"Well, here we go again." says Lorelai, outside the Gilmore mansion.

"Hey, you know when you have a little kid who really hates bedtime? And you spend the whole day dreading the evening because you know that you're going to have to battle with them yet again? This is kinda like that."

"So I behave like a kid?" says Lorelai. "It's good to embrace your inner child."

"Parts of your inner child, yes." says Mia. "But I'm pretty sure everyone could do without the tantrums."

"I don't throw tantrums!" says Lorelai.

"Well then what was that in the car?"

"An expression of emotion." says Lorelai. Mia rolls her eyes. "Hey, drop the 'tude!"

"I'm sorry it just feels like we've been outside this house forever. C'mon already, I'm hungry!"

"Fine, Fine." says Lorelai knocking on the door. Emily opens the door and stares at them, deadpan.

"I'm pleased to see you thought this dinner important enough to show up, hello Rory, Mia."

"Hey grandma."

"I was worried you were attacked by savage wolves on the way or you got lost in the deep, dark woods of Hartford."

"Jeez, mom, could we possibly be late?" says Lorelai.

"No, no it's fine, come on in." says Emily, forcing herself to be polite. They make their way through to the lounge.

"Hello, girls. I'll get you your drinks." says Richard. "How was the journey?"

"Good thanks, grandpa." says Rory.

"No traffic?" he asks.

"Nope." says Mia.

"Oh. I thought there was traffic."

"No, there was no traffic. No wolves, either." says Emily, glaring at Lorelai.

"How's the drink coming, Dad?" says Lorelai.

"Rory, Mia, time for school!" says Lorelai, knocking on their bedroom door.

Rory walks out. "I'm ready to go." she says. "I'm just gonna grab my bag then I'm outta here."

"Uh, no I don't think so." says Lorelai.

"What, Mom? I'm gonna miss the bus."

"You have to eat. Here." says Lorelai, handing her a pop tart and a coffee cup.

"What a nutritional breakfast." says Rory, sarcastically.

"Hey, is your sister up?"

"I think so."

"Mia! Time for school!"

"I don't wanna go!" says Mia, from the bedroom.

"No one does, sweetie." says Lorelai. "So Rory, how's school going?"

"It's really difficult." says Rory. "I'm really behind."

"You'll catch up." says Lorelai.

"Yeah, but I don't know how." says Rory.

"Just be you." says Lorelai. "You're smart enough to catch up."

"Sounds easy." says Rory.

"What about the other kids? You made any friends?"

"Not really. The other kids are either really annoying or they hate me."

"How could anyone hate you?" says Lorelai.

"Ask them."

"I will, if I ever see them."

"Well, you might. My science group need a place to study and this is the only place available."

"Our house?" says Lorelai. "That's great! You can win them over."

"I don't know about that." says Rory. "Paris is one of them. Remember Paris?"

"I do." says Lorelai, grimly. "What a treat she was. Anyway, it doesn't matter."

"I really have to go, mom. I'm gonna miss the bus."

"Ok, babe have a great day." says Lorelai, kissing her cheek. "Mia come on!"

Mia shuffles out of the bedroom, dragging her bag.

"I can't believe you're making me go to school." says Mia.

"I know, I'm a cruel mother." says Lorelai, handing her another pop tart and pushing her out the door.

Rory opens her locker and puts her books away. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees Tristan skulking past. She closes her locker and runs over to him.

"Tristan, hey Tristan!" says Rory.

"What do you want, Mary?" says Tristan.

Rory ignores the 'Mary' comment and carries on. "I just wanted to say thanks for what you did."

"What did I do, Mary?"

"It's Rory. You punched that guy who was teasing my sister."

"Oh yeah."

"Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you. Mia says thank you too. You did a good thing, Tristan and I think I judged you wrong. We can be friends now, if you want."

"Friends?" says Tristan.

"Yeah."

"I don't wanna he friends with you, Mary. I didn't punch that guy for you or your weird little sister..."

"She's not weird!"

"I don't care. I punched him because he's an asshole. I've been wanting to punch him for ages. Your sister just gave me an excuse."

"Tristan..." says Rory, but he's walking down the hall.

"See you round, Mary."

"Mom! We're home!"

"You're mom's here?" says Madeleine. "Huh. Mine's always out drinking at this time."

"Mine's 'working'" says Louise with air quotation marks.

"I don't wanna know about your parents creepy social life." says Paris. "I wanna study."

"Sure, Paris. In here."

"Thanks." says Paris, walking into the living room.

"Boy, your house is tiny." says Louise.

"We like it this way." says Rory.

"How do you afford Chilton?"

"My grandparents pay for it." says Rory, awkwardly.

"I couldn't care less about this. Please let's focus."

"Ok Paris."

"Hey, girls!" says Lorelai, bounding down the stairs. "You working hard?"

Madeleine, Louise and Paris nod.

"Nope." says Rory, honestly. "We can't focus."

"I'm not surprised." says Lorelai, picking up a piece of paper. "Maybe some snacks will help? We have loads of food and none of it's healthy."

"Sounds great." says Rory. Lorelai walks to the kitchen.

"That's your mom?" asks Louise. Rory nods.

"Wow. She's looks crazy young. How old is she?"

"32." says Rory, uncomfortably.

"She had you at sixteen!" says Madeleine. "Wow. How olds your sister?"

"9." says Rory.

"So she had her at 23. And your dad's not around. Interesting."

"Very." says Louise. "Do you and your sister have the same dad?"

"Can we not discuss my mother's personal life anymore?"

"I agree." says Paris.

Thank you for reading this chapter! Sorry it's up late it's exam seasonšŸ˜„. Please leave a review to let me know what you thought. Your feedback makes me really happy and helps me with the story. Next chapter on Sunday at 2.