Life's Lessons on Stress

by Nona Mae King

  ~*~

  Janine looked over as I entered her classroom on the second floor. She smiled and took her feet down from her desk, sitting up in her chair. "Hey, Sally. How's life in security?"

  I felt like I hadn't stopped smiling since yesterday. "Good. I talked to Seifer about Ahndra and found out that she really does respect me. She just didn't know that I needed to know that." I sat in the straight-back chair to the right of Janine's desk. "I mean, she thought I already knew because of all the high-priority things she assigned to me. That and she said she's really nice to me." I giggled.

  "Sounds like you love your job now," Janine said, and I could hear the amusement in her voice.

  "Oh I liked it before. I just wasn't handling the stress very well. Zell already gets on me about taking things too personal. I'm getting better, but sometimes I can't help it."

  Janine chuckled. "Sal, you are too cute for words."

  I flushed and then presented her the card in my hand. "I wanted to give you this before I forgot. I meant to give it to you yesterday, but then the whole thing with Ahndra came up."

  Janine accepted the card and opened it. "Birthday party? Of course I'll be there!" She looked up. "Can I hitch a ride with you and Zell? I'm not really sure where everything is yet."

  I nodded. "Sure. And it's not until next month, so you have time to make sure you don't have anything else to do."

  "Thanks, Sal. I appreciate the invite."

  I smiled. "You're welcome. I'm just really glad you can come. I don't know how many people are really going to answer my invitation. I don't make friends very easy. Comes from being shy."

  Janine looked surprised. "You're kidding, right? Sal, you're a doll! Everyone at Garden knows who you are and can't wait to find out if they're invited to your party!"

  My eyes widened. "What?"

  Janine laughed. "Oh my gods! You really have no idea how popular you are, do you?"

  "Popular? Me?"

  "Damn. That is the funniest thing I've heard all day," she howled.

  I flushed red. "Hey. Stop teasing me," I protested, but I didn't even convince myself. Popular? Since when? I haven't really done anything.

  Janine smiled at me. "Sorry, Sal. Really. But, yeah, I'll be there. Who else are you inviting?"

  I peered up at the ceiling in concentration as I counted them off on my fingers. "Marshal, Val, Mark and his mom Francine, Ahndra, Quistis, my brother Zack, my parents, Zell's ma, Commander Squall, Headmaster Cid, Selphie, Lt. Commander Xu, Sub-Lt. Cmdr. Seifer--"

  Janine repeated "Seifer?"

  I nodded as I focused on her. "He's my boss, Janine. Shouldn't I invite him if I'm inviting everyone else?"

  She smirked. "Of course, Sal. I'm just wondering if a busy guy like him will go."

  I lowered my gaze to my hands. "Yeah. I know. Zell already said that Seifer told him he was really busy." I sighed. "At least he said he would check his schedule."

  "I'm sure he'll do his best to come. He's not all bad," Janine offered.

  I lifted my eyes and giggled. "Of course not. He's just got a hard job." I wish I could give him a vacation. But he wouldn't let me take any of his work.

  Janie smirked. "Tell you what, birthday girl. How about you and me make a date of going to Deling to get you a hot dress to wear to the party? Something that'll make that man of yours drop dead."

  I giggled again. "That sounds like fun, only we better keep it a secret from Zell. He likes going shopping!"

  Janine laughed. "That's the funniest damn thing I've heard all day."

  I smiled and then motioned behind me. "I better go. I was up here anyway dropping off some reports for Quistis, so I thought I'd stop in and say 'hi'."

  Janine lifted the card. "Thanks again, Sal. How about we get together next weekend to go shopping?"

  I nodded as I backed toward the door. "Okay. Can we bring Selphie and Rinoa? They'll kill me if I don't at least ask." Sorry, Zell, but this is a surprise for you.

  Janine chuckled. "Sure, sure. The more the merrier."

  I smiled brightly and pushed the button. The door slid open. "Oh." I turned back to face her. "And Janine? You look really pretty today."

  Janine softly smiled. "Thanks, Sal. I feel really pretty today."

  I crinkled my eyes and nose at her before turning and exiting the classroom. Zell was right. Janine Larabie was a 'killer replacement'.

  (AUTHOR’S NOTE: to read more about Seifer and Janine, read The Reluctant Knight)