Author's Note: Well, it sure has been a long time, hasn't it? I apologize for that, but I'm the kind of guy who places academics very high on his priority list. Anyway, I finally have a bit of time, so I thought I'd make some progress on this! Hope you all enjoy, and expect new chapters throughout the summer at the very least!

Chapter 6: Trigger

Friday night. What to say about Friday night…

I was surprised to see that Rinoa lived in such a big house. I knew that most of the families living on Blazar Drive were quite affluent, but it seemed like the Heartily family really took the cake. Three stories high, the width of two "ordinary" houses…

Who'd have thought that I'd end up saving the dog of some rich kid?

Standing before the grand wooden door of the estate, I was tempted to simply turn around and leave. A guy like me doesn't belong in a place like this. Would I be led inside only to be pampered by maids and butlers?

Yeah, sorry. That's not my thing.

I was half way back down the path to the street when I heard barking behind me. Barking that grew louder and louder and-

The next thing I knew, my face was pressed against the ground, a large beast sitting atop my body.

I'm so, so happy that the one I saved can repay me this way. Really.

"Angelo! Get off him! Sorry Squall, but she was getting all fidgety so I had to let her out!" Spitting out a little dirt, I turned to look at the girl behind me as she walked out of her home towards me and the mutt. Over a blue sweater and black shorts was a large apron, a few small brown stains visible. "I'm glad you could come! I was starting to get worried that you wouldn't show up."

It was a just worry. Seriously, if that dog hadn't just tackled me…but what choice was there now?

"Well, I'm here aren't I?" I quickly rose, Angelo still panting as she returned to Rinoa's side. "You really need to train that thing better. Didn't know she was supposed to be an attack dog."

"Angelo's not like that! She just gets a little…excitable!" Rinoa laughed a little as she pet the dog's ears. Wait, did she sound…nervous?

"Right…so, can we go inside? It is pretty cold out here."

"Oh! Yes! I'm sorry! Come on Squall, in we go! You'd better like the cake I prepared for you! It's extra moist!" Despite my better judgment telling me to leave the irresponsible girl and her dog behind, I followed, crossing the threshold of her house into the lavishly furnished domain of her living room.

When your apartment's worth is a fraction of one room, you know you have it rough.

"Nice place." I didn't even have to lie as I looked up at the massive golden chandelier that hung from the ceiling. What the heck did this girl's parents do for a living?

"Oh, thanks! I guess it is nice, huh? Well, it has always sort of been home for me, so I guess I haven't noticed." So, Rinoa was one of those typical rich snobs, huh? Should have guessed as much. Hell, only reason I was even there was to receive thanks for saving her stupid ass dog. What, was it of some sort of special breed that only the rich could afford?

"Oh! I'm sorry! I'm such a bad host! Take a seat, Squall! The cake is almost done!" I did as she said, finding it awkward that a chair could be at least five times more comfortable than my own bed. I really need to invest in some new furniture…

Oh right, I can't. I have to pay rent.

To my dismay, the only company I now had was Angelo, the mutt panting as she returned to my side once again. The two of us simply watched one another for a moment before I decided my eyes needed a break from the slobbering thing. Turning to the table, I found-

Pet Pals Magazine. And at least six issues of it too.

I really, really wanted to groan. A magazine for teaching dogs new tricks? Is this really the sort of thing Rinoa is into? And THIS dog of all the ones she could teach?

Angelo barked, jumping on my lap as she started to lick my face. Dog slobber is pleasant under any circumstance, especially when you are supposed to be relaxing for a moment. Oh wait, no it isn't.

"Down Angelo! Oh, I'm so sorry Squall! I don't know what has gotten into her today!" Rinoa raced into the room as she grabbed Angelo by her collar and pulled her off of me. "She's already six years old, and for a dog that's supposed to be pretty mature! Yet she acts like this. I've been trying to teach her better!"

"I saw." Rinoa…blushed a little as I pointed at the table. Guess she realized that it was something to be embarrassed about too.

"Oh…well yeah…Angelo has been a great friend to me these last several years, but I'm finding she doesn't interact well with others." Rinoa stroked her pet's head as she tried to explain why the dog wanted to molest me so badly.

"Right…so, is there cake or something? Because if I'm just going to be attacked by that dog's slobber all night long, I'd think I'd rather just head home."

"I-I'm sorry Squall! I really am being a terrible host…don't worry though. The cake is just about done! Come on, I'll make sure you get the first slice!"

The scent of the mixture. The spread of the frosting. The very dimensions of the cake.

Yep, Rinoa was without a doubt the worst chef I had ever seen. In all honesty, it would be generous to call the mess that she made a cake.

"It might have come out a little messy, but I think it should be fine. Here you go, Squall!" Apparently Rinoa had become so disillusioned by her own culinary skills that she had come to believe that it was acceptable to serve such…abominations. I looked at the slab of…chocolate something that lay on the plate in front of me as we sat across from each other at the small 'island' in her kitchen. It was probably as long as half of my apartment.

My fork was only starting to touch the cake when I realized that something was horribly wrong. It couldn't penetrate it. I'm not one to brag, but I'm a pretty strong guy. Yet even putting strength into my thrust, my fork was only grazing the surface of the cake.

Extra moist my ass. What sort of monstrosity had she created?

"…are you going to try it?" All this time Rinoa has been watching me with hopeful eyes, perhaps believing in that psychotic mind of hers that I might actually come to enjoy the cake.

"Yeah." Screw it, I thought, setting the fork down as I simply picked up the slab and bit into it.

Of all the things I wished I hadn't done.

I was on the floor at once, my coughing out of control as my tongue was barraged by dozens of flavors and textures, none of which worked together. Flour, chocolate, egg whites, egg shell, all of them were there as I coughed up the cake onto the floor. Had she been trying to kill me!

"Squall! Are you alright!" Yes, because I'm totally fine after having to eat…that.

"What the hell was in that!" Thankfully Rinoa had poured me a glass of milk, and despite part of me now fearing that it was spoiled I drank it down, hoping to wash away the horrible taste that remained within my mouth. It worked…but only for the most part.

"I followed the instructions! I used flour, eggs, water, the cake mix, and some chocolate! I mean, it wasn't that hard to make."

"What about measurements…and I swear there were shell fragments in there."

"Oh, well I totally used the right measurements! See, here are the cups I used to add in the flour!"

That's right, Rinoa. Use freaking hot chocolate mugs to add flour.

"And about the eggs, well, Angelo was running back and forth in the kitchen while I was cracking them, and he knocked into me a few times, so I think a few pieces might have fallen in…but it shouldn't have been that many!"

"And you didn't take them out?"

"Of course not! That would ruin the pure essence of the cake if I touched it with my hands!"

I really wanted to bang my head against the floor, but that would involve me getting closer to the mess that was Rinoa's "cake."

Another gulp of milk helped get that terrible taste out of my mouth, but it didn't particularly help my mood as I used a napkin to wipe my face. Angelo, meanwhile-

Oh fuck.

"No! Bad dog!" I yelled at Angelo, the mutt a foot away from my spat up cake and approaching. The dog whined a bit as she looked up at me, now scampering back into the living room.

"Squall! Why'd you do that? Angelo is very sensitive!" Rinoa looked…looked like she was about to cry as she asked me a question that honestly shouldn't have needed to be asked.

"Dog's can't eat chocolate, Rinoa. After six years, I'd think you'd know that."

"R-Right…well, thanks Squall…I'm sorry, just…oh, this whole thing is turning into one giant disaster." She could say that again.

"Well, maybe I should just go." I was in the process of leaning down to wipe off the mess from the floor when I felt a hand gently rest upon my shoulder. A trembling hand.

Crap. She was crying.

"Squall…I'm sorry…everything is turning out so horribly tonight…I-I can't blame you for wanting to leave…b-but could you please stay here…maybe? Just a little longer?"

I turned to look at the girl. At least she wasn't outright crying, but rather only sniffling a bit. Still, she seemed hurt.

She seemed scared.

"I'm alone here most of the time…Angelo is a great friend and companion…but I don't exactly have anyone here I can have a conversation with."

"What about your parents? Or servants? I mean, this place is huge and must need a huge crew to keep clean."

"The maids come every weekend for a few hours to tidy up. Otherwise it's just me and Angelo. I mean, we have a chef who prepares a lot of my meals too, but he's been on vacation recently. As for my parents…" Rinoa bit her lip as she wiped away the rest of her tears. "My mom…she died in a car crash several years ago. And my dad…well, he's always away on business…"

"I'm sorry." I did mean it, even if I didn't really understand what it was like to lose a parent. I had never known mine, after all.

That didn't mean that I didn't know what it was like to lose a loved one, though.

"Thanks…can we maybe sit down…you know, chat a little? I want to know more about you, Squall…I've never had many friends. Since my mom died…well, my dad has been pretty protective of me."

"Leaving you here all alone with only a dog to protect you?"

That, oddly enough, got Rinoa to laugh a little. "I said she was protective about me, not smart. Besides, this place has a pretty good security system installed, and any robbers who have tried getting in in the past have been caught! Besides, I have my own weapon as well."

That certainly got my attention. "Really? Mind if I see it?"

"I'd be happy to show it to you, Squall! Come on, it's up in my room."

It wasn't long until I realized that my enthusiasm had once again been horribly misplaced.

"Rinoa."

"Yes Squall?"

"What is that?"

"It's my Blaster's Edge!"

"No. Seriously, what is that?"

"I just told you! My Blaster's Edge."

I looked over Rinoa's "weapon" as she fastened it to her right arm with two straps. "You put it on like this, and then you fire off discs! I mean, I've only used it a few times before when practicing, but I'm pretty sure that it'll be an effective weapon should I ever need one! A girl has to protect herself, you know?"

Effective? Those were CDs it could shoot. Yeah, that might hurt if they were shot fast enough, but still…with a name like Blaster's Edge, I was sadly disappointed.

"How about you Squall? Any weapons of your own? I mean, not that I'd think you have one or anything."

Before I could answer, someone knocked on Rinoa's door, startling her. As for me, well, I guess after all the shit I've been through, not much surprises me anymore.

"Ah, so you are in here, Rinoa. And I see you have a friend over too." A tall man with graying black hair entered the room, his eyes instantly falling upon me. Guess it wasn't normal for Rinoa to have friends over.

"Dad! I didn't think you'd be back for a few more days."

"There was a slight change in plans, Rinoa." The man's feet followed his gaze as he approached me, offering a hand. "I'm General Carraway, Rinoa's father."

Like I hadn't figured that out already. "Squall Leonhart. I saved Rinoa's dog yesterday."

This got him to raise an eyebrow. "Angelo? Rinoa, I told you not to take her outside unless you could control her."

"Sorry…" I couldn't help but notice Rinoa rolling her eyes as she responded. "Just sometimes it gets a bit boring here all alone, you know."

"I've asked you before if you wanted me to hire on maids that worked during the weekdays, Rinoa. Still, I'd think you'd be close with your teachers by now."

"Well, sometimes, but even then they're only around a few hours of the day."

So, Rinoa was home schooled. That explained…a lot. Like why I had never seen her before for starters.

"Perhaps I should hire a bodyguard…"

"Dad! Geez! I know you're a military official, but there hasn't been a war in a long time! And even then, Twilight Town isn't really ever officially involved. I don't think I'd become any sort of target. Besides," Rinoa said with a smirk, "I can protect myself."

My eyes instantly fell on Rinoa's little toy. Right. Because that thing can totally stop a kidnapper.

"If you say so…we'll talk later about this, Rinoa. I should leave you and Mr. Leonhart here."

As soon as the door closed, Rinoa let out a long sigh. "Ugh…sorry about that, Squall. My dad can be a bit too invasive at times."

"Doesn't seem like you two get along that well."

Rinoa threw herself on her bed as she stretched out. "Don't get me wrong, I love my dad and all, but he's way too protective…ever since mom died…" Rinoa trailed off for a moment before shaking her head. "Ever since then, my dad has pretty much locked me up in this place. I'm rarely allowed to go outside. I can understand where he's coming from…but that doesn't mean I like it."

It was about this point that I realized I was learning a lot more about Rinoa than I would have thought.

A lot more about her than I liked.

"Hey, it's getting pretty late, and my place's lighting sort of sucks. I'd best get home."

That got Rinoa off the bed. "Oh, already? But we just…are you sure?"

"Yeah, sorry. I should get going." I would have thanked her for the cake…but frankly, she should have thanked me for being her test subject.

I was already walking down the path from her door when Rinoa called out to me. "Squall! Umm…feel free to stop by at any time, okay?"

"Right…later."

Saturday hadn't brought anything special to my life. Honestly, it had been a long day working at the pizzeria, dealing with Irvine as best as I could (that guy…) and checking the tip jar every half hour to see if I'd be able to make rent for the month. By the end of the day, I was tired, sweaty, and frankly pissed. People really aren't very generous with munny anymore.

And that brings us to today, another uneventful day in the life of Squall.

Or so I had prayed.

Seeing as I didn't have work in the morning and I had managed to catch up on most of my school work, I decided why not go for a walk around town. After all of the anger that yesterday caused, I needed something to calm myself.

Then again, knowing my luck I'd just run into something that would manage to piss me off.

Throwing on my jacket, I stepped outside, finding that the temperature wasn't too cold. Well, that's certainly-

"Squallie! Yoohoo!"

Son of a bitch.

I take three steps. Three damn steps. And then this happens.

Not even on the weekends am I safe from her.

Oh, I stand corrected. Her and her friends. I recognized the blonde and redhead (Kairi?) from the time before, but then there were also-

"SQUALL!"

FUCK!

I don't need this. I don't need two of the three people who make my life a living nightmare in the same place together with me. What, was Laguna going to parachute down from on high and join in on the torment?

On second thought, given how great my life has been going, I probably shouldn't even think about that.

Two brunettes now stood before me. Two very annoying brunettes who both shared one mission in life: harass me to death.

"Wow, is this where you live Squall! Awesome! I should totally come over here and hang out with you sometimes, and then maybe you can come over to my place too!"

Oh God, Sora knows where I live. And Selphie does too for that matter.

"Sora, it took me so long to realize that my tutor is the same guy from your camp! Hahah, isn't that cool?"

"Yeah! Maybe I should get tutored too! I mean, my grades aren't- Squall!"

I was already halfway down the block when Sora cried out to me. It's already bad enough that there's the possibility of seeing him at school, but this…this is just cruel.

"Sora, I'm busy today. Look, I'll see all of you in school, but right now I'm in a rush."

Most people, or at least, most normal people, would have gotten that I was pissed off from my tone of voice.

Selphie and Sora…they aren't normal.

"Oh, alright! I'll see you on Monday, Squallie! Hey Sora, I know where Squall works!"

"Really!"

And to think, this walk was supposed to calm me down.

It's strange where a walk can take you when you aren't thinking about it. Seriously, my thoughts were focused only on those two brown-haired demons who made it their job to torment me. I didn't care about what streets I was walking down, and I almost bumped into a man at one point. I don't think I can really be blamed, though. Sort of comes with having a shitty start to one's day.

When I did finally look up, though, my eyes were met with a familiar sight. The large stone building towered over me as I looked upon the grand stained-glass windows that had been there since I had first entered the Academy. The fountain in front flowed, the sound of the bubbling water taking me back a few years to better times.

Not that much better, though.

"Well, there's a face I haven't seen for some time."

"I could say the same." I turned to my left to catch the blue haired girl's little wave as she approached me. Aqua de Sofel: An aristocrat's daughter who had taken up the way of the sword and entered the Academy at the age of seven. She was good with a sword, too. Damn good. "Aqua, what are you doing here?"

"Well, not all of us are so lucky that we get to take weekends off. Besides, the Master has been extra busy of late. You should come inside. I'm sure he'd like to see you."

"I think I'd better pass on that one." I was in the process of turning away when I felt a hand on my left shoulder.

"No one blames you for what happened with Seifer, Squall. He was an asshole and was rightfully expelled for being one. It wasn't right for him to pick on you either. I don't know what that guy's problem was."

"Trust me, he has too many problems to count."

"You're always welcome back you know. I mean, Master Eraqus did tell you that I'm pretty sure."

"He did. But that doesn't mean I'm going to return. Not right now anyway."

Aqua looked down at her shoes for a moment before returning her gaze towards me. "Right. Well, I hope to see you again soon Squall. You were always an interesting opponent."

"I could say the same." Seriously, to think that Aqua would take up such a ridiculous weapon in the first place. And the worst part was she wasn't the only one.

I had just walked into the main training room when I heard that cocky son-of-a-bitch talking. And I hadn't liked what I heard.

"Well I'm pretty sure Squall only acts like a little bitch because he has family issues or something. Seriously, I don't think any normal person can be that messed up without having been beaten or raped or some shit."

Maybe it was my lack of family, or the fact that I had just gotten back from summer camp (freaking Sora), but I was not in a good mood at the time.

"Piss off."

"Oh, so he finally speaks up?" I hate the way he looks at me as if he'll be the one to molest me. "Well, good morning to you too, sleeping beauty." The fuck is wrong with him…

"Seifer, seriously. I'm just going to tell you this once, alright? Fuck off."

"Ooh, such a mouth he has." It was at that moment that I realized I was screwed. Seifer's hands had been resting on the hilt of his gunblade the entire time. And now the weapon was moving.

Several cries filled the room as he slashed the weapon at me, especially given the strict rules that we were meant to follow. Striking a surprised opponent, let alone an unarmed one, was just wrong.

"Seifer! Stop that!" Aqua was already halfway across the room as she rushed towards the two of us. Thankfully his slash had fallen short or I would have lost an arm. But his attack had been all I needed to get really angry. And with a whole rack of gunblades behind me…

"Aqua, shut up and stand back. This has been a long time coming." After years of taking Seifer's abuse, years of being berated at every turn by the self-proclaimed prodigy, I was going to teach that blonde asshole a lesson. And my trusty weapon would be assisting me.

"Come on pretty boy, let's see how good you've gotten with that thing!" Better than him, that was for sure. I took a step forward, striking with the steel weapon only to be blocked. If there's one thing about Seifer that is slightly admirable, it's his swordplay. The guy isn't half bad when it comes to using a weapon, be it a gunblade or otherwise.

The only thing is that I'm better. Even as he prepared to block my next strike, I jumped back a foot, slashing forward at his right arm. He managed to dive away before I could sever the limb, but I saw that my strike had had the desired effect. He had been vulnerable for a moment, and I had proven that to him.

"Squall, Seifer, stop this right now!" Aqua and several of the other students were trying to get to us, only to be forced by the both of us to step back as our weapons swung around. I usually respected the girl. I usually respected my other students even if I barely talked to them. But this time was different.

"Heh, this will be romantic!" Seifer certainly has a sick sense of chivalry if striking an unarmed opponent is okay. Not as if I'd even let him connect a blow. Our blades continued to clash, neither of us willing to give way to the other.

But then something unexpected happened: Seifer started to run, several other trainees crying out as he rushed past them, blade ready in case anyone attempted to interfere. And I followed right after him, right through the Academy doors. Even as warning alarms buzzed in my head I chased him, wanting to teach him a lesson after all the shit he had put me through.

"Squall, please! This doesn't need to continue!" I paid no heed to Terra as I rushed ahead, blade ready as soon as I ran through the doors.

And then the trap sprung.

"AHH!" It was hard not to cry out when I found my eyes struck by a fistful of dirt, the sting of tiny pebbles and little grains of brown causing me to lower my guard for just a moment. And that was all the time that Seifer needed.

The pain my eyes felt was nothing compared to what came next. A sharp blade slashed down my face, warm blood spilling out as I dropped my blade, both hands going to the wound. All the time I heard Seifer laughing. Even as my eyes tried to focus, all I could see was his form standing above me.

I didn't care what happened next. I didn't care if I went to prison or worse. All I wanted then was to take my revenge. And as my right hand found my hilt, I did just that.

"SQUALL!"

"Squall? Squaaaaal? You alright there?"

Apparently I had spaced out for a bit. The next thing I knew I was sitting on a park bench about two blocks away from the academy. And the man standing at my side was-

Oh cruel fate. Weren't the other two brunettes enough for me?

Laguna grinned as I finally looked at him, my teacher appearing about the same as usual in one of his blue tropical shirts. "Fancy meeting you here! Here I was, going for a nice walk when I bump into you. So, what's happening?"

"Well, I had planned to go on a walk in order to clear my mind of a few things. Needless to say, that didn't go as planned."

"Hmmm, well, chin up kiddo! Life is full of things you don't expect, isn't it?" Laguna felt as if it was now okay to sit next to me.

I have no idea why he felt that way given how annoyed I sounded.

"I mean, what if I told you that a girl I had a huge crush on in the past got married to a general while I was away at war? Can't say I expected that to happen…but well, it worked out in the end."

I hadn't noticed it before, but was that a wedding ring on Laguna's hand? It certainly looked like one. I recalled our brief conversation on the subject during our little interview session before…and how uncomfortable he had looked during all of it. I guess Laguna's life isn't all sunshine and rainbows either. Still a lot brighter than my struggle to get by though.

"Hey Squall, you grew up over at Edea's orphanage, didn't you? I mean, we've talked about that a little in the past, haven't we?"

"Yeah, that's right." If Laguna wanted to piss me off anymore, then he should have just said the girl's name. Not like I'd told him about her.

Not like I'd told anyone about her.

"Oh, well I guess it's just that…nevermind. It's nothing." The two of us sat in silence for a moment, Laguna taking quick glances at me as if studying my features. As if I couldn't tell what he was doing.

"Well, I'd better get going. I'll see you tomorrow, anyway." Rising from the bench, I turned back towards Laguna and gave him a nod. The fact that he looked disappointed didn't mean anything to me. I had better things to do than hang out with him.

"Oh, well sure. See you later Squall."

I wish I could say my walk home was uneventful. I really, really wish that I could. Unfortunately, fate didn't feel like cooperating with me.

"Let me go you creep!"

"Hahah, no way. I'm into cute little brunettes, ya know!"

I swear, if I have to think about brunettes one more god damn time today…

A quick glance down the alleyway told me that I'd need to step in right away. A girl with brown hair was desperately fighting against a much larger teenager wearing an orange tank-top. I recognized him at once: Rai, one of Seifer's goons. Back before he moved away, Seifer had

always had two flunkies following him around. Fu had seemed to "reform" a bit, but given the attempted rape going on before me I could see that Rai had not followed her example.

"H-Help! Someone!" Calm down, I'm coming. Seriously, if people would be more patient-

Then again, it wasn't a matter I could take lightly.

"Rai, you do realize how bad this looks, right? Actually, I'm sure it's just as bad as it looks." Two heads turned towards me as I walked forward, fear now in both of their eyes. "Let. Her. Go."

"Pah! You can't boss me around, ya-ya know! I'm not afraid of you, Squall! You still have the scar that Seifer gave you! Proves you aren't all that tough!"

"Funny, because I'm pretty sure I gave him a scar too. And I'll do a lot worse with you if you don't unhand her and promise me never to do something so idiotic again."

Since when have I turned into some knight-in-shining-armor? First that Zidane kid, then the dog, and now this girl…and this is why I hate butting into other people's business.

"…" Rai didn't even retort as he pushed the girl away from him and ran. A coward under pressure. Yep, he hasn't changed a bit.

"Th-Thank you. I-I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been there." As much as I wanted to just walk away, I knew somewhere inside my heart that doing so would have been in poor taste. She had almost been raped, her capris hanging loosely around her legs. I simply cleared my throat before she took notice, pulling them up with a bit of red on her cheeks.

"It wasn't a problem. People like Rai deserve to be punished. Think you can handle that part? The police station isn't too far off…" Speaking of which, Rai chose a pretty bad location to attack the girl.

"Uh huh…that guy is going to prison…b-but again, thank you so much. I-I'm Olette Telmes. You look familiar to me, although I can't place it."

"Squall Leonhart. I'm a senior, although maybe you've seen me at-"

"Olette! Hey!" The two of us turned as a trio of boys raced towards us, none of them looking particularly happy to see me. Funny, I don't think I recognized any one of them.

Wait a second.

Oh God, they don't think-

"You'd better get your filthy hands off Olette! Pence, go grab the police!" I wasn't even touching her…

"You scum, trying to hurt a harmless girl like-"

"HAYNER! ROXAS! Calm down!" Even I was a little taken back by Olette's sudden explosion, and judging by how the two blonde boys jumped back they were as well. "Squall isn't the one who attacked me. He's the one who saved me!"

Both blondes blinked for a moment as they looked at one another, the chubby brunette boy letting out a long sigh as he scratched the back of his head. "You see, this is what happens when you two jump to conclusions."

"But 'Lette, we were looking for you everywhere. And to find you in this alleyway…you don't know how worried we were for you."

"Roxas, I appreciate it, really…but Rai is the guy who-"

"Damn it, I should have known." The boy who I could now guess to be Hayner slammed his fists together, rage seeming to build within his eyes. "Don't worry Olette, we'll take care of him. Come on Rox-"

"Do you really think that's a good idea?" Four pairs of eyes now turned to me. Crap, I knew I should have kept my mouth shut. Well, no point in stopping now I guess. "Your friend was just attacked, almost raped even." The second to last word certainly triggered a reaction, the three boys looking horror struck while Olette looked down at her shoes, her face displaying her own recognition of what could have happened. It had taken a good minute before the boys had shown up, and while I doubted Rai could have done way too much in that time, he certainly could have mentally scarred the girl. "Right now I'm pretty sure she needs you."

"…yeah. You're right. Sorry." It was funny to see Hayner apologizing after how hot-headed he had been acting.

"Olette, are you alright?" Both Roxas and Pence were now huddling around the girl, their friend giving a nod as she tried to appear as cheerful as possible.

Well, now they had each other. With that I turned away, ready to-

"Hey, wait a second!"

Can't get a break, can I?

"Your name is Squall, right? Thanks for saving Olette. I'm really sorry for getting mad at you before. Just we were worried and…hey, Squall right? I think I know you…you're the one who Sora is always going on about!"

I just can't escape him, can I? When I die, I'm sure my personal hell will be filled with nothing but Soras. I'm sure it will even rain Soras just to spite me. And I don't even want to know how that'll work.

I turned to face the blonde, spiky-haired boy. Crap, his face did look a lot like Sora's, didn't it?

"How do you know him?"

"We're cousins! I'm Roxas Hikari. It's nice to meet you at long last. I mean, Sora just won't shut up about how amazing you are. And after hearing that you saved Olette, I might have to agree."

Roxas' verb to describe what Sora fails to do is about as accurate as one can get- wait, what? Oh god, I don't need more of this ungrounded worship…

"I see. Well, if you'll excuse me-"

"Wait Squall." This time it was Olette. "Th-Thanks again for saving me…I really owe you for what you did back there…if there's any way I can make it up to you, please let me know. C-Come on guys…let's get to the police station."

"Rai better get locked away for this shit…"

"He will. Come on guys."

I'm not sure why, but something about those four made me feel odd. Maybe it was the way that they seemed so close, always having one another's back. I'm not sure…but it made me feel a little sad.

I couldn't sleep that night.

My mind kept dwelling on Seifer, the asshole who had scarred me. The fact that Rai was still being an asshole around town just reminded me that his legacy hadn't died out yet. The more I thought about it, the angrier I became.

I thought about Sora, the hyperactive kid whose mission in life is to make my very existence a living nightmare.

I thought about Selphie. See above.

I thought about Olette and how she had almost been raped. I tried to imagine how scared she must have felt, but I guess I have a hard time empathizing with others.

I thought about Laguna and his own life. I had to wonder about what he's hiding beneath that façade of joy.

I thought about Rinoa and her dog. I still have no idea how to feel about them.

And then I thought about her.

Chapter 7 Preview:

"Bartz! I've finally found you!"

"Wow Squall, that was awesome!"

"So, who do you plan to take to the dance anyway?"