Summary: In Rory's Junior Year at Chilton she joins the Puffs and secretly begins to join Hartford society, with the help of her grandmothers she has access to all the same things the other girls do. What will happen when her secret life is exposed? Time frame is approximately February before Rory's 18th birthday in October and a bit past that . (AU) Pairing [Logan and Rory]
Disclaimer: Still not mine, just my constructs and musings.
Chapter 2 – You're in Hartford Now
Rory came down the stairs already dressed in her school uniform, "Good Morning Grandma, Grandpa, Thank you for sending the car and for letting me stay. I will talk to Grandma Francine and stay with her next week so I won't be in the way too much." She gathered her breakfast and sat at the table.
"Of course you are welcome to stay as long as you wish and I am sure the Hayden's will say the same, our homes are yours dear. Your mother called and since we have you she said we have no need of her and until you come to your senses she will not be attending Friday night dinners." Emily explained and Richard peered over his paper.
"If you ask me she is way out of line, just because she didn't want what we can provide, doesn't mean you must be denied the benefit of it as well." He shook the paper and returned to it.
"Rory, how busy is your school work load do you think you can participate in a few engagements with us?" Emily enquired.
Rory thought about it, "It is mid-term so I will need to study at least 2 hours a night, but I am sure I can attend some, with enough notice so I can plan my study time." Rory sipped her juice and wished it was coffee but that was a big no, it would stain her teeth and that was unacceptable.
Emily grinned obviously pleased, "That's splendid, I will co-ordinate with Francine so as not to over schedule you and get back you this afternoon with some events we would like to bring you to, the ladies of the DAR will just adore you. I am sure some of your other friends will be in attendance as well."
"That sounds fine grandma, I am off to school now, I have the paper, but I should be no later than five, I will call if I will be later." Rory kissed them each on their cheek and grabbed her messenger bag and was out the door.
"Richard, did you hear that, not a squawk, I thought she would kindly decline or beg off with her homework, but no she agreed, just like that. Isn't that something?" Emily cooed.
Yes Emily, something indeed." He agreed from behind his paper.
Rory drove through the fast food window and ordered a large coffee. She thought to herself, 'this is my life now, I will go to teas, readings, opera, whatever they can parade me at, that is the price of rent in Hartford'. She parked her car and tossed her cup into the bin just before entering the school. She walked up to her locker and set about opening it to get her things for her first class.
"Rory, Rory, RORY!' Paris hollered and she jumped. "What is wrong with you, I have been talking to you for at least five minutes and you just robotically moved from bag to locker and you have been staring into it like it holds the future all the while after that."
"Sorry Paris, it's just a weird morning, I have kind of moved in with my grandparents for the foreseeable future and it will take some adjusting." She sighed and closed her locker. "What did you need Paris?"
"I was asking to borrow your trig notes, I know I take good notes but so do you and I thought if we combined them we could absolutely ace that exam. What do you think?" Paris sounded proud of herself.
"That's a great idea, we should do that with all of our shared classes, it will cut study time, and still assure us the grades we need. I think that is perfect! Want to come to The Gilmore's after the Franklin meeting, I am sure grandma won't mind."
"That's perfect, and your cook is so good, maybe you can call at lunch and have her make us those pinwheel things, those are amazing. Perfect study food." Paris was giddy.
"Hey guys you look like you just solved the unanswerable question, what gives?" Louise asked and Madeline nodded.
"Well Rory here just agreed to share notes and she has joined the ranks ladies, welcome the newest socialite." Paris beamed.
Madeline squealed, "Your mom returned to Hartford, willingly? Wow, what happened did she finally agree to marry your dad?"
"Nothing that dramatic, it is just that after that little picture of us was in the Gazette, my mom went a little ballistic, I confessed, well everything and then ran away to live with the Gilmore's and possibly the Hayden's until I go to Yale." Rory sighed and the girls made their way to Homeroom.
"Wow, Yale, I thought you wanted to go to Harvard." Paris looked at her wide eyed as they took their seats and leaned in to whisper.
"Nope, grandpa went to Yale, so that's where I am headed, I even applied for early admission. You know, no free rides in Hartford, rules to follow, dynasty's to maintain." The teacher entered and they pulled from their conspiring conversation and began writing their detailed notes.
The day went by in a blur and soon Rory was headed to grab a coffee before returning to the Gilmore home, she took note of the black Jaguar that belonged to her Hayden grandmother was already in the drive. Paris pulled in be hind her and took the empty cup and placed it in her own car and then gave Rory a mint.
"Looks like they aren't wasting any time, are you sure it's safe for me to be here?" Paris said as they approached the door.
"It'll be fine, they both love you and know we are the top two in our class, I think we are separated by ½ a point, we have to keep each other sharp." Rory said in a fake adult voice and the girls giggled then returned to their proper selves as they entered.
The maid took their bags and coats assuring they would be in Rory's room and directed the girls to the patio.
"Hello Rory, Paris, it's nice that you two get along so well, in this day children can be so hurtful of their peers." Francine smiled and rose to give Rory a slight hug, Emily was right after.
"Hello grandma Francine, grandma Emily." She said sitting down.
Paris inclined her head to each, "Emily, Francine, good to see you again." She too took a seat.
"Actually, it is probably a good thing you are here, did you happen to bring your calendar?" Emily asked.
"It's in my bag, the maid just took it to Rory's room." Paris explained.
"Be a dear and retrieve it if you please, we would like to see what events you are attending and be sure Rory is in attendance as well." Francine directed and Paris rose to retrieve the requested item.
After Paris had left, the grand mother's leaned in to Rory and Emily inquired, "Is that alright with you, that we pair you with her, it would make things easier, she is very respected and an excellent debater and conversationalist. Also have you given thought as to whom should be your escort?"
Rory considered her grandmother's concern, "It's fine grandma, we are friends. I really don't know many society boys, so I was hoping you two could pick someone appropriate for me?"
The two women beamed, "We were hoping you would say that, we have just the young man and he has requested to take you to dinner Friday night, we have accepted on your behalf." Emily explained. "He is a Freshman at Yale, and of extremely good breeding, he is on the newspaper and will run his fathers news empire one day."
Francine took over the narrative, "We hear he is a bit of a playboy, but that is to be expected, he assured us he will be on his best behavior with you at all times."
Paris walked in just as they were about to reveal his identity, "I have may calendar." She returned to her seat by Rory.
"Oh good Paris you are back, we were just about to fill Rory in on her escort for the ball, do you know who you will be escorted by?" Emily was curious, the girl was known to be abrasive and a bit of a wall flower.
"Well, my family has known the Dugrey family for a very long time and since their son is returning from his school abroad, Tristan has agreed to be my escort." She blushed and shrugged at Rory as a signal she had wanted to tell her while the studied.
The maid came out with a tray of pinwheels, a tower of tea sandwiches, and pitcher of lemonade for the girls to enjoy while the ladies had their tea. They retrieved their desired treats and quietly ate for a few moments.
"Tristan, is he coming back to school, or returning to the boarding school?" Rory had to ask, this was huge news.
"He is coming back, his parents think Chilton will be more impressive on his transcripts now that he has finished his study program, he begins after finals." Paris confirmed.
"Isn't that lovely, I understand he is a very handsome young man, you will make a fine couple. I know we should schedule some of the dance rehearsals with the pair of you as well, that way the four of you outshine them all. " Emily glowed at the prospect.
"You never did tell name the name of my Yale newspaper heir?" Rory looked to the grandmothers and Paris' eyes went wide with wonder.
"You got Logan Huntzberger to be her escort?! How in the world, he swore he would never...!" Paris realized her outburst, "Sorry, it just, wow, Rory you are lucky, many have wanted, none have been so fortunate."
"Huntzberger, as in Huntzberger Publishing and Media? Please say it isn't so, people will think I am only with him to further my career." Rory looked stunned at her grandmothers.
"Rory, it's quite alright, the ball is a place where future marriages are speculated, not jobs, no one will think anything other than what beautiful children you two will have." Francine soothed.
They finished their tea and Paris followed Rory to her room to study. They were quiet and extremely focused for over an hour before Paris spoke up, "Are you OK, with me and Tristan I mean, I know you liked him?"
Rory considered the question, "Are you dating?"
"No, it is just the escort thing, he needs to look 'normal' to return to Chilton, there has been so much speculation as to his disappearance. I am just the cover, he is still crazy for you, I get that." Paris looked sad.
"No, he was so mean to me, with the whole Mary thing, you two could really have a chance this time, after all he agreed and I didn't ask him. Besides, you two have been friends forever, I am getting some unattainable playboy who will probably be disappointed I don't put out then move on to a deb that does leaving me dateless. " Rory lamented.
"Did you ever tell your mom you got an IUD, I mean that Emily took you to the doctor, that was a shock, I guess she learned her lesson with your mom, right?" Paris was curious.
"No, my mom and I haven't been as close since I joined the Puffs, she didn't ask, I didn't tell now I live in the place she calls Hell." Rory singsonged sarcastically.
The girls giggled and returned to their study.
"I'm sorry about your Mom, you seemed close, I mean the whole concert thing, that was cool. She wanted you to have friends, I get that, but I don't think she thought it through, I hope you work it out. We were all jealous you know, none of us have a good relationship with our moms, I was secretly hoping I could get to know her maybe get to be cared for a little bit, so were Louise and Maddie, but the Gilmore's and Hayden's have been cool, much nicer than our own grandparents." Paris attempted at encouragement.
"Thanks for that, she can be cool, but me choosing to be a part of this … even a little, she is feeling betrayed, I get it, but she betrayed me first, she raised me like a pauper when I could have had more, okay yeah, I didn't really know, but now? I am very confused." Rory sighed, "I think we have trig, English, Science and Art History all caught up, it's supper time should you be home or should I request another seat?"
"I would like to eat here, your cook is so much better and I think I smell lamb." Paris readily agreed.
Rory and Paris put their study things away an Rory received permission for Paris to join them. Paris was right, dinner was lamb and Rory missed Luke's, Al's and home.