Title: 30 Minutes' Difference
Author: Silver Blood
Disclaimer: See Chapter One. Maria is by Green Day
Chapter Five: Maria
Be careful what you're offering
Your breath lacks the conviction
Drawing the line in the dirt
Because the last decision
...is no.
For a long time, Tristan and Rory sat side-by-side on her bed while Rory chattered on and Tristan focused completely on her. She missed the adoring look in his eyes when she snuggled closer.
Two hours later, they sat in comfortable silence. Tristan lying on the bed completely, his head resting on a pillow in her lap.
Looking down at her best friend, Rory worried her bottom lip between her teeth. She sighed deeply.
"What?"
Startled by Tristan's voice, Rory jumped.
He looked up at her.
"Don't act innocent, Ror. I know that sigh. It means there's something you want to talk about. So spit it out."
She shook her head.
"No, nothing... I was just... thinking."
Tristan shrugged and closed his eyes again, silence prevailing once again.
But not for long
"I was just wondering something... but it's... oh never mind."
Rory sighed again. Tristan sat up, removing the pillow from her lap and placing it behind him on the headboard, leaning into it, trying to get the brunette to look at him.
"Rory..."
His eyes looked gently into hers.
"If you want to ask me something, you can. You know I'll tell you anything."
"Anything?"
Tristan frowned, slightly puzzled, but nodded anyway.
Rory took a deep breath.
"When did you lose your virginity?"
Feeling Tristan tense beside her, Rory pulled her knees to her chest and leaned on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked. Too personal."
Tristan sighed and ran his hand through his hair.
Rubbing his cheek on the top of Rory's head, he could feel the silk-smooth texture of her hair catch in the stubble lining his jaw.
"It's not too personal, Mary. I told you that I'd tell you anything, and I meant it. But first... why are you suddenly curious?"
He knew it was useless, but he hoped she'd confess that she was madly in love with him. That would make his day.
Rory shrugged, bumping her shoulder against his arm in the process.
"I hear things... You've had a lot of girlfriends..."
She paused, gathering courage.
"You seemed really confident last night... Like it was no big thing. I mean, I know it's different for guys, but I always thought sex was a big deal to you. I didn't realize..."
An awkward silence fell over them both, and Tristan's stomach clenched. He didn't know how to respond to his best friend's assumptions. It twisted his heart to know she believed he was so experienced. She knew him better.
Rory let out a frustrated sigh. Tristan watched her chest rise and fall deeply.
"That sounded bad. I didn't mean it like that, Tristan. I just meant-"
"I'm still a virgin."
Rory looked up quickly, her eyes trying to place the emotion that had flickered across his face.
"Oh."
Another awkward silence began, and Rory sat frozen; she could hear the clock on her wall ticking gently.
Since when was it ever awkward being with Tristan?
She looked over at him, searching his eyes.
"I'm sorry. I assumed..."
Tristan smiled.
"You know what they say about assuming, Ror."
She blushed.
"Apparently, it's true."
This time, the silence was natural.
Tristan wrapped his arm around his best friend, pulling her tightly to his side. Rory snuggled in closer, seeking the comfort of the blonde's warm body. He leaned forward to whisper in her ear.
"I would have told you if I had sex. You're right, it does mean something to me."
Had he seen her face, Tristan's heart would have soared at the look of clear relief that crossed it. He still felt her relax against him a bit, and it was enough.
He buried his face in her hair and deeply inhaled.
"Hey... Tristan?"
Reluctantly, the blonde let go.
Rory sat forward and looked back at Tristan.
"Make me a promise?"
His blue eyes narrowed playfully.
"I might. What am I promising?"
"Promise me you'll wait."
Rory had no idea where that had come from.
Tristan raised an eyebrow.
"I mean... I don't want you to lose your virginity to some skank. I know you would regret it."
As soon as the words slipped out, she blushed bright red. But she pushed forward, despite her embarrassment with the subject.
"Promise me you'll give your virginity to someone you love."
"Okay. I promise. If you promise me the same."
Not expecting his easy compliance, Rory nodded quickly.
"I promise."
The clock ticked slowly. Rory counted the ticks.
"So, Mary... Wanna have sex?"
Rory's jaw dropped, and Tristan took advantage of her silence, trying to sell her on the idea.
"I love you, you're my best friend. And you're the most intelligent, non-skanky girl that I know. It should be you. After all, I got your first kiss."
Rory swallowed hard. It felt like a marble was being shoved slowly down her throat. Trying to ignore the feeling that he was right, Rory opened her mouth to tease him. But she couldn't seem to do it.
His voice hadn't been teasing.
She glanced at his grin, but couldn't meet his eyes.
"Tristan.. You are kidding, right?"
He shook his head, his eyes serious, and Rory shifted slightly away from him, sitting against the adjacent wall. She couldn't help the nervous laugh that bubbled in her chest.
"Tristan... Sex is just... It's big."
He nodded.
"I'm not ready to have sex. You're really sweet, and I do love you. But I want to wait... I'm just not ready."
Rory had never expected to have that sort of conversation with her best friend. It was forced and awkward. She wondered if he was really anxious enough to sleep with someone he wasn't attracted to.
Tristan shrugged and grinned, but his eyes didn't twinkle like they had a few minutes before.
"I'm still holding on to a tiny string of hope here. If you change your mind..."
Tristan graced his best friend with his most charming smile before pulling her back against him, drawing her within the circle of his arms as she had been before.
Rory felt his hand trail slowly down her arm, leaving her insides quivering as she burrowed further into his side.
The conversation concluded, she sighed in relief and allowed herself to relax.
Ahh... short and choppy. Review me.