Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Like a Bracelet ❯ Beautiful stranger ( Chapter 1 )

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

Disclaimers: I do not now, nor have I or will I ever own anything involving the world and creation of Final Fantasy VIII. I don't own the characters or the locations or story mentioned scenarios. Which means this fun little story is not being used to make money. It's just to, hopefully, entertain readers.

Warning: This story contains violence and psychological abuse.

X x X

Quistis Trepe stretched her arms over her head to ease the tension knotting between her shoulder blades. Even when she was an instructor she didn't have this many knots.

"You've done a wonderful job, Quistis." Headmaster Cid said upon exiting his office. "I'm very happy you took the position of my secretary. Never knew I needed one until that pile on my desk was absent and I could finally do some physical work."

"You're welcome, Headmaster." She stood. Her deep blue gaze drifted to the clock over the exit to the hall. "I have to get going."

"A date?" His brows rose above the trim of his glasses.

She redirected the implied comment, as it could have been innocent. "As a matter of fact, I do. Rinoa Caraway invited me and Selphie to have lunch with her in Timber."

"You kids certainly keep your friendships. Apart from Martine, I have no friends from my childhood." He looked absent as he stared into space wondering what his old friend was doing with himself lately.

His wife, Edea Kramer, is now the headmistress of Galbadia Garden. Martine can't just be about doing nothing. Maybe he should look him up? He thought, coming back to the present when seeing movement from Quistis passing by for the exit.

"I'll see you tomorrow." The young woman said as she went through the doors.

"Have a good lunch. Say hello to Rinoa for me."

Agreeing that she would, she made her way to the elevator. She heard Selphie before the see-through doors parted.

"Racing would only make us sweat. No."

"You're no fun."

Feeling a little immature for not being immature, Quistis was about to give in, however there was no need since Selphie dashed after Deacon Skeeter, Balamb's resident track enthusiast, racing alongside him towards the garage.

"I'm driving!" She declared over her shoulder.

"Huh?" Deacon asked.

"Not you." She broke away into the area where the school's cars were parked.

Quistis located her eager friend when she entered the garage and a car engine shot on. She checked her purse for her wallet, glasses, and spray mint for after the meal. All passed with a check accounted for.

"The usual place, mum?" Selphie asked with a Dollet accent.

This time she decided to play along, taking on an accent as well. "And you'll not have one silver piece until we arrive."

Appeased, she replied then giggled. "Yes, mum."

...

The area filled with the familiar sound of a mechanical 'shush' from the train pulling into the station of Timber. The city's inhabitants could set their watch to it. Which is why Rinoa Caraway knew exactly when to leave her apartment in the residential area to meet Quistis and Selphie at the station.

She straightened from her lean on the far rail and waved enthusiastically; the greeting was just as enthusiastically returned from Selphie. Quistis gave a nod, then verbally said "Hello."

Quistis agreed to having lunch with Rinoa when she and the bright embodiment of energy were invited, but she'd of much rather it have been at a city she enjoys visiting. Dollet is always so lovely this time of year. The leaves in town are brown and bright orange or red against the soft hues of the town's brown bricking.

Plus, try as she might, she can't recall ever having eaten at a restaurant in Timber. They had a brief meal when they were hiding out when the Garden's were at war. But a home-cooked meal and an eatery are vastly different. She hoped the food was good.

"Aren't you cold?" The activist asked her peppy brunette friend.

"No. Is it cold?" Selphie stuck out her hand as if expecting it to act as a thermometer. She looked at her friends' attire, noticing they're both wearing pants and knit shirts. She's wearing a boho dress with a short shawl. "I'm wearing a shawl."

Rinoa chuckled.

"She wasn't born in Trabia, but she was certainly raised there enough to get the ice-tolerant blood in her veins." Quistis remarked.

"Thank you." She linked arms with the pair. "So, where are we eating? Is the food good?"

"Best in town." She steered them to the eatery while arm in arm.

The trio looked like they were huddling together for a four-legged race. Rinoa gently steered them through the building alleyways until they arrived at a place called: Nathaniel's Delish. Despite the rough exterior, and bland name, the interior of the eatery was quaint. It was like being inside a magazine for an in-home run restaurant.

Eight tables and a couple long sofa benches lined the wall with a table in front of it. The colors were pale blue and beige. The counter was placed in the center. It's shaped like a U.

"Greetings. Sit wherever you'd like." Said the hostess.

The trio thanked her then took a seat off to the side table of four. The eatery was filling up after the sign declared it was open. Patrons chatted after ordering at the counter. Quistis got the herb encrusted cod and a tossed salad. Selphie got a ground chicken cheeseburger with lemon pepper dressing and potato wedge fries on the side. Rinoa ordered a cheeseburger with a salad on the side.

"This place is quaint. Thanks for inviting us." Quistis said after the food arrived. She removed her glasses after reading the menu, but tucked them into her purse to avoid the waiter setting the plate down on it.

"How could I not? I really started missing you guys." She smiled. "It felt like we all became friends, we'd been through so much together last year."

"That's for sure." Selphie shook her head.

Six months of souped-up monsters, mad sorceress, their own former Matron, she lost her school and two friends, others lost multiple friends, Seifer's come back to Garden, Squall's gone back to being a stoic soldier, Zell… well, Zell is Zell. Irvine.. From what she can recall from childhood, he's pretty much the same, too - except now his follow the leader personality is more flirtatious to simply get to the point where a child doesn't know anything beyond I like this person. It's exhausting.

The pair told all of this to Rinoa, who listened attentively.

"How are things going with you?" Asked the former instructor.

"Umm, pretty good." She looked out the window. "I'm repairing my relationship with my father."

"Oh good." Selphie gave a nod. "Cause you know, we poor few don't have parents anymore. You have to cherish the one you have."

"This was a P.S.A from Selphie Tilmitt."

Rinoa clutched her hand over her heart. "And I was deeply moved." She chuckled.

"I'm serious. I'm really glad to hear it." She couldn't remember her parents at all anymore, thanks to the use of Guardian Forces. She hoped all of her memories would return, but she wasn't going to hold her breath should another reason to use the mysterious monsters arise.

"Watts works here." She pointed him out.

Selphie and Quistis looked over their shoulder to where he was helping clear tables. He should be over to clear there's soon.

The three young ladies talked more about less serious topics, and promised to see a movie together next week.

"Your bill's been paid." Said the guy at the register.

"Really?" Rinoa's brows furrowed. "Watts didn't have to do that. I can pay." She removed her wallet.

"No, not Watts." He held up a slip of paper. "That guy over there did it; he also told me to give this to the pretty blond at table 3." A note was handed to Quistis.

She stiffened up; surprise on her face. "Are you sure?" Surely it was a mistake. Why would anyone want her over her companions?

"Eeee!" Selphie clapped.

The cashier glanced at the giddy brunette like she was insane, then continued speaking to Quistis. "Unless your friends dye their hair, you're the only blonde who was at that table."

The trio looked over at a young man seated alone, sipping a soda. He has very pointy features and was giving off a kind but posh air. The guy also looks wealthy or would like to be.

Selphie grabbed her friend by the upper arm and shook her a bit. "He's cute. Wave a thanks or something."

"I don't want to."

"Do it!" Rinoa joined in.

"No."

"Pleeeeaseaseaeeeeeele." Rinoa and Selphie gave her puppy-eyes.

Knowing she wouldn't hear the end of it to the station or back to Balamb Garden, she looked at the generous young man, and smiled a "Thank you" for the kind gesture of paying for their lunches.

He smiled back and yanked his black hair out of his face as if to show off his facial features a bit more. Quistis would admit he's easy on the eyes. Hair as black as ink, the soft curls fell about his forehead framing his face until he tugged it back. They are too far to see his eye color, but his flesh was a lovely caramel. He must be from the South or west.

"Do you know him?" She asked, although she immediately regretted it when her eating companions squealed with glee that she was thinking about keeping the number.

"Dominic Acosta." Replied the cashier. "A regular. Pretty nice. Works at the bookstore up on Stella."

She took that info in, then pocketed the note with the phone number. Why not? Better to put up a false positive then get hounded for a sure negative. "Let's go." She instructed.

"Quistis has a daaaate," Selphie sang on the way to the station. "Quistis has a daaaate."

"Quistis has a habit of being polite when she shouldn't." She mocked by replying with her own light singing. "I have no intention of contacting him."

"Why not?!" Selphie and Rinoa asked in unison.

"Because I know nothing about him."

"So what." Again, they spoke together.

"Point number two, I don't need you two inquiring about my love life as if it's some daytime soap." She adjusted her glasses. "It's embarrassing,"

"We won't. Honest." Chirped the peppy brunette.

"Yeah," Rinoa nodded.

"I'm too busy."

"Well, you're not busy this Friday. We were all going to see a movie."

Rinoa got the implication. "Yeah. Ditch us and go out with that Dominic guy."

"What if I don't like it." She was so relieved to see the station up ahead; even if Selphie keeps badgering her at least it would be one on one.

"What if you do like it?" Rinoa leaned into the space of the overly self conscious SeeD, who, as far as she could tell, needed a serious reminder that she's just a girl at the end of the day. She needs to feel normal, not her duty. "A girl needs to date every now and then."

"I don't." Once they ascended the staircase to the boarding area, she turned to Rinoa. "This was nice. We should do it again next time we're all free."

"And we will," she grabbed Selphie to her side. "You, on the other hand, will be going on a date."

Quistis groaned inwardly before mentally listing off all the places they could have dined where Dominic Acosta was not. "OK. You win. I'll go out with him."

"And enjoy it." Selphie added. She unhooked her arm from the forest owl's then gave her a quick hug. "Bye."

"Bye, you guys."

Quistis waved right before the door closed. She and Selphie gave their tickets to the taker then took a seat. The note was burning a hole in her purse. She removed it, deciding to read it.

Lovely blonde goddess, please allow me to take you out for dancing this weekend. I promise you'll have a good time. I'm sorry if this seems strange since we don't know each other, but who knows anyone until they get to know them. Please accept my date by calling this number.

By the time she and Selphie left the train and went their separate way back to Garden, she had the number memorized and called it to accept.