Thursday Afternoon
Chilton Prep

From the moment Finn stepped foot through the school's front doors that morning he felt like he was being watched and it wasn't in the 'Hey look at that major Hottie' kind of way. The hair on the back of his neck was standing on end and he felt like a band of ice was wrapped around his spin. While futilely trying to find the source of his discomfort he wondered if this is what a dingo's prey felt like as it rand for it's life because by fourth period he had no doubt's that he was being hunted. Of course that might have had something to do with the Ken doll's head he found hanging in his locker that have X's drawn over its eyes. He had thought briefly about going to the principle but then his 'manliness' kicked in and he reasoned that he could take on whichever little trust fund baby had decided to tangle with him. "Heh, it's not like it's Rory Gilmore." he scoffed and after shoving the head in his pocket went off to his next class.

A blond haired girl and a brunette peered around the corner and watched him saunter off. They had been close enough to hear what he had said and they had shared and amused look. The blond had taken his picture without him noticing.

"For easier identification encase they find him walking down the highway wearing a ballerina costume and ranting that the peonies are out to get him." she justified when the brunette shot her an amused look.

"Please." the brunette snorted, "I know that that picture is so going to be Photo Shopped and his head is going to be on a pigs body by morning."

The blond looked thoughtful a moment then smiled. Her companion refused to ask, preferring to be pleasantly surprised. "Lets go, we've got class and he's got an ass kicking coming after school so I've got to get my home work for all my classed finished before hand." she smirked. The blond smirked back and the pair moved off together.

Sitting down in the seat next to her co-conspirator Rory was glad that Tristan wasn't in that class with her and Paris it made their plotting easier to do with out him knowing about what they were up to.

"So you have Tristan ditched after school?" Paris asked looking over her notes.

"Yeah, I told him I had some stuff to do for the paper." Rory answered, " He was pretty adamant for me not to ride the bus home. So the best I could do though was talking him into going and getting us some burgers and then coming back to get me. I got us at least a thirty minute window after the last bell."

Paris sighed, "Well it's not as good as I had hoped for but I'm pretty sure you can do some damage in that time frame. Besides Tristan's right, you shouldn't be out alone like that...Summer got kicked out of boarding school and was seen lurking around the neighborhood."

"Paris, I'm planning to beat the living daylights out of a guy bigger then myself without a second thought, so the day that I can't take on that anorexic toothpick and walk away I want you to promise me that you'll put me down."Rory snorted disbelievingly.

"I, promise." Paris nodded solemnly, " I promise, the minute you get your ass handed to you by any underfed-model-wanna-be...I'll call you a scrawny little piss-ant and take your picture in all your wussified glory then post it on a myspace bulletin for all my 'friends' to see and taunt you also."

"You truly are a good friend," Rory told her giggling.

"Yes I am." the blond said seriously, "But does anybody appreciate me? Nooo. I mean how hard was it for Maddie to just hold onto the ostrich for five more feet huh? I was going to give her a cut of the winnings but she girlyed out and I had to get Brad to ride it in the next heat."

Rory looked at Paris oddly a long moment after her rant ended, "Paris, you might want to seek professional help. I'll give you my Grandpa's number. I think he might be able to help you with your jockey problem."she told her and handed Paris her cell phone, "It's in my phone book under G. Richie."

Paris shrugged and took the offered phone figuring that it couldn't hurt, she'd heard rumors about Rory's grandfather but with her just starting out she wasn't let in on a lot of gossip of the back dealings happening in Hartford. 'Maybe if I do get in with Gilmore I'll be able to make enough cash to pay for college myself and be free and clear of any financial impute from my parents or scholarships.' Paris mused to herself as she jotted down the number in her planner.

The last bell rang and ninety-six percent of the students left. Those that did stay had a lagitmate reason; after school tutoring, teacher conference, elective attendance and then there were the three. One was standing as look out, one was waiting in the Medina's empty classroom and the other was strolling down the hall to meet up with the girl whom he had met the mother of the night before when she had caught him underneath her daughter's window singing songs only heard in the dankest of pubs in Australia, but it was the thought that counted and his accent did make them sound exotic Mrs. Geller had assured him.

Walking into the classroom like a king the tune he had been whistling died on his lips mid note when he saw who was waiting for him. "Oh shit!" he yelped and made for the door. Paris took great pleasure in making sure that he saw that it was her that closed it in his face trapping him with a very pissed off looking Rory. Looking from the advancing girl that was cracking her knuckles to the closed door he closed his eyes and called out to Paris on the other side in a shaky voice, "I know it's not your fault sweetheart, I forgive you." Rory's fist connected with his mid-section a heartbeat later making him double over and drop to his knees. Through the door Paris called out for Rory to knee him in the nad's for her. Finn looked up hearing Paris' voice muttered Rosebud and fainted.

"Oookkaayy."Rory drawled a little weired out and stepped over him. Opening the door she found Paris standing there with her camera out. Letting the happy blond by Rory watched as many pictures of Finn from different angles were taken. "I somehow thought that you would have been longer." Paris remarked offhandedly.

"So, did I," Rory shrugged, "But I guess when he claimed last week to be a lover and not a fighter he wasn't lying."

"But he did do that thing to Brad when he had your neighbors underwear." Paris argued not understanding.

Rory thought about but came up with nothing either, "Well to be fair Brad isn't exactly gladiator material." she reasoned.

"True," her friend smirked and put away the camera in her bag, "I'm done here. Want me to wait with you outside for Tristan?"

"Sure." Rory nodded and took her offered book bag from Paris and lead the way out of the classroom.

After the door clicked closed behind them a hazel colored eye opened slowly. It's owner wanted to make sure the pair was actually gone. Seeing that they were, Finn picked himself up off of the floor wincing a little from the blow he had taken. Vowing to himself to never do whatever it was that made Rory come after him again(he just had to figure out what it was first), Finn patted himself on the back for his quick thinking and acting skills; he'd seen what Rory had done to Summer and he was not going to be found in a garbage can by the cleaners. He did have some pride left.