I stared at the ceiling of my room for about 3 hours before my alarm went off. Why? Because of a single thought and the ripples that came after a realization finally hit me...
Zell was my boyfriend.
Zell was my boyfriend.
Zell was my boyfriend.
Of course I was shocked. After all, why would Zell want to go out with someone as timid as me when he was so outgoing and so... so... Zell? But that wasn't what had me wide-awake from 2 o'clock in the morning.
We were going to work out.
We'd worked out before, certainly, but... Zell was my boyfriend now.
I slapped my hand on my forehead so hard it stung. What was the big deal? Well, workouts with Zell and me the week before involved a lot of body contact as he worked on my balance and my coordination. We sparred to work on defense, too, and to get me used to different parts of my body.
Add the 'boyfriend-girlfriend' factor, and... well...
...oh boy...
I could just imagine a whole bunch of things, especially with how 'wired' and 'touchy' he'd been the day before, and how much I had liked it while being embarrassed by it at the same time. How in the world was I going to survive my first workout session with him as his girl-friend?
This was Zell.
Releasing a very deep and very long breath, I sat up, swinging my legs over the side of the bed to stare at my toes and wonder what I was going to do. Just act normal? But I didn't know what normal was when I had a boyfriend like Zell. How did someone act normal when they were going to be sparring with their boyfriend?
And he was so cute!
I whimpered, giving my braid a tug as I forced myself to stand and go through my morning routine. I was putting on my sweatshirt after braiding my wet hair when there was a recognizable knock on the door. There was no way I could walk over and open it at first. I mean, all I could do was stare while visualizing Zell's smiling face on the other side and once more wondering how I would work out with my boyfriend when I could barely act like a girlfriend to my boyfriend!
The knock sounded again and I twitched.
"Sally? You awake?"
Before, he'd always met me in the Training Center. Now... He was meeting me here and walking me places if he could. To class. To work. To lunch or dinner... "Y-Yeah," I squeaked out, knowing he more than likely couldn't hear me. Come on, Sally. You've made it this far. Just relax!
No stressing.
Letting out a quick breath, I forced my feet to move toward the door, and my hand to reach out to twist the knob. To my surprise, Zell was leaning against the far wall, his hands in his pockets and his left foot resting back against the wall as he simply smiled. I blushed and smiled back.
"Mornin', beach bunny. Thought I was gonna have to go looking for ya."
"Beach- What happened to Meg?"
"After seeing you in a wet T-shirt that says beach bunny? Nothing doing."
I flushed but ignored it. I knew Zell said things like that just to get the reaction. "I like Meg," I told him quietly.
Zell smirked. "I'm not saying I'll never use it. Depends." Then he pushed from the wall and sauntered up to me, motioning toward me with a lift of his chin while keeping his hands in his pockets. "Got everything?"
Wordlessly nodding, I pulled the door closed, my hand gripping the knob a moment before facing him to give yet another timid smile. Just relax. You guys have fun when you work out, and you can't do that if you're freaking out!
As we walked down the dorm hall toward the main corridor, Zell gave my arm a nudge with his elbow, drawing my gaze. "You okay?"
I didn't want to risk the squeak, so I only nodded while fisting my hands in my sweatshirt pockets and wondering how to ask something like 'How are we going to do this now?' and not certain if I would survive the embarrassment. Our workout sessions had already had some pretty embarrassing moments of unintentional contact.
Flushing a different shade of red than I had ever done in my life, I looked away.
I couldn't believe how quiet we were on the way from the dorms to the Training Center. Of course, like I'd said, Zell usually met me there, so I was used to walking it alone. And when we walked anywhere together - before and after being boyfriend/girlfriend - we usually chatted about his class that day, work in the library, or something else. This silence was so icky, and I had no idea what to do to make it different. Of course, maybe it wasn't icky for Zell? Maybe I was the one being paranoid?
I wouldn't put it past me. I mean, I was a bookworm and he was... Zell.
We turned down the main corridor toward the Training Center, still silent. When I realized I was clenching my jaw as well as my fists, I forced myself to release a calming breath and tried to push the stress out of my head. Come on, Sally. If you're stressing like this, he'll know it the minute he puts your butt in the dirt. And then he would ask me what the problem was, not taking 'nothing' for an answer.
I let out another breath, and then a third. All slow and rhythmic like what Zell had taught me to get my 'center' and focus right where it needed to be. I think Zell sent me some sidelong glances, but I couldn't be sure because I was trying to not think about anything but keeping the panic at bay.
I really did not like tough situations.
Turning down the side hall to the Training Center, I noticed my step forward had turned into more of a shuffle. Zell sent me a glance I couldn't help but notice this time, and adjusted his step to stay even with me. Oh man, oh man, oh man, was my mantra now because I had no idea what else to think.
Or do.
~sigh~
We stepped into the grassy 'lobby' of the Training Center and I stopped. I just couldn't move another step. I could vaguely hear Zell stripping out of his sweatshirt to his 'Balamb Rocks!' t-shirt and then checking the laces on his shoes. But I couldn't do anything but clench and unclench my hands in my pockets as I stared blankly at a little rock about 12 inches in front of my foot. Then I heard Zell doing his usual stretches, and his shadow-boxing to warm up, and then felt his gaze on me.
I think every inch of my skin had a goose-bump on it.
"Problem?" Zell asked, the question making me twitch out of my catatonic state and somewhat quickly shake my head while clearing my throat and stepping forward. I was walking about as stiff as a popsicle stick person... er... yeah.
To my surprise and dread, Zell caught me by the arm as I was about to walk past him.
"Hold up there, shy girl," he said quietly. "You're walking like you're made of cardboard. What's up?"
I twitched, wished I hadn't - of course - and started worrying my lower lip as Zell kept hold of my arm, kept standing close, and kept watching every little body movement. There was no way for me to know how to explain that I didn't know how to... well... I didn't know how to do this workout thing now that we were boyfriend/girlfriend because I didn't want something bad to happen. Or him to... think something... about me or the situation... or...
Yeah. I know. It sounds lame and silly and I'm worrying too much.
"Sally," Zell prompted.
And I couldn't tell if it was my imagination or not that he sounded a little like an instructor again. Which, of course, made me stiffen up a little more and cringe. I really hated being 'fragile' sometimes.
Zell scrubbed at his scalp as he released my arm. Then he released a fast breath and gave my arm a nudge while saying, "Come on. Let's take a walk," and getting me - somehow - to follow him into the Training Center.
When the steel doors closed behind us, I twitched again. And when Zell took an almost cautious hold of my hand, that had me biting my lower lip and whispering "I'm sorry," because of how bad I was probably freaking him out.
Especially if he couldn't figure out what the problem was.
Since coming back from the second Sorceress War, I'd noticed him to watch people's body language more often. Not as much as Sub-Lt. Commander Seifer did, who seemed able to see everything - which was probably one of the reasons he scared me so much.
"So what's the problem, Sally? You said you'd been studying the specs. You were ready for this. Remember?"
I very slightly nodded, whispering, "I know," while trying desperately to figure out how to tell him what the 'problem' was. Did I even really know? "I am."
"Okay, so what's got you knotted up like who-knows-what? The way you are, you wouldn't be able to do a somersault."
I reluctantly smiled as I looked over at him. Sure enough, his expression showed concern and confusion. They mixed together to make him look so much like a lost little boy that it tugged at my heart-strings. "I..."
"You...?" Zell prompted.
But why did I need to tell him anything? It would just cause him stress.
"Want me to go over it with you step-by-step?" he offered.
"Um..." And if I was being so silly, why should both of us stress about it? It was dumb, I knew it, but I was such a worry-wart... Shaking my head, I said, "I'm just really nervous." Which was partially true. Just not about 'Quick Silver'. I had that down pat.
On paper, at least.
"You don't need to be nervous about anything, Meg," Zell told me, visibly relaxing. "Come on. I've never made you feel like a loser or anything, have I?"
I shook my head.
"Okay, then. Just chill and work-out with me. It'll be fine."
And even though I knew he didn't mean it for the same thing I needed to hear it for, it worked just the same. I offered a smile and a little nod while giving his hand a tight squeeze and repeating 'just chill and work out with me' as my new mantra. I really liked working out with Zell, and that was all I had to focus on. Just him and me... I nodded again, even saying "Okay," in a quiet voice.
Zell smiled, gave my hand a firm squeeze, and then released it to point at me. "Okay. Let's jog around the T.C. a bit to get you warmed up and loosened up. Then I'll help you with your stretches and we'll get started."
I nodded again, trying to keep my mind from thinking about what 'help you with your stretches' entailed, and just fell into step beside him as he set the pace for the jog. No thinking, Sally. Your workouts are easy. Relatively speaking. So just go with it. If something happens, just let him know then. Don't be freaking about it before. It sounded so easy, and I never did anything the easy way.
Zell, true to himself, would occasionally purposefully run into me as we jogged around. Which would, of course, make me complain and protest, and tell him to "Stop!" while loving how he tried to get me to loosen up. He had started doing something like this every workout session. I only didn't know what it would be until he did it.
Then it was time to do my pre-workout stretches, the ones he always helped me with to make sure I utilized my full range of motion in both passive and active ranges. That was when I tensed up a little, immediately telling myself to Chill when I noticed him send me a questioning glance.
It wasn't that Zell had to touch me in... personal areas or anything to do the stretches. No, no, no. He really only had to hold my wrist, or my knee or ankle, or something like that while making me use the full range of motion of my muscles. Both when I was relaxed and when I was doing it myself. It was just that the warmth and pressure of his hand was different now that he knew that I liked him, and that I knew he... he liked me. You know?
Sure I was wearing sweats and a sweatshirt, but I knew they were going to come off eventually because of the workout (Yes, I'm wearing shorts and a t-shirt!). Then it would be hand on bare skin, and... well... I didn't know what to expect. I mean, I knew what to expect for me because I'd been dealing with it since that first workout. But him? No. I had no clue. And I felt bad that something I might do might make him... well... I don't know.
"Sally," Zell directed, expression a little stern as I looked up from him working the flexion/extension of my knee. "Relax."
I flushed and mumbled, "Sorry," letting out a deep breath as he kept working the motion of my knees.
We were sitting in a grassy portion of the Training Center, me sitting back with my hands behind and enjoying the feel of the grass in my fingers and the breeze on my face... It was a gorgeous day. The sun was shining, and the wind was making the trees rustle and the rings of Garden make that wind-chime sound that always sounded so beautiful.
Smiling, I closed my eyes and let out another deep breath.
"There ya go, girl. Geez. Been trying to get that stretch for five minutes at least."
Opening my eyes, I ducked my head between my shoulders and met his gaze. "Oops."
Zell shook his head while chuckling, finishing the leg stretches and altering his position to sit up by me and start on my shoulder and arm. While it looked like he was really focusing completely on what he was doing with my wrists, elbows, and shoulder, I kept getting the prickles and goose-bumps that let me know he was watching my profile. That made me focus even more on calming down and just not thinking about it. What happened, happened. Right? I caught myself biting my lip and quickly stopped, my glance toward Zell meeting his glance toward me.
I flushed, smiled, and looked away.
Zell hesitated for a quick second before adjusting his position more, and then softly brushing my braid behind my back so that he wouldn't pull my hair while rotating my shoulder. I closed my eyes and released a slow breath, repeating my mantra of 'just chill and work out with me'. It couldn't be that hard.
What seemed an hour later, the stretches were done and Zell was helping me to my feet. He'd fallen quiet again. Which was odd, because he should have been refreshing my memory on 'Quick Silver's specs and what step of it we were going to work on first.
"Let's do some sparring today," he said suddenly. "You're not ready for 'Quick Silver' yet."
I blinked, fully focusing on his face as I said "What?"
Zell shook his head, expression serious as he rested his hands on his hips. "You're not ready. You're still tensing up, which is blasting your range of motion and flexibility. You've got to be top to do QS."
"But I am ready!" I protested, immediately shielding my mouth and leaning slightly back.
"Okay." Zell set-up his infamous duel stance. "Hit me."
I blinked. "What?"
"You heard me, Sally. You think you're ready, so set yourself and hit me because I don't believe it."
Worrying my lower lip, I held his gaze for longer than I thought I would. I mean, I couldn't believe he was doing this... But there he was - full instructor mode and daring me to hit him, to prove that I could handle this move that I knew backwards and forwards.
Lowering my eyes, I released a soft breath and struggled out of my sweatshirt while giving myself a pep talk. What I told myself I had no idea, but it made me feel a little better as I set aside my sweatshirt and then set my stance.
...oh man-
I barely had the thought in my head before Zell had acted and now held me by the shirt-front. I blinked up into his stern expression, eyes wide.
"Focus," he directed.
Barely able to nod when I realized his breath smelled like a jelly donut, I did my best.
Zell held me for a second longer before setting me back, stepping a short distance away, and once more setting his stance. "Focus," he repeated.
I was able to nod a bit better this time, took some breaths as I set my stance, and then grabbed at my concentration. You do this, Sally! One last breath out and I was as ready as I would get.
"Should I wait for it to attack?" "Why? Do it yourself." So I did.
Now, you've got to realize that Zell was the Duel specialist. I had only been watching his classes since he returned from the second Sorceress War, reading the articles I knew he read in Combat King, and then working out with him for the past week. Not even that long. So I didn't have any set moves yet. 'Quick Silver' was going to be my first one. I only had basic Duel training, my gymnastic moves, and then my memories of Zell's classes.
I basically had to improvise in order to try and get a hit.
Improvise against Zell.
Zell Dincht.
But I did what I could. Using what my body knew. Focusing my power and my strength the same time I used my balance and motor coordination to the best of my limited ability. When I had to backflip away in order to deflect an attempted strike, I thought Use it, moments before my body did what it remembered of 'Quick Silver'.
Next thing I knew, Zell was on the floor, me kneeling beside him, and my fist was on his chest as I blinked down at him.
He grinned up at me. "See?"
Gasping, "Oh my gosh, Zell, are you okay Did I hurt you I didn't hurt you, did I Please say I didn't hurt you?" I helped him sit up.
"Tch! I'm fine," he said, even as he rubbed at the sternum portion of his chest while giving a slight cough. Then he grinned at me. "That was sweet, Meg! You pulled it off without a hitch!"
But he still rubbed at his chest. "Are you sure you're okay? Here. Let me see. Maybe I need to get some ice from the Infirmary," I lifted his shirt and sucked in a breath at the red spot. "Oh no... it's all red, and I bet it stings, too. Oh man. I'm sorry, Zell. I didn't know what I was doing, I just did it because you said I was supposed to hit you and that I had to prove I was ready for the move, and I knew I was ready... Oh man..." I reached out and lightly touched the red spot, which was warmer than the rest of his chest. "Oh man..." I sniffed.
"Sally..." Zell pulled his shirt down, the action drawing my gaze. "I'm fine."
"But-"
"Nope," Zell interrupted, standing and pulling me to my feet. "I'm okay, you did what I told you, and you proved that you were ready for it." He gave my hands several pressures as I continued to look up at him with my sad expression as I worried my lip. "Now come on. Let's do that again. You did some pretty awesome sequences that I want to get down for another move. They were those arm combos. Perfect for the 'Hell Strike' name I came up with last night."
"But what about..."
" 'Quick Silver'? Man, girl, you've got that one. Sure we can do it again to keep it fresh, but I want to figure out the sequence for 'Hell Strike' first. You nearly got me a couple times there, you were so quick."
Flushing with the praise, I clasped my hands in front of me. "Thank you, but... I don't remember what I did."
"Oh sure I know that. We don't have anything set for you yet, but you've been doing that combo pretty regular since we started working out."
I blinked, surprised. "Really?"
"Yep. Now come on. Let's do some more of that sparring and see if we can figure it out. Just do stuff and don't think. Okay?"
Don't think. That was what I 'did' when I had gotten in that shot... Okay. So... Just don't think? If I could do it once, I could do it again.
I smiled and nodded. "Okay."
Zell grinned and gave me a gentle chuck on the chin before stepping back and setting his stance. "Okay, Meg. Whenever you're ready."
Working out with Zell had been the one thing I had daydreamed for my entire crush, and now it was happening. Not only that, we were boyfriend/girlfriend.
Zell's my boyfriend...
I set my stance, smiling for only one moment more before turning my brain off...
...onto that one very happy thought.
› ~ ‹
"Sally."
I voiced a startled yelp as I straightened from leaning toward my computer monitor. When I glanced to my left, I gave a surprised blink. "Instructor Trepe. What can I do for you?"
Quistis absently tapped on the counter of my 'desk' in the library with a solitary finger, which she dutifully watched. "I'm sorry about being a bitch before."
I blinked yet again before lowering my attention to the desk top. I picked at a corner and shrugged. "It's okay." I mean, I knew how cranky I was after Zack, my older brother of 8 1/2 years, pulled a prank. And knowing Zell, it was probably a 'whopper'.
"Being pathetic is okay?" Quistis scoffed. "It's no one's fault but mine that I'm..." Quistis shook her head and released a deep breath. "You and me are a lot alike, Sally," she confessed quietly. "I had a crush on someone..."
She nearly snorted. Then she looked up and met my gaze. "On Squall. Okay? I had a crush on Squall for years. I don't know why. I never told him, either. Then Rinoa came into his life and it was 'save Rinoa, save Rinoa, save Rinoa'. He risked his life for her more than once. Me? I had to save my own butt."
She shook her head again, her gaze focusing on her tapping finger. "I guess I was in denial that our past at the orphanage didn't mean anything to him. We're friends. That's it. That's all it will ever be. He and I just don't have enough in common. And I don't accept him for who he is. Not like Rinoa. I tried too hard to change him. She just listens."
I watched Quistis' face and saw my own expression not so many days before I had told Zell just how I felt. The only difference being that Squall didn't feel anything for her but friendship. "I'm sorry it didn't work out," I said softly. And I really was.
She shrugged, raising her focus from the counter. "Don't be. Squall never did get my sense of humor. Always irritated him. Thought I was making fun of him all the time. Who knows? Maybe I was because he never paid attention to me." Quistis looked over at me. "You're lucky, Sally. Really, really lucky."
I nodded as I swallowed hard. "I know," I whispered.
"And I'm sorry I sprung it on Zell like that. Like I said, I acted a bitch because I was mad... But I shouldn't have taken it out on you."
"I was telling him when you came in," I said softly. Then I gave a shrug. "I just had to tell him a little differently."
I could feel Quistis examining my face. "How in the world do you do it? Doesn't he drive you crazy?"
I blinked and looked up at her. "What do you mean?"
"Zell. Him and his... I don't know what a person calls it. The only time he's even a little serious is when he's on a mission. Otherwise he's hyperactive, irresponsible, annoyingly positive, and doesn't let anything bother him. Well, except for some of Seifer's practical jokes. He's not exactly the brightest candle in the church, either." Quistis motioned toward me. "You're intelligent. Not exactly aggressive or outgoing..."
"Not Zell's type," I whispered. And, boy, did I know. Why do you think it took me more than 3 years to get up the nerve?
Quistis released a quick breath. "I never knew Zell had a type. Maybe Selphie, at one time, but it seemed to me he treated girls the same as guys. He's not exactly very sensitive."
I cleared my throat. "I just let him be himself," I said, still almost in a whisper. "He does the same with me. We're friends, and we like the other for who they are." I cleared my throat again, feeling the blush rise to dangerous levels. "We have fun together. That's all."
Quistis continued to watch me. "You like it when he pushes your boundaries, don't you? You like being pulled out of your shell."
"It has its moments." I reluctantly smiled as I peeked up at her. "But if I give him an inch, he takes a mile."
Quistis smiled, and then she chuckled. "I can see that." She reached out and gave my hand a squeeze. "Good for you, Sally. I'm glad you said something. It's more than what I've ever done."
I flushed. "Thank you, Instructor Trepe."
"Call me Quistis." Then she turned and walked out.
I heard Zell give her a passing greeting, to which she grumbled a response - she was probably still annoyed at his attempted prank - and then there was silence. Zell probably watched her leave while rubbing at the back of his neck as he tried to figure out what he could do to make it up to her. I smiled and packed up my stuff.
"I'm going, Val. See you at the movie tonight?" There came a muffled and indistinguishable reply from the other side of the library as I slung my bag onto my shoulder.
Zell entered the library, looking fabulous in jeans and a sweatshirt, and came to lean against the counter. "Hey, beach bunny."
Flushing with all the visions of fun and laughter from that morning, I came around the counter with a soft "Hi, Zell."
Zell relieved me of my bag to sling it over his own shoulder, and then took hold of my hand while sending me a wink.
Making our way from the library to the dorms - to get our blankets and pillows - I sent him a sidelong glance. "Please tell me you're not sore."
"Wha?" Zell focused on me, expression showing confusion. "Sore? What do you mean?"
My eyes drifted to that remembered red spot on his chest as I very hesitantly reached out a finger to point. "Remember?"
He looked down. "Oh! Right." Grinning, he gave my hand a squeeze as he once more met my gaze. "Nah. I told you I'm fine."
But I didn't believe him. I could just imagine him with a bruise, sitting at his desk holding an ice bag to his chest.
"Meg, I'm fine. Geez!" He laughed and draped an arm around my shoulders to draw me close. "I told ya, it takes more than that to break me."
Sending his chest another quick glance, I released a breath and said, "Okay."
Zell once more took up my hand. "Quis wasn't giving you a hard time, was she?"
I smiled, loving the fact he wanted to protect me from stuff. "No. She apologized."
"Seriously? Cool." He sent me a glance. "She still pissed at me about the Zone prank thing?"
I sent Zell a reassuring smile. "A little, more than likely. I know I would be, especially if I thought the person did it just for laughs, which my brother has done before." I'm having a conversation like this with Zell Dincht?
Zell nodded and looked away with a cutely adorable expression of guilt that tugged at my heart. "Yeah. I guess I can see that. Geez. Not one of the brightest things I've done. Huh?"
My lower lip quivered and I gave his hand a squeeze. "Zell, just give her a bit to cool off," I said softly. He met my gaze. "Then you can try and apologize again."
He nodded, expression still serious. "It wasn't just about the laughs, Sally. I seriously was trying to help Zone out."
"And she'll understand that," I assured. "After all, she knows you."
Zell grinned and wrapped his arm around me. "Not half as good as you do."
I flushed. Warm fuzzies!
"So... How close do I get to sit next to ya, anyway?"
I would have laughed at him, but I knew he was being serious. I liked knowing he did his best to help me feel more comfortable with the idea of... 'us'. "We'll take it as it goes, I guess," I said quietly.
"Cool. I can do that."
I giggled and looked over at him. "Try not to push too many boundaries, though. Okay?"
Zell chuckled. "Okay, okay. No snapping, no pinching, no groping. Got it."
I giggled again. "Now that I've taken all your fun."
Zell grinned over at me. "Nah. Just made it more of a challenge." His grin faded. "Uh-oh."
"What?"
"If someone asks, what am I supposed to say again?"
"Asks?" I wrinkled my nose as I met his gaze. "Asks about what?"
"Us."
I blinked. "What do you mean? Just say whatever you want."
"You sure?"
I smiled. "Well, as long as it's not something completely ridiculous."
"You'll give me 'the look' if I step out of line, right?"
I giggled. "Oh, Zell. I won't humiliate you. At least, I'll try not to."
Zell's expression relaxed. "Hey. That's all I needed to know."
Zell let go of my hand when we reached my dorm room, so I dug my keys out of my pocket to unlock the door, absently informing, "I'll be right out."
"You mean I can't watch?"
My jaw dropped and my fingers stopped working the key as I looked over at Zell's semi-serious face with wide eyes. "I'm changing my clothes, Zell. Of course you can't watch!"
He snapped his fingers and then crossed his arms as he leaned against the wall. "Man. I don't get any fun."
I slugged his arm. "You saw me in a swimsuit, Mr. Dincht. That's all the fun you get."
"What? You were wearing a t-shirt over it," Zell complained.
I opened the door and put my keys back in my pocket. "That isn't my problem. Wait here. I'll be out in a little bit." I snickered as I closed the door.
True to my word, I changed and had my hair combed in less than 10 minutes.
I opened the door to let him in and turned away. "Help me grab-" Suddenly arms lifted me. I squealed. "Zell Dincht! Put me down!"
"You told me to help you grab." Zell set me on my feet again. "Didn't I grab the right thing?"
I turned, forcing a scowl as I put my fists on my hips. He looked adorably serious and confused. "Blankets and pillows, mister. Not me."
"How come?" Zell asked with a somewhat innocent expression. "You feel better."
"Zell!" I protested, flushing molten.
Zell grinned.
I pointed at him. "You are impossible." Absolutely adorable, but impossible nonetheless.
Zell stepped up to me, taking hold of my pointing finger and using it to pull me close. "Yep," he admitted as his arms went around me. "That's me."
I blinked up at him. Then I lowered my eyes with a self-conscious clearing of my throat. "Could you please help gather my extra pillows and a couple blankets?" I whispered.
"Sure," Zell said. And his tone was actually soft and quiet.
I smoothed some imaginary wrinkles from the front of his dark blue sweatshirt. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
The ends of my lips twitched upward, and I raised my gaze from his shirt. Zell still stared down at me, smiling. I giggled. "What?" I asked.
"Nothing. I just like looking at ya." Zell grinned. "Sounds kinda corny, huh?"
My eyes misted as my smile wavered. "No."
Zell's grin faded. "Oh geez. Don't cry, Sally."
I sniffed and sent him a teary smile. "Sorry. I... That was the sweetest thing you could have said," I whispered. I wrapped him up in a hug and pressed my cheek against his chest.
"Well then what are-"
"Because that's what I do," I said, giggling. "Shy people have a tendency of bawling at the weirdest things."
Zell chuckled. "Oh."
I yawned suddenly, immediately giggling as I stepped back. "I guess I'm tired from this morning, so I hope I stay awake for the movie. I've heard it's good, filled with car chases, punching fights, and lots of things blowing up. Your favorite kind of movie."
Zell grinned. "Well come on, sleepy head. We better get our stuff and get over to the Quad before all the good seats are taken."
We gathered the extra pillows and blankets and passed to the hallway beyond. Zell took the blankets and pillows from me, adjusting them in his arms as I locked the door. Then I looped my arm through his and matched his easy stride. I guess being shy's not so bad. Just a challenge. An obstacle to climb over to get to the good stuff. Zell being the good stuff, of course.
Zell kept quiet, so I looked over at him. "What's the matter?" I asked when I saw his serious expression.
"Huh?" Zell met my gaze. "Matter? What d'ya mean?"
I pointed at him. "You were all serious. You okay?"
"Sure." Zell grinned. "Can we make out?"
I gasped and flushed, saved any response by the laughing tone of "I wouldn't recommend it," sounding behind us.
Zell looked over his shoulder while I tried to grab my wits and imagination back from how it would feel to make out with Zell Dincht at a movie under blankets- Sally! I released my hold on Zell's arm to clench my hands behind my back as we stopped to face the approaching pair of Cmdr. Squall and Rinoa.
I can't think of him other than 'Cmdr. Squall'.
"Why not, Squall?" Zell protested. "It's fun, and you and Rinoa do it all the time."
Cmdr. Squall's lips lifted in a slight smile, but he didn't answer. He only looked over at me in my humiliation... Okay, so it wasn't really humiliation.
"Hi, Sally. Good job on your Fire Cavern score. Rinoa," he said as he looked to the pretty and slim brunette beside him, "this is Sally Regal. Remember?"
Rinoa smiled, and it brightened her already pretty face. She extended a hand as she stepped forward. "Hi. Nice to meet you."
I took her hand, flushing as we shook. "Nice to meet you, too." Although I'd met her in the library before, giving them the Mega Phoenix. It was okay that she forgot. Most people did.
"Aren't you the one that gave us that Mega Phoenix?"
I blinked and Zell grinned. "Yep." He nudged my arm with his shoulder. "That's, Meg."
Rinoa released my hand, still smiling, and looked over at Zell. "Meg? How cute."
"Short for Mega Phoenix," Squall informed as he stepped forward.
Zell looked at Squall with an expression of amazement. "Hey. How'd you know?"
I giggled. Squall laughed. "It's kind of obvious, Zell," he said. He nudged Rinoa's arm. "Come on. If we don't go now, all the best seats will be gone."
"Oh. Alright." She looped her hands around Squall's arm, sending a smile over her shoulder at me and Zell. "Come and sit by us. Okay?"
I nodded and watched them head for the Quad. "I always liked her. I'm glad her and Squall are working it out."
"Yeah. Me, too. She's grown up a lot since we first met her. She was a little annoying back then."
"I guess all of us can be," I admitted. I sent him a glance. "Although you were only cute," I told him, flushing a bright red.
"Cute?" Zell grinned. "Hey. I'm cute."
I giggled. "Didn't you know that?"
"Nope."
I gave into an urge and stepped on tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek. "Well, you are." Then I gave his spike a gentle tug and wrinkled my nose at him. "Painfully so." Sally Regal?
"I like it when you do that," Zell said suddenly.
I blinked at him. "Do what?"
"Get aggressive." Zell wiggled his eyebrows at me. "I think I'm rubbing off on ya."
I flushed and wrapped an arm around him before we stepped again toward the Quad. "And it's no wonder," I said softly, "with your need for constant contact."
Zell gave me a nudge. "Hey. I don't need constant contact from everybody."
I smiled, and the blush deepened as I glanced over at him. "Thanks."
He grinned.
We stepped down the steps into the Quad, immediately welcomed by both Rinoa and Selphie's arms in the air. Selphie and Irvine sat on one side of Rinoa and Squall, but there was enough space that Zell and I could sit between. Zell and I moved forward, me not feeling up to the task of releasing his arm, and headed toward the pairs. Thankfully, neither of them made any comment.
I released Zell's arm, freeing him of one of the thicker blankets to fold it in half and then spread it on the ground. Then he and I arranged the pillows against the newly built wall and lowered ourselves onto the space, gathering blankets around us to block the night chill and hide the unexpected position I was in. Zell had somehow guided me to lean against his chest while sitting between his bent legs - yes, I said between - with his arms very snugly surrounding me.
"Is that okay?" he whispered.
I sighed with a silly smile as I snuggled in. "Perfect." Where shy 'Sally Regal' had gone, I had no idea.
Zell chuckled.
I heard a stifled giggle and glanced to my right. Rinoa and Cmdr. Squall were in a very similar situation and position.
Rinoa met my gaze and smiled. "You guys are cute together."
I flushed, as I always did when a cue was spoken, and smiled. "Thank you," I whispered. We're cute together! We're cute together! It would be my new life's motto. "So are you," I told her. Truthfully, too, because I don't remember ever seeing the Commander that... relaxed.
Rinoa snuggled back the same as I had done, resting her head back on Cmdr. Squall's chest. "Thanks." Cmdr. Squall adjusted his arms around her under the blanket, resting his chin on her head. It was the cutest thing I could ever remember seeing.
"Hey, Sally."
I looked to my left. Selphie sat beside Irvine, his arm around her shoulders. Apparently they weren't to the same point in their relationship as Rinoa and the Commander, which made me briefly think of what Zell had asked the day before. Then Selphie gave me a bright smile and a thumbs-up, to which Irvine shook his head, chuckling.
"Everyone's gonna know now," Zell whispered in my ear.
"That's okay," I said as I looked to the movie screen ahead. "I told you that wasn't the problem."
Zell adjusted his crossed arms around me, and I could almost hear his smile as he snuggled down into the warmth of the blankets and pulled me closer against him. The movie started then, but who cared about that when I could take a nap in the circle of Zell's arms?
So I did.
› ~ ‹
I snuggled, and something else moved. My eyes snapped open and I stopped breathing. Mind searching... Memories blurred... The 'something' moved again, blaring alarms in my head when pressure tightened around and against me. I closed my eyes again, swallowing hard to gather courage before looking down. I was lying on my side, wrapped in blankets, my head on a pillow, and there was an arm... around... me... I blinked, eyes wide as I stared at the arm. It was clearly male-
Relaxing with a near giggle, I shook my head. One mystery solved. Now I had to figure out why Zell and I were asleep in the Quad. It was still on the dark side, so I couldn't tell if anyone else was still there. Only one way to find out.
I tapped the arm surrounding me. Zell didn't respond, and his breathing remained just as deep and steady. I bit my lower lip and tried again, a little firmer. Zell stretched, and I heard him mumble something while he smacked his lips. Then his arm tightened around my mid-section.
Flushing, I took in a slow breath before carefully rotating myself around to face him. I gave his shoulder a slight nudge. No response.
"Zell," I whispered with a firmer push. "Zell, please wake up."
Zell's one arm pulled me closer as the other came to complete the circle. He mumbled something unintelligible yet again and adjusted his head on the pillow. I swallowed hard, my hand going behind me to grab his wrist and disengage one arm from its hold - desperate to keep my heart from noticing how adorable he looked when sleeping...
Zell's eyes slowly opened, and he smiled- He blinked and the smile vanished as he pulled his arms quickly away, sitting up sharply as his ears pinked. "Sorry, Sally. Fell asleep." Zell rubbed at the back of his neck with occasional glances toward me.
I smiled and sat up as well. "It's okay, Zell." I looked around. "No other blankets. Looks like everyone else stayed awake long enough to finish the movie and get dinner."
Zell stood and helped me up. "Geez. It's after one in the morning! Ma'd kill me if she found out about this."
I timidly smiled at him. "I promise I won't tell."
Zell's serious expression melted to a smile. Then he gathered up the blankets. "Thanks, but Selph'll probably blab without meaning to." He straightened, blankets and pillows in arms, and motioned to the exit with his head. "Come on. Scoot. Gotta get you to bed."
I fell into step beside him. "Not much of a first date," I observed somberly. "I'm sorry, Zell."
"Tch! What are you talking about?" He gave my arm a nudge, drawing my attention. "Taking a nap surrounded by friends having fun is just as good a first date as anything. We'll just have another one later."
I sheepishly smiled with a slight nod. "Okay, and this time I'll be sure to nap before our date."
Zell grinned. "You don't have to do that."
I giggled, stuffing my hands in my pockets with a shiver. "I knew you were going to say that," I accused.
"Uh-oh. Time to change tactics."
I shivered again, and my teeth began to chatter.
Zell's grin waned to a serious expression as he said "Hold on" and stopped to drop the pillows and blankets. He freed one from the tumbled stack and wrapped it around me. Then Zell smiled as he rubbed my upper arms. "There ya go."
I held his gaze, holding the blanket in place. "Thank you," I said softly, hoping for the coming of the felt 'mushy-moment'.
Zell smoothed some hair from my face. "Sure." His smile widened. "You've got a pillow mark on your cheek."
I giggled softly. "So do you." And I reached up to caress it with a whisper of "It's all red." Then I lowered my hand and gaze with a clearing of my throat, my cheeks flushing crimson.
Zell chuckled. "So are yours."
I snuggled into the blanket with a smile, enjoying the silence and the sound of him breathing and the warmth of his hands on my arms through the blanket...
"Sally?"
I didn't look up. "Yeah?"
"You want to go walk on the beach or something? I'm not really tired."
Neither was I. "Okay."
Zell gathered up the blankets and then walked close beside me. Walk on the beach? The most romantic place on the planet? My lips were in a continual smile as we climbed the steps of the Quad and entered Balamb Garden. We didn't say anything as we navigated our way through the main corridor of Garden to the front gates. I didn't mind the silence this time, either. Usually it made me nervous or uncomfortable, I don't know why, but this didn't. I suppose I was too busy enjoying the fact that Zell really walked beside me as we approached the beach on our first date. I sighed.
Zell nudged my arm with an elbow. I looked over at him with a silly smile as my eyes crinkled at the corners. "I'm not stressing. Promise."
Zell smiled. "I know. You look different when you stress."
I blinked at him, my expression serious. "I do?"
Zell laughed. "Come on, Meg, that's a 'duh'."
I sheepishly smiled. "Did you know you rub your tattoo?"
Zell raised an eyebrow. "I do?"
I nodded, matter-of-fact. "When you're trying to figure out if you want to do something or not, you rub at it." My eyes crinkled again. "I know this'll sound mushy and corny, but I think it's cute." Zell cleared his throat and looked away, his ears flushing pink. I blinked at him. "I-I didn't m-mean to embarrass you," I whispered.
Zell's gaze moved to my face. He gave me another nudge and a reassuring smile. "Never been embarrassed before. Kinda weird feeling."
I looked down at the grass at our feet. "I get embarrassed all the time. Mostly it's because I don't want to do anything that will make me look..." I cleared my throat, "for lack of a better word, stupid."
"You've never gotten used to compliments either, I bet," Zell offered.
I shook my head. "Nope." I sent him a sidelong glance. "Neither have you."
Zell chuckled, adjusting his hold on the blankets and pillows. "When you grow up being called chicken-wuss..."
I smiled as I watched his profile in the moonlight. I'll give you as many compliments as you need, Zell. You deserve every one of them. "I don't think you're a chicken-wuss," I said softly.
Zell laughed - always a glorious sound in my opinion - and gave me a wonderful smile and nudge. "Yeah, but you would say that."
I giggled. "Yeah. Because it's true."
"No. Because you like me."
"Well that's a silly reason," I said, matter-of-fact.
Zell halted, his mouth gaping as he stared at me. "Huh?"
My expression was serious as I faced him. "Someone should never say something just because they like the person."
"Oh really?"
I nodded again, eyes wide with an expression of 'didn't you know'. "Of course. For example, I can say you're a stud" - my face flamed - "because I know that's not only my opinion. Selphie said it, too. I can also say you're one of the best Instructor's at Garden because I know that other people have said the same thing. I would never say something just because I like you."
Zell stared at me, and I couldn't tell if he realized I teased him or not. Teasing was still unexplored territory for me-
I saw a recognizable twinkle and took a step backward. I put my arms and hands out. "Now Zell..."
"So you don't say anything just because you like me?" He dropped the blankets and pillows with a deliberate motion, hiking up his sweatshirt sleeves as I continued to slowly back up. "Wanna bet?"
The twinkle brightened as he took one step closer. I backed off two. My lips twitched. "Zell... Come on. Play nice."
Zell wiggled his eyebrows at me, and his lips stretched in a slow grin. "You better run, beach bunny."
My eyes widened. "Uh-oh." I squealed and turned, dropping the blanket from my shoulders as I ran for the beach.
"You better move faster than that!"
I dodged to the right, ducking on impulse, and felt the swoosh of his arm pass my head. Giggling, I sounded another squeal as I dodged to the left. "Missed me!"
Zell's ever-familiar maniacal chuckle sounded not-so-far behind. I rolled, again keeping myself free of a reach, and hit the ground running. I dodged left and rolled again, still hearing Zell's quick steps behind. When I got to my feet this time, however, I knew Zell had me. I just couldn't run as fast.
Sure enough, Zell gently gripped an arm, quickly spinning me around and lifting me up to thwump me onto his shoulder.
I giggled and kicked. "Zell! Put me down!"
"Nope. Got you fair and square." Zell turned to go back the way we'd come, making his way for the stack of blankets and pillows.
I fisted his back a couple times, doing my best to play the damsel-in-distress. "Zell!"
"Nope."
And we back-and-forthed like that all the while he made his way to the blankets and pillows, scooped them up in his other hand, and then headed back to the shore. I nearly cried I laughed so hard. Then he dropped the blankets and pillows onto the beach and adjusted his hold on me so that he could set me on the ground.
Zell held onto my arms and grinned down at me. "I run pretty good for a chicken-legged spaz, huh?"
I frowned playfully, placing my hands on my hips. "You aren't a spaz, and you aren't chicken-legged either. I don't care what anyone else says."
Zell chuckled and then released my arms to sit on the ground and pull up his jeans. He looked up at me. "Sally, how can you say these aren't chicken legs?"
I crossed my arms. "Oh I don't know, because you aren't a chicken?"
Zell threw his head back and laughed. Then he grabbed hold of an arm and tugged me down beside him. His arms enfolded me in a tight hug. "See? Everybody knows I've got chicken-legs. You deny it because you like me. Admit it."
I pushed at his chest, flushing molten. "I don't admit anything," I said with a lifted chin. "You're not a chicken, therefore you can't have chicken legs."
"Come on, Sally. Admit it. You don't think I'm a spaz because you like me. It's the same reason I think you being shy is cute and not annoying, or whatever other people say."
I blinked at him, eyes wide and face pale. "A-Annoying?"
Zell's smile faded. "I'm sorry, Sally, I only wanted to... Damn." He released a deep breath. "What the hell's wrong with me?"
I looked away, and I could almost feel Zell watching my face as I stared out at the moon's reflection on the water.
"Sally, screw 'em all. If being shy in front of people is who you are, then you gotta be true to that. I don't care, and you're not as bad as you think. It just takes you a bit to warm up to people, that's all."
I silently nodded, lowering my gaze to the sand near us.
Zell released another quick breath as he withdrew his arms to just hold my upper arms with his hands. "Sally." He waited, but I didn't look up. "Come on, Sally, let it go. People are going to think what they're going to think."
I knew that was the truest statement anyone could have said.
I took in a deep breath and released it slowly before looking at him. "I know they will," I whispered.
"But it still hurts like hell," Zell stated.
I nodded, my eyes lowering again.
"Yeah. I know." Zell brushed some hair from my face, and then he guided me into a much-needed hug. "People suck sometimes."
I sniffed, giving a slight nod as I wrapped my arms around him. "Only sometimes," I whispered.
Zell chuckled. "There ya go. Look at the bright side. Good girl."
A slight smile pushed through the hurt. I pulled back and gazed up into his handsome face. "And I admit that I do say some things because I like you."
Zell grinned. "Fine with me." He motioned toward the water with his head. "Come on. Let's go get our feet wet."
My eyes crinkled at the corners as my lips lifted in a smile. "Okay."
Zell and I pulled off our shoes. Then he helped me to my feet, holding my hand as we made our way to the water's edge. The water occasionally tickled and pulled at the sand under our feet as we walked along.
That walking along with his hand holding mine was almost too much for me to believe. After all, why would someone outgoing like Zell Dincht be attracted to a shy mouse like me? It belonged in a romance-novel storyline, not in real life.
"Zell?"
His eyes moved to examine my profile. "Yeah?"
"You're not just..." I cleared my throat. You can do this, Sally. One word at a time. "You're... uh... You really want to... go out ... right?"
"When?"
"A-Anytime." I sent him a sidelong glance.
Zell watched my expression. "I don't know if I get what you're saying," he said slowly.
I cleared my throat yet again. "Um... I... uh..."
Zell stopped walking and faced me. "Take your time, Sally."
I rubbed at my forehead with my free hand. "I just want to make sure... um... that you..."
"That I what? That I want to go out with you?" Zell examined my down-turned face. "Sally, we've already dealt with this. Did somebody mouth off earlier about something?"
"No, I... I just want to make sure..." I finally lifted my eyes to meet his gaze. "Why... No. I mean, how come..." I released a frustrated breath. "Why me?"
"Sally, come here," Zell said with a motion for me to step closer.
I cleared my throat, resisted the temptation to pull my hand from his, and stepped a smidge closer.
Zell took my other hand. I looked up to meet his intense eyes and didn't look away. "Sally, why shouldn't I go out with you? Because you wear t-shirts over swimsuits? Because you don't want me to grope you?"
I flushed and lowered my gaze.
"If me wanting to go out with you is weird or whatever, so what? I know I want to get to know you a lot better. Never really wanted to do that before." Zell released a hand to hold my chin between his thumb and forefinger, lifting my gaze to meet his. "I like you, Sally. Why's that so hard to believe?"
"B-Because you're Z-Zell," I whispered, "and I'm the l-library girl."
Zell shook his head, lowering his fingers from my chin. "No, you're Sally Regal. You're my sparring partner. You're my friend. I'm Zell Dincht. I'm your sparring partner. I'm your friend. That's it. Just Zell and Sally. Just a boy and a girl who like hanging out and stuff." He watched me for a silent moment. I lowered my gaze. "Is this what had you stressed in the spa yesterday?"
"A little," I admitted in a whisper.
Zell released a deep breath. "Come here, you." He reached out and pulled me into a warm embrace. "Let's get mushy."
I reluctantly giggled.
"You've got to stop thinking you deserve a different kind of guy, Sally," Zell informed me; seriousness and Instructor-like tones resonated in his voice. "You get what you get. Me."
I hiccupped a tear. "Are you sure I'm not sleeping?" I whispered.
Zell chuckled and pulled back, smiling down into my face with twinkling eyes. "I could toss you into the water to prove it."
I giggled, raising my hands to wipe the tears from my face. "I know you would, too. Please don't."
"Only because you've been crying." Zell wiped another tear from my face. Then he lowered his head to place two gentle and simple kisses on my lips. When he raised his head, he brushed a couple more tears from my cheeks. "Thanks for talking about it, Sally. I can see how hard it is for ya."
I swallowed my tears and my heart as I slightly nodded.
Zell encircled my shoulders with an arm and drew me forward along the beach. "We should probably call it a day pretty quick. Don't you have to work?"
I nodded again as I wrapped my arm around his waist. I smiled. "And you've got class."
"And we have to work-out."
I rested my head against him, closing my eyes as I walked along beside him.
Zell kissed the top of my head. "We'll give it a couple more minutes."
I reached up to entwine my fingers in the dangling hand of the arm so warm and comforting around my shoulders. "Okay," I whispered.