Everyone of the boys were silent looking at Tristan, their leader awaiting his orders.

Tristan had a hard look in his eyes and it was obvious he couldn't wait for her to leave.

Vienna was looking around nervously keeping others waiting as she was melting under Tristan's piercing eyes. She was to either walk away or argue with Tristan. She had to do something but she knew even by coming there she had make things worse for Edward.

Vienna worriedly looked at the exit, at Azurine and then at Edward in the middle of the room as she was deciding what to do next silently.

Azurine whispered " Lets go."

Tristan put his hands on his hips " Vienna, I am waiting...."

It was Vincenzo who spoke next in a bored tone" Vienna, you do know Tristan doesn't ask twice. We don't have all day. Leave or face the consequences. Leave or you will be witnessing this trial to the end."

It was Viggo who moved next. He walked to the exit and opened the door " Vienna, leave now."

Vienna felt annoyed. Why did Edward have to be in trouble? He was the sweetest boy she had met. Why did he have to cross Tristan's gang of all the people? He had upset many people now. She knew if she left he was dead. So she decided to play a dangerous game. One that could not end well. She cleared her throat " All right, I will leave.." She didn't know what else to do. Tristan wasn't in forgiving mood by the looks of it. She then walked to the door standing next to Azurine and Viggo " But I need to take Edward with me..."

That did it. Tristan saw blood. He took a few steps to Vienna as he looked threatening " Vienna. You would like to take who with you? Maybe I misheard you."

It was Viggo who walked in between them and stood in front of Tristan " Can you give her a minute to breathe Tristan?"

Tristan looked at Viggo " Stay out of this."

Vincenzo was chuckling to himself " Vienna, oh my. Just tell the raging bull why you need Edward..."

Vienna spoke quickly " We need Edward to work with us in the cheer leading team. He may be able to help us with ... practicing the lifts..."

That even made things alot worse. Tristan side stepped Viggo " He would do no such a thing. He will not touch you."

Vienna spoke quickly trying not to stutter as she met his furious eyes " He won't... He won't... I don't even do lifts. I am no where near the lifts when I am going my rhythm. But we do need someone to help us with the lifts. He is quite tall and he doesn't do anything after school...."

Vincenzo was laughing " This is priceless. I think let Edward go practice with the cheer leaders. That's a good punishment. I like that. Until the end of the year." He then stood up walking to Tristan pointing to his watch " Lets go. We don't have time for this."

Tristan sighed " Of course you would say that." Vincenzo looked down at everything he didn't like as girly. Tristan saw nothing wrong with a guy helping the cheer leaders. But of course to Vincenzo it sounded ridiculous. Tristan shook his head and stated simply " No Vincenzo. That is nothing. Edward stays."

Vincenzo frowned as he stood next to him " Time has value. Be quick. Will you?"

Vienna took a closer step to him " Listen to Vincenzo. He has a point."

Edward was admiring Vienna for her courage. Vienna was trying to help him but he was certain he was beyond saving. He wanted to run for cover. Anyone else would have. Tristan was unpredictable and was not to be messed with. Anyone else would have left when asked by Tristan. Azurine had even taken steps backwards and was leaning to the exit door with one hand on the door handle ready to run. Edward held his breath. Tristan's next words could be condemning. Edward looked at his bag, maybe if he was quick he could take out pen and paper to write a will as his fate was being decided.

Tristan couldn't believe Vienna was asking him such question. He shook his head " No. Vienna.. Leave... I give you ten seconds to leave just like always even I am in generous mood. Leave or you wouldn't like what you will make me do." His words were sincere. He meant every word.

Vienna couldn't understand why Tristan was impossible to talk to sometimes. She remembered what her mother once said about gangsters... They keep business and personal matters separate. Tristan was a gangster or rather gang leader. He didn't ask twice, he didn't forget and he didn't forgive.

Vienna didn't even know where she was getting her courage from. Her father's words rang in her mind " Don't fear anything.. You are a Rosario... You don't need to be afraid..." She knew Tristan was not going to hurt her. She just knew. She took one step to Tristan and stated "Please... Can he come with us?"

Tristan was torn. Part of him wished she walked away now. But part of him wanted her to stay. She was looking at him finally. She was still shy but she still managed to talk to him without looking away. Now that there was improvement, he had to deal with this dilemma. He didn't want her to stay and witness the part of him he didn't like her to see unless she had to. He wanted to keep her away from the reality of who he was. He was never going to back down... But she was making him have feelings he never had. Spending time in her presence was worth more than a trial for someone like Edward who was no threat even

While she was standing in front of him all he could think of was getting her alone after this and talk to her. He just wanted to spend time with her. She had asked to take Edward but he was disappointed she hadn't asked to talk to him alone without this audience. He would have said yes.

Tristan looked at Vienna thinking about what a beautiful colour her cheeks were on her pale skin. He couldn't help smile but he didn't know that his smile didn't go with the hard look in his eyes making his smile look menacing making Vienna take a step backwards.

That was frustrating to see. She had time for the whole school but not him. Why? What had he done? Why did she still gulp nervously when he stared at her after he had repeatedly promised her he would have never hurt her. He took a deep breath trying not to sound harsh but he still did " I think Vincenzo's idea isn't so bad. We don't have time.... But ... Vienna, ... Will you Stay behind when everyone leaves. I wish to speak to you. You don't have to stay. But I would like to talk to you..."

Vienna wanted to say no. Being alone with him was a situation that made her nervous. But she read between the lines " I will stay."

Tristan turned to others " Off you go to practice. Vincenzo has a point. Edward needs a punishment that lasts longer."

Vincenzo sighed " I know I am right. Always." He lead the rest of the guys outside as some bumped their shoulders on Edward and tripping him to the floor. It was Stefano who offered his hand to him to pick him up and accompanied him outside.

Edward glanced at Vienna with grateful eyes. He knew that Tristan didn't change his mind for anyone but Vienna. He hoped he could repay the favour one day.

Viggo was not convinced as his attention was on Vienna. He walked to her " Vienna. Are you sure?"

Tristan gave him a death stare. Was he real? Hadn't he taught Viggo anything? How dare he imply she couldn't make her own mind up? Maybe Viggo was as bad as Vincenzo trying to control Vienna rather than trying to protect her.

Vienna turned to Viggo " We just will talk. I will see you on the grounds shortly." She gave him a reassuring smile.

Vincenzo shouted at Viggo " I would give you extra laps if you are late Viggo."

Tristan thought to himself " Yeah, get him out of here before I put him in trial for treason." He couldn't believe the nerve of Viggo.

Tristan tried to keep his voice level " Viggo. Your concerns are baseless." This was as politely as he could put it.

Vienna quickly spoke " Go. Viggo. I will see you later." She gave him a smile.

Tristan loved hearing her talk and when she smiled. Too bad that smile wasn't meant for him.

Viggo nodded and walked away reluctantly. He did respect Vienna's wishes. Also he knew their father was going to make Tristan answer to him if he upset Vienna.

Vienna watched Viggo walk outside closing the door behind him. She bit her lip and slowly turned around looking at Tristan and instantly her heart rate sped up. He was looking at her with his piercing eyes like now she was on trial. She took a few steps backwards but watched Tristan matching her steps by closing the distance between them. He was staring at her silently but the look of disapproval was there. She took another step backward making him complain " Vienna... Stop backing away from me."

Vienna took another step backward as she was looking at Tristan with anticipation and nervousness. But then suddenly her ankle hit something behind her and she lost her balance but as she fell backwards, Tristan caught her in his arms.

Here she was where she belonged always. He was holding her tightly as he was staring at her and glancing between her lips and her eyes. He wished he could kiss her. But it was too soon. He whispered " Why are you so afraid of me?"

Vienna gulped. She was still in his arms " I am sorry."

Tristan spoke softly " You can trust me Vienna. I will wait for the day to come that you don't tremble when I touch you." He then let her go gently as he made sure she had her balance. He then took a step away from her and put his hands on his hips as he found himself restless. He started pacing the floor to quench the unease he had. " You know, I never thought you would take Edward's side. You should know the rules. This is no ordinary school. There are hierarchies. He must pay up and you have saved him too many times and .... I let you."

Vienna was finding it easier to speak as he was not staring at her. She took a deep breath " This time it was Vincenzo who let him off easy."

Tristan stopped pacing the floor and looked at her with a hard expression.

Vienna tried to explain nervously " Well, it's true..."

Tristan shook his head " No it's not true. Blake could walk away in one piece because you walked in here when you did." He then told himself "I couldn't possibly let you see the business like side of me and make you scared of me even more than you already are."

Vienna breathed " So you wouldn't have listened to the vice captain for the day?"

Tristan shook his head " Not a chance. Edward deserved much worse. You saved him. He wouldn't have gotten off easily if you hadn't interrupted us when you did and hadn't broken up the party."

Vienna looked away " I am sorry..."

Tristan took a step towards her and whispered in an earnest tone as his breath brushed against her ears " Don't be. You misunderstood. I am very glad you came .... because then I could get you alone.... Then I could talk to you abit more... I cherish every minute with you. I really do... I just wish you didn't look so nervous.... I don't like to see you upset and I certainly don't want to be the cause of your distress.... When you don't look at me, when you step away from me like most of the people at this school, it bothers me. Others can look at me that way like I am a threat and I demand it. But I can't stand it when you look at me like I may hurt you any second or rather you don't look at me at all.... When you avoid me, it reminds me that we are not together yet and we have a long way to go... But I will wait.... I just wish you would stop trying to avoid me in every way that you can.... I am not as bad as you think. I am not as bad as what Viggo says I am...."

Vienna paled. He was on Viggo's case now by the looks of it. She wasn't going to confirm it to condemn her brother. She just stood there silently.

Tristan's tone became harder as he took a deep breath "I know he keeps telling you that I am no good ... Its no secret he doesn't want me near his baby sister..... I have told him off a few times now, of course. I have told him to mind his own business. I have warned him to stay out of our relationship and not to try to come between us... I have told him I wont back off unless you tell me to Vienna. That's right. If you want me to keep away, you can ask me yourself. So if you want me to back off all you have to do is ask.... So do you want me to back off like how Viggo wants you to?"

Tristan was too close to her. She shakily looked up. He was looking into her eyes searching for answers. Her heart was now beating fast and she was frozen as his close proximity was getting too much. If she was to answer truthfully she had to tell him that she fancied him like crazy. She had to tell him he was making her feel what she had never felt before. His close touch made her heart jump and no one had ever made her feel that way before. But of course she was just too shy to say what she really wanted to say.

Vienna finally shook her head wordlessly and then whispered "No." That was the truth. As she saw Tristan's reaction, she felt joy. He smiled and the hard look disappeared. He looked more relived now.

Tristan took a deep breath "Thank you Vienna." He was satisfied now.

Vienna watched him as he reached into his bag and pulled out a wrapped gift with a pink ribbon around it. " I got this for you. I hope you like it. When I saw it, I just had to get it for you..."

Vienna's face lit up "For me? Thank you. You shouldn't have." She took the gift and unwrapped it. But she raised an eyebrow as she saw the present "Ah, how lovely." It was the extra large Maths book that she already owned. It was too massive and thick as she knew it.

Tristan smiled "Open the book."

Vienna didn't think much of it and opened the book and then gasped. It was hollow but there were so many exciting stationary equipment inside and some chocolates.

Tristan spoke "Its a book that can hide anything you don't want Vincenzo to see. I have heard from Vincenzo that he is in the habit of throwing away anything you own on your desk that he doesn't like... Well, you can now hide them."

Vienna looked up at Tristan gratefully "You are very sweet. Thank you..." He looked different. He looked softer now. His expression was nothing like how it was in presence of his gang of guys. It made Vienna feel sad and relieved at the same time. She was sad that he had to be so different with the guys. She wanted him to be nice all the time. But it also made her feel relieved that he did show a kinder side to her.

Vienna reached inside the hollow book and pulled out a smaller box "Whats this?" She opened the tiny box and saw a beautiful star shaped pendant.

Tristan spoke "It glows in the dark". He then thought to himself "Just like how you glow to me in my dark life."