Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Like a Bracelet ❯ I have a problem with that ( Chapter 13 )

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

Zell traced the bookshelves with his finger. Each title was a sea of random words strung together to form a giant mutant title. Before. When. Sunset. Wasn't. Last time. He smiled as a brief thought of what the title of his book would be. The art of martial arts of the mind. Maybe Romantic Fist, He balled up his fist and chuckled.

"Ooh! There you are." He slid the book from the shelf.

"U-umm, Zell," a girl appeared beside him. "I just wanted to tell you that there's a book that I think you'll like." She held it up to him.

He read the cover out loud. "Unnatural?" He locked eyes with a brown pair that quickly dropped to the floor before averting off to the left over his shoulder. "What's it about?"

She played timidly on the tip of her brain that rests over her shoulder. "A guy, a former fighter, is framed for murder. I thought you might like it."

"Cool. Thanks, Lina."

Lina, perked up. Usually her nickname is Rosa or Rosie from Rosalina.

"Ya know, not many people look at me and take me for a reader, but here you are picking out books for me." He grinned causing her heart to flutter, as if the rapid pace wasn't exhausting enough. "You're kind of a special gal."

He walked over to the checkout desk and handed his card over to the other attendant working today. He was a librarian a few times. The cadets work in shifts throughout the year.

"Zell?"

He looked to where the voice came from. "Oh, hey.. Bai..ley.." His fine brows furrowed. "Did you swipe someone's uniform?"

"No. I work here now."

"The Garden library?"

"No. At Balamb Garden." He brushed his hands down his uniform jacket. "I'm a cadet number, uh… A lot actually. Ah hehe."

"Wow. Why?"

"Oh, because I've always wanted to be a cadet. I was just afraid of dying and stuff."

Zell just stared as joining was sort of a conflict with that fear.

Seeing the expression, the new cadet waved his hands and cleared it up by adding. "But, Quisty told me about ya know, magic and now I'm not so nervous… It does bring you back, right?"

Zell nodded. He still seemed unsure of how to absorb all this new information. Thankfully Ofelia jarred him from his stupor. "Your books."

"Thanks." To Bailey, he said. "See ya, I guess."

"You will. I'll be joining you guys for dinner."

"Right. Dinner. OK then." He took his books from the desk then walked out, shooting glances over his shoulder as if to prove to himself that he really wasn't seeing things. Cadet Bailey Eldron. Why?

"Good evening, Dolaris!" Selphie greeted the lunch lady with a bright tone. "What did you make so well that it could be offered to Hyne?"

Dolaris laughed out loud. "I'd get the chopped meat sub. It's venison, you'll like it, being from up North."

She saluted as a proud Northern resident, former or not, and smiled. Taking a sub, she also grabbed a bowl of spinach as a side. "Have a good evening."

"I will. I'm going to see Until Daybreak with Marie."

"Ooh." She walked over to the table where the others would gather once they spotted her.

She picked a table at the wall in the center. Alone with her meal she assessed the recommendation. The meat was sliced thin, chopped, and soaked in a gravy that smelled a bit off-putting. It must have been made by the juices of the fragrant animal. Dinner is going to be amazing!

She'd never admit it. But she really misses being at Trabia sometimes. The school was so chill, and not just because it's in the Northern hemisphere. The cadets were amazing, the layout was perfect. The instructors were great at teaching. Instructor Garmande died in the missile attack. Another instructor she only knew by name, as well. Aya…

"Huh?" Her blink restored movement and the present back into the reminiscent Trabian. Or maybe it was her arm moving on its own. She tipped her head back.

"You're brave," Seifer was guiding her arm upwards for the purpose of sniffing her lunch. "What is it?"

"Not sure until I eat it." She lowered her arm. "She said it's venison." She took a bite.

Seifer scrutinized her with his gaze, his elevated brow asking the question of "Well?"

"Elk."

Seifer scrunched his nose. "Ew."

"It's good." She held it out to him. "Just a sliver."

"No. I wanna live to see tomorrow." He chuckled.

Zell waved at the pair from the line. He made a gesture of measurement to ask if the foot longs were gone. Selphie shrugged an apology. His shoulders slumped. Of course the hot dogs are gone. He couldn't help it. He had some free time after a pop-quiz so he started that book Lina suggested and time just got away on him. Plus, he had class on the second level. Waiting for the elevator in a sea of cadets is the worst.

He suddenly remembered earlier. He looked around the room for Bailey, relieved when he didn't see him he returned his attention forward.

"Seifer?" Fujin said.

"Gotta go."

Selphie said good bye to him as he changed tables to sit with Fujin and Rajin. She swapped songs on her music player. She began tapping her foot to the lively melody while eating her dinner.

"Did you get enough spinach?" She asked when Zell sat.

"This physique needs nutrients." He stuck a forkful into his mouth. "Tri-colored carrots, too."

She signaled for him to come closer then she stuffed the right earbud into his ear.

"Everybody skate to the music," the martial artist sang a bit off-key.

"Put your hands in the air."

They both raised the roof spilling crumbs and flecks of spinach doing so.

"Embarrassed." Fujin shook her head.

"Yeah," agreed Seifer. "Leonhart." He called Squall who was about to join the concert table.

Squall paused, seemed to be weighing his options but joined Selphie and Zell despite the fear of being given an invisible microphone. He couldn't take Rajin's… Rajinisms. The pair were so enthralled in the music they jumped when he took a seat at the table.

"Good, now that everybody's here, did you see.." Zell clamped his lips shut.

"See what?" Quistis asked, as she took a seat.

"See…" the martial artist eyed the newcomer.

He wasn't the only one. Squall and Selphie stared with confused wonderment.

"See the flier for the dance this Saturday?" He just chose any random thing while having no actual knowledge of any such thing.

"A dance? I joined just in time, huh, Quisty?"

Squall cocked a brow. 'Quisty?'

"Is that your subtle way of asking me to the dance?"

"I'd rather do it formally." He smiled handsomely. "Will you go to the dance with me?"

"I'd love to." She smiled when he popped his finger on the tip of her nose.

"I take it we're past the elephant and already have the circus tent erected?" Seifer said, coming up behind them. He watched the most bizarre spectacle of that weasel posing as a human just waltzing into the cafeteria behind Quistis. He's visited before, only now he seemed to be cosplaying as a cadet. "You know you can get arrested for posing as a cadet."

Quistis rolled her eyes. "It's a good thing then because he's not. Bailey joined Garden."

"He did?!" Selphie exclaimed.

"Yes. Just today." Was the reply the former instructor gave.

"Cool, right?" He brushed his hand down the intricate jacket uniform.

"No."

"Seifer, be nice." The spunky girl grinned at the new cadet. "It's cool."

"I thought so." He looked at all of them kindly. "Please feel free to tell me anything I need to know, or help me out. I'd appreciate it."

"Yeah? Cool. What weapon are you planning to specialize in?"

"Weapon? Umm… I don't know." He scratched his cheek. "Do I have an option?"

"Of course!" Selphie chirped excitedly. "They have the new recruit orientation.. Which you missed. Aheh heh.."

"I asked the headmaster about joining.. He didn't have any trouble with it."

"Pick hand-to-hand. We can spar together."

"Hand-to-hand. I'm not all that strong."

Zell was practically glowing. "I can train you! This is gonna be great!"

"Yay.." though his tone held anything but glee. "What weapon do you use?" He asked his girlfriend.

"A whip. You knew that."

"Right." He stuck his nose against her ear nuzzling it.

Every male at the table became suddenly busy with anything other than looking at the spectacle. Selphie openly watched with glee. It's sweet. She's never seen this side of Quistis. It was nice having a new view of her long-time friend.

"When do I get to choose a weapon?" He asked after dislodging his nostril from his girlfriend's ear.

"Tomorrow." Quistis replied. The blush began to fade once the public display was over. It was one thing to do it on dates, but she wasn't sure she'd quickly get used to it at Garden. Despite her demotion the cadets do still respect her - well, minus Seifer.

Bailey seemed mentally caged hearing that. Once he chooses a weapon it will be official. He felt thirsty at an instant.

"What's wrong, you look green?" Seifer scoffed.

"I'm not. I'm just… letting it all sink in that my dream is finally coming true."

"I didn't realize you were that excited. How 'bout tomorrow we get you some light training?"

"Seifer, knock it off."

Seifer snickered. "I love this. Do you plan to hold his hand the whole time he's here?" He raised a brow. "He'll have to do it anyway whether it's in the Training Center or out on the field. If he can't take down a simple Gnat, what is he doing here?"

Quistis would have argued. However, Seifer was correct. She can't hold his hand. He will have to be out on the field. "Be that as it may, he doesn't need to be harassed by you."

"I'm not harassing him. I'm getting along."

Quistis stood. "We need to have a chat."

Seifer smirked. "A chat? It's been a while since we've had one of those. Are you gonna play instructor again, miss Trepe?" He winked at her.

Quistis rolled her eyes.

Bailey glared wondering exactly what the giant blond meant by that? He certainly doesn't care for the assumptions flashing through his thoughts. He then remembered his encounter with that black cadet earlier, he forgot his name. What type of relationship does he really have with Quistis? Or any of them? Just how many members are a part of these so-called "Trepies"?

"I'll skip the "chat" and leave you kids to try to keep your meals down with the lovebirds at the table." He grinned and walked away back to his friend's table.

"What was that about?" Rajin asked.

"We have a new cadet; I thought I'd say hi."

His friends looked over at the table.

"He seems close to Quistis." He turned his attention away. "Almost like they know each other, ya know?"

"It's that loser she's dating. You saw him before when he came by to pick her up a few times."

"Geez, whipped." He made the whipping motion. "Quistis must be good in- OUCH! Fujin? Why not take it easy my shin, ya know?"

"Break."

"Come on, you were thinking it too, right Seif'?" Rajin took a clump of mashed potatoes to the nose from his male friend.

Quistis had on her night clothes; hair undone so she could braid it to keep it from getting tangled while she sleeps, she searched for her brush. She wished her roommate wouldn't borrow it without returning it to where she found it.

"Courtney, where's my brush?" She asked.

Exiting the closet, cadet Courtney gave a sly chuckle while holding out the brush. "Sorry. I wanted to use it first." She sat on her bed and watched her roommate brush her hair before she worked it into a braid over her shoulder.

"So, word around the school is your boyfriend is a new cadet,"

"Word gets around quickly."

"It does." With a smug smile, she asked. "How do you feel about that?"

"Honestly? It was weird at first, but, thinking about it… I really like it." She nodded. "I get to see him everyday instead of every once in a while."

"Yeah. I wouldn't trust my good-looking boyfriend to be long-distance."

Quistis shook her head in a silent request that Courtney stop teasing her. But she was glad that she thinks Bailey is handsome. "Bailey and I trust each other, it's why despite the distance we've been together for so long."

"Lucky in love. How wonderful."

"I am lucky." She laid herself down in her bed. "Good night."

"Night."

In Bailey's room. He's under his blanket with his phone in his hand, searching the school board for information on Trepies.