Beauty as a virtue

AN: In this chapter there will be a lot of switching back from the book to the story.

I hope it's not confusing =).

Authors Ramblings: I know it may be confusing, but bear with me please =)

I'll try and make it so that there's little confusion possible.

Oh, and another thing, no it's not a real book, but I wish it was!

Inspiration: All of the wonderful reviews of course. Keep em' coming please!

Characters in Book:

Tristan- Charles Quinn

Rory- Isabella Novalee

Cilia- Lorelai

Vivian- Emily

Victor- Tristans father

David/Rory-Isabella's fiancée

More Rambling:

Some of you say this chapter is missing so I'm posting it again.

CH 4

Peel my orange

……………………

 Tristan shrugged, "well maybe it's because he's scared."

She narrowed her eyes, "scared of what?"

"Scared of rejection," he continues, "so he puts on this act, and if he fails at swooning her then it was just one big joke."

-

The memory continued to distract her- from the moment he had left the night before-to the moment she had entered class to find him seated in the chair beside her usual one. Occasionally her eyes would glance over him, quickly enough for him not to notice; at least Rory thought he hadn't noticed.  She had little idea why she was indulging in his words…except for her mothers' ridiculous comment about liking him. Ridiculous…Was it?

"Ms Gilmore? Would you like to share your thoughts with the class or shall I continue?" The teacher cleared his throat interrupting Rory from her previous thoughts.

Of course she blushed, and shook her head slowly. "I'm sorry, I was just…"

He held up his hand, "your excuse won't be necessary Ms Gilmore."

Tristan shot an expressive glance Rory's way, mouthing something along the lines of 'dreaming about me Mar?'

She rolled her eyes, turning her attention to the teacher in front of her.

An amused smile could not be suppressed as she thought of how right Tristan really was- she had been thinking about him, but of course she would never let him know.

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"So Mar-," Tristan smiled, leaning up against the locker beside her own.

Rory smiled inwardly, only Tristan would make a nickname out of a nickname- excluding her mother of course.

"About that display in class," he continued, grinning like a fool.

"No Tristan," Rory cut in, shaking her head, "the only thoughts I would have of you are ways in making you disappear."

"Of course you would think that," he countered, "that way you know that no matter what I'll still be here."

She blinked, "what?"

He shrugged, "with you knowing what annoys me and what pisses me off, you know what not to do and let me tell you it works."

"Go away," she sighed, slamming her locker shut and heading toward the library.

Catching up to her, he pulled her close to him and whispered in her ear, "Do you really want that?"

She felt his hot breath on her skin and bit her bottom lip to suppress a small moan. Pushing him away, her face burned red as she avoided his piercing eyes. "Yes, that is what I want."

He nodded, disappointment masked by his façade. "Okay," he smiled softly, starting to walk backwards.

"Tris," Rory said quickly as if his name fell from her lips, "Um…your house tonight, right?"

Several heads turned in the hall way before Rory noticed she was speaking a bit too loudly.

"Oh Mary," his smirk enlarging, "do you even have to ask? Sometime I swear you think that I'm going to let you spend a night alone…"

Glaring daggers, she ignored the whispers that spread through the halls, and entered the library- her safe place.

Tristans' cocky beam faded as she disappeared, I'm such an asshole.

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It felt like hours before Rory noticed her cheeks' lightening to the right shade. Turning the cold water on in the bathroom, she splashed her face, and stared at her reflection once again.

Tristan

His name brought so many emotions to her- too many, she noted. Rolling her eyes, she patted her face dry and began to walk out of the bathroom.

Tristan had been waiting for her, leaning up against the wall for what felt an eternity.

At first she was stunned by his presence, but then angered as she tired walking past him.

"Rory," he called, gently holding onto her arm, "wait."

"Oh, so you do know my name?" she glared, pulling her arm away.

"Hey," he moved to pin her against the wall, "I just want to talk to you."

"Well, you don't have to be so close," she pushed him away, ignoring the sets of tingles that worked through her body whenever he shifted even slightly.

"Don't give me that," he rolled his eyes, "if I was to back up even a step you would be running for your dare life."

Nodding in agreement, she crosses her arms to her chest. "So go ahead, talk."

"I didn't meant to you know," he started, fumbling with his words. "I'm bad at this...Apologies never really were my thing."

"Yeah, I can tell," she shot back.

"Rory," he ran his fingers through his hair, "I didn't mean to embarrass you like that."

"You did not embarrass me."

"Yes I did, and I apologize," his words were sincere as he searched her eyes. "I can't help but be a smart ass sometime, you know?"

"Yeah," she loosened, "I know."

A genuine smile crossed his lips, and unconsciously, he reached a finger up to brush away a stray hair that fell upon her face. "So you forgive me?"

His smile was contagious as it spread across her lips as well, barely noticing his stare. "I don't know," she played.

He pouted, and brought his palm to her cheek. "Come on Mar…"

As she noticed that he touched her several times in the few minuets they had been talking, she cursed herself. "Under one condition," she smirked evilly, raising an eyebrow in the process.

"Name it," he licked his lips, inwardly holding him self back from just kissing her.

"You're my slave for a week."

"Four days."

"Six."

"Three."

"Five."

"Two."

"Alright, four," she sighed, smiling excessively.

"You drive a hard bargain Mary," he pretended to contemplate, "but I accept your offer."

She pushed him away, silently cursing herself once more-for letting the warmth that was extracted by his body get to her. "So…" 

"So…"

 She was certainly aware that everyone passing by had noticed the awkward position, but for once- she didn't care. "So," she handed her books to him, "my class will be starting in five minuets and I want to get there early."

He chuckled, and followed her to her class.

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Beauty as a Virtue

 … Quarrel …

Isabella fixed her gaze upon the night sky, grateful of the view from her balcony.

"Bella, what are you doing out her?" Cilia's' voice came as she wrapped her arms around her daughters' shoulders.

"Admiring the beautiful view," she said simply.

"It is beautiful," she shifted in position to look into Isabella's eyes. "Tell me what's wrong."

Isabella turned away, "Why would you assume there is something wrong?"

Cilia pursed her lips together, "because you have acted odd ever since your celebration."

"Were you in love with pa when you were married?"

The question came off as a bit of a shock to Cilia, who narrowed her eyes and sat beside Isabella. "Bella, why do you ask?"

"I want to know," Isabella pressed, "and I want the truth."

Cilia placed a hand over her daughters. "I loved your father dearly. He was a fine man, and I miss him terribly."

Isabella brought Cilia's hand to her lips, "I miss him too."

"He passed honorably Bella," she smiled, "he wouldn't have it another way than to die for his country."

"No, he wouldn't…"

Silence swept over them, until Cilia spoke.

"Why do you ask?"

Isabella softly sighed, "I am not in love with David, nor will I ever be."

Cilia nodded knowingly, and said, "I can see it in your eyes."

"What am I to do?" She replied, suppressing tears. "Grandmother would be displeased, and the wedding is in two weeks."

"What is in your heart Bella?"

-----

"I told you," Tristan cut Rory off, smiling, "she doesn't love David, he's way too bland."

"He is not bland," she rolled her eyes, "he's just…"

"Boring?"

Shrugging, she said, "Alright, he is bland isn't he?"

"Like a cardboard box," Tristan chuckled.

She laughed as well. "I'm hungry."

He rolled his eyes, "we ate an hour ago."

"So you see my point?"

"Okay," he sighed, pulling himself off the blue carpet that Rory was so fond of, "What do you want?"

"Um…" she paused, "got any fruit?"

"Wow…I'm surprised you don't want something that's high in grease and completely unhealthy," he said sarcastically.

"Hey, shut up," she pouted, "you know the Gilmore metabolism is really good, I can eat as much grease as I want, thank you very much."

"What about your mom and her excessive exercising?" he countered, smirking.

"It's her imagination," Rory yelled with a smile, "either that or she's starting to have bad memory loss; I hear getting old does that to you."

He laughed, and disappeared out of the room.

Thank goodness. She had to get him out of the room some how. He was distracting her, with his eyes and his smile and his… Whoa. Sheexhaled sharply, throwing herself down on Tristans pillows and closing her eyes. 'You so like him' her mothers' words taunted her, and she couldn't help but start to think that maybe she was right… No-Never, Tristan Dugrey is the last person on earth that I would like.

"You're highness," Tristan chuckled, stirring her from her thoughts.

She opened her eyes, and found herself staring into his. "What?"

"Um…your fruit?" he replied, placing a large plate beside her. "I didn't know what you wanted so I just got everything."

Smiling, she picked up an orange, examining it for no apparent reason. "Yeah, I would see why you would get everything, because you have no idea what kind of fruit I eat. Well, you don't know anything about me for that matter, so yeah…" she inwardly punched herself, stop babbling!

"I'm not even going to say anything," he pointed, "and only because, as a slave, it would be out of place."

She laughed, and looked back down at her orange. It's round and orange; - she made a mental note, trying to think of anything beside Tristan. Stop! You just broke up with Dean! When she looked back up she was staring once again into his blue eyes, and he was much-much closer than he had been a few seconds ago.

He traced the lines of her face with his eyes, and continued to move closer to her. If there was a time to kiss her, it would be now. Slowly, he leaned in                     and watched as she closed her eyes. Here it goes…

"Tristan," she caught herself, pulling away slightly, and holding up the fruit in her hand, "can you peel my orange?"

He just stared at her, bewildered, and backed away. "Sure um…"

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Can you be more of a cornball? Peel my orange? She thought about it the whole night, and was still thinking about it as they drove in silence. The weird part is Tristan was the one to suggest that she go home early, something about it being a school night. Had Tristan honestly tried to kiss her? It wasn't so much of a shock to her, him being who he is and all, but by the look in his eyes Rory knew that he actually wanted to kiss her. And that is why the long drive home consisted of nothing but uncomfortable silence.

"Here we are," the first words Tristan spoke in a while as he pulled up in front of her house, "See you in …"

His words were cut off by Rory's lips crushing against his, and even after he heard her pull away-say goodnight- and shut the car door, he sat astonished.

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TBC

AN: I want to apologize for one-asking for the fifteen reviews and for two-actually going through with the process. I really don't need to apologize to any of you, but to myself for not staying true to my work. I've always cared about reviews before, but not as much as now. Reviewer: thebeautifullypainfulretrospec- has brought to my attention that I have been trying to boost my ego, and although ashamed I won't deny it. This is true, I am trying to boost my ego for a slight reassurance, and I admit I am trying a little too hard. What can I say? I can't help it but want to feel special from time to time, truth be told I do fish for compliments. I am not writing this Authors note to receive any kind of pity or what not, just bringing the subject out in the open. Thank you for those of you who have stayed honest with me, and from now on there's no pressure.

AN 2: I want to point out one thing about chapter three. I got a review from 'Carleymarie' stating that I need to use a calculator because Lorelai and Rory's little conversation about the study session is incorrect, but she is wrong. Here's the convo:

Overpowered, Rory said, "Okay, it was like seventy-five percent full."

"Seventy-five," Lorelai gasped, happily, "out of a hundred?"

"Out of a hundred and ten," she admitted, blushing slightly.

Lorelai squealed, "So what did you do during the other thirty-five percent, huh?"

-If you read carefully you would see where Rory says that it's seventy five out of a hundred and ten. Now I admit I am not a genius at math, but I do know that 110-75 is thirty five. Thank you for trying to point out the pointless…

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P.S Sorry if there is an enormous amount of spelling mistakes!