Disclaimer: I own nothing.
As Rory turned, the person she'd been searching for came through the doors of Chilton Preparatory. "Tristin!" she whispered. "Where have you been? We have fifteen minutes until showtime. Where were you? Paris is about to have a coronary!"
Tristin didn't smile or move toward the nearby restroom, where his costume was waiting to be donned. He looked pained, and then whispered, "Can we go somewhere else?"
"Where?" she asked. He led her outside. "What's wrong?" Rory asked.
"I can't stay."
"What? Why?" Rory's eyes widened. If he ducked out of the production now, Paris would have a heart attack.
"It's a long story."
"Oh, do tell, Tristin. I'm so interested." Rory couldn't help but to let a little sarcasm slip into her tone. She was tired of picking up after Tristin where Paris was involved.
"I did something stupid, involving Duncan and Bowman and—"
"Why do you hang out with those idiots? Tristin, I know that you can do so much better—why hang out with those guys?" Rory cut him off.
"Let me finish!" he said. "We broke into Bowman's dad's safe."
"Those guys are just trouble—" Tristin's last words sank in. "Bowman's dad's safe?" she exclaimed.
Tristin was calm again, and reserved. "Yeah. I know—it was dumb, I could have better taste in friends, and all that. I know, Rory—my father just gave me the whole speech. The law was lenient—first offense—and Bowman's dad wasn't too upset, but my dad decided that I needed some "sense and responsibility drilled into me" so I'm leaving. I'm getting shipped off to Pearson Military Academy in Pearson, North Carolina." Tristin's tone was now bitter.
Rory was shocked at his speech to her. "Military school?"
Tristin nodded. Then a sarcastic sneer settled onto his face, trying to hide the unhappiness he felt. "You should be happy." Tristin said, trying and failing to sound sarcastic to hide the bitterness.
"Why would I be happy?"
"Well, I've been nothing but trouble to you since we first met. Now I'm getting shipped off to a town eight hundred miles away. Congratulations, Rory—your life is now perfect."
"Tristin," Rory felt tears roll down her cheeks, "I'm so sorry. Sorry that I've been nothing but mean to you, sorry that I didn't try harder to be your friend."
"Rory…." Tristin sighed. "You have nothing to be sorry for. This is what I deserve." his voice was tight, strained, and he sounded weary.
Rory genuinely didn't know what to say. She had always had a snappy comeback for Tristin's snide comments, but she was totally speechless now.
"Tristin!" a voice materialized in the nearby parking lot.
"Time to go." Tristin said resignedly.
Rory felt awkward but didn't let on. "Bye, Tristin." she said softly.
"Bye, Rory." Rory smiled softly when he finally called her by her real name.