Lorelai heard her daughter come in. She called her from the living room, "Hey, hunny why are you back so late? You were gone a long time just for coffee."
Rory wiped her tears before going into the living room and sitting on the couch with her mother. "We went to the park."
"Ooh, you brought the Evil One some place quiet. You made it a date."
"I did NOT make it a date. Purposely."
Lorelai laughed at her daughter's ignorance. "What's wrong? You look sad?"
"Nothing."
"Rory, that frown on your face is telling me otherwise."
"I'm just confused."
"About.....?" Lorelai prompted.
"Stuff."
"Like whether or not The Bangles should get back together?" Rory glared at her. Lorelai shrugged. "Sweetie, you're gonna hafta be just a bit more specific."
"Feelings."
"About......?"
"Tristan."
"Ah, now we're getting somewhere." Lorelai smiled.
"I just think I might like him, but it's hard to tell if he likes me."
"Are you blind? I've seen the way he looks at you. That boy is totally, madly, crazy in love with you!" Now Lorelai was getting excited at the thought, but Rory still looked confused.
"Yeah, but are you sure that's not just all part of his game?"
"Okay, now I see where you might be confused. But lemme ask you this: When he smiles at you does it make you feel all warm and fuzzy and you find it hard to move or concentrate?"
"Definitely."
"Well then, he loves you. If he's just playing his game, then that boy's good. Hunny, you should go for it."
"I dunno."
"You know what you need?"
"What?"
"Coffee."
"No, I need to sleep."
"Oh, no, trust me. You need coffee."
"No I don't."
"Okay, fine. I need coffee. And you're coming with me!" Lorelai jumped up from the couch and grabbed Rory's arm. Rory reluctantly followed her crazy mom out the door.
Luke's Diner
"Coffee please" Lorelai said as she sat down at the counter.
"No."
"Aw come on. Rory's sad."
Luke immediately looked at Rory who was frowning. "What happened? Did that punk try something?"
Rory didn't answer. She wasn't paying attention.
Lorelai answered for her. "No, he didn't."
"How do you know? Did she tell you?"
"Yes, she did."
"She told you he tried something?!"
"No, Luke! She told me he didn't! Well, not really, but she would have told me if he did."
"Why did you let her run around with him anyway. He's evil."
"He's not evil anymore" Lorelai told him.
"He's not? Why?"
Lorelai leaned in and whispered, "Cause he likes her." She exaggerated the word "likes".
Luke just grunted and threw up his hands. Then he turned to make them coffee.
Rory absentmindedly drank her coffee while Luke and Lorelai flirted. *God, when are they gonna admit that they like each other? Probably when I admit to Tristan I like him. Never. Or at least not for a very long time.*
Chilton Library
Rory entered the Chilton Library after school. She had driven the Jeep to school today because she had missed the bus. She had been up all night thinking about Tristan so she woke up late in the morning. Since she didn't have to take the bus home, she figured she would return the Jane Austin book. There was no point in trying to finish it. She couldn't concentrate on it.
She returned it and started to leave. Then she saw him. Tristan was sitting in one of the big comfy chairs in the middle of the library. Rory was about to leave. She wasn't sure if she wanted to talk to him after what happened last night. She had avoided him as much as possible all day. But then she noticed what he was doing. He was holding a blue notebook and drawing a heart on the cover. *No, it can't be him.* Rory quietly walked up behind him. She read what he was writing in it.
I've been given another chance
Won't mess it up this time
I'll make her see that I'm in love with her
I'll try not to say the wrong thing
It will all be alright when she's in my arms
*Wow, it is him. This doesn't make any sense.*
Tristan knew Rory was behind him. He thought quickly and then he got an idea. He began writing.
Our lips almost touched, then she pulled away
She wants us to just be friends
I couldn't tell her that I wanted more
That my body tingles from her touch
That I've never felt this way before.
I love you, Rory.
As soon as he wrote her name, he heard her gasp. He turned around and she started running away. *Damn it, DuGrey. You shouldn't have done that. Well, what are you sitting here for? Go after her!* "Rory, wait!" he called, but she was already out the door. Tristan hesitated. He didn't know if he should follow her. It took him a couple minutes to convince himself that if he didn't go after her now, he would lose her forever. But, by the time he left the library, she was already gone. *Shit. I don't know where she went.* He thought a minute. *Wait, maybe I do.* Tristan got in his car and started to drive.