Title: Some Things Change
Author: Christine (Christine.2001@juno.com)
Rating: PG-13??
Spoilers: Umm…I guess up until "The Third Lorelai"…the rest came from my head.
Pairing: R/T
Starring: Rory, Tristan
Guest Starring: Lorelai, Dean, Luke, Lane
Summary: Tristan and Rory have become good friends, although she and Dean are still dating (they never broke up the first time). After something happens with Dean, Rory sees that things are beginning to change between her and Tristan.
Disclaimer: Nooo officer! That's not Tristan stuffed under my bed……Well….I was going to give him back!!…. Eventually.
Feedback: Oh, YES Please! This is my first fic and I want to make sure I'm doing it right.
*****************************************************************
Chapter 5/16
The sun was shining brightly, the birds were singing, and children were playing. It was a wonderful day. "Well, it was a wonderful day to everyone but me." Rory's head was leaning against the clear glass window of the bus. As she watched the trees and cars whiz by, she was getting closer and closer to Chilton. With a deep breath, Rory shut her eyes, reveling in the coolness of the glass, and tried to rest for a bit. She had had difficulty falling asleep last night. And when she finally did, she had an unsettling dream that kept her from sleep for the rest of the night. A moan escaped her lips.
"Who was he?" She thought back to her dream. She had been with someone. They had been soaring above the earth when they suddenly stopped. He took her in his arms, and all she could remember was how right they felt around her. And then….and then he kissed her. He kissed her with all the passion and love in the world. Rory could still feel his lips on hers. Touching her lips with the tips of her fingers, she could feel them heat by just remembering. But if only she COULD remember. She couldn't remember who her mystery man was. Sighing, she thought, "Maybe I'm just not meant to know. Maybe he's just not real. Now Dean. He was real. But definitely wasn't the true love of her dreams." She let her head fall back against the glass in defeat. "But he seemed so familiar. Like I knew him, yet I can't tell who he was."
As the driver called out her stop, she grudgingly got up from her seat to begin what was promising to be a very, very long day. Walking up the stone steps and into the cold hall, she entered her own personal Hell. She had to admit that it HAD been better since she and Tristan became friends, but still, it was pretty hard to go through there every day and remain unscathed by the glares and the not so subtle digs at her character and status. Sighing once again, she made her way to her locker. She noticed that she had been doing that a lot lately. Sighing. "I guess it just goes along with the territory of being a teenager," she thought.
As she sorted through her meticulously clean locker for the books she needed for the next couple periods, she got lost in her thoughts. Leaning her head against her locker door, she thought about her Mystery Man. That was her name for him now. She'd rather have his REAL name, but she was having a bit of trouble with that. Sighing for the thousandth time that morning, she turned back to her books, however her mind never strayed far from her Mystery Man and his searing kisses.
Throwing a wave here and there to the numerous people greeting him, Tristan made a beeline for Rory's locker. It was like their unofficial meeting place. It was never actually stated that they would meet there every morning and every day after school. It just happened. And he was late. He didn't care about all the other people in the halls. All he cared about was seeing her beautiful smile. As he neared her locker, he realized he wouldn't be blessed with that smile today, and his own immediately disappeared.
"Morning, Rory," he said putting his hand gently on Rory's shoulder. Rory jumped as she was jarred from her thoughts.
"Oh. Hey, Tristan." She mustered up as much of a smile as she could in her distressed state. Tristan really didn't need to know about her confusion involving the dream.
"So…are you gonna tell me what's the matter? Or am I going to have to force it out of you?" he said taking his normal position leaning against the locker.
"What makes you think anything's wrong?" She gave a much bigger smile this time.
"Uh-uh. I'm not buying that smile, Rory. I know you much better than that. I know your beautiful smile when I see it. And although that was quite the attractive smile, it was your fake one. Sorry, but you can't fool me Miss Gilmore. Now, the truth."
With a pout, "You're no fair." Her face registered a blush, showing Tristan that his complement had not gone unnoticed. He smiled and her modesty, but quickly focused back to the task at hand.
"Uh-huh. I waiting, my dear," he said crossing his arms.
"Umm…shouldn't we be getting to class?"
"The bell didn't ring yet."
**BRRRING**
"You timed that didn't you."
"Yes Tristan. I have a remote in my pocket that controls all the bells in the school," she deadpanned.
Pushing away from the lockers, Tristan put his arm around Rory's shoulder as he led the way to class. "Well in that case, how bout you let the bells ring early enough for lunch so that we can blow this popsicle stand."
Looking up at him, "who talks like that anymore?"
"I do. And don't think that you're off the hook that easily." With a much gentler tone, "I know something's wrong Rory. I'm just worried about you and I want to help."
With a tiny, but genuine smile, "Thanks Tristan. We can talk later." "I might as well just tell him about the break up with Dean. I'm not so sure I'll be so open about my dream though," she thought as they entered Mr. Medina's class.
Mr. Medina started class right as the second bell rang. He launched into his instructions on preparing for the finals. Normally, Rory would be giving the teacher her rapt attention, but today her mind had been going elsewhere. Instead of listening to Mr. Medina's instructions to get a partner to study for the final with, she was doodling. And instead of hearing that the test would that Thursday, she was staring off into space.
Although Mr. Medina didn't notice, Tristan most definitely did. "What's going on with her?"
"So ok then!" Mr. Medina said with a clap of his hands. "I'll leave you to find your partners, since we only have two minutes left in the period. And remember: There's no school on Friday, so don't bother showing up!"
As all the students get up from their seats, Rory remained planted in hers as her mind was left to wander. Tristan made his way over to her.
"Rory? Rory. Rory!" He finally began to shake he shoulder.
"Huh? Tristan? What are you doing?"
"Well you're lucky that at least I was listening in class today. That makes one of us." He filled Rory in on all that Mr. Medina had said. "So, will you be my study buddy?" He gave her his most charming smile.
"Who else would I study with? Even Paris has been taken."
"Ooh! Low blow. I'm down for the count. But really. I have a doctor check-up after fourth period, but I'll come back after school and pick you up so we can study. And on the ride back to Stars Hollow, we're going to talk about whatever this is that is making you into this less than scholarly student."
As the bell rang, Rory stood and gave Tristan a mock salute, "Yes sir! No sir!" and then headed out of the class. "I'll see you after school!"
"Whatever it is that's bothering her, I'm determined to find out. I can't stand to see her so unhappy like this," Tristan thought as he walked out of class, turning in the direction of his next one. Sighing, he wouldn't be able to see her until after school. They didn't have any more classes together before he had to leave for the doctor's. "Well, whatever it is, I'm going to be there to make sure she's okay."
End of Chapter 5
*****************************************************************