Zell stood outside room twenty one, Lina's room. Just down the hallway he could see two men in yellow suits headed his direction, and to this sight he sighed--unfortunately they were right on time. "Sir, we're here to clean out room twenty one--orders from the Headmaster," one of them addressed Zell as he approached. "We've been informed that if the person doesn't show up, then we're to clean it all out by tomorrow."
Zell stalled as long as he could with a pause, then finally nodded, "It's here..." he reluctantly pointed to the door. They nodded at each other, pulled out a spiffy little key Zell was sure Commander Butthead had provided them with and inserted it right into a lock. After a twist and a click, the door was open and they stepped right inside.
"Well, Luigi," the larger man said to the taller, skinnier one. "Let's get the bed first. We can load the heavier things onto the truck, then get busy with the particulars." Zell sighed, arms crossed and faced away--he couldn't watch this. The two men walked over to the bed, each grabbing the opposite end and with an effort, lifted it up from it's place. They'd only pulled the bed up about a foot when they heard a voice.
"What are you doing with my things?" Zell blinked, looked up, and suddenly became aware that Zeku...no...Lina was standing next to him. He had to blink again before he allowed himself to smile--she came back. She was staring straight past Zell to the men holding her bed. "Drop it." The men did as they were told and the bed hit the ground with a small thump. They grumbled something under their breathes, then left, the shorter one rubbing his back in irritation. Only a moment after the two men left did Zell and Lina allow themselves to breathe.
"You came back..." Zell said. Lina chuckled, crossed her arms, and shifted her weight to her right heel. "Are you staying?"
"I want to keep my room," she said, grinning. Zell laughed, then hugged her, taking in everything about this embrace the best he could. "Thanks for bringing me back, Zell." Selphie and Irvine were the first to be coincidentally walking by the door, and the second they saw Lina, they freaked out.
"LINA! LINALINALINALINA!" Selphie screamed so loud that they were sure everyone in Garden could hear her. Everyone else quickly followed them into the room after they heard Selphie's yelp. Lina would have said something like "hi" or "hey there", but Dan and Karen gave her no opportunity to. They charged in and almost attacked her. Lina had to struggle not to topple over from their forceful group hug.
Everyone came around and gave Lina a little hug, whispered a little "welcome back" in her ear, then backed away and stood stiff. Lina thought this behavior strange--especially Irvine's peculiar "welcome back" message. He gave her a big bear hug as his informal greeting, but while he was doing so whispered to her, "Don't be too disappointed, Lina...I really believe in you two. I do...I think it was all a big mistake."
While he pulled away, Lina could only stare in wonder and whisper back, "What are you talking about, Irvy?" Dan and Karen quickly rushed out of the room as someone else stepped in.
"Who's that?" a girl was standing in the doorway. She fluttered her mascara smothered eyelashes and struck a pose that was--if anything--seductive. This girl was physically fit--all curves flattering, and she knew it. It was present through the way she dressed--full out. Zell flinched at her voice, Lina could tell. His entire body grew rigid and he took a small step away from Lina. Lina was more than obliged to look at him for an explanation. He took a deep breath, not making eye contact with her.
"Carri...this is Lina. She's my friend. Lina... this is Carri...she's...my girlfriend."
Lina fixed her eyes on Carri. She wasn't expecting this...