Tristan had his grin readily placed on his face the next afternoon when he sauntered to Tara's locker. When she saw him, her eyes showed a flick of hesitancy but it was quickly shadowed by indifference.
"How are we doing today?" he asked, smoothly lifting her books out of her hands and tucking them under his arm.
"Fine. They weren't really upset." She cleared her throat and questioningly looked at her books.
He nodded. "Great."
"Uh, what are you-?" but before she could finish her question, Tristan placed his free hand carelessly around her shoulder and started steering her forward.
"I'm walking you to class, of course." He grinned.
"I'm capable of doing that myself, thanks." Tara raised her eyebrows.
"Aw too late, we're here already." He gave a half shrug, opened the door for her, slid the books back into her arms, and blew her a kiss. "I'll see you later." He laughed at her flabbergasted expression and couldn't help but lean over and ruffle her hair. "You're adorable when you're confused."
"Excuse me?" she gaped.
Tristan didn't answer her as he strode back to his friends and headed to class himself with a twinkle in his eyes.
As the dismissal bell rang that day, Tristan cheerfully leaned against Tara's locker after getting his backpack. She still looked a bit on the confused side.
"Hey there, my sexy brunette." He flashed her a brilliant smile.
Which obviously didn't work at all on her. "What's with you today?" she said suspiciously.
"Do you always get so paranoid when someone's nice to you?" he asked.
"Yes." She answered unabashed. "Because they almost always have a hidden agenda."
"Awww. Tara, girl, you really need to get out more." He shook his head. "Wanna go out with me tonight?"
"No." Tara blurted automatically. After a second though, she slowly added, "I mean, I'd just better not."
"If it's because of the company you'll be in, I swear I'll be on my best behaviour." He joked.
"It's not you, you twit." She rolled her eyes.
"Are you sure?" he countered. "I know I'm not on your favourite list of people, but I think it'd be fun. And I want to change your opinion of me."
You already have. "Listen, I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" she shook her head.
"Or you could see me tonight." Tristan smirked.
"You've been trying to get me to go out with you for almost a month. What makes you think I'm going to change my mind tonight?" she said logically, a slightly apologetic smile lingering on her lips. "I'll see you later."
The blonde's smirk widened as he walked her retreating back. "Sure you will. Three hours later, to be exact." He smiled under his breath and grabbed his cell phone, ready to get in his possession the thing that he knew she would not be able to say no to.
Ah yes, being rich and the heir to a very influential family had its benefits.
It was now six o'clock and Tristan was in his car, earpiece in place, a certain girl's number dialling. A self-satisfied smile shining off his face, he drummed his fingers lightly against the steering wheel as he waited for her to pick up.
"Hello?" ah, there was his damsel now.
"Hi," he smiled, wondering if she would recognize the voice.
"I-you, what do-" she spluttered uncertainly on her end before settling on, "Why are you calling?"
"Because I'm the wonderful Tristan Dugrey and I'm going to take you out tonight." He answered.
"Oh." Her voice was distracted. "Tristan." And was that relief? "I told you no."
"Do you want to see a movie with me tonight?" he asked as if he hadn't heard her.
"I don't think that would be a good idea." She let out, strained patience in her voice.
Oh it was so much fun annoying her. "No?" he said innocently.
"No." Tara stated very firmly.
"'Cause, well, I sort of have these two tickets to this movie already purchased and I thought you'd might like to see this." He said, happily preparing to spill the news that he was sure would get a more interested response than what he had been getting.
"Then it's a shame you had to waste your cash." He'd been expecting that response.
"Yeah, and it would be a waste. I don't much like what's-his-name Bloom, but they're having that thing in Hartford tonight, and I think he'll be there to promote his film. Too bad I don't know any other-"
But Tristan wasn't able to finish that sentence because the words had finally sunk into Tara's ears and she let out a very loud squeak. "Are you, you couldn't possibly be- the premiere?" she tentatively breathed.
"That's the one. But I shouldn't have asked. I mean, you don't want to go with me. A shame. I'm so close too. Are you sure you don't want to come?" he was nothing short of gleeful now.
A strangled yelp escaped Tara's end of the line and he heard something drop. A scrape of a chair… And then Tara's high pitched, "You've got to be kidding-"
"Do you want to come?" he said again.
If he hadn't known any better, he'd say that the noise that pierced through the air next was a squeal. With a smirk, Tristan heard the phone click and knew that was a yes.
Fifteen minutes later, Tristan pulled up to her driveway and rang her doorbell. He heard another crash before the door was flung open.
"For any future reference, this is not me giving in or being bribed, or losing any of my respect and I still think you're a caveman." Tara said coolly.
"Dually noted." Tristan nodded with a smirk.
"…Okay, great, let's go!" she beamed, her composure broken.
Tristan helped her to the car, shaking his head. "You are a big fan, aren't you?"
"There is very little I wouldn't do to meet Orlando Bloom," she exclaimed, "Including an evening with the spawn of Satan himself." She couldn't help but add that in, but she was grinning nonetheless. "How'd you know I was a fan of his, anyways?"
"Please. Like I wouldn't notice that calendar you have of him in your locker." He laughed. She sheepishly shrugged and started drumming her fingers randomly on the dashboard.
"I don't think I've ever seen you so excited." He smiled.
"That's because I've never been." She answered happily. When he finally pulled into a parking lot, she was practically jumping in her seat.
Through the sidelines they saw a few stars come down, but the girl beside him ignored them, staring intently at the curb. And then…
"OH MY GOD!" she shrieked. With a roughness he didn't think she had, Tara yanked on Tristan's arm and jabbed madly. "There he is! There he is!" Tristan winced as he soon saw that she wasn't the only one who realized that fact. A wave of screams overtook the atmosphere and Tristan was immensely thankful that he had the presence of mind to bring earplugs.
And then the handsome British actor started walking closer to Tristan and Tara's perch and all hell broke loose. Tara had brought a poster and a book about him to be autographed and he watched in amusement as she squirmed around other fans and waved frantically at Bloom. Tristan watched as the curly heartthrob strode over directly in front of Tara and bent down.
"Hello," he smiled. "How are you tonight?"
"Great!" Tara enthusiastically responded, "I love your work, you're an amazing actor, could you sign this please?" He smiled and signed the poster and gave her a quick peck on the cheek, thanked her for her words, and efficiently moved on through the crowd. He locked gazes with Tristan, who gave him a sympathetic look, and shook his hand.
"Holy crap man, you'd think Jesus himself was here," Tristan couldn't help but laugh. Bloom grinned and shook his head before a tide of girls pulled on his sleeve to get his attention.
"Hope you like the movie," he called over his shoulder to Tristan before greeting other eager fans.
Tara skipped back over and giddily started recounting exactly what happened, despite the fact that he had been standing less than a foot away.
"Tara," Tristan finally stopped her, "I think you're forgetting something." She was craning her neck, trying to see if Bloom was coming back. Tristan lightly pulled her in the other direction, to which he got his arm batted away.
"We can't leave yet, he might come back!" she protested desperately.
"Tara." He gave her an exasperated look and brandished his tickets. "The night's barely begun, we're not one of the people here to just stand at the side and leave before the movie starts. We have tickets. To the premiere. We're going inside. And hey, let's go get him to sign that book of yours too." Her eyes lit up and she grabbed his hand and sprinted off to the doors.
It was a hectic but very funny night. Tara did see Orlando again and get that second autograph, not to mention a hug and another kiss on the cheek. Tristan got a camera thrown at him so he took some photos. And right before Orlando was going to walk off again, Tara blurted that she thought he was 'Damn fucking orgasmic looking'. It A) caused her to turn beat red and made her highly embarrassed B) Caused Tristan to almost kill himself laughing C) invoked a surprised guffaw from Orlando Bloom himself, as well as a 'Thanks, I think you're quite good looking yourself, love.' And he rubbed her back, and enveloped her in another half hug because she was looking so mortified ('Don't worry, that was a very tame comment next to a few of the things other women have screamed at me.').
The movie wasn't bad, and it was the first time he had gotten to see Tara with all her guards down. She was happy, loose, and relaxed. The movie didn't start for another half hour since they got inside, and then the director had a little speech before the screening, and even after the movie ended there were refreshments and an after party to sneak into. The night ended quite late in the evening and Tristan drove the girl home and walked her to her door.
"One night with me wasn't that bad, was it?" he teased.
"Tristan, thank you." She swallowed.
"Don't worry about it," he waved off and began to turn around.
"No, seriously, thank you so much. This was a dream of mine. I've been dying to meet him for years." She held onto his elbow to stop him. "It was a lot of fun and I really appreciate it."
"Tara, it was my pleasure, all right? Don't go all sentimental or I might have to get uncomfortable and flee." He joked. "I wanted to do it. I'm glad you had fun."
"How in the hell did you get those tickets?" she wanted to know.
"I have my sources." He shrugged.
"In case you were wondering, you're not on my People who Must Die list anymore." She smiled. To his undying surprise, Tara then proceeded to lean in and hug him. It was hesitant but she actually initiated physical contact with him: a first. When she pulled back, she had gathered a bit of restraint again and half-heartedly said, "Okay. You saw me at my most girly, most pathetic, most annoying. Tonight I acted like someone I normally mock and roll my eyes at, and so if you tell anyone about this I might have to hurt you. And we must never, ever mention the fact that I squealed again."
"As you wish, my lady." He chuckled.
"Good night Tristan." She smiled and turned back to her door.
"Night." He breathed and slowly leaned in and brushed back her hair. He gave her a slow lingering kiss on the cheek and pulled back.
"Wow, you didn't even aim for my lips. Someone's growing up." She said sarcastically.
"Are you disappointed?" he raised one eyebrow and leaned in again, stopping just a hair from her face.
"This night was perfect, let's not ruin it." She wryly answered. She turned around and went through her door, leaving him to shake his head with a grin.
A/N: Yes, chapter 10 is up, and I realize how far removed it seems and how it feels a bit random and like it has little to do with the plot... but it's going somewhere. It may have been a bit superficial, and I'm hoping Tara wasn't completely OOC but hey, I wanted to show her in a different, uninhibited light. Yes, you'll find out what's going on with her and the other man fairly soon ;-)