Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Silence ❯ Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

"Ow! Careful doc."

"What are you kids doing anyway, having wrestling matches?" The doctor finished checking Irvine over and cleaning up his cuts. "There. You'll be fine now."

"Thanks." The teen hopped off the examining bed wincing a little at the pain in his abdomen.

"Now for heaven's sake no more fighting." Dr. K turned away to her desk leaning over to write something down. Irvine was about to head out the door but stopped looking back at the woman.

"Uh.. hey doc, Zell was in here the other day right?"

She straightened up stacking the papers in her hands. "Yees why?" Then she turned around making eye contact with the boy.

"How bad was the injury on his head?"

She gave Irvine a look of question, knowing that other patients conditions are confidential but seeing the concern on Irvine's face and hearing it in his voice she answered. "It wasn't too bad nothing to really worry about."

"Could you tell if the injury actually came from falling in a shower? or if it was caused by someon- I mean something else."

"I couldn't tell you." Irvine looked away with disappointment. "Its not that I don't want to tell you hon'. I just don't know."

"Yeah well thanks anyway." On his way out the door the doctor handed him a late slip and patted the boys back as a gesture of 'things will look up' but Irvine didn't think so. As far as he was concerned until Zell left Seifer things would just get worse.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"This isn't how I wanted to start my day." Squall brooded on his way to find Zell. "I didn't even want to get involved but leave it to Irvine to drag me in." Luckily for Squall he didn't have to travel al the way to the second floor to Zell's class because he was right around the corner. "Zell.” He called out stopping the blonde in his tracks. Getting closer to him, Squall could tell the boy wasn't happy to see him or in the mood for talking. "Are you alright?" Was the only thin the brunette could manage to ask. Knowing that’s probably the last question someone in Zell's position would want to hear.

"Yes I'm fine." Zell answered tightly. "I wasn't the one fighting."

"Alright sorry. Look we're alone now so you can tell me the truth."

"Truth about what?" Zell played coy. It was Squall's turn to get an attitude now.

"About Seifer,' He spoke dryly trying to hold back the aggravation this whole mess was giving him. "Is he hurting you?" For a brief second the commander could have sworn Zell had worry on his face or panic but the spunky boy quickly masked the expression with anger.

"I don't even know what the hell that's supposed to mean."

"You know what I mean physically hitting you." Squall cleared up though he didn't really need to but if Zell wanted to play games he'd play with him.

"No he's not." The blonde spoke through gritted teeth.

"That's not what Irvine thinks."

"Who the hell cares what he thinks."

"He's your best friend Zell and he's worried about you."

"Yeah right. Best friends don't go around spreading rumors about the other. Especially not ones that serious. Who else is he telling these lies to huh?" Squall opened his mouth to speak but Zell cut him off before he could get the chance. "Why don't you both just butt the hell out and leave us alone." Zell pushed past Squall and headed quickly for the stairs and elevator. Squall stared after him until the boy was out of sight and he shook his head in disappointment.

'Irvine was right.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Damn Seifer messin' up my pretty face." I checked the doctors work in the bathroom mirror before heading to class. "Well if anything comes oughta this maybe Zell will see what a big ass Seifer really is." I made my way to class which was minutes from being over since I dodled. I got inside giving the instructor my late slip. While she read it over I scanned the room quickly and saw Zell not sitting in his usual spot. Which was next to me in the back. Now he's in the middle row sitting with Selphie. Now it could be because I was late and she was there first or he made sure I couldn't sit with him. Do I blame him... no but that don't mean it don't still sting a little.

"Please take a seat mister Kinneas." The instructor ordered handing the paper back. I went on to the back of the room tossing the slip in the garbage on my way. When I walked past Zell, to my surprise, he slipped me a note that I gladly took. When I tried to get a look at him to see if I could read anything from his face he made sure to turn the other way. Getting to my seat I quickly opened the little folded paper and read.

-Meet me on the bridge before lunch.- was all it said. I crumpled it up shoving it into my coat pocket. 'Guess that'll be my time of death. Right before lunch, don't even get a last meal.' I slouched in my seat and pulled my hat over my eyes a little getting comfortable to wait out the rest of this class. Its gonna be a long day.

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Everywhere Seifer went people were talking about that mornings fight. Giving their own play by play of what happened. Exaggerating the details and starting rumors about what might have caused the brawl. Each one of them eyeing the gun blader, when they saw him, with questions but all too afraid to ask. From what he knew no one was actually sure why he and Irvine were really fighting.

'Well at least there's that the less they know the better.' He ignored the whispers as he passed through the hall. 'Stupid idiots will believe anything they hear and the last thing I need is that damn long haired shit telling them lies. I need to shut him up for good.'

"Hey Seifer." Selphie bounced over to the blonde from out of nowhere. The sight of the spunky girl caused his eyebrows to collide.

"What do you want?" He didn't bother trying to hide his bitterness.

"Geez what crawled up your ass? Other than Zell." Selphie laughed at her own joke a moment. "Anyway, I heard you and Irvine got in a fight this morning. What's that about?" She walked in step with him.

"Why don't you ask mr. popular he started it."

"No way, Irvine wouldn't do that its not in him."

"Yeah right. Well shit if I know. Maybe he lost his goddam mind what was left of it." Not really having heard him Selphie held her chin in thought for a moment.

"No, there has to be a good reason. Did you do something, is it about Zell?" Hearing this Seifer's insides jerked and he stopped walking turning to the girl.

"Why don't you just forget about it and mind your own fucking business." He walked away from her but determined she kept following.

"Fine I'll change the subject." Her face showed frustration as she mumbled to herself. "Everyone's been acting so weird." Having heard Seifer growled a little. "So where are you headed? Lunch, gonna meet Zell there. I'll keep you company then." She offered smiling up at the disgruntled blonde.

"I don't need company."

"Sure you do you're obviously in a bad mood and the best cure for that is a buddy." With that she slapped a hand on his arm then linked their arms together. Sighing in anger Seifer let himself be dragged to the cafeteria despite how much he wanted to toss the little mouse off and tell her to get lost.

'I've gotta control myself. especially now before everyone really finds out what’s going on.'

Selphie couldn't help but wonder for moment if what Irvine told her and Quistis the other day had any kind of truth to it. Is Seifer doing things to Zell or is it all in Irvine's mind. Just a jealous friend trying to mess with a relationship. She figured the best way to find out is stay close to Seifer and Zell. Something’s gotta show.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

It only took a few minutes for Zell to meet me on the bridge although it felt like an hour. Guy like me, used to live in Galbadia and used to heat, doesn't sweat much but today it seems like that’s all my body wants to do. My nerves are rattled as I watch him walk past me to lean over the balcony rail. Is he waiting for me to say something first? I know one damn thing though I won't apologize for hurting Seifer, the bastard deserved it. I guess I could have waited for a better time to pick a fight though. Like when Zell wasn't around, at least that way I could have given him my own story version over Seifer's. Squall's right I'm just too damn hot-blooded sometimes.

Zell sighed before speaking and I braced myself for what was to come. "I thought you were my friend Irvine." He spoke quietly. Though I could still hear all the disappointment in him, directed at me and me alone.

"I am Zell. More than just that, you know."

He turned towards me. "I thought I did know but what kind of friend picks fights with the others boyfriend? What kind of friend spreads evil rumors about the others relationship huh?"

"It wasn't like that. I was just tryn-"

"What? help! Because you weren't helping Irvine. All you did was make things worse. For me and Seifer and now yourself."

"I can explain everything if you'd just let me." I tried moving towards him but he stepped back. Giving me a look that said only one thing. I'd better have a damn good explanation or this would be the last I saw of him. "Look Zell you mean a lot to me a whole lot."

"You have some way of showing it." He spoke with his jaw clenched and fist forming.

"All I've been trying to do for the past few weeks is protect you."

"From my own boyfriend, Irvine that sounds kind of stupid."

"Maybe to you but I've seen the way he treats you Zell and... and what he's done to you." The two of us just stared at each other for moments. I wasn't sure how to continue now. Anything I said at this point was only going to hurt him more and damage what little chance of saving our friendship I had. 'Now is not the time to chicken out Kinneas. Even if this is it for us atleast he'll know the truth.' "I've seen the bruises Zell and cuts, whatever. I've seen the change in both of you. How you are around each other..... around me and I don't like it."

"Its none of your business." He fought through tears that I could tell were seconds from spilling and it wrenched at my heart.

"You're wrong it is my business because you're my best friend and I... I love you Zell as more than a friend."

There was a small register of surprise on his face but it didn't last. He shook his head and backed up more. "You just don't stop do you. So all this pointless shit is because you're jealous that you can't have me? Can't get me in bed or something. I thought you were better than that Irvine. I used to think you're flirting was just for fun but now aha- what about Squall huh does he know?"

"I'm not in love with Squall damnit! And he does know what Seifer's been doing to you. I had to tell him for this very reason cause you don't wanna fess up to it and I need help to help you."

"Then what? I play into your lies and you get to be the hero I fall for. The one I give all my gratitude and appreciation to! Keep dreaming jerk its not gonna happen cause I don't need saving." He was about to storm away but I reached out grabbing his arm to stop him. Then without knowing what I was doing I kissed him. Good and long hoping he could feel the truth in everything I was trying to say to him. He only fought it for a second but eventually gave in. Maybe as a consolation prize for me before he disappeared out of my life for good. After a few minutes I pulled back but held onto his arm.

Fire blazed in his usually calm and gleaming eyes. I couldn't see anything past the flames no signs of any kind. No regret or anger not even confusion. This to me was a good sign though. I didn't offend him or make him angry so I figured better rap it up now or never.

"I do love you Zell and I don't care what you think or say. I'm not gonna stop trying to help you... for your own good." Letting him go I figured it'd better for me to walk away first. I couldn't really tell from having my back turned but I think he moved either to the rail or down to the ground. It took everything I had not to run back to him and try to explain again or somehow make things better. Once I got in the elevator my fist went straight for the wall and my body dropped itself down to the floor.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Zell got into the cafeteria moments later and found Seifer at a table with Selphie. He sniffed and wiped his eyes again one last time before going over there. After Irvine had left Zell couldn't hold back his tears anymore and he cried for a few minutes. Then he made his way into a bathroom to clean up his face. When he got there, however, he threw up over the sink from all the emotional stress of the past month.

Everything Irvine said what he did! Zell tried to block it from his mind but couldn't manage to do so. How was he supposed to get through the rest of the day let alone lunch.

Getting to the table he sat down not bothering to go for food. His stomach probably couldn't handle it anyway. Selphie finished whatever she was rambling to Seifer before acknowledging the other boy. "There you are boy you look like hell."

"Thanks." Zell mumbled.

"What happened?" Seifer asked sounding like a true concerned boyfriend. This made the martial artist want to cry again but he held himself.

"Nothing, just don't feel too good." His voice came thick and Selphie put her arms around him giving his shoulders a squeeze and making a sympathetic sound.

"I know I'll have the cooks make you some soup." She let go of him and hopped out of her seat leaving the two alone. Zell kept his head down, gaze at the table.

"What happened?" Seifer asked this time not sounding like the concerned loving boyfriend. Zell had to swallow hard a few times trying to wet his throat.

"I just told Ir-.. I told Irvine to leave us alone for good." Finishing his sentence, Zell quickly grabbed Selphie's drink and gulped it all down.

"Really?" Seifer questioned smugly and Zell simply nodded keeping his head down. "Well I hope it sticks this time." Luckily before things got too uncomfortable Selphie returned.

"Its on its way." She sat back down.

"Sorry I finished your drink." Zell said trying to put on smile but it couldn't hide the sadness in his voice or eyes.

"That's alright." Selphie tried remaining cheery. "You know what they say lots of liquid when you're sick." It got quiet at the table again, if it wasn't for the other students chatting away you probably could have heard an eyelash fall. Selphie sighed and stretched her arms out in front of herself. Suddenly Seifer stood making the others look up at him.

"I'll see you later." He said to Zell. Looking at the taller male Zell could tell that statement and look meant to keep his mouth shut and he nodded in response to both. After giving a bored look to Selphie he walked away. Once out of sight the brunette girl let a shudder go that she'd been forcing down.

"He's really creepy sometimes." She said more to herself, Zell's mouth just twitched. The young cadet turned to her friend and tried looking him in the eyes. "So what's really bothering you?" She asked sincerely.

Zell sighed. "Everything." He whispered but before Selphie could open her mouth a cafeteria lady brought his soup over.