Title: Far From Mundane
Author: Chrissy
Disclaimer: I own nothing sadly. The song featured in this chapter is "Forgetting Myself" by Third Eye Blind.
AN: This story takes place after Tristan and Rory have completed college.
Summary: As Tristan's life spirals downward right before his very eyes, will that certain someone be there? Trory.
Chapter One: Forgetting Myself
This is not my life or
maybe it is
I keep on forgetting myself
Tristan DuGray ran his right hand through his tousled blonde hair for the millionth time that day. "Liz, haven't you picked the perfect ensemble yet?"
Elizabeth Kent floundered further by choosing yet another outfit to wear to the annual Hartford Charity Banquet. "How about this one?"
"Liz, it's perfect just like the other five before," Tristan said annoyed. "We really need to get going unless I'll have to partake in yet another in depth speech from Benjamin and Gabriella DuGray concerning how a gentleman should arrive promptly."
"I can't believe my ears; Tristan DuGray paying mind to this parents! Where's that rebellious, dashingly handsome chap I know?" Liz said while finally choosing a flashy red dress that screamed improper at a charity banquet.
"Chap, eh?" Tristan casually glanced at his two thousand dollar watch his parents had bought him two birthdays ago. "I'll meet you downstairs, my love," he said with a kiss.
Exactly twenty minutes later, Elizabeth appeared at the staircase. "I'm ready now."
"Great, we're only forty-five minutes late," Tristan said arrogantly.
"And you love every minute of making the last highly publicized appearance at a banquet," Elizabeth smirked.
Tristan turned the porcelain doorknob, and then led Elizabeth to the black limousine. "Tristan, I'm impressed," Elizabeth said absentmindedly; she was used to aristocratic luxuries.
The limousine arrived at the Hartford Country Club 'red carpet' shortly thereafter and at the first sign of a shoe, the photographers and press went wild. The highly publicized couple had reporters and all of Hartford's society in a frenzy. Elizabeth and Tristan responded to the flashing white lights with beaming smiles.
"On behalf of Tristan and myself, I'd like to thank you for all the support you've shown us. Thank you," Elizabeth bogusly extolled.
The couple turned towards the entrance of the country club when Tristan mumbled sarcastically, "You couldn't even tell that you memorized that ahead of time."
"Tristan, I like to present a positive and gracious image to the press and the millions of well-wishers," Elizabeth replied with a beauty queen air.
Too bad you don't present a 'positive and gracious image' to those around you, Tristan thought with a smirk.
It had not been five seconds when Benjamin and Gabriella had appeared at Tristan's side reminding him that a gentleman must always be prompt. "Tristan, you need to be responsible. You act like you're 16 when in reality you're 25," admonished Tristan's father.
"Mr. DuGray, it's not Tristan's fault; it was my own. I couldn't decide on what to wear," Elizabeth said somewhat dim-wittedly.
"And Ms. Kent, this is the outfit you were to choose?" questioned Mrs. DuGray.
Elizabeth ignored the question and walked off to the bar area in a huff.
"Tristan, you're late as it is, so come with me to say your respects to our eldest friends."
As Tristan stoically verbalized his respect to the DuGray clan's lifelong acquaintances, Elizabeth kept her eye on a very attractive man who was currently dancing. The dance soon ended and Elizabeth didn't miss a beat catching the young man's attention for he soon made eye contact and motioned for her to dance with him.
Tristan's eyes wondered carelessly around the room and finally came to rest on the dancing couple. He wistfully watched Elizabeth and her new dance companion; Tristan had known it was coming. Elizabeth never stayed long after not getting what she wanted; she had wanted to be the prized trophy wife, while he had wanted a life long friend.
Tristan DuGray walked towards the door, turning only once to see Elizabeth not only dancing with her new 'fling', but now, she was locked in the new conquest's lips; to this Tristan could only shake his head in disbelief.
This unverbalized breakup did not go unnoticed by the Hartford society, for soon after Tristan had left the room, the gossip buzzed incessantly.
Tristan had felt too stuffy in the room and decided to take a walk to clear his mind. What was I thinking?, he silently asked himself. Numerous questions surfaced in his head. How had I let this relationship get this far without noticing how flighty Elizabeth really was? How had I let my life come to this?
Tristan sighed and decided to head back towards the lavishly decorated Hartford Country Club.
The neat brick path he walked upon represented the Hartford society; not one unerring from the set precedent. The acquaintances with which Tristan had known his whole life were boring 'rectangular bricks' and each person formed together created the perfect 'path'. Tristan kicked a red brick loose from the others and sneakily looked side-to-side to see if someone had seen his vandalism. Upon his furtive glances, Tristan was then bombarded by a wide set of innocent blue eyes…