Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot and some characters
A/N: I have revised everything because I was really unhappy with how it was turning out. I've had a lot of extra time as I haven't been able to get onto my computer at home so I went through and made some changes. Nothing major, just some wording, dialogue etc.
Now that I'm vaguely happy with how it's going I might be more motivated to write and update regularly.
Thank you to everyone who reads and reviewed my first attempt, it made my year reallly. And a HUGE thank you to my good friend Sarah for re-reading the chapters for me so patiently and not complaining even though I know you're over the whole thing - I totally owe you one
Glancing at the petite figure seated next to him, Tristan sighed deeply before turning to focus his tired eyes once again on the long road ahead. The countryside flashed past the windows in an unnameable variety of colours, but lost in his thoughts, Tristan couldn't say where they were or even how long he'd been driving.
The day had been long and as the sun dipped below the distant horizon, his companion finally found the peace she needed in sleep.
The events of the last week had taken their toll on her. She was too stubborn and proud to willingly admit any weakness, but Tristan could see through her act. Her eyes never lied and whenever he looked into them, her pain was obvious in an instant.
Her pride was what amazed him the most. In a situation like theirs, he wouldn't have been surprised if she'd broken down and given up long ago. The fact that she simply refused to back down had proven to Tristan, what he had in many ways known all along; that she deserved his respect. Of course there had been moments; moments when everything seemed too much and he thought she was about to crack. Once again, her pride caught her. Tristan found the mask of courage and strength that she showed him was sometimes too real and too convincing. Only when she thought she was alone would she let her vulnerability show.
In order for them to make it this far they had had to show trust and faith in each other time and time again. Even so, she would only allow him to help her as much as she needed and no more. Despite her protests on the subject, he knew she was finding if difficult to trust him completely.
Out of the corner of his eye he could see her moving as though deep in a dream. He was willing to bet his precious last dollar that in her subconscious she was at home in her beloved town, with her mother, her friends, and if he knew her at all, probably even school. All the things he had taken her away from. No matter how many times she lectured him on not feeling guilty, on how it wasn't his fault and he was as much a victim here as she was, he couldn't believe it. She was so innocent and no matter how out of place he found himself to be in their new surroundings, she would always be even more so. In Tristan's mind it would be no wonder if she was weary of him. Her life had been so good and he knew he had ruined that in one night. All to help prove he and his friends deserved the title of 'Kings of Chilton'. It was hard to imagine that it was only seven days ago that his reputation was all that mattered; it seemed so pathetic and worthless now.
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Two Weeks Earlier
"Mary, Mary, Mary." Tristan smirked at the girl in front of him. She slowly turned to face him, a frown marring her delicate features.
"What do you want Tristan?"
"The pleasure of your company." He leaned against the locker next to hers, arms crossed casually against his chest. The final bell had rung and the students were vacating the halls with Friday night urgency. Soon Tristan would be joining them, his weekend comprised of being seen at all the right parties, saying all the right things to all the right people, and eventually leaving with the right kind of girl, but for now his attention was focused solely on the brunette standing before him.
"How would you know if my company's pleasurable?" she snapped leaving herself wide open for a habitual innuendo laced with enough sarcasm to hide the underlying veracity. Unfortunately for Tristan, she recognized the opening and continued on quickly, "I mean…I…you…what do you want Tristan?"
"Did you know that even your ears turn red when you're embarrassed?" he smiled, reaching out and placing a stray strand of hair back behind her ear where it belonged. His action surprised her and he managed to trail his fingers lightly down her neck before she collected her thoughts and pushed him away.
"Leave me alone." She slammed her locker shut before following the last remaining students towards the door.
"Mary, wait!" Tristan called, starting after her, "Rory!"
The use of her real name stopped Rory in her tracks and Tristan smiled, filing the trick for future reference.
"I have a bus to catch." She stated impatiently when he drew even with her.
"I'll give you a ride."
"I'd rather get the bus."
"Then I'll be quick." He knew hell would freeze over before Rory Gilmore willingly got into his car so didn't bother pushing the point.
"If only you would." Rory glanced at her watch then over her shoulder at the patiently idling bus.
"I got these." Tristan reached into his back pocket and pulled out two slightly crumpled tickets. Despite her attempts to look nonchalant he knew she was impressed.
"I thought these were sold out."
"They are these are the last two."
"Wow, congratulations." Rory forced herself to smile but it was obvious to anyone who'd seen the real thing that it was far from genuine, "I hope you have fun."
Once again she turned and walked away from him. This time however he was quick enough to grab her elbow and hold her back.
"We will. I'll pick you up at seven."
"Why?"
"Well, any later and we'll miss the start of the show."
"I'm not going with you Tristan."
"But I got tickets."
"Take someone else."
"Awwww, but Mary we both know you'd love to come." Tristan waved the tickets in front of her face as she leaned away from him.
"Actually Tristan I wouldn't…Please don't turn this into PJ Harvey all over again." She turned away and this time he let her go. She walked quickly back towards the bus not letting herself look back.
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"DuGrey! Where've you been?" Owen Cavanaugh clapped Tristan on the back as he sauntered over to join the small group of guys gathered on the expansive lawn.
"What day is it Owen?" Tristan asked, arching an eyebrow at the shorter, mousy haired junior.
"Monday." Owen answered immediately.
For the last three years, Tristan had been something of a hero to Owen. Ever since the older boy had taken the then awkward freshman under his wing and secured him a date to the Winter Formal with the hottest girl in school.
What Tristan had conveniently failed to mention was the reason behind his uncharacteristic act of charity.
A bet.
A challenge.
A dare.
The biggest loser at Chilton, as picked by Tristan's best friend and second in command Jake Mahoney, was to be matched with the girl he deemed to be the biggest conquest. Tristan lost the deciding game of poker and the task of making it happen had fallen to him.
After it all, Owen proved to be an important contribution to their group. He was willing to play a role for which no one had foreseen the need, the go-for. He would have been a Personal Assistant if they were paying him, but as it was he just did their dirty work or anything they simply couldn't be bothered doing themselves. He considered them friends and they thought of him when it was convenient. It sounds cold and on one hand it was, on the other however, it was a win-win situation; Tristan, Jake and the others got a slave of sorts and in return Owen became part of the "cool" crowd.
"Exactly." Tristan nodded at the boy now, "When am I ever at school before lunch on a Monday?"
"Never." Owen answered unnecessarily. Tristan was no longer listening as his attention was across the courtyard with the diminutive blue-eyed girl emerging from the building.
"Give it up." Matthew Conway advised when he followed his friends' gaze. He had been the first to notice Tristan's fascination with the Gilmore girl when she transferred to Chilton in their sophomore year and had seen him fail repeatedly in his attempts to get her attention. "She's not worth it."
Forcing himself to look at his friend, Tristan shook his head.
"I'm over the chase man."
"Then move on."
"The thrill is in the conquest." Tristan looked back over at Rory as she was flanked by Madeline, Louise and Paris.
"She's been rejecting you for almost three years now; I think her immunity to your charms is pretty much impenetrable." Jake pointed out.
"No, I just haven't found the right way to get to her yet."
"Give it up." Matthew repeated his earlier statement with more conviction. "There are plenty of easier chicks in the school."
"If you're in it for the challenge, go for Paris." Jake suggested as the four boys stared over the grass at the girls in question.
"I've known Paris since we were five." Tristan looked appalled, "She's more like a sister to me than anything else."
"I'd do her." Jake shrugged.
"So do her then and while you're at it get her to put in a good word with Rory for me." Tristan snapped, talking about what he couldn't have was doing nothing for his increasingly bad mood so he was thankful when the bell signalled the return to afternoon classes. Striding ahead of his friends, Tristan led them into the building, overtaking Rory and Paris who were headed in the same direction. The crowds in the corridors parted for the four boys as they always did and the two girls were soon lost in the wake.
"Ok, I have a plan." Jake threw his arm over Tristan's shoulder as they entered their classroom.