Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Like a Bracelet ❯ Get a grip ( Chapter 14 )

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

Xu Zhao's eyes shot open and she removed her hands from over her ears. Whomever was banging on the door was about to get their face banged on! Sitting up she got out of bed and went to the door. When it slid open she had to dodge a fist poised to bang on the metal again.

"And who are you?" She glared at a face almost familiar.

"I'm sorry." The knocker asked. "Hi, I'm Bailey Eldron, and you're Xu.. right?"

"Why are you knocking on my door at this hour?" Her tolerance for nonsense was well out the door once the door opened.

"I wanted to talk to Quistis."

The Garden aide swung her arm out into the room. "Does it look like she's here?"

Bailey looked about with his gaze then laughed sheepishly. "I guess not." He wet his lips. "Is she at breakfast? Do you know where she is?"

"Try the main office on the third floor." She slid the door shut before receiving an unwanted "Thanks".

Bailey's timid expression returned to agitation as he stomped his way to the elevator. 'Why is this school so big? Like I'm trying to walk all that way.' He glanced at a kid dashing through the hall. 'Look at this idiot. Why is he running?' Although running was the better speed choice.

He broke into a sudden sprint towards the elevator. "Dammit." He mumbled.

Seifer Almasy's bland expression suddenly perked up to one that could only read mischief incarnate. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Baiby - oh, forgive me, Bailey."

Bailey boarded the elevator and pushed the button for the third floor. He tried his best to ignore the pest that didn't exit the lift.

"Most people at least have breakfast first. You must really wanna impress Trepe by the weapon you choose."

"What do you mean?" He smacked himself for taking the bait. He can tell that Seifer doesn't like him; unless his behavior is some weird hazing ritual that he's unaware of. Or he's one of those freaks that friendships love to hate because all he does is hate.

"Headmaster usually calls new cadets to his office to suss-out weaponry choices. But ultimately it's up to Instructor Burton."

"Right."

"How 'bout you and I hit the training center once you've decided?"

"How about we don't?" He stepped off the elevator.

"Hoping to train with Quistis?" Seifer chuckled deep and throaty, tauntingly. "She's a busy woman, up to all kinds of things. She won't have time."

'What the fuck is that supposed to mean?' He side-eyed the blond giant. 5'10 is tall, too. He lamented to himself. "I can train on my own."

That produced another laugh from Seifer. "Right. Well, you'll just have to see then." He remained on the elevator riding it back down to the first floor.

'Creep.' He paused at the door. Listening through it with his ear pressed against the solid wood structure. He heard a strange mechanical sound. His eyes squinted as he imagined what could be the cause of it.

He envisioned Quistis lying on top of her desk, her desk because deep down the pair wanted to be caught in their little tryst. Cid would be behind her, too old to get it up, so he's using a toy to screw her.

'The damned fuck!' He shoved the door apart.

The expected image of Cid and Quistis jumping apart was dashed. The truth was Quistis was sharpening pencils across the room; Cid was nowhere in sight. The second aide startled from the sound of the doors hitting the wall. She looked over her shoulder and cocked her head.

"Bailey? What are you doing here? Why aren't you at breakfast?"

"I just…" He crossed the room to keep their conversation quiet. "Why aren't you at breakfast."

"I prefer to get the morning work done so I can have the afternoon free." She tapped the handful of pencils against the wall to align them. "I got a muffin and coffee." She walked to the desk dropping the pencils into the holder.

"I see you didn't put my charm back on your phone." He said with a clenched jaw.

Quistis looked at her phone. "I've had a lot on my mind, I just forgot. I'll put it on once I'm done."

"No! Do it.." He calmed his tone. "Can't you just do it now?"

"I don't have my purse up here."

He balled up his fist, and before he could catch himself he grabbed her by the upper arm squeezing it tightly. "Where is your purse? I'll get it for you."

"You're squeezing my arm." She tried to tug it free but his fingertips dug in. "Let me go."

"Where's your purse?" He released her arm, just in time as the door to the Headmaster's office opened.

"Ah, cadet Eldron. Aren't we eager?" Cid placed a stack of folders onto Quistis's desk. "Come along. I suppose I can see you now." He turned back towards his office.

Bailey looked at Quistis with apologetic eyes, then he followed Cid Kramer into his office.

Quistis rubbed her arm. 'What was that about?' She wondered.

"Now," Cid sat behind his desk. "Have a seat." He fished inside his desk drawer producing a folder with a sheet of paper inside. "I'm sure you're aware of the roots about this school, after all you passed the written test to get in."

"Yes, sir."

"In there you'll find the weapon selections and magic courses times for new recruits."

"OK. Yeah." He gulped when looking over the many selections. "Umm, there are no guns."

Cid chuckled. "No. No, not at this school. We're more inclined to use combat over stealth. You'll have to attend Galbadia for artillery positions."

"So Irvine really does go to a different Garden," he hadn't meant to say that out loud.

"Kinneas? Oh, yes, he's a Galbadian soldier." Cid nodded. "You wanted to attend schooling with him?"

"Huh? No. I was just wondering because Quistis and he went on a mission together."

"We operate together now. So sometimes we assist them and they assist us."

"Oh."

"Is that a problem?"

"No, sir."

"Wonderful." He leaned over the desk, hands together. "Have you had breakfast?"

"Not yet."

"You can eat if you'd like, but go to Kadowaki once your through to get the first dose of serum for your magic infusion."

"Today?"

"The sooner the better, young man."

Bailey turned green. "Did you eat anything before?"

"Me? Oh, haha no. I'm not a magic user." Headmaster admitted. "No, I'm in the unfortunate position of creating a means of safety through others."

"Well… I'll go have breakfast." He waved the papers. "Thanks for your help. I think I'll try something easy to manage like throwing knives or these stick things."

Cid nodded. "Your first test will be in January."

That was a relief. Three months away. He thanked the headmaster again then left the office. Quistis kept her eyes down, but he noticed her phone on the desk and to his surprise the charm was there. He mumbled "Thank you" but she seemed to not hear him or she possibly didn't want to. That's fine. As long as the charm is with her.

"Hi, Bailey," Selphie greeted him cheerfully as he got behind her in line. "Sit with me, if you wanna."

"Thanks." He smiled politely. Selphie is the only person who seems to like him. Tch. The guys are probably jealous because they wanna bang Quistis. 'Sorry, losers, but she's taken.'

"Decided on a weapon?"

"Tofus?"

"Tonfas." She corrected him.

'So much for her being nice.' He looked around glad that no one had heard his mistake. "What's good?"

"I'm having cereal," she shook a small box that she's holding. "but I want a sausage too."

He looked at the electronic menu board and decided on something light. He wasn't sure how things would go later and he'd rather not see all the colors of the rainbow if the treatments didn't sit well with him.

Bailey froze listening attentively. He then blinked when hearing that Selphie had said something. "Hmm?"

"I said don't be nervous."

"OK."

After his meal, he went with heavy legs to the second floor. He located Burton's class. The man and three others were inside. He nodded to the other three cadets. He was hoping he'd be alone.

"Mackie," said a girl he stood beside. "Jake and that's Taeyo."

He waved hello to them.

The beefy Black man opened up three closets. "Take your pick."

He chose bugnuks. He can punch things. Compared to other weapons, those were a good fit for him. The only thing he had left to do before starting class was to get his first dose of serum.

He saw the quieter of Quistis's friends passing by as he made his way to the infirmary. Squall, something or other. The guy paid him no attention, as per usual when he came around to see his girlfriend, and he ducked into an area he hasn't been in yet. Ignoring is better than Seifer, he supposed.

"I was wondering when I'd see you." The doctor patted the table.

Bailey knew he was nervous, but seeing the straps on the bed made his blood freeze.