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Chapter 7- Crazy for her OR: The 2nd goodbye [revised]
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Tristin nervously rocked from his heels to his balls. All the words he had thought of during the long ride to Stars Hollow were gone the minute she stepped out onto the front porch.
Running his fingers through his hair he gave her an uncharacteristcally sheepish smile. "Hey Mary."

Rory shivered. As much as he had hated this nickname, it now sounded almost sounded like a caress to her.
"Tristan. I thought you were gone…" she whispered completely confused. He shook his head his smile disappearing.

"I'm leaving on Monday."

Rory crossed her arms in front of her chest and glanced around. She had hoped he'd tell her his dad had changed his mind an he could stay, but now…

"Where's you car?" Was the first thought her mouth could actually phrase out of the mess of feelings, questions and thoughts inside her mind.
She couldn't make out Tristin's expensive convertible in the dark neighbourhood.
"I haven't got a car anymore. My Dad has taken away the keys and I guess I'll never see them again." Tristan explained.
"But how…?" "I came here?" he finished her question. "By bike." He grinned as he noticed how ridicolous this actually sounded.
Rory's mouth dropped open. She'd have thought he'd made fun of her, but there it leaned against the tree - a metallic blue mountain bike.

"You're crazy!"
Tristan shrugged. Rory was absolutely right. Maybe he was, but only for her.
Rory got closer. Tristan instantly noticed the missing bracelet around her wrist. It had been a constant reminder for him that she wasn't available.
"How's Bagboy?" He asked trying not to sound too hopeful. Rory winced.
"We broke up today."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be." Tristin gave her a confused look.
"It wasn't because of friday?"
Rory shook her head.
"I didn't even tell him about- uhm... Friday…I just realized that I didn't love him anymore." She stopped and stared into the clear night, afraid her eyes would become wet, but they didn't.
"I guess it's OK." She said, mostly to herself, before she turned back to Tristin.

"OK, then, I guees. I'm glad I didn't mess things up for you."
Rory gave an ironic laugh.
"And this doesn't mess things up? Why exactly did you come here, Tristin?"
Tristin boldly reached for Rory's hand.
"Because I wanted to." He told her genuinely.

Rory nervously stared down on her hand in Tristin's. Her heart ran wild as she anticipated what would happen when she'd look up again.
She'd felt like this with him before.
Sometimes in Chilton when they where alone, or even in class when she'd felt his gaze on her ear.
At Madeleine's party, of course. And finally - at the play.
He'd stepped closer and his breath was warm on her cheek. As Rory turned her head, his mouth only a few inches away from hers. He hesitated, as if he was aksing for permission.
Rory was flattered by his nervousness. She was glad, that she wasn't alone in this.
Smiling, she closed her eyes and he kissed her gently, telling her everything she needed to know right now.

When he deepened the kiss, Tristan suddenly teasted something salty on his lips. He pulled away to see that it was on of the numerous tears streaming down Rory's face. No! This couldn't be true. He licked the drop away. It was true, she was crying again.
"I have to be a very bad kisser ."He half-joked but Rory could tell from his voice that he was hurt.
"I'm so sorry," she sobbed unable to help herself from crying.
"It had nothing to do with the kiss."

Tristan looked at her sceptically "You sure? Because this slowly seems like a pattern to me. I kiss you, you cry."
"It had never anything to do with the kiss! "
He sighed, slowly backing away.
"Whatever you say Rory."

"Really!" She desperatly squeezed his hand before he could take another step back.

"Please, Tristan. I'm not running away, am I?"
"Not yet, no."
"It's just that we've got the worst timing. The first time you kissed me I didn't want to realize that I may like a second time. The second time I realized that I can't deny it anymore and now - now I have to realize that I was so stupid, because now I know that I really like you and it's too late."
"Sounds like a lot of realizations," Tristin teased, pulling her close again as he registered her words.
"So you really like me?"
Rory blushed.
"I guess I do."
"You sounded pretty sure about it to me."
"You're biased."-
"And you like me. Really like me."
"Yes, I do. I, Rory Gilmore, finally admit to like you, Tristin DuGrey. Though not only god may know why."
"I know why," Tristin smirked, "I'm irressitable."
"You're hopeless."
"But you like me."
Rory playfully rolled her eyes before she gave him a quick peck. Yes, she liked him. Maybe even more than that.
She sighed as she snuggled close to him.
"Tristin, I don't want this to be just another goodbye."
"Me neither," he whispered, tightening his hold on her.