The Narrative is all a matter of perspective. If you try to hate the game, it's easy to just say "This doesn't make sense, so it sucks" Even when if you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Sometimes you can go through, think it's just a jumbled mess, and then
suddenly you fit the pieces together to get the whole picture. Even VIII's story can be wonderfully refreshing provided you interpret what happens in your own way.
My Personal excuse actually has quite a bit of evidence attached to it. During the attack on Balamb Garden by Galbadia Garden, Rinoa has shown plenty of interest in Squall. She even requested a copy made of Squall's right, and even in the midst of battles, asks for it's name (Which you promptly do on the naming screen). Squall, up to this point has shown no interest in women in general, let alone Rinoa herself (I mean, heck, he practically pushed Quistis off of himself right after the SeeD Ball). Up until the fight against Edea, he's never given a second thought about anything but his mission, and his partners incompetence. Que Disk Change, and the first thing we see is him losing his shit all over Rinoa's coma.
There was a significant change here. This change however is something we don't learn until just before the end of disk three - that Rinoa became a Sorceress.
Sorceresses in this game have demonstrated a unique talent for manipulating the minds of ordinary people. This is the main reason why they are feared. This also is why Ulty manages to Convince Seifer to join her and become loyal to her, despite loyalty being one of the many concepts Seifer never grasps. This is the only explanation for the scene in Deling where Rinoa seems possessed and follows Edea onto the balcony. Not to mention how everyone cheers for her speech even though it is mostly comprised of threats to murder everyone (accompanied by an actual murder, no less.)
Squall's falling for Rinoa, and indeed this whole love plot in FFVIII is nothing more than Rinoa on some subconscious level forcing Squall to have feelings for her that he under normal circumstances will never have for anyone.
Remember the Ball Scene? The one where she playfully and innocently cast a spell on Squall to make him fall in love with her?
Yeah.
