A/N: I don't own Gilmore Girls or Somewhere In Between by Lifehouse

I can't keep losing sleep over this

No I can't, and now I cannot stop pacing

Give me a few hours and I'll have this thing all sorted out

If my mind would just stop racing

Cause I cannot stand still

I can't be this unsturdy

This cannot be happening

Rory sat next to Adam in second period on Thursday. It was the only class that the two of them,
Blake, Paris, Madeline, Louise, Henry, and Baker all had together. She rolled her head in a circle to relieve the tension. This was the end of the ninth week of the year and it was midterm week. She had the midterm for this class the next day. It was her last test and the only one she was worried about. Plus, she hated World History, even though she had a 99 in the class. Luckily, the school had a new approach this year: they had intercessions. It meant that at the end of each quarter, the students who were falling behind could come for a week and get a credit to make sure they passed the class, and every one who was on track got a week of vacation. She just needed to get through this midterm and she'd be fine.

Adam looked over at her as she stood to get Henry's book off of his desk, and his eyebrows shot up as he saw her uniform. The skirt was hemmed up to mid-thigh and the shirt was much tighter than he remembered it ever being; rather than knee socks and saddle shoes, her legs were bare and she had on navy blue heels. (Of course, that wasn't allowed, but somehow Rory had been able to get away with anything this year.) And rather than the girl's ties she was wearing one of the boy's. She turned to look at him, "What?" he just looked her up and down and she laughed lightly, "Oh. Yeah. I spent the night at Louise's last night. They're hers. And she didn't have an extra tie, so I took Blake's extra one out of his car this morning."

He just shook his head, bringing his eyes back to her face, "I'm not complaining."

She laughed lightly and hit him in the arm, "I like it, though. I'm thinking of making it permanent." Her mother had hemmed her skirts for this year so that they were as short as the dress code allowed, and she'd ordered shirts that fit her tighter. Not that she'd been going for that, but she'd filled out since she was fifteen. She was now nearly seventeen and had developed curves, so her clothes fit differently anyway. She'd never understood why girls wore shortened shirts and tight shirts before, but now she did. It just made you feel...hot, for lack of a better word. Hot, but not slutty with the way she carried herself. "Of course, the skirt would have to be a little bit longer, but not as long as my skirts last year. I like the shirt and the tie. But these shoes would kill me." she laughed lightly, "So I could pull this look off...maybe twice a week. But I'd keep the shirt and tie. My skirt would be to-" she touched a spot on her thigh two inches below the hem on Louise's, "-about here."

She sat back down and he nodded, "If you want it." she looked over at him and he just smirked,
shaking his head.

Blake and Paris were quizzing each other in the corner, but she suspected that they were really talking about Tristan. His birthday had been last month and Paris had gotten one of those huge cards the size of a posterboard folded in half and everyone signed it. Everyone had written notes to him inside, chock full of inside jokes and terms of endearment, but she hadn't been able to think of anything. She'd probably held it for ten minutes, trying to come up with something. What she had lamely settled on was 'Happy Birthday, Tristan. I hope you like North Carolina. Love, Rory'. Adam hadn't been thrilled about her throwing the 'love' in there, but he'd refrained from complaining about it.

She couldn't believe it'd been a year. There was no way that it had been a year since Tristan had first told her that he loved her. It'd been one hell of a year. Baker walked over and pulled a desk over to Rory and Adam before sitting down and making himself comfortable. He slid his pen behind his ear and leaned back in his seat. "What's up?"

Rory smiled over at him, "Hey Baker."

Adam nodded, "Hey man."

He nodded to the boy before turning to her, "Did you have any plans after school?"

She thought for a moment before shaking her head, "Not that I can think of."

"Good. Cause Paris is on the war path. She's taken this whole student government thing to the extreme. She's scheduled meetings for us today and tomorrow."

Her head dropped several inches, "It's the last two days before vacation." he nodded, sighing heavily. Rory rolled her eyes, "What for?"

He sighed, shrugging, "Hell if I know. I think she wants us to organize tutoring for the elementary school and start talking about the winter formal."

Her eyes widened, "The winter formal that isn't until January?"

He nodded, "That would be the one."

"How in the world did we let ourselves get dragged into this?" he just shook his head, shrugging. Paris had wanted to be Junior class president and had somehow convinced Rory to run with her as vice president, Baker as secretary, and Henry as treasurer.

Baker sighed, resting his forehead on her shoulder, "I hate meetings."

"I know."

"Stop complaining!" Paris snapped from across the room.

Baker's head jumped off of her shoulder and he turned to the blonde, "But Paris, darling, I can't help it. You bring out the worst in me."

She rolled her eyes, "You're such a baby."

He grinned, "Can I be in charge of the location for the formal?"

"No."

"Ah!" he pouted, standing up and walking over to her and sitting on top of her desk, "Why not?"

She rolled her eyes and pushed him off, "Because you'd probably pick some abandoned warehouse and decide it would be fun to have a rave."

He grinned and stood up, brushing off his blazer, "Paris, I'm impressed. You know what a rave is."

She rolled her eyes, "Mutiny. Watch it, I might have to exercise my authority and have you quartered." He put his hands over his chest and mouthed 'Ow' dramatically. She rolled her eyes,
"Go back to annoying Rory."

He blew her a kiss before walking away, "You know you love me."

She rolled her eyes, "God help me, I do."

"Watch it Haulk." Louise called across the room.

He grinned, strutting confidently across the room to her, "Luie." he said playfully, grabbing her around the waist and swinging her around. He set her down and nuzzled her neck playfully. She laughed, pushing him away, "You know you're the only one for me."

She gave up on pushing him away since he obviously wasn't going anywhere. "That's nice, but you can let me go."

He nuzzled her neck again, "Uh-uh."

She wriggled her hips, "Baker."

"Luie." he sat down on a chair that wasn't connected to a desk and pulled her into his lap.

She rolled her eyes and crossed her legs, leaning her elbow on her knee, "You're impossible."

He grinned and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer, "Mhmm."

Rory realized she was staring at them and turned to look at Adam. He looked at her as well and they grinned at each other. "Do you think he knows the entire class is staring at him?" she asked,
leaning closer.

He leaned closer as well, grinning, "I think he likes it that way."

She laughed, "Yeah?"

He nodded, kissing her gently, "At least they're not into exhibitionism."

She smiled, "Thank heaven for small mercies."

Adam laughed as the bell rang and he stood up, "Thank heaven."

NORTH CAROLINA, SATURDAY

Tristan zipped up his suitcase and Rick watched him disappointedly from his own bed. "So then you're rally leaving?"

He nodded, not turning to look at his friend, "Yeah."

Rick sighed heavily, "It's been one hell of a year."

Tristan snorted lightly, "Yeah."

Rick opened his mouth to say something else, but the door busted open and Kyle, Stewart, Amy, and Mackenzie fell into the room. Stewart came over and pulled Tristan into a spine-crushing 'man hug' and Kyle did the same. "Can't believe you're abandoning us, Dugrey."

He laughed, "I know, but somehow I think you'll make it without me."

Kyle rolled his eyes, "And you're so humble."

Tristan laughed and enveloped Amy in a hug, lifting her off the ground. "How did you two get in here?" there was a strict policy of no girls in the dorms.

"The sergeants are always easy going about bringing people in to say bye when one of the guys leaves." Stewart explained, wrapping his arms around Amy after Tristan set her down. "They're pretty good about letting people say goodbye."

Tristan nodded thoughtfully and his gaze fell on Mackenzie who was still by the door, her arms folded over her chest as she watched them quietly. She smiled weakly and he opened his arms widely. She inhaled deeply, walking into him and wrapping her arms around his neck. He picked her up and spun her around before setting her back on the ground, but he didn't let her go. Her smile was watery as she pulled away from him. He smiled at her, using his thumb to wipe away the tears that were threatening to spill onto her cheeks. She bit her lip and kissed his cheek gently. "It won't be the same without you." she said quietly.

He smiled, pulling her into another hug, "Jeez Kenzie, you're gonna break my heart."

She laughed, "Have a safe flight, Tris." he kissed her forehead and gave her one last squeeze before releasing her.

"What time's your flight?" Kyle asked from his place on Tristan's old bed.

"Like, an hour and a half. I need to go now." he gave everyone one last hug before grabbing one of his suitcases. He went to take hold of the second, but Rick grabbed it. Tristan looked up at him. His roommate hadn't said anything since the others had gotten there.

"I'll go to the airport with you."

He nodded, "Thanks." and he meant it. They sat in the cab fifteen minutes later, a slightly awkward silence between them. "You okay?" Tristan asked, facing Rick.

He shrugged, staring out the window, "It's just weird."

"What?"

He shook his head, "I've had like, eight roommates, but I never really cared when one left."

Tristan looked out the window, smirking, "Yeah, we do get along pretty well."

Rick just snorted, "Yeah, and now all I have are the two dumbasses, the drama queen, and Kink."

Tristan laughed, "At least you still have her."

He glanced over at the blonde, "At least. But now I'll probably get some huge retard roommate with two foot thick skin since all my roomies leave and the school loses all their money."

He laughed as they pulled into the airport, "Don't be so hard on yourself, maybe you'll get another trust fund baby."

Rick smirked, "I told you your shoes were nice."

Tristan grinned, "Just better than your average petty criminal." Rick got out of the cab and walked around to the trunk to help Tristan pull out his bags. Once they had them Rick hit his knuckles against Tristan's before pulling him into a manly hug. "Thanks for riding with me."

He shook his head, "No problem." Rick sat back down in the backseat of the taxi and Tristan turned to walk into the building. "Hey Dugrey!" he called and Tristan turned. Rick grinned at him, "Go get your girl."

Tristan just smirked, nodding to him before the cab took off.

CONNECTICUT

Tristan rubbed the back of his neck as he sat at the dinner table. He was really back. He couldn't believe it. And his parents were talking like civilized people. His mother wasn't drinking every waking moment of the day. His father wasn't yelling or condescending. You could almost say they weren't dysfunctional. Almost.

"Tristan." his mother said, snapping her fingers for the maid.

"Yes ma'am?"

Her eyebrows shot up, "My, my, that school really can work wonders." he rolled his eyes as the maid came to his mother's aid. "A wine glass and a bottle from the cellar, Marge." The maid nodded obediently and Tristan chewed on the inside of his cheek. So much for her being sober his first night home. She turned to her son, "Anyway, darling, now that you're home there are a few things we need to get straight." his face didn't change, but his interest was peaked. She continued, "Like your father told you: a ninety five average or higher in all your classes. Absolutely no fighting-oh, thank you-" she smiled at the maid as her wine was brought to her. She poured herself a glass while continuing to talk to her son, "-you'd gotten in several last school year before you left, one of them actually in school. You're lucky you got off with a warning.

"Third: you must come the club and our friends' houses for parties-" he started to protest, but she held her hand up, "-no excuses. I know how much you hate those parties, but you must come. Fourth: lose the attitude. I've gotten tired of it the past year-"

He cut her off, "I haven't even been home for most of the past year!"

Her eyes widened at his outburst, "Arthur." she said quietly.

Her husband sighed, rolling his eyes, "Tristan don't take that tone with your mother."

Tristan shook his head. This was so stupid, "Whatever." he stood to leave, but his mother's voice stopped him.

"Oh and Tristan? One more thing."

He inhaled deeply, closing his eyes before turning around to look at her, "Yes?"

"No more hanging around with those Hayden children."

His heart skipped, "But mom-"

"No buts. I don't want you around them. They're a bad influence."

"Mother, think about it." he walked over to the table calmly, "Not talking to the Haydens would mean not talking to Louise Grant, Baker Haulk, or Paris Gellar. Is that really what you want?" he asked, throwing in his friends from the most influential families in the city.

His mother was silent for a moment, stewing it over, "Why would not talking to the Haydens keep you from them?"

"Because they're all very good friends with the Hayden twins, and I would never ask them to choose between me and them."

She looked up at her son suspiciously, "Why not?"

"Because that wouldn't be fair, mother." he pulled his seat closer to her, "Why don't I just stay with the friends I had before I left, but not give the Haydens any special attention? I'll just keep them as acquaintances."

"And what about that girl?"

"What about her?"

"Are you still mad about it?"

"No. She has a new boyfriend anyway."

She pursed her lips, refilling her now empty glass, "Fine."

"Can I go now?"

She nodded, taking a long drink, "Go. Leave your old decrepit mother."

He rolled his eyes and stood, muttering under his breath, "More like drunk."

She pulled the glass from her lips, "What was that?"

He turned to smiled at her, "I said I love you mother and thank you so much for letting me come home."

She smiled, touched, "Welcome home, son."

He rolled his eyes, disgusted as he turned back around, "I'm going out."

"Don't be too late!" she called after him.

FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER

Tristan stood once more on the Gellars' doorstep, scratching the back of his neck. Every year around this time her parents to a week long trip to Aruba, leaving Paris by herself, so he didn't have to deal with them. He glanced around the driveway. It looked as if all the help had gone home. But he did notice one car he didn't recognize.

He heard her coming to the door, talking heatedly with what sounded like a guy. Were she and Jess fighting? The door was thrown open suddenly and a very pissed looking Paris was in front of him. She froze, staring at him.

"Holy shit, Dugrey!" he glanced behind her to see Baker.

"Haulk! Dude, what the hell are you doing here?" he asked, walking over to his friend and pulling him into a manly hug.

"Student government meeting. You just missed Rory and Henry."

Tristan's eyebrows quirked slightly, "Oh yeah?" Baker nodded, "Well with the four of you running the class it's all gonna go to hell."

Baker laughed, hitting him in the arm, "Shut the fuck up."

He smirked, "Get a new ride?"

"Hell yeah. I totally wrecked my last one."

He laughed, turning to Paris and tilting his head; she hadn't moved since the door opened. "Hey Gellar. Don't I even get a hug?"

She looked him up and down cautiously, "You back?" He nodded slowly, "For good?" another nod. Her face melted into a grin and she jumped into his arms. He laughed, swinging her around before setting her back down.

"Wait." Baker interrupted them, "Back for good as in Chilton student?"

Tristan looked over at him, "As in."

"Damn man, why didn't you call anybody?"

"Cause I didn't want to make a big deal out of it."

"Tristan, man, you've been gone for like a year and the longest any of us have seen you for a week. This is a huge fuckin deal." he pulled out his phone, "I'm calling Blake."

"No, don't."

Baker looked up, surprised, "Why not?"

Tristan sighed, "I just don't want it to be a big deal. Don't tell anybody."

"Not even Louise, Blake or Rory?"

He shook his head, "I'll see them next Monday."

Baker sighed, rolling his eyes. He would never understand Tristan, "So then what are you gonna do all week?"

Tristan laughed, "Mmm. Sleep. See the difference between the track I was on in North Carolina and what track you guys are on."

Baker just shook his head, "Well good luck with that, man. But I have to go." his nose wrinkled as he whined, "It's my mom's birthday tomorrow and she says all she wants is for me to go to church. So I have to sleep cause I'm gonna wake up at nine."

Tristan smirked, "Night sleeping beauty."

He snorted, rolling his eyes, "Fuck you." he gave Paris a hug, "I'll see you later." he nodded to Tristan, smirking as he made his way out. The door was almost shut, but he poked his head back in, "Oh, and Dugrey?"

Tristan turned to face him, "Yeah?"

He grinned, "Good to have you back, man." and he closed the door.

Tristan turned to a smiling Paris. He stuck his hands in his pockets and looked around, rocking back and forth on his heels and toes. She laughed and hit him in the stomach lightly. Her eyes widened, "Damn Dugrey-" she poked his stomach, chest, and arms lightly, feeling his muscles, "Military School did something good for you."

He laughed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as he led her deeper into the house, "You have no idea."

MONDAY, ONE WEEK LATER

Rory, Blake, and Shane stepped out of Blake's SUV after the breaking, stretching. They hadn't woken up this early in a week. Since Shane was a Freshman, and now that he was in highschool their mother's parents had decided it was time for him to attend Chilton with his siblings. And, to no one's surprise, he adapted just as well and quickly as the twins had. Rory sighed, rolling her neck to relieve the tension. She grabbed her bookbag from the passenger seat and slung one of the straps over her shoulder, making her way to the entrance. They bid goodbye to Shane, who entered the side of the building they'd attended last year. The lower classmen half with the Freshman and Sophomores. The side they attended now, the upperclassmen side held the Juniors and Seniors.

Blake held the door open for her and she smiled, "Such a gentleman."

"You know it."

Rory laughed and bid goodbye to her brother, making her way down the hall to her locker as he turned to find his. Her skirt swished four inches above her knee. The dress code actually only allowed it to be three inches from the knee, but she'd grown since the end of the summer when her mother hemmed her skirts. The clicking of her saddle shoes was drown out by the chatter of the students and her knee socks were driving her crazy, but she ignored it and loosened her tie. She'd stolen Blake's extra one and had been subject to his calling her Avril Lavigne for a week, but since he never got a reaction he'd stopped, later admitting that it actually looked better on her than most girls. Her sleeves were rolled to the bottom of her elbow and her blazer was thrown over her shoulder. Now that her shirts fit her better, she could actually roll the sleeves and they'd stay. Her shirt wasn't quite as tight as Madeline's and Louise's, but some how the two girls had convinced her and Paris that they were doing everyone a disservice by wearing the oxford shirts that weren't tight enough and by having their skirts hang nearly to their knees. And now as she passed Paris in the hall, she smiled to herself to think that they'd actually listened and both of their skirts were shortened and their shirts were tighter.

And now because all four of them had altered their uniforms, more girls were. But each of them had something individual about it. Rory wore one of the boy's ties and rarely had her blazer, Louise always had bare legs and heels, Madeline never wore a tie at all, refused to tuck in her shirt, and left it unbuttoned at the top, exposing a white cami, and Paris never wore a blazer and her sleeves were always rolled. But somehow, they all got away with breaking dress code everyday.

She was at her locker, balancing her bookbag on her knee as she shoved supplies into it when Adam walked up to her and took it. She turned to look at him, surprised. He held it open next to her, "You could ask for help, you know."

She rolled her eyes, hanging her blazer on one of the hooks inside before grabbing her coffee from the shelf and closing her locker. She took the bag back from him. "Thank you baby." she kissed him lightly and slung one of the arms over her shoulder again.

He wrapped his arm around her waist comfortably, "Mmm hmm." and led her down the hall to their first period.

SECOND PERIOD

Rory sat between Adam and Louise in the back right corner of the classroom, looking through her notes as the teacher was explaining the project they were about to start. Everyone was assigned a chapter that they wouldn't cover in the class. Groups of five or six. Each group had to have a ten minute presentation, a model, and a ten page paper. They had three weeks and would work on it for five days in class. Today was the first day. The teacher would assign the groups. Her group consisted of Louise, Henry, a kid named Parker, another guy named David, and herself. But she knew the two boys she didn't talk to were in the top of the Junior class, so she wasn't worried. Their chapter was on Alexander the Great. Easy.

The teacher told them to get in their groups and start on the project. When it became clear to their group that Rory and Louise weren't moving, the three boys made their way over to them and grouped their desks around the girls. They each picked a section and started reading. Hers was on his childhood and early military career. Not fun, but she read it anyway. They were twenty minutes into the class and most people had given up on reading and were talking. The teacher ignored them, if they didn't want to work on it during class they'd just have to do it on their own time.

She sighed, unable to concentrate with Henry and Louise talking right next to her. She crossed her right leg over her left and lowered her head, trying to concentrate, but she kept hearing random things. Apparently Louise and Baker were going to some new restaurant on Friday, but Henry advised against it. He'd gone there with lane and it hadn't been any good. When Alexander was a child he tamed a stallion that none of his father's soldiers could. Parker and his girlfriend weren't getting along and David told him to just break it off with her. She was a bitch anyway. Alexander was Aristotle's brightest student. Someone dropped a book on the ground loudly and Paris went off on him. He apologized and she heard him pick it up quietly as the door opened. When he was only 20 Alexander became king of Macedonia. The room slowly became quiet, only a few people talking quietly. He was an amazing strategist. Like, no one was talking. What the hell was going on? Alexander proved himself when he put down a revolt in-

"Tristan!" Rory was stopped mid thought and froze as Louise screamed and ran to the front of the room.

"Dugrey!" her brother spoke and she heard several desk slide a few inches along the tile as people stood from their desks and made their way to the front of the room.

"Hayden." she could hear the smirk in his voice. Oh God, please let it be a hallucination. Please don't let him really be there. And then she looked up. He was standing at the front of the room,
surrounded by their friends. He was really there.

"Mister Dugrey."

He turned to look at the teacher, "Yes ma'am?"

"I've just assigned a group project and Miss Grant's group is one person short. You can be with them."

Rory closed her eyes. This wasn't really happening. This wasn't happening because this wasn't a movie and it wasn't a book. It was real life and things like this didn't happen in real life. She inhaled deeply and looked over at Adam. He was watching her uncertainly, glancing at Tristan every few moments. She gave him a weak smile and went back to reading. Well, that is to say she stared down at her textbook. She couldn't have focused now if her life depended on it.

"People, take your seats. Some students are trying to do their work."

Baker looked over at her, "Sorry Mrs. Keaton."

She nodded, "Just get back to your groups."

They all made their way back to their seats and Louise nodded towards the cluster of chairs she and Henry had come from. And that was when his breathing stopped. There she was. The bane of his existence and love of his life. The ever lovely Lorelai Leigh Hayden. And she was completely avoiding looking at him. She was staring holes into her textbook. Her right elbow was resting on the desk, her temple leaning on the heel of her hand while her left hand was resting in her lap and her legs were crossed. And he definitely noticed the alterations to her uniform. She was wearing a boy's tie, her blouse was tight, her sleeves were rolled and her blazer was no where to be seen. Not only that, but her skirt was riding low on her hips and had obviously been hemmed, because it had slipped halfway up her thigh while her legs were crossed. He pulled a desk over to the group. This couldn't be happening.

Rory heard him pull a desk up to the group and sit between Louise and Henry. She refused to look at him, but knew that he was staring at her. Jeez, there was only one 115 pound person between them. For the first time in nearly ten months they were breathing the same air. She could hear him talking to the group. They asked him about military school. Told him Chilton wasn't the same without him. She coughed lightly, unwantedly drawing their attention, but she still didn't look up. This was going to suck.

Tristan watched her cough quietly and knew that she hadn't been trying to get anyone's attention. He'd already pinpointed Adam. Oh yes, that would be the brunette who constantly glanced at his ex-girlfriend and was talking to Baker and Paris like they were the best of friends. That was the guy. He turned his attention back to studying Rory. She looked different, no doubt. Besides the obvious change of style, she'd filled out in the past year. She had more curves, softer curves. But she'd visibly lost weight. Not a lot, of course, but when you were as small as she was, every pound showed. Maybe she'd just shed all of her baby weight, because she definitely looked like a woman now. Unsurprisingly considering she was nearly seventeen.

The bell finally rang half an hour later and Rory released a breath she hadn't been aware she was holding. She shoved everything into her bookbag and stood, making her way to the door. She passed Louise, Henry, and Tristan and felt someone grab her wrist, stopping her. She turned, knowing it would be him. And she looked at him directly for the first time. He looked older. His face was slimmer, but his square jaw was still perfect. She bit her lip, sliding her wrist from his grip before slipping out of the room.

As soon as he, Henry, and Louise were out the door, the others caught up with them. "Dugrey, man, I didn't know you were coming back." Blake said, pulling him into a manly hug.

He smirked, "Of course I came back. I couldn't let you ladies run my school without me."

Baker rolled his eyes, "Loving the humility, man."

"I know, right?"

"Oh, hey dude, this is Adam Hart-" Blake put a hand on the boy's shoulder, "-Hart, this is Tristan Dugrey. I'm sure you've heard about him from like, everybody."

He nodded, shaking Tristan's hand, and both boys felt the pressure the other one exerted. They both knew exactly who the other was. "Nice to meet you, man."

Tristan nodded, "You too."

Adam looked down the hall, "Did any of you see where Rory went?"

"I think she headed off to her locker." Louise said, watching Tristan for a reaction, but was surprised when he didn't have one.

He nodded, "Well I think I'm gonna go find her. I'll catch you guys later. Tristan, it was nice meeting you."

"Yeah, you too man."

And Adam made his way down the hall. "So what do you have next?" Louise asked, snatching his schedule from him.

"Dr. Burnet."

Paris slipped her arm through his, "That's with me and Rory."

He glanced down at her, "Oh yeah?"

"Mmm hmm. And we better go cause he spits fire if you're late." The pair waved goodbye to their friends and made their way down the hall. "Are you glad to be back?"

He nodded, inhaling deeply as people stopped what they were doing to stare at him, "Hell yeah." Paris laughed lightly, tightening her grip on his arm. "So then that was Adam?"

"That was Adam."

"Hmm."

She looked up at him, "What?"

Tristan shook his head, "Nothing. He's taller than I imagined."

She laughed, "I bet."

They walked into the room and the teacher stopped them, "Tristan Dugrey?"

"Yes sir?"

"I'm Dr. Burnet. In this class we have assigned seats. You'll need to take the one behind Rory Hayden. It's our only open one."

He nodded, "Okay."

"And if you need any help, Paris sits next to Rory and they have my two highest averages, so you can just ask them if you're a little behind."

He nodded again, "Thank you sir."

The teacher hitched his jaw towards the empty desk and went back to grading papers. Tristan and Paris glanced at each other. He widened his eyes slightly, sighing, "This'll be fun."

She laughed sympathetically, patting his shoulder as they made their way to their seats. Rory was one of the last ones to make her way into the room. She leaned against the doorframe and laughed lightly with Adam. He grinned and kissed her forehead before bidding farewell and walking from the door. She turned to the room and her face immediately fell as she spotted him. Her bottom lip was pulled between her teeth as she glanced at the teacher before making her way slowly to her seat. And he hated himself for making her feel uncomfortable. He hated her for being with Adam. But looking at them...he knew that look. The way Adam looked at Rory. It was the same way he did. The guy really loved her. But she didn't love him back. He wasn't just disillusioning himself. He wasn't blocking out anything. He'd seen the way she'd looked at Adam. She didn't love her boyfriend.

Rory closed her eyes as she sat in front of Tristan. Their assignment was on the board. They were supposed to read the section before the teacher started the lesson. She pulled out her book, ignoring the rhythmic taps of Tristan's foot on the leg of her desk. He didn't even know he was doing it. God, he was killing her. Opening her book to page 398, she began reading and twirled a lock of her hair absentmindedly. She was perfectly aware that half of the class was gaping at the boy behind her as the bell rang. And she knew at least a fourth of them would be wondering if they were back together or how this whole seating arrangement would work out. However, never one to cause trouble, she was perfectly content ignoring him. But holy shit she could smell him. A mix of coffee (something she gave herself credit for addicting him to) and cologne. It was the same cologne he'd been wearing since she met him. She'd never smelled it on anyone else and honestly didn't know what brand it was. But that smell...just brought back memories. Ones she didn't want to revisit.

The class actually went by quickly. Dr. Burnet always lectured to the bell, so Rory didn't even have time for focus on Tristan...huh, yeah right. She'd barely been able to focus on the teacher with him behind her. But now it was lunch and she'd be able to sort out her thoughts. She was packing all her things together after the bell rang when the teacher called her to his desk. Annoyed but obedient, Rory made her way through the students milling out of the room. "Mister Dugrey, you stay as well." Tristan glanced at the teacher and then at Rory before slowly making his way over to the desk. "Tristan, I've talked to your Physics teacher at your old school and it seems that you were slightly off track with us. You're two chapters behind. Now, it shouldn't take long for you to catch up. Two weeks working after school at the most. Miss Hayden-" he turned to Rory, "-you and Paris Gellar have my two highest averages, and seeing as you are a bit more...sociable than Miss Gellar, I would like for you to tutor Tristan after school until he's caught up."

Her eyes widened slightly and she shook her head, "Dr. Burnet, I-"

But he cut her off, "No 'buts', Rory. I need for you to do this. I've heard from several teachers that you are able to help several students at one time without any of your grades suffering. I don't think an hour after school for two weeks is too much to ask."

"But Paris-"

"Has taken on more this year than she may be able to handle with student government and her numerous clubs. I would like for you to do this. You work with others much better than Paris."

She inhaled deeply, "Yes sir."

He nodded, "The two of you get a schedule worked out. Tristan you need to be caught up by our next test. It's a week from Friday." He went back to his papers, "Alright. You can go."

Without looking back at Tristan, Rory made her way out of the classroom and into the deserted hall. Everyone was at lunch. She heard Tristan leave the classroom and jog down the hall after her, but she continued walking. "Rory!" she ignored him, but didn't increase her speed. "Rory, come on." he easily caught up to her and grabbed hold of her wrist. She stopped walking and swallowed the lump in her throat, looking at the lockers as she ignored the way her wrist instantly warmed at his touch. "Rory." She acted like she hadn't heard him, but didn't try to remove her wrist from him. She heard him sigh in frustration, "Would you fucking look at me!"

She turned to look at him, her face unreadable. And he didn't know what to say. She'd never looked at him like that. Just...blank. She'd never shielded herself from him. "What?"

He dropped her wrist, running a hand through his hair, "Damn, is it that horrible to even be around me?"

Rory rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest as she looked away, swallowing hard. Why the hell was he doing this? "What do you want?"

"Why won't you talk to me?"

Her eyes widened slightly and she laughed humorlessly, "You have got to be kidding me." at the look on his face she shook her head, "Ten months." her face changed, "No, excuse me. Nine months, two weeks, and three fucking days, Tristan." She shook her head, running a hand through her hair, "Not even a phone call. One letter six months after you left was all I got. No explanation until Paris decided I needed to know why you left so that I could let go and stop hating you." he opened his mouth to protest, but she took a step closer, shaking her head, "Three weeks after you took my virginity you bailed. You could've at least given me a reason." he opened his mouth once again, but she went on, "I'm with Adam now, Tristan. And I'm happy. He loves me." she glanced at the lockers, sighing, "Four months was all it took. I was in love with you after two." she pursed her lips, shaking her head, "I slept with you after three, and it took me seven to get over it." She looked back at him, "And you're standing here asking why I don't want to talk to you? You're a little too late Tristan."

He shook his head, "No, I'm not-"

She cut him off, "Tristan-"

"You don't love him."

"I never said I did."

He put his hands up, "Then why the hell are you with him?"

"Because I like him."

"Rory-"

"No."

He took a step forward, "Just listen-"

She took a step back and put her hand up, stopping him, "Don't do this, Tristan."

He didn't move forward, but shook his head, "You don't love him."

"Don't you think I know that!" she yelled, surprising him, "Don't you think I realize that I'm hurting him? Don't you think I feel even the slightest bit of pain that I can't make myself love the guy that was there for me through all the shit with my mom and everything that went down this summer? Don't you think I wish that I could've gotten over you sooner so that he could at least trust me?" she shook her head in disbelief, "Tristan, I died the day you left, okay? I'm not who I was then. I was stupid and naive and I was wrong about a lot of things." she took a step closer, whispering, "Just don't make this harder than it has to be."

He opened his mouth, but she had already turned away, walking towards her locker without giving him time to speak. And he just sighed heavily, shaking his head before making his way to the cafeteria for lunch.

This is over my head

But underneath my feet

Cause by tomorrow morning

I'll have this thing beat

And everything will be back to the way that it was

I wish that it was just that easy