It's late, well after midnight I suppose. The party's dying down by the sound of it and the music's stopped. I hear the sound of dishes being gathered and people saying their good-byes. They celebrate the anniversary of Ultimecia's defeat.
The sound of their laughter echoes in the dance hall and find that it annoys me. I don't know why I bothered to come back. Perhaps because I've no where else to go or maybe I'm just hoping they'll come back for me.
I don't know why Squall and the others let me stay. Out of pity I suppose, damn them. Not that it matters though, I'm still an outcast. Whenever I walk the halls people point and stare, even more than they used to.
Their hushed whispers of accusation assail my ears like restless spirits. None ever speak to my face though. Not that they ever did, and I prefer it that way.
Once, I was acknowledged at least, but now I'm like a bad memory, existing but ignored. I've come so far only to become a pariah in my own home and I hate them for it.
Even those closest to me betrayed me, I still can't believe they left me behind. After all we've been through together. We were a team. No, we were a family.
"Everyone needs a family right?" That's what I used to believe as a child.
Now though, I know better. Squall knew the truth; you can only rely on yourself, depending on others only gets you hurt. Useless to worry about it now, they're gone and only I remain.
"What do I do?" I wonder.
"What I always do, survive."
The cold air stings my lungs, but I don't care. Leaning on the railing I watch the frozen landscape drift beneath me.
Balamb Garden was in route over the frozen northern wastes. The area is beautiful in its desolation, the ice sparkles like a sea of gems under the Garden's lights. I've always enjoyed the cold, it reminds me that I'm alive, and of what I've lost.
"Alone" My thoughts race back to that again.
"I don't need anyone." I try to convince myself.
"Alone, now more so than ever." Who am I trying to kid, you cant lie to yourself. Slumping wearily I try to lose myself to kinder thoughts. Then I hear footsteps, someone's coming! I had hoped to have the balcony to myself. Not wishing to be seen I step into the shadows with the hope that they'll soon leave.
"Come on Squall its your turn!" Selphie whined merrily from the stage.
The crowd cheered in agreement. Shifting awkwardly in his seat Squall waved her away while Rinoa who sat next to him urged him playfully.
"Come on, go up there you party pooper. You've such a lovely singing voice." She said grinning. Squall looked at her incredulously.
"No." He replied gravely.
"Sorry Selphie, he's no fun." Rinoa apologized to the pleading woman
"Aw you spoiled sport." Selphie pouted cutely and stuck her tongue out at him before looking over at Zell with a huge grin.
"Zell will do it. Won't ya Zell?" She said leaning over the stage to regard the blonde, tattooed maverick. Zell, who was never shy about anything, nodded vigorously and gulped down the remains of the cake he'd been eating.
"Maw Fraight!" He mumbled around a mouthful of flying crumbs.
Loosening his collar he jumped onto the stage and waved at everyone with a wide, silly grin. Nicole, his girlfriend from the library, cheered him on loudly. Wiping his mouth on his sleeve he regarded Selphie curiously.
"Any requests?" He asked with brightly.
"Hmm?" Selphie looked up thoughtful for a moment then grinned wickedly. "How about, loose lips, fast hips?"
"Aww that again." He protested.
"But you look so cute." She giggled and smacked him on rear.
The crowd egged him on and soon the music started. Squall buried his head in hands and Rinoa cheered.
Selphie hopped off the stage and returned to her seat next to Irvine. He wrapped an arm around her and she snuggled against him. The two then proceeded to whistle wolfishly as Zell began crooning and writhing in a burlesque fashion.
Cid and Edea, who'd chosen to sit a bit away from the others, smiled warily at the display. Worried, Edea placed a hand on her husband's arm.
"Dear, he's taking off his shirt. This isn't going to get out of hand is it?"
"Zell just like to showboat." Cid responded calmly. "I hope." He added under his breath and took a sip of wine.
Quistis was the only one not participating in the festivity; instead she stood quietly in a darkened corner of the hall.
Her face was like a porcelain mask, unreadable and still. Over the last year everything had settled down, everyone was happy and the world was a peace.
In the time since Ultimecia's defeat she'd been reinstated as an instructor. She welcomed the job, she missed the students and, it kept her preoccupied. Lately, boredom had become her mortal enemy, it gave her time to think, and that always led to thoughts best left buried.
Unfortunately coming to the party and seeing everyone together made those thoughts come back like vengeful ghosts.
Old wounds were torn open and now bled freely. She realized she'd been on autopilot all year and was just going day by day, faking a sense of normalcy.
She managed a thin grin as Zell leapt off the stage and into Squalls lap were he then proceeded to serenade him. Squall, bless him, tried his best to keep calm but was failing miserably.
The grin was fleeting however as her gaze drifted to Selphie. The girl was whispering playfully in Irvine's ear while rubbing his thigh.
He twitched awkwardly in response and gave her a randy grin. Selphie was always a carefree spirit with a heart of gold. She possessed a fiery passion for life and that made her hard to keep up with at times.