Rating: PG-13 for mild cussing
Spoilers: Do not read if you have not seen the whole first season.
Warnings: Not a whole lot of the Gilmore Girls, more Tristin, sorry. Characters may not totally be "in character," sorry again.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gilmore Girls or anything affiliated to it (AKA Rory, Lorelai, Tristin, Dean, Lane, Chilton Preparatory, Stars Hollow, Headmaster Charleston, Paris, etc., etc., etc.) All I own is Josie Fitzgerald, Shawn Fitzgerald, and their parents. Please don't sue me, I'm too poor to squeeze any money out of.
Author's notes: Same as previous chapter, except the beginning of this chapter is a dream sequence that is in the third person, so basically Josie isn't telling you about the dream, and it is inbold, understand? Good. PS: I know that the dream is pretty obvious on who everyone is, well except maybe the voice, which I may reveal who it belonged to in the next chapter. SORRY FOR THE CORNY BEGINNING, I WAS BORED AND WANTED TO ADD A DREAM SEQUENCE.
Sorry it took me so long to finish writing this chapter; I had writer's block.
Feel free to review or not.
Now onto the story:
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Josie's Dream that night: Josie finds herself in a field of daisies, kind of like the one that Dorothy fell asleep on in the Wizard of Oz. She looks next to her and finds a blonde guy next to her. She's not exactly sure who he is, but something is familiar about him. The blonde leans in and kisses Josie softly on the lips. After a couple of seconds, Josie kisses him back. As the kisses start to become longer, the guy disappears.
"Where did you go?" says Josie.
"Josie! Come here!" yells a familiar female's voice (No, not Rory's) from far away.
She looks up and sees a house about a mile away. It instantly registers in her brain that the voice is coming from the house. She stands up and is about to take a step towards the house. In a flash Josie was in front of the house and she hadn't even taken a step yet. The front door is open and Josie steps through. She walks into the house to find it is empty and that she doesn't recognize it.
"Hello?" Josie yells. Her voice echoes through the house.
"Up here!" yells the voice from somewhere in the house.
"Where's here?" Josie yells back.
"Over here!" the voice yells.
"Oh, that's helpful," Josie says sarcastically.
Josie walks in the direction she thinks the voice is coming from. She finds a large staircase and walks up them. When she reaches the top of the staircase she sees a long hall. She starts to walk down the hall.
"Where are you?" yells Josie.
"In here!" yells a voice.
Josie turns to the door to her right and it opens on its own. She steps through the doorway and enters the room. In the room she finds herself looking at the back of the blonde guy she had been kissing, sitting on a piano bench, but he is not alone, he is with a dark haired girl, kissing her.
"Oh my God," gasps Josie.
The dark haired girl looks up and sees Josie standing there.
"Josie!" says the girl.
Josie turns around and runs out of the room, down the long hall.
"Josie!" yells the guy.
As the hall gets longer and longer with no way out, a new voice yells, "Josie, wake up!"
"Wake up Josie!"
I open my eyes and a blurry image of Shawn appears.
"What do you want?" I groan. How dare he wake me up from wonderful dream? Okay so I can't remember the whole dream, but I do remember bits and pieces. Something that involved me and some cute guy in a major lip-lock session. I lie there in my bed and try to jog some memory of the cute guy as my brother is talking, but to no avail, nothing surfaces.
"Tristin's here," I half-hear Shawn say, interrupting my thoughts.
"What?"
"For the tenth time: Tristin's here," repeats Shawn.
"No!" I practically yell. I look at my alarm clock. 9:01. "Damn it, I forgot to set my alarm clock."
I jump out of bed.
"Look, entertain him for 5 minutes, okay?"
"Fine," says Shawn.
Shawn leaves my room as I run to my closet. I pull off my tank top and toss it in the hamper. I grab a baseball undershirt-inspired purple shirt and put it on. I grab some jeans and socks. I change into my jeans and then I put on my socks and sneakers. I take my house key and slip it into my pocket, quickly put my hair into a ponytail, then run to the bathroom.
I brush my teeth, put deodorant on, and spray a little perfume on. I run down the stairs into the living to find Tristin talking to Shawn AND MY PARENTS!
"So, how long have you been going to Chilton, Tristin?" I hear my mom ask.
"Since kindergarten," answers Tristin.
"My, that's a long time," says my mom.
"Hi everyone," I say before my parents can ask any more questions. "Tristin."
"Morning honey," says my dad. "We were just getting to know your friend here."
"That's nice," I reply. "Hey Tristin, did you eat breakfast?"
"I grabbed a muffin on my way out of the house," answers Tristin.
"How about coffee? Do you want coffee?" I ask.
"Yeah, sure," replies Tristin.
"Okay, then let's go." I grab his arm and pull him off the couch. "Mom, we're going to Luke's, okay?"
"Alright," says my Mom. "Tristin, it was a pleasure meeting you."
"Same here, Mrs. Fitzgerald," replies Tristin. "Mr. Fitzgerald."
"Call us Jack and Miki," says my dad.
"Okay," says Tristin.
"We're going now," I say. "See you all later."
"Bye," say my mom.
"Bye," replies Tristin.
And with that I pull Tristin outside and onto the porch.
"What was that about?" asks Tristin.
"What?" I ask.
"The whole need to get out of the house."
"Nothing. I just want to go to Luke's for something to eat."
"Luke's? Who is Luke."
"He owns a diner in town and has the best coffee in the world."
"Okay."
We walk down my porch stairs and onto the sidewalk. We go past Rory's house and I look to make sure that Rory or Lorelai weren't lounging on their porch, but then I realize that it was only 9 in the morning and they won't be stirring for another hour.
"That's Rory's house," I point out.
"I didn't ask," says Tristin.
"I never said you did," I retort. "I was just simply pointing out where it was just in case you were wondering."
"Well, I wasn't."
"Okay, no need to get defensiveSo, are you going to Madeline's party tonight?"
"I was thinking about it. Are you?"
"I don't know. Maybe."
"Well, you should go. They're pretty fun."
"I guess I'll check it out tonight, but the only problem is that my brother is going and he'd want to stay until the party is over, so if I want to leave early either I'd have to find another source of a ride or leave my brother stranded, which would not make my parents happy."
"I could give you a ride home, if you want."
"No, it's too inconvenient and I wouldn't want to ruin your fun."
"It wouldn't be a problem."
"Well, I'll have to check with Shawn about it."
"Okay, just tell me later."
"Okay."
Neither Tristin nor I talk for a couple of minutes while nearing town, so I decide to break the silence.
"So, do you want me to give you a tour of this fair town before we go to Luke's?"
"Sure," says Tristin.
Soon we're at Hewes Bros. Gas.
"Straight or right?" I ask Tristin.
"Right."
"Okay, so this is the Repertory Theatre, and this is Le Chat Club, home for those obsessed with cats."
As we walk down the streets I point out certain places. Soon we are in front of Luke's.
"And this is Luke's."
"Ummthis is a hardware store," says Tristin, pointing up to the "William's Hardware" sign above the door.
"Trust me, it's not," I reply.
I open the door and walk in to the diner. I take a seat at an empty table and Tristin sits across from me.
"Do you just want coffee or are you hungry?" I ask him.
"Just coffee is fine," replies Tristin.
"Okay, well, I'll order at the counter," I reply.
I walk up to the counter expecting to find Luke behind it, but instead I find a gorgeous guy around my age working.
"Can I help you?" asks the cute guy unenthusiastically.
"You're not Luke," I blurt. Smooth Josie, smooth.
"You're very observant," replies the guy in a tone oozing with sarcasm. "Just give me your order."
Wow. Talk about rude.
"Can I have a glass of orange juice, a clown doughnut, and a cup of coffee?"
"Yeah, sure, whatever," says the guy.
As he jots down my order, I turn and walk back to the table.
"What a jackass," I mutter to myself as I sit down.
"Who?" asks Tristin.
"Oh, just that guy behind the counter," I say.
Tristin turns around and looks at the guy. He turns back to face me.
"Who is he?" asks Tristin.
"I don't know," I reply. "I've never seen him before."
"I would have thought everyone knows everyone in this town."
"I'm new, remember?"
A couple of seconds later, the guy who works there put our drinks and my doughnut on the table.
"Here you go," mumbles the guy.
"Thanks," I reply.
I push the coffee to Tristin and grab my orange juice and doughnut.
"That's all your having for breakfast?" asks Tristin.
"You're one to talk, Muffin Man," I reply.
I pick up my doughnut from the plate and start to eat it.
We don't talk as we drink and I eat. When we are done, we get up from the table.
"Coffee's on me," I say to Tristin.
"No, that's alright. I can pay for it myself."
"No. My town, my treat."
"Fine."
I go to the counter and pay our bill, leaving a measly quarter in the tip jar. Tristin and I walk up the street towards Doose's Market. I completely forget that Dean works there as we get closer to the bank that is across the street from the market. I look up and see the back of Dean in his green apron, sweeping the sidewalk outside of the market.
"Oh no," I say.
"What?" asks Tristin.
I grab Tristin and try to pull him across the street towards the Town Square and Stars Hollow High before Dean sees Tristin.
"What are you doing?"
"Preventing a potential fight."
We get to the other side of the street and walk towards the Gazebo. I look back to Dean to make sure he didn't notice us, and luckily he didn't.
"Between whom?" asks Tristin.
I nudge my head in the direction of Doose's Market, towards Dean. Tristin turns and looks in the direction I am pointing out, and sees Dean.
"Oh, Rory's boyfriend," says Tristin. He looks at Dean for another second, then starts to chuckle to himself.
"What's so funny?" I ask him.
"Nothing, it's just that Dean's a bag boy," laughs Tristin.
"At least he earns his money," I tell him. "What do you to earn your money, Oh Rich One?"
Tristin stops laughing and becomes quiet.
"Case closed," I say. There is an uncomfortable silence, which I end. "Come on, let's go and get some work done."
I turn to the direction that my house is in and start to walk. Tristin is behind me and follows. We don't talk the whole walk back to my house. I see the family car is no longer in the driveway, so I assume my parents must be gone. We walk up the porch stairs and I turn the doorknob to the door to find it's locked. Shawn must have gone to work. I take my copy of the house key out of my pocket then unlock and open the door. Tristin and I walk into the house.
"So, where do you want to work? We've got the whole house to ourselves for the entire day," I inform him.
"We'll be alonefor the whole day?"
"That's what my last sentence would imply," I reply sarcastically.
"You're parents are cool with you being alone with a guy?"
"Yeah, they trust me."
"And they aren't worried about the guy taking advantage of you? Not that I would."
"I got suspended for a week my freshman year for almost breaking the wrist of guy who touched my ass; I don't think they'd worry about that happening."
Tristin eyes widen a little.
"Well, now I know not to mess with you."
"That's right, buddy," I grin. "So, anyways, where do you wanna work?"
"It doesn't matter," shrugs Tristin.
"Fine, then here's good. But I have to go to my room and get my stuff. You wanna come?"
"Sure."
I turn and walk up my staircase, followed by Tristin. We walk into my room and I head for my school stuff while Tristin takes a look around my room. I grab my bag and walk up to Tristin who is looking at my CD collection.
"I can't believe some of this crap you listen to," says Tristin.
"What crap?" I ask him.
"Backstreet Boys? NSync?"
"I happen to like them."
"They're a manufactured group of guys who don't write their own songs."
"Look, they may be manufactured somewhat, and, true, they don't write all of the own songs, but I like them so shut up, alright?"
"Fine. Well at least you have some good taste in music."
"Whatever, let's just go downstairs and get this project over with shall we?"
"Fine."
We walk out of my room and back down to the living room. We sit down on the couch and I open my bag and take out my English stuff and a pen. I see Tristin take a bag off the table and open it open. He takes out a binder and a pen, also. We turn a little to face each other.
"So, where did we leave off?" Tristin asks.
"Umm," I look at my paper. "Birthdays were the last thing we covered."
"Alright. Then, what schools have you attended before Chilton?"
"Lowell High School, James Lick Middle School, and Fairmount Elementary School. You?"
"I've been going to Chilton since kindergarten."
"Wow, that's a long time at one school."
"Yeah, but you get used to it."
"Okay, next question." I look at my paper. "Why did you decide to attend Chilton?"
"Because my parents enrolled me. You?"
"I didn't decide to come. My parents made me."
"I thought you didn't look to happy to be at Chilton on Monday."
"Trust me, I wasn't."
"Are you happy to be there now?"
"I don't know. I've only been at Chilton for 5 days, so it's hard to say. It's not really an atmosphere I like."
"Yeah, I know what you mean."
There is another short silence.
"So, next question," I say, breaking the silence. "What are your favorite subjects slash classes?"
"Lunch?" replies Tristin.
"I hope you're kidding."
"I like my creative writing class."
"Really?"
"Yeah, does that surprise you?"
"A little."
"And what class did you think would be my favorite?"
"I dunno," I shrug. "I just wasn't expecting creative writing is all."
"Well, what's your favorite class?"
"Probably photography. It's the only creative outlet I get at Chilton."
We move onto the next question.
"What do you plan on doing after graduating from Chilton?" Tristin read off his paper.
"I know I want to go to college, but after that I am not 100% sure," I reply honestly.
"Really? What happened to 'I want to be a psychologist'?"
"I do. I mean, I sort of do. I basically decided to become a psychologist because my parents don't exactly think what I really wanna be is "practical" enough."
"And what would that be?"
"I wanna be a singer," I reply quietly.
"What? I didn't quite hear you."
"A singer," I say louder. "I want to become a singer."
"A singer?" repeats Tristin.
"Yes Tristin, that's what I said."
"That's cool. What kind of music would you sing?"
"I don't know. Maybe pop or, I don't know, maybe be a lead singer in a band."
"A band?"
"Yes, now please stop repeating me."
"Sorry. Sing something for me right now."
I give Tristin a look.
"What?! Are you crazy?"
"Come on. Just sing something right now."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Cuz I don't feel like it. Maybe later."
"Okay."
"What do you plan on doing after graduating from Chilton?" I ask Tristin, changing the spotlight to him.
"I want to be a teacher."
"A teacher?" Now it was my turn to repeat him.
"Yes, a teacher."
"You do know their salary sucks right?"
"Yes, I am aware they are not well paid, but they do have a nice vacationing schedule."
"Uh huh. And what grade would you teach?"
"I don't know, but probably elementary-aged kids."
"You, teaching little kids?"
"Yes. I happen to like little kids."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Huh. I learn something new about you all the time."
"What can I say, I'm full of surprises," says Tristin, giving me his trademark smirk.
I look down at my paper.
"What is your favorite book?" I ask him.
"Catcher in the Rye."
"Nice choice. Let me guess, you feel that you can relate to Holden?"
"Something like that. What's your favorite book?"
"Umm" I have to think about that. My favorite book isn't something I would actually admit to liking out loud, especially to someone around my age, but I guess I might as well be honest. "Okay, promise you won't laugh?"
"I promise."
"The Harry Potter books."
I can tell that Tristin is trying not to laugh, but suddenly, this huge smile spreads across his face, and he bursts out laughing. I shove him slightly.
"It's not funny!"
"Yes it is," says Tristin between laughs.
"Let's move on."
"Fine, what's your favorite pastime?" asks Tristin, reading off the paper.
"Hmmthat's a toughie. I guess I'd go with singing, but playing softball is a close second. You?"
"Soccer."
An hour later-
We have gone through all of the required questions and have asked a few of our own. Maybe I can ask him what I have been wanting to ask for the last few days.
"So, Tristin," I say to him. "Are you going to tell me about your feelings for Rory or will I only be left to guess?"
"There's nothing to tell since I don't have feelings for Rory," replies Tristin, obviously annoyed with me.
"Denial ain't just a river in Egypt," I reply.
Tristin looked at me strangely again.
"Sorry, it was my middle school's gym teacher's sloganLook Tristin, all I'm saying is to me it seems that at first, the reason you bugged Rory at first was for the chase, but as time went on, something changed that made it more than a game."
Tristin doesn't say anything, so I continue.
"Okay, let's just say for the sake of argument that you don't like Rory, which I don't really believe, then why are you so mean to her?"
Tristin still doesn't say anything.
"Fine Tristin, if you want me to leave it only, I'll leave it alone."
"Thank you."
"Do you want to do more questions, or do something else?" I ask him.
"Let's do something else."
"How about a game of one on one?"
"Of basketball?"
"Yes, basketball."
"Sure, why not."
I lead Tristin out of the house onto the porch. I grab a basketball and we walk to the garage where a basketball hoop had just recently been attached.
"Do you need to warm up, or are you good to go?" I ask him.
"Let's go."
"All right, I got outs first."
I take the ball to about where half-court would be.
"Check," I saw as I pass him the ball.
"What are we going to?" asks Tristin as he passes the ball back to me.
"How about 21 by ones?"
"Sure."
"I say we make the game a little more interesting?'
Tristin raises his eyebrow.
"And how would we do that?"
"If I win, you have to answer one of my questions seriously."
"And if I win?"
"Don't worry, you won't."
I grin evilly at him, then dribble past him quickly to make a lay-up.
"That's so not fair, I wasn't ready," complains Tristin.
"Well then, you better be ready next time, shouldn't you?"
I check the ball to him, and get it back.
~~~ Skip to near the end of game ~~~~
The score is 20 to 20, and luckily I have the ball. Tristin toughens up on defense, leaving only about a foot in between us. I attempt to dribble past him, but Tristin stays in front of me. I dribble and push him all the way till I am almost underneath the rim. I take a step back and shoot the ball up into the air, hoping Tristin doesn't block it, which it doesn't. The ball flies up in the air, gently hits the backboard and goes through the hoop.
"Yes!" I yell as I do a cheesy victory dance. "I won, you lost!"
"Yeah, yeah, you just got lucky," replies Tristin.
"Oh, come on now, don't be a sore loser. I won fair and square and now you have to answer my question. And if you don't answer me seriously you are going to be in major trouble."
I take the ball and toss it onto the porch, then sit on the top step. Tristin sits next to me.
"Fine," sighs Tristin. "Ask away."
"Why do act the way you do?"
"Because I just do."
"Tristin, I told you I wanted a serious answer."
"I don't exactly know why I act the way I do. I guess it's because people expect me to act the way I do."
"You don't have to uphold an image for the people, you know. Just be yourself."
"And who says this isn't who I am?"
"I don't think it is. I think that underneath the cockiness is a really sweet guy who doesn't get out much. I also think that you want to change, but can't figure out how to."
"So when are you going to sing for me?" asks Tristin.
"What?"
"When are you going to sing for me?" repeats Tristin.
"I heard you, but total change of subject."
"Come on, just sing something for me."
"You are never going to get off that are you?"
"Nope," grins Tristin.
"Fine, I give up. Let's go inside."
We walk inside into the living room.
"Sit down, and I'll be right back."
I run upstairs and grab my acoustic guitar, then go back to the living room. I sit down the chair across from Tristin.
"Okay, I figured how to play this song on my guitar a couple days ago. It's called "Everything You Are" and is someone named Lindsay Pagano. Don't laugh or I will be forced to kill you," I threaten him.
"I won't," replies Tristin.
I close my eyes and start to strum the chords of the song. Shortly there after, I start to sing the lyrics of the song.
Love can be complicated
Too often mistranslated
One word for all dynamics
Leads to problematics
Emotions and affections
Feelings in all directions
Sometimes a simple action
Creates satisfaction
And as long as you are mine
I will take the time
To let you know
What I feel 'cause
All I need
Is everything you are
Complete
And if you ever fall
I'll be here
Standing in the shadow of my heart
Cherish, she wants to chatter
Mind games over matter
I'm not looking for suggestions
More answers, with questions
I speak in hugs and kisses
'Cause true love never misses
I will lead or follow
To be with you tomorrow
And as long as you are mine
I will take the time
To let you know
What I feel 'cause
All I need
Is everything you are
Complete
And if you ever fall
I'll be here
Standing in the shadow of my heart
There's nothing you could ever say, boy
(There's nothing you could ever do)
To make me wanna walk away
And as long as you are mine
I will remind [myself]
That this love is real
All I need
Is everything you are
Complete
And if you ever fall
I'll be here
Standing in the shadow of my heart
I strum the chords to fade out the song, then stop playing my guitar.
"Well? What did you think?" I ask him as I rest the guitar on my lap.
Tristin doesn't say anything, and just sits there staring at me.
"Wow, now I know to never play in public again."
"You were awesome."
"Tristin, you don't have to lie."
"I'm not. You were really good."
"Really?"
"Really," replies Tristin sincerely.
"Thanks," I smile. "So, Mr. DuGrey, do you have any hidden talents?"
"No," says Tristin flatly.
"Oh, come on Tristin, there's gotta be more to you then you're good technique in make-out sessions."
"Who told you I had good technique?" says Tristin perking up.
I roll my eyes.
"No one, I just assumed being the man-whore I've heard you were, you must be damn good kisser."
"It's true," smirks Tristin.
I roll my eyes again.
"I've rolled my eyes twice in less then 30 seconds, that isn't a good sign, Tristin," I inform him. "But seriously, do you have any hidden talents or passions?"
"You promise you will not repeat this to anyone?"
"I promise."
"I have no clue why the hell I am telling you this, but, I like writing poetry."
"Tristin DuGrey, a poet?"
"I never said I was a poet. I said I like to write poetry."
"If I didn't know better, I'd think I was in the presence of a passionate writer. Man, Rory would never believe me if I told her this tidbit of information."
Tristin shifts uncomfortably in his seat.
"You said you weren't going to tell anyone," says Tristin in a tight voice.
I rest my hand on his and look directly in his eyes.
"I'm not. You can trust me, Tristin," I say to him. I smile at Tristin. "So, can I read one of your poems?"
"No."
"Oh, come on Tristin. I bared my soul by singing to you, so don't you think I get to read one of your poems?"
Tristin looks like he was contemplating the idea, then he sighs, "Look. You are different than anyone I've ever met, and feel like I can trust you, but I don't show my poems to anyone, especially people I've just met. Maybe in the future you can read my poems, but for now, my poems are off limit."
"Fine," I sigh. "I totally understand."
Tristin glances down at his watch, then stands up. He grabs his backpack then swings one strap over his shoulder.
"I gotta go."
"OkayI had fun today."
"Yeah, me too," replies Tristin.
I walk Tristin to the door, and open it for him.
"Are you still going to Madeline's party?" asks Tristin as he opens the screen door and we step out onto the porch. "My offer for the ride still stands."
"I don't know"
"Come on, you'll have fun, I promise."
"Fine," I say him, caving in. "But if I am not having fun, you are going to have to leave the party to take me home, no complaints."
"All right."
"Well, I'll see you tonight then."
"Okay."
Tristin turns and walks down the porch stairs to his Porsche. He opens the driver side door, tosses his bag in the passenger seat then climbs in the car. I wave as Tristin pulls out of the driveway, then go back into the house.
I walk into the kitchen and glance at the microwave's clock. It's 12:17 PM. I make myself a ham sandwich then sit down at the kitchen table to eat it. After I eat the sandwich I decide to go to the market to talk to my brother before I go see Lane.
I lock the door and then walk to Doose's Market. As soon as I walk in, I see Dean bagging groceries at the register.
"Hey Dean, do you know where Shawn is?" I ask him.
"Yeah, he's in the backroom," replies Dean.
"Thanks."
I walk to the back of the small market to the door marked "Employees Only!" I hope Taylor isn't in there. I open the door then peer into the room to find my brother breaking apart boxes.
"Hey, Shawn, are you still going to the party tonight?"
Shawn turns to look at me.
"Yeah, why?"
"I decided to go to, but if I ain't feeling it, I'm going to get a ride from Tristin home."
"Okay."
"Oh, and if I am not home by the time you come home, that means I am at Lane's."
"Alright."
I close the door and then walk to the door. I say by to Dean, then start heading for Lane's. Within minutes I arrive at Lane's front door and step through. I see Lane's mother with a customer and wait for her to finish selling an item. When she is done, I walk up to her and ask if Lane is home.
"She's up in her room," replies Ms. Kim.
"Thank you."
I walk up the stairs to Lane's room and knock on the door.
"Hold on!" I hear Lane yell from the other side of the door.
In a couple of seconds, the door opens.
"Oh, hey Josie, what's up?"
"Just got done with my project with Tristin. What are you up to?"
"I was just about to meet Rory at Luke's for lunch."
"Oh."
"Do you wanna come? You can tell us how your time with Tristin went."
"Alright."
Lane walks out of the room and I follow her. We walk down the stairs to the main floor. Lane walks to the kitchen and finds Ms. Kim there.
"Mama, I'm going to Luke's to meet Rory for lunch," says Lane.
"Okay. Be home in one hour," replies Ms. Kim.
"Okay."
Lane walks back from the kitchen and we leave the house for Luke's. We quickly get to the diner and walk through its entrance doors. The place is crowded since it is lunchtime and I see Rory at one of the tables. We walk over to her, and sit in the two empty chairs that are at the table.
"Hey Rory," I greet her.
"Hi," says Lane.
"Hi guys," replies Rory. "I see you're in one piece."
"Yep," I reply. "Have you ordered food yet?"
"Not yet. So how was your torturous morning?" asks Rory.
"It wasn't that bad. Tristin actually has likeable qualities."
"Really?"
"Yes. I learned a lot about him."
"Such as?"
"Well, his favorite book is Catcher in the Rye, his favorite color is deep blue, and he wants to be an elementary teacher."
"Tristin? An elementary teacher?" laughs Rory. "I can't picture it."
"Neither could I."
"You guys didn't see Dean today, did you?"
"We almost came across him, but I managed to get Tristin across the street before we did."
"Thank you."
"It was no problem. I wasn't really in the mood to break up a fight today."
"So do you like Tristin?" asks Lane.
"Yeah, I can see me becoming friends with him, well, if he was able to drop the jackass thing."
"I mean do you like-like him?"
"Like-like? What are we, fourth graders?"
"You know what I mean."
"Yeah, I know what you mean."
"So?"
"So what can I get you two?" interrupts a voice.
Oh thank God. I look up to see who momentarily saved me and find the cute guy from earlier.
"Can I get a cheeseburger, fries, and a Dr. Pepper?" says Lane.
"Rory?"
"A cheeseburger, fries, and coffee."
"And you?" the waiter asks me.
"A Bacon cheeseburger, fries, and a coke," I tell him.
"Okay, I'll be back with your drinks," said the guy, then he turned around and left to put in the order.
"That guy is so weird," I say to Rory and Lane as soon as he was out of earshot. "Who is he?"
"Who, Jess?" asked Rory.
"If that's the waiter's name, then yes Jess."
"That's Luke's nephew."
"Really?"
"Yep."
"Has he always lived here?"
"No, he moved here at the beginning of the school year," answers Lane.
"He's pretty hot," I comment.
"I guess," shrugs Rory. "But he has a very bad attitude."
"Yeah, I kind of figured that out."
"Why did you think he's weird?" asks Lane.
"Well, when I came here this morning he was really rude, and now he's more polite."
"Well, that's just Jess for you," says Rory.
"I guess."
"So, anyway," says Lane. "Back to an earlier topicdo you like-like Tristin?"
"Can I plead the fifth on that one?"
"Just answer the question."
"Yes and no."
"Yes and no?"
"Yeah, I kinda like-like him, but I kinda don't like-like him. Oh my God, I sound like a 10 year old."
"You kinda like-like Tristin? Eww," says Rory.
"Here are your drinks," they hear Jess say as he places our drinks in front of us.
"Thank you," I say.
"Thanks," say Lane and Rory.
"So, Josie, you still going to that party tonight?" asks Lane as Jess walks away.
"Yeah, but if it blows, then Tristin said he'd give me ride home."
"Tristin would be willing to leave a party to give you a ride home? Wow, that sounds un-Tristin-like," comments Rory.
"I know, I was a little surprised myself."
"What time is the party?" asks Lane
"8."
"And what time are you going?"
"Well, Shawn's making us leave at 7:25."
"What are you going to wear?"
"I have no clue. What should I wear?"
"A simple dress would work," says Rory.
"Yeah, don't be too fancy, but not too casual," adds Lane.
"Alright. Are you going Lane?" I ask her.
"Uhsee, it's a rare occasion that Henry and I go out."
"What?"
"Well, my mom doesn't know about Henry."
"How often do you guys go out?"
"Ummthat was kinda the first time."
"First time?"
"Yeah, but we talked on the phone a lot."
"You guys acted like you went out all the time."
"You see, we've talked on the phone so much recently that it seems like we've been going out," replies Lane.
"Okayso what did you tell your mom the other night?"
"That we were going to see a movie in Hartford that wasn't playing in Stars Hollow and eat there."
"And she bought it?"
"Surprisingly, yes."
"Wow."
"My mom didn't call your mom, did she?"
"Maybe. But don't worry, if she did, my mom would have told your mom that I was still out with you."
"You didn't tell her you were going out on a date?"
"Not exactly. I told her I was going to Hartford with you to catch a movie, and we might meet up with people I know at Chilton."
"You mom isn't okay with you dating?" asked Rory.
"No, she's fine with. I just didn't want her to make a big deal out of it."
"Oh."
Before anyone can say anything else, Jess comes back to the table with their food.
"Here you go," says Jess before he places our food in front of us.
"Thanks," we all say again.
As we eat, we talk about things besides guys or things pertaining to school. When I'm done eating I take money out of my pocket and place 8 bucks on the table.
"I've got to go home to do some homework before I go to the party," I say as I stand up. "I'll see you guys later."
"Okay, have fun at the party," says Lane.
"Or at least appear to," adds Rory.
"I will. Bye."
"Bye," both Lane and Rory say.
I walk out of the diner and make my way home. After about a seven-minute walk, I find myself back home. My parent's car is still not in the driveway, so I know they are still in Hartford. I take my key out and unlock the door. After I hang my keys on a hook my mother hung up for keys, I walk upstairs and look in my closet for tonight. After I decide on a black spaghetti-strapped dress with small brown and orange flowers on it and a frilly bottom I take my school things to do homework until it is time to eat dinner.
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I know, I know. This chapter was pretty sucky, I'm sorry. It took me forever to write.
Don't know if I had good characterization in this chapter and I'm sorry if it doesn't. Hopefully the next chapter will be better and finished a lot quicker then this one. I'm just really glad this chapter is done with.
TBC Soon, I hope. I'm busy writing a lot of stuff right now and I have finals this week, but I will try to write the next chapter, which will be at the party. Again, I am sorry it took so long to finish writing this chapter, but I had major writer's block. If you have any ideas on what should happen at the party or in this story in general, feel free to write it in your review or send me an email at fieryeyes@highschoolclub.com.
