Rory lied awake, staring at the ceiling, nervous, excited and everything else in between. The sun was creeping through her window through the small opening not covered by her curtains. She was supposed to be getting ready for school, but she just couldn't get up. When her mom tapped on the door for the fourth time, with a bit more emphasis, she finally reluctantly got up. Rory was extremely anxious to make a good first impression.

After all, she was coming in as a junior in one of the most prestigious schools in Hartford, Chilton Prep. She knew that it would initially be difficult to make friends because everyone else had probably already formed their own cliques in the past two years. She had really wished that Lane could come with her, just to ease the pain for a bit. Also, since she was on scholarship, she knew she would have to make a good impression on the teachers and headmaster. She however, was up to challenge. She had always been a straight A student, more on the reserved side, but vocal when necessary.

She got up and went to shower. Then, she went to her closet and found her neatly ironed and pressed uniform that she had labored on for a half an hour only last night. She was a bit of a neat freak, as her mom often times referred to her. She carefully put on her uniform, making sure not to get wrinkles on it. Then, she tried to do something to her extremely plain brunette hair. She peered in the mirror. She knew she would be a plain one. Even at Stars Hollow High she was exactly the vixen all the guys went after. She didn't like to put on make-up because she knew that it clogged her pores. The only semi-cosmetic item she carried with her was her chapstick. She always had one in her pocket, her backpack, and each of her purses, so to make sure she was never without one.

She grabbed her backpack and went into the kitchen, where her mom sat, reading a paper and drinking coffee. She looked at her mom. Lorelai had raised her all on her own, and after Rory's grandparents passed away, she really had no relatives to turn to. The community had helped to raise Rory of course. Lorelai worked extra hours at the inn to make ends meet so her beautiful face was often times hidden under her tired eyes and worn-out complexion.

Lorelai looked up at her daughter, smiling, she said, "Well, don't we look rich today?"

Rory smiled. "I'm ready Mom."

"Okay. I'm proud of you kid."

"Thanks, you told me that yesterday."

In the car, Lorelai talked away about how the other night at the inn, a kid had tried to get into the kitchen to put red food coloring in all the food. Sookie had beat him out with a broomstick, and it was a sight to see. However, Rory had her thoughts elsewhere. Lorelai knew her daughter was nervous and instinctly grabbed her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

When they pulled up to the school's driveway, they were both amazed. It seemed as if they had entered an enchanting world, and they had found the castle. The gothic-looking building seemed so immense and formidable. Rory let out an extra deep breath as she stared up at it. Rory was a bit early, so both mother and daughter sat in the car in silence. Then Lorelai broke the silence and said, "Do you think you will meet Harry Potter here?"

Rory laughed, "I don't think so Mom. I think I have to go get my schedule. Some students are arriving." She pointed as a Lexus and a Mercedes pulled up, and four girls piled out of them.

"Okay, see you tonight at Luke's. Love you."

"Love you too Mom." Rory gave her mom a kiss goodbye and gathering her strength, got out of the car, and approached the stone building.

When she came in, she spotted a student with large glasses and wavy blonde hair.

"Excuse me," Rory said.

The girl replied, "Yes."

"Where is the headmaster's office?"

"Oh, are you new here?"

"Yeah, I'm Rory."

"I'm Hannah. I'll show you the way."

Rory followed her, politely answering all her questions. "Where do you live?" "What grade are you in?" "Why did you decide to come here?"

Finally they reached the office, Hannah said, "Good Luck, see you around. Hopefully we'll have a class together."

Rory thanked her, glad to possibly have on friend.

Headmaster Charleston was a large, but amiable man. He gave Rory her schedule and his lecture on how difficult the workload at Chilton would be compared to her old school. Rory reassured him of her abilities.

"Yes, I know. I know the principal of Stars Hollow High. She only had good things to say about you."

Blushing slightly, she thanked him and went on her way to find her locker. Most of the students had arrived already. Girls were hugging and asking each other about the summer. Guys were finding their friends or girlfriends. People were busily putting their stuff in their lockers, not minding Rory at all.

Rory felt extremely lost. She had no clue where her locker was, or where her classroom was. She wandered aimlessly for a while and then the bell rang. Frantically, she tried to find a schoolmap in the school's student handbook. After several minutes, the hallways had cleared, leaving Rory alone in her worry. Then she saw a red-headed girl, approaching her. She was wearing a leatherman's jacket, no doubt, belonging to her boyfriend. She probably was in the "in crowd. Then, Headmaster Charleston appeared from out of nowhere.

"Ms. Ronalds, are we late again?"

"No headmaster, I was…" she stuttered a bit. Rory saw what was happening and jumped in, "She was just helping me get to my locker and class headmaster. I'm really lost."

"Oh, Ms. Gilmore. Well, if she can vouch for you, go ahead Ms. Ronalds. Next time it's detention."

The headmaster went back in the other direction and the girl approached Rory, "Thanks, I'm Beth."

"Rory Gilmore."

"Well, I might as well help you find your locker now."

"Thanks."

"What grade are you in?"

"11th"

"Oh, same here. What's your first class, AP Chemistry?"

"That sucks."

"Yeah, I prefer physics."

"I prefer none of the sciences," Beth said with a laugh.

Beth accompanied to her class and explained to her how the classrooms are situated, and where the other facilities were- bathroom, gym, library, cafeteria. "Although, most of my friends and I hang out on the lawn in the back. Actually, we usually ditch the block after lunch to go get some food out."

"Oh."

Beth smiled, "You're one of those that would never ditch huh?"

"I'm afraid so," Rory replied.

"No, I am totally fine with it. I used to be one of those too," Beth said with a wink. "See you around."

Rory's morning was exhausting. She got a pile of work for her classes. However, she did see Hannah again in her English class, and she made friends with her lab partner, Patrick. Patrick was a bit overweight, but he was still as jubilant as most.

During lunch, Rory stood in line, and saw Beth and two other girls with her. Beth saw Rory too, and waved, but kept on walking. Hannah invited her to sit and eat with her friends, Jessica, Gina, and Wesley.

"Wesley here is a complete idiot. He's captain of the school golf team."

Wesley asked Rory, "What sport are you going to try out for?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, everyone at Chilton has to play a sport."

"Well, that's going to very difficult since I can barely walk without crashing into something.
Gina laughed, "I'm the same way. You should join the tennis team with Hannah and me. Jessica's the all-star volleyball player."

"I guess," Rory replied.

Gina and Hannah spent the rest of lunch telling Rory more about the tennis team, and then they had to go to class.

None of the others had history with her, so she managed to find her way to class. She was happily surprised to see Beth there. Beth was sitting on the table of what looked like her boyfriend. She was chatting with a girl sitting in the seat behind.

Rory set her things down in the second row. She liked being near the front, but not directly in front of the teacher.

Beth had turned around and saw her. She waved her over. When Rory approached, the girl that Beth was talking to was looking at her curiously, but not in a good way.

"This is Rory you guys. She got me out of that tight jam this morning. This is my boyfriend Derek." Derek gave a friendly nod to Rory. "And this is Jamie." Jamie just mumbled and went back to filing her nails.

"Here Rory, you can sit here," Beth motioned to the desk next to Jamie's.

Jamie jumped in and said, "Tristan told me to save him a spot."

"Well, where is he?" Beth asked.

"How am I supposed to know," Jamie replied quickly, still looking at Rory with a smug look on her face.

"He's probably out puffing the magic dragon," Derek said with a chuckle.

Beth gently hit him on the back of his head, "You guys should really stop that."

"What, it's not like you've never tried it."

"Yeah, but it's disgusting."

"Whatever," Derek said apathetically.

"Nevermind, Rory, you can sit here."

"Oh," Rory replied, "I already put my stuff up there. It's fine."

"Well, see, she doesn't have to sit there Beth," Jamie said.

"Shut up Jamie."

Just then, a guy with dirty blonde hair came into the classroom. Rory had to admit that he was exceptionally gorgeous. Jamie waved to him, and he came over. He sat down with one glance over at Rory. "Tristan Dugrey, Rory Gilmore." He nodded at her just as Derek had done, and Rory smiled.

The bell rang, and Rory went back to her seat. The teacher, Mr. Macmillan had started writing on the board the agenda for the day.

"She's a Gilmore. I've never heard of them," Jamie said. It was afterschool, and she, Beth, and their other friend Stacy were waiting for the guys in front of the school.

"I think she's on scholarship," Beth replied.

"Oh, I see," Jamie said with a laugh.

"So, why exactly are we being nice to her?" Stacy asked.

"Because, she was nice enough to help me out."

"So…."

Just then, two cars approached them, one sleek Porsche and a Hummer. Tristan was sitting in the driver's seat of the Porsche, looking impatiently at them, while Derek was driving the Hummer with another guy in the front seat with him. He honked at the girls to get their attention and they all went over to the cars. Jamie immediately went to sit right next to Tristan in his car.

Meanwhile, Rory had heard their whole conversation, confused as to whether she should be hurt by what the girls had said, or glad that Beth had stood up for her.