Author's note: Ok, so this is a strange little story I'm experimenting with... this is my first time posting on FF, and I'm still having format problems... (meaning I still can't get the italics to work, so I'm using for thoughts)... so bear with me. You don't have to review... I'm not all that worried about it, so don't feel obligated... but if you want to do it anyway, I'll definitely read it. Anyway... here's the first chapter.
Another A/N: I've just re-read this story up to where I last left off, and I have to say chapters 1-5 kinda suck. I ask that you read it all anyway, however, because I think the story progresses nicely after that. Things don't really get interesting until then, and the plot really starts to pick up. So, even if you don't like this chapter, or the next few, please keep reading, anyway. I think you won't be disappointed.
Time Apart
Chapter One: The Break-Up
"This really is gonna be weird, you know...?," Rinoa Heartilly blurted out, chuckling nervously.
"Yeah," Squall Leonhart replied, combing his hand through his shaggy brown hair.
"So... I guess that's it then, huh?"
"Yeah."
Back to his talkative ways, I see Rinoa thought, shaking her head.
"What?" He looked at her, giving her what she called the blue stare of death.
"You're just funny, Squall Leonhart," she sighed. "But in the most unconventional ways."
"Yeah, I guess."
She smiled and kissed his cheek.
"Well, Squall... seeing that we are no longer in a relationship" Rinoa began, "I guess we should probably tell Selphie and Irvine to stop with the 'surprise' anniversary party?"
"Yeah, I guess," he said.
"You alright?"
"Yeah, I guess."
"I see you've found a replacement phrase for 'whatever'...?"
He chuckled at himself, "Yeah, I guess."
"It's getting old already... go back to 'whatever'."
"Whatever."
She grinned at him and stood from her seat on the bed, motioning for him to follow her.
They walked out of Squall's dorm, headed for the ballroom; the most likely place for Selphie to be, being that their anniversary would have been tomorrow. For the first time in two years, they were walking not as a couple, but as friends. Not to say that it was a bad thing. They just decided they needed time apart, but that they weren't completely over. More like, they became friends again, but friends with potential for more in the future.
It really was a totally mutual agreement; Squall was really busy these days, leaving very little time to devote to Rinoa, and ultimately making him feel like a jerk for neglecting her. She never gave him any sign of resentment or regret, though. She would always just smile sadly, knowing how overwhelmed he was with his job as Commander of Balamb Garden. It bothered her, but she felt she had no place getting upset with him for it. After all, he kind of was forced into this position. So, the idea of taking a break from waiting for him to come home every night until she finally fell asleep sounded kind of refreshing to her.
There was no doubt that they still had feelings for each other, but Squall didn't want to tie her into a relationship only to be constantly left alone so he could tend to his duties. Rinoa didn't really mind the idea of taking a break... she thought this could make things interesting. They didn't separate with the purpose of seeing other people, though it wasn't forbidden. They were just freeing themselves, and each other, from having the responsibilities of a relationship that they couldn't seem to adhere to.
But there was still a possible relationship to look forward to in the future.
Rinoa smirked at this idea. She couldn't say she'd ever done anything like this before... it was almost unheard of in her experiences to remain friends with a former lover. It made life suddenly a little more interesting. She began to wonder how long she'd last without his touch... the touch she'd gotten so used to every night. She began to wonder how long he'd last without her touch. She smirked a little more.
"What are you smirking about?," Squall asked, with a smirk of his own.
"Oh... uh... nothing," she said, clearing her throat.
"Hey, guys!," a high-pitched voice called out. Selphie ran like the wind trying to reach the couple before they got further into the ballroom.
"Hey Selph," Rinoa greeted her, smiling. "We wanted to tell you something. And be happy, 'cause you're the first to know."
"Well, what's up?" Selphie asked, flashing a cheerful smile at her two friends.
"Weeelllll.... Squall and I broke up."
Selphie's bright smile faded instantly. "You.... what?"
"We broke up," Squall chimed in. "Don't worry, though... we're still friends. I mean, no reason to be sad, really... oh, jeez... you're not gonna cry are you?"
"You what!?" Selphie squealed, her eyes wide.
"Selphie, it's ok..." Rinoa assured her.
"Um... um... uh..." Selphie mumbled, flustered. She finally sighed, "... Aw, crap. Do you have any idea how much work I put into a surprise party for you guys? Do ya?"
Rinoa grinned, sheepishly. "Yeah, sorry about that, Selphie."
"It's cool- hey! You knew about it?? Oh, who cares.... I'll just find another excuse to throw a party. Hee hee! So, what prompted this, anyway? And why do you both seem so cool about it?"
"Well, it's not like we're on bad terms..." Rinoa stated. "It's more like... we still care about each other, but we're on hiatus."
"Riiiiigggghhhht," Selphie said, raising an eyebrow. "So... you're not totally broken up... but you're not together....?"
"Right!", Rinoa grinned.
Selphie stared blankly.
"I don't really think she gets it, Rin," Squall said. "It's like this... we're still gonna do things together like people in a normal relationship do, like-"
"Hey," Selphie interjected, throwing her hands up. "Whatever works for you guys... I don't think I wanna know anymore. I mean, some people have role-playing games, or S&L, or whatever the hell it's called.... I can accept that this is just your way of... never mind. Just no details, please."
She backed away and ran into the ballroom, leaving Squall and Rinoa standing there, amused.
"Her mind's in the gutter," Squall chuckled. "I just meant a friendly relationship. I was gonna say we'd still be hanging out together like we used to."
"This will take some getting used to... you sure you're up to the challenge?" Rinoa asked, smiling.
"Well... we'll see. I mean, we did agree on friends with potential, remember?"
"Like you said... we'll see," she smirked, "Well, I better go and get all my stuff from your dorm and move in back in mine. See you later?"
"Yeah, I'll meet you guys tonight."
She walked back to the direction of the dorms, as Squall stood watching her. Sighing, he turned and headed to his office.
"They what!?" Irvine Kinneas screeched, dropping the banner he was stapling to the ceiling of the ballroom.
"Yeah, that was similar to my reaction," Selphie sighed.
"Well... why? I thought they were doing good... did something happen? Are they ok?" Irvine asked, climbing quickly down the ladder. "How's Squall handling th-... Wait, look who I'm talking about... how's Rinoa handling this?"
"That's the thing. They were acting all calm and normal," she explained, flopping onto the floor to sit cross-legged. "I thought it was some kind of joke, but then they said that they weren't really breaking up, but that they were taking a break... Ugh, I don't know... it's too confusing. Personally, I think it's some weird sex game."
Irvine raised an eyebrow.
"Hey, don't ask me..."
"Well, so what do we do now? You've been planning this party for weeks. And I didn't work my ass off and nearly kill myself for nothing."
"So, we think of another reason to have a party."
"Like?" Irvine asked, tapping his foot impatiently.
"Uh... throw one in honor of their... break-up...?" she said, meekly.
"Offensive today, aren't we?," Irvine muttered. "Sugar, I think they might be put off a little by that."
"Well, I don't know... I'm all out of ideas..." she whimpered, looking defeated.
"Aw, honey... we'll think of something... I pwomise," he said with a pouty look.
"Don't patronize me, Irvy," she groaned.
"Sorry."
"Eh, screw it... we don't need a reason. We'll have a party just because."
Knock knock.
Squall barely glanced up from his paperwork, sighing. "It's open."
Quistis Trepe opened the door to his office slowly, and took a seat in front of his desk. "How's it going in here?"
"Busy as usual. Did you need something?" he asked, his eyes on the work in front of him.
"Not really. I didn't have a class today, so I thought I'd see if you needed any help."
"No, that's alright. Thanks."
"You know, I really am qualified to deal with a lot of this stuff here. I know you've been swamped and I think it's time that you got someone to help-"
"No. Thank you, Quistis," he interrupted.
She sighed, and rose from her chair and quickly heading for the door. She paused before opening it. "I'm really curious as to why you won't let anyone help you with all of this. We all know how much stress you're under."
Squall let out a breath, finally looking up at her. "I... I just... I don't really know, myself. Call it a drive to accomplish things on my own. Hell, call it a goddamn superiority complex. I don't know..."
Quistis smiled, sadly. "Clamming up again? Well, don't worry. I know how you are. One of these days, though... you're gonna have to give into it. Everyone needs someone else sometimes."
Squall looked thoughtfully at her for a moment, then returned his attention to his work, grumbling,"Whatever."
Quistis rolled her eyes and opened the door.
"Quistis," Squall said suddenly.
She turned around, hopefully.
"There is one thing you can do," he continued.
"Yes?"
"Go to my dorm and help Rinoa move her stuff out."
Quistis paled. "Wh-what? Is she leaving?"
"We, uh... we kind of broke up," he mumbled, keeping his eyes on his work.
"What happened?" she gasped.
"Nothing... we're just splitting up for a while."
"Oh... well... o- ok. I'll go see if she needs help." She turned and walked out, bewildered. No sense in trying to get answers out of Mysterio here.
"I think that's everything..." Rinoa muttered to herself as she closed the last box. "Right, Angelo?"
The dog looked at her for a moment, then curled back into a ball.
"Forget I asked," she stuck her tongue out at Angelo.
"Still expecting the dog to answer you?" Quistis chuckled from the door way.
"Hey, Quistis," Rinoa smiled, sheepishly.
"Need any help moving this stuff?" Quistis asked, gesturing to the two large boxes by the door.
"Ah. Talked to Squall, I guess. Right?"
Quistis nodded, gravely. "Are you alright?"
"Sure... it's not a big deal, really. We just agreed it was time to take a rest from each other," Rinoa explained, looking around the room for something she may have missed. "I guess this'll kind of be a test... you know... whether or not we belong together."
"Gotcha. Seifer and I have gone through plenty of those."
"Really?" Rinoa looked at her, intrigued.
"Yeah..." Quistis sighed, chuckling. "And we never really last being apart too long."
Rinoa nodded. "Yeah... believe it or not, I'm getting a little lonely already, just by looking around this room... knowing I'm leaving it. I already think this'll be harder than I imagined."
"Well, just think of how great it'll be when Squall comes running back to you. He'll be missing you in no time," Quistis smiled, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I just don't know. Even if we do get back together later, how do I know things will be different? I don't want it to be like it was. We were both miserable. And not because of each other, but because of circumstances. I... want to be... happy... and I want to be happy with him. But..."
"I know what you mean... but it will all work out, Rinoa. Squall loves you too much to give you up that easily."
Rinoa smirked. "Yeah... but it's not his love I'm worried about. It's his fucking job. Ugh, I don't wanna think about it. If it's meant to be or not, who am I to argue with fate? Here... grab that box and I'll get this one."
Quistis chuckled again and lifted one of the boxes, following as her best friend walked out with the other, Angelo trailing behind.