She sat on a bench at the station feeling impossible alone even amidst all the other passengers and lost in thought.
Her heart further sank as she heard she magical sound of chimes mixed with a distinct mechanical hum that could only be Balamb's engines.
She looked into the distance and saw the Garden rise slowly above the sunset. With a grace that seemed out of place for a structure of its size it moved out over the ocean.
Its rainbow array of lights radiated across the darkening landscape like a kaleidoscope as it moved over the horizon.
It's beauty took her breath away, the other passengers apparently agreed as they stared in wonder.
Quistis did not care much for the after class meetings Cid loved to spring on her and the other instructors. They always ran long and where always boring.
This time was no exception it was well after seven when she left. She had really wanted to go into town and pick something up, but the Garden had already pulled out.
They where now on there way to Trabia to pick up some last minute transfer students. It could wait she told herself as, she arrived at her apartment.
She looked down at her door and saw a folder sticking out from under it. She knelt and retrieved it, a group of reports on promising students by the looks of it.
She tucked the folder under her arm and unlocked the door. Flipping on the lights she grinned at what greeted her. The place was absolutely spotless even the dishes where done.
"How sweet." She cooed and set her things by her desk and kicked of her shoes. The light on her answering machine was beeping and she pressed it a zeal that she found annoyingly girlish.
"Hey Quistis this is Cid we have another meeting tomorrow at 5 please be there."
"Ugh" Quistis droned and hit the next messege.
"Hey Quistiy this is Nicole just wanted to see if ya wanted to come over and watch a few movies with me and Zell." Quistis groaned in dismay.
Last time she did that she ended up watching the movie by herself, while sounds of wild monkey sex accosted her from the other room. She hit the next msg.
"Um Miss Trepe this is Iggy Kingsly. I was just wondering if you wanted to go out with me this weekend." Quistiis rolled her eyes, Iggy was a lovesick Treppie from 3rd quarter.
She frowned upon seeing that there where no more messages. She unbuttoned her blouse and let her hair down. She had hoped to get a note or something.
"Thats odd." She whispered.
There was a knock on the door and she jumped up. She all but ran to the door and opened it.
"Black lace fits you lady." Irvine said with a whistle and a smile. Selphie stomped his foot harshly
Quistis screamed and slammed the door in their face, She quickly buttoned her shirt.
"Idiot, Idiot, Idiot" She screamed at herself. With her remaining dignity she opened the door again.
Irvine was hobbling about in the hall behind Selphie who stood perturbed and wagging a finger at her.
"You need to be more careful. Honestly, going around answering the door in your lacies, you should know better.
What if we where Squall and Cid" The mental picture of such a event made her laugh aloud. Quistis herself even had to grin at thought. She stood aside and motioned them to come in.
"What brings you two to my humble abode." Quistis said in surprise as her guests sat down on her couch.
"Well we where thinking about your upcoming birthday in a few weeks." Irvine started.
Quistis all but forgot about it herself she hadn't really cared considering her state of mind lately.
She had wondered why everyone had taken a interest in her lately and now she had her answer.
"What about it?" Quistis said as she ran her fingers through her hair idly working out the kinks.
"Anyway." Selphie started with a impish grin. "We where wondering what you would like."
"Oh gods Selphie, to be honest I have not thought about it, so I have no Clue."
"That's a cop out and you know it ya brat." Selphie stuck her tongue out at her.
"Selphie I don't care really, just surprise me."
"Well I am sure I can think of something." Irvine smirked devilishly.
"That's about enough out of you, you rogue." Quistis said sternly.
"Ignore him he's just retarded." Selphie grinned as she pushed him away.
"Hey now." Irvine stammered slightly offended.
"Guys really, just surprise me it's okay, just no stripper like last time."
"Sorry about that." Irvine said. "Did the stain come out?"
The two girls looked at him sourly. He threw his hands up defensively.
"Okay, Okay I'm shutting up."
Selphie stared at him a moment before continuing.
"All right then Quisty, we will come up with something." Selphie hopped up and pulled Kinneas to his feet. "Well we are off then. We arrive at Trabia tomorrow and I need a good nights sleep." Quistis stood and walked them to the door.
"Okay then thanks for stopping by."
They walked out into the hall and Irvine poked his head back in.
"Next try a push up they are extra sexy." He said wolfishly and winked. Quistis groaned and shoved him out the door.
She could her Selphie yelling at him as they walked up the hall. She laughed to herself as she went to get ready for bed.
Squall caught a punch to the face and he staggered. Zell winced then paused a moment only to be tackled.
He grabbed Squall by the collar then used his moment against him, Zell rolled onto his back and used his legs to propel his squad leader through the air.
Squall fell unceremoniously on his back with a loud thud onto the mat. Nicole and Rinoa giggled from the sidelines. Squall was unbeatable with his gunblade but was sorely lacking in hand to hand.
Zell was wiping the floor with him. Squall looked upside down at Zell who walked over to him and offered him a hand. He scowled lightly and took it.