Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Second Chance ❯ Preparing the play, answering doubts to understand the heart ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter 10: Preparing the play answering, answering doubts to understand the heart

 

Selphie had everybody next Saturday trying on the costumes they would be using for the play. They were located at B1, which they had made a place exclusive for themselves to spend their free time after Master Norg left.

 

“Are you done already?” asked Seifer again

“Seifer, if you don't stay still you might get pinch with a needle” replied Quistis

“They're only some measurements! Hoe long does it takes you women to-OW!” he was cut the moment he felt something pinching in his arm

“Oh, Seifer, are you ok?” went the instructor sarcastically and giggled at the deadly glare she received.

“Ok, we're done” said Selphie

“Why we don't just make new costumes?” went Rinoa looking at the ones that had Selphie had found “This are so ugly”

“They just need some little sewing and scissoring, you won't even recognized them once they're finished”

 

Seifer walked away before things got worst. Rinoa had been doing nothing but complain ever since Selphie announced her idea of the play. The worst until the moment was when she was told she would be the fairy-godmother. She complained she wouldn't be if Danielle was Cinderella, so Selphie changed her to the stepsister. However, they were missing the fairy, since the other girl of the Festival Committee broke her leg and she wouldn't be able to walk for a month.

 

He then noticed Danielle was sitting in one of the couches doing some study. He then remembered they were having a history test on Monday, piece of cake for him. Danielle, however, seemed to be having some trouble with it.

 

“17 years” he said answering the possible question she was looking for. Danielle in that moment jumped off the couch dropping her stuff and she turned around to see a laughing Seifer.

“You idiot” she sighed “Don't EVER do that again” and then she bent down to pick up her things. At the same time, Seifer jumped the back of the couch to sit.

 

“Sweetie, when have I done what you tell me?”

“I keep my hopes up” she replied as she sat down again. She noticed Seifer immediately shifted close to her, maybe to close for her liking. She moved away to the other side hoping he would get the idea of it. She realized he didn't the moment he once again got close to her.

 

“Will you get away from me?”

“I don't have an order to be at a certain distance from you”

“You're invading my personal space”

“This is sitting besides you. Invasion of space is this” and he pressed the brunette against the armrest.

 

“Hey, get off!!” she complained

“Hey, you're quite comfortable” he replied

“Just get off” said Danielle pushing him off her “I have to finish this”

“Come on, that's general culture”

“I'm an ignorant, ok? I didn't receive the same education as you. I only know of the second war and because I was there and they're not even going to ask about that” and she crossed her arms looking away. She was waiting for Seifer to mock her, but it never came.

 

“Radio waves hadn't been used in 17 years until the Galbadian army got Dollet's Communication Tower functioning”

“Stop making fun of me”

“You will find very few information in books and it's really confusing, trust me. I'm trying to help”

“With what purpose?”

“It's this or pestering you. Make the call, sweetie”

“Call me sweetie one more time…” she started to menace, but Seifer interrupted her

“I'm waiting”

 

Danielle sighed and rolled her eyes. “Fine” she muttered “I'm all ears”

“Good” went Seifer “The first Sorceress's War happened…”

 

Squall was arriving in that moment when he noticed Seifer and Danielle talking in the couch. Surprised at such thing, he approached to where Zell and Irvine were, who didn't seem to have noticed such thing.

 

“Hey, Squall, good to see ya' among us” greeted him Irvine

“What are they doing?” he questioned

“Who?” asked Zell, not understanding the question. Squall signaled to where Seifer and Danielle were

 

“They're… talking?” went Irvine surprised.

“This has to be a dream, they're not fighting” added Zell

“I know, they don't stand each other for more than five minutes” said Squall

“It's strange to see them like this. Two weeks ago they wanted to rip the other's head and now they are the total opposite” added the fighter “I think they like each other”

“Could be most logical thing” went Squall “He teases her most of the time, and from what I know, he has never been like that with any other girl”

“The only person he bothered like her was me”

“If I were you I will be careful with the competence” went Irvine and along with Squall, he started to laugh at Zell's expression.

 

“I think they're talking about us” suddenly went Danielle when she realized how they stared at them

“So what if they are?”

“Feels weird to have them starring like that” and suddenly laughter broke into the air.

 

“Leonhart is laughing! Puberty boy is laughing!!” went Seifer pretending he was horrified and faint, his head landing on Danielle's lap. He still wasn't use to the new attitude of the young commander, he felt weird to hear talk, now imagine how it was to hear him laugh.

 

“Do you plan to stay there all day?” she went

“Maybe” he grinned opening his eyes and placing his hands on the back of his head “Really, you're comfortable”

“Hey, turtledoves! Wait until we are out of here!” joked Irvine making the others laugh, except Rinoa, who actually was starring at Danielle not too friendly.

 

*

*

*

 

“Tell me your name”

“I can't. After this night, we shall never see each other again”

“But you really regret it, don't you?” went Seifer sarcastically

“Almasy, we have a test on Monday. If I don't pass, they're going to kick me out of here”

“Sweetie, just study everything I told you and you'll be fine”

“Easy for you to say, you already know everything” she replied closing the script

 

“You're always that pessimistic?”

“If I didn't need the community hours, I would quit” she sighed

“How are you guys doing?” suddenly arrived Selphie

“I can't do this” went Danielle immediately

“What's wrong?” questioned the other brunette

“I can't do this, I barely know what I have to say. I'll be the fairy, get someone else for Cinderella”

“No way, you're perfect for it” replied Selphie “You just need to feel it”

“I'm not an actress”

“No one here knows about acting”

“You just have to believe what you're saying” added Seifer “It's like saying a lie, you must convince the others what you're saying it's true”

“It's a bad example, but true” pointed Selphie “Let me get my script and see where the problem is. I want to hear you, too” and she went to search for her script.

 

“You just have to as if you're really never gonna see me again”

“Which means I have to jumping of joy?” went Danielle receiving a deadly glare from the blond “Almasy, I see you every day of my life, how am I suppose to believe that?” she added in defense

“Because right now you're Cinderella, the orphan girl that became the maiden of her stepfamily after her father's dead. Right now, you are at the ball with the prince, not me with me, Seifer. We're two total strangers living a dream”

 

Danielle thought of what Seifer had told her and she then reached for her script again. //Two total strangers living a dream// she repeated in her mind. Selphie arrived in that moment. “So, you should be at the ball scene” she said as she looked for the mention part “You read your lines and I read quotations. Are we ready?” and they both nodded. “Great” and she started reading. “Cinderella arrives to the ball, the crowd stares at her as they start to question who she is. The prince approached to her”

 

“My lady?” read Seifer

“Cinderella notices the prince and answers as she bows”

“Your highness” and Danielle paused a bit. “It's an honor to be here”

“The honor is mine for having such beauty illuminating this evening. Please allow this mortal to know your name”

“I'm sorry, your highness, but I must remain anonymous as I always have been”

“Don't deny me such. Even when it's the first time I see you, I feel I have known you since forever”

“In another life, in other circumstances our souls probably met”

“If that's so, my soul is pleading for the reunion. So, please, allow my oblivious heart to remember your name”

“Please for give me, but after this night, we shall only meet again in our dreams”

“You are dream come true. If I can't be honor with your name, at least give me the honor to dance with me”

“Offers hand, she takes it, drags her to the dancing floor and here goes the waltz. Ok, listen up this. When the waltz is over, you must freeze totally. The light will go out and when they turn on again, the bell will start to strike. Cinderella hears the bell striking and remembers the advice of the fairy-godmother”

“I must leave now, your highness”

“But you haven't tell me who you are. I must insist in such request”

“I'm sorry, but we shall never see each other again after this night”

“I beg you, bless me with the sound of your name. Allow me to know it so I can know with who I'll be fantasizing until fate crosses our paths again”

“Fate permitted this night to happen, but she shall never let our ways be crossed like this night”

“Don't mistrust such lady! We shall meet each other again, I'm sure of it. Please tell me your name”

“I must go!”

“Stop!”

 

Selphie kept on reading. “Tries to go after her but some ladies stopped him and when he finally reaches the stairs, he only finds the glass slipper and the last bell strike sounds” and then she looked at them. “Care to tell me where the problem? `Cause you did it great!”

“Are you sure the last part comes in the twelve strikes?”

“Danielle starts speaking right after the second one, so near the tenth or eleventh you shall be arriving to the stairs” and she got on her feet “I'll be right back. Hold on a minute” and she walked away.

 

Seifer in that moment turn to look at Danielle who just stared at the cover of her script. She suddenly turned around and realized she eventually had noticed he was starring at her. “What?”

“You sounded great. It sounded very real”

“You were right, I just had to believe it wasn't… well, us in such situation”

“I did imagine you”

“What?”

“I imagine you” went on Seifer approaching to her “With those sad puppy eyes of yours that were pleading for a miracle that will allow you to stay by my side. But you had to go and I could see the sadness in them”

“Almasy, you're getting too close” warned Danielle pulling away. Her back bumped with the armrest and she tried to slip away, but she only achieved to lay down totally with Seifer on top of her.

“You can't run forever” he said bringing his face closer, their noses almost touching “I'm not letting you go this time”

“Hey, guys! Control your hormones, we are still here!” went Selphie in that moment along with some wolf whistles and laughter.

 

Danielle covered her face in embarrassment while Seifer only chuckled, obviously not caring about the joke. “Well, you know where the door is located. So how about if you let us finish this?”

“You're finishing on your own, get off!” went Danielle trying to get him off with no avail

“Shouldn't you be already use to be in that position and with a guy on your top?” went Rinoa

“Hey, don't get jealous. I never got on YOUR top because you always had Angelo in such place” replied Seifer. At this, the others snickered and covered their mouths to avoid from laughing, while Rinoa send a menacing glare to Seifer.

 

“I don't have to tolerate such” went Rinoa, turning around with her nose stuck in the air and walked out of the place.

 

“That earned me another kiss, right?” grinned the blond

“What?!” was Danielle's reply

“Hey, even in that, I'm in charge of coordinating it” went Selphie

“But, Slinky” complained Seifer like a small child “Her lips have the legend of “Kiss me! Kiss me!” written all over them. They look so inviting!”

“You dare to kiss and guess where my leg is gonna hit” muttered Danielle, but Seifer just shrugged his shoulders.

“You'll break your leg”

 

Selphie and Quistis blushed at the commentary but laughed anyway, different from Irvine and Zell who roar in laughter at the commentary.

 

“Guys, that enough” went Selphie trying to recover her breath “Come here, we haven't rehearse that”

“Wait a second, its for real?” asked Danielle “Nobody ever told me of a kiss”

“It's written at the end of the script” went Zell

“Mine doesn't says such” and then she looked at Seifer “Will you just get off already?!”

“You didn't seem to mind a moment ago” he grinned, but got on his feet anyway.

“I forgot to write it, that was the first one I print and then realized I hadn't typed it” explained Selphie “Anyway, you now know about it”

“Oh, no, I'm not gonna kiss… him”

“It's not going to be for real” went Quistis “Thought you have to make it look like it”

“The worst than can happen is that you kiss me back in case I do” went Seifer with his famous grin that could melt an iceberg in a matter of seconds.

“Do that and I'll kick your ass” she replied

“That'll make me know you don't like it” he said and winked. Danielle blush at this, at moments like this, she questioned what she felt for the blond. Even when they were on the couch, it had felt strange, but not in a bad way… //Image out! Image out!// she cried mentally trying to get a hold of herself.

 

They both stand where Selphie told them to. “Let's see” she said examining the fake couple “Which is your last line, Danny?”

“Truly, Fate wanted us to meet again”

“You then say something, right Seifer?”

“And never again we shall be apart”

“Ok, you are holding hands there, right? Right after you end Seifer, you'll kiss” went Selphie “You are standing in profile, Danielle on the left and Seifer on the right. Bend your heads to your left, right there! Seifer, try to get your head at the level of her face and…”

“Cut it out!!” suddenly exclaimed Danielle

“I'm just following orders”

“When did she said to stuck your tongue out and get closer to me?”

“Guys, come one” went Selphie and they got in their last position before the interruption “Seifer, lower your head a bit. Right there! And close your eyes, you two are in love!”

 

Danielle and Seifer stood like that for some moments, none of them move at all even when the others kept total silence.

 

“I think they're kissing already” went Zell

“No we aren't!” went Danielle pulling away completely blushed

“Hey Chicken, you gotta learn to wait for you turn”

“Asshole” said the tattooed blond with gritted teeth

“Well, you now have to rehearse it so it looks for real the day the play” went Selphie “Come on, everybody! We're just starting!”

 

*

*

*

 

“That's when Seifer start calling Zell Chicken!” laughed Irvine

 

Night had already fall when they ended with that day session. Quistis and Danielle had left some while ago; the rest had stayed at B1 and they were talking about their days at the orphanage.

 

“It's not my fault that Chocobo thought I was his mom” said the tattooed blond as red as a beet

“But you still looked so cute with it following you everywhere” giggled Selphie

“Ever since he was carrying the egg he looked like Mother Hen” laughed Seifer

“It wasn't me the one who brought the egg, man” said Zell “I think it was Squall”

“Ha! The only thing that Puberty-boy brought to the house were crabs!” and they laughed again

“I know that one! He suddenly came into the house looking for Matron with his hands behind her back. And when she asked him what was wrong, he showed her his finger with the crab hanging from, it and he started to cry” and they laughed “He got pinched a second time, but Matron didn't took it away that time, a kid of the place did it. I can't remember who it was”

“There were a lot of kids, sunshine. Could have been anyone” went Irvine. He looked at his watch and then smiled at the small brunette “The last show at the movies starts in 15 minutes. Wanna go?”

“Sure!” she cheered and they got on their feet “What about you guys? Wanna come with us?”

“I pass, thanks” went Zell

“I'm with the Chicken” said Seifer

“Ok, we'll see you later” and they couple left

 

“I doubt they are only going to see a movie” chuckle Seifer and then he looked at Zell, who was starring at his lap “Hey, Chicken! Wake up!” he mocked, but the short blond just ignored him as he got on his feet

“Let me guess, you also are going out for a date” said Seifer, feeling a bit left out to know he was the only single of the gang

 

“I don't. I'm just tired” was the reply he got “See you around”

“Whoa, wait a fucking second, Chickie!” said Seifer grabbing his wrist and pulling Zell back into the sofa “Say that again?”

“I don't have a date, I don't have a girlfriend! Satisfied?” exclaimed Zell “Squall has Rinoa, Irvine and Selphie are together, Quistis is with a guy named Ryan and then comes me with no one, ok? Bye” and he tried to walk away but Seifer pulled him in the sofa a second time.

 

“What happened with Carrie?” asked Seifer “I thought you were together”, but Zell shook his head.

“She's gone” said Zell “Got transferred to Galbadia. I did told her about how I felt, but… she didn't thought the same”

“When did it happen?”

“Almost after we came back from the war”

“And you haven't date since that?”

“I'm not a ladies man like you” muttered the youth

“Psh, I'm a woman repellent now”

“What about Danielle?” suddenly asked Zell

“What's with her?”

“There seems to be something between you”

“We tried to kill each other”

“But you know seem to get along very well”

 

Seifer sighed and then looked at the blond. “Zell, do you know how to keep secrets?”

“Must be important if you're calling me by my name” went the blond surprised

“You better do or I'll kill you if you open that big mouth of your, understand?”

“So what is it?”

“I think I'm having” he coughed “strange feelings for Danielle”

“You think?”

“I can't assure anything” menaced Seifer “It's just that… I mean, I was Rinoa's boyfriend, right? But I don't remember ever feeling something for her. I do think she's pretty, but… I don't know, I saw her as any other girl, not as… something special”

“And with Danielle is different?”

“I'm not even sure about it” confessed Seifer “It's different, but I'm not sure what it is”

“You constantly think about her?”

“Yeah”

“In her smile”

“Yeah”

“Her voice, the way she walks, her eyes”

“Everything” went Seifer “And her eyes… ever since I saw them, I fell for them”

“You got it bad for her” concluded Seifer

“You can't jump into conclusions yet! And you better not mentioned this to the others, understand?”

“It's a deal” replied Zell

 

*

*

*

 

It was Monday evening when Danielle was rehearsing the ball, she had been doing such since she had ended classes that day.

 

Selphie had Seifer and Danielle rehearsing separately, she wanted to make sure they knew the steps well before they dance together. Also, she had given Danielle a pair of heels to rehearse with, since they hadn't got the ones that she would be using for the play.

 

Danielle couldn't deny ho nervous she felt. She had only practice the dance with Irvine, being the one closest to Seifer's height. She was also having a hard time dancing with the heels because they were a bit bigger. The play was closer than she thought and she still doubt if she would be able to do it.

 

“Tee-hee! I can't wait to see ya' dancing with Seifer! You two will look so cute together!” said Selphie when the track ended.

“Hey, hun, are you sure they'll be able to dance well? I mean, they haven't practice together” said Irvine “She has been practicing with me and Seifer with Quistis”

“That is worrying me too” went Danielle taking the heels off to rest her feet at least for a moment

“Everything will be fine, trust me” winked Selphie “And you know the steps by heart”

“What about the dress?” asked the cowboy

“Oh, no! Not that one! First she's gonna wear it for about five minutes and I don't want it to get dirty! And it's not finished yet, anyway”. In that moment Seifer entered B1.

“Hey!” greeted him Selphie “Ready to practice the dance?”

“I bet I even do it asleep” replied the blond “So, where's Quistis?”

“You're not dancing with Quistis this time” said the sunshine girl and then she pushed Seifer lightly towards Danielle

“You're kidding me”

“She's Cinderella” smiled the short brunette

 

Seifer wasn't sure if he was ready for such. He eventually knew the steps, but a dance with Quistis was one thing and with Danielle was something else. He had actually got used to the blonde's movements, he wasn't very sure about Danielle.

 

“Get on them, sweetie” he said signaling the heels in her hand

“Stop calling me sweetie” she replied as she did so

 

They both got ready for the waltz, feeling somehow nervous that this was the first time they would dance together. Irvine was almost as tall as Seifer and Danielle felt so little with the second one, even with the heels on. Why did he have to be so tall anyways? Was that the reason why she had started trembling or it was the moment he touched her? How did he make her feel so vulnerable, this was Seifer Almasy, the man she…

 

//Hate, hate, hate!!// she cried in her mind. That's when she remember that Selphie had told her she had to see her during the waltz, but she now refused to. She didn't want to get lost in his emerald eyes, she didn't want to be trapped by them.

 

“We're two total strangers living in a dream” she heard him whisper in her ear. Not conscious of what she was doing, she looked at him and eventually, got trapped by his eyes. She too questioned why he always knew what crossed her mind, as if he was able to read it. The waltz then started.

 

Seifer too felt trapped by her eyes, as he always felt whenever he saw them. He was so close to him it was even hard to believe, but again, he questioned what he felt for her. He didn't want to call it love, but he was sure it wasn't just sympathy. Inside his heart he wished such moment could last forever. But on the other hand, he wasn't sure if she will return his feelings. Not after what had happened and also, the main reason, because there was an obstacle called Vandom.

 

They both freeze completely when they realized they didn't know what was next. Then it clicked them that it was already the end of the dance.

 

Selphie and Irvine had their jaws dropped after seeing the dance. “Oh my God” went Selphie first, her eyes as wide as they could go and then she smiled “That was fantastic! You have to do it the same way the day of the play!”

“You danced better together than with me or Quistis” followed Irvine

“By the way,” went Selphie again “Did you practice the final kiss?”

 

Seifer and Danielle first looked at each other and then got in their respective positions and they kiss each other to the surprise of the couple.

“How does it looks?” suddenly asked Seifer, making them know they weren't kissing for real

“Very real” said Irvine

“This play is gonna be a total hit!” cheered Selphie jumping up and down.

 

The elevator suddenly open and Squall came inside. “Hey, Puberty boy! Why do we have the honor to be graced with your presence?” mocked Seifer.

“Honors for you are in my office. I came to see Danielle” and he looked at the mentioned brunette “I got the test you did this morning”

 

Danielle felt going pale when she heard that, she didn't even finished taking the heels off. Judging by Squall's tone of voice, she already had an idea of what was the final result. //Edea really wanted me to become a SeeD// she thought upset //She'll be very disappointed with me//

 

“Instructor Rex mentioned he checked more than once to make sure he was checking correctly” went on Squall “You got your first A” he then smiled.

 

Danielle suddenly released a breath she didn't even knew she was holding. She suddenly felt somehow dizzy and her legs gave on her, but Irvine catch her in time.

“Way to go, Danny! Your first A!” he congratulated her.

 

It was hard to believe such, but then, something started to bother her. “Judging by your last grades, we actually thought you could have cheated, but we were explained that the exams were different, so you couldn't have copy another cadet and you couldn't have stolen them because he printed them this morning” went Squall clarifying her doubt “You are allow to remain at Garden”

“Thank you, Commander” answered the youth once she was standing properly and salute him. She actually felt weird for saying such, she had hated the place since the beginning and now she was thanking to be permitted to stay. She knew it was too soon to be happy about it.

 

“Well, its enough for today” went Selphie “We'll practice the whole play tomorrow, the waltz included. I want all of you well rested, ok?”

 

They all walked out of the place and took different directions. Danielle thought of going to the cafeteria to get something for dinner, but more than hungry she felt tired, so she walked to her dorm to get a good night rest.

 

Vandom was nowhere to be seen, which almost was weird since he always waited for her outside the elevator. She just couldn't push the guy away and she didn't try more severe things afraid of what he could do. The guy did really scared her, he could be such a maniac some times, this part only seen once or twice, but it was a horrible nightmare, and she didn't want to experience that again.

 

Danielle arrived to her dorm and let the heels fall on the floor. She took off her uniform and put on her PJ's when she noticed a gray T-shirt resting in the chair that she didn't recognized as hers. She then remembered to whom it belonged to and that she had actually forgotten to do something really important. After getting in a pair of pants and trainers, Danielle took the T-shirt and walked out of her dorm.

 

*

*

*

 

Seifer was reading the most recently issue of Weapons Monthly when he heard a knock in his door. It wasn't that late, but still, it wasn't common to have visits at that time. Or to be more specific, he never had visits.

 

He got up from the sofa and opened the door surprised to see that it was Selphie. “Hiya, Seifer!” she cried as soon as the door opened up.

“Slinky, if you don't mind, can I rest of your extremely and now very sickening cheerfully personality until tomorrow?” he said. Selphie only giggled.

“Just think of it like this: you got the honor to see me more than a once in a day!” she said with her biggest smile possible

“I'm starting to wonder if its honor or disgrace” he muttered under his breath, making Selphie giggle again.

“I came to give you your costume for the play. I already end up fixing it” she said and she gave Seifer the folded clothes she had been keeping in her back.

 

“Wouldn't have been easier to just give me a SeeD uniform?” went Seifer starring at them, realizing the enormous similitude between both suits.

“I think it looks nicer like this than in black. It's a happy moment, not a funeral. And blue seems to suit you well, too” she said smiling

“Thanks for the compliment”

“See ya' tomorrow” farewell Selphie and left.

 

Seifer closed the door and was about to resume his lecture when they knock again. Once again he opened the door and found the same girl.

 

“Now what?”

“Forgot to tell you” said Selphie “Tomorrow we're doing the make-up test, so Quistis and I wanna see how we're gonna cover your scar, so could you please arrive about ten minutes earlier?”

“If I say yes I'll be able to go to sleep?” and Selphie nodded “Yes, I will arrive ten minutes earlier”

“I'll see you tomorrow the. Night, night”. Again he closed the door but he hadn't even walked ten steps from it when they knocked again.

 

“Selphie! Whatever you want to tell me-!” he yelled as he opened the door, but he was cut when he realized it was Danielle.

 

“I came at a bad moment?” she questioned

“What do you want?” he said, not in his usual mocking being

“Just give you back this” said Danielle giving him the T-shirt “It's from… the day of the Training Center, remember?”

“So you had it” he said “No wonder why I didn't find it”

“I… I also came to say thanks” she went on looking at the floor nervously “I wouldn't have been able to get that A if you hadn't help me”

 

Danielle suddenly looked towards him and realized he was just grinning. “You got it bad for me”

“Huh?”

“You must like me very much to have stay with my shirt to keep it a long time with you and then give it back with the excuse you came to say thanks”

“I'm trying to be polite, you idiot!”

“Thanks for taking good care of my shirt, sweetie” and Danielle got angrier

“One of these days you're gonna regret calling me such”

“By the time that day comes I bet you'll be used to it already” he laughed. Danielle only turned around and walked away.

 

When she entered her dorm, she let herself fall as soon as the door closed. She then look at the ceiling and sighed. “How were you able to make him a total narcissist idiot” she said “and at the same time so adorable?”