The next day he didn't look forward to walking into first period English. Mainly because he and Rory stayed up a bit later then they probably should have the night before and secondly because Lindsay and a few of her friends also were in the class. He hadn't seen her since the night of the party and he had no idea how well she was dealing with things.

He took a seat in the back hoping that he would be able to keep a low profile the rest of the semester. When he noticed Lindsay and her friend walk into the room together he quickly looked down at his notebook, a few moments later Todd took a seat next to him bringing his attention away from his desk.

"Hey man…"

"Hey Todd, how was your weekend?"

He laughed before responding. "Definitely not as eventful as yours!" He leaned in closer before saying the rest. "So I've heard you've been a busy man. First Lindsay then Rory, I need details."

"You don't even know what you're talking about…where did you hear that anyway?"

"Dude it's only all over school. Apparently a lot went down at Kyle's party Friday; I can't believe I missed it. That's the last time I go to my dad's house for the weekend." He explained getting his books from his book bag.

"Believe me you only have half of the story…"

"I heard Lindsay punched Rory in the face and then Rory pulled out a wad of Lindsay's hair…"

"Todd stop spreading these ridiculous lies, there wasn't a fight, at least not a physical one anyway. Are people seriously talking about this?"

"Yes they are definitely talking about this; did you really think that they wouldn't? There's something else too…" Todd said almost as if he needed his permission to continue.

"What?"

"Well Jess Mariano isn't in school today…"

"Yeah so, when is he ever here? I would be more concerned if he actually did come to school."

"I know man but given the circumstances people are talking, this one guy said he found you and Rory in bed together, pretended to leave but really waited for you outside. Another said he saw the two of you arguing in the street in front of Kyle's house, since then no one has seen or heard anything about Jess. You didn't kill him and stash his body somewhere did you?"

"Are you seriously asking me that question?"

He held up his hands defensively. "Hey, I'm just informing you of what people are saying."

The bell rang and their teacher closed the door to the classroom, stopping some of the chatter but not all of it.

"Do me a favor, if you hear anyone else talking about this, just tell them to mind their own business. None of what you've heard is true other then Lindsay and I broke up and now I'm with Rory. That's all there is to it, there isn't anything else to know."

"Okay but just so were straight on this, you didn't kill Jess right?"

Not bothering to even answer the question he just rolled his eyes at his clueless friend and sat back in his seat waiting for the teacher to give them some sort of instruction. Already he couldn't wait for school to be over and it had barely just begun.

She smiled seeing the familiar face waiting at the bus stop; she practically jumped into his arms when she was finally able to get to him.

"I'm so glad you're here, I was going to call you but now I don't have to." She said with a smile. "So do you have to work tonight or can we hang out?"

"No, I don't work tonight, I'm all yours. What do you want to do?"

"Well I was thinking we could plan out prom night. I mean obviously there's the whole getting dressed up and dancing thing but what about after?"

"I guess that depends on when you have to be home."

"I don't think that will be much of an issue for prom night, I think she is sort of expecting me to stay out all night."

"Well then we will do whatever you want…" He said watching his feet as he walked.

"Dean are you okay?"

"Yeah, it's just been a very long day. Everyone at school, well they're just all talking you know?"

"No I don't know, I don't go to your school. What were they saying?"

"For starters the entire school thinks we had sex at Kyle's house this weekend oh and then there's the fact that I killed Jess and put his body in the lake. I mean its hard enough dealing with the truth much less all this crap they're making up."

"Jess went to California, to live with his dad. Luke told us this morning when we went in for coffee."

"Well that takes care of one of the rumors." Rory looked over at him suddenly realizing the bruise that still seemed to be forming on the side of his eye.

"Dean what happened?" She asked her hand gently touching the bruise.

"One of the guys on the basketball team, Rob, I guess you two went to school together before…" Rory nodded remembering the guy. "If it would have been anything else, I'd of just let it go but I couldn't let him talk about you like that Rory."

"Oh God, the two of you got into a fight?"

"Yeah we did."

"I can't believe he actually hit you." She said touching his face again acting as if her touch may possibly heal him.

"Don't worry; he's the one who needed stitches."

"What? Did this happen at school?"

"Yeah."

"And neither one of you got in trouble?"

"Not exactly…"

"Dean did you get suspended?" Rory asked concerned and disappointed.

"Is it too late for you to get tickets for Chilton's prom?"