Stars Hollow Elementary
Lane Kim was nervous. Well, not exactly nervous, more anxious-eager. She squeezed Rory's hand as they made her way into the hallway of the Elementary school.
"Ready?" She asked her friend, their small hands both turning red from the pressure each was receiving from the other.
"Not really, but I can be…if you are," she said biting her lip.
"Okay, we'll wait a few more minutes; I mean it's not really THAT big of a deal, right?"
"Right," Rory agreed.
But the truth was-it WAS a big deal. In fact it was a VERY big deal. Today was the day the cast listing for the school's production of The Sound of Music came out. Rory being more of a wallflower, Rory wanted a smaller role, or something behind the scenes. She was only doing it to help Lane get into it, and so she would have a friend with her. But Lane thought differently. She wanted to be the star-center stage. She had a love for all things musical, and rarely got to express that side of her. If Rory wasn't doing this with her, her mother never would have allowed it. But Rory and Lane had sweet talked and begged so much Mama Kim had no choice but to let her audition. And since Lane got to audition, she gave it her all. She preferred hard rock-and-roll, but this would do if it had to.
"Ready now?" Lane repeated a few moments later.
Rory nodded, and they made their way over to the wall where the auditions were posted.
They looked at the character list.
Sound of Music Cast
Maria- Brooke J.
Captain Von Trapp- Billy S.
Elsa- Sandra W.
Max- James D.
Liesl- Lane K.
Louisa- Heather M.
Friedrich- Adam Z.
Kurt- Rory G.
Brigitta- Brianna B.
Marta- Phoebe A.
Gretl- Ella C.
Rolf- Emmett I.
Okay, Lane thought, Liesl. Not Maria, but Liesl. Still a very good role, she could still shine. She looked over at Rory. She was pale.
"Rory, what's wrong?" She asked looking at her get paler.
She just pointed to the list. Lane read 'Curt-Rory G.' There had to be a mistake. Kurt was a guy, a main role, and a GUY.
"Oh, that must be a mistake Rory. Let's go talk to Mrs. Reese."
Rory nodded, her face returning a little color. They walked into the music room.
"Hello girls!" she said warmly as they entered the room filled with xylophones, drums, and many other instruments spread around the cluttered mess of a floor.
"Hey, Rory and I just saw the cast list," Lane said answering. She usually took charge, and was extremely social compared to shy Rory. That's why they were a team. At home Rory could talk a mile a minute, but in public, she tended to blend and like it that was.
"Oh yes, were you happy with your roles?"
"Well that's just the thing. We think you mixed up Rory's part."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, it says she's Kurt." Rory nodded feverishly in agreement.
"Ah, yes. Well that's no mistake…"
"What?" Rory asked, her mouth dropping in shock and horror.
"Well there weren't enough boys that tried out, and Kurt is a main role, so we had no choice but to cast a girl in the part. I'm really sorry Rory, but…"
"It's fine," she said unconvincingly.
"It is?" Mrs. Reese exclaimed in delight.
"It is?" Lane asked confused and surprised.
"Yeah, it's fine. I mean, it is just acting."
Lane rolled her eyes. Of course they would ask Rory to do this. She couldn't say no-she wouldn't say no because she hated disappointing anybody.
"Oh thank you so much, sweetie! You have no idea how thankful I am," she said wrapping Rory into a hug.
"You're welcome," she said.
"Okay, Lane, let's go."
Lane sighed and walked out the door with her. She wished Rory would grow a backbone. Oh well. That's just how she was and that was never going to change.
And as if this afternoon couldn't get any worse, who was to walk down the hallway but Brooke and Brianna, A.K.A the queen bees of fifth grade.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't brother and sister now. What's next Gilmore? Trying out for football?" Brooke said viciously. Brianna snickered.
"Just keep walking," Rory whispered.
But Brianna knocked the books out of both of their hands. "Oops, didn't see you there."
Lane's muscled tensed up, and Rory sensed it. "Lane, stop."
Lane obeyed, still angry. As she bent down to pick up the books, Brooke kicked them across the hallway. "That sucks doesn't it?"
Lane's nostrils flared. She was getting furious.
"I'll get them," Rory said going and picking them up.
"Okay, sir," Brianna said. Lane's muscles were really starting to get tense now, and she could feel her skin getting hotter and hotter with each rude comment.
"Hey Lane, make sure your boyfriend holds the door for you on the way out," Brooke said.
"Yeah, make sure HE'S a real gentleman to you," Brianna added.
That was the last straw for Lane. "Hey! Can it! I mean it."
"Or what, Lane? What will you do?" Brooke said inching closer and closer to Lane.
"Just…shut up okay?" Lane said. She really didn't want this to turn ugly…
"You first," she said shoving her against the locker. Brianna did the same with Rory.
…on second thought.
"Get. Off. Me. Now," Lane said sternly. "Or else this will get really bad really fast."
"Lane don't," Rory pleaded.
Brooke knocked off Lane's glasses. That was it. This bullying stopped now.
Lane kicked her in the shin. Brooke fought back immediately, punching her in the stomach, thus knocking Lane over. That was going to leave a mark.
Brianna came in to close in on Lane too, but Rory came over and pulled her backwards before she could get to Lane.
Brianna didn't seem to like that, and pulled Rory's hair. What should she do? Rory just didn't know. She stood there helplessly for a few seconds. But she decided to defend herself and grabbed her elbow to get her to release her grip. And it worked. Lane was about to pull Brooke off of Lane, but Mrs. Reese came out of the classroom, just now hearing the commotion.
"What is going on?" She asked. Oh. Snap. She had to come out NOW. Just as Rory was grabbing Brianna's elbow and Lane was rolling around on the floor. This looked bad.
Rory stood there too shocked to move.
"They were beating us up," Brooke said. Brianna nodded her head in agreement.
"That's a lie!" Lane shouted. "We were just using self-defense! They were the ones who started it!"
"Lane that's enough. It doesn't matter who started it. This school is an absolute no violence zone, and all four of you are in violation of that. Principal's office, all of you, now."
She escorted him down the hallway. Even though it was after hours, he was still there, and they still had to call their parents. Lane was angry that Brooke and Brianna lied to her, and even madder that Mrs. Reese didn't believe them. Rory didn't even know what to say. She had never been to the principal's office, and she really wasn't planning on it.
Principal's office
Lane and Rory waited in agony as they waited for Principal Crest to call their parents. They had never gotten into a fight, even a verbal one really. And they hated the feeling. They felt guilty, dirty, and nervous. Gut wrenching nervousness. Rory felt nauseous. They called Brooke and Brianna's parents first, and she was almost jealous. She just wanted to get it over with. She really hadn't done anything TRULY wrong. It was just self-defense. But she did still fight, and fighting was one of the few things her mother did not tolerate well…
"Lane, we just tracked down you parents. It appears they took an impromptu trip to Hartford, and will be back around ten o'clock. Ms. Gilmore said she would be willing to take you back to her house until they get home. We didn't have time to tell them what this about so it will be up to you to tell them."
"'Kay," she said quietly. She was almost more scared to face Lorelai.
They parents arrived one by one until she saw Lorelai walk through the door. Her high heels clicked on the tile floor. It was usually soothing, the constant click, but today it just sounded like jabbing. Her usually happy, light face was twisted into a mixture of sadness, exhaustion, disappointment, and anger. She did NOT look happy.
"Okay, you're free to go. You have detention tomorrow, but that will be all for punishment here since this is both your first offense," he said to the girls. It reminded Lane of a prison guard.
"Ms. Gilmore. Sorry about the inconvenience, but this is the routine."
"That's okay it's not a problem," she said coldly.
"Don't go too hard on them. This is their first offense, and they are usually perfect. They are just kids."
"I'll keep that in mind," Lorelai said. Rory and Lane couldn't tell if she really meant it though. They had never seen her this upset before.
"Come on," she said looking at the girls, her usually inviting blue eyes now piercing with anger, and her jaw was clenched shut.
They stood up and followed. Lane turning back ever so slightly to glare at the principal.
The Jeep
What kind of world was she living in? What alternate universe had she stepped into this morning. Rory, perfect, angelic, shy, amazing Rory, had hit another kid. This made absolutely no sense. And how was she supposed to handle this? A stern talking to, grounded, a time-out? What did parents DO in this situation? And Lane, what was she supposed to do with Lane? The worst part was that she had no one to ask in this situation. Ugh. It was just so complicated. She should listen to their side of the story, though. But if they physically came in contact with another kid, even if they claimed it was self-defense, didn't make it right? Right?
Okay, she would ask them what happened and just play it by ear. She wasn't going to freak or blow up no matter what happened. Okay, you can do this. Be strong.
Crap Shack
Lorelai got out of the car the same way she came in-silently. Why couldn't she just yell like a normal person? Or why couldn't she rant like normal…well…Lorelai. Lane was getting freaking. Was she deaf? Did Lorelai suddenly become mute? Lane looked over at Rory and shrugged. Rory shrugged back.
Rory did not look good, Lane inquired, she looked like she was going to throw up or pass out-or both. Lane rubbed her shoulder reassuringly. Okay, Lorelai was now giving them absolutely no guidance as of where to go. Um…make a run for it? Okay, in the house now…in the house now…how about Rory's room. Rory was like a zombie just standing there, expressions blank. Lane started to push her into her room.
"Living room, please," Lorelai said calmly but firm.
Okay at least she was talking. That was a good sign.
Lane turned Rory around and headed for the living room.
"You guys can have a seat," Lorelai said in the same, even tone. Was she doing this right? Was she being to mean? Should she try to be more soothing, reassuring. Maybe she was being too nice. Maybe she should yell. Ugh. Rory did not give her much preparation for this. Wasn't it supposed to be a bunch of stuff leading up to this? Shouldn't she ease into the whole violence thing, you know kind of how serial killers show early signs.
Lane and Rory sat on the couch legs crossed, thumbs fiddling, and legs shaking uncontrollably.
Okay, next move next words. Uh… "So I heard you guys were fighting…with other…kids…" Wow, I think they already know that.
"It was more self-defense really," Lane said bravely. Rory nodded in agreement.
"Okay, I want the whole story from the beginning, okay?" Lorelai asked.
Lane proceeded to tell the story while Rory nodded. Dang it, this was going to be harder than she thought. They were obviously just defending themselves…
"Okay, I realize that you guys where just using self-defense, but there were other ways to handle it. Like yelling for help was always an option and…and…well I guess that's about it, but you should have just yelled for help."
Rory raised her hand, which made Lorelai chuckle on the inside.
"Rory this isn't school, you don't have to raise your hand."
"Oh," Rory said putting it down quickly, "sorry habit. Anyways, I thought about calling for help, but I didn't want to get in trouble for yelling in the hallways too. And even if we didn't fight back Brooke and Brianna could have just lied and said we started the fight."
"Which they kind of already did…" Lane trailed.
"But you DID participate…kind of?" Lorelai asked.
"You could say that," Rory said.
"Sort of kind of," Lane added.
Lorelai took deep breaths and paced.
"Okay, here's the deal."
Lane and Rory listened on the edge of their seats.
"How about we write some letters of apologizes to the girls, and some explaining what happened to the principal. You already have detention…"
Lorelai thought for a minute. She hated this with a passion.
"And you're both grounded for…twenty minutes. Yeah. That's fair. But you have to promise me no more violence, okay? Next time I won't be as forgiving."
Lane and Rory agreed and started writing the letters. Afterwards they went to Luke's for some coffee (after twenty minutes of course).
"Hey Lorelai," Lane said after Luke's, "Are you going to tell my mom?"
Lorelai thought for a moment. She had a right to know, but hadn't the poor girl been punished enough?
"We'll see," she said, but she knew unless Lane did something to really tick her off in the next three hours, it was probably going to be a no. Hey, they got their share of punishment already. Lorelai was proud for sticking to her guns…she just hoped she wouldn't have to try and pull it off again…
Author's Note I'm sorry this chapter didn't really turn out the way I planned. It was a challenge from someone to try to write a chapter on Lorelai being a disciplinarian…yeah that's not easy to write in character for me. So sorry. At least I got a new chapter up (applause). Read and review (cue Lorelai mocking Michel's French accent in the Pilot) "pretty please with sugar on top, I will not stop talking like this!"
