E-mail: raepevans@hotmail.com
Summary: Rory's life turns Upside Down when she over hears a conversation in the ladies bathroom.
Rating: PG13 now ... but later it *may* turn R. I will give you a fair warning.
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Upside Down
Part One
Some days I wake up and wonder, where is my life going? I always had a set path for everything. Graduate from Chilton - possibly be valedictorian, assuming Paris would be okay with it. Go to Harvard, graduate. Find a job, find a home - near my mom - find my place and stick to it. But suddenly everything change. In one moment, my world was turned upside down.
I was walking down the halls of Chilton just like any other day. I had just let my English Literature class and hurrying to the bathroom before my Calculus class began. I rushed into the bathroom and into a stall - no one else was in the bathroom, yet.
I relieved myself and was just about to flush when I heard voices. Normally I would have continued on my way but something about their conversation caught my attention. Maybe it was because they were talking about him.
"Yeah, he's been acting so strange lately. He never flirts with me anymore. It's like I'm not even there. Talk about boring. I've had funner conversations with my dog." One girl commented. Doesn't she know 'funner' is not a word? I shook my head but continued to listen.
"I know. Same with me. All he does is stare at the new girl, Rory." The second girl said. Great, now they were talking about me. But who is this 'him' and why is 'he' staring at me?
"She's not the most beautiful girl in the world." The first girl commented. Why thank you! I thought. She continued, "None of the other guys find her the least bit attractive. I don't understand why Tristan is so taken with her. It's so obvious too. I can't believe she hasn't noticed." Tristan? I thought. Likes me? Ludicrous. But I continued to listen.
"Totally true. I see him staring at her all the time. And he's always talking to her." The second said. Making fun of me was more like it. Although, he was being much nicer lately. I sighed, but continued to listen. Why? I didn't know.
"Staring? More like gapping. Even the teachers are getting annoyed with it. You know, I still don't understand his fascination with her." The first girl said again.
"She's got really wonderful natural beauty. Doesn't cover herself up with make up like everyone else. He probably just sees something neither of you do." A third girl said. At that point I was shocked more so than ever before. That voice belonged to Paris, and she was sticking up for me. And saying that Tristan liked me because I had natural beauty. Shocked I was.
"You don't wear make-up either Paris. Why doesn't Tristan like you?" The first girl shot back, obviously irritated with the fact that Paris just accused her of being fake. I guess she's not good at handling the truth.
"I don't know Louise. That's just one of life's greatest mysteries, isn't it?" Paris said. I could her the irritation in her voice. I smiled. The bell choose to ring at that moment and I heard retreating footsteps.
The last words I heard caused my heart to stop beating. "I heard that Tristan is actually in love with Miss. Gilmore. Can you believe it? Tristan - playboy - Du Grey in love? It has to be some type of joke."
Tristan? In love? With me? She's right, this is some sort of joke.
I flushed the toilet and hurried out of the bathroom. I was going to be late for Calculus. Tristan was in my calculus class. Why was I thinking about Tristan? I never thought about Tristan. So why did I start then?
Thanks to those few over heard words, my life was practically turned upside down.
* * * * * *
I sat down in my seat, early for a change. The bell had only rang 2 minutes ago. I smiled inwardly. This was one of my favorite classes. Calculus.
Why, you may ask? Why would I - Tristan Du Grey - enjoy such a meaningless and snore-worthy class? Don't worry, it's a common question that I ask myself everyday. The answer? Well, it's simple really.
Because she's in here. She sits directly in front of me and I can smell the strawberry shampoo that she uses. I can watch, unseen by her, as she fiddles with her pencil, chewing on the end, when a problem seems just too hard. I can watch as she figures the answers and smiles to herself, proud that she was able to do it alone - no help from the teacher.
She's like that you know. Self reliant, self-sufficient, stubborn. She will never ask you for help - when it comes to academics. She's amazing. She'll be valedictorian … no question. That fact alone makes Paris steam.
It's been 4 minutes since the bell rang and she still hasn't arrived. I watch the door in anticipation of seeing her beautiful face, not covered with make up - but shinning naturally. She's so beautiful.
The bell will ring any minute. She's never late. I hope she's not sick.
I sigh in relief when she breezes through the door carrying her books, just seconds before the bell rings. She would have been extremely upset had she been tardy.
I waited for her to sit down so I could begin watching her without anyone noticing. But for some reason, she didn't sit right away. I looked up at her, wondering if something was wrong.
She was staring at me. Me. She wasn't glaring. She wasn't glancing. She was staring. And her eyes, they held wonder and … confusion.
Why would she be confused that I was sitting here, behind her, in a class that we had together? It was an everyday occurrence. I hadn't cut my hair. I wore the same uniform as always. What? Did I have something hanging out of my nose?
"Miss Gilmore, could you pry your eyes from Mr. Du Grey and take your seat. Please?" Mrs. Maeham requested. Rory immediately sat down and opened her books.
I watched her for a few moments before opening my own book. Something was different. I was dying to know what. Was it good? Was Rory starting to like me? As a friend or more? Or, was it bad? Did she suddenly realize I was repulsive? Was my nose too flat, or my eyes too wide apart?
I had to find out what that look had meant.