Chapter 2
"Morning, Rory." I heard a voice whisper in my ear. I spun my chair around to face Todd.
"Morning." I echoed.
"So, guess what happened last night?" Todd asked giddily.
"What?" I asked with interest.
"Okay, so I went out with James and Chris to that new sports bar..." He began, but his voice soon trailed off as I was a bit distracted. It was December 14th and of course, I remembered that it was the day of Tristan's class's mock trial. It was only seven thirty. I had plenty of time to make it there, and I was ahead on my work for once, but I was a little nervous about going.
Since the day we'd re-met and had coffee, I hadn't been back to Hole in the Wall or anywhere near there, afraid that Tristan would be there and that he wouldn't want to see me. Of course, I wouldn't have to wonder, if I hadn't forgotten to exchange numbers with him so we could keep in touch. Yes, stupid me, I know. Then again, maybe he doesn't really want to stay in touch. But maybe he does. Would he have invited me to his mock trial if he didn't really want to see me again?
I argued inwardly with myself before deciding to sneak into the back at the mock trial, watch for a while and see how Tristan acted. If I didn't want to see him, I could just leave before it was over. If I did, I could stay and say hello. Simple as that. I shook myself back to reality and caught the end of Todd's story.
"Can you believe that? My college girlfriend in the same bar as me! And living in New York again to top it all off! It was crazy. We're meeting for lunch today. You don't mind, do you?" He looked at me expectantly, waiting for an answer or possibly a fuss.
"Nope." I answered, not missing a beat. "Hey, I have to go talk to Brady. I'll catch you later." I said getting up quickly.
"Okay." Todd looked confused, either over my lack of response to his lunch with his ex-girlfriend or my sudden departure to see our boss.
When I got to Brady's office, I was ushered in almost right away and he offered me a seat. I explained to him that a friend invited me to see his class's mock trial and I really wanted to go. I offered to cover it and take notes. Maybe use it as a human interest piece and I'd write the article. He looked like he was about to relent, so I threw in how I was ahead of schedule on my work. That must have done it cause soon after, I saw him nodding.
"Thank you so much, Brady." I gushed. He insisted we call him by his first name.
"Sure, Rory. Get going now. It's already eight." He said, trying to sound gruff.
"Thanks! Bye!" I hurried towards the door.
"Get interviews or quotes from participants or the audience if you can!" Brady called after me.
I waved a hand over my shoulder to signal that I'd heard him. I grabbed my quote and bag from my cubicle, making sure my tape recorder and notebook were inside, along with several working pens and a digital camera. I took a cab to the court house and just as Tristan had said, there were signs directing me where to go. It was only ten to nine so I took the time to find a ladies room, to fix my hair and makeup. Even if I didn't end up staying to see Tristan, I wanted to look my best. My hair was straight today so it appeared longer than the day Tristan saw me. I smoothed my long, green, Henley sweater down over my black, straight-legged, jeans, that I had tucked into black, knee high boots. With a sigh, I grabbed my bag, hung my coat over my arm and snuck into the back of the courtroom just as they began. Tristan talked for a minute, gesturing around at the students in their positions, explaining what was going to be occurring and I rapidly took notes on what he was saying. When I finally glanced up for a second, he was looking at me, a familiar smile on his face and in his eyes. I smiled and he paused for a moment.
"Well, let's get started. Judge, you may begin." He turned it over to the students from there and took a seat in the front row.
I was completely enthralled in the mock trial for the next two and a half hours until a verdict was reached and a sentence was delivered. I sat, gaping at the students in front of me, impressed with their knowledge and even more with Tristan for teaching them all of it. People began to mill around the room and I leapt up to catch a few of the students and parents for interviews. I had just finished a conversation with the judge and her mother when I felt a warm hand cover the small of my back.
"So, what did you think?" Tristan asked in a low voice.
As I turned to face him, I replied, "It was amazing. These kids are so smart and it felt so real! I felt like I was on Law and Order or Justice or Judging Amy or something! It was so cool!" I finished excitedly.
"Going to write an article on it?" He asked motioning towards the notebook in my hand.
I nodded as I replied, "If my boss thinks its article worthy. He gave me some time off so I could come."
"Do you have to go back to work right away?" He asked with a hopeful expression on his face.
"No. Why?" I asked, tilting my head slightly.
"I have a sub for the next couple of class periods and my business law classes won't meet today since we already had this trial. So I was wondering if you wanted to grab lunch." He supplied.
"Okay." I nodded.
"And, this time," He smiled warmly as he led me back to my chair to retrieve my coat, "We're not going to forget to exchange phone numbers." He winked.
I smiled, "Sounds good."
We started walking aimlessly from the courthouse.
"Where should we go?" Tristan asked me.
I shrugged, "What are you in the mood for?"
"Anything." He informed me, a very serious look on his face. I raised an eyebrow and he burst out laughing, his serious act gone.
"Find somewhere to eat lunch. I'm starving." He told me.
I shook my head, "No. Those poor children in Africa are starving. You're just a little over hungry. Let's go." I grabbed his arm and tugged him along on the sidewalk till he lengthened his strides and sped up his pace to keep up with mine.
"I know this great taco place down the street. Do you like tacos?" I asked, glancing up at him.
"Yeah." He nodded.
"Then you'll love Manny's. He makes the best tacos EVER!" Tristan laughed out loud and the sound echoed through the noise-filled street. I giggled in response and pulled him down a small, well lit alley, to a door with a small sign on it that simply read, 'Manny's' and we went inside.
"Manny!" I exclaimed loudly. The restaurant was small and there was only one other person sitting inside eating.
"Rory Gilmore! Where have you been the past few weeks?" Manny yelled, matching my tone.
"Busy with work." I informed Manny. We'd been friends since I first discovered his taco's when I moved to New York two years ago.
"Apparently. In the past month, you've ordered out six times and five of the six, you've had the food delivered to you at work. Thank god you're finally here. Brad's been missing you nonstop. All he talks about is you. How he wants to marry you and you can live in his bedroom. I'll get him. You and your friend decide what you want." Manny disappeared and Tristan raised an eyebrow at me.
"We're good friends. I live off of his food. It's the best." I said, smiling cheekily.
"Recommend something." Tristan requested.
"Everything is amazing." I told him.
"You can order for me then. I trust you." He said, nudging my shoulder. I smiled at his words and actions.
"You better be hungry. I order a lot." I said, giving him a pointed look.
"I'm sure I can beat you." He challenged me. I giggled, "You've never seen me eat. Are you sure you want to take me on?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I can kick your butt." He said smugly. I smirked at him, a trademark I'd picked up from Jess that had come in handy over the years. "You're on."
"Good." Tristan smirked back. His smirk was absolutely adorable. Definitely better than Jess's. I may have to alter mine a bit.
"Rory!" A small voice rang out. We both turned toward the source.
Tristan smiled as a five year old boy came flying around the corner of the counter and wrapped his arms around my legs so that I couldn't move.
"Hey, Brad!" I grabbed him off my legs and pulled him up into my arms for a real hug, balancing him on my hip. "Wow, are you getting big!" I said with wide eyes, smiling down at the little boy in my arms.
"My birthday is in 6 days." He informed me with a very serious face.
"Really?" I asked in feigning surprise. In all honesty, I'd already known that and I'd already bought him a present. But he didn't need to know that.
"Yes." He said, nodding his head, using the same serious tone.
"That's awesome. You'll be the coolest six year old I know." I proclaimed. He grinned at me. He noticed Tristan and turned to me with a curious look.
"This is my friend Tristan." I said in introduction. Brad looked him up and down and then stared at his face, waiting expectantly.
"Hey, Brad." Tristan said, then glanced at Brad's shirt, "So you like the power rangers?" He asked.
Brad's face instantly brightened and he smiled widely, "Yeah! I especially like the red one. He's my favorite! I think…" Brad launched out of my arms and onto the floor so he could talk to
Tristan who'd knelt down to Brad's level.
Manny held a piece of paper and a pencil expectantly, "You ready?" He asked me.
"I'm ordering for the both of us so yes, we are." I replied.
"Shoot." He said, pencil at the ready.
"Two soft tacos, two hard shell tacos. One chicken quesadilla, one beef. Two beef burritos and two enchiladas. An order of large nachos and two orders of large potato bites. Cheese on the side. We'll also need four churros and two chimichangas. One chicken, one beef. Two extra large sodas and that'll be it." I listed off all in one breath.
"Got it. You sure you don't want Mexican rice and refried beans also? And some tamales?" He asked.
"Yeah give us two of each of those. Thanks, Manny." I replied gratefully.
"Anytime. Grab a seat. It'll be about fifteen minutes. Brad, come help me in the kitchen." He said, motioning towards the tables.
"Okay!" Brad called back. He waved at Tristan and me and ran off to help his dad.
"He's cute." Tristan told me, coming back up to full height. Taller than me for sure.
"He is. I love him like my own." I led Tristan to my usual table, waving at the other customer on the way.
"You ever want to have kids?" He asked suddenly as we took our seats. I looked at him in surprise before I answered.
"Shouldn't I start with getting married?" I said, with a slight chuckle.
"Sure. But do you want kids someday?" He pressed.
"Yeah." I nodded. "If they're half as cute as Brad, I'd be ecstatic. How about you?"
"Someday, yeah. But like you said, marriage first would be a good idea." He said, giving a small smile.
"Definitely. Do you have a girlfriend?" I asked before I could rethink the question and chicken out.
Tristan shook his head, "Nope. I had a steady girlfriend for the past…oh…year and eight months, but she broke up with me when her old boyfriend got a divorce and moved back to town. It was pretty messed up. So for the past three months, I've been single. Just dating around. You know what I mean?" He said, shrugging.
"Kind of." I said cryptically.
"How about you?" He leaned forward and propped his chin on his hand and his elbow on the table. "What happened to what's his name?" He smirked. I smiled at his antics.
"Dean. We broke up when Jess moved to Stars Hollow and I liked him. We dated for a while and he just took off with no warning. In college I didn't date much till my junior year. That's when I got involved with Logan Huntzberger. We dated for two years, but it just didn't work out. We weren't right together. After that, I moved here and have basically been just dating around. But four months ago I started seeing this guy, Todd. He's the sports editor at the paper." I explained.
"Oh yeah. I love that section." He exclaimed.
I smiled a little, "I can't stand it." I said, scrunching up my nose in mock disgust.
"Here's your order, Rory." Manny broke in, as he deposited two trays on our table along with the bill, which I managed to grab before Tristan could.
"Come on, Rory." He frowned at me.
"No way. Eat and enjoy. You paid for coffee. This is on me." I insisted, putting the bill in my pocket.
He rolled his eyes, "Right. Since coffee was just as expensive as all of this."
I shrugged, "Doesn't matter. Eat up."
I unwrapped a taco and bit into it. Definitely one of the best things I've ever eaten. I really do need to get in here more often. I ignored Tristan's frown for at least a minute before he gave up and grabbed some food. We ate in silence for a while. it wasn't an awkward silence either. I think we were both pretty content.
As we were finishing up our food, we talked a little more about little things. We were catching up and getting to reacquainted with each other though and that's all that mattered. Once the food was all gone, I grabbed a pen and my wallet. I grabbed a napkin from the table and scribbled my name and number on it and gave it to Tristan. He grabbed my pen, tore the napkin in half and gave me his number as well. I dropped it in my bag and went to pay.
"Bye Rory!" Brad gave me a hug.
"Bye Sweetie." I smiled at him and kissed the top of his head before sliding back into my coat.
Tristan waved at Brad as he held the door open for me. We made our way back to the sidewalk.
"I'm this way." He pointed left.
"And I'm that way." I pointed right. "So I'll see you around or something." I asked, trying not to sound too eager.
"Yep. Nice seeing you again, Rory." He said, giving me a small smile.
"You too, Tristan." I said, smiling back.
As I walked away I couldn't help feeling regret at not being able to talk more with him.. In high school Tristan had always seemed so immature and annoying, like he couldn't care less about anything. It was obvious that he'd grown up. He could carry an actual conversation and paid attention to what I had to say. For some reason my mind flashed to Todd and I bit my lip as I walked. Why was it that I just wasn't attracted to him or interested in him anymore? Was it just because I was intrigued by Tristan, getting a high school crush on him again? I hoped so. Nothing would ever evolve with Tristan and I. Todd was a good boyfriend, and no matter how much Tristan had changed, I just wasn't sure he'd changed enough to be right for me.
AN:Thanks for all the great reviews! I appreciate the support a lot! Keep reviewing! It means a lot! Also, thanks to LoVe23 who beta'd this for me! It's better because of you! Thanks!
