Part 2: Confrontation
She didn't want to go but Lorelai obliged her; missing the party would be like disrespecting Christen who invited them. Rory kept repeating that she wouldn't notice her absence and that she could tell she was sick but Lorelai was firm in her intentions: they were going to Christen's, eat the cookies she promised she would have made and have fun, no matter what was her problem with Tristan.
She was thinking about their discussion earlier while they were heading to Christen's. Dean wasn't coming and she would have been alone facing the bad boy. Her mum knocked at the door and a smiling Christen greeted them. She was stunning in her long light-green dress with a red flower in her hair, which perfectly matched the red of her lips. There were many people in there, everyone seemed to have fun: there were cookies and donuts and lemonade and cocktails and music. The atmosphere was cosy and relaxed. It was a nice place, ethnic style, there were postcards and photographs of her trips everywhere. And lots of pictures of her and Tristan at different ages she noticed. They must have known each other for a while.
By the table with the refreshments she noticed Chris was talking passionately to Sookie, explaining the receipt she and Tristan had used to make those biscuits:
-Passion is the secret ingredient -She told Sookie, winking at Rory who was next to them – We had so much fun this afternoon!
-It never crossed my mind Tristan could cook biscuits and get dirty in the kitchen – Remarked Rory
-Well, people can surprise you -Replied Chris –You just have to let them in
-That sounds very dirty miss!- Said a male voice behind their backs. It was obviously Tristan's. Rory couldn't imagine him all dirty with chocolate. He was always clean-cut, impeccable… like that night, even if he was simply wearing jeans and a dark blue shirt. He always had this air of haughtiness around him.
She was always looking down at him, like she was on a sort of pedestal that put her beyond all of them, like an air of haughtiness surrounded her. That upset him, he didn't like being judged by the way he looked. By the way she looked amazing he thought. Her hair was wavy and a sapphire dress showed off her bare legs, obviously beyond her knee. After all she was always Mary. And he smirked.
While her mother was arguing with Luke, Sookie was making arrangements with Christen to meet at the Independence so she could teach her some of the recipes she 'd learned in her travels and Tristan still not speaking to her but giving her quick angry looks every once in a while, Rory was feeling alone and urged to go outside to get some fresh air.
Sitting on the porch she heard the door open and close behind her. Some one made few steps then cleared his voice:
-Is everything ok?
-It was before you came Tristan!
-Whatever! You looked pale as you walked out the door
-So now you are spying me?
-What?! Oh Please!
-You're such an idiot!
-And you are always judging, right? Hey you all pay attention! Miss I-Know-It-All Speaking!
-Oh yeah and here we have Mr arrogance!
Their voices were getting louder and louder at each sentence they spoke
-At least I have friends! Ask yourself why you do not have friends at school! Looks like someone here feels superior than the rest of us!
-I am not feeling superior, you are the one who walks like he owns everything and feels like being king of the world!
-But why don't you look at yourself instead, huh? You are the conceited one who gave none of us the possibility to be friends with because you are much more smart and deeper than us, right?
-I never said those things! If you think so, well you do not know me!
-Sure! You gave no one the possibility to do that!
-So now you wanted to be friends with me? Please, you harassed me from the first day we met!
-I am sorry you were feeling under attack by my jokes!
-You are childish and annoying! Every one has to like you, right?
-See! You are doing that again! You know nothing about me! You are as shallow as the other girls at Chilton! You have always had prejudices about me and you never tried to see how things really are!
-How could I!
-You have made your idea I am pride and this and that and now you can't go over the label you stick to me!
-What about you! You call me Mary! What am I supposed to say?
-That you hate me!- He cried
-I do not hate you Tristan!
-That was what you said! –Shouted him, looking hurt
-And did you ever think that because of your behavior no one can come close to you? You make people despise you. And just so you know I didn't mean it!- Yelled back Rory, knowing what he was referring to
-Ahw and Did you mean it when you said you loved bagboy? – He insinuated with a mellow tone.
She rolled her eyes but before she could answer they were interrupted by Chris peering out of the door asking what was happening since they were hearing their screams from the inside
-Sorry… I… we…
-She was about leaving – He barked
She looked scathingly at him and said:
-I wasn't
-Well then I am- Replied Tristan entering the door
-Whatever- Said Rory following him in the inside. Christen looked worried at the pair, then shrugged her shoulders and closed the door behind her.
He was upset but she didn't' deserve the harshness of his words. They came out one after the other, and somewhat he felt relieved by that; he finally freed himself from all the thoughts he'd been brooding over for a while. Now she knew how he was feeling, how much her words and her attitude towards him had made him suffer.
A few days' later, at Christen's
-Tris, you ok? You've been calm and tacit since the night of the party
-I don't want to talk about it
-What happened between you and Rory?
-Izzy, Please… I'm not in the mood
-Here it is, for you-She stated handing him out a white box
-What's in here?
-Find out by yourself!
-Aw, donuts!- He quickly started eating one of them.
-No one should make you feel miserable! look at you, it's been days since you last smiled, you look so poor, get over it! If someone make you feel this way because they don't appreciate you... Well let them go their own way. You can't win it over with Rory so let her live her life with the Pervert Bean and whatever! One day she'll realize how much she'd lost with rejecting your friendship!
-It's not that
-Oh my… you have a crush on her?
-I…- He started blushing
-Oh my... Well if she prefers Pervert Bean over you than she is insane! You are a wonderful person Tris
-I am afraid that is not what she thinks
-Then who cares! It means you deserve better, you deserve some one that likes you the way you are in the inside! And also that is aware of all you can give to her, that is willing to know your true self, not just as you appear to be
-I don't know if some one will ever do
-I do!
-Your opinion doesn't count, though
-Why not?!- Replied Christen with a childlike voice
-Shut up!- Told her Tristan with the hint of a smile
-You are so easy to bribe!
-Uh?
-Donuts!
-Leave!- He uttered throwing a pillow in response. He couldn't stop thinking about Rory, about their discussion…Was she thinking about that too?
The answer was yes, she did.
Rory couldn't avoid thinking about her fight with Tristan and how every one stared at them when they came in. They hadn't spoken since that night and the rumors of their argument reached Dean's ear, who once more became upset with her: why would she talk to Tristan? What were her feeling towards him? He had become clingy and jealous, she had to admit that. The night after their discussion when he saw him he wanted to fight him, he yelled to him not to talk to Rory anymore and she had to pull him away before he started a fight. Tristan, though, seemed cold, as if his words didn't even hit him. He looked down to him with pity. He didn't say a word but, as Rory was dragging him away, she noticed he was staring at her.
She hadn't thought about their argument, she was ignoring their discussion but as their eyes met his words came all to her mind like a flood.
Dean didn't miss their exchange of looks and as he was up to start another argument with her, she ended up relieving her frustration on him. She couldn't take it anymore, so she ran away from Dean, from Tristan, from everybody.
She went home and closed herself in her room.
Tristan's words had shaken her, she tried to pretend he never said those things but she couldn't. Not anymore. She had always thought of Tristan like the overconfident big-headed Tristan, she never actually stopped and thought that maybe that was one of the possible points of view, that there could be more beyond his cheeky manners and recklessness. Was he right? Was she judging him like a book from the front-page? Well, he had been judging her too, she couldn't accept him thinking those things about her. She wasn't such an horrible person as he depicted her. He had been a pain in her back since the day he saw her. They did tried to be friends, but it didn't worked…Well not that she tried that hard, that was sure. He was mad at her, but also hurt she noticed. He couldn't forget her words. They slipped out of her mouth some day at school, but just because he exasperated her. She hadn't given much of importance to that but he did. She should have had apologize and tell him she didn't hate him, she just maddened every once in a while. She couldn't tell she hated someone she barely knew. Was he right that she knew no one because she looked pride? Were everybody thinking she felt smarter than them? She wasn't.
There was one more thing, when Tristan said: Did you mean it when you said you loved bagboy?
What did he wanted to imply? That their relationship was fake? That she didn't mean it?
Or, maybe, he was just being provocative and she was the one insinuating her feelings for Dean weren't… what? Real? No way, she felt something for Dean, just she didn't know if she was in love with him or she told him I love you just in the fear of losing him. She was confused and his behavior wasn't helping. What had he in mind when he confronted Tristan? Was he out of his mind? She was nerve-racked other than absent-minded and confused. She had to talk to Dean about this situation. And to Tristan, too.
BEHIND BLUE EYES
It was a night like the other ones, it was almost midnight and, after a tiring day at work, given that Christen had to wake up early the next day to visit Sookie at the Independence Inn, she was ready to go to bed when she heard the roar of an engine and a screech of tyres. The door opened and an infuriated Tristan rushed in, livid in face, and started crying:
-I'm done with it! I' m done! I can't bear this situation anymore! I'm going nuts!- Christen sighed, this scene repeated itself a million times, she would now say something about what happened this time, and Tristan would start yelling and moving fast around the room hitting the walls with his fist or throwing things around. She would have tried to calm him down and after a while he would stop screaming and he would sit on the sofa with his hands on his face and at that time she would hug him and tell him that everything was going to be okay, he was safe and had nothing to worry about. After a pair of donuts he would tell her what had occurred
-Tris, are you feeling okay?
-No
-What's wrong?
-I'm done I don't want to step in that place anymore
-Tell me everything
-It started as all the other fights, he complaining about my attitude and my manners and then it degenerated
-Again? –Last time Tristan and his father had a fight Tristan came with a bruise under his eye, and wore sunglasses all day. He fell off the stairs he said. She knew who pushed him. It hadn't happened a long ago, it was the day of the competition. They never actually get along, but at least their discussion were civil, more or less. She knew that was unbearable for Tristan living with his father who put a lot of pressure on him, having a lot of expectative and incessantly repeating he was mistaken or he did the wrong thing, how he was not the child he wanted, how he screwed up his life and that if he had known it before he would have preferred adoption for him… he always said all those cruel things to him, and that reflected on his behavior and his relationships. He closed himself up, built barriers and pushed away whoever tried to get close to him. Poor boy. She knew he didn't feel loved by his parents and that in his mind no one would never love him. She knew what he was going through, because she had been there before. She knew how much he was suffering, no doubt she ran away from that life of falsity. It was all fake. That is why she gave up on everything and started traveling. She was escaping from all of it. He was there for her, now things were upside down.
-Move in with me- She said gently, caressing his head – We'll be fine, I can help you- Tristan looked at her with watery eyes and sobbed. She noticed he was holding his wrist close to his chest.
-What…
-I pushed him and he pushed me back but I lost my balance and fell on my wrist
-Does it hurt?
-Uh hu- He said.
-Do you want to go to the Hosp
-No, can't you fix it?
-It doesn't seem broken to me, I'll give you some ice and put a bandage. If tomorrow it still hurts I'll take you to the Hospital
-Okay –Was his only response
-So you're moving in?- He closed his eyes and nodded before laying on the couch.
That Morning, Independence Inn, Sookie and Christen are in the kitchen.
Lorelai was sneak peeking through the door, she wasn't allowed to enter -that's what they said - but she was dying with curiosity, she wanted to know what they were doing.
-Okay Lorelai, enough! I can see your face! –Shouted Sookie
-No, you can't!- After a pause she added – Come on, let me in! just to take a look! I promise I'll forget it Instantly!
-Hold on! Just a few minutes and then we are done!
-Fine!
After a bunch of seconds:
-Are you done?
-Okay Lorelai! Come on, in!
Lorelai stepped into the kitchen and all she could say was –Wow!- She was flabbergasted, the two had been working from 8 o' clock and in a few hours they created all that wonders. There were Indian rich decorated plates, Italian courses and cookie and cakes and cupcakes of all colours tastes and shapes!
-You two did a great job!
-Christen is the best sous-chef ever! She worked in a restaurant in Italy and in a bakery and she had this Indian lover who thought her a lot of recipes!
-Lucky you!
-Well, I can say I travelled and learned a lot from my experiences. But Sookie is fantastic, she can cook anything! She gave me some suggestions!
-Mmm these cookies are fantastic!- Tasting one of them- What's the special ingredient?- Asked Lorelai
-Passion!- They answered in chorus
Some time later
-Lorelai
-Sookie!
-Can I talk to you for a second?
-Of course.. I'm all ears.. What's the latest gossip in here?
-Well, it's not about that, you see… Today Chris gave me a lot of hints and she is very good and accurate and she doesn't messes things up..Like Gery..Oh my that boy is a disaster I told him to stay away from my kitchen yesterday! Anyway, will you consider hiring her? She could even come every once in a while… she could really give me a hand, I trust her! You know how hard it is for me to trust some one in my kitchen! If that's not a problem...
-Well, you kicked Geremy out of the Inn, I guess you are short of assistance, I'll talk to her!
-Thanks!- Said Sookie, thrilled.
-You're welcome!
-I have to come back in there… Oh there is Chris I'll go tell her the good news…or shouldn't I? Do you have to talk to her first?
-Go! Come on!- Stated Lorelai and Sookie darted away towards Christen
While talking to Sookie she hadn't noticed an annoyed Michel that was trying to convince an elder lady that the person she was looking for wasn't there
-I told you, Lorelai is not here
-Do not play with me young boy!
-I told you…
-Stop repeating that! I know she works here! She is not at home and where else should she be
-I don't know Madam, But I told you I haven't seen Lorelai
-You are so impertinent! I will…Oh! Here she is!- Cried with a relieved tone
-Oh yeah – Replied a bored Michel. Lorelai was talking to Sookie and as she darted off he came closer announcing: -Lorelai a woman who claims to be your mother is here and she wants to talk to you
-Lorelai! I knew you were here! He kept saying you weren't at work! Where else were you supposed to be at this time in the morning?-
–Oh! It's all Michel's fault, when I tell him to say something he understands the opposite. He's French!- Michel shrugged and left muttering - I just did what she told me to
-Why are you here, mum?
-Well, I had to talk to you about tonight and you weren't answering to your phone so I came here because- And she said the last words out loud, with emphasis- I was sure I could fin you! – . Michel sighed form the desk
-Did something happen?
-I wanted to talk to you about tonight's dinner
-Canceled?
-Postponed. Brida, the new maid forgot to inform us earlier that me and your father had already scheduled a reunion with the…- Her attention was caught to CHristen, and didn't finish her sentence
-With who?
-I…That seems...but it is not possible...
-Mum?
-Who's the blond girl over there?- Said Emily pointing at Sookie, Christen and two other girls
-Who, mum, there's plenty of..
-She- Insisted Emily pointing at the group
-I guess you mean Christen, she's new here, she coaches the cheerleaders of our High School Team
-Christen you said
-Yes mum, what is it?
-Nothing, she looks like someone I used to know
A few minutes later, as Lorelai was greeting new customers, before leaving Emily wanted to find out the truth thus she approached Christen and asked:
-Isolde?- Chris heard calling behind her back; hearing that name made her froze
-Isolde?- Insisted Emily and Chris could do nothing but turn around
-Emily? Emily Gilmore?
-Isolde Dugrey! What a surprise meeting you here- Intimated Emily
-Yeah I'm off work, I needed a pause and this place seems perfect!
-I know, my daughter Lorelai runs this Inn, do you know her?
-Yes, of course
-You know, she must have been confused, she said you were coaching cheerleaders
-Yeah, she definitely has
-So I heard you worked for Le Croques while you were in France
-Oh yes, I have
-You still work there?
-No I don't. I practiced a lot, but now I want to make it my own way
-I see, and tell me are you opening your own studio? You left one of the major ones in Europe
-I'm thinking about it
-You graduated from Harvard with top grades, everyone expects the best of you, considering the fact you come from a family of attorneys, you won't fail, you can't! It's in your genes
-Yes, I won't let them down
-You have always been so graceful, you débuted with Brian McCorby, right? How are things between the two of you?
-Oh, I haven't heard from him since I graduated from High School
-What a pity, he is a nice guy. And now you are here on vacation?
-Yes, I needed some rest
-I heard from your dad you are on the right track to become a judge
-I don't want to rush things, right now working as a lawyer is enough, but in the future, maybe.
-That is for sure. How strange I saw your mother but she said no word about about your coming back from France
-It was very sudden, she may have forgotten.
-Yeah, sure- Replied Emily, not at all convinced -I have to go now! Say hello to your family, it was nice to see you again after so long
-The pleasure was mine, Emily, and say hello to Richard too
-I will- Announced Emily who gave her a quick fake smile and left.
Christen sighed, what was Emily doing in here? How could she recognize her after all that time? How much time had passed since she last showed up among Hartford Elite? Too much... Now she will have to tell her parents she is back in Hartford and start arguing all over again about how she was throwing her future in the trash-bin. As she looked up she noticed Lorelai was staring at her. Shit! From her face she could tell she overheard her conversation with Emily
-May I speak to you Christen, or should I call you Isolde?
-I can explain- Uttered Chris –Just let me have some coffee first!
Sat on the table of the nearest cafeteria Isolde Christen Dugrey explained the story of her life to Lorelai; her problems with her parents, the fact she never wanted to go to the Law school in Harvard, how she was suffocating with a life she didn't choose and how she packed her bags one day and left. She quit from the prestigious attorneys studio in France and welcomed her true self to come in. She was up to explode, she couldn't recognize herself anymore, she was unhappy. Leaving her past behind, she felt as if day by day she was learning once for all the meaning of love, respect, family, freedom, LIFE. It all made sense again to her and she felt happy for the first time in her life. She tried to come back, she did it for Tristan, but she couldn't stay longer, she felt like a butterfly in a cage. She knew her behavior let him down a lot of times, because she kept on repeating him every time that it was different, she had come to stay, but she never did it for long. That was not because she didn't mean her promises, just she couldn't keep them. She hurt his feeling once more, but he always forgave her, no matter how mad he was.
She told Lorelai how she felt guilty every time she left him alone with their parents. They took it out on him, pouring out their frustration with him. That is why she kept coming back. In that period the situation got worse, she explained, and had to come back. He was vjust trying to rebel himself and as result his grades lowered, he caught himself a lot in trouble and the situation at home had plunged.
A week ago he came to her with bruises under his eye and the day before with his fist twisted.
-I have to take care of him, he is impulsive and irrational and our father likewise. They lose their temper easily and that is the result. It is unbearable, there has always been too much tension between the two of them and now it's exploding.
Lorelai had listened to Chris quietly, not a word came from her mouth. As they headed towards the cafeteria she was angry at her because she lied to her, to everybody! She couldn't tell who she was if she had ever knew her and if the moment they shared were real or everything was fake. She distrusted her, everyone.
As Christen started explaining to her the whole situation, she felt guilty for having doubted of her sincerity. She had gone through a lot. She was always sunny and cheerful! Who knew what was there behind those blue eyes. She offered her help and support, for anything she needed. As always Christen thanked her with a smile and then left. She explained she had to go to her parents' and talk about Tristan and the fact he was moving in with her. She'd blackmail them saying if they tried to stop them se would reveal everything to the police or, worse to them, she'd spread the voice of what was happening. It was just to scare them, reporting abuse was out of discussion, it would hurt and label Tristan more than anything. Her eyes were dark and watery, she admitted she never had some one to talk to and vent out all those thoughts and negativity.
She was so strong yet so vulnerable.
JUST BREATHE
Rory was pretending to hear what Dean had to say, nodding every once in a while. It was a bad period for their relationship and after his fight with Tristan things had gotten worse. According to Dean she had taken Tristan's defense and she was hiding her feelings for him. She was hiding nothing, they had been friends for a short time but then not even that, that's what she told him but he wouldn't believe her. He was deaf to her words. They were at a breaking point but she wouldn't want to admit that out-loud, even if she knew it was true.
-Rory are you listening to me?
-Yes, I am! It's you the one who doesn't listen to me!
-I do, but I still think you are hiding something to me
-Dean, I am not! I've been repeating this for days!
-Yeah but then your actions tell the opposite!
-Not again with Tristan!
-Yeah, again because you think that what I did was wrong!
-It was! Why would you start a fight with him?
-Because he is a jackass
-Dean, stop it!
-I do not like him, I don't want you to talk to him!
-Dean! Stop it! Why? Don't you trust me?
-I..It's not that…just..I don't believe you when you say everything's okay between us- He said that slowly, with a low tone. Rory was appalled, she couldn't believe what she heard. She had to face what she'd been avoiding for weeks: they were at a break-up point. It had always been in front of her eyes but she was too blind too see it. As Tristan told her, she was stuck with an idea and nothing else mattered. Dean was important to her, though.
-So, what does that mean you don't believe my words?
-Rory just forget that
-I CAN'T!
-It means what it means- Her heart broke, again. Her mind blanked out. After a pause, taking a deep breath, she pronounced the fatal words:
-If that is what you think then I…I think we should break up- Muttered feebly. She suddenly felt empty and disheartened
-You say so- Grumbled Dean, dark in face
-There is no other choice- Moaned Rory, looking gloomy
-Fine!- Objected Dean who stood up from the bench they were sat on and added –There is not gonna be another time for us- Before turning his back and leaving.
-Dean! Dean!- She called out; he stopped, turned his head towards Rory and whined –Goodbye, Rory.-
Her heart dropped. Silent tears were falling down her blue eyes.
She'd finally acknowledged a truth she long refused to accept: They were over.
Her mind was heavy but hear heart was feeling light, like fresh air could finally come in again after a very long time.
So she closed her eyes and breathed.
THE DARK SIDE
She didn't know how much time she'd passed sat on that bench, but she was feeling more relaxed when she stood up. It was getting late and she should have gone home.
As she crossed the lonely streets of Stars Hollow she noticed a figure sitting still on a bench with his head between his hands. At first she thought it was Dean but coming closer she recognized the blond tousled hair. She was wandering what was the reason why he was standing all by himself in the middle of the night. She said hello but he didn't answer.
-Tristan are you feeling sick?- He snorted and knowing she wouldn't give up until she got an answer, he said hastily:
-No, just live- He hadn't raised his head and he looked so poorly that she didn't have the heart to leave him there, no matter what an asshole he was
-You look wretched, what about your fist? is it bended?- Seeing him like that made her worry.
-Would you mind your own fucking business?!
-Get lost!- She cried and added: -Sorry for trying to be nice to you!
-Well, don't be! I don't need your pity- He rose his head and looked at her challenging.
She noticed something was wrong, his words were saying leave but his eyes were telling a whole different story. They were red and swollen, as if he had cried all day long. She understood he was nervous and angry, but not with her. Ignoring his words and his arrogance she silently sat next to him.
She didn't say a word and neither did he. Instead of speaking he threw his head back and closed his eyelids. After a while he said:
-It's getting late, you'd better go home. I'm fine
-You should get home too
-I have no hurry
-Me neither
-Fine- He figured that could be the perfect moment to apologize to her so he muttered:- About the other night… I'm sorry for yelling at you and saying all those things, they weren't all true...I am sorry
-I lost my temper as well, we both exaggerated
-I am not denying what I said… it's just… I was rude to you, I lost control and I am sorry for that
-I am sorry too. I didn't mean you are..
-You meant it
-Well yes bu..
-No buts. I am glad we were honest to one another. I didn't want to annoy you and I am sorry if I was a dick with you
-I am sorry for having prejudices, I am not conceited and I do not feel superior to all of you
-I don't think I am the king of the world
-Good to know- SHe said nodding. His face was gloomy but she could notice it was less tensed.
After spending some minutes in silence he said:
-Why are you out here all alone?
-I could make you the same question
-You first
-I broke up with my boyfriend, again, he left me…
-He left you all alone? Pervert bean… I can't stand people pretending to love you and that say they care about you and then when you least expect it…bam! They leave you! Let me tell you something they are fake, their emotions are fake, they do not give a damn about you! They expect you to be this and do that and when you go off the track they set for you they get mad and say you let them down! – He was livid in face and words slipped one after the other – It's just that I am sick and tired of this life! You think I have all I want but believe me you wouldn't last a day in my shoes!- She was listening in silence, knowing he wasn't talking about her or Dean, he was talking about himself, and as he spoke she came closer.
- I'm done with all that crap! I am fucking done! Why can't I live my OWN life as I want to? Why it all has to be set by others? Why am I always wrong in everything I do or say? What did I do to deserve this? To be always on the verge of cracking-down having to show everyone my value, the fact that I am worth their love and trust!-
At that point she was very close to him and almost automatically she put her arm around his shoulders, to comfort him. She was feeling very sympathetic towards him, he was right saying she was too blinded by her prejudices to see through his cocky attitude. It was strange hearing him complain about his life, seeing him so defenseless. She guessed it was rare of him to open up to someone and keeping everything inside just made him feel worse… No doubt he was pouring it all like that. After all she was glad to be there to listen to him and soothe his sorrow, she was finally understanding things could be seen by different points of views, it all takes will to change the usual point of view. Now she was seeing Tristan under a different light, sides of his character that had always been there, but she had to change her perspective to see them. His outburst made her realize how wrong she had been about him, he was not a bad person after all. He was an asshole and harassed her for a year in her black and white world, but the truth was that he was suffering inside and that was the only way he knew to react. That was what she saw in the new colored world that presented to her.
He must have gone through a lot, he deserved more than her sympathy.
He went on for long whining about how miserable his life was, how much his father hated him and how desperately he had searched for his approval. He told her about their fights and his sensation of being out of place in his own home. He felt like when he was down everyone took the chance to kick him so he never let out how he was feeling and how bad things were for him at home.
His words came out like a flood and for once there was some one else other his sister listening to him. He felt at ease wrapped in her arms and let her cuddle him while he was telling her the dark side of his life. He plunged his head onto her neck and some tears crossed his face. He felt relieved.
He took everything out: his troubles, his fears, his anguish… He exposed to her and she relieved his tension the best way she knew, with her kindness and tenderness.
He didn't know how much time had passed, but he was finally feeling well. There was no more rage or anguish in him, he was calm. He had to thank her for that, she reassured him with her loving words and her gentle caresses.
-I think we should get home, it's getting really late
-Yeah, you are right
-Come on, I'lll walk you home- He said lifting his head from her shoulder and standing up, offering his hand to pull her up.
The walk home was silent, she was a feeling a little embarrassed and Tristan even more. He shared something very personal to her and their relationship had changed overnight. It was the first time he opened up in front of someone that was not his sister; he wasn't used to it but, with her, it all seemed natural. At last, when they reached Rory's house he hugged her and whispered to her ear:
-Thank you.
Hhis words made her shiver, and being so close made her heart jump.
-If you need me, I am here
-I know- Said his soft voice – Good Night
-'Nite Tristan
