Chapter Four-Tristan

Joey and I arrived to school late as usual the next morning. It was well worth it, when my pal told me how much Serenity had enjoyed herself the night before. Joey swore Serenity was talking like we'd gone on a date, but his sister insisted still that we were just friends. I could only hope that maybe somewhere inside, she really did like me like that.

"Mr. Taylor, would you please tell me what chapter we're on?"

My history teacher was standing over my desk, looking particularly annoyed.

"Uh…yeah…. Chapter seven, Ma'm." I said, guessing as usual. History was my worst subject.

"Lucky guess. Might I suggest you actually paying attention for a change?" My teacher spun on her heels, and returned to the chalkboard, and I returned to my fantasy about Serenity.

"Tristan? Hey Tristan." Tea broke into my fantasy next, to my annoyance.

"What is it??" I demanded.

"Oh…Sorry. I didn't mean to bother you. I was just wondering if you were coming with us to the library again today."

"Well, I hadn't planned on it…"

"Serenity will be there." Tea added now.

Man! Does everyone know about me and Serenity?! "Sure. I'll come." I replied with a bright smile. Another study session with sweet Serenity.

"Great!" Tea smiled too, and left, as the bell rang to dismiss us for lunch.

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The sight that met me in the courtyard was infuriating. What does he think he's doing? I watched through narrowed eyes, as Duke brought Serenity an extra carton of milk. Serenity smiled, and thanked him.

"It's hard isn't it?" Joey walked up beside me now, watching his little sister. "One minute, you're teachin' her how to take a bus, next thing you know, guys are all over her."

"Yeah….." I replied vaguely. Joey knew of my crush on Serenity. Why was he tormenting me this way? "Joey, Duke's not right for her, man! You know what a manipulative creep he can be!"

"If Serenity's happy, that's all that matters to me, Tristan." Joey replied. "Besides, you're more like a second brother to her anyway."

"Say what?! Did she tell you that herself?!"

"Of course. You didn't actually think she liked you like…. You did! Oh man, I'm sorry, Tristan."

"It's okay. I'm not going to give up hope. There's more to me than she knows about anyway." I walked over to Yugi's table with Joey now, and made sure to get a good seat where I could keep an eye on the Duke/Serenity action.

"You know, spying on her won't make Serenity like you any more than she already does." Joey advised. There was a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"And not spying on Duke won't help me find out why she likes him better than me." I countered.

"Leave the girl alone, Tristan. Let her eat in peace." Tea put in now. "You could always ask her later at the library."

Ask her directly? Are they insane? That'd make me seem like a jerk! I'd rather suffer in silence. Then again, if I'm truly just in the friend zone, I could ask, right? I sighed deeply,and poked at my now cold lunch.

I was still undecided by the end of the day. We all gathered in the library, where I was sure to take a seat close to Serenity. If I was going to ask her, I wouldn't be passing notes, that were for sure. I had just set my mind to asking Serenity about the whole Duke thing, when to my frustration, Serenity came up to the table with Duke on her arm! Oh no! Don't tell me they're going out! I glanced at Joey, whose jaw was dropped as well. I asked him silently if he'd known and my buddy shook his head.

"Hey guys. I was wondering if it would be okay if Duke studied with us."

There was a momentary silence, before Tea broke it. "Sure! We could use him." The smile on Serenity's face was priceless. I actually felt warm, because she seemed so happy. That should've been me, man!! Duke's going to pay for this! I swear! What made matters worse were that Duke sat down in the seat beside me, and actually gloated! I'm not normally the jealous type, really. But at that moment, I wanted nothing more than to knock his perfect teeth in!