Lost Girl Ch. 20

"So, what's this all about?" With a tense demeanor, Lucas stared Tristan down.

"You and I mostly," Tristan replied, "but it involves Claudia too."

"Okay..." No longer leaning against the tree, Lucas was now standing fully on both of his feet.

"I owe you an apology," Tristan said in a deep, stable voice. "I'm sorry for kissing Claudia that night at the prom, and I'm also sorry for disrespecting the committed relationship that you and she shared. It was wrong and selfish of me to make a move on her, and I hope you'll forgive me for it."

Clearly taken aback, Lucas could only stand there and blink. While his face was slack, his posture was stiff, but the way his jaw was repeatedly flexing, told Tristan that Lucas was more than a little contemptuous.

"Well thanks for the apology," Lucas bitterly spat out, "but what fucking good does that do for me now?"

Unprepared for this hostile response, Tristan shifted his weight uncomfortably, then glanced down at his feet while absentmindedly squishing the remnants of a discarded Twinkie. Yet rather than pick up on Tristan's regretfulness, Lucas only became all the more pissed off.

"I always knew you wanted to break us up." Lucas's tone was firm, accusatory. "It was your plan all along to drive a wedge between us, wasn't it?

"No, that isn't true."

"Be honest and come out with it," Lucas demanded. "You were always jealous of me, and have hated me since the seventh grade."

"Well, yeah, that is true," he slowly admitted. "But I never wanted to break you and Claudia up."

"Bullshit," Lucas proclaimed.

"I didn't," Tristan affirmed. "I may have hoped that somewhere down the line I would get my chance to go out with her, but I never put out any thoughts for you two to split up."

Crossing his arms against his chest, Lucas gave Tristan a steely look.

"Okay, so maybe I was waiting things out. But that's different than actively hoping that a relationship will end."

Lucas's jaw flexed, eyes going cold as his features tightened.

"Anyways, weren't *you* the one who broke up with *her*?" Tristan asked. "Because I really don't see why you're trying to make this my fault."

"Who says I'm trying to make it your fault?" Lucas asked. "Sounds to me like suppressed guilt."

If Tristan could have denied it, he would have. But Lucas's words had hit him in a very deep way, so he had no choice but to stand there with palms stuffed deep into his pockets.

"You're right, I am guilty," Tristan started as he stood there staring at Lucas. "But I want you to know that I wasn't myself on prom night...I mean, it was out of character for me to do something like that. To kiss a girl who was already taken."

His shoulders seemed heavy as he shifted on his feet, but the words continued to come, carrying out the guilt he had unconsciously buried.

"You were both so happy that night," Tristan continued. "And I had a feeling you were getting pretty close to sleeping with her, so I figured I would try and kiss her while I still had the chance."

"So as long as a guy hasn't slept with his girlfriend, she's perfectly fine for you to kiss." Lucas's glare seemed to intensify. "That's really logical, Whitefeather. It makes complete fucking sense."

"I'm not excusing my behavior. Just letting you know what was going through my head at the time."

"Well what if I *had* already slept with her?" Lucas's glare seemed to intensify. "What difference would it have made, knowing that we'd already had sex? For all you know, we could have done it before coming to prom, and you never would have known the difference."

"Oh, I would have known," Tristan assuredly said. "Most definitely."

"How? By sniffing her out with that bloodhound nose of yours?"

"Well that would have been one option, yes. But if a deep enough connection exists between a man and a woman, there really isn't a whole lot that either can be kept in secret about regarding the other."

Wearing an expression that could only be described as thoughtful, Lucas just stood there, gazing at Tristan with mildly furrowed brows. Tristan gazed back with a look that dared him to disagree, but as an extended period of silence stretched on, Lucas's introspective moment gave way to one of utter contempt.

"I actually loved her, you know." His eyes shone with a keen anger. "She wasn't just a random piece of ass, she was a girl that I deeply cared about."

"I know you cared about her," Tristan said. "And I also know she was the only girl besides Misty that you ever actually loved."

At the sound of Misty's name, Lucas's gaze seemed to intensify.

"How is Misty, by the way?" Tristan asked.

"What do you care? You've never talked to her a day in your life."

"No, but I've talked to her parents several times in the past few months."

"You're a fucking liar," Lucas accused. "Her parents died three years ago."

"That's right."

The blank look that crossed Lucas's features was promptly followed by one of skepticism.

"Of course, I should have known you would say something like that. Let me guess. You 'see dead people', right? This isn't a movie, asshole, it's real life. So stop making stupid shit up."

"Why would I make it up?" Tristan asked. "It's a gift that the Creator gave me, not something I'd randomly make up to impress a dickwad like you."

Lucas scoffed, then briefly looked off into the distance, but on retraining his gaze to the still-staring Tristan, he shifted his feet and lightly shook his head.

"Shit, Whitefeather. You've gotta be the strangest person I've met in my life."

"Why, because I see dead people?"

"Naw man, It's your whole demeanor." Lucas's gaze swept from Tristan's head down to his toes before once again resting on his face. "You're just really weird...like in an unexplainable way."

"Thanks," Tristan said.

"It wasn't meant as a compliment."

"Oh, I know. But thanks anyways."

Lucas frowned, then made a show of glancing at his cell phone. "Uh, I gotta get going."

"Thought you were waiting here for Rob and Joey," Tristan said.

"I was," Lucas affirmed. "But, uh...they're gonna meet me somewhere else, instead."

"Okay."

As Lucas started forward, Tristan stood his ground, not moving even an inch from the spot which he was rooted. Perhaps taking note of the way Tristan's feet were firmly planted, Lucas came to a halt, and with his face positioned directly above Tristan's, stared right into his eyes.

"You're still a little shit and I don't like you very much, but since you apologized I guess I can't hate you anymore."

"Okay," Tristan said while staring up at the taller teen. "Well I don't hate you anymore, either."

Fully expecting Lucas to continue on his way, Tristan waited for him to move along. But after nearly half a minute of Lucas just stubbornly standing there, Tristan realized that his schoolmate was attempting to establish supremacy.

Not one to punk out, Tristan stolidly remained in place, and like two bucks engaged in a display of aggression, the teen boys remained motionless. With no antlers to lock, they used their eyes to intimidate, but neither got the chance to establish their dominance over the other, because a female voice suddenly sliced through the air.

"So I hear there's a grad party tonight. Do either of you guys know where it is?"

Spurred by curiosity, both Lucas and Tristan turned their heads, and on noticing the pretty girl who was standing right near them, they offered her an imploring look.

"Yeah there's a party," Lucas responded. "But aren't you a junior? It's for seniors only."

"Are you sure?" Slipping her fingers through her long wavy hair, she flipped it over her shoulder. "Because I was told that if I talked to you, you could *definitely* get me in."

Now turning his body towards the petite girl, Lucas unabashedly checked out her cleavage.

"Well if that's what you heard, then I guess it must be true."

"Right on." She flirtatiously licked her glossed lips. "I've got a couple of friends who wanna go, too. Can they come along?"

"That depends," he responded. "Do they look anything like you?"

She giggled, then fluttered her lashes before running a palm along his shoulder. "Follow me, and you'll find out."

As she slowly walked away, Lucas's gaze lowered to her ass and healthily built thighs, which were prominently outlined by the fabric of her skin tight leggings. With his ego effectively boosted, he stood especially tall and proud, and with a look that was brief but just long enough to establish eye contact, Lucas offered Tristan a few words in parting.

"See you around, Whitefeather."

"Yeah, later," Tristan said, and after watching Lucas follow the girl, he headed in the opposite direction.

Five minutes later he was on the patio, and after spotting Claudia and Kimi who were excitedly chatting with a group of their classmates, he headed straight for them. Upon joining Claudia's side, she excitedly greeted him, then pressed her thumb against a stray eyelash that had fallen against his cheek.

"Make a wish," she said while holding out her finger so he could see the eyelash.

"Why?"

"Because that's what you do when you lose an eyelash. It's a tradition."

Glancing down at her finger, Tristan gave pause, as if uncertain of what exactly it was that he wanted to wish for. But with the suddenness of someone who had been stricken with inspiration, he closed his eyes and made a wish. When he opened them again, Claudia gave him a smile, then offered a response that urged him to continue.

"If you want the wish to come true, you have to blow the eyelash from my finger."

"You do it instead," Tristan suggested, and on noting the curious look that she gave him, he elaborated on his statement. "You were part of my wish, so you have to be involved."

"Oh..." A fluttering began to pass through her stomach, but as Tristan looped his arms around her waist and pulled her even closer, the quivering in her tummy increased two-fold.

"Go ahead," he said while looking deep into her eyes. "Complete the wish."

Needing no further encouragement, Claudia eagerly leaned forward, then pursed her lips and blew the eyelash from the tip of her finger. When she looked back up at Tristan, she saw that his lips were curled into a gentle smile, his eyes holding a softness that made a warm fuzziness build within.

.

"There," he softly said. "Now it *has* to be done."

"Uh-huh," Claudia agreed, and without even thinking about it, she rested her palms against his chest, lightly rubbing them up and down before straightening his tie beneath his academic robe. "Did I tell you how good you look in your graduation gown? The scholarly look really fits you."

"Thanks," he said. "And you look beautiful."

"You're sweet." Lifting a palm to his cheek, she caressed her thumb against his well-defined cheekbone. "So this it, Tristan...our last few moments as high school seniors."

"Thank God," Tristan replied. "I don't care if I never see this school again."

"Won't you miss it even a little?"

"Nope." He lightly shook his head. "But I do have to admit that the experience wasn't entirely bad. I mean, you and I did meet here, so..."

"Actually we met at my house," Claudia said. It was the very first day I arrived at the rez, remember?"

"Of course I remember." A smile graced Tristan's face. "But if you want to get technical about it, the first time we officially met was when we were toddlers. Mom and I came out to Michigan to visit you, your mom, and your dad that one summer."

"That's right," Claudia said. I think I remember us eating cake together...or maybe it was pie, I don't remember. But I do recall that I never got to finish eating it, because you smashed it up with your fingers."

"You're right, I did do that." Tristan grinned. "Not sure why exactly, but I remember thinking it was pretty funny."

"Yes, well, people who are mentally disturbed often do find amusement in traumatic situations."

"Mentally disturbed?" Tristan's grin widened. "I hardly think that smashing my hand in a piece of cake qualifies me as a person who is mentally ill."

"Well hey, crazy people don't know that they're crazy, but it doesn't make it any less of a fact, does it?"

"Thanks!" He sarcastically exclaimed. "You really know how to insult a guy, don't you?"

"Only joking," she said with a smile.

"Uh-huh, sure," he playfully responded. "But just so you know, mentally ill people aren't necessarily insane. They're suffering from a mental defect, while insane people are deranged, and largely unaccountable for their actions."

"But insanity stems from mental illness," Claudia said. "So insane people were probably once pretty normal, but somehow developed a personality disorder and ended up going nuts."

"Personality disorders may encourage, but they're not wholly responsible for insanity," he rebutted. "Psychopathy is usually caused by genetic and societal influences, rather than unhealthy patterns of thinking."

"Okay, what the heck are you two yapping about?" Having noticed that they were entrenched in conversation, Kimi was now standing in front of Claudia and Tristan, who had turned their heads to glance at her.

"Discussing the difference between mental illness and insanity," Claudia said. "Tristan thinks there's a clear line between the two, but in my opinion, the boundary is pretty blurred.

"You're kidding, right?" Kimi blinked in disbelief. "It's the day of our high school graduation, and instead of discussing your plans for summer or just joking around and having fun, you two are debating the subject of mental health."

"Pretty much," Claudia replied. "But it's a friendly debate, and we actually are having fun."

"*Right*." Kimi sarcastically nodded. "Well, when you two are finished intellectually screwing one another, why don't you join the rest of us so we can all walk out to the field together?"

"Intellectually screwing?" Claudia's eyes twinkled with amusement. "That is *not* what we were doing, Kimi."

"Oh yeah, you so were. I mean, look at you two." Her eyes dipped to Tristan's arms, which were still encircling Claudia's waist, but it was the way that Claudia's palms rested so comfortably against Tristan's chest that made Kimi lift one of her arched brows. "Is this what they call mental foreplay? Because whatever it is you're doing, you're both clearly getting turned on."

"Whatever." Claudia playfully rolled her eyes, but Tristan only smiled.

"Anyways, kids, we really should be getting a move on." Kimi gestured to the group of students who were signaling for them to come along. "Everyone is heading out to line up on the field, so disengage and follow along."

With excitement on their faces, Claudia and Tristan pulled apart, then each looped one of their arms through Kimi's before walking alongside her. With steps perfectly synchronized, the threesome moved along, passing the gymnasium and locker rooms before reaching the stadium area.

Already occupied with proud parents, the stands were filled to their full capacity, and the football field which stretched out beyond it was outfitted with a stage, podium, and rows of white folding chairs.

Eager to graduate, the throng of teens entered the field, hooting and hollering as they walked along, but as everyone began to take their seats, the noise gradually lessened. It wasn't until the principal walked up to the podium, that a hushed silence fell over the crowd, and that was the exact moment when Claudia was hit with the immensity of the occasion.

This was it, the official end of her high school years, and what stretched out beyond this present moment was a complete and utter mystery. Although her senior year had started off rather unpredictably, she had managed to settle into a routine that not only comforted her, but given her a chance to establish some roots. But now those roots were beginning to loosen, and soon all that she knew and was used to seeing on a daily basis would completely change.

*Oh God*, she thought as her palms became sweaty, *this is actually it. High school is over and I'm moving off to college.*

As if contemplating the looming change, her fingers and toes began to tingle, but as Tristan skimmed his fingertips across the back of her hand, she was struck with a pleasant lightheadedness that almost made her feel as if she were dreaming.

Even before she turned her head, she knew that Tristan was looking at her, and as her eyes locked with his, she instantly knew he'd channeled energy to her.

Wanting to feel more of it, she grabbed his hand and took it in hers, but this time of instead of lightheadedness, she was filled with a pleasurable warmth that spread from her hand and up her arm before traveling through her entire body.

Not having expected such a delicious sensation, a childlike wonder filled Claudia's eyes, and with an expression that conveyed his delight in her reaction, Tristan gently squeezed her hand. She squeezed back without hesitation, and as the energy that he sent her finally reached the tips of her toes, a thought suddenly hit her.

If Tristan had the ability to channel powerful energy with his hand, then wouldn't he also be able to do the same with another more intimate extremity?

*Stop*, she told herself, *don't even think about allowing that thought to come into your mind*.

But of course she *did* allow the thought to come through, and along with it came an unexpectedly graphic visual. Now thoroughly stimulated, she did her best to force the image away, but by the time she finally managed to, an ache between her thighs had begun to build.

Dead certain that Tristan could sense her arousal, she slyly peeked out of the corner of her eye. Her anxiousness, however, was swiftly dissolved as she noticed him staring straight ahead, intently listening to the commencement speech that the principal was giving.

Easing out a small breath, she relaxed in her seat and listened as well, but as the principal called for the students to begin the processional line-up, a shot of adrenaline went right through her body.

Row by row, each of the graduating students stood, until finally Claudia, Kimi, and Tristan's line began to move forward. Upon reaching the stage, they all came to a halt, then waited as the students ahead of them took their turns at accepting their diplomas.

With only two more students in front of her, Claudia prepared to climb the steps that led up to the principal's podium, but the warm and moist sensation of Tristan's breath against her earlobe made her tilt her head with curiosity.

"I'm curious," he whispered softly into her ear. "What was it you were thinking about earlier that made you so hot between the thighs?"

Frozen to the spot, Claudia's body went rigid, but it wasn't until she turned her head, that Tristan's face came into her line of vision.

"Oh yeah," he said while giving her a sly little smile. "I felt it."

The smile she shared with him wasn't just knowing but also flirtatious, and as he seductively ran his thumb along the curve of her spine, her muscles went slack with desire. The spot between her thighs, however, tightened in reaction to his caressing touch.

"Claudia Strauss," A voice suddenly called out from up on the podium, and realizing that her turn had finally come, Claudia whipped her head around.

Simultaneously aroused and nervous, she eagerly climbed onto the stage, where she accepted her diploma from the smiling principal. After shaking his hand, she made her way to the other side of the stage, and upon descending the steps that led down to the field, she was immediately embraced by Kimi.

"We did it, girlie!" She excitedly said while hugging Claudia. "Four long years, and we're finally out of high school. Can you believe it?"

"Not completely," Claudia said through a wide, cheesy grin. "It still seems so surreal, you know?"