Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Silence ❯ Chapter 12

Chapter Tweleve

A few days had passed since Zell disowned me as his best friend. Sure, I've seen him around and in class but he never says a thing. I tried a hello once but he just ignored me. The worse part is I don't even know if he's mad, hates me or is just still sorting things out.

I've been trying to keep my eye on him still, hoping Seifer wasn't hurtin' him too bad. Squall agreed to help out however he could. So far, from what we can tell, nothings been going on out of the ordinary.

A couple of people asked me about the fight from days back. I wanted to tell them the truth if only to get on Seifer's ass but I didn't because of Zell. So I just said, "Seifer's an ass and got what he deserved." No ones mentioned the incident since then. Infact, the whole Garden seems to have quieted down like everything’s just peachy. Yeah, well I know the truth everything ain't just peachy and I will find a way to get my little blond away from that maniac. I just need a new plan. The best place to think is outside in the fresh air. So I head out of the Garden and make my way over to one of those statue fountains.

"Irvine." Quistis greets from my sitting place. She's got her legs stretched out in front of her arms at her sides holding her balance.

I take a seat beside her mimicking her position. "Hey, what brings you here?"

"Taking a break from disgruntled cadets. You?"

I let out a long exaggerated sigh, from all the pent up frustration I've been keeping in the past week. "Just came to think."

"About Zell?" She asked giving me a knowing glance. "You still think Seifer's abusing him don't you?"

"I know he is."

"Then why haven't you done anything about it yet?" She looked up in to the sky a moment. Temptation to push her back into the water was strong but I'm a gentleman after all. So I just tried speaking politely.

"What do you think I've been doing all this time? I just need a new plan one that'll work and not backfire on me." It went quiet a moment and she dropped her gaze back down to earth.

"You know the other day Selphie told me Seifer and Zell were acting strange at lunch. Almost in a frightening way." She spoke slowly as if trying to remember Selph's words exactly.

"Tell me something I don't know."

"Alright. She had a talk with Zell after Seifer left and-"........

/"Please talk to me Zell. I wanna help if I can." The brunette girl pleaded. Zell just sipped at his soup, face practically in the bowl. "Why are you so upset?" She began to whine a bit getting huffy at his ignoring her.

"Alright fine, but you can't say anything I tell you to anyone else got it? Especially not Irvine." She nodded eagerly awaiting his story. Zell dropped his spoon back into the bowl and straightened up. "Irvine.. a little while ago he... kissed me." Selphie's eyes went wide. "and he told me he's in love with me." She gasped silently covering her mouth. Then she suddenly smiled taking her hand away. Zell rolled his eyes. "I knew this was a bad idea."

"Don't worry I won't tell but I knew this would happen sooner or later. He's had a crush on you for some time," She waved her hand around in scoff. "like no one knew."

"I didn't know."

"Or maybe you did know and tried ignoring it because of Seifer." The small girl inquired. Zell appeared to stiffen at Seifer's name and Selphie saw. "Thought so." She said quietly. The tattooed boys head shot up to make eye contact with her.

"Thought what?"

"Something is going on with you and Seifer, isn't it?" Zell shook his head as a way of dismissing the question. He stood with his bowl and was about to leave when Selphie caught his arm. "I'll scream I swear. If you don't sit back down right now." The mousy little girl warned staring sternly into the blue irises of her companion. Zell looked around noticing a few eyes were already on them from this little scene alone. So he sat down wrenching his arm free. Selphie smiled in satisfaction. "Good, now tell me the truth."

"Why can't everyone just leave me alone." He mumbled to himself.

"Because we love you. Now spill it. What's with you, Seifer and Irvine." The blond opened his mouth to speak but she cut him off before he could. "Besides the fact that they hate each other."

The martial artist sighed and finally spoke. "I really like Irvine okay, but Seifer doesn't and he gets angry when we're together." She nodded for him to go on. "Lately he seems to get angry no matter who I'm with. At first I didn't think anything of it, he always had a good explanation but sometimes he...."

"Gets violent?" Selphie offered. Zell could only nod feeling ashamed.

"And it's got Irvine all worked up but there's no reason for him to be. The more he gets involved the angrier Seifer gets. He's not helping at all."

Selphie gave her friend a sad look of disappointment just like the one Zell himself had given Irvine moments ago on the balcony. "Zell if Seifer's hurting you, you have to tell someone."

"He's not hurting me. It's more like... rough housing." He offered up a cheap explanation.

"Telling you who to be friends with, getting angry to the point of scaring you.... rough housing." She rolled her eyes. "Sounds like abuse to me."

"Yeah well that's yours and Irvine's opinion. Besides he agreed to get therapy if Irvine would just stay out of it." Selphie gave him another look, this one of disapproval. "Selphie you can't tell anyone remember. Who knows what'll happen if you do. Promise me."

She sighed heavily and looked away for a moment. "....Fine. I promise but Zell yo-"

"No I don't wanna talk about it anymore." He looked at the large clock on the wall. Lunch was almost over and he couldn't have been happier to get away soon.

"Alright then I'll change the subject. So what are you gonna do about Irvine?" He looked back at her in question.

"What do you mean?"

"Hello! He kissed you and said he loves you, doesn't that affect you in some way?"

"There is nothing to do about it. It wouldn't work anyway. I already told him to forget about it and stay away from me."

"Why? Cause of Seifer?"

"Selphie." The small boy warned.

"Alright, did you atleast enjoy the moment, how was the kiss?" She beamed just imagining the romance.

"Well-"/

"Well.... well?"

"Well what?" Quistis came back to reality and began yawning.

"What did Zell say about the kiss?"

She paused with her hand over her mouth and sat up straight stretching. "I don't know I toned Selphie out around there. Why don't you ask her." She stood. "I have to get back to class. Good luck with Zell and please be careful. You wouldn't want this to blow up in your face." She walked away.

"Why does everyone keep sayin' that?" She did give me a good idea though. Instead of bein' so damn careful maybe I need to cause a commotion, and I know just what to do and just who to help me out. Getting up I ran back into the garden to look for a little big mouthed brunette.

~~~~~~~~~~

In Selphie's room she, Quistis and Irvine sat around scheming. "Are you sure this is gonna work?" The brunette asked.

"Damn sure. You saw for yourself how scared and worried Zell was around Seifer. He needs our help and keepin' quiet about it ain't working’ anymore."

"And what if Zell gets hurt in the process if the plan works."

"He won't he'll be with me." Irvine assured. The face Quistis made said she wasn't so sure. "Besides, Seifer's too careful. The only way to get him is by luring him out."

"Using Zell as bait doesn't seem safe." Selphie thought out loud.

"Being with Seifer isn't safe and this is the only way. So are you guys gonna help me, or not?" Irvine was starting to sound desperate.

"Yeah, we'll do it." Both girls said reluctantly. Irvine taps Selphie on the shoulder sending her out of the room. She hops off the bed and leaves. Quistis and Irvine stand themselves.

"Now what am I doing again?" The young instructor asks.

"You just call Zell and tell him to meet you at the diner in 20 minutes, I'll already be there by then. You just stay out of sight until we come back." Quistis nods that she got the information and they both exit Selphie's, bright yellow, room.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Seifer and Zell sat in their room; Zell doing homework, Seifer smoking and watching him from the distance. The low volume TV and, every now and then, turn of a page were the only sounds in the room. Suddenly a ringing breaks the calm and both eyes wander to the source. Seifer gets up from the arm chair and answers the phone.

"What?"

"Nice to hear you too." Quistis remarks sarcastically. "Where's Zell?"

Seifer glances at the little blonde. "Why?"

"I need to speak with him that's why." She replies sternly. Not wanting to deal with the female, Seifer motions for Zell and hands the phone to him then returns to his seat.

"Yeah?" He ask slowly.

"Zell, I need you to meet me at Balamb Diner in twenty minutes."

"Why?"

"I'll explain when you get there, it's about an assignment. Now can you make it or not?"

"Yeah, I'll be there." Both hung up.

"What'd she want?" Seifer nosed.

"Something about an assignment. She wants to meet at Balamb Diner in twenty.... Can I go?" Seifer ponders to himself a moment before answering.

"Just tell her to be quick about it." Zell smiles and gives his partner a quick kiss before leaving.

"I won't be long." He closes up his books trying to appear calm and leaves the room. He sighs from the safety of outside the door. 'I shouldn't be relieved to get away from Seifer, he's my boyfriend.' Getting off the wall he heads down the corridor. 'I have to stop letting the others get into my head. They don't know him like I do.'

~~~~~~~~~~

After Zell had gone, Seifer decided to find Irvine and settle the score and hopefully not find Zell with him. On his way, however, he saw Selphie and a friend talking in the hall. Curiosity struck him and he hid behind a nearby pillar to listen in. Selphie felt someone there and pretended to wave to someone passing by so she could get a look. Sure enough she found Seifer there. 'Show time.'

"It was really weird." The other girl finished saying. She was a bit taller than Selphie also had a short hair cut and was a brunette.

"Yeah well you'll get used to it." Selphie replied then decided this was her chance to take over their conversation. "Anyway guess what I found out a few days ago." She opened getting her friends attention and Seifers.

"Ooh gossip." Penny smiled broadly.

Selphie made sure to project her voice enough for the eaves dropping male to hear. "Irvine and Zell shared a nice little kiss the other day."

The other girl dropped her jaw. "Really? Isn't Zell with someone?"

"Yeah so you can't tell anyone. We wouldn't want Seifer to find out." Selphie added the last part a little louder. "From what Zell told me it was pretty hot too and so romantic with the heat of the moment and all." Both girls began to giggle at the thought.

"I always thought they'd be cute together." Penny added between their laughter.

Seifer however wasn't amused more like pissed. Beneath his gloves his knuckles had turned white from clenched fist. He'd bit down on his tongue so hard it began to bleed. His blood boiled with flashes of Irvine and Zell embraced in some heated kiss, so he'd heard. 'That little sit!' Growling low in his throat he turned and walked back towards the boys dorms, pushing anybody in his way out of it. Selphie turned at the sound of complaints from the pushed students.

'Mission accomplished. I hope this turns out alright.' She turned back to her friend and excused herself. The two said their goodbyes and Selphie walked away taking out her cel phone calling Quistis. "Baited and hooked." She used her made up code talk then hung up.

In Squall's office he and Quistis had been waiting for her call and Quistis hiding out until Zell and Irvine returned. "I can't believe we're doing this." Quistis said dropping her phone to the desk.

"What I don't understand is why Zell doesn't just defend himself. He specializes in martial arts." Squall said absently.

"Maybe its different when you're in love." Quistis offered. "That or Seifer's just got more power over him than we know." Both nodded in silent agreement. "I just wish he'd have come to us for help."

"Irvine will take care of it." Squall assured and Quistis shook her head still in disbelief of the whole situation. * * *  

Zell got to Balamb Diner and scanned the place for Quistis. Not seeing her at first he checked the clock, 5:15, then he looked out the large window and saw no sign of her coming down the road. Sighing, Zell checked the place one more time and spotted an all too familiar form sitting at a table in back. His signature cowboy hat giving him away. 'Irvine.' The martial arts expert shook his head. 'I think I've been duped.' Deciding to find out what was going on Zell went to join his former best friend instead of leaving. He took a seat and Irvine looked up from the cup he'd been staring in to.

"Well go on. I don't have long but you know that." Zell said trying to sound impatient.

"What?"

"Don't play dumb. I know this was a set up and you used Quistis as your patsy."

Irvine straightens up in the seat and sighs. "Ya got me."

"Alright then make it quick." The small blonde crossed his arms waiting for an explanation.

"I just wanted to apologize." Irvine spoke sincerely even though this whole thing was just part of his plan.

"For what?' Now it was Zell playing coy.

"Everything, getting involved in your personal business.. your relationship." * * *  

Back at the garden in Seifer's room he decided to take his anger out on the furniture while he waited for Zell to return. "Damn Kinneas." He growled picking up a lamp from the bedside table. "Couldn't just mind his own damn business!" He threw the light against the wall. * * *  

"I'm sorry I accused Seifer of hurting you on purpose without having any proof." The gun slinger went on. * * *  

"When that little piss comes back here I'll cut his fucking lips off." He kicked the chair from underneath the desk across the room. "Then I'll kill that bastard for trying to take what's mine." * * *  

"I'm sorry I kissed you without permission.. but it was still nice you have to admit." Irvine smirked at his friends sudden blush. * * *  

Rummaging through a drawer, Seifer pulled out a small knife and unsheathed it. "How dare he put his lips on what's mine." His voice was more calm now almost eerily so. He held the small blade up, the silver reflecting his face in its metal. "They'll both be sorry they fucked with me." * * *  

"I know you can take care of yourself.. but if something really bad was going on you'd tell someone right?"

"Of course I would." The blonde answered with showing annoyance.

"It doesn't even have to be me you tell. Just never forget I'm here and you can come to me for anything."

Zells features finally started to soften as he thought about everything. There really was no reason to be angry with Irvine. He was just trying to help even though Zell doesn't think he needs it. Irvine was hoping this was a sign that Zell was ready to admit the truth and his reverse psychology was working but Zell said nothing.

Leaning forwards across the table to get a look at the blonde's face Irvine spoke. "Soo d'ya forgive me or at least do you not hate me?"

"I don't hate you Irvine but I might need awhile to forgive you."

Irvine smiled and sat back against the chair. "I'll take that. So you want anything my treat?" The self appointed cowboy offered.

"No I should be getting back." He stood with Irvine doing the same. They walked side by side to the exit.

"Hey thanks for listening and not just blowin' me off." They got to the door and Irvine pulled and held it open for his crush. "We didn't mean to set you up."

"Its alright... see ya." With final waves Zell left the diner and Irvine followed him down the road with his eyes. Stepping aside for someone coming in he pulled out his cel and called the garden. 'If all goes well this mess should be over by this time tomorrow.'