Title: Predictable

Author: ~aDdIcTeD-2-GG~

A/N: This story is AU. Characters will seem different because circumstances in this story are different to the TV show. Some things will probably seem confusing, but answers will be revealed throught the course of the story.

Please note that I have changed this chapter since when I first posted it sometime around 7/10/03.

Summary: Something's gone wrong between Rory and Dean, and it's having an upsetting affect on Rory. She's getting depressed, but maybe the arrival of a new student at Chilton could cheer her up…? TRORY.

Remember to review!

Chapter one: Turmoil Within

***** Chilton Prepatory *****

Rory walked silently down the seemingly freezing hallways of Chilton. She stopped in front of her locker and turned the dial, which opened with suprising ease today, not requiring the usual struggle. Rory unzipped her bag and pulled out her un-necessary books and placed them inside her already crammed-full locker. As she was closing her locker door, she stopped and looked at the photo of her and Dean that she had taped to the inner side of the door. She hastily tore it down and scrunched it up into a little ball in her hand. That was one thing she didn't need - a reminder. A reminder of what she so badly wanted to forget. She angrily threw the photo into the nearest bin and headed off to her first class of the day.

With her head down she entered the classroom, making sure not to make eye contact with any of her peers. She took her seat in the usual spot, next to the open window in the back corner. Her corner provided safety and security, somewhere she could hide and cause the least disturbance in the social ranks. Up front was where all the possesive nerds sat, always the first into the classroom in order to ensure front row seats for themselves and their fellow nerds. The rebels sat in last 2nd and 3rd last rows where they could muck-up, the popular people took up the middle seats and the seats around the edges were reserved for loners. In her little corner she could work with little disturbance, be the least likely to be picked on by the teacher and hopefully go un-noticed by all.

The teacher, Mrs Snowden, strode confidently into the classroom. In her hands she held the 10cm thick Advanced English syllabus, a box of chalk and a duster, a novel and her signiature metre ruler. After placing her belongings on the teacher's desk, she took out her ruler and violently banged it against the blackboard in order to gain the classes attention. Immediately all attention was directed towards the teacher and personal affairs were forgotten.

"Today we shall be beginning a study of the novel, Pride and Predjudice." Mrs Snowden informed the class.

Rory's heart skipped a beat out of joy.

"I'll be expecting anyone who was borrowing a copy of the last novel we were studying, to return it to me my the end of the next week. Anyone who is unable to obtain their own copy of Pride and Predjudice, as usual may borrow a copy from the school. Are my insturctions understood?"

Obediantly the class nodded their heads. Mrs Snowden posessed an unusual air about her that demanded the respect and fear of all under her command. She was a force to be reckoned with.

"The headmaster has given me the pleasure of informing you that a new student shall be joining our class as of this coming Monday, so you are all required to be on your best behaviour. Are the headmaster's instructions understood?"

As usual, the class obediantly nodded their heads. Looking positively pleased with her control of the class, Mrs Snowden proceeded with her lesson, with an attentive audience of… none (although Mrs Snowden didn't seem to notice).

"I wonder if the new student's a male…?" Rory heard Madeline whisper to Louise.

"I wonder if the new student's an attractive male…!?!?" Louise whispered back.

"Oh, stop being so immature both of you!" Paris whispered forcefully.

Rory laughed to herself, ammused by the antics of her favourite group to observe. If it weren't for the fact that there was a gigantic brick wall, in terms of social status, between Paris, Madeline, Louise and herself, she would love to become friends with them. But it was just not meant to be, so it would seem.

"Ms Gilmore!"

*sigh* if only she wasn't considered such a 'loner'.

"I repeat, Ms Gilmore!!!"

Why were there these silly social rules and codes of conduct? Life could be so much simpler.

BANG!

Mrs Snowden's ruler came crashing down on Rory's desk.

"Are you listening to me Ms Gilmore?!?!" Mrs Snowden demanded.

Rory looked up nervously and saw that the entire class was staring at her. She must have zoned out.

"Would you like to answer me?" Mrs Snowden barked.

"Y-yes." Rory stuttered. "S-sorry, Miss."

Rory quickly looked down at her desk and willed Mrs Snowden to leave her alone. She heard Mrs Snowden's heavy footfall returning to the front of the classroom. Whispering and hopelessly supressed laughter could be heard circulating the classroom. Rory covered her ears, not wanting to hear any of the potentially harmful comments. Why was this happening? How was this happening? Everything just seemed like too much for her to bear. She'd been through enough, and enough was enough. She couldn't let events of the past haunt her. She couldn't let the present weigh her down. She'd have to move on.

A/n: Well, finally I finished that so I can move on to the next chapter! Please please please please review!!!!

~aDdIcTeD-2-GG~