A/N: The reviews were great! Thanks bunches. I'm not going to answer any of the questions posed; you'll just have to keep reading. Sorry about the wait between updates…I'll try to work on that.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

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Addison breathed a sigh of relief when her Chemistry teacher let the class out early the next day. It meant that she could get one of the small, six-person tables to herself and eat quickly before a good portion of the school got there. Then she could go sit in the library until she had to go to the math building.

"Hey, Addison."

Addison turned around and was met with the blonde hair that belonged to Skippy Gold. "Yes?"

"I was just wondering if you'd like to sit with us today."

"Um…"

"At lunch," he clarified. "I don't know if you have anyone to sit with and we always have room at our table for one more."

"Yeah, okay."

"I know you're new and all, but I was wondering if you'd given any thought to joining the science club."

"Why…I mean, what do you do?"

"We meet once a week and do science things. And you seem smart. Even if you are mixing up endothermic and exothermic reactions." He smiled and Addison blushed. Out of embarrassment. Not because it was an endearing moment of her life.

"I'll have to think about it."

"Well, it's a lot of fun. And we don't have that many girls in it…so it'd be good to get some. It's fun, I promise, and way easy if you don't like spending time after school. Our first meeting's tomorrow after school."

"Okay."

"But I don't want to pressure you.'

"Okay."

"So if you just want to wait a second while I put my books away, that'd be great."

Addison stood next to his locker and waited as he slipped the books into his neatly organized locker.

"Let's go."

Addison followed him into the lunchroom and stood behind him in the lunch line as she got mashed potatoes and water. She sat down at a table, next to Skippy, and he stared at her. "Is that all you're eating?"

"I'm not hungry."

"It's been at least five hours since you've eaten breakfast and you're not hungry?"

"No."

"Wow," he breathed, taking a bite of his chicken. "I am always hungry."

Two girls, both African-American with caramel-colored eyes, sat down at the table. They smiled at Addison and began to introduce themselves.

"I'm Ruth, and this is Leah. We're twins."

"I'm Addison."

Leah nodded. "We know. You moved from…Norwalk?"

"New Haven."

"Oh. Sorry. But anyway, I'm glad you came. God knows Rutherford doesn't need any more of them." Leah pointed towards a table where Lorelai was sitting with all of her friends.

"You don't like them?"

"They're fine, just so…"

"Oh my God, let's go make out in your car," Ruth finished for her. Leah nodded.

"There's more to high school than seeing how many different guys can feel you up."

"Like getting into college," Ruth said. "And getting a lot of money to go to college."

Skippy joined the conversation for the first time. "Not all of us have giant trust funds waiting for us."

Addison squirmed nervously in her seat. She thought of her own trust fund that would be given to her when she turned 21.

"Hey, hey, hey." A boy sat down, green eyes and a wide, wide smile. "We got the redhead to sit at our table. I'm David."

"Addison."

"Welcome, Addison."

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"She's obviously okay without us, then." Lorelai was watching Addison eat with Skippy, Ruth, Leah, David, and then Eric.

Maeve looked over where Lorelai was glancing. "I'm sure she's fine."

Andrew nodded. "She looks happy. Happier than she was with us yesterday."

"I know; I just feel like I should say something to her."

"Why?"

"Maybe just extend the invitation that she can sit with us if she wants to."

"Lor, what's up?"

Lorelai shrugged. "I just think I feel responsible for her or something. I don't know. Sorry."

Sarah laughed. "God, Lorelai. She's not eating alone. She's eating with some of the smartest in our school. Besides, of course, you."

"She's eating with some of the smartest and purest in our school," Karen grinned.

"Hey, now. I'm plenty pure."

Karen nodded. "I'm sure. Chris, do you have anything to add?"

Christopher mumbled something and focused very keenly on the glass of water in front of him.

"Tsk, tsk," Andrew said, shaking his finger. "You two ought to be ashamed of yourselves."

Lorelai laughed. "Really, Andrew? From you? You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Does the name Hilary ring a bell?"

"Hmm, I don't hear any bells ringing."

"God, guys. Change topic."

"What's wrong, Maeve? Too crude for your innocent ears."

"I'm just trying to eat without thinking about Andrew's sexual escapades."

"I agree," Sarah threw in.

"So we've agreed, then?" Chris took a look around, "We're talking about things that allow us to eat in peace?"

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

"That's majority."

"How was everyone's English test?"

"Absolute shit," Andrew said, grinning.

Everyone laughed, but Lorelai couldn't help but watch Addison at the other table. She was laughing. She was comfortable, she was in her element. But Lorelai still felt a sense of responsibility towards the quiet, new girl. Emily was invading her thoughts.

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A/N: I think the key with this story will be short chapters. I'm again really really sorry for the shortness and the lack of updates.

Reviews are delightful, if you are so inclined.