He pulled into the school parking lot, much too fast blaring the same old song that he always did after he left her. "Pain" by Three Days Grace was his release on the situation for now until he found something better. She had taken care of him last night, he had forgotten how good she felt. Just being in her arms was like his own private heaven. And that's when he decided, he was going to win back Rory Gilmore. He looked up in time to see her pull into her normal spot, so he waited for a minute, knowing she would never expect him to pull into his normal spot. He put the car back into drive and then the door opened. A teary eyed girl jumped into his front seat, not a word was spoken as he pulled up beside Rory, forgetting his plans to win her back for the moment. The music was still playing so he quickly turned it down and rolled up the windows. "Ari, tell me what's wrong." She shook her head, as if that was going to make him give up. "Ari." His tone held a warning, but again she shook her head. "I'm going to kill him!" She grabbed his arm, pulling him back and looked into his eyes. "Tristan… I…" Sobs wracked her body and then when she was done, she told him everything.

He was late. I mean, not that it was the first time he'd ever been late to class, and it wouldn't be the last. At first, he couldn't get his mind off of what Aribella had told him, but then he saw her. She didn't look up when he entered the room ten minutes late, she was concentrating on the lecture like a good little girl. She shook her head, probably to try and clear her head and started trying to refocus on her work. And when she did, her ponytail swung back and forth, and he couldn't help but smile. And for some unknown reason, he reached out and tugged on it lightly.

He didn't know what caused him to do it, but it felt just like old times. Parking next to her, sitting behind her in class, torturing her like he used to. And God, it felt good. But he knew, just like all of those other times, her patience wouldn't hold up long. He looked up at the teacher, who was now droning on and on about the Red Blood Cell to White Blood Cell ration in the blood. Rory looked up too, thinking about something, and then shook her head again, then returned to her work. He could tell that she had forgotten all about him. Well, that just wouldn't do. He gave another tug to her hair came, harder this time. He watched her closely, waiting for it. She allowed her hands to still for a moment, and he knew she was fighting to keep her cool. The muscles in her neck and shoulders tensed, so he leaned forward, letting his breath hit them. He had no clue what was wrong with him, or why he was doing this to her. Oh, yes he did. He needed her.

She was so tense, and he knew she had to be upset at him for last night. Hell, he was upset at him for last night. He placed his hands on her shoulders, massaging gently. Almost instantly, her pen dropped and she relaxed a little. At first, he was unsure of himself, like he always was around her, but then he heard her sigh and knew he must be doing something right. As the song started playing in his head, she leaned back into her seat some more, giving him better access to her upper body. After a minute or two had passed, he moved up to her neck where his hot breath had just been, touching all the rights spots as usual. She leaned her head forward slightly, once again giving him better access.

Finally, he removed his hands from her completely, making her whimper in protest. He smirked, because he knew that she was blushing. She hadn't meant to do it, she never did. But now she was tense again. He'd take care of that later. "Don't worry, Mary. There's more where that came from." Right as he was going to ask her, the bell rang, shaking Rory from her stupor. As he walked past her, he allowed his hand to graze over her neck, shoulders, and down her Chilton blazer, causing them both to involuntarily shiver.

It was going to be a very long day.

"Pain"

Three Days Grace

Pain, without love

Pain, I can't get enough

Pain, I like it rough

'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all

You're sick of feeling numb

You're not the only one

I'll take you by the hand

And I'll show you a world that you can understand

This life is filled with hurt

When happiness doesn't work

Trust me and take my hand

When the lights go out you will understand

Pain, without love

Pain, I can't get enough

Pain, I like it rough

'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all

Pain, without love

Pain, I can't get enough

Pain, I like it rough

'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all

Anger and agony

Are better than misery

Trust me I've got a plan

When the lights go off you will understand

Pain, without love

Pain, I can't get enough

Pain, I like it rough

'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all

Pain, without love

Pain, I can't get enough

Pain, I like it rough

'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing

Rather feel pain

I know (I know I know I know I know)

That you're wounded

You know (You know you know you know you know)

That I'm here to save you

You know (You know you know you know you know)

I'm always here for you

I know (I know I know I know I know)

That you'll thank me later

Pain, without love

Pain, can't get enough

Pain, I like it rough

'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all

Pain, without love

Pain, I can't get enough

Pain, I like it rough

'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all

Pain, without love

Pain, I can't get enough

Pain, I like it rough

'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all

Rather feel pain than nothing at all

Rather feel pain