She wore the uniform like it was armor. Tight-fitting navy and gold, whip coiled at her hip, blonde hair bound in a twist that never came undone.

  Even now, striding through the overgrown path, she looked composed. Almost statuesque. Practically half the guys in school slobbered after her. She even had her own fan club, called the Trepies. Probably the most exclusive club in Balamb Garden.

  Rumor had it that the entrance examination was tougher than the written part of the SeeD exam.

  She had once been the prodigy of Garden. Youngest instructor ever. And had known Squall longer than most.

  They went way back. Even Squall had to admit that.

  “You’re both out of line,” she said, her voice clipped. “I vouched for you. Both of you.”

  Squall blinked through the blood on his lashes. His left cheek throbbed. He looked away.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Seifer said. “Just mad we didn’t invite you?”

  Quistis didn’t take the bait. She kept her focus on Squall.

  “You haven’t even completed the field exam prep, Squall. You’re supposed to do it by tomorrow morning. The official team examination is tomorrow at 16:00.” She blinked, her face severe. “Or did you forget?”

  Squall frowned. He hadn’t forgotten. Just hadn’t cared until now.

  “You plan to impress the staff by crawling into the test half-dead?” she asked. “If you can’t find a partner by tomorrow, you do realize I have to go with you?”

  Seifer snorted. “Oh, he’s doing it with the instructor? That’s cute. Real cute. Was that part of your plan all along, Squall?”

  Squall’s jaw clenched. He didn’t respond.

  Quistis ignored Seifer. She stepped closer, her hand starting to reach for his face, before she stopped herself.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Before, when she was just a student, she might have done that. But now such actions were way out of line for a professor and a student.

  He always knew she had liked him; he just pretended not to notice or care. Did that change now that she was a professor?

  Nope. And what made it worse? Fucking Seifer watching. He’d have a field day with Raijin and Fujin.

  Quistis’s gaze tightened, but she said nothing. She simply turned and gestured for him to follow.

  “Infirmary. Now.”

  Seifer’s grin was all teeth. “Careful, Squall,” he called after them. “People are gonna start thinking you’re one of the Trepies. Should I book you a front-row seat at her next lecture?”

  Squall followed, not looking back as Seifer’s laughter echoed. He hoped a damn T-Rexaur would come and wreck him.

  The infirmary smelled like antiseptic and recycled air. Squall sat on the edge of a cot, a gauze pad pressed to his cheek. He’d slept through the night—completely unnecessary, but Garden regulations, apparently.

  Dr. Kadowaki tsked as she examined the wound. “You kids. Always trying to prove something with those ridiculous gunblades.”

  Squall didn’t answer. He wondered why they couldn’t get someone to just use the Cure spell on him rather than going through all this bullshit.

  She sighed as she swabbed the cut. “Don’t let Seifer get to you. He lives for attention. If you stop reacting, he’ll get bored.”

  Squall looked away. That didn’t sound like Seifer at all. If anything, he’d dial things up further. How could Kadowaki understand what it was like, anyway?

  “Whatever,” he muttered.

  Before she could respond, footsteps echoed in the corridor. Then the door slid open.

  Quistis appeared, framed in sunlight spilling through the glass walkway. She stood dramatically, letting it catch her from the side.

  Even Squall had to admit she knew exactly how to enter a room.

  Hair perfect. Uniform pristine. Lips done. Like she’d stepped out of a photo shoot.

  She locked eyes with him, held them for a beat. Then, with the deliberation of a performer, she closed her eyes and slowly stuck out her tongue.

  Squall blinked. His brain stalled. Other parts didn’t.

  Seriously? Where did that come from?

  Dr. Kadowaki, fortunately, was facing away. “I’ll leave you two to it.”

  She stepped out as Quistis sauntered in, wearing the smuggest grin on the continent.

  “Don’t look so shocked,” she said. “Just because I’m an instructor doesn’t mean I can’t have a little fun now and then.”

  She was enjoying herself way too much. What she did on her own time was her business.

  Squall scowled. “Whatever.”

  She pouted like it hurt her feelings. Squall would’ve felt bad, but—again—professor. Entirely inappropriate.

  And he had to partner with her today?

  He almost would’ve preferred Seifer. Less confusing. Less...whatever “this” was.

  “Come on. You’re still expected in class. Or did you forget that, too?”

  Squall rose, muttering again. “Whatever.”

  Quistis chuckled. “Why am I not surprised?”

  Squall stood silent. “Let’s just get it over with.”