Happy New Year everyone! xoxoxox
Rinoa moaned and twisted within her bed. She turned onto her back and stretched her arms high up above her head, her knuckles gently rasping over her headboard. As she groaned and rubbed the sleep from her eyes, she shifted her legs this way and that, searching for another pair of legs to entangle with. When she came into contact with no such legs, she opened her eyes and moved onto her side.
There was nothing but an empty pillow in place of where Squall's face should have been.
With a soft sigh Rinoa sat up, holding the blanket over her breasts. "What time is it?" she muttered to herself. She reached over to her phone and saw that it was just barely after eight in the morning.
"Hmm," she murmured, sliding out of bed. He wasn't in the bathroom and when she walked into the living room she found that empty as well. "Where did…?" She saw that his shoes were not by the door where he had left them the night before. Rinoa swallowed and headed back to her room for her phone.
A wave of relief washed over her when she saw that his beat up black knapsack was still leaning against the left side of her bed. After opening it up and seeing his clothes inside, she frowned and crossed her arms. "Strange…"
Behind her she heard her front door open up. Standing at the mouth of her hallway, she watched as Squall entered into the apartment, a black plastic bag tucked under his arm. He glanced up, seeing her, and paused, his brow raising a fraction.
"Holy shit," he said, closing the door behind him. "You might want to put some clothes on."
Rinoa glanced down. She had left her blanket on her bed, so now she was standing in her hallway with her bare breasts on display and wearing nothing but a gray lacy thong. "But why?" she teased him with a smile. "I quite enjoy walking around my apartment naked." She strode up to him and ran her fingers through his hair and trailed light kisses along his jaw as she stood on tiptoe. "Especially when there's a super hot guy to get naked with me."
Squall chuckled and reached around to give her ass a firm squeeze. "Can't really argue with that," he said, smacking her cheeks before detaching so he could enter the kitchen.
"Where'd you go?"
"Ran out of cigarettes so I just walked to the store." He rustled through the black plastic bag and pulled out a bottle of creamer. "You were also low on creamer," he said, shoving the crumpled plastic bag into his back pocket.
"You don't put creamer in your coffee."
Squall paused as he was opening the fridge. He arched a brow at her. "Yeah…but you do."
"Oh." She rubbed her eyes and listened as Squall prepared her coffee maker. "Did you sleep ok?"
Squall nodded and bustled around the kitchen to prepare the coffee machine. "While that's brewing I'm gonna have a cigarette." He turned and gave her a slow, delicious once over. "You are more than welcome to join me, but you may want to get dressed first."
After Squall made her breakfast and then pulled her into the shower for a steamy romp, Rinoa stretched her legs out over Squall's thighs and made a satisfied purr within her throat when he started to massage her foot. They were back in her bed, amidst the tossed around sheets and pillows. Rinoa inwardly announced that it was her favorite place at the moment.
Absently she rubbed at her throat, which was tender and sensitive thanks to the scruff on Squall's chin and his biting kisses. Her insides warmed as she thought back to how Squall's hands possessively clutched the curves of her hips as he thrust into her, trailed hot kisses down her throat and explored her mouth with that debonair tongue of his.
She watched him press through the photos on her camera. Currently there were about three hundred shots of a maternity shoot she had done about a week prior. Her model, Celina, stood along the broken rubble of the orphanage Rinoa had shot Absolute Lore at before.
Celina perched upon a pile of shattered concrete, her large belly completely exposed. Oxblood red claws cradled her belly and her breasts were shielded by her long, blonde dreaded hair. Around her hips was a simple black crocheted wrap, with just a hint of her tattooed left foot peeking out from beneath.
Rinoa tried to gauge Squall's reactions. Simply put, there were none. His face was as blank and stony as ever as he clicked through. His hair was still wet from the shower, slicked backwards with only a few stray pieces fallen over his brow. He looked incredible. Rinoa was slightly annoyed that he was holding her camera and thus could not take a picture of him…but he probably would have found some way to avoid the camera anyway.
"What do you think?" she finally asked. "Please, hold back your excitement, you're embarrassing me."
Squall lifted his gaze and something in his eyes made Rinoa's breath hitch. For a split second he looked angry and then it was gone in an instant, replaced with his normal and stoic expression. "Sorry," he said. "They're beautiful. I've never really paid much attention to maternity shots before until you came along."
Rinoa smiled. "She's a friend of a girl whose maternity pictures were done back in June. That girl actually had her baby recently and emailed me about doing her newborn pictures." Without meaning to, Rinoa made a sour face.
Squall arched a brow. "You don't want to?"
"I've never done a photoshoot with a baby. A preschooler? Yes…and that was quite the task. Granted that was when I was still in school so I wasn't as experienced but…little squirmy kid models are more challenging than adults. Great for candid shots though!" Her phone started to ring and she reached towards the side table. "Hey," she said to Selphie on the other side.
"Hey babe," came Selphie's reply.
Rinoa paused. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Is Squall by you?"
"Yes?"
"Has he told you anything about Absolute Lore's plans today?"
"No?" She looked over to Squall who was quietly watching her. "Does the band have plans today?"
Squall shrugged and gently placed Rinoa's camera onto the side table. "We did have a meeting with Cid this morning but he had to cancel because he forgot he had an eye appointment." He frowned. "But I know that Irvine was expecting a call from Kiros. Why?"
"Selphie's asking."
He held out his hand. "Give me the phone."
Rinoa handed it to him.
"Selphie."
"Hi Squall," she sighed.
"Was Irvine supposed to meet you or something?"
"Well…kinda. We made plans to meet up today for breakfast but he completely flaked on me. I know I shouldn't be too upset because I've been making up excuses to talk to him for the last week but…this isn't like him."
Off to the side, Squall's phone started to beep. He signaled for Rinoa to grab it for him.
"It's Irvine," she said.
"What's it say?"
Rinoa swiped open the screen and read off the words, "Just spoke with Kiros, we are all set to do a recording session on Saturday." Her eyes widened. "Recording session?"
Squall gave a slight grin. "We're doing an LP," he said. Before Rinoa could exclaim her excitement, he held out a hand to stop her and went back to speaking to Selphie. "Hey, so Irvine flaked because he must have gotten that call from Kiros. Just be patient, he'll most likely call or text you in a minute to ask you to dinner instead."
Selphie let out a sigh. "Ok. Thanks Squall."
"Yeah." He handed the phone back to Rinoa.
"You ok?" she asked when the phone was back to her ear.
"Yeah, I'll just wait like Squall told me to. But um, hey, do you think you'll be able to ditch him in a bit?"
Rinoa frowned. "Possibly. Why? What's up?"
"I was able to get a doctor's appointment for two o'clock. Could…could you come with me? I really don't want to go alone."
Rinoa glanced at the time and saw that it was just after twelve-thirty. "I can do that. How're you feeling?"
"Ugh, I think the nausea I'm feeling is mostly due to anxiety about seeing Irvine. But…I feel ok. I guess. I mean, I've never been…pregnant before so this is all incredibly new."
"Understandable."
"I'll be at your place in thirty. I have to be at the doctor's at one forty-five the latest because I have to fill out all that new patient paperwork. I'll text you when I'm close."
"I'll see you later." Rinoa hung up and placed the phone back onto the night stand. "So…tell me about this LP!" she exclaimed, hopping back onto the bed and sliding her bare legs over Squall's thighs as she snuggled into the crook of his neck.
Squall grinned and ran his palm up the length of Rinoa's shins, squeezing his fingers gently around the meat of her thigh. "Well, Friday we have to go to our studio to come up with some new songs because Saturday and Sunday we're going to be staying down in Galbadia to record those songs."
"How many songs are going on the LP?"
"I think Irvine and Kiros were shooting for twelve. But right now we only have seven completed songs…eight if you include Stars. We have been fucking around with some music while on tour but we haven't actually finished anything with lyrics included. So I hope you didn't have plans for us this weekend because we're pretty much going to be MIA."
Rinoa sat up and planted a kiss to his cheek. "I'm so proud of you!" she said. "And don't worry, I have nothing planned for us this weekend. Caraway's at a training retreat so I do have to check on the house, mostly by picking up the mail because he was waiting for some notice from his doctor."
"Something important?" Squall asked, his brow raised.
"About his health? No, thankfully. Mostly paperwork that he has to get notarized and then send in." Rinoa leaned back against the pillows and groaned. "What a day," she murmured. She looked over to Squall and smiled. Her fingers reached up and gently traced the strong line of his jaw. "What are you thinking?" she asked softly.
His eyes traveled down the length of her body and she immediately took that as a naughty sign. She chuckled and ran her nails across his chest, relishing the feel of the fabric of his t-shirt beneath her fingertips. Before she could lift her lips to his, he gently lifted up her shirt and laid a hand over her belly.
The movement was so shy and gentle that Rinoa narrowed her eyes. He had never touched her stomach in that type of manner before. Normally he would place a hand on top and then squeeze or caress, never had he touched it with a hesitant yet protective sense. She placed a hand over his. "Hey," she whispered. "Everything ok?"
He wasn't looking at her, instead his gaze was transfixed to her middle. His mouth parted as if he was about to say something, but then his lips twisted and then scowled as he tried to form the words.
"I'm…" he began. He shut his eyes tightly, his brows gathering as his frown deepened.
Rinoa could only blink and try to steady her breathing as she waited for him to continue. She wasn't sure what to make of his behavior. His actions and verbiage had always been aloof and quiet, so there was nothing new there. Even though they were still getting to know each other, Rinoa felt that they were comfortable enough to speak what was on their minds. Squall certainly had displayed that he had no holds barred when it came to expressing his opinion—even with her. But as she watched him she could tell that he was struggling to get the words out. Now she was growing concerned. She swallowed. "Squall?" she managed to squeak out.
"I'm not ready," he finally tumbled out.
"What?"
He pressed his lips together in a tight line as he tried to get the rest out. With each passing second his frown deepened, the creases between his brows becoming more pronounced. "I'm not ready," he said again. "I don't know if I ever will be, but…if you want to go through with this, then I'm here with you."
Rinoa sat up fully. "What do you mean if I want to go through with this?" she asked. "I already told you that I know where I stand with you—I am yours, Squall, just like you are mine." Her throat tightened as she feared that he was beginning to back track into his commitment phobia that he still had yet to fully explain. "I…I thought we already established this? Are you saying you want an open relationship now?" Immediately her mind snapped towards Fujin and her wickedly swaying hips and then Kendra with her dazzling smile and shooting star tattoo that matched but did not match Squall's.
Then Squall looked her in the eyes, his face twisted in confusion. "What the fuck—?" he muttered. "What are you talking about?"
Rinoa scowled. "What are you talking about?" she cried.
"I'm talking about the baby!" he barked.
Rinoa just blinked at him. "What baby?"
Now he just stared at her, his eyes searching hers for a good minute before he slowly sat up. He folded his legs across the mattress so he sat cross-legged beside her. His palms rested on his knees but his fingernails dug into his jeans so hard that his knuckles turned white. "Aren't you pregnant?"
Rinoa's eyes bulged and she nearly laughed. "What? No! What gave you that idea?"
"You made a point not to drink last night and I found your pregnancy test," he said, speaking slowly as he tried to remain calm.
"I wasn't drinking because I'm expecting my period soon and felt bloated as all hell so I didn't want to drink beer and feel like a giant balloon," she explained. "And what pregnancy test—oh." Her mouth slammed shut and her throat muscles jerked as she realized the damn thing was still in her trash. Fuck, she thought. Fuck, fuck, fuck. This is bad. "Um…shit, you weren't supposed to see that…" She felt her cheeks warm when she felt Squall's scrutinizing gaze upon her.
His fingers relaxed but his body was still tense and his eyes burned as they searched her. "Then whose test was it?"
"I can't tell you."
"Rinoa."
"It's not your business!"
"Then why was it in your trash can?" he demanded.
Rinoa shut her eyes and rubbed her temples. "Because she didn't want to be alone!" she yelled. "She's gone through enough as it is!"
Squall's eyes widened. "No…" he whispered.
A thick cloud of tense and awkward silence bloomed around them. Rinoa covered her mouth and softly shook her head. "You can't say anything," she said. She lifted her gaze at him and grimaced at the look on his face. "You can't, Squall!"
"He doesn't even know!" Squall argued. If Irvine had had any inkling of the fact that Selphie was pregnant, Squall would have been the first—or at the very least, second—to know about it.
"You can't tell him! It's not your place, Squall, just leave it alone!"
"Well she needs to hurry up and fucking tell him, we're leaving in a few days," he declared.
Rinoa sighed and chewed on her thumb. "She's not even sure if she's going to keep it anyway," she said solemnly.
Squall recoiled. "What?"
"Oh, come on!" Rinoa cried. "You think it's fair to make her keep the baby? After what she's gone through? You want her to have a permanent tie to him?"
"It's not just her baby," he snapped. "He's the father—he has a say in it."
"Ultimately it is their choice, yes, I see what you're saying but…she doesn't know if she's going to tell him yet." She winced at the look of absolute horror on his face. "Squall, they're not together anymore…they have their own shit to figure out with their relationship. A baby…?" She exhaled and rubbed her chin. "It's not fair to either of them or the baby to stay together or separate or whatever they decide solely because she's pregnant!"
He just shook his head as he listened to her. "He needs to know, Rinoa. That's his kid."
"Oh, so he's going to quit the band so he can raise it? You know he couldn't do that and Selphie would never ask him to! She's gonna end up taking care of the kid all by herself. Is that what you want her to do? That's the life you want her and the baby to have?" She firmly grasped his wrist with both of her hands. "Squall, you can't tell Irvine." When he didn't say anything she tightened her grip. "You can't," she pleaded.
They sat in silence for a few moments, neither of them breaking eye contact with the other. When Squall noticed the tears threatening to spill at the corner of Rinoa's eyes, he took a deep breath. "If she doesn't tell him before we get ready to leave, I'm telling him," he confirmed. At Rinoa's disgruntled sigh, he added: "He's my best friend, I can't keep this from him."
"And Selphie's my best friend," Rinoa shot back.
"Understandable," Squall said. "But here's the thing, it's not about Irvine or Selphie anymore, it's about the baby that they unwittingly created. Whether they go forward with the pregnancy or not it is a decision that is to be made between them—both of them—and only them."
Rinoa released his wrist and started to crawl off the bed.
"We're not done talking," Squall growled.
Rinoa shot him a look. "I think this conversation that is to be between Selphie and Irvine has most definitely run its course," she snapped.
Ignoring the remark, Squall simply looked at her. "What if it were you and I?"
Rinoa stilled. Her body froze with one leg thrown over the side of the bed while she was twisted at the waist to face him. "You can't ask me that," she whispered. "Do not ask me that."
"Why not?"
"Because!" she exclaimed. "I don't have an answer for you!" She exhaled a shaky breath and bit into her bottom lip. "You yourself just said that you weren't ready and that you weren't sure if you ever would be ready. What if I told you that I felt the same way? Being a mother was something I never really gave much thought. I mean…yes, I see a future with you—don't get me wrong—but I'm definitely not thinking about children."
Squall looked as if he were about to say something, but his lips remained tightly shut, which made Rinoa angrier so she just started spouting the first thoughts that came to mind.
"You cannot be angry with me over this topic," she said. "You don't even have the balls to call me your girlfriend so what the hell makes you think I want to talk kids with you?" She didn't immediately regret saying it, not entirely, but when she saw the minute change in Squall's expression she wanted to take it back. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm…I shouldn't have said that."
Squall shook his head. "No," he murmured. "If it's how you really feel you shouldn't apologize, nor should you feel that you can't tell me how you feel."
Rinoa was still annoyed. "How about you tell me how you really feel?" she dared. "I'm not saying for you to go atop a mountain and shout at the top of your lungs that you're seeing me, but telling someone you're hanging out with 'just a friend?' Sorry, but that's just a tad insulting."
"And what do you call me?"
That caused her to still. Inwardly her mind raced as she tried to think. When it came to talking about Squall with Caraway, he tended to just say Squall's name. Zone and Watts would tease and say 'boyfriend' or at the very least call Squall her own personal 'rock star.' There was really no one else that Rinoa would actually converse with when it came to Squall. Fuck…she thought. "Everyone I come into contact with on a daily pretty much already know who you are. So they just know you as Squall," she muttered.
"And everyone who is important to me know you as Rinoa. They have heard your name. You want me to tell my old boss who you are and what you mean to me? Fine. I'll be sure to do that the next time I see her. However, understand that I don't have any plans to see her in the near future and I didn't find it necessary to explain my life story at that moment." When Rinoa didn't say anything he stood from the bed and took her hands into his. "All that matters to me is that you know where you stand with me. I couldn't give a fuck less what other people think. I don't want you to have any doubt."
Rinoa swallowed as she listened. Her lashes lowered and she slowly bit down into her bottom lip.
Squall stiffened. "But you do have doubts," he concluded lowly.
She made a sound in her throat as she tried to figure out her words. "It's not entirely doubt, Squall," she said. "I mean…I know where I stand with you, like I said before. You are mine and I am yours but I still don't quite understand why you have an issue with letting other people know. It's not like we're having this big secret relationship but at the same time I feel like you're hiding me." A buzzing came from her phone still resting on the bed. Rinoa growled and took a quick glance at her clock. "Ok, you need to go," she said quickly.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Squall snapped, taking a step back.
She whirled around. "Ah! Not like that!" she yelled. "I'm not kicking you out I just—ugh!" Rinoa clamored through her junk drawer and pulled out her spare key. "Look, Selphie's on her way here. We're going to the doctor's." When she saw Squall open his mouth to speak, she held up her hand. "She hasn't even been to the doctor's yet for a test. Even though we know she's pregnant—we've taken the tests—she still has to go to the doctor to confirm that she's pregnant and how far along she is." And, Rinoa didn't add, to get a referral on where to get an abortion, if Selphie decided that was what she wanted. "If she finds out that you figured out that she's pregnant it may freak her out. So…here's my spare key. Her appointment's at two and she's gonna drop me off afterwards." She pulled on a pair of clean shorts and brushed at her hair with her fingers. "Just take my key in case you need to go out while I'm gone. I'm not sure how long I'll be."
Squall let out a sigh and shoved the key into his pocket. "Alright."
Rinoa was about to turn away and head for her shoes when Squall grabbed her arm and pulled her into his chest. His lips pressed heavily against her forehead. "We ok?" he asked.
Rinoa lifted her head and playfully bit his lower lip, earning a pained grunt from him. "Yeah," she said tightly with a smirk. "We're ok."
"Fill out these forms and return them when you're done," said the nurse at the counter, taking Selphie's drivers license and insurance cards. "I'll be right back with these after I make a copy."
"Ok. Thank you." Selphie skimmed over the questionnaire and gave Rinoa a disheartened look. "I hate these things," she muttered softly, sitting down and scribbling her name.
As Selphie focused on filling out the paperwork, Rinoa glanced around at the other patients in the room. Across from them was a woman in her thirties, reading a book and caressing her very large and round belly. At the end of the waiting room was a young woman with a belly that appeared to have just 'popped' and her mother sitting beside her.
Rinoa's ears perked up as she heard the door open. A nurse was escorting out a young couple with smiles brimming ear to ear as they walked hand in hand. The father laid a gentle and loving hand on the woman's bump and gave her temple a sweet kiss. Rinoa swallowed and stole a glance to Selphie, who was still very much focused on the sheet in her lap.
As they waited, Rinoa tried to think about the conversation she'd had with Squall. She felt her heart race as the emotion of annoyance and anger began to rise up again. He actually had the gall to be upset at her for not wanting to talk about the subject of kids with him when he himself couldn't put a name to their relationship? He was just being ridiculous, she concluded. It was far too early in their relationship to even think about kids.
Beside her, Selphie's phone went off and the other girl rummaged through her purse. "Irvine just texted me," she said.
Rinoa froze. Did he know? Did Squall tell him? No…he said he would give Selphie a chance to say something first and Rinoa believed him. "And?" Rinoa asked, trying hard to sound casual.
"Squall was right, he's asking me to dinner later."
"What's up with you?" Irvine asked, watching as Squall pulled out another cigarette.
"Nothing," he said back in a clipped voice. "Why?" He leaned back against the lawn chair and flicked his thumb over the lighter.
Irvine shrugged. "That's…what? Your fourth cigarette? You've only been here forty minutes." When Squall paused in his actions Irvine laughed. "Something has you pissed."
With a grimace Squall forced himself to put back the cigarette. "Just annoyed," he said.
"About what?"
"Nothing. Nothing important."
Irvine's phone chirped, granting Squall a reprieve and he nodded his chin. "Looks like Selphie's responded." He watched as Irvine cautiously picked up the phone and slid his thumb across the screen. As Irvine's face shifted into a slow and comfortable smile, Squall relaxed. "Good news I take it?"
Irvine tapped a quick message and placed the phone back onto the table. "I'm taking her to her favorite place, Diablos."
"Good choice."
"And then I'm just going to crawl on my belly over glass and beg for her forgiveness."
Squall shook his cigarette pack as if he were raising a glass. "Cheers to that. Good luck."
"She says she's running some errands but will meet me at Diablos around five." Irvine sighed and slid the phone back into his pocket. "Do me a solid?"
Unable to hold back any longer, Squall reached for his cigarettes and lit one up. "You want me to go with you," he said lowly. Squall let out a stream of smoke and nodded his head. "I'll have a drink with you until she shows up," he agreed. "The moment she walks through those doors though? I'm out. You two have a lot to talk about and I am not about to be a part of that."
Irvine chuckled and slung a soft punch to Squall's bicep. "Thanks brother."
"That's it?" Selphie gasped, staring open-mouthed at the screen in front of her.
Rinoa managed to hold back her laughter. The nurse sitting beside Selphie let out a sputtering giggle and nodded her head as she slowly moved the transducer over Selphie's abdomen. "That's a very common reaction," the nurse said. "After taking in your menstrual cycle and looking at the sonogram, I think it's safe to say you're roughly seven weeks."
"It's…tiny." Selphie cocked her head, her lip upturned into a little scowl as she stared at the screen. "I mean, I wasn't expecting to see a full blown face or anything because I know I'm not too far along but…" She held up her hands and pointed. "It's just a little black bean!"
The nurse smiled and stood to her feet. "Now, I know you mentioned over the phone that you had questions about termination."
Selphie thinned her lips, lowering her eyes as the screen shut off. "Yeah."
"The sooner we do it the better. And safer for you," said the nurse. "I'll have some referrals printed up and we can have it done before next week is over." The nurse looked at Selphie and her face softened when she saw that the brunette's eyes were fighting back tears. "Take your time," she said softly. "If you need to take the day to think about it, do it. You don't need to make a decision right this minute." She gave Selphie's hand a tender squeeze and exited.
Rinoa climbed to Selphie's side and kissed her temple. "You ok?"
Selphie let out a wail and clasped her hands over her face. "No! Oh fuckin' hell…what am I doing?" she groaned. She looked over to Rinoa. "What would you do?"
Rinoa shot her a look. "Oh hell no. Nope. Not going there." She stepped away from Selphie and absently walked over to the monitor where the little black bean had been. "Look, whatever decision you make I will love and support you regardless." With a smile she turned and faced Selphie. "I honestly believe that your decision will be the right choice."
The tears that had threatened to fall were now gone without a trace. A small, sweetly tinged smile brightened upon Selphie's lips. "Woman, I love you. So. Damn. Much."
Rinoa giggled and crossed over to wrap her arms around her, planting a kiss to Selphie's forehead. "And I love you."
"Will you be my boyfriend?"
Rinoa let out a laugh. "I would love to be. But unfortunately I don't swing that way babe."
Selphie pouted and smacked Rinoa on the ass as she pulled away to readjust her shirt. "Killjoy."
As they drove away from the doctor's office, Rinoa thought back to her conversation with Squall. Something he had said was starting to worm its way into her mind. It had blown right past her when he had said it. She was too focused at first in thinking that he was talking about something else. Then the topic completely harpooned into another direction that didn't even involve them.
"I'm not ready. I don't know if I ever will be, but…if you want to go through with this, then I'm here with you."
That was what he had said to her. Rinoa felt her stomach drop as if it were suddenly filled with lead. Holy shit, she thought. Ohmygod. He thought I was pregnant. He thought I was pregnant and said he would be there for me through it all. And I shit on him for not having the balls to call me his girlfriend!
"I'm going to see him later tonight," Selphie said, pushing on the breaks so they came to a complete stop at the intersection and snatching Rinoa away from her inner turmoil. Selphie's eyes stayed on the red light as she told Rinoa that she and Irvine planned on meeting at Diablo's Steakhouse for dinner and their discussion.
"Are you going to tell him?" Rinoa asked, running her fingers through her hair and sighing as she watched the cars drive past them. While she was very much interested in Selphie's addition to the conversation, her mind was still reeling about her revelation of Squall's words. "About the baby?"
Selphie squirmed in her seat. "I…I don't know yet. I feel like I should. I should, huh? It's the right thing to do."
"Have you decided what you're going to do?"
The light turned green and Selphie slowly started to accelerate. "Yeah. I think I do." She glanced over to Rinoa for a brief second. "I'm—"
Rinoa never heard her answer. Another car running the adjacent red light slammed into Selphie's car. All that filled Rinoa's head was the sound of Selphie screaming and the grinding sounds of metal and broken glass.
