A/N: Right then, this is chapter 11, as promised. I don't know how good it has turned out as it was a bit of a rush to get it out for today and I didn't have as much time to re-read and edit it. It isn't the longest in the world either, but I hope you like it all the same.
IMPORTANT: I am going away early tomorrow morning for a week, so that is why I had to update so quick. This means that I am not going to be able to update or reply to any reviews for a week. That means no excerpts just yet. I will send them out as soon as I can when I get back, but it will be a while. However, please still review as I will send them eventually, and I have my phone with me, so I can still read them via my emails.
Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed so far and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Recap:
"No, I hate it." She said, looking in to his eyes. "I hate seeing other girls with you and earlier, when you called me your girlfriend…It felt good. I was happy. I know that you're not a relationship person, I get that. This is me being honest."
"I'll tell you something myself." Logan said, looking right back at her. "I liked calling you my girlfriend."
Rory pursed her lips, a feeling starting inside of her. "Really?"
Logan nodded and leant forward to kiss her.
Rory smiled at to her reflection in the mirror. She was happy, elated in fact. She was with Logan, officially. That was it, after the kiss on the beach they had both decided that it was whet they wanted and had returned back to the yacht to get ready for the party. The first party that they were going to together.
"Hey!" the door suddenly burst open and Steph appeared looking flustered; her blonde hair up in a clip on the top of her head and a pretty pink dress covered her body.
Rory turned. "Just burst right in why don't you?" she said in amusement.
"Oh please, I've shared a room with you for the past eight months." Steph said looking determined "There are more important things going on. Do you know what everyone's talking about at the moment?"
"Erm…no." Rory said, though she had a pretty good idea.
"Well apparently, the biggest playboy on the beach is now in a relationship."
Steph's eyebrows were raised and Rory and Rory shifted slightly. However, she couldn't stop the small smile coming on to her face at the words.
"So it's true!" Steph said noticing this and coming closer.
"Look Steph," Rory said quickly "I know that you don't think that it's a good idea and everything but…"
"Whoa, hold it." Steph cut her off, holding her hand up "I think it's good."
"Huh?" Rory said confused. In the past the blonde had always been adamant that a relationship between Rory and Logan was a bad thing.
"I think it's good" Steph repeated "I know what I have always said about the matter, but after these past few weeks." She shook her head "You two have been at each others throats one second and making out below the deck the next." Rory's eyes widened at that. "But when you are together, you're both happy. That's what matters after everything." Steph smiled "I think you're good together; I've seen the way you look at each other."
Rory smiled fully now, happy again. She was opening her mouth to speak when Steph cut her off again.
"What I am angry about however," she said, putting her hands on her hips and glaring at Rory "Is why I am always the last to know! When you and Logan kissed the first time I was last to know and now again! I always find out through the gossip! You're my best friend; we are supposed to talk about stuff like this."
Rory blinked "That's what you're angry about."
"Well, duh!" Steph said indignantly and Rory began to laugh.
"It's not funny!" her she said, shooting daggers at Rory.
"Sorry," Rory said, still smiling "I promise to tell you next time."
"Good." Steph smiled, "So did anything else happen today? I'd rather not have another surprise from some angry bimbo."
Rory laughed, but then remembering what did happen, her smile faded.
"What is it?" Steph asked, noticing the change of expression.
Rory bit her lip. "I was getting a drink from the bar," she said slowly "I was getting a napkin, and I ran in to Ben Colton."
"Ben, Ben, Ben…" Steph repeated to herself, evidently trying to remember who he was. Her eyes widened suddenly and she looked back at Rory. "From Chilton? Tristan's BFF?"
Rory nodded grimly, not smiling at Steph's attempt to add humour.
"Shit." Steph stated and sat on Rory's bed.
"Yep." She said herself, sinking down next to the blonde.
"What happened?"
"Nothing much, he asked what I was doing here, I said that it had been a while, blah, blah and then Logan's new friend appeared."
"Charlotte?"
"Yeah."
"That girls creepy. You know she actually tried to grab my phone to get Logan's number. I mean that's just…Sorry, not the point at the moment. Carry on."
Rory shook her head. "There's not much more to tell. He wasn't mean or anything, just surprised. Then Logan appeared…"
"Uh oh. I doubt that went well."
"Not exactly." Rory said grimly "I got him away before he could do any damage though."
"Wise move." Steph said "What are you going to do?"
"I don't know." Rory said "I don't really want to start something, not while we are away. I'm not going to see most of them again ever, I should probably leave it."
"What, and let them get away with it?" Steph asked looking bewildered.
"What is it with you lot and revenge?" Rory asked shaking her head.
"They made your life hell, they should pay for that."
"That's exactly what Logan said."
"Then he was talking sense. Come on Rory, just do something."
"No." Rory said firmly "If I do something then I'm no better than him. He knows I've moved on and have a better life than I did have. On that front technically, I've won. Unless he says anything, I'm not going to start anything."
"Okay, I see your point I guess. If that's what you want." Steph shook her head and glanced at the clock.
"We better get going, Colin will be screaming in a minute…"
"Rory, Steph! Are you ready yet? We're going to be late!"
"Right on cue." Rory murmured smiling.
"Yeah, yeah, we're coming." Steph yelled back and the two girls stood up. "He's so impatient." She grumbled and Rory smiled.
"Speaking of Colin, what's going on between you two?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Nothing," Steph said quickly "He annoying. There's nothing going on."
"Right." Rory said, smirking "Sure there isn't."
"There isn't!" Steph said indignantly as Rory began to leave the room "Rory!"
"All I'm saying is that she was a lovely woman." Finn said defensively as they made their way along the boardwalk towards the party.
"She's 40 years older than you!" Colin replied in exasperation.
"I don't see the problem myself. She would love me, I'm exotic."
"I give up." Colin muttered, shaking his head.
Rory snickered and leaned further in to Logan, who currently had his arm wrapped around her shoulders.
"How much further is it?" Steph groaned, stopping briefly to massage her feet.
"Not far." Rory answered smiling slightly, earning a glare from Steph. "I told you not to wear those shoes."
"They go with my dress!" Steph said defensively, straightening back up and hurrying after them. "If I'd worn the blue ones they would have clashed."
"Wouldn't that be a tragedy." Colin muttered.
Steph glared at him but didn't answer.
Logan shook his head. "They need to sort out there issues. Desperately." He murmured in her ear, his breath tickling her neck and causing a shiver to run down her spine.
"You're telling me." She whispered back "It's getting ridiculous, and turning in to a game of 'who can kiss the most people to make the other jealous."
Logan nodded. They both jumped when Finn appeared right next to Rory's head, his face close unnervingly close to hers.
"Ahh," Rory muttered, springing back slightly toward Logan. "What the Hell are you doing?"
"I feel left out." He whined "Those two are too busy arguing, and now you are coupling off in a cute and sickening way. I'm alone!" he pouted and Logan rolled his eyes.
"I'm sure you'll find a girl in there to talk to." He said calmly. "And besides, I'm sure if you throw something at their heads they'll take notice."
"Hey!" was the response from both Steph and Colin.
"So they heard that." Rory muttered in amusement.
"Selective hearing." Loan replied.
"Ah." She said.
"Good God, stop it." Colin said "You're practically talking in time with each other and finishing each others sentences."
"It's cute." Steph said defensively to Colin.
"I didn't think you agreed with relationships." Colin snapped back.
"Well, I guess you don't know everything then do you?" Steph retorted and then turned on her heel to head in to the party, which they had just arrived at.
"Round Two begins." Logan stated as Colin stormed in the door after her, promptly going to the drinks table.
Rory shook her head as the three of them headed in. "More like round 500 and something." She replied "This has been going on for the past year."
"It's been longer than that Love." Finn said grinning "Longer than you two anyway."
"We were nothing like them." Rory said defensively.
"Sure you weren't." Finn said "See you later." With that he walked off in to the crowd of people, slinging his arms around two random girls as he did so.
"Lonely my ass." Logan muttered "He couldn't be lonely if he tried."
Rory laughed and they headed towards the drinks area, slipping easily through the masses of people in the house.
She did notice however, that they were attracting the looks of many people in the room. They may not have been in Italy that long, but they had already gotten to know most of the Americans there. It was also weird how many people Colin, Finn, Steph and Logan had met over the many years that they had spent at boarding school.
It was safe to say that a lot of people in the room knew who they both were, and if not had a brief idea. It was only about a quarter of the people that they hadn't met or didn't know about.
They were both getting interested looks from a lot of the people. Rory however, was the target of the glares from a lot of the female population in the room. By now however, she had gotten used to it and knew how to deal with it. Not that she and Logan had dated before, it was just the fact that most people seemed to assume when they were seen together.
"What do you want to drink?" Logan asked her as they stopped at where some tables were set out. He had managed to snag an empty one that seated four.
"Umm, whatever punch is on offer." She replied, knowing that there would be some alcohol in it, but not a ridiculous amount.
"I'll be right back." He said and she nodded, watching him as he walked away to get the drinks.
She hadn't been alone for thirty seconds when the chair opposite her was suddenly occupied. Occupied by a skinny girl with chestnut hair and a scrap of fabric that could hardly be called a dress.
"Umm, can I help you?" Rory asked the girl slowly, confused at why she would just sit down like that.
"What are you doing with Logan Huntzburger?" she asked, her voice high pitched, but with a hint of malice in it.
"I don't really see what that's got to do with you." Rory replied calmly, though she was angry inside. Why was everyone so obsessed with her and Logan?
"Why won't you tell me?" the other girl asked, Rory realised that she didn't have a clue who she was. "Is it something that bad? Are you hiding something?"
Rory could practically see the wheels turning in her head. If she didn't get what she wanted; she would just make up a vicious rumour in order to ruin her.
"Not that it's any of your business," Rory said, glaring at the chestnut haired girl "but Logan's my boyfriend." Even in these circumstances that word felt good.
The girl's eyes widened. "You're lying!" she practically snarled "Logan doesn't have girlfriends! Everyone knows that."
Rory shrugged. "Think what you like. You asked for the truth, I gave it to you. I don't really care what you think or what your opinion is."
The girls eyes widened in anger, but Rory knew that she believed what she had said. Most people around had seen the chemistry between Rory and Logan. The rumour mill had been going a long time, and anyone that knew the pair closely, knew that the eventual relationship was bound to happen. It was obvious.
"Well…" she started, but was interrupted when the blonde that was currently the centre of their conversation, appeared at Rory's side.
"Your drink Ace." He said; looking at the unwanted guest sat at the chair opposite with a frown.
"Is there a problem?" he asked, sliding his arm lightly around Rory's shoulders.
Chestnut eyed this movement with an even bigger glare. That small action had just proved everything that Rory had said to be right.
She stood up furiously, shooting daggers at Rory. Turning to Logan she gave him what was supposed to be a pitying look, but came of looking jealous and pathetic.
"You're wasting your time with her, you know that?" she said, shooting Rory another glance "She's all wrong for you, we can all see it."
Logan didn't flinch at her words, just sent her a cool glare back.
"I wouldn't be so sure of yourself if I were you." He said; his voice low and scary, Rory was glad it wasn't directed at her. "You really don't know anything. If your insinuating that girls like you are better suited to me then you're so wrong it's almost funny. Get a grip, and if you ever insult my girlfriend like that again…well, let's just say it wouldn't be a wise decision on your part. Ace is perfect for me; I would leave now if I was you. You're not wanted here."
With an angry huff, the girl turned the other way and stalked off; ignoring the amused looks she was getting from other people in the room.
Rory turned to Logan in slight shock. She couldn't believe that he had just done that. He had defended her, and in a way that made her heart flutter.
"Thanks." She murmured smiling at him slightly, her blue eyes shining. At that moment, as he smiled back at her, she felt truly happy. Completely and truly happy.
"Hey, she had no right to talk to you like that." Logan said, some trace of anger still in his eyes, but most of it was something else, something directed at her. The flutters in her stomach got worse and she smiled even more. "She was wrong. You are right for me; I think I knew that from the moment I met you in that classroom that day. I was just stupid and ignored it."
"So was I." Rory murmured leaning in to him for a kiss. It was slow and sweet, both of them expressing all of the feelings that they had towards each other in to that one kiss.
"Mmm." Rory gasped slightly in to the kiss and pulled away.
"Dance?" Logan asked her quietly and she nodded, letting him pull her gently on to the crowded dance floor.
She looped her arms around his neck, his hands on her hips, pulling her close to him. She could smell his intoxicating scent and leaned in closer, her eyes drifting shut as she was lost in the moment.
"I'm glad this worked out." She said quietly as she rested her head on his chest. "I don't think I could have stood what we went through any longer."
"Neither could I." Logan replied, placing a small kiss on the top of her head. "You look beautiful you know."
Rory flushed slightly and looked down. She was wearing short jean skirt with a baby blue top that was off the shoulder with an intricate design in the fabric. A pair of light blue high heeled sandals adorned her feet, her toenails painted blue to match. She wore minimal jewellery, just a sliver watch and bracelet and a little silver necklace in the shape of a heart.
She still had the ring her mother had given her, it was very rare that she ever took it off. It was a reminder of her wherever she was and however far away from each other they were.
At that particular moment there was a bang and a yell from the other side of the room. They both turned to see Colin punching a guy with spiked blonde hair and a polo shirt.
"What the…" Rory started when she saw Steph appear at the side, yelling for them to stop.
"Of course, what else?" Logan muttered irritated. "This whole thing is out of control."
"Maybe we should do something." Rory said as they fighting pair fell in to a table. "We both know Colin isn't exactly the best fighter. He might be able to hold his ground against the guys Finn fights with, but that guys got muscles. Typical Steph."
Logan rolled his eyes in response. "I'll go." He said "You stay here, its getting messy up there."
Rory nodded. "Be careful." She said as Logan started to turn "I think spikey's got friends. Muscular ones."
"Have a little faith Ace." Logan said smirking "They may be big but I've been known to be pretty good in a fight. They're not the only ones with muscles you know."
Rory rolled her eyes. "Whatever." She said.
He put his hand to his chest in mock hurt and turned to leave again.
"Logan!" Rory called quickly.
He turned again and she raised an eyebrow.
He rolled his eyes himself. "Alright, I'll be careful okay?"
"Good." Rory said and he grinned and turned again. This time she let him go, walking back over to where they had sat the first time. Amazingly someone hadn't taken their seats and she took a seat, relived to be able to sit again.
It was quietening down where Colin and Steph had been, and Rory assumed that Logan had pulled something off to stop it.
She was so engrossed in listening that she didn't notice someone come and take the seat next to her. Again.
Looking up with an aggravated sigh, she was surprised when her blue eyes met a pair of dark brown ones. They were familiar, but the last she expected to see.
"Ben." She said, shocked.
He smiled slightly, though it was more of a cocky smirk. Rory narrowed her eyes. She had seen that look before. It was a cross between the way Tristan used to look at her and the way guys like Jack Hardy did.
"Hey Rory." He said, that expression still on is face. "I was looking for you."
"Were you." She stated calmly, keeping her voice and face expression cool.
"Yeah." He continued "I can't get it out of my head how much you have changed. I mean you were hot before but now…" he whistled as he ran his eyes up and down her body and her short skirt and heels."
Rory shifted angrily. Who the hell did he think he was?
"Well thanks for that, but my boyfriend is coming back in a minute, and I don't think it would be a good idea for you to be here when he does." Her tone was laced with anger and Ben seemed slightly shocked at the look in her eye. Rory had more than enough practice dealing with people like him, but he didn't know that. He had no idea what she was capable of now.
"You mean Logan Huntzburger?" he said, managing to make his voice sarcastic and teasing. "Please Rory. Why would he bother with you? You're just a Mary, and I don't think people like him bother with you. Did you meet him while you were here? You're probably just a game to him. That little act earlier at the beach may have fooled the ditzy blonde, but it didn't fool me."
Rory was angry before, but now she was furious. How dare he?
"You don't have any idea what you're talking about." She snapped angrily, standing up so she was much taller. "For your information, I didn't meet Logan here. He is one of the people I've come away with. Another thing you might like to know is I'm not a Mary. Not anymore. You might want to go and find a new insult."
Ben looked completely baffled now. They were attracting quite a lot of attention by now and he wasn't going to let Rory win in front of all these people.
"God you really have changed haven't you. You've turned from a frigid prude to a sluttish bitch."
"I would take that back if I were you." A heavily accented voice said by Rory and they both turned to see Finn standing there with a murderous look on his face.
"Who the hell are you?" Ben asked looking angry.
"Finn Morgan." Finn said his voice deadly "And I'll have you know that this girl is one of the most sweet, kind hearted ladies in the world. She the farthest thing from a slut you can get. So like I said, take it back."
"Who's gonna make me?" Ben asked cockily, though there was a look in his eyes that said he was nervous.
"Me." Another voice said and Ben turned just in time to get punched in the nose by a very angry Logan. Colin and Steph were stood just behind him.
Ben gasped in pain and fell to the floor.
"Now you listen to me." Logan said, his voice cold and deadly "You and your little gang of cronies mat have treated her like shit in the past, but that stopped a long time ago and is not going to happen again. Now you go and leave this party, and preferably Italy; or you'll be finding that you have a whole load of guys coming after you." Logan's face was serious and you could see the fear in Ben's eyes.
"And a girl." Steph said, glaring at him too. Colin behind her nodded.
Glancing one more time at Rory, Ben stood up to leave.
"Wait!" Rory said suddenly, not wanting to let him go without a quick goodbye herself.
Ben stopped and turned and Rory picked up the beer he left on the table.
"Don't you ever speak to me like that again." She said and with that she poured the beer on to his head and stood hard on his foot with the heel of her shoe.
He gasped in pain and humiliation and looked around at the laughing faces of the rest of the people in the room. He was out of there like a shot.
"Good riddance." Rory muttered.
"Rory that was great!" Steph said, hugging her friend "You showed him!"
Rory smiled slightly.
Logan wrapped his arm around his shoulders. "Back to the yacht?" he asked quietly. Rory nodded and the five of them left the party together.
It was early the next morning when Rory got a phone call.
She awoke to the loud ringing noise of her cell phone. Groaning, she leaned over Logan, who was somehow still asleep, and answered it.
"Hello?" she murmured sleepily.
"Rory, its you Grandmother."
Rory winced at the sound of that voice this early and rolled back in to her pillows.
"Hi Grandma." She said, trying to sound more awake than she was. "What's up?"
"That's not a very polite way of asked." Emily scolded and Rory sighed, really not wanting to deal with her this early. "But anyway, I have something to tell you."
"What?" Rory asked and she heard Emily sigh again at the language.
"Well," she said "I think its time you came back to home and went to Chilton."
A/N: Okay, so what did you think? Again sorry for any mistakes, made but I didn't have time to go through it properly. I hope you liked it all the same.
Like I said, I can't reply to reviews for a week, so no excerpts, but I can still read them so please review! I will send an excerpt as soon as possible.
Thanks for reading!