Vienna was staring at Tristan with disbelief " How can you say that Tristan? I am telling you it was an accident. He just accidentally hit the glass and it spilt... Accidents happen. Why are you over reacting?..."
Tristan leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest staring into Vienna's eyes " I don't dispute that Vienna...." He then thought to himself "But he touched you.... He shouldn't have done that... Accident or no accident, he touched you..."
Vienna shook her head " That was an accident.... He apologised... You should forget it..."
Tristan was fuming. He thought to himself "He did not hold your hand accidentally. Did he do that by mistake? He held your hand and looked at you in a way that made me want to strangle him. He touched you and by the looks of it, it didn't seem like he had your permission for it. Did he? Did you ask him to hold your hand? I don't think so..." But Tristan of course didn't say that to Vienna... He just stated simply " I told you Vienna, I would be the one passing judgment on that..."
Vienna frowned " What do you mean?" She guessed what he meant but she didn't want to believe it...
Tristan stated " He is on trial this lunch time... I will give him a verdict..."
Vienna closed her eyes shut. Edward was doomed. She opened her eyes and pleaded " Don't do it... Let him go..."
Tristan's stare hardened making Vienna gulp " You know, when you defend him, I feel like you have something to tell me... Do you fancy him Vienna?"
Vienna defended " No."
Tristan raised an eyebrow " Are you sure?"
Vienna spoke " Of course..."
Tristan was losing his temper. He really wanted to go on to find Edward and make an example of him in front of the whole school. But he knew he had to wait. He had to think this through. For the first time, he felt the conflict. He decided to tell the truth " Don't look at me like that Vienna...." He thought to himself "It kills me when you do."
Vienna was looking at him with questioning eyes " Like what?"
Tristan thought to himself " Like I am the most terrifying person on earth. Stop looking at me like that." He didn't say anything back to Vienna and stated as the bell rang "Here is the bell. You must go to your lessons" He then gave her a nod and walked away without another word.
Vienna had so much to say. But he didn't give her the chance to say everything.... She reluctantly walked to her next lesson.
Minutes later, Vienna was sitting alone in her class next to the window. She didn't feel like talking to anyone so she had chosen an empty desk and had sat down next to the window. The teacher for that double period lesson was absent that day and cover work was set for them to do in class and as homework to hand in next week as the supervisor was sitting behind his desk marking papers.
Vienna was quietly staring into the distance outside the window of her classroom. She needed to do some class work but she felt too numb to write... She was worried. She was unsure. She was trying to read between the lines of what Tristan had told her. She wanted to know why suddenly Tristan had become so cold to a point that he gave him such a discrete answer that left no room for argument. He had simply stated he will judge if what Edward had done was accidental and hasn't allowed her to argue. He had just walked away as the bell had range. Vienna was not even sure what to say even if he ran aimed behind. She was shocked. Tristan had almost used his business tone on him.
Vienna couldn't understand why Tristan was over reacting. No harm had been done. But to her astonishment he had stated he was going to be the judge regarding this matter. Vienna closed her eyes and swallowed hard. She knew full well what he meant. He was going to put Edward on trial during lunch time in the common room. He was indeed the judge. It was his turn that day to be the basketball team captain too so even Vincenzo couldn't over rule him and change his mind. The way he had said he was the judge still made her tremble even as she recalled his words. He had no emotion in his voice but he was Tristan. It was terrifying how he could be so scary if he wished it. He was born to rule over those around him and put fear in their hearts even by saying the most simple words and showing the most small gestures. He made her feel cold and numb by dismissing her pleas and condemning Edward.
Vienna came out of her thoughts as she heard her brothers voice. " Vienna are you ok? You haven't moved or said anything in this whole lesson? Has something happened? Is it Tristan?"
Vienna turned and saw Viggo sitting next to her. He had brought his note book with him to her desk and was looking at her with concern.
Vienna sighed "Thanks for asking Viggo..... Its nothing you can fix?"
Viggo suggested "Tell me what's bothering you...."
Vienna sighed. She couldn't hide anything from her twin. She knew there was nothing Viggo could do since Tristan outranked him. Either way, Vincenzo was going to tell him or he was going to hear it at lunch from the captain himself.
So Vienna looked down and told him reluctantly what had happened at break time. When Vienna finished, she looked out of the window " What do I do Viggo? What can I do? He had no feelings in his eyes when he told me he would the judge..."
Vienna waited for his response but none came. She was surprised. He always said something. She turned and looked at Viggo who had a look of shock in his eyes. He looked thoughtful and was shaking his head "Edward is dead... He will surely stand trial in the common room at lunch and he would be the lamb for the slaughter..."
Vienna was surprised "You really think so? but why? Why do you say that? Nothing serious has happened..." He had a look of horror in his eyes mixed with worries.
Viggo sighed deeply and looked into his sister's eyes as he put his hand on hers on the table "Vienna, this is different... I am sorry to hear this. This is most unfortunate... I will talk to Vincenzo to see if he has any ideas.... But I don't think I have any solutions.
Vienna stared back at him with more worry. Even though Vienna knew Viggo couldn't do anything, she found his passive response and stresses state quite strange. He never gave up.. She stared at her twin " I don't understand why you are reacting this way? You don't sound very positive, that it will be ok... But why cant it be? You should be outraged that he is making a big deal out of nothing... Don't you think it's common sense that he should let it go? Why does he have to put Edward on trial? For what? For an accident?"
Viggo looked at Vienna apologetically " I am sorry Vienna....... Edward is done for this time.... I don't think even Vincenzo can help him?"
Vienna frowned " Why? It's not like he has done anything wrong. He just hit a glass spilling orange juice everywhere. How can it warrant Tristan's cold verdict for Edward when he was speaking to me earlier?... Tristan suddenly changed. He was different yesterday. He was more caring and less colder but today he just dismissed me when I tried to reason with him about Edward..."
Viggo explained with a worried expression " The glass of juice is nothing.... That was an accident but .... Edward is dead because he touched you. No one is allowed to touch girls who belong to Vincenzo and Tristan. No one. If its before they announce their claim, it can be forgivable.... After I knew Letizia was Vincenzo's girl, I did something. I knew it before everyone else did... I kissed her hand and wasn't even flirting with her or anything. I was just being friendly putting her at ease..... Trust me when I say, Vincenzo went berserk and he beat the daylights out of me when we went home for touching Letizia. I could not move the next morning. I am his brother and Vincenzo destroyed me.... Tristan can't allow anyone to get away with touching you or getting friendly with you when you are his. Everyone knows that..."
Vienna argued " But last time he didn't treat the issue with Edward like this. He had written his name on the board and he agreed for it to be rubbed off when I told him nothing was going on. He believed me. Why cant he believe me that it was just an accident? "
Viggo whispered " If you remember the last time he did say, that was Edward's last chance. He is a man of his word. He warned you that was the last time Edward was getting away. He said that next time, he wouldn't be so nice... Here we go. Edward does it again... I am sorry Vienna.... But like I said, I will ask Vincenzo if he has any solutions. Obviously this will upset you if Edward gets hurt ... But honestly I don't feel much sympathy for him. Touching you without your consent is a death sentence...."
Vienna sighed "It was an accident. It was a friendly touch. Why are you over reacting? Edward didn't commit a crime..."
Viggo nodded "I agree. But to Tristan, it doesn't look like it was nothing. It's him who needs to be convinced and not me. You said to him it was an accident but he believed you. I am sure that to you its an accident because he does respect your views. If he didn't then he wouldn't have listened to you on all these occasions you have pleaded to him to change his mind and he had been granting your wishes... Its Edward that he doesn't believe. He doesn't trust anyone with you. He doesn't want any boys to disrespect you and would want to make an example out of anyone who dares. I personally think he doesn't need to do anything to Edward because no one in their right mind in this school, would be crazy enough to mess with you. Only Edward can be a magnet for accidents like this... But still I don't think Tristan would let Edward go even if he doesn't feel the need for it."
Vienna looked away. Was this situation worse than she thought? She was certain it was. If Viggo thought this was serious then it was... She turned to her brother who was leaning back in his chair putting his hands on his head deep in thought. "You were my only hope..."
Viggo looked at Vienna and smiled sadly "I am sorry Vienna. I expected to hear anything but what you told me when I asked you how it was going... This is the worst case scenario Vienna. Tristan doesn't go easy on anything or anyone if you are touched. You didn't hear it of course when he went to boys only rooms in school and warned everyone what happened if they touched you... Everyone knows the rules ... Even Edward... Tristan must be mad. I cant do anything... But Vincenzo might be able to..."
Vienna asked "What do I do? There must be something I can do."
Viggo sighed and put his head on the desk covering his face with his arms. he whispered in a muffled tone "Seriously, I don't know... Edward has to hide or he is dead." He then sighed and sat up straight looking at his sister "Hide Edward at lunch time so Tristan cant find him... That would work I bet." He then laughed at his own joke... "I am sorry... This is a mess. I don't know how you can plead to Tristan to let Edward go without making things worse..."
Vienna frowned "Why would you say that?"
Viggo shrugged "I wish you didn't ask me that... Come on Vienna. You should know the answer to this question... Alright, have you heard of the word jealousy? Of course not. You are innocent."
Vienna frowned "Jealousy? Yes I have heard of the word."
Viggo sighed "Then you know how dangerous it is. Tristan is the most jealous guy I have met when it comes to his girl. He is protective too. But more than anything his is jealous. Only Vincenzo's jealousy comes close.... Think about it Vienna, you cant get involved without landing Edward in even more trouble. If you go to Tristan and speak to him about Edward's innocence, it would not help Edward's case. It would make it worse because Tristan would get jealous. He doesn't like you sticking up for other guys. He has waited for a long time bottling up his feelings for you and now he would think you care more for Edward than you do for him. I am not judging and I disagree with him. He shouldn't over react and undermine your feelings but I am just telling you how bad it is. Sorry Vienna jealousy is quite hard to fight...."
Vienna finally understood. So the change in Tristan that she couldn't explain was all down to his jealousy? That was it? She couldn't believe it. She looked outside the window once more covering her mouth with her hand trying to make sense of everything that had happened. She had been wondering why he was so dismissive and taking none of her explanations at break time. She wondered how come Tristan let it go at other occassions when she had asked him nicely and had given him a reason to stop. But Viggo was right. It was to do with jealousy... Last time he had let Edward go but he had warned that was the last time he was letting it go..."
Suddenly the bell rang and Vienna was startled. She turned to Viggo "Its lunch time already.."
Viggo sighed "I know... I will go find Vincenzo and I might try to chat with Tristan too see if I can hold him up. There is nothing you can do.... Just get away from here...Go have lunch... I will try to do what I can with Vincenzo... I told you its all about jealousy. When you mention a guy's name Tristan gets jealous never mind when you come in contact with one." He then walked out of the classroom quickly.
Vienna gathered her things and looked at Edward who was still scribbling in his notebook. She was worried for him. What was she to do? Could she help him hide. She noticed that as it was lunch time everyone else rushed outside. She would have done so as well if she wasn't so worried. Edward was always the last one to leave a classroom. He was a genius. He didn't need to study so hard but he loved studying. He was busy writing and Vienna was contemplating what to do. She cleared her throat "Edward... You have to leave. You have to hide."
Edward was startled and his papers fell on the floor as he looked up at her "Hide? Me? Why? ... Vienna... "
Vienna smiled sadly "Because Tristan will come looking for you now. Hide somewhere. Anywhere."
Edward swallowed hard "Is he coming?... For me?..."
Vienna smiled sadly "He might... Right now... Hide."
Edward shook his head and chuckled nervously "I can't hide... I don't think I can hide... But .... I will run to the woods..." He then picked up his back pack and walked to the window of the classroom that was on the ground floor. He opened the window and said "Thank you for ... telling me." He then jumped out of the window and Vienna couldn't help but laugh. He was so adorable. He just jumped out of the window and luckily the distance wasn't much. It was lucky they were on a ground level classroom. She watched Edward run into the distance most probably into the woods part of the school that they did ecology lessons in. She had no idea why but even in such worrying moments when she was fearing for him, she found that Edward made her laugh... He was smart... But he had a good sense of humour.
Vienna got her back pack ready and bent over to tie her shoe laces and then she was ready to go. As she was bent over behind the desk, her breath hitched in her throat as she heard his voice " He is not here... I can see him .... He is running to the woods... We will get him later on today. Its no thanks to Viggo for delaying us... That punk." His footsteps then echoed through the room as he stated "Someone is here though."
Vienna gulped and stood up from behind the desk "Hi Tristan."
Tristan stopped in his tracks as he was approaching her desk "Vienna... Why were you hiding there?"