Rory and Tristin--a conversation from "Run Away, Little Boy"
Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Rory heard the phone ring. She jumped off of the couch, still hyper with excitement from the sucess of the Shakespeare assignment she, Paris, Madelyn, Louise, and until the last minute, Tristin had completed the previous night. It was seven in the morning, and Rory was preparing to go to school.

Rory answered on the second ring and was surprised at who was calling.

"Hey, Mary." a familiar, yet pained and tired voice came over the phone line.

"Tristin!" Rory was shocked. She guessed he was calling from his cell phone, because she could hear someone else in the background.

"Hi." Tristan repeated.

"How did you get my number?" Rory asked.

"The student directory has to be good for something, right?" Tristin tried to joke, but sounded withdrawn.

"I guess so." Rory agreed. "How's military school? Are you there yet?"

"You can't wait until I'm truly gone." Tristin said.

"No! That's not what I meant!" Rory insisted.

"We got here last night. I would say it's terrible, but that seems a little juvenile. I'm not supposed to be making this call--I'm taking a bathroom break from running the mile."

"Well, if it's terrible, it's terrible." There was a long pause.

"You're wondering why I called, right?" Tristin guessed.

"Um, actually, yes. I was." Rory admitted.

"I wanted to catch you before school this morning."

"Why?" Rory asked, trying to tie her saddle shoe with one hand.

"I just wanted to apologize."

"For what?" Rory now cradled the phone between her cheek and shoulder and finished tying her shoes.

"Well, for frustrating Dean like that, at the dance and the store; for abandoning you and everyone else on that project. And for teasing you. I'm sorry."

"Apology accepted and forgiveness granted."

"Thanks."

"Hey, take care of yourself, okay?" Rory knew that Tristin may have needed some better guidance and friends, but military school was a little harsh.

"Okay, Mary." Tristin used the all-too familiar nickname he had bestowed on Rory her first week at Chilton. "Bye."

"Bye..." Tristin paused for a moment. "Rory." Rory smiled, and Tristin hung up.