Disclaimer: As usual, I don't own anything.
Authors Notes: Here's the next chapter. Hope you like it! Please r/r!
A Second Chance
By Angel
Chapter 5: Friendship
Rory sat in her room listening to the radio, thinking about the last two months. Although things had been awkward at first after their breakup, Rory and Dean soon became really close friends. Rory, with the help of Lane, had even helped Dean get together with his new girlfriend, Sandy. She was really glad to see Dean happy, and everything in her life seemed to be going well. Except for one thing. Something seemed to be missing. Yet she wasn't sure what it was. Letting out a sigh, she turned her attention back to her homework. All of a sudden that song came on the radio again. The song that reminded her of him. Tristan. He had been on her thoughts every now and then, and although he could be really annoying at times, Rory admitted to herself that she missed him. Only because he made life at Chilton more interesting of course. Making up her mind, Rory pulled out a fresh sheet of stationary, and began writing a letter.
Finishing, Rory looked at the letter, unsure if she should send it or not. She took the letter, folded it up and put it into an envelope. Mustering up her courage, she took her Chilton phone book and dialed the DuGray's number. Saying that she was a friend of Tristan's she got his address from the housekeeper. Scribbling on the address and putting on a stamp, Rory licked the envelope closed and grabbed her jacket. Walking quickly she made her way to the mailbox. Reaching out she paused as her hand was about to drop the letter in. Was this a huge mistake? No, she had to go through with this. It wasn't too bad anyway. It was just a letter. What harm was that? Taking a deep breath, Rory dropped the letter into the mailbox and walked back home.
~Military School~
Tristan sighed. It had been another hard day at school. During their short break he decided to go back to his room. Just as he was about to leave his roommate, Mike Worthington, called him back. "Hey DuGray! Where are you going?"
"Back to the room Mike. I'm gonna relax while we have a chance to." Tristan answered.
"Yeah, but the daily mail's about to arrive! Don't you want to wait for it?" Mike asked.
"Nah," Tristan answered. "No one sends me anything anyway."
"Come on man. Wait with me for the mail and then we'll go back to the room ok?"
"Alright," Tristan agreed reluctantly. He really hated the fact that no one had bothered to send him anything. Well he shouldn't have been surprised. It wasn't like his mother and father cared about him enough to send him anything anyway. Heaving a sigh, he tuned out the voice calling out the names and handing out the mail. It wasn't until he heard his own name being called, that he snapped to attention. He turned and only his quick reflexes kept the letter from hitting his head. Shocked beyond belief, he didn't notice the rest of the mail being handed out. Who would send him a letter?
"Yo, DuGray! Come on, let's get back to our rooms so we can open our mail."
Dazed, Tristan followed Mike back to their room. Sitting on his bed he turned his letter over and looked at the return address. He couldn't believe his eyes. He had to read the address three more time before it finally sank in. Rory Gilmore had sent him a letter! He couldn't believe it. He sat there staring at the envelope until Mike's voice broke into his thoughts.
"Tristan…hello? Hey Tristan! Are you gonna open your letter or not? Or are you going to sit there grinning like an idiot all day?"
Tristan snapped back to reality. Touching his cheek, he realized he was grinning like an idiot. Carefully opening the envelope Tristan took out the stationary and began reading her letter.
Dear Tristan,
So how have you been? How is military school treating you? Is it better than life at Chilton? Do you like it there? Is everything different in North Carolina?
Life at Chilton has been pretty much the same. The teachers still give tons of homework everyday, which should be no surprise. Everyone thought the talent show this year was really amazing. Everyone thought your song was really great by the way. Everyone talked about your amazing voice for weeks afterwards.
You're probably wondering why I'm writing to you, and to tell you the truth, I'm asking myself the same question. I'm really not sure why. Pretty bad reason huh? Oh well, if you want to write back, you have my word that I won't burn the letter. :) So…if you feel like it, I guess I might be hearing from you sometime soon.
Rory
P.S. Why did you pick that song to sing at the talent show?
Tristan's smile grew even bigger as he finished reading the letter. He couldn't believe it. He had gotten a letter from Rory Gilmore.
"Hey Tristan, what's the grin for? I haven't seen you like this since……ever!" Mike asked looking over at his friend.
Trying to tone down his smile only made Tristan smile even wider. "Nothing man. I'm just amazed that I got a letter that's all."
"Well it must be from somebody special. I've never seen you like this before" Mike said as he turned back to his letters from home.
'You have no idea how special' Tristan thought as he read the letter over once again. Still smiling Tristan went over to his desk and sat down. Pulling out a piece of stationary, he began to write a letter to Rory Gilmore, the girl of his dreams.
~Rory's House~
Rory sighed as another day passed by. 'Why did Chilton have to be so terrible? And why did I ever agree to go to that school?' Rory asked herself. 'You knew that it was the best chance to get you into Harvard remember?' The voice in her head said. "Aaaaaahhhhhhhhh, stop reminding me already." Rory shouted at the voice, and began her homework. Concentrating on her work, Rory did not notice her mom come home, until a strange white thing blocked the view of her textbook. Startled, Rory jerked backwards into her mom's legs. "Mom! Jeez, you startled me!"
"Hey, it's not my fault that you were concentrating so hard you didn't hear me stomp into the house." Lorelai said as she sat down on the couch. "So hell give you lots to do today?"
"As always," Rory answered with a sigh.
"So…have time for anything else?" Lorelai asked.
"Like…?"
"Oh…like maybe telling me why you're getting letters from North Carolina? More specifically from a boy we know in this household as the devil child?"
"Mom, give me my letter please." Rory said as she tried to grab the letter from her mother's hand.
"Nuh uh. No way. Not until you tell me why you're getting letters from bible boy. And why is he in North Carolina?" Lorelai said as she held the letter out of reach.
"Mom! Come on, give me my letter please." Rory pleaded as she jumped up and down, trying to reach the letter.
"Nope, not until you tell me…" Lorelai said in a singsong voice as she held it even higher.
"Alright, fine. I wrote him a letter a little while ago, ok? And he was sent there to attend military school after he broke into a safe. Now can I…"
"Why did you write a letter to evil military boy? I thought you didn't like him?"
Rory sighed and sat down. She was never going to get the letter until she told her mother everything. "I didn't. Then we got along for a while remember? And then he became a jerk again. But right before he left for military school we had the strangest conversation. He tried hurting me by telling Dean about our kiss at Madeline's party…"
"That jerk!"
"And so I interrupted, sent Dean off and confronted him. He said stuff about wanting to hurt me as much as I hurt him…"
"How did you hurt him? You never did anything to anyone. That little weasel will use any excuse to…"
"Mom. Anyway I asked how I hurt him, and he listed off a bunch of times. I said that he couldn't be hurt because he didn't care about anything.
"Which sounds true based on what I've heard about him. That typical rich little spoiled brat…"
"Mom! Please, just let me finish. So then he said that it hurt him because he loved me."
"Oh…honey…"
"I didn't believe him. Well I thought about it for a split second, but then I thought he was trying a different way of getting me to be another notch on his belt. So I told him off, and he left the rehearsal. Then he didn't show up for the Romeo and Juliet evening, and then the next day I heard Paris yelling at him at school. He said that he was leaving and I asked him why. He said it was because he broke into a safe and as punishment he was getting sent to military school. He looked so upset, and I felt bad for him mom. Anyway, at the talent show he sang this song, and it really got to me. There was so much pain in his voice. No one else seemed to notice, but it was there. And then he was gone. He's been in North Carolina since. I just felt so bad. I said some really mean things that day. Things I never thought I could say mom. I said I hated him, and that he was the most conceited jerk alive, and that I wish I never met him. I was just really angry with him mom, and now that I think about it, I never really meant any of it. I just let my temper get the best of me. So last week I wrote him a letter. Not much, just a short, somewhat friendly letter that asked how he was doing, and why he sang that song before he left. And so this must be his reply. So can I please have his letter now?" Rory asked as she gasped for breath. That explanation had taken a lot more air than she thought it would take.
Lorelai's features softened. She understood the regret of saying something she didn't mean. At least Rory was trying to make amends. She loved her daughter so much. She was such a kind and caring person. "Sure honey, only if I can read it with you." She said as she grinned and handed over the letter.
Rory nodded as she opened the letter, and with her mom looking over her shoulder, she began to read.
Dear Rory,
I bet you're surprised that I actually know your name. ;) North Carolina isn't bad. Military school is horrible, even worse than Chilton (if you can imagine that), and being here is tough. They work us really hard here, and believe it or not, I kind of miss Chilton. The people here aren't too bad though. I've made a few new friends, and they're really great.
So everyone liked the talent show this year huh? Well they're always pretty great. Good to know I left the school with a bang. Hmmm, when you say everyone talked about my amazing voice, does that include you? ;) Ha ha sorry Mary, I couldn't resist.
To tell the truth I was surprised when I first saw your letter. I never expected it. Especially after the way things were right before I left. But I'm glad you decided to write to me. I want to apologize for making your life miserable the first year. I really was a jerk, and I hope you can forgive me. We were almost friends for a short time, and if you want, I'd like to try that again. Well, I hope to see a reply sometime soon.
Hopefully your new friend,
Tristan
P.S. I choose that song because it fit the situation. I know that doesn't make sense, but maybe I'll explain it all one day.
Rory put sown the letter and a small smile appeared on her lips. He had written back, and he wanted to be friends. Did she want that? Did she want to be friends with the person who had made her first year at Chilton a living hell? 'He was such a jerk!' Rory thought. 'Yeah, but he apologized, and admit it, you liked it last year when you guys started to become friends.' The voice at the back of her mind said. 'That's true' Rory admitted to herself, 'but…'
"So, are you gonna forgive him?" Lorelai's voice interrupted her thoughts.
Rory sighed. "I don't know. I mean he was such a jerk last year, but when we almost were friends, it was okay. What do you think mom?"
"Well, he did apologize, and I guess it wouldn't hurt to give him a second chance. I mean this way, if he ever comes back to Chilton, you'll have one less enemy on your hands."
"That's true. Thanks mom." Rory said, smiling at her mother.
"No problem babe. Now let's get some food. I'm starving!" Lorelai said as she jumped off the couch and ran out the door, dragging Rory behind her.
~Military School~
Tristan sat down on his bed and carefully opened his letter. He couldn't believe it. She had written back! Trying to not let himself get too hopeful, he unfolded the letter and began to read.
Dear Tristan,
Well you got me there. I was amazed that you actually knew my name. I sat there in shock for at least a couple of minutes, and my mom had to give me a huge cup of coffee before I recovered. (Well not really, but I was surprised). Wow, military school must be really terrible. I can't imagine anything worse than Chilton. I feel so sorry for you. It must be pretty bad for you to miss Chilton. It's good that you met some new friends though. What are they like?
Yes everyone liked the talent show this year. And just to tell you I'm rolling my eyes right now. You were doing so well at the beginning of the letter, yet I knew that ego had to come back sometime. ; p
Well, after a lot of debating, I decided to accept you apology. I mean everyone deserves a second chance right? And yes, I would like to try being friends again. It could never hurt to make another friend. So once again, "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a wonderful friendship." :)
Your Friend,
Rory
P.S. Well, someday you'll have to explain about that song. I'd really like to know. Write back soon!
As he finished reading the letter, Tristan smiled. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He had been given a second chance with the girl of his dreams. And this time, he wasn't going to mess it up.
~I know it's kind of slow right now, but it'll speed up soon, don't worry! Please review! I want to try to get up to 35 reviews before the next chapter goes up. I know it sounds mean, but I'm losing heart. I need to know what you guys think! So please review. Pretty pretty please, with coffee on top : )~
~Angel~