A/N: Okay, so this is chapter 14. Sorry for the quite delay, but its another long one so I hope that makes up for it. Thank you for all the reviews and favourites since the last chapter, I really appreciate it.
This chapter will be all in Rory's POV again. I hope you like it.
Recap:
The guy sighed dramatically, simply waved casually at Mr. Medina, and sat down in the chair behind the others.
"And it's too bright in here." He added, pulling a pair of ray bands over his eyes "I don't know why schools insist on starting at this ungodly hour."
Tristan remembered what Louise said about the group and remembered the other name. That was Finn Morgan.
Rory POV
The rest of the period passed pretty much uneventfully. Mr. Medina went through the book list for the semester and what they would be studying. Rory was happy sat by the window beside Steph, with Colin and Logan in front, and Finn sprawled out behind.
She could feel different sets of eyes on her throughout the class. She knew that Tristan didn't take his eyes of her for most of the period, Louise and Madeline were whispering in the back of the room, and Austin was mostly staring at Steph, who was blatantly ignoring him. The only difference was Ben, who still had his eyes on the front of the room. The scene in Italy must have affected him more than she originally thought.
It was about forty five minutes in to the lesson when the door opened and Paris walked in. She handed a note to Mr. Medina and sat down at her desk in the front row. That was before glancing at Rory with a scowl on her face. She seemed to be in a worse mood than normal.
The rest of the time passed and they all stood up when the bell went. Rory and Steph stood and walked over to the doors to wait for the guys; Finn seemed to have broken his ever present sunglasses and was having a hissy fit.
They were waiting outside the room when Paris appeared. Steph blinked slightly at the abruptness of the girl in front of her, but seemed to recognise who the angry blonde was and the shocked look slid off her face.
"This is ridiculous!" Paris seethed and Rory frowned, what the hell was she going on about?
"Paris." She said slowly.
"Gilmore." the other girl replied in the same tone "I saw that you were back."
Rory nodded; slightly surprised that Paris seemed to be going for small talk rather that attack mode.
"Well good for you." Paris snapped "I'm very glad that you have had a good time at the other school, and met some nice rich friends."
Steph blinked again. "You really weren't kidding." She muttered and Rory shook her head.
"What do you want Paris?" Rory said tiredly.
"I want to know how you did it."
"Did what?" Rory asked sounding irritated.
"How you cheated." Paris replied glaring at her even more, her face hard.
"Cheated! What are you talking about?" Rory asked confused.
"Your grades!" Paris hissed "I just went to Charleston's office to talk about the new renovation of the library and what I think would be more efficient than that, and when he was out of the room to confirm something I asked the office aid to get your file."
"You stole my school file." Rory said and Steph looked completely bewildered now, clearly having underestimated what Paris could do.
"Borrowed." Paris corrected "Yes, so like I said, I want to know how you did it. I mean, your grades are still perfect and everything, but your record isn't as model student like as it used to be. It says that you got busted for pulling a few pranks at that school and a party you were at was raided."
Rory frowned as she remembered what Paris was talking about. It was near bonfire night and a couple of guys were holding a party. The problem was, due to the English weather, it was raining. So, in a drunken haze, it was someone's clever idea to set the fireworks off in the conservatory with the doors open. Needless to say it went very wrong. They shot through the side of the glass, smashing most of it, and in to next doors garden, and on to their decking, causing a minor fire. The police were called and the party was broken up.
"What does that have to do with anything?" she snapped getting extremely irritated now.
"Well, I've heard the rumours about that school and your file crosschecks with that. Judging by those rumours, you went out quite a lot as I checked the pictures on the school forum that different students set up and there are lots of pictures of you at parties' etcetera, etcetera. That means that you were out a lot, so how do you manage to get good grades? The answer, you can't. So, like I said, how did you cheat?"
"I didn't cheat!" Rory cried "You might be interested to know that I didn't go out or anything during exam periods, or that I always left time for studying. Did my file that you stole say that?"
"Borrowed!"
"I don't care Paris! I didn't cheat and I worked really hard to get those grades. Just because you don't have a life and spend every waking hour studying because you have nothing better to do, that's not my problem. Now, if you could leave me alone, I don't want to be late for second period."
"You don't know anything!" Paris said though there was a slight shakiness to her voice, evidently Rory's words struck a nerve. She felt kind of guilty for a second, remembering Paris's infatuation with Tristan and the fact that she had trouble socialising. Then everything Paris did to her before flashed through her head and she shook the guilt away. The other girl had done far worse to her.
"Okay Paris, whatever you say. Just get off my back this time around; I'm not going to put up with you this year. I'm was done dealing with bitchy girls like you a long time ago, and believe me I've had a lot of practice in dealing with them." Her mind drifted to Beth for a second, she was never going to see her ever again. "That goes for you, Madeline and Louise, and anyone else. I said it before and I'll say it again, stay the hell away from me."
Paris looked flabbergasted for a second. She was clearly surprised to see the girl she used to pick on and try to ruin was standing up for herself and completely serious about everything she was saying.
The argument might have gone on when Finn appeared from the classroom, a pout on his face.
"They won't fix!" He exclaimed to Rory and Steph, holding up his broken sunglasses. "The wont fix and he," he pointed at Colin at this point "Won't let me go by a new pair because apparently I can't be trusted in my newly emotional state and might cause a disaster in the mall."
Steph snickered and pursed her lips, staring at Finn in amusement. Paris meanwhile was staring at Finn as if he had just escaped the lunatic asylum.
"You'll let me go wont you love?" Finn said, looking at Rory and batting his eyelashes "You know the importance and that I am always careful in shopping centres."
"Right, so what was that time in London about?" Colin asked pointedly and Rory smiled, remembering the incident where Finn had ended up running through the mall shirtless while being chased by security. It had taken the other four ages to talk the manager out of pressing charges for the incident that she wasn't going to go in to details about. It was cringe worthy to say the least.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Finn said, somehow managing to look dignified while saying it "Are you sure that was me?"
"Yes, you tried to chase a red head at the same time." Colin replied calmly.
Finn scowled and turned back to Rory hopefully. She shook her head. "Sorry Finn, I have to agree, it's too much of a risk."
"Why do you all hate me?" he exclaimed dramatically and stormed off in the other direction, making a couple jump away from each other as he barged through the middle of them.
Logan rolled his eyes. "I swear he gets worse."
"Don't fight children." Step said cheerily "We're all a happy family."
Logan shot Steph a hypocritical look and then rolled his eyes turning to Rory. "Where's your next class?" he asked her.
"Trig with Miss Spencer." Rory said and Steph rolled her eyes.
"Looks like you and Colin are together there again." She said "I'll see you later. Come on Logie, we've got a class to disrupt."
Logan rolled his eyes himself and then turned back to Rory. "I'll see you later Ace."
She nodded and he placed a kiss on her lips before nodding at Colin and heading down the corridor with Steph.
"Ready to go…" Colin started then looked at Paris, as if realising for the first time she was there. "Who are you?"
"Oh," Rory said quickly, not giving Paris a chance to start another fight "Colin this is Paris Geller, Paris this is Colin McCrae."
Colin nodded at Paris clearly recognising the name. Paris scowled back.
"It's a pleasure." She snapped. "Now I have to be going myself. I guess we're in second together. Such fun." With that she turned and flounced away in the direction of the trig room.
"You weren't exaggerating." He stated.
"Paris needs no exaggeration."
"Hmm." Colin replied "You think she'll stay out of your way?"
"For now." She replied, knowing that Paris didn't like to be beaten in an argument and wouldn't start another for some time after that. "You ready for another year of Trig. Let's hope it won't be as bad as with Mrs Adams."
"Nothing could be as bad as Mrs Adams." Colin stated dryly and Rory laughed, the two of them heading down the corridor.
It was now lunch time and they were all sat in the cafeteria eating. Well, Rory was eating, Finn was drinking out of a flask due to the lack of sunglasses, Logan was playing with Rory's hair while shooting ominous looks at Tristan, Steph was moaning about getting sent to the office about her shoes and skirt while Colin stared at her.
All in all, the average lunch time.
That was until Summer walked up, her expression determined.
"Umm, excuse me." She said, focusing her gaze on Rory and Steph while glaring at them. "You're sitting at our table."
Rory frowned and glanced around to see Tristan, Ben, Austin, Louise and a couple of other people Rory couldn't remember the names of watching, clearly ready to stand up when they moved. Then Rory remembered that this was the table they always used to sit at. It was nice and by the window, but not too close to the restrooms or the louder annoying people.
"Excuse me?" Steph asked, her expression incredulous as she looked at Summer.
"This is our table." Summer said, her eyes narrowing at Steph. Steph raised one meticulously shaped eyebrow and looked the image of perfection. Summer looked slightly intimidated and Colin and Logan snickered.
Steph glanced at the other four of them and then looked back to the brunette.
"Not anymore." She said smiling sweetly.
"You can't just sit here and not move! This has been our table since forever and you have no right."
Steph laughed at that. "Well, it looks like things are going to change around here; I think you'll find we have every right." She said calmly. "And stop eyeing up the guys, they're not interested in you and you wouldn't ever be good enough."
Tristan appeared at Summer's side then. "You need to move." He said his gaze directly at Rory.
She shrugged at him, her face a picture of innocence. "I believe they just had this conversation." She said gesturing to Steph and Summer, who were still glaring at each other.
"And I think I told you to stay out of our way." Logan added, glaring at Tristan, Colin nodded.
Tristan opened his mouth to say something when Finn stood up suddenly, making them all jump.
"You're Tristan!" he said, looking at the blue eyed blonde standing in front of him. Tristan only blinked, clearly not used to Finn's sudden moments of drama. "This is Tristan?" he asked then, turning to look at Rory.
She nodded in response and Finn nodded. "I've been wanting to talk to you." He said, turning back to Bible Boy.
"About what?" Tristan asked, trying to sound cocky but was clearly nervous in front of the eccentric Australian.
"Broken noses." Finn stated and Tristan just stared at him. Even Rory was confused then, and she was used to Finn's weird statements.
"What?" Tristan asked, staring at Finn as if he was delusional.
"Broken noses," Finn repeated "You see, I've heard about the way you treated our darling Reporter Girl, and I don't like it. I was brought up never to talk to a lady the way you did, and I don't know who your parents are and I don't care, it shouldn't have happened. Now, I'm sure the reason why you haven't been beaten up by these two," he gestured to Colin and Logan "Or clawed to death by Steph," he grinned at the blonde "Is because Rory stopped them because they might get in to trouble. However at the moment, I don't care about getting in to trouble and I'm not in the best of moods as I lost the love of my life and this school doesn't seem to have any attractive red heads. So revenge seems to look like a good idea right now."
Everyone was staring at Finn. It was one of the longest speeches they had heard him make, and even though there was a slight slur to his voice due to whatever was in the flask, he was serious, or as serious as he could be. Though that was Finn. He was the most immature person in the world, but he was the most loyal friend you could have.
"What does that have to do with a broken nose?" Tristan asked, still slightly dazed by the Australian's words.
"Well you're going to need advice about yours when it breaks."
"My what?"
"Broken nose." Finn said, looking at him like he was an idiot.
"I don't have a broken nose." Tristan replied.
Finn grinned with that punched him in the face. Hard. Tristan collapsed on the floor and put his hand to where blood was dripping down his face.
"You do now." Finn said, smirking in satisfaction when there was a yell from the other side of the room.
"Mr Morgan! My office, now!"
They all turned to see Mrs Blake, the auburn haired vice principle standing in the doorway.
"Finally, an attractive red head!" Finn said, seeming pleased and Colin put his head in his hands.
"So, I don't think that went too badly." Steph said cheerily.
They were sat in her car and driving back to Stars Hollow and the stereo was blaring out music while Steph was once again breaking the speed limit.
Rory glanced at her companion incredulously. "Not too badly?" she asked "What would you say qualifies as bad then. I mean Finn got sent to the office and was sent home, Tristan is in hospital with a broken nose, you were sent to the office about uniform, both Logan and Finn punched Tristan and we had run ins with just about everyone. What could have been worse?"
"Well, none of us ended up in hospital." Steph said and Rory shook her head.
"Wonderful." She muttered.
They were just pulling in to Stars Hollow now and Rory caught sight of Luke's up the street.
"Hey, do you want to eat with us?" she asked Steph "We were going to meet at Luke's in about 15 minutes so you could join us if you want."
"Are you sure, I mean, you'll have quality time with you're parents."
"Yeah, the more the merrier." Rory said grinning "You can finally meet Luke and taste his food."
"Ooh, burgers." Steph said smiling "I can't wait for an actual meal, all I've had today is Chilton food, and let me tell you, it sucks."
"You should have had breakfast." Rory replied smiling.
"I don't want breakfast at my house. We have this new really creepy cook who has these weird stalker tendencies. She'll give you all these options of food, then you'll say what you want, she'll disagree and cook you something that is supposed to be a healthier option, even though it wasn't an option in the first place. Then she watches you eat it, and like literally stares at you, with a spatula in her hand."
"A spatula? Like one of those flat things?"
"Yeah! So she'll stand there with it and watch you, and if you pull the slightest expression that you don't like it, she'll look like she wants to kill you. I'm kind of scared she'll start hitting me with the spatula. So I have decided to stop eating at mine. It's safer for everyone."
"Okay." Rory said slowly, never understanding why people would even have a cook. "So why didn't you grab anything on the way her. You could have stopped at Starbucks."
"I didn't have time at that point." Steph said "Does this traffic light ever change?"
"It's marketed on the oldest person in town. It should be another 30 seconds."
"Wow." Steph said slowly as they both sat there staring at the traffic light that seemed to be permanently on red. "That's very…considerate."
"Mmm" Rory said.
Silence.
"Oh thank God!" Steph said when a green light finally appeared "Can I park here?"
"Yeah," she replied as Steph slid in to the spot directly outside Luke's "Though keep an eye out for Taylor. He thinks cars in front of windows knock points of the towns 'character'." She used air quotes for the last word and Steph shook her head.
"This town is mental."
"Yep."
The two of them slid out of the car and headed in to Luke's. A small group of kids from Star's Hollow High were standing on the corner and looked up as they headed towards the door. Their eyes travelled from the two girls in Chilton uniforms and designer shoes and to Steph's BMW.
They were staring at her in slight surprise, one of them, who Rory remembered was a particularly shallow girl, was glaring at them both. She just shook off the looks and saw Katie, one of the nicer girls that she used to know and smiled at her. She smiled back, albeit nervously- Rory sighed, she knew how the money and the looks could be intimidating.
Nodding at the others and offering them a smaller smile, she and Steph headed in to Luke's.
"Hey Luke." She said as they slid down on to a stool at the counter. He looked up from where he had been arguing with Kirk and smiled at her.
"Hey Rory," he said heading towards them with an order pad "Who's this?"
"This is Stephanie Vanderbilt." Rory said "She's a friend that I met in England, we were dorm mates."
"Pleased to meet you." Steph smiled at the diner owner "I've heard a lot about you and your food, not to mention the coffee."
Luke rolled his eyes. "They'll kill themselves with their diet, but it's good to meet you to. What can I get you?"
"We're waiting on Mom and Dad so I think we'll order when they get here, but a coffee for now please." Rory said and glanced at Steph.
"Umm, just a soda please." Steph said.
Luke nodded and went to go and get their drinks.
"This place is exactly like you described." Steph said and Rory nodded in reply.
"Yeah, it pretty much never changes. Then again, the whole town doesn't either. I like it, its home."
Steph smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I get that."
"So what's happened with you and Colin?" She asked, remembering the lack of arguing between the pair recently.
"What do you mean?" the blonde said, glancing away.
"You know exactly what I mean." Rory replied and Steph sighed, but a small smile was appearing on her face and Rory raised an eyebrow.
"Well, you know that night in Italy when that stuff happened with Ben?" When Rory nodded she continued. "Well, Colin kind of got in to a fight with the guy I was dancing with and Logan had to come and break it up." Rory nodded again, remembering the scene "Well, when it happened, we decided that we needed to talk, I mean, that guy was big."
"Lots of muscle."
"Yeah," Steph nodded "And if Logan hadn't have interrupted; I don't know what would have happened. I know Colin can fight, but not against guys like him. Not many people can. It can't get that far again so we talked. We decided that we were both attracted to each other and that we should go out on a date some time."
"What!" Rory said, jumping up slightly and causing an irritated look from Luke as he put the drinks down "That's great! I can't believe you didn't tell me! You always moan when I don't tell you stuff."
"I know, I'm sorry, it just seemed too good to be true if you know what I mean. But its not that bigger deal, we're just going to keep it casual, string less."
Rory raised her eyebrows, remembering when she and Logan had tried that. It lasted less than a day. What with all of the guys at Chilton drooling over Steph, this probably wouldn't last long either. One thing was for sure, it was going to cause a jealous fight between the two of them. A big one. She could only hope that she would be no where near it when it happened.
"Mini Me!" An exclamation came from the door and they both turned to see Lorelai walking in, Chris not far behind.
"Mom!" Rory said grinning and standing up to hug her parents.
"So how did it go Babe?" Lorelai asked as she looked Rory up and down "I don't see any battle wounds."
"You should not sound so disappointed." Chris muttered and Steph laughed.
"Whatever." Lorelai said and turned back to Rory, "So, how did it go?"
"Not terribly." Rory said slowly.
"But…"
"Well, Tristan and co was on me the second I was alone, but that wasn't too bad, I mean I managed to hold the fought until Steph arrived. Then Logan punched Tristan…"
"Good." Chris said "I knew I liked him." Lorelai smirked.
"Dramatic." She said approvingly "Continue."
"Well, I told him to leave me alone and we got to class, which Finn walked in late for I might add. Then outside Paris pounced and accused me of cheating."
"What?"
"Apparently I don't have time to study anymore as I party too much." Lorelai rolled her eyes "So I managed to prove her wrong and it went smoothly after that, until dinner. Then Summer appeared and told us we were sitting at her table."
"Bitch." Steph muttered.
"So anyway, that was under control until Finn met Tristan and decided to cause a fight. He was moody anyway because he broke his sunglasses."
"Poor Guy." Lorelai said and she rolled her eyes.
"He broke Tristan's nose. So now Tristan's in hospital, Finns on his last warning after that and trying to flirt with the vice principle, Steph has been given a uniform warning, and two people have punched Tristan. Then of course, there's Paris to look out for."
"Well, it could have been worse." Lorelai offered.
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Rory asked incredulously when her phone began to ring.
She pulled it out of her blazer and glanced at the id.
"It's Grandma."
"Don't answer it!" Lorelai said dramatically, holding her hands in the air, her brown hair flying over her shoulder at the fast movement.
"I have to; she'll only keep calling if I don't."
"You're my daughter; I've trained you against that!"
"I'll be five minutes." She said standing up and heading outside so Luke wouldn't say anything. He was getting worse about the no cell phone rule.
"Traitor!" was the last thing she heard before the door closed. Rolling her eyes she flipped the phone open.
"Hello Grandma." She started, trying to use the best language to get her Grandmothers approval, the last thing she needed today was another rant about etiquette.
"Rory darling, how are you?" Emily asked.
"I'm fine Grandma, how are you?"
"Good Rory, good. How was your first day of senior year?"
"It was fine." She replied, leaving out the details she had told her Mom.
"Well good, I'm glad."
"Yeah, me to."
"So you don't have anything else to tell me?" Emily asked and Rory frowned. What was she up to?
"No, I don't think so. Why?"
"Hmm, well, I've just arrived home from a meeting at the DAR, and Sarah Lynn has told us all some very interesting news."
"Right." Rory said frowning slightly. This wasn't good and she had a horrible feeling what the news was.
"Well apparently her daughter came home today with a very interesting piece of information about you. Do you know Madeline Lynn? Well you must since she mentioned you and you go to Chilton together."
"Umm, yeah we've met." Rory said cautiously, clearly Madeline was as big a gossip at home as she was at school.
"Well according to her, you have a boyfriend." Emily's tone turned accusing and Rory groaned inwardly. Great, looks like society would definitely be finding out now. "Is it true?"
"Well…"
"Look, is it true or isn't it? It's a simple enough question Rory. You are so like your mother in your ability to try and avoid questions."
"Yes it is true Grandma."
"Well, who is it? I can't believe you didn't tell me. Sarah says that Madeline didn't mention his name but she says that he and a few others have joined Chilton, and were with you at Andover."
"Yeah that's right." Rory replied slowly.
"Well who is it?" Emily asked, clearly very impatient now. "Your mother didn't have the decency to mention who your friends were there. Is he some delinquent you met, is that why you didn't tell me? Who is it?"
"Umm," Rory paused slightly and sighed "Logan Huntzburger."
"What?"
"Logan Huntzburger." Rory repeated and the other end was silent. "Grandma? Are you there?"
"Yes I'm here." Emily's voice sounded down the phone a second later. "You are dating Logan Huntzburger?" she confirmed.
"Yes, I am."
"You met him at Andover?" Emily asked then and Rory could practically hear the wheels turning in her head as she put the different pieces of information together.
"Yeah."
"Well, this is wonderful!" Emily exclaimed and Rory sighed again. "I never knew that you two met, I remember that Shira said that he was going to Boarding school in England but I never put two and two together until now. Just wait until I tell your Grandfather!"
"I'm glad you're pleased." Rory mumbled.
"Of course we are pleased. Wait a minute; did you go away with him over the summer?" Emily's voice was sharper now.
"Umm, yeah," Rory started slowly "It was his yacht we used."
"You used the Huntzburger's yacht!" her Grandmother nearly shrieked "How could you not tell us until now. You went away with him and used his yacht and we didn't even thank the Huntzburger's properly! We will have to have them over for dinner immediately."
"Grandma, its fine, Logan knows that I'm grateful and everything. None of the others met his parents. Honestly, its fine."
"Of course it's not fine!" Emily said sharply "It is simple politeness Rory. Just because those other people didn't thank them properly does not mean we won't. Who were they anyway? Some random people you picked up along the way?"
"No, they weren't." Rory sighed "We all went to school and went away together. They knew Logan before I did."
"Well who are they?"
Rory grimaced, only imagining what the reaction would be to this. "Stephanie Vanderbilt, Colin McCrae and Finn Morgan."
There was another slight pause. "They are you're friends?" Her Grandmother asked sounding shocked.
"Yeah," Rory said.
"Why did you never mention this before?"
"I didn't know it was so important." Rory said frowning.
"Of course you're friends are important!" her Grandma said sounding incredulous and she rolled her eyes, there had never been any interest in her friends before, but clearly now that they had important last names and trust funds it was suddenly crucial information.
"Right, okay." She said tiredly, wondering how long it would take to get her Grandma off the phone.
"Well, it's good that you have found some good people to socialize with. I know all there families and they are very good people. Maybe going to that school for a while was a good thing after all." Emily paused and Rory could practically hear the wheels turning in her head. "Well, I have an excellent idea!" she said and Rory repressed a sigh, this could not be good. "How about instead of Friday night dinner this week we have a little party. We can invite the Huntzburger's, the McCrae's, the Morgan's and the Vanderbilt's, as well as a few other people from Hartford and the DAR. Now we all know each other it will go well, and I can introduce you to new people. This is an excellent time. Of course, you and Logan can come together as a couple and all of you're other friends can come too."
"Umm, Grandma…" Rory started feeling alarmed; they were not ready for this. The last thing she wanted was the whole of society watching and gossiping about her relationship with Logan.
"So it's settled." Emily said, effectively cutting her off. "You tell you're mother too, and she can bring you're father. This will be a good gathering. I will see you Friday Rory; have a good week at school."
"Umm…" she started but her Grandmother had already hung up.
"Oh, no." she muttered to herself. This was so not good.
With a sigh she turned to go back in to Luke's, seeing the kids from Stars Hollow High still standing on the corner, clearly having heard her conversation. Not in the mood for anymore drama she hurried in to the diner, avoiding eye contact with them.
Her Mom, Dad and Steph were still sat at the counter. Steph was telling her Dad about the time she and the others got kicked out of Zugerburg boarding school. Chris seemed fascinated and impressed by it and Lorelai was looking incredulous at him, though Rory could see the amusement in her face. They all looked up when she slid on to a stool.
"What did she want?" Lorelai asked and seeing the look on her face held up her hands again. "I told you not to answer your phone!" she said determinedly "I know that look. You've been Gilmored!"
Rory sighed and grabbed the cup of coffee that she'd left behind and finished the last millimetre in the cup.
"Luke! We need coffee now!" Lorelai yelled and then turned back to her daughter. "Spill."
Half an hour later she was still sat in Luke's, only this time her parents had headed out to go and see a show in Hartford and Steph was on the phone to her parents about spending the night in Stars Hollow.
The door opened and she looked up, expecting to see Steph, but Lane hurried in.
"Rory!" Lane said, looking relieved, "You're here! I've been to your house and everything looking for you. I have to talk to you."
"What's up?" she asked, smiling at the other girl. She had to take her mind off the conversation with her Grandmother and Lane was a welcome distraction. She had missed her while she was at Andover.
"My Mom, what else?" Lane said tiredly as she slid in to a stool next to Rory. "She wants to go to this Bible thing tomorrow night and the night will probably end with me getting set up with future Korean lawyers, doctors, accountants and whoever else my mother can find. I can't go to that thing, it would mean every night next week I would be out every night next week and I would have no time to go and play the drums at the music store. I need your help! Do you think I could stay with you tomorrow night and you maybe get Lorelai to tell her that we are going to some sort of study thing that is crucial to my passing high school?"
"Wow." Rory said, "I don't know, I would but I'm sure I was supposed to be doing something tomorrow night, I think."
"Oh, so I can't stay?"
Rory frowned. She hadn't been around for her best friend for the last 9 months; she needed to make it up some how.
"No," she said quickly "It's fine, honestly. Whatever it was it doesn't matter."
"Are you sure?" Lane asked.
"Yeah, its fine."
"What's fine?" a voice asked from behind them and they both turned to see Steph standing behind them.
"Oh, hey Steph." Rory said smiling at the blonde. "You've not met Lane have you?"
"Err… No, Hi." Steph smiled turning to Lane "I've heard a lot about you though. I'm Stephanie Vanderbilt."
"Yeah, Rory's mentioned you too. Lane Kim." She smiled back at the other girl as Steph slid on to a stool.
"So, what's going on?" she asked.
"Oh, Lane had a bit of trouble with her Mom, I've told you about Mrs Kim right?" when the blonde nodded she continued. "Well, there's this Bible thing tomorrow night that she wants me to get her out of and she asked if she could stay with me. I said she could and everything, though do you know what we were supposed to be doing tomorrow night?"
"Umm, what's the date?" Steph asked.
"Err…the 6th." Rory replied.
"Oh yeah, it's the annual back to school bash up near Yale. People from the surrounding collages and schools go, kind of like the first one you went to at Andover last year. We talked about it remember, after James Michaels mentioned it over that email?"
Now she remembered. They had been planning on attending anyway, the whole party would most likely have everyone they knew there and any others they wanted to get acquainted with. Plus it was a party. Then James had emailed all of them. He had been a senior at Andover a year before they she had joined and he visited quite regularly. She had gotten to know him quite well. He was starting his second year at Yale and he had asked them to come up and meet him at the party. Rory frowned; she'd been kind of looking forward to seeing him. Still, Lane was more important.
"Oh, yeah right." She said "I guess I'll have to give it a miss this time. He'll be at other parties."
"Yeah," Steph nodded "This is more important. I'll miss you though." Rory smiled when Lane spoke again.
"You're missing a party?" she asked.
"Yeah, but its fine." Rory said quickly "I don't mind."
"I can't believe you're going to a party. I mean, I get that you've changed, but this is great! I can't believe your going to one at college! Wow! I can't stop you from going, you go and I can stay at yours on my own until you get in, its fine."
"Lane, I'm not leaving you!"
"I insist, honestly!"
Rory looked guilty, evidently torn when Steph spoke.
"You could come with us." She said. The two girls stared at her for a second.
"Really!" Lane asked, looking excited "You'll let me go?"
"Yeah of course, you'll be fine if you're with us. Is that okay Ror?" she looked over, clearly panicking that Rory didn't want her friend to go.
"No it's a good idea!" she said quickly "Will you be okay with that?" she asked Lane.
"Are you kidding?" This is great! A college party! I can't wait." She grinned and the other two girls smiled too.
"So it's settled?" Steph asked and Rory nodded.
"Yeah."
"I can't wait!" Lane said grinning "What shall I wear? I have to go and make up a story to tell my Mom. I'll see you later!" With that she just about ran out of the diner; a grin lighting up her face.
"Well, she seemed happy." Steph said smiling.
"Yeah," Rory replied, pleased that her two best friends were getting along. "I'm really looking forward to it now; it'll be nice to see everyone again." Steph nodded in agreement. The party would be full of people that hung out and went to the schools in Oxford, and all of the people they had met at other parties too. It would be a good night, something fun before Friday. She sighed. She still needed to call Logan about her Grandma's phone call.
"Hello?" was the answer from the other end of the line and Rory smiled, despite the reason for her call. Even though they had been at school together all day, they hadn't seen a great deal of each other and she missed him.
"Hey, it's me." She replied.
"Hey, Ace." He said and she relaxed at the nickname and the easy tone of his voice "How's it going? I take it you got home in one piece despite Steph's driving."
"Don't remind me!" she replied shuddering slightly "I don't know how she passed her test."
"She didn't in England." Logan pointed out "And I'm pretty sure she only just managed it here when we were home on vacation. They still don't let her over there."
"I don't blame them." Rory muttered "The English instructors must have way more sense than we do."
"Probably." Logan replied and she could practically see the smirk on his face.
"So how's Finn?" se asked, remembering the last time she had seen the Australian.
"Fine," he said "Colin's babysitting him now. We ended up taking him to the mall to get him a new pair of glasses to stop him winging. He bought two pairs in case of emergency, so he won't be without them again for a while."
"And all is right with the world." Rory said grinning.
"That's easy for you to say." Logan grumbled making her grin even more. "So do you know where Steph is? Colin called around her house to talk to her about something or other on the way back from the mall and the maid said she hadn't come home."
"Yeah, she's here." Rory replied "She was planning on staying the night I think, but I'll talk to her if Colin wants something. Their issues are more important."
"I'm not going to argue there, if them talking stops there bickering then fine. Though they haven't been arguing much lately."
"No they talked I think. It's a long story, I'll tell you when I next see you and Steph isn't in the next room, probably eavesdropping."
Logan laughed. "I wouldn't put it past her, especially if she heard Colin's name mentioned. "Do you want me to pick you up for school tomorrow, if Steph goes over to Colin's?"
"Yeah, if you can." she replied smiling. It was only going to be fifteen minutes, but at least they would have some time alone.
"Sure, I'll pick you up at the same time as Steph did then." He said and Rory agreed.
"There's something else." She said, remembering the actual reason for her ringing. "My Grandma called me earlier."
"What did she want?" Logan asked, though he had a pretty good idea.
"Well, apparently the gossips of Chilton are better than it thought. It took practically two hours for the information to reach the DAR and my Grandmother. They all know we're dating now. I don't think keeping it out of society is going to be an option now."
Logan sighed. "Yeah, I was kind of expecting it, but this is quick, even for them. What else did she say?"
"Apparently it's not socially acceptable to go away with someone without thanking them properly over a dinner. Then when she found out about the others too, she decided that we would have a party on Friday night for all of our parents and the DAR. She of course wants us to go as a couple."
Logan groaned slightly. "Oh God, not a society party already."
"I'm afraid so." Rory replied grimly.
"Oh, well, it'll be alright, we'll all be together. We can form a sub party. The only thing is you'll have to meet my parents."
Rory frowned again. She had heard plenty of Logan's stories about the elder Huntzburger's and she wasn't especially looking forward to meeting them. Pushing that thought aside she carried on.
"I'll manage." She said slowly "We still have the party tomorrow to look forward to."
"Yeah, it'll be a good night." Logan said "You definitely coming?"
"Yeah, though Lane is too. She had an emergency at home and needed to get away from her Mom, so we invited her out."
"Ah, well, the more the better. I want to meet her anyway."
"Yeah, you'll like her." She replied.
"I'm sure. I'll see you tomorrow morning Ace."
"Yeah see you tomorrow." When she hung up she smiled despite herself. Maybe this week wasn't going to be as bad as she thought.
That was, until then next morning at Chilton.
Logan picked her up right on time and they had made it to school easily and without mental driving. Steph had gone to Colin's and hadn't been heard of since, but Rory was expecting to get the details today.
They were just walking up the steps of the school, Logan's arm was around her waist and she was happy. People were still looking but after yesterday, no one was saying anything. They had all gotten the message that they were both off the market.
Finn was early for once and was standing by Rory's locker. Wandering over to him she was just about to speak when Summer's voice cut through the air.
"I can't wait. I've heard about those parties, they're supposed to be wild."
"I know," Louise replied "Everyone worth knowing is going; it's going to be great."
Rory froze, hoping to God they weren't talking about what she though they were. Te group hadn't noticed them yet, they still had there backs to them, clearly oblivious. Tristan was also there, though there was a bruise on his now fixed nose, evidently Finn's handiwork.
"Are you going Tristan?" Summer asked and he and Austin shared a look.
"Definitely." He said "Its one of the biggest parties of the season, all the people will be going to celebrate the start of a new year. I wouldn't miss it."
Rory couldn't move. Her eyes met Logan's slightly worried ones and she sighed. So much for a relaxing party to get away from it all. The Chilton group were going.
A/N: Thank you for reading! I hope you liked the chapter! Please review! I will send the usual excerpt to anyone who does.
The next chapter will show the Huntzburger's and their reactions to Rory, as well as society. Thank you to everyone who gave ideas on their reactions to Rory, it was a big help. The party at Yale will also feature.