Boys and Girls, Part IV: Why I Love to Hate You

A/N: Sorry for the wait. Work's sorta been stressing me out, but posting this stuff for you guys definitely helps!

Chapter 10 – The Truth About Tristan

Maybe Tristan had been full of bullshit again. He hadn’t graced Jacy with any unexpected phone calls or at-home visits for an entire week, and frankly…Jacy was a little pissed off. She wasn’t mad because Tristan was “ignoring” her, but she didn’t like the hanging suspense of knowing that he could rear his handsome face back into her life at any given moment. Jacy hated when things proceeded unplanned.

She had just finished warming up with the other soloists. Jacy was slated to go last, which she also hated. Sure, she liked the attention, but going last was putting a lot of weight on her shoulders. If she messed up, she’d forever be remembered as the girl who fucked up a decent choral concert just before it ended. Adding the stress of being the final act to Jacy’s pre-existing troubles with a certain blond god made her wish she had a reserve of Xanax somewhere nearby.

Vince Hughes was slated to go first. As he jauntily strode past Jacy and the others to make his way through the practice room doors and onto the stage, Jacy hoped that Jason and Joe and Ryan – who were all in attendance with their women – didn’t make too much fun of the male vocalists. Jacy would never actually date any of the guys in her choir, but she did respect the work they put into their music.

Some of the students followed Vince. Non-performers had the choice to watch the performers in the alcove or to stay in the practice room. Jacy opted for the latter. She didn’t want to get overly freaked out; the very presence of an audience tended to do that to her.

Seconds turned into minutes, which turned into one hour. After another twenty minutes, Jacy was the only one left in the practice room. Everyone must be watching the show, she thought. She reluctantly rose to her feet and made her way to the auditorium.

Jacy could hear that Jenny Garrity was choppily squeaking her way through “The sun whose rays are all ablaze” from the second act of The Mikado. Jacy loved that operetta and hated seeing its music get butchered by others. She sighed before stepping backstage and heading for the alcove.

Many of the other performers still lingered there. Jacy couldn’t have been paid to stay longer than she needed to be there, but she supposed she was thankful for everyone who had stayed in his or her seats up until this moment.

As Jenny’s song eventually wrapped up, Jacy excused herself past her chorus mates and stood at the ready. Applause echoed throughout the auditorium. Jenny strutted back to the alcove and brushed past Jacy with a haughty expression on her face. Oh this girl’s gonna get it, Jacy thought to herself.

“…our final performance of the evening will be from Jacinda Hewitt…”

D’oh! Jacy hated hearing her full name.

“…who will be performing “Unexpected Song” by Andrew Lloyd Weber.”

As applause sounded again, Jacy shyly exited the alcove and proceeded onto the main stage. As she took nervously took her place next to the piano, where Mrs. Fuller had already taken her seat, Jacy looked out into the audience. She couldn’t really see anyone because the lights nearly blinded her. She took it in stride though because then she wouldn’t be forced to make eye contact with people she knew.

The opening bars of “Unexpected Song” began. Jacy straightened her spine and lifted her head. She took a few deep breaths and expanded her diaphragm with enough air to allow proper phrasing as she sang.

“I have never felt this way. For once I’m lost for words. Your smile has really thrown me…”

****

“Aaahhh! You were awesome, Jacy!” Stephanie nearly screamed as she ran toward her best friend.

Jacy regarded Stephanie skeptically. “I wasn’t that great, Steph.”

“Yes you were,” Delaney added. “And definitely better than the girl who went before you.”

Ryan rubbed his ear. “I’m still recovering from that.” Lani hugged her boyfriend adoringly, and Jacy’s heart sank a little.

Jason hooked an arm around Delaney. “Let’s celebrate, Jacy. We’re gonna take you out to dinner.”

Jacy regarded both couples warily. She turned to Joe and Stephanie, who were barely able to keep their hands off of each other, as well. Suddenly, Jacy didn’t feel so well. What the hell?

“Jacy?” Lani asked, noticing Jacy’s look of discomfort. “Are you all right?”

Jacy snapped out of her daze. “Yeah, yeah…I’m good. But…you know what, guys? I’m kinda tired right now.”

The guys voiced their displeasure. The girls didn’t look too pleased themselves.

“Come on, Jacy,” Stephanie encouraged her. “It’s Jason’s treat.”

Jason’s jaw dropped. “You spoiled brat.”

Stephanie beamed. “The one and only.”

“Jacy, you have to come,” Delaney implored. “What’s the point of going if you’re not going to be there?”

Jacy shrugged and feigned fatigue. “I guess it was the lights. I get a little nauseous singing in front of large groups of people.”

“It’s true,” Stephanie admitted.

The rest of the group looked very regretful. Ryan looked concerned. “You sure you’re all right, Jacy?”

“I’m…fine,” she said with a sigh. “You guys should go…seriously. I-I’m gonna go now, okay?”

Before anyone had a chance to protest, Jacy headed in the opposite direction toward the exit. Her friends didn’t even get a chance to see the sad expression on her face as she walked away.

As she stepped outside, the cool night air nipped at Jacy’s skin and soothed her. The lights had really overheated her and made her tenser than usual. Jacy was unhappy with the way she had left things with her friends. It wasn’t their fault that all of them happened to be in healthy, committed relationships. But at that very moment, Jacy had really felt the sting of being the odd woman out. She hated it. She didn’t want that feeling to overcome her ever again, so her options were one – to find someone really soon, or two – to stop seeing her friends. The first option was improbable, whereas the second option was unthinkable. Jacy just didn’t feel as if she could win.

She was snapped out of her thoughts by the sound of slow clapping. She turned her head to the source of the sound. People were emptying the auditorium doors all around her. It was difficult to pinpoint where the sound was coming from…

Until she saw the crystal blue glint in the moonlight. As Tristan stepped out of the darkness, she could see the familiar sandy blonde of his short, teased hair. He had a trademark grin on his handsome countenance. He wore nice dress pants with a white dress shirt rolled up at the sleeves. His shoes were a polished black this evening. He held a bouquet of red roses under his arm and continued clapping until he got within two feet of Jacy.

“Bravo.”

Jacy froze. She couldn’t believe the bastard had shown up. Tristan appeared to be amused by Jacy’s reaction. He grasped the bouquet and held it out to her.

“Sweets to the sweet.”

Jacy looked down at the roses, then looked back up at Tristan. Not knowing what else to do, she shyly accepted them.

“Th-thank you.”

Tristan tucked his hands in his pockets and casually observed Jacy. “You look really nice.”

She didn’t think she looked particularly special. Jacy had bought a new strapless black dress that had a puffy skirt. It was probably a little overdone, but Jacy liked it. It made her butt look smaller. She had also splurged on her new black Steve Madden pumps, but she only had, like, four pairs of shoes to begin with. She graciously accepted Tristan’s compliment.

“Thank you…again.”

He smiled. Two identical dimples popped up on his tan and handsome face. His white teeth glinted like a shark’s. Jacy wondered if any woman was capable of resisting the charms of Tristan Carter.

“Do you like Italian?

Jacy was confused. “What?”

“Do you like Italian?” Tristan repeated.

“Italian what?” she asked again.

“Food,” he answered, as if she was stupid.

Why would he ask me that? she thought.

“I made us reservations at a restaurant,” he answered, as if able to read her mind.

What? “What do you mean you made us reservations?” Jacy demanded.

Now, Tristan looked confused. “What do you mean ‘what do I mean?’ I’m taking you out to eat, Jacinda.”

“I didn’t consent to that,” she retorted hotly.

“I know,” he responded.

“So I guess that’s that,” Jacy answered smartly, making a move past Tristan.

Tristan didn’t look affected by Jacy’s reluctance. He grabbed her arm firmly. “Don’t be a brat. Let’s go.”

Jacy pulled back, but Tristan’s grip was too strong. Just as she was about to cause a scene, she caught sight of her friends reaching the exit. In a moment of panic, Jacy grabbed Tristan’s hand and ended up pulling him in a random direction.

“Uhh, my car’s on the other side, darlin’,” Tristan pointed out.

Jacy huffed before allowing Tristan to take the lead. She hid behind him and effectively evaded her friends until both of them reached Tristan’s red Ferrari. She scoffed at his flashy vehicle.

“Predictable,” she grumbled.

Tristan held the passenger door open for her and winked. “Don’t get your negativity all over my leather interior, babe.”

Jacy rolled her eyes…but couldn’t suppress the smile that formed regardless.

****

“You’re a junior?” Jacy nearly yelled out in the middle of the quiet bistro that Tristan had selected for their dinner date.

“Yeah,” Tristan answered in a lowered voice. “What’s the problem?”

“Oh my God,” she breathed out as her hands flew to her mouth. “I’m a cradle robber.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Yes I am!” she retorted in a sotto. “Me – senior, you – junior…it doesn’t take a genius to figure that one out, Carter.”

Tristan virtually ignored Jacy as he ordered her white wine and a beer for himself. When the waiter checked their IDs, Jacy was shocked to see that Tristan’s age didn’t seem to stop the order.

“Geez,” – she grumbled – “it sure is nice to be a celebrity in Southern Cal.”

“What are you complainin’ about this time, Jacinda?”

“That waiter didn’t even care that you’re not twenty-one yet!”

Tristan just glared at Jacy. “I’m twenty-two, sweetheart.”

“Nuh-uh, liar!” she protested. Tristan didn’t respond to her remarks, and instead, slid his license across the table right in front of her.

Well…she was older than him…by a little more than a month.

Jacy looked up at him, a little confused. “What –

“I stayed back a grade, Sherlock,” he explained, lifting his eyebrows.

Jacy appeared stunned. “Wow.”

Tristan frowned. “I had dyslexia,” he added. “I had problems reading, so all the teachers thought I was stupid. Turns out I was just a little slow.”

The waiter returned with Jacy’s wine and Tristan’s beer. Tristan acknowledged the service before turning his attention back to Jacy. Jacy was still stunned. Tristan appeared a little irritated by her reaction.

“I’m better now, you know.”

Jacy shook herself out of her stunned reverie. “Huh?”

“You’re looking at me as if I’m stupid or something, Jacy. Please don’t do that. I had to deal with that for thirteen years of my life, and I don’t need you to start up again.”

“Sorry,” she eked out.

Tristan took a sip of his beer and regarded Jacy over his bottle. He noticed that she still appeared to be in deep thought. He sighed. “Say what’s on your mind, Jacinda.”

Jacy stared into Tristan’s blue eyes somewhat sympathetically. She opened her mouth to speak but stopped. Her second attempt was a bit more successful. “I’m sorry. It’s just that you’re so…good at everything you seem to do. I just…I just can’t imagine you having had struggles in any area of your life.”

“Well that would be an error on your part, Jacy,” he answered firmly.

Jacy’s eyebrows furrowed. “Most guys would be flattered to know that others consider them invincible.”

“Well I guess I’m not like most guys in that respect, darlin’. The truth is, I bleed when I get cut, I cry when I’m in pain, and I’m not some indestructible, bionic man.”

“No,” Jacy began sarcastically, “just an All-American football player who also happens to play the piano and drive a red Ferrari.”

“Believe me,” Tristan implored. “My life’s really not that simple.”

Jacy snorted. “I’ll bet.”

Now, Tristan was upset. No wonder Jacy didn’t respect him; she thought his life was a walk in the park. She had no idea what he had been through in the past few months. It pissed him off, to say the least, and something in Tristan snapped at that moment.

“That’s enough,” he commanded in a low, but firm, tone. “You drink your wine. Otherwise, keep that smart mouth of yours shut.”

Jacy’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me?”

Tristan averted his eyes and angrily took a long chug from his beer. When the bottom of the now-empty bottle hit the table, Tristan summoned the waiter for a second. After the waiter left, Jacy sighed. She rested her elbows on the table and supported her head with her hands. She was pouting.

Silence ensued between the two. When Jacy could no longer stand it, she sighed once more before allowing her pride to take a rest.

“I’m…sorry.”

Tristan’s blue eyes flicked back over to her. He still didn’t say anything. The waiter brought Tristan his second beer before disappearing again. Tristan’s continued to stare at Jacy, never allowing his eyes to stray for a second.

“Tristan?” Tristan’s intense gaze was beginning to freak Jacy out.

“I just lost a brother, Jacy.”

Jacy froze. “What?”

“My brother…” – Tristan began again. It was almost as if he had to force the words out – “…he died.”

Jacy’s eyes widened. Tristan definitely didn’t look as if he was joking around. She couldn’t believe what he had just said. “What happ –

“He got shot,” Tristan interrupted. “He got shot by a classmate.”

Jacy’s face fell. “That’s terrible, Tristan. I’m so sorry.”

Tristan awkwardly ran a shaky hand through his blonde hair. “I can’t believe I’m bringing this up again.”

“When did it happen?” she inquired with a concerned expression on her face.

Tristan looked reluctant to go on. “Early December,” he finally answered. “Lucas – that was my brother’s name – had just started high school. He made a lot of new friends, in addition to his old ones. Apparently…he made a lot of new enemies too.” The last statement was said with a tinge of regret.

It had sounded eerily similar to the words that Jacy had first accused Tristan of when they had first met in the dingy, smelly boy’s locker room by sheer accident. She had merely been alluding to Tristan’s ill treatment of Ryan, who had played the wide receiver position before Tristan had taken over. Jacy’s comment had been the first in a series that had eventually moved Tristan to verbal hostility – perhaps even being the catalyst that had set their dysfunctional relationship into motion.

Jacy shifted a little. She wasn’t accustomed to this side of Tristan at all – the side of him with all of those human qualities and emotions. She didn’t quite know how to respond to it. When Jacy didn’t say anything for a while, a look of frustration seemed to cross Tristan’s handsome features. He awkwardly gestured for the waiter.

“How may I help you?” the waiter offered.

“Yeah, I’m ready to order.” Tristan almost sounded angry, as if the dead lurch in their conversation had been Jacy’s fault. How was she exactly supposed to respond to news of a deceased brother? Jacy wasn’t exactly unsupportive, but she didn’t know how to act all warm and cuddly and supportive toward a guy she could barely stand to begin with.

As Tristan listed off his impossibly large dinner order, Jacy got the sinking feeling that she would be having a long dinner with a guy who no longer had any desire to talk to her.

****

A/N: The end of chap. 10 is a bit anticlimactic, but the first part of eleven is more or less a continuation (I just wanted to make sure that the chapters were divided evenly). I will post 11 ASAP. Thank you.