THE COPYRIGHTS OF THIS SHOW BELONG TO AMY SHERMAN-PALLADINO & WARNER BROTHERS. ALL I OWN IS THE PLOT AND THE ORIGINAL CHARACTERS

The Life & Times of Charlotte Gilmore Chapter 6: Lunch With Dugrey

Fifteen minutes later Rafael returned with a short woman following him into the room. They both were carrying tons of Manila envelopes with papers sticking out of them.

"Ladies I would like for you to meet Yolanda Robbins. You guys will be working with her today on the invitations for the Underwood Gala Event that starts off the fall fashion week here in New York City. Each year it is a different event such as a fashion show or an auction. This year Ursula wants it to be showcase for up incoming designers." Rafael explained putting the envelopes on Sienna's desk.

"Before you girls ask yes you will be able to attend and you can bring 1 or 2 people with you." Yolanda added putting her envelopes on Charlotte's desk.

"How many people will be attending the event?" Sienna asked.

"Last year 150 people were there. This year Ursula wants 250 so you girls will help Yolanda find the venue. That means checking all the areas in the city and parts of New Jersey for a location that is big enough. So good luck with that and do us proud girls." Rafael replied walking out of the room.

Yolanda approached the other desk in the office and put the rest of the material on it and then walked out of the room.

"This seems like fun and the best part is we get to go." Sienna said while Charlotte was barely hearing her because her phone began to ring at that moment.

"Hello"

"You know it's kinda hard to see each other if the other one never calls." A voice replied huskily.

"Hi Tristan. I've been meaning to call you but between starting school and beginning my internship today I never get the chance." Charlotte replied.

"I get it especially since Michelle said you don't have my number and I put it in her phone. Listen do you think we could have lunch together. Catch up and see where we are in our lives." Tristan said.

Charlotte fidgeted with the lid of the envelope thinking about what to say. "Lunch at 1:30 fine with you?"

"Ok I'll pick you up just text me the address and I'll be there. I can't wait to see you Char. Tristan said hanging up.

Charlotte was confused still about sitting down and having lunch with Tristan. He always had this way of making her feel like she was on a rollercoaster that never stopped.

Sienna looked at her new co-workers face and asked "What's with the face?"

"It is nothing."

"Must be something for you to look like you wanna throw up." Sienna stated smartly.

"Ok here is the thing, I am sitting down with my ex for lunch. I haven't seen him in over two years and I don't know what to expect from him. We've had our high and low moments but he was a good boyfriend overall. Now I am thinking random thoughts in my head about what he wants to talk about." Charlotte rambled and then sighed.

"Girl you won't get your answers with an attitude like that. Just sit down and have a conversation with him. If you don't like what he has to say then tell him to shove it and fuck off. If you think you guys want more than friendship see where it goes and live in the moment. You'll keep questioning yourself if you don't get it over with." Sienna advises Charlotte as Yolanda walks back in.

"Ok girls lets get started on these invitations and then go from there." Yolanda said sitting down while the girls share a small smile with one another.

(Time Skip)

For the next three hours the girls had saw names of celebrities that were invited such as: Anna Wintour, Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Gosling, Beyonce, Adam Levine, & Naomi Campbell to name a few. It was exciting to know that they were going to be in the same room as them.

Yolanda stood up from her desk and looked at the girls. "Ok girls I'm going to a staff meeting and I probably won't see you girls until tomorrow afternoon. We are gonna be pounding the pavement looking for a venue. So be well rested".

"Bye Yolanda" the girls reply as she leaves the office. Sienna then turns to Charlotte with a happy face.

"I can't believe we get to go to one of the biggest parties of the year. Now I'm thinking of what to wear." Sienna said excitedly.

Charlotte grinned at her new friends excitement over the work event. This would be a great opportunity for the girls to network and meet people in the industry. Charlotte's thoughts were soon interrupted by her phone ringing.

"Hello" she answered quickly.

"Hey is this a bad time?" A voice asked huskily.

"Tristan?"

"Yeah"

Charlotte was happy he called her right at this moment. It made it easier for her to ask him to meet up.

"Listen I was wondering if you wanted to meet up and have lunch today? That is if your not busy?" Tristan asked Charlotte.

"I would like that. Let me text u the address and we will go from there." She said.

"Cool see you then." Tristan said hanging up.

Charlotte looked out the office window with a grin and then sent the address to Tristan's phone before returning to the envelopes.

(Time Skip)

Charlotte had left the office to head outside to meet Tristan. She was really anxious to see him with a tinge of nervousness. Soon a silver Porsche pulled up in front of the building with Tristan in the driver's seat. He pulled the car to a complete stop and got out of the car, all the while still looking perfect.

"You always knew how to make an entrance." Charlotte said smartly.

He gave her a smoldering look and opened the passenger door for her. "Well it always kept you talking and that's what mattered" he fired back seeing her smile while getting in the car.

Charlotte watched as he ran to get back into the driver's seat and soon they were pulling off down the street. She watched as he drove the car smoothly through the Manhattan streets like a racecar driver. He turned the radio on and a song began to play:

This is where the chapter ends
A new one now begins
Time has come for letting go
The hardest part is when you know
All of these years - When we were here
Are ending, but I'll always remember

We have had the time of our lives
Now the page is turned
The stories we will write
We have had the time of our lives
And I will not forget
The faces left behind
It's hard to walk away
From the best of days
But if it has to end
I'm glad you have been my friend
In the time of our lives

Where the water meets the land
There is shifting in the sand
Like the tide that ebbs and flows
Memories will come and go
All of these years
When we were here
Are ending
But I'll always remember

We have had the time of our lives
Now the page is turned
The stories we will write
We have had the time of our lives
And I will not forget
The faces left behind
It's hard to walk away
From the best of days
But if it has to end
I'm glad you have been my friend
In the time of our lives

We say goodbye
We hold on tight
To these memories
That never die
We say goodbye
We hold on tight
To these memories
That never die

We have had the time of our lives
Now the page is turned
The stories we will write
We have had the time of our lives
And I will not forget
The faces left behind
It's hard to walk away
From the best of days
But if it has to end
I'm glad you have been my friend
In the time of our lives
I'm glad you have been my friend
In the time of our lives

She continued to stare at him as the song finished. It summed up everything that happened between them. Hopefully they could come to some sort of resolution on where they would stand.

"Are you gonna stare at me the entire time I drive ?" He asked with his eyes still on the road.

"I'm trying to figure out what to say to someone you used to spend every moment together but you don't really to say." She tells him when they stop at a red light with him turning to glance at her.

"You think you're the only one who doesn't know what to say? I've thought about several different scenarios on what I would say to you if I ever saw you again. At this moment I'm just happy were in the same place at the same time." He tells her while continuing to drive while grabbing her left hand and holding it with his right hand.

Charlotte looked down at where there hands connected and thought about their first date and what a night it led to.

(Flashback)

It had been two weeks since the birthday debacle at The elder Gilmore's home. Charlotte had been texting Tristan back and forth since then. He had made an effort to see how she was handling things in her day to day life.

Then out of the blue he had asked Charlotte out on a date. Now she was rushing home from working a long shift at Luke's. She had not told her mom that she was going on her first date. Charlotte did not want a repeat of Rory's first date with Dean. Lorelai had took it upon herself to invite Dean over there house for movie night.

Even though things worked out in the end, to say it was embarrassing for Rory was an understatement. Your first date with your mom and sister said it all. So Charlotte prepped Tristan on things to do and say around her mom.

Charlotte had reached the front yard of the house when she saw Lorelai and Rory sitting on the porch with a mug of coffee in each of their hands. They both were staring at her with devious looks on their faces. They knew she was going on a date and now they were going to rub it in her face.

"Hi Sweets, how was school today?" Lorelai asked taking a sip of her coffee.

"Fine" she replied shortly.

"That's not what I heard at school today" Rory added.

Charlotte blushed then headed inside the house with both her mom and sister following right behind her. She headed upstairs to her room and could here their footsteps behind her.

"So what is this I hear that you my dear have a date tonight?" Lorelai asked.

Charlotte mumbled something under her breath and Lorelai put her hand to her ear.

"I'm sorry but I can't hear what you are saying. Do you mind repeating that for me" she added.

Charlotte sighed and then looked up at her mom "I am going on a date tonight with Tristan Dugrey. No I don't know where we are going. No I don't care if he reminds you of Dad. I want to go out with him because he was actually nice to me at Madame Tussauds house of Gilmore." Charlotte rambled.

Lorelai and Rory laughed at Charlotte's discomfort at the situation. Normally she is well put together and nothing really phases her.

Charlotte then turned to her sister and said "What did you mean you heard at school?".

"Tristan asked me what you liked because he wants to make a good impression on you. You apparently are not a shallow vapid girl like the ones he normally dates. So you are a new territory for him." Rory told her sister.

"That's actually kinda sweet of him to do that" Lorelai adds while Charlotte is in her closet pulling clothes out left to right.

"I don't know what to wear" she says diving into her bed head first.

Lorelai looked at the clothes that her daughter threw on her bed. She started to sift through them until she found the perfect outfit.

"OK, Charlotte I found the perfect thing for you to wear. Now try it on so we can see you in all of your perfection that you are." Lorelai tells her daughter who goes to the bathroom.

Forty minutes later Charlotte walks back into her room and she sees her mom and sister eating poptarts on her bed. She approaches them and stands in front of them.

"What took you so long?" Lorelai asked with boredom.

"I took a shower first so I wouldn't smell like I worked in a diner all day" Charlotte smartly replies to her mother.

"So what do you guys think?" Charlotte asked the two.

She was wearing a flower print dress with red put her hair in a ponytail and a little bit of make up.

"You look pretty sis" Rory said.

"Yeah Sweets Tristan will like you just the way you are." Lorelai added.

All three of the Gilmores walked out of Charlotte's room and headed downstairs into the living room. Lorelai picked up a magazine and sat on the couch while the girls headed into the kitchen.

"So what are you doing tonight Rory? I feel like we haven't spent enough time together since you started Chilton. I mean between me working and you dealing with those rich snobs I miss hanging out with you." Charlotte tells her sister while grabbing a water bottle from the fridge.

"Mom rented movies and we're going to pick up food from Luke's." Rory replied.

Soon the phone begins to ring and Charlotte ran into the living room. As she walked in she saw her mom answering

"Hello Gilmore Residence. Yes she is, hold on a second" Lorelai says handing the phone to Charlotte.

"Hello"

"Hey" Tristan replies.

"Hi, are you almost here. If your calling to cancel I understand, I mean you probably have other girls waiting." Charlotte rambles with her mom shaking her head at her daughter's oblivious attitude.

"I was actually calling to tell you to look out your living room window. But if you want me to cancel I completely understand. Also just to let you know there are no other girls." Tristan tells Charlotte who is grinning as she opens the window. Charlotte hurried to open the front door and stood on the porch.

Tristan is leaning on his Porsche with a bag that says "Luke's Diner". He was dressed in a white collared shirt, dark blue jeans, and a pair of converse sneakers. He got off of his car and walk toward Charlotte. When he was directly in front of Charlotte he took her hand in his and kissed it.

"You look beautiful" he told her.

"You dont look so bad yourself Dugrey" Charlotte said.

Tristan then led her down the porch steps to his car. He opened the passenger door for her and she sat down in the car. When he sat down beside her in the driver seat Lorelai and Rory walked out from the house and on to the porch.

"Make sure you get home before ten, Charlotte. It's still is a school night and don't do anything I would do" Lorelai said coyly with Rory laughing at her mom.

"Dirty" Rory added with grin.

"Don't worry Ms. Gilmore ill bring her home on time." Tristan explained while Lorelai made a face at the ''Ms. Gilmore jab" making her daughters laugh at her.

Tristan then started the car and they pulled off leaving Lorelai and Rory as little blimps in his rear view mirror. Charlotte was staring at the road while Tristan would glance at her as he was driving. He was trying to play it cool but when it came to Charlotte he was nervous. She was the first girl who actually liked him for him and not what his last name could do for social standing.

"So where are you taking me tonight? I tried to ask Rory but she wouldn't budge." Charlotte said to Tristan breaking him out of his thoughts.

"Well Rory told me you like classic movies and a buddy of mine told me there is a drive in movie theater playing 'Casablanca' tonight." Tristan then lifted up the bags form Luke's. "I also asked your sister what's your favorite food. So I went to Luke's and mind you that guy scares me. He glared at me the entire time I was there." Tristan told Charlotte.

Charlotte then laughed at the face Tristan made. "The reason he glared at you is probably the fact that you are the first guy to ask me out. Luke is my dad in all but blood and now that he sees I am dating he wants to protect me. Normally I'm the type of person who focuses on other things beside dating. That all changed that night you brought me home from my grandparents. You actually noticed me in that circus and for the first time I actually liked a guy. Charlotte explained.

"Well let's just say I am happy you decided to go out with me. I know I have a reputation of being a conceited dick but I am a nice guy" Tristan bluntly adds.

"The night is still young so all you have to do is be yourself. I am a average girl so don't try so hard." Charlotte told the boy who released a sigh of relief as he continued driving.

Tristan pulled into the drive in theater and found a good spot for them to watch the movie. He then opened up the food and handed Charlotte hers. The movie began and they sat in silence eating. They were both wondering if the other was having a good time. Tristan tried to glance at Charlotte from the corner of his eye. She was watching the movie and miming the words from the scene.

Charlotte although she was watching the movie she knew Tristan was trying to watch her. In her head it was kinda flattering. A guy has never paid this much attention to what she was doing. If they were she never noticed them.

"Are you enjoying the movie?" he asked

Charlotte continued to stare at the movie and then took a sip of her soda before glancing at Tristan with smile. "I am and the company ain't so bad either." She replied.

Tristan grinned and held out some candy out towards her and she smiled and took some. For the rest of the night the two enjoyed each others company. When the movie ended Tristan saw they still had and hour left to hang out.

"So I was thinking do you want to grab a coffee before I bring you home?"

"I'd like that." She said turning to him and added "When are you gonna kiss me?"

Tristan was kind of shocked at the question. He knew Charlotte and her sister were different people. So he assumed when it came to dating they would have the same feel for how they want their first kiss. It kinda threw him off for a moment and then he leaned in. For Charlotte, this was her first kiss and it was perfect.

When Tristan pulled away from Charlotte she blushed and looked away from him making him smirk. He then turned on the car and drove out of the movie theater.

After getting them coffee and talking some more Tristan pulls up in front of Charlotte's house. He turned off the car and turned to face Charlotte. She was sitting next to him with her hands in lap and she was looking at her house.

"Did you have a good time tonight?" Tristan asked the girl.

"I had a great time tonight Tristan. For a first date it was perfect in my opinion. Like I said before you don't have to try so hard to impress me."She explained leaning over and kissing Tristan on the cheek and slowly got out of the car.

Tristan place his hand on were her lips touched his cheek. He looked up expectantly at the girl as she walked to her porch. Tristan then got out of the car and grabbed Charlotte's arm making her turn to face him. Charlotte faced him and his face met hers in another kiss.

While the couple was kissing they didn't see Lorelai watching them in the living room window with a small smile on her face.

(End Flashback)

Eventually Charlotte noticed they had pulled up in front of small bistro and Tristan had already opened her door. He was watching her smugly as she stepped out of the car heading for the bistro. The waiter soon escorted them to their seats and then took their order before leaving them alone.

Tristan placed his hand on Charlotte's from across the table and glanced at her. "I'm glad you decided to have lunch with me, Char".

Charlotte pulled her hand away from his and got straight to business. She had questions and he had the answers and she needed them now.

"I was against it mostly but I figured if I can actually sit down with you, maybe I would get the answers I need." Charlotte said.

"What do you want to ask me Charlotte? Don't hold your tongue on my I account." Tristan said.

"Was I a good girlfriend to you?" She asked him.

"Where is this all coming from Charlotte? I thought you wanted to catch up and reminisce with me about the good times" He said irritably.

"In order for me to do that I need closure from the situation. You left and I never got say what I really wanted to say to you. I loved you but between the pressure of your family and whatever else you were going through, you pushed me away from you." She said with tears rolling down her face.

Tristan looked at the girl sitting in front of him. He could see all the pain he caused her and how she still held some of it. She had pulled out some napkins from her purse and wiped her face. He knew she at least deserved a chance to move on from the past.

"You were a good girlfriend. The best. At that time I couldn't see it because I didn't know what I wanted," Tristan finally spoke up. "I was a stupid kid trying to prove something to people around him. You were the only good thing in my life and I didn't want to drag you into it."

Charlotte looked at the sincere face he had on. If she were her sixteen year old self she would have told him it was ok. In that moment Charlotte knew what she had to say to him.

"I forgave you along time ago cause I know I made it hard for you to talk to me. When you left I blamed myself and for weeks I was angry. I took it out on my mom, Rory, Michelle, and Luke. I just needed you and I felt alone."

"Once again I'm sorry for everything. I mean it Charlotte, you never deserved any of it. I want us to start over and try to be friends and maybe something more later. That is if you think that could happen between the two us.

Charlotte agreed with him and thought over everything he just said. He had acknowledged his part in why there relationship fell apart but there was still one thing she needed to get off her chest.

"One more thing before put this to rest. What were you thinking when you kissed Summer at that party?" She asked curiously taking a sip of her water.

"That night was that party right," he asked in which she nodded. "You and I just had this big fight about how I don't open up. I was drunk and I know it doesn't justify it but it happened. Summer even said it shouldn't of happened."

"Ok"

"That's it, nothing else we need to talk about?"

"That is everything I needed to know at this moment. I'll let you know if there is anything else that comes to mind." She said when the waiter returned.

Soon the waiter returned with their food and the two old friends caught up on what had changed in their lives. In Tristan's case he talked about him graduating from military school and going to Columbia University to study law. He also found a place in the Upper East Side. Charlotte had also caught him on what had changed in her life since he had left.

"Wow I knew me leaving would change things in your life." Tristan said.

"Well your hear now and that is what counts." Charlotte said.

(Time Skip)

After they had finished their food Tristan paid for their meal. He grabbed her hand in his and they left the bistro and got in his car. The ride was silent but it wasn't awkward for them. It was a comfortable silence for the two after the conversation they had.

Tristan looked over at the girl and saw her staring at the New York Streets as they drove back to Underwood Designs. She was deep in thought and he had to know if she still wanted him apart of her life as a friend or more.

"So have you decided on what I asked?" Tristan asked

"I think I agree with you on friends first and then more later on" She replied.

Tristan was happy at least he could be something in her life to some capacity.

Tristan's car pulled up in front of Charlotte's job. When she tried to get out of the car he grabbed her hand. Charlotte turned to face him and saw a smile on his face. She looked closely and saw there was a twinkle in his eyes.

"What is it?" She asked.

"We should do this again sometime. If we are gonna try being friends then we should try to hang out. Don't you think?" He asks.

"I would like that a lot. So I will call you and we can plan something. Well I have to go back to work." Charlotte said eventually getting out of the car.

She walked towards the entrance of the building and turns around to look back at Tristan. He was watching her and he was smiling at her. Then he waved and drove off down the street speeding away. Charlotte turned around and walked inside and headed back upstairs. When she walked into the office only Sienna was there.

"How was lunch with the ex?" Sienna asked when she noticed Charlotte walk in the office.

"Emotionally draining. I got my answers to most of my questions but something still feels like it needs to be said." Charlotte explained while getting back to work.

Sienna walked over to the copy machine and placed something in the machine. "Well you just had lunch with him. Let it resonate with you first then think about what you still need answered. Otherwise it will keep stirring up old emotions." Sienna told Charlotte.

"Hey quick question, what are you doing tonight?" Charlotte asked her new friend.

Sienna thought about it for a minute. "Nothing really, why?".

"Well my neighbor is throwing a party and he said I could invite anyone. So I figured since you just moved here and you don't know anyone you could have fun with me and my friends." Charlotte said.

"Thanks that could be fun. Can we stop by my apartment first so I can get an outfit and then go to yours?" Sienna asked.

"Yeah, I actually got to call my roommate and my friend from school to see if there going still. Tonight should be fun this is my first party in New York. So why not live in the moment." Charlotte said placing the envelopes on her desk in a box.

As the girls were working Rafael walked into the office and Yolanda followed him right after. Rafael saw the girls were practically done with all the work he had assigned them. He was impressed and that was not something he gave lightly.

"Girls, we have a staff meeting and Ursula would like for you to attend. She wants you two to get a feel of how things operate here. So would you please follow me to the boardroom. The meeting is about to begin. Charlotte picked up a notepad off her desk and followed after Sienna who was following both Rafael and Yolanda.

When they reached the boardroom everyone was taking their seas while the girls stood to the side close to the exit. Ursula sat at the lead chair and looked irritated at everyone. Rafael sat two seats away from Ursula on her left and he was nervous about something.

"Now that all of you are here can we finally get things underway. I have an appointment to get too and you are all wasting my time." She said standing up from her chair pacing.

"Well Vogue wants you to sit down and have an interview and talk about the Gala event and what to expect. Like what are we displaying this year and how it will differ from others". One of the workers said.

"Setup a time with my assistant and let me know when everything is scheduled" Ursula ordered.

Ursula then looked at the interns on the wall before looking at Rafael. "Are the invitations ready to go out? What about the venue? I would hope you have some good news to tell me Rafael." Ursula asked earnestly.

"Well the girls finished all the invitations just before we came here. Sienna already printed out a list of locations for the gala to be held. Yolanda and the girls are going to be checking each one to see if they fit the requirements you requested." Rafael said to Ursula.

"Fantastic! What about the designers who will be showcasing their work. I need at least twenty-five to thirty designers to have a custom design ready." Ursula urged to her staff.

"We have scoured around the city and the surrounding areas and so far we have fifteen designers." Another worker added.

Charlotte saw the facial expression on Ursula's face and she had an idea. Hopefully the idea wouldn't be shot down.

"Excuse me Mrs. Underwood. I have an idea and I wanted to run it by you and the rest of the staff." Charlotte said surprising everyone in the room.

"This ought to be good" a coworker said snidely.

"Miss Gilmore, what is this idea you have that nobody else in this room doesn't have?" She asked bored and a bit curiously.

"Well as you know I go to FIT and there are hundreds of designers who go to my school. Why not hold a fashion exhibition and the fifteen designers Ursula likes will have their design showcased at the gala event." Charlotte explained her idea to everyone.

Ursula looked at the girl in front of her. She had just interviewed her this morning and already she was pitching ideas in her staff meetings. Ursula would have to watch this girl closely.

"How would we go about promoting this plan at the school?" Ursula asked Charlotte.

Charlotte walked up to the front of the boardroom and stood next to Ursula. " You could speak to someone at the school and set it up so it could happen within the week. Unless anyone of you have any great ideas?" Charlotte asked the other men and women in the room smugly.

"I like it and I want it done within the week. Charlotte i want you to speak to Harper Spaulding. He will help you with whatever you need. Now Meeting adjourned, I have places to go, people to see." Ursula said walking out the room with people following her.

"That was so scary. You just pitched an idea on your first day to practically everyone who works here." Sienna said excitedly rushing over with Rafael behind her.

"You've got guts girl. It took me eight months to pitch an idea when I started working here." Rafael added walking out with Sienna trailing right after him.

Charlotte smiled at the praise her new coworkers gave her. It gave her the confidence she really needed. She walked out of the boardroom only to walk into someone.

"I am so sorry I didn't see you." Charlotte explained apologetically.

"It's fine" the man said picking up the papers he dropped. Charlotte helped him pick up the papers.

He then rushed off down the hallway away from Charlotte. Charlotte shook her head and headed back to the office she shared with Sienna. When she got there Yolanda was walking out and said "I will see you girls on Monday because we will be walking to different places too see where the gala can be held. Bye girls."

Charlotte went to her desk and put on her jacket and picked up her purse. She then looked over to her new friend. "Hey you ready to go to your apartment so we can get your stuff?"

"Yeah let me just get my bag then we can go" Sienna replied.

Charlotte and Sienna both left the office and walked pass the other workers. Some of them were glaring at Charlotte with jealousy from the staff meeting earlier. Charlotte didn't care to be honest, she was happy that Ursula liked her idea enough to go through with it. The girls walked downstairs into the lobby of the design house and saw Rafael talking to the guy Charlotte had walked into earlier.

Rafael looked there way and waved to them. They both headed to him and he began introductions. " Ladies I would like for you to meet Harper Spaulding. He basically runs the day to day operations here at Underwood Designs."

"I've met this one Rafael she bumped into me earlier. I don't believe I got your name either." Harper said.

"Charlotte. Charlotte Gilmore" She said with her hand raised to shake his.

He shook it then turned to Sienna "And your name miss?"

"My name is Sienna Miller."

"Well ladies it was nice to meet you but I have a prior engagement I am late for." He said walking away before turning around. "Charlotte, Ursula wants for you to come up with a plan so on Tuesday meet me in my office." Harper adds before walking away.

Rafael then says his goodbyes to the girls and walks out of the building as well.

"Well how are we getting to your apartment Sienna?"

"My car is parked around the corner. My mom told me I was crazy for driving across the country with my car. I told her it beats taking the bus. But I will say this, finding parking anywhere in this city is unbelievable." Sienna rambled a bit as they got in the car.

"Well let's head to your place and you can pack a bag and stay the night at mines so you won't have to drive so late." Charlotte offered.

"Sounds like a plan" Sienna said starting the car.

(Time Skip)

After the girls had packed a bag at Sienna's apartment they went straight to Charlotte's apartment. They were now entering the lobby when Mr. Jones came towards them.

"Good evening Ms. Gilmore, you have a friend waiting for you in the waiting area." He said pointing to Ethan who was on his phone.

"Thanks Mr. Jones." Charlotte said walking over to Ethan with Sienna right behind her.

When she got in front of him he looked up from his phone and saw her. He wasn't paying attention to Charlotte though. Ethan was staring at Sienna with a look that she had seen with men only around her mom. The look that they glanced at her but had to see if she was really there.

"Hi Ethan" Charlotte said waving in his face to gain his attention back on her.

"Char, hey. How are you? Who's your friend?" Ethan asked shyly while still staring at Sienna.

Sienna walked over to Ethan and smiled sweetly. "Hi my name is Sienna. I work with Charlotte over at Underwood Designs." she said.

"Not that introductions aren't nice I think we should go upstairs and get ready." Charlotte added making her friends blush with awkwardness.

Charlotte led her friends to the elevator waving to Mr. Jones when the doors opened. She pressed the number six on the panel when they all stepped in. As the elevator ascended Ethan kept making small little glances over to Sienna who was doing the same. Charlotte on the other hand was thinking about how she was gonna plan the exhibition at her school.

The elevator door opened on the sixth floor and the friends walked down the hallway. As they were walking down the hallway Austin's apartment door was opened. They saw him and two other guys moving the furniture around in his apartment.

"Ok guys just put the couch there while I setup the drinks" Austin said running to the kitchen.

Charlotte walked pass his apartment and pulled her keys at out her purse. She put her keys into her apartment door and saw Michelle in the living room watching TV. Ethan and Sienna walked in right after her.

"Hey Chica how was your first day?" Michelle asked turning off the TV.

"Good. Michelle I would like for you too meet my new friend Sienna. She works with me at Underwood Designs." Charlotte answered.

Michelle got up and hugged Sienna surprising her. "Hi it's nice to meet you. Make yourself at home here." She said.

"So what time are you girls gonna get ready for the party?" Ethan asked.

Well I already know what I'm wearing. What about you guys?" Sienna asked the roommates.

Michelle walked into her room and came back out with a pair of white jeans and a black blouse, a air of stilettos. "I had my outfit picked out along time ago. When Char first told me about the party I wanted something that would keep the attention on me. "Michelle said provocatively making the girls in the room laugh while Ethan blushes.

"I still need to pick out something so why don't you guys hang out for a bit. Sienna you will be sleeping in my room tonight and Ethan the couch is yours." Charlotte said going into her room.

While Charlotte is looking for something to wear when her cell phone rings. She walks out of her closet and sees it is her mom. She smiles shortly and realizes she hasn't spoken to her mom in days. She picks up the phone and sees a voicemail so she listens.

"Fruit of my loins its mommy. I haven't heard the sound of your voice in eons. Please call mommy so she can know you are alive. Also are you coming home this weekend cause your sister is. I wanna know how school and the internship is going. Call me when you get the chance." Lorelai said.

Charlotte looked down at her phone and thought maybe tomorrow she could go down to Stars Hollow and visit her mom and sister. While Charlotte was contemplating her weekend plans Michelle, Sienna, and Ethan walked into her room unnoticed.

"Charlotte why are you staring at your phone like that?" Michelle asked.

"My mom called and I realized I haven't spoken or thought of her for a while. So I was thinking can I borrow your car for the weekend and drive out to Stars Hollow. If not I'll take a Greyhound Bus." Charlotte said to her best friend.

"Sure. Whatever you need, all I ask is you fill her up on the way back." Michelle said cheekily.

"So what are you gonna wear?" They all asked Charlotte. In which she gave them a small smile.

(Time Skip)

Michelle, Ethan, and Sienna walked out of the apartment with Charlotte coming out last to lock the door. She was dressed in a short black dress with knee high boots. She had also curled her hair. They walked down the hallway hearing the music vibrating on the the group stopped in front of Austin's apartment Charlotte knocked on the door. They waited until Austin himself opened the door.

"Hey Charlotte you came." He said with grin looking her up and down.

"Well you invited me and I didn't want to be rude. These are my friends Michelle, Sienna and Ethan." Charlotte said introducing her friends.

"Hey come on in the party has already started. There is food and drinks so help yourself." Austin said leading them into the party before walking to some girl with a red cup in her hand.

"You heard the guy lets party" Michelle said as a guy walked pass them with a guitar.

Sienna's nearly eyes popped out of her head when she got everyone's attention. "Guys isnt that Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy?" Sienna asked fanning out.

Charlotte and Michelle both looked closely and turn to her "Yes!" They said excited.

"Please don't tell me you guys are groupies" Ethan said shaking his head at his friends making them glare at him. He put his hands up in defense. "I am just stating my opinion especially because of your reactions" he added.

Soon the girls saw the rest of the band join him on the balcony. Austin took a microphone and began speaking. " I wanna thank my boy Pete Wentz for gracing us his presence tonight at my party. So ladies and gentlemen I give you Fall Out Boy." Austin announced.

"Thanks Austin. Now i know everyone knows this song" Pete said.

She says she's no good with words but I'm worse
Barely stuttered out a joke of a romantic stuck to my tongue
Weighed down with words too over-dramatic
Tonight it's "It can't get much worse"
Vs. "No one should ever feel like..."

I'm two quarters and a heart down
And I don't want to forget how your voice sounds
These words are all I have so I'll write them
So you need them just to get by

Dance, dance
We're falling apart to half time
Dance, dance
And these are the lives you love to lead
Dance, this is the way they'd love
If they knew how misery loved me

You always fold just before you're found out
Drink up it's last call,
Last resort
But only the first mistake and I...

I'm two quarters and a heart down
And I don't want to forget how your voice sounds
These words are all I have so I'll write them
So you need them just to get by

Why don't you show me a little bit of spine
You've been saving for his mattress, love

Dance, dance
We're falling apart to half time
Dance, dance
And these are the lives you love to lead
Dance, this is the way they'd love
If they knew how misery loved me

Why don't you show me a little bit of spine
You've been saving for his mattress (mattress, mattress)
I only want sympathy in the form of you crawling into bed with me

Dance, dance
We're falling apart to half time
Dance, dance
And these are the lives you love to lead

Dance, this is the way they'd love (way they'd love)
Dance, this is the way they'd love (way they'd love)
Dance, this is the way they'd love
If they knew how misery loved me

Dance, dance
Dance, dance
Dance, dance
Dance, dance

Then the band played:

I'm gonna make you bend and break
(it sent you to me without wings)
Say a prayer but let the good times roll
In case God doesn't show
(let the good times roll, let the good times roll)
And I want these words to make things right
But it's the wrongs that make the words come to life
"Who does he think he is?"
If that's the worst you got
Better put your fingers back to the keys

One night and one more time
Thanks for the memories
Even though they weren't so great
"He tastes like you only sweeter, "
One night, yeah, and one more time
Thanks for the memories, thanks for the memories
"See, he tastes like you only sweeter."

Been looking forward to the future
But my eyesight is going bad
And this crystal ball
Is always cloudy except for (except for)
When you look into the past (look into the past)
One night stand (one night stand off)

One night and one more time
Thanks for the memories
Even though they weren't so great
"He tastes like you only sweeter."
One night, yeah, and one more time
Thanks for the memories, thanks for the memories
"See, he tastes like you only sweeter."

They say I only think in the form of crunching numbers
In hotel rooms collecting page six lovers
Get me out of my mind and get you out of those clothes
I'm a liner away from getting you into the mood, whoa

One night and one more time
Thanks for the memories
Even though they weren't so great
"He tastes like you only sweeter."
One night, (oh!) yeah, (oh!) and one more time
Thanks for the memories, thanks for the memories
"See, he tastes like you only sweeter."

One night and one more time (one more night, one more time)
Thanks for the memories
Even though they weren't so great
"he tastes like you only sweeter." (oh)
One night, yeah, and one more time (one more night, one more time)
Thanks for the memories, thanks for the memories (thanks for the memories, thanks for the memories)
"see, he tastes like you only sweeter." (oh)

After the band finished that song they took a break. Charlotte saw Ethan and Sienna sitting on a couch in the living room. She looked around for Michelle and saw her in the kitchen chatting to a guy about business and something else. She walked over to the balcony rail and looked at the city skyline.

"It's a nice view ain't it." Austin said from behind her.

Charlotte turns around to face him and she sees him hold two red plastic cups. He holds one out to her. "Here I figured you be thirsty" he adds.

"Thanks. What is it?"

"Its Sprite. Well I figured you might be a minor and I can tell you don't drink." he cautiously said.

"You figured right. So I wanna know something how do you know Fall Out Boy?" She said.

"I am a A&R Exec here in New York. I go talent searching every weekend looking for new artists. Maybe you could come with me sometime if your not busy." Austin offered.

"I'll think about it. Well I have to go now if I want to get on the road." Charlotte said walking pass Austin.

"Where are you going if you don't mind me asking?" He asked.

"Home" Charlotte said walking away from him. She walked up to Michelle in the kitchen. "Hey I am leaving early so I can get on the road. I will call you when I get to my moms. Tell Sienna she can sleep in my bed and remind Ethan the couch is his." Charlotte said hugging her best friend.

Charlotte walked out of the kitchen and headed for the apartment door as she grabbed the handle a hand went over hers. She looked over her shoulder and saw it was Austin's.

"Can I help you?" She said.

"When you get back to the city do you wanna go out with me?" he asked.

"Um... Can I think about it and get back to you." She said anxiously trying to leave.

"Sure" he said.

Charlotte opened the door in a rush and walked fast to her apartment.

(Time Skip)

Charlotte had packed a bag of clothes and took her homework and work projects with her as well. She was driving on the Interstate in Connecticut. She had left New York two hours ago and she just wanted to see her mom. Especially since Tristan wants to be more than friends and she was asked out by Austin. She just needed an outside perspective and her mom's always gave her more to think about.

Charlotte played with the radio until a song that every time she thought of Tristan began to play:

I would have given you all of my heart
But there's someone who's torn it apart
And he's taken just all that I have
But if you want I'll try to love again
Baby, I'll try to love again, but I know...

The first cut is the deepest
Baby I know
The first cut is the deepest
But when it comes to bein' lucky, he's cursed
When it comes to lovin' me, he's worst...

I still want you by my side
Just to help me dry the tears that I've cried
And I'm sure gonna give you a try
If you want I'll try to love again, (try)
Baby, I'll try to love again, but I know...

OOHHH,
The first cut is the deepest
Baby I know
The first cut is the deepest
But when it comes to bein' lucky, he's cursed
But when it comes to lovin' me, he's worst...

I still want you by my side
Just to help me dry the tears that I've cried
But I'm sure gonna give you a try
Cuz if you want I'll try to love again
(Try to love again, try to love again)
Baby, I'll try to love again but I know, OOHHH...

The first cut is the deepest
Baby I know
The first cut is the deepest
When it comes to bein' lucky, he's cursed
When it comes to lovin' me, he's worst

OOHHH, the first cut is the deepest
Baby I know (baby I know)
The first cut is the deepest
Try to love again...

When the song finished Charlotte realized she was in front of the crap shack. She grabbed all her stuff from the car and saw the tv on in the living room window. She opened the front door and walked in the foyer of the house. Soon footsteps came close to her and her mom and Rory were in front of her.

"Sweets your home" Lorelai said pulling both her daughters into a hug.

*The next Chapter will be titled "Chicken or Beef" after the Fourth Episode of the Fourth Season. It will be posted Mid- February.

*Charlotte is gonna have a love triangle with Austin and Tristan

*The song(s) are as follow:

"Time of Our Lives" by Tyrone Wells

"Dance, Dance" by Fall Out Boy

"Thnks Fr Th Mmrs" by Fall Out Boy

"The First Cut Is The Deepest" by Sheryl Crow

Chaz746