--sneaks back in hoping no one really noticed the fact that she hadn't written anything in almost a year-- I'm really sorry! This is all because of you Arania Alladel finally making me feel guilty enough about having ignored my writings. But I have everything written now. So all I have to do is type it up. And I will. I promise. I'm really sorry it's been so long everyone and since it has... It's a bit longer. And without me stalling anymore, since I've been doing it for quite some time... Here you go.

Chapter 5

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Monday, December the 23rd 10:14pm

-Duke's POV-

Maybe I shouldn't go. This is causing far too much stress for me to handle. I've even begun to blow up at the smallest of things. Like buttons.

I glare at the shirt I hold, now missing a button. The offending piece of plastic now resides on the other side of the room, where I threw it. I was trying to be nice, but when it wouldn't button, I had no choice. It had to learn its place. And now the shirt I was going to wear is unwearable. So that means the 2 hours I spent trying to find an outfit are wasted. I'll have to start over.

There is really no way that any boy can be worth all of this trouble...

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Monday, December the 23rd 10:18pm

-Tristan's POV-

"Is it festive enough without looking silly or overly ... anything?" I asked Blanky. I'm not sure why I'm asking my dog about my fashion choices, but my sister isn't here to pester and wouldn't want my mom to think anything was up.

I stare at my jeans and green long-sleeve shirt. You'll probably be wearing something flashy and cool. I wrinkle my nose at how boring my clothes are. But hey, I do have a motorcycle.

Motorcycle! I jump up and run out of my room to see if my mother has a box for your gift. I still have no clue when to give it to you, but I will.

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Thursday, December the 24th 3:54pm

-Duke's POV-

Well, I finally decided on a nice outfit and I'm actually outside of Kaiba's mansion. It's too late to back out now, huh? Besides, I told you I would go. And I told myself I would tell you that I liked you so I could get all over this.

Gathering my resolve I walk through the open gate and wave the invitation at the cronies who are standing in the driveway making sure no one comes in that shouldn't. Shame they couldn't throw me out so I don't have to go. But when I see your bike parked near the garage, I almost want to torture myself by going. Why yes, I am a masochist, why do you ask?

Without even a knock the door opens and, what I can only assume is a butler, ushers me in and begins walking down a large hall and stops outside of a rather sizable room that is spectacularly decorated.

"Here you are sir," the man says and then leaves. I feel bad for him, being forced to work for Kaiba. That has to be why he looks like he just ate a lemon. Or maybe he really did just eat a lemon and I interrupted his snack...

"Duke!" a voice calls out and I snap out of my thoughts to see Yuugi coming over. I will not scan the room to find you. I will not scan the room to find you.

"How's it going Yuugi?"

"Great now that you're here!" he said grinning. "I almost didn't think you would show," he added, laughing.

Trying to push aside the small amount of guilt at the fact that I had almost done just that, I smile at my small friend and look around the room. "Did everyone else arrive before me?" I ask, taking in the elaborate decorations.

"Yep!" Yuugi pipes up. "Come on!" He grabs my sleeve and pulls me further into the room. Maybe this won't be so bad.

As I allow myself to be led in the direction of the food and drinks table I say my hellos to the whole gang, including Mai even. I'm sure that was Joeys doing, as he never lets an opportunity go by to try and one up Mai. I don't really know why he tries. She has a brain, he doesn't. She's already won.

"Hey Duke," you voice filters through my thoughts and I stop mentally making fun of Joey.

"Tristan, hey." Oh sure Duke. You don't sound like an idiot Maybe I can say that I just dropped by to say hi to everyone, s sorry but I must be going, got lots of work to do.

"I'm glad you could make it," you comment, handing me a cup of punch as you look at everybody talking. ""You must be real busy with work and all since it's Christmas."

The dark green of your shirt contrasts well with your eyes and I hear myself answering, "No, not too busy that I can't take off and spend time with friends." Good one Duke. Now you can't leave.

I drink some of my punch to cover my mental thrashing of myself. I really am so stupid. I think Joey might even have one on me. Looking out at the group I can't help but smile.

Kaiba is alternating sulking at Yuugi, who is talking animatedly with Mokuba, and Joey, who is trying desperately to show Mai how much better than her he is. She's ignoring him beautifully, talking to Tea. Malik is sitting off to the side, seemingly engrossed by something Ryou is saying, who is blushing, probably out of embarrassment of having such an intense listener paying such close attention. In fact, if he moved a little closer that would almost be kissi-

"Duke!"

"Hm?" I look around quickly. "Oh, sorry," I mumble. You're looking at me and trying not to laugh. Cringing, I wonder how many times you said my name.

You chuckle and probably repeat yourself. "I'm going to go keep Joey from looking like too much of an idiot."

"Too late for that," I mutter, grinning at you. After you walk off I decided I might as well do some mixing too. I head over in Kaiba's general direction. Surely I can find something to talk with him about...surely.

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Tuesday, December the 24th 5:26pm

-Tristan's POV-

My attempt to keep Joey some dignity failed and I haven't found much of a chance to talk to you. First you were talking to Kaiba, then you were explaining the new expansion pack you have in the works to Mokuba. Then Mokuba wanted everyone to decorate Christmas cookies.

Since he was going to take them to his old orphanage for the children who still hadn't been adopted, even you couldn't refuse such a Christmas activity.

And now. Now the girls want to dance, and Mai picked you. It looked like you were unwilling, but I bet she would have none of that. Plus I'm sure she did it to piss off Joey. I just hope she doesn't pick me.

Hoping to avoid this same fate, I stealthily make my way over to where the couches are and examine the bookshelves behind them. I'm sure Kaiba has a few more books than me, but there are some in this section that I recognize. I must be in the 'Classics' section.

A hand reaches across my shoulder and pulls out a book as I'm bending own to read more titles. I stand up in shock and then turn around, flinching, when I feel the book hit my shoulder and am surprised to see you.

"Sorry," we both say we crouch to pick up the book. I stop as you reach for it and rise, grinning sheepishly.

You stand and grin back. "I shouldn't have snuck up behind you," you say turning the book over in your hands. I look down at the movement and catch the title.

"Lord of the Rings?" I ask pointing at the book in your hands.

Looking down, you flip a few of the beginning pages. "Yeah," you answer. "I was just wondering what edition he had." Closing the book, you put it back in its place.

"My father had one of the first editions ever printed here." You lean against the bookcase and watch as Malik tries to get out of dancing with Mai.

"A first edition?! Do you still have it?" I ask, wondering what changes might have occurred during the printing of the different editions.

"It got burnt in the fire," you say simply, and I immediately regret asking.

Hoping to still keep some form of conversation going I plow on. "My dad read The Hobbit to me when I was 6. That got me to read Lord of the Rings when I got older."

You look at me thoughtfully. "You know, I've never read the Hobbit."

Never read it?! How awful! How could you have not read the book that started-

"Tristan," a female's voice interrupts my rantings.

I try not to pale as I turn from you and see Tea. Yuugi managed to slip her grip. "Sorry Tea, but Duke and I were-"

"Don't worry about it," you say, pushing me slightly towards her, blocking yourself from her view. So now I'm just a shield from you having to dance with her? Alright Duke. I'll make this sacrifice. But you so owe me now.

Okay... still doing well? I'll get the next part typed up this week. It's the part where stuff finally happens!! Well.... stuff has always been happening, but this is like woah stuff! ... and stuff... right. Anyway, please review so I can make sure I still have people reading this and you didn't all leave me because school and life went nutso. I have week old Christmas cookies.... --looks hopeful--