Chapter 2 - Infirmary

"Why do you two always fight?"

Squall looked up to the girl treating his cut arm.

"He stawrted it!" His small voice protested.

"I did not, Chicken-Wuss!"

"LIAR!" Squall screamed.

Squall tried to lash out at the young blonde boy as the he darted away and made a face.

"Squall, calm down!" The girl pleaded.

Squall stopped trying to hit the other boy. His blue eyes were now locked onto the girl, starting to brim with tears. The corners of his mouth began to down turn into a pout.

"Oh no, buddy…don't cry."

Squall erupted into tears. The girl hugged him tight.

"I hate it here!" He wailed. "When is Daddy going to come for us?"

The girl kissed the top of his unruly brown hair. "I don't know sweetheart."

Light started to filter into the darkness.

The girl and embrace slowly faded.

He was alone.

His head hurt so badly.

Squall started to open his eyes.

Dr. Kadowaki walked into the bay.

"How do you feel?"

"My forehead hurts."

"Take it easy next time, you hear?"

The doctor knelt beside him and started to flash a light into his eyes.

"Looks like your eyes are focusing. You should be fine. Say your name for me."

"Squall."

"Why don't you take it easy in training? Next time, you won't be so lucky."

Squall sat up and rubbed his head

"Ugh...tell that to Seifer."

Dr Kadowaki rolled her eyes.

"That Seifer. Won't listen to anyone. Why don't you just ignore him?"

Squall gave the Doctor a strange look.

"I can't just run away."

Dr Kadowaki flashed Squall a stern expression.

"You want to be cool, huh? Well, don't get hurt in the process."

That couldn't be further from the truth...but whatever.

Squall had given up on people ever understanding long ago.

"Now…who's your instructor...?" she questioned herself as she looked up Squall's information in the terminal.

"Let's see...Quistis. I'll call her right now. Just wait here a minute."

Squall laid back and let out a loud sigh. He could hear the Doctor speaking to his instructor over the phone outside his bay. Gradually he had the strange feeling he was being watched. He turned his head towards the window.

A young woman with brown hair and soft, brown eyes knelt down, looking through the glass right at him. He looked back at her, wondering what on earth she found so damn interesting.

"Squall, so we meet again."

Huh?!

She didn't look like anyone he had seen attending Balamb.

Who is she?

And why did she act like he should know her?

Before the words could come to his mouth to ask who she was, she continued down the hall outside.

He turned his head back and saw his instructor enter the room, rolling her eyes at him.

And….here it comes..

Quistis knelt down next to him and glared.

"I knew it would be either you or Seifer!"

Squall gave her an indifferent look.

Exasperated, Quistis got up.

"Come on. Let's go. Today is the field exam."

Squall got up from the cot and followed Quistis out of the infirmary. They walked down the long corridor.

What a day already…Seifer sliced my face open, got some strange girl staring at me, and today's the field exam. I'll be lucky to survive it...let alone pass with the way the day is going.

And why can't I get her face out of my head.

She knew my name…

Quistis stopped up ahead. Squall kept his pace and started to pass her.

"Squall."

Squall stopped walking and turned.

"Is there something on your mind? "

"Not really"

"Not really. Haha!" Quistis said along with him.

Squall flashed her a strange look.

"What's so funny?"

Quistis smiled.

"Funny?"

She shook her head.

"No its not that. I'm just happy, that's all. I feel like I'm finally beginning to understand my student a little better."

So you can repeat my sentences and that makes you a damn Squall expert.

Ohhhh… I don't need this today.

Squall turned and began to walk off. Quistis hurried to keep up.

"I'm more complex than you think."

"Tell me then. Tell me more about yourself."

Squall stopped in his tracks again.

His face started getting hot.

"It's none of your …."

"business." Quistis finished and began to giggle.

Squall ignored her the rest of the way to class.

As they entered the second floor classroom, Squall went straight to his desk and melted into his chair. He could feel Seifer sneering at him from his desk across the aisle.

"Awww…did they bandage up your boo-boo?"

Squall just put his head down to ignore him.

Whatever…

"If you're going to become SeeD, Leonhart...you need to man up. Notice I didn't faint at the sight of my own blood or need a bandage for this.." Seifer pointed to the scar Squall gave him at the end before he lost consciousness.

Squall sideways glared at him...not wanting to make eye contact.

"Maybe you'll thank me later. Chic's dig scars. Might help you see some action." Seifer winked and made a clicking sound as he mimicked a gun with his hand.

Quistis stood at the front of the classroom in front of her desk glaring daggers at Seifer.

"Are you done, Almasy?"

Seifer smirked and turned to face the front.

The class quieted down.

"Good morning class." Quistis began. "Let's start with today's schedule. There seemed to be some rumors flying around since yesterday. Yes the field exam for SeeD candidates will begin later this afternoon. Those not participating or who failed last weeks test are to remain here in study hall. Field exam participants will have free time until the exam. Just be sure you're in top condition. Meet in the hall at 1600 hours. I'll announce the team assignments there. Any questions?"

Quistis paused and scanned the room.

"Oh, and Seifer! Do not injure your partner while training. Please be careful from now on!"

Seifer stared hard at Quistis and then Squall. His eyes burned with icy blue rage. He slammed fist onto his desk.

Quistis shook her head.

"Field exam participants, I will see you later."

Those participating in the exam all began to leave the classroom.

"Squall, I need to speak to you before you go." Quistis said.

Squall got up from his desk and approached the front. Seifer nudged him as he too began to exit.

Squall narrowed his eyes and shook his head. Too much at stake right now to let him push his buttons...but he's racking up quite a tab he'll need to pay up on later.

He waited for Quistis as she spoke to his other classmates. She bid her farewell and then began to look at her tablet.

"You haven't been to the Fire Cavern yet, have you? You won't be able to take part in today's field exam if you don't pass this prerequisite."

Damn it..

I was gonna go this morning…then Seifer…

Quistis lowered her glasses.

"Hmm…do you have a good excuse?"

Argggghhhh….

"…..not really."

"Well let's get going then." Quistis smiled. "I'll be waiting at the gate."

Quistis left the class. Squall returned to his desk for his notebook and left as well.