*claps* very good :)
The fact that I got through the whole thing means that I liked it enough to continue--trust me, that's so rare!
Everyone was in character which can be very hard! (Well, ok, Ellone was out of character, but I still liked it so it was good)
Grammar was pretty good, very few typos
I like Selphie and Rinoa's friendship and how Squall and Rinoa slowly fell for each other

I guess one thing I didn't quite feel was the fire or the suspense. Me going "Oh...My...God...what the hell's gonna happen?!" but I still squealed so you get points for that! The omg thing is actually even rarer than me reading a fanfic through--I've only done it for 4 Squinoa fics (two written by the same author) if you want examples: The Force by Peridotaurora and Lost Memories of my Love by lil doro
Don't get me wrong, you're fanfic is one of my favorites out of the Squinoa I've read, trust me--it's really good!
I'm looking forward to reading your sequel :)

Hm, kind of random ending but since there is a sequel then I guess it's okay lol That's cool Selphie joined SeeD, I knew she could do more with herself :) But I am curious to know how Irvine feels about it and if they are still dating since it will clearly be long distance now.I guess I'll have to check out your sequel when I get a chance! Despite the length of this fic it never once got boring or started dragging so excellent job on that. It helpd my attention the whole way through. Overall this story was awesome, great job and thanks for completing it! ^_^

Lol I loved that last line about Rinoa's love life never being classy before so why start now? hahaha So they've finally gotten their feelings out in the open :) I'm glad Ellone is okay too.

Finally! Rinoa's seen the light! Okay, maybe that's a little dramatic but still lol It's about time she wanted to step up to the plate and decide for herself where she's going in life and how she's going to get there etc. I also enjoyed learning things we didn't know about that happened earlier in the story. Like how Ellone gave Squall the advice to be patient with her and explained that she was a normal 17 yr old and not a SeeD. I also liked learning about how Squall's opinion of Rinoa has been turned around and how he compared the way he originally thought of her to the he thought of her now. It was a good way to explain things, how she wasn't being a wild child, she was just getting out there and trying everything in case it disappeared again. Very good way of looking at it.

I forgot to mention that Ellone's card was pretty fun (her b-day card from a couple of chapters or so ago). And I know how you feel about writing about work, I do it all the time myself with my fanfics lol I worked at Target for 4 years while in college and stuff that happened there always tends to find its way into my stories. But people love drama and the place was full of it so it worked hehehehe

Anyway, back to this chapter. They finally kissed! whoot whoot! Very sweetly done :) I can't believe how gutsy Rinoa was! They really are adorable aren't they? Even though they are just characters from a video game lol

Oh, man! This chapter was kind of intense! I was glad that Rinoa sent Seifer that text, definitely made it looked like he wasn't worth her time as she was off having fun and I was REALLY glad that she socked him in the eye like that! Thank you! It was nice that Squall wanted to defend her honor or whatnot but nothing really strikes it home when the person having the problem takes it into their own hands like that. I can't believe Seifer would even think he should bother coming! And the worst part is that guys like him are a dime a dozen! It's like what are you mental or something? Why would you think we are cool after the way you treated me but for some reason they think that way. Dumbasses -_-

I feel bad for Selphie though, even if Rinoa wanted to go with Seifer she didn't want to double date with them, she wanted to be alone with Irvine, who had been doing so well too. What a bonehead move. And now how akward since Rinoa didn't want to come with them. Now it's them and Seifer, classic case of being a third wheel. Sucks for Selphie, she just wanted a little romance with her boyfriend ;_; And I can't believe Ellone was in a car accident! That's terrible, poor Squall! And she just got her license and her car too. I really hope she okay . . . Squall's gonna be happy he has Rinoa there for him now, I'm sure.

I forgot to mention in the last chapter that I totally agree with you on the whole "you won't appreciate a good guy unless you've gone through some bad ones." And Zell is such a goon, I can't believe he didn't know what had happened to Rinoa at Seifer's house by the time he left Squall's office. I was surprised in that chapter at how well Squall was taking Rinoa's intimate time with Seifer since he can't stand Seifer and he likes Rinoa now. I am glad that he doesn't think less of her now for making a mistake like that. So Selphie's only staying 3 days then, huh? I figured Irvine wouldn't be happy that she was taking off without him for long. Boyfriends are so silly like that lol You should have seen how distraught my fiance was when I decided to go to Japan for 2 weeks with 3 of my friends lol And it looks like Quistis is ratting Squall out, uncool man . . .

Yay, Selphie's coming! I wasn't surprised since I saw in your profile that she's, like, your all time favorite character lol I really liked Selphie too :) And it seems that Squall has feelings for Rinoa now for sure. Yayness! lol It's cute that he feels a desire to include her in his life and have her approve of what he does and who he is. When that happens you know your feelings are more than a simple crush or something. I do wonder myself what Zell and Qusitis are going to think when Squall shows up with Rinoa by choice . . . Hm, it should be interesting.

Oh Rinoa, so foolish to waste such an intimate act (espcially her first) on some one like Seifer. It's such a shame when people do that, it makes me sad ;_; And it ** me off too when you get a ride with friends and they leave you somewhere! I NEVER go to the bars unless I drive myself b/c I don't want to get stuck there, get left there, or get driven by someone whose been drinking! I don't drink so I know I'll be straight to drive. So many times I've been Squall in that situation, the only person people can call to help them out but it gets old . . . But at least Rinoa had him to rely on. I don't know why she bothered to ask Seifer for a ride though, he was still too wasted to drive any where anyway. And thank goodness he used a condom! It takes 2 people to have sex so it's amazing how many times the act happens without protection! It's like come on! Of the 2 of you not one of you could think to use one? It's not rocket science people -_- Seifer might be a a stupid jerk but at least he was smart enough to bust out a rubber, I will give him that. And I can't believe that Squall asked Rinoa if she wanted to come to Balamb! So sweet! He doesn't want to be apart from her either, yay! :)

I'm with Squall, that popchoc sounds kind of gross lol Although he did end up eating it anyway hehe The fact that she bought him fruit was pretty funny lol The Squinoa in this chapter was cute :)

And the title of the fic finally came into play. Great analogy btw, Squall's comparison of Rinoa to the doll in her music box was really good. Then again, so was her comparison of Squall to the box lol It looks like Squall is finally starting to feel attracted to Rinoa, so cute *_*

I really like the idea you have for this story, it's very realistic (well, minus the whole "Dad hiring SeeDs to babysit, that'd be like hiring the FBI or James Bond to watch your teen lol). With the kind of characters that were in FF8, it's the perfect fandom for a story about friendship and how it can make or break us. It's such a good message, I love it. And it's so true. People seem to make the stupidest decissions simply b/c their friends encourage them. Seifer might not be a really good guy underneath, I have to read farther to find out, but I'm sure Selphie's actually not a bad person, she just needs some direction. And you can have friends like that if you are a strong willed person. I did, a bunch of kids I grew up with became big potheads and boozers. I still talk to them from time to time but I've never had a joint or even been drunk. You really don't have to join the activities to be apart of the crowd, you just need to know how to balance it and stay on track while they sway if that makes sense. If there's anything Squall and the others need to teach Rinoa it's that. It's tough growing up, so hopefully Rinoa gets her head on straight. Anyway I'm really enjoying this story and I just thought I'd mention that :)

Second time reading through this story. =) the first time I read it I just thought that it was another wonderful story to read and something very original. But the second time around I read this story and had a lot of times where I felt I could put myself into Rinoa's shoes. More times than I did the first time around and it was so strange because I'm now with someone who is absolutely wonderful to me after someone who wasn't good. I don't know a lot of strange coincidences that were really good to read for me to realize a lot of things. haha sorry if that doesn't make a lot of sense but just know that this story now holds a very special place in my heart =)

Two Words: So Cute!
:D I loved that story, it was so amazing :D

I'll be reading part two soon - I just need to yeah, go to sleep cos I'm ill and reading your stories! :D
Nice work!
-rinnyheartillyizawesome

I dont feel like logging in XD
But I gotta review this one..
I LOVE ZELL! XD
And its a good thing my girlfriend is british - cos you use some English terms. In the last chapter you said chips and cheese - took me a while to put it in American, fries. XD

But yahoo! XD
Love it :)
-rinnyheartillyizawesome