over her red three quarter V-neck top and had her hair tied in a high ponytail. Quistis walked round the car in her 2 inch heels and her short black skirt. The blonde wore a yellow summer top and had her sunglasses fixed atop her blonde hair. It was funny sight, it was only Autumn but here was one girl dressed for the hottest day on earth and another like it was about to rain.

They made their way towards the school building with Quistis getting positive looks from the male students. She felt revitalised. She knew the whole Squall thing would soon phase out and thought what better way than getting over a guy with another guy?

She spent the whole of Sunday reading on the Internet the fastest, and stupidest, ways to get over a heartbreak and decided that this was the way she would be.

Rinoa eyed Quistis's attire as she noticed the stares she was receiving from the opposite member of the sex. Quistis looked hot, really hot and Rinoa knew this time Squall would notice. It made her slightly envious that Quistis could look that good and get this much attention, she really didn't want Squall to give her that but even Rinoa knew it would take a lot to look away from what Quistis was wearing.

It was when they both walked past the school entrance barriers and were walking towards the large fountain near the foyer that one of the girl's from Rinoa's Chemistry class ran up to her with her iPhone practically shoving it in Rinoa's face.

"Oh my God Rinoa! I can't believe you made the Top Couples list" She said her face just beaming with excitement.

"The what?" Rinoa said confused. She had only been here a week and wasn't up to date with all the business in Balamb.

"Its some stupid list losers take part in because they have nothing better to do." Quistis interjected, "Seriously, Diamond, do you have nothing better to do with your time?"

The other girl embarrassedly looked away, Quistis had that effect on others, she was quite intimidating.

"Okay, so why am I on the list? I'm not even part of a couple." Rinoa replied.

"That's not what it says here." Diamond handed her the iPhone and Rinoa read the paragraph posted on the school website.

Balamb's new student, Rinoa Heartilly, hasn't waited to seek the attention of our very own rugged Seifer Almasy. The two were spotted looking very cosy at the Balamb Mall on Saturday, holding hands, sharing popcorn and giggling into each others ears. Rumour has it the two were continuously flirting during school the week before the date.

So readers the question is, are the newly dark haired bombshell and the blond hunk the new King and Queen of Balamb High? Vote now!

-Poll now closed-

Rinoa x Seifer [80%]

Selphie x Irvine [15%]

Xu x Nida [05%]

Comments

PupuPrince wrote:

OMG dat girl is hott! Seif is a lucky guy.

3riple3riad wrote:

Seif is buff! The new girl is the lucky one! Damn her! Lol only joking ppl dnt get mad! =(

Selph007 wrote:

Hey they're both my friends I didn't know they were going out…

Rinoa stopped reading, she couldn't believe this. How could people write something to farfetched from a group date?! What more were people going to say? More importantly, what was Seifer going to say?

Well here's the teaser for you peeps who bothered to review my last chapter:

Zell was sitting on the glass pulling some out and muttering replies to Seifer's story.

Squall looked past Seifer and saw Rinoa approaching with Selphie and Quistis. The two blond boys followed his gaze and smiled as they saw the three girls approach.

"Hey guys" Rinoa said squinting into the sunlight.

"Sup" Zell replied, while Squall merely nodded in acknowledgement.

"Sup girlfriend" Seifer mocked in a silly accent.

Rinoa blushed before saying "Oh so I guess you read that?"

"Yeah had a good laugh" Seifer said teasingly.

"I just wanted to apologise if it makes you feel embarrassed or causes you any problems with… erm that thing" Rinoa tried her best to explain.

"Nah don't worry about it, just some hot gossip, it will die down soon enough" Seifer said.

"Shame" Quistis interrupted.

"What?" Rinoa asked.

"I said shame. You guys got like 80% votes and to be honest you look really cute. It's a shame you are not together really".

"Don't be daft" Rinoa replied laughing.

"I'm not, Squall, Zell don't you think they're perfect for each other?" Quistis asked, though she was mainly asking for Squall's opinion. She wanted to punish him for his rude hospitality he showed her the previous Saturday.