Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Like a Bracelet ❯ I want it that way ( Chapter 12 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Bailey grinned from ear-to-ear after dropping his big news on his girlfriend. "Aren't you happy? Isn't this amazing?"

Quistis nodded. "Yes - yeah, yeah. I'm really happy." She smiled.

Bailey sighed. The sound was refreshing. "And to think I get to see you smile every single day without a screen between us." He leaned towards her and kissed her at the corner of her mouth.

"Uhh, we can't do that in a professional setting, Bai'," she looked around with nervous eyes believing that the headmaster would walk in and think little of her for such a display.

Missing the point, he purred in her ear. "Ohhh, you wanna save it for our room?"

"The dorm area is co-ed, however the rooms are not shared between mixed genders."

He followed her out the door when she turned to walk out. He walked up alone with his eyes trained on the destination ahead, but now that he's with Quistis he's taking it all in. His gaze watched the idling student in the second level and noted the name bars over the classrooms.

"Multi?" He asked.

"That is for dance, language, teaching of stealth for jobs."

"Wow."

Quistis slowed her pace so that her boyfriend could walk beside her. "We do take all the classes. There is no getting out of them." She was happy to have Balamb be seen in such a good light of admiration.

She showed him the emergency area, now the docking area for exit and entrance.

"Is this the secret spot where everyone comes to makeout?" He asked while peeking over the edge of the balcony. He turned green then stepped back. It was far too high up for his sanity.

"Let's go through the main area then I'll show you to your dorm room."

"OK."

They took the elevator to the first floor and walked to the directory.

"The school doctor is Kadowaki. She's good with injuries, but she specializes in magic medical issues."

"So, that's real?"

"Yes. Magic isn't something natural in the human body; often cadets need time to adjust." Seeing his reaction, she started to say something but was interrupted.

"Hello, instructor Trepe." A cadet waved to her. He walked over to her offering the easiest smile in her presence.

"Hello, Neil."

Bailey squinted at the interloper. His gaze screamed his thoughts and none of them were kind. Neil looked at the new face and seemed to be assessing him as well, except his was mere curiosity.

"You're a new cadet? You must be if you're at the directory. Nice to meet you, I'm Neil."

"Yeah. I'm new." He countered with. "Are you new?"

"Naah. Why would you think so?" He blinked, taken aback.

"Because you called Quistis instructor Trepe. She's not an instructor anymore."

Neil waved it off. "I know that. But, as the leader of the Trepies, I will always call her Instructor Trepe." He grinned handsomely at the former instructor. "Isn't that right, instructor Trepe?"

Quistis's blush was all the smiles and encouragement the Trepie needed to go on for a pop of happiness in his day. "If you're busy, I could show him around. I'll take him to all the cool spots, and introduce him to all the available ladies." Neil winked at Bailey.

"I don't need any available ladies because I'm already taken." He linked arms with Quistis.

"Wait a minute… you're with instructor Trepe?" He crossed his arms reassessing the newcomer. "Did this just happen?"

"We've been dating since September." He held an air of smugness while still sneering. "How did you not know that?"

"I don't make it my business to ask about others' personal lives."

"Well, now you know. The fair and beautiful Quistis is taken." He would have touched her face as a proof of intimacy between them, but he's holding books and a manual the size of an old school encyclopedia. So much for the modern era. "You're welcome to tell anyone else who needs to know."

"I'll save the pleasure for the two of you. Congratulations, instructor Trepe."

"Thank you."

"Have a good first day, Bartley."

"Bailey."

"Bailey." He waved to the two of them then wandered away.

When he was far enough away, he cooled and turned back to the directory. "So, should we continue?"

She nodded then continued to point out the locations.

"The cars belong to the school, so they are always to be returned." She started for the dormitory. "You can send them to the car rentals in town and they'll bring them back if you happen to leave the vehicle somewhere due to unforeseen circumstances."

The pair were certainly receiving a lot of looks on the way to the dorms. Some cadets, assuming the new cadet was available, fixed their hair and adjusted their clothes. Others simply stare wondering who was the guy following Quistis. A few greeted her and him, trying to get friendly right away.

He returned smiles and greetings.

"Here's your room." She reached for the keypad but then realized she doesn't know it. "Do you have your passcode?"

"Oh, yeah, it's in my front pocket. Can you get it, please?"

Quistis hesitantly reached into his pocket. Laughing when he moved his hips and said something so casual but with a flirtatious tone. "Don't be like that." She blushed.

"Hey, see how well you'd handle a beautiful woman reaching into your pockets."

"I think I'd fare pretty-well."

Bailey snickered. When the door was unlocked he stepped inside. "I'm sharing with someone?"

"Most do when starting out. Only SeeD get their own, others move into the barracks."

"Do you have your own?"

"I would, but I chose to share it with my good friend Xu."

"Not Selphie?"

"I love her, don't get me wrong. But when the hours are late, and I just want to rest… she can be a bit much."

"Gotcha." He set his things down on the desk. "Can you help me order my clothes?"

"Sure." She opened the laptop then brought up the school store webpage. "Use your card and order 2 uniforms and practice wear."

"Ok." He slid the door shut. "Quistis, while we're alone, let me ask you something.."

Hearing the change in tone from light and sweet to quite aggravation, she locked eyes with him. "Go on."

"Why did I have to tell that guy that we were together?"

"Because most of the times we've met up it's been off Garden grounds. Neil even said it was none of his business and most of the cadets here feel that way." Her expression told him to drop it because it's not a big deal.

"I just think it's something that should be known, so that people like those 'Trepies' don't go around thinking they can flirt with you freely."

"Noted." She turned away and rolled her eyes.

"And why did you take your charm off your phone? Where is it?"

"I put it on a zipper on my purse."

"Well, if it were on your phone then that would do the talking for you, and you won't have to embarrass yourself admitting that you have a boyfriend." He frowned.

"I'm not embarrassed to tell people we're together. I just didn't need to. There's a difference." She joined him on the bed when seeing the saddened expression. "That should be all the reassurance you need. No one is asking me out nor hitting on me for me to have to tell them I'm taken."

He nodded. "I didn't think about it like that."

"Believe me, I will happily show you off. But, until now, there wasn't a reason to flaunt my personal life."

"What about the charm?"

"I'll put it back on my phone, if it's that important to you." She kissed his cheek.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." She felt comforted when he took her hand and caressed the back of it with his thumb. "Now order your clothes."

Grinning like a wolf cornering a rabbit, he peppered kisses on her face. "I'd rather you order me out of my clothes, instructor Trepe."

"Instructor?"

"Yeah. I wanna be the one responsible for making you a cadet, once our saucy scandal gets out."

"Oh stop." She giggled and pushed him off.

"We're fellow cadets now. Living under the same roof." He wiggled his right eyebrow. "We're allowed some roleplay."

"Read the manual." She got up. "And while we're asking questions, I thought you were afraid of battle? Afraid to experience death - even temporary."

"I am - was - but, then you reminded me of how perfectly fine you all are. And I thought, "I should man-up and go for my dream"."

"You wanted to be a cadet?"

"Not always. I just thought it was really cool, but fear was stronger than actions." He walked over to her. "You're my pillar. You cure my fears." He kissed her deeply. "Thank you."

"I'm glad I could be your strength."

"Me too." He kissed her again then stepped back. "This is gonna be great. I'm gonna order my clothes and look through this manual."

"Be sure to take breaks." She pointed at the manual. "Dinner is at 6:40. That's when I'll be in the cafeteria."

"I'll be there." He grinned. "Our first on campus meal together."

She nodded. Quistis left him alone to settle in.