Author's Note: This is great ya'll! I love that you guys review! Definite
change of pace from like a month ago. Anyway, read on!
~ Chapter 6 ~
"You're not the only one you know! You're not the only one who lost one of their two best friends! Every time someone passes around the word that they're throwing a party I think about it! I can't move on because every time I try the night Dean died flashes through my mind!" Lane yelled.
Tristan sat back on the bench in silence. Lane, who had started to cry, desperately tried to wipe away the offending tears. Tristan closed his eyes and remembered.
~~~Flashback~~~
"Okay, I think I've had enough of this party!" Dean commented as they made their way through the crowds that blocked the door.
"I don't know how you dragged me into this!" Tristan complained.
"Oh come on, we had to tear you away from your books!" Lane yelled above the music.
"And you! I can't believe you helped him!" he jerked his thumb towards Dean who kept grinning. "What happened to your very strict and religious mother?"
"Tris, there are ways to get around her and you know it!"
Tristan blushed remembering all too well the nights from their childhood. When they were both only thirteen the two friends had crushes on each other and he would sneak up to her room via the tree and open window late at night to see her without the constant glare of Mrs. Kim. Those crushes had long since ended but now years later whenever the need to talk during the middle of the night arose Tristan would brave the old tree that he had mastered in his youth.
"Whoa!" Dean exclaimed as a pack of large and very drunk guys barreled past them, knocking Lane over in the process. Dean bent down to help her to her feet before yelling, "Hey! Watch where you're going! Jerks!"
"What did you just say to us?" said one of the guys.
"I said, you're jerks." Dean got a whiff of their breaths. "Drunk jerks at that. Next time look where you're going so you don't hurt anyone! Come on, guys."
~
The three of them were walking on the sidewalk on their way home, not talking about anything in particular. Instead they were enjoying each other's company. Tristan and Lane had known each other all their lives so it came as a great shock that Dean, who had only moved to Stars Hollow a mere two years before, fit so well in their friendship. Tristan was about to make a comment about that very fact but was interrupted.
"Do you hear that? It sounds like a car." Lane said suddenly.
The street dark and quiet street was suddenly loud as a car came swerving dangerously around the corner, running into trashcans on the sidewalk in the process.
"Oh my god! What are they doing?" Tristan exclaimed. He recognized the car as one that belonged to the guy Dean told off for knocking into Lane.
They stared in shock with matching "deer-in-the-headlights" expressions as the car zigzagged its way down the street, knocking trashcans and mailboxes over along the way. The street came alive as residents woke up to the noise. All of a sudden the car shifted direction and ran straight for the trio.
"Look out!" Tristan yelled.
He and Lane jumped opposite sides out of the way and were sent rolling to the ground but Dean was not able to react as quickly. Both looked up just in time to see the car hit Dean, the force cracking the windshield and sending him flying over the other end in a sickening heap. The car went a few more feet before crashing into a lamppost. Tristan looked up from his spot on the lawn and froze, all around him residences who witnessed the scene were rushing out of their homes. A few of them were attempting to reach 911. Lane, who had jumped into the street when the car drove onto the sidewalk sat up and screamed. Struggling to Dean's side she frantically called for help and began to sob. Tristan, trembling in shock and fear, rushed over and cried with her. Everything blurred through his tears as he sat with Lane, refusing to leave Dean's lifeless body as cries and sirens sounded around them.
~~~End Flashback~~~
"You're thinking about it aren't you?" Lane said softly.
"It was so stupid!" he cried out. "They were drunk and they decided to have a little fun and scare the guy who stood up to them. How could they stand there in front of the judge and say that they didn't MEAN to hit us! That they only wanted to SCARE us! It's not fair! Dean didn't do anything other than defend you! WE didn't even drink that night and we lose our best friend whereas the guys who did drink, who decided to play a prank and lost control of their car thus killing someone got out of the accident without so much as a scratch!"
"I know. It wasn't fair." Lane said quietly. "But we can't let this get to us."
"How? You said it yourself, that night haunts us every time we try to move on."
"Well, we'll help each other. It might be good for us you know?" Lane paused. "I'm sick and tired of mourning for Dean. Don't get me wrong, he was my best friend but I know that if I ever want to have a life I have to move on and the same goes for you too."
"So, what are you saying? You want me to go to the party?" Tristan asked.
"No, I'm saying I want US to go to the party. I need this just as much as you do." Tristan looked hesitant. "You can even introduce me to Henry." she said in a singsong voice.
"Okay…I'll ask if I can bring a friend." he said.
"Yay! No bad thoughts, we are going to put this behind us?" she asked.
"No bad thoughts." Tristan agreed. He put on a small smile as the mood lightened. "It really is six in the morning isn't it?"
"Well, not anymore. Now it's six twenty in the morning." Lane answered.
"Why am I up this early?"
"Because you needed to talk and you couldn't wait." Lane explained.
"Right. So…wanna go to Luke's for coffee?" he asked hopefully.
Lane laughed. "You and your obsession. I'll never understand it. I think I'm going to have to introduce you to some other levels of the food pyramid."
"Hey, never joke about a Davenport's obsession to coffee." he warned.
Laughing along the way they walked to Luke's, who was more than astonished to see awake at such an hour.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monday morning…
"Hey Tristan." Paris said blushing at his smile.
"Hey Paris." he returned.
"So…" she began.
"So…do you still hate me?" he asked.
She opened her mouth in shock. "Wha…What? No, why would you think that?"
"Well I do recall you making it quite clear that you didn't want me here on my first day at lunch. In addition to that you've given me more death glares than I can count which is saying something because I can count very high."
"Yeah, I actually wanted to talk to you about that." she said nervously. "I know that I've been this total bitch to you and I am so sorry about that. I get jealous easily and I've learned that if I want to get where I need to be you can't let your guard down. It's still no excuse but…"
"Listen, it's okay." Tristan reassured her. "How about we start over and try to be friends? Trust me, I need a few around here to stop me from pulling my hair out."
She nodded and widened her smile.
"Haven't met any friendly people?" Paris joked.
"Yeah well, aside from Henry and now you, not many people are willing to open up to the new guy, especially one who is not of their class." he finished sarcastically.
"That's how it is here," she explained, "you're surrounded by the children of high society. We are taught not to socialize with those of the lesser status."
"Thank god you and Henry didn't pay attention to that part." Tristan sighed.
"Hey, I've got to go but how about as new friends I sit with you and Henry at lunch?" Paris suggested.
"Sure."
"Okay bye." she said before walking down the hall.
Tristan turned back to his open locker and looked for his morning books. He zipped up his backpack and slammed his locker shut only to be face to face with Rory.
"Bible boy." she greeted.
"You know, you've known me for almost a month now and you still haven't learned my name. All that money your parents have spent on education down the drain." he mused.
"Well, there are other things I'm good at." she grinned.
"That smile, so innocent, hides so many innuendoes."
"I don't know what's wrong with you. Most guys would kill for so much as a word from me."
"I'm not most guys and they don't know the real you."
Rory suddenly grew cold. "Don't even pretend that you know me!"
She stormed off leaving a stunned Tristan in her wake.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hey guys." Paris greeted as she sat next to Tristan opposite Henry.
Henry gave her a questioning look.
"We started over as friends." Tristan explained.
"That explains it." he said. "So, are you to going to the party on Saturday?"
"I have to go." Paris grumbled.
"Why?" Henry asked.
"Because my mom doesn't think that I have enough of a social life. What about you Tristan?"
"Yeah, I'm going. I'm bringing Lane with."
"Lane? Is she…your girlfriend?" Paris asked hesitantly.
"No, she's just my best friend." Tristan assured her.
"In fact he wants to set ME up with her." Henry added.
"Playing Cupid huh?" she asked.
"I just want to see my friends happy."
"Hello Henry, Paris, Tristan." Louise said coming up to their table.
They mumbled their greetings.
"So, are you guys planning on going to my party this weekend?" she asked.
"Yeah, we'll be there." Paris answered.
"Paris, I'm surprised, you're usually not the party kind of girl, in fact at the last party I saw you at you ran away with tears in your eyes. Are you sure you want to risk it this time? Oh what am I saying, you don't have a boyfriend to lose this time." she sneered.
"To dignify that with a response would involve sinking to your level…and I'm better than that." Paris replied.
"Keep thinking that Geller." she shot back lowering her voice menacingly. "Listen, change of plans, since it falls Halloween the party is now a costume party. So if you want to get in, dress up."
Without another word she left to talk to the next table of people.
"Great, as if parties aren't bad enough now we have to humiliate ourselves by dressing up like little trick-or-treaters." Paris sighed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~`
"I can't believe you made me dress up in this!" Tristan complained.
The week had gone by quickly and now Tristan stood in front of a mirror frowning at the outfit Diane and Lane made choose for him.
"What? Why waste a perfectly good opportunity to wear that again?" Diane asked teasingly.
Tristan turned around to face the two women and looked at them skeptically. It was unmistakable, he looked perfect as…
"Romeo, Romeo, where for art thou Romeo?" Lane mocked.
"Put a paw in it kitty cat." he grumbled. Lane laughed in return as she stood in her black cat costume holding on to Diane for balance. "I can't believe you are making me wear this! I haven't worn it since last year! And that was for the school play!"
"And you thought you would never get a chance to wear it again." Diane laughed.
"Well, fine. Just go on laughing, I'm not going!" Tristan pouted.
"Oh yes you are. It's time to move on and I'm not doing this without you." Lane said seriously.
Tristan slumped his shoulders and allowed Lane to drag him to the Jeep.
"I'm gonna look so stupid!" Tristan whined.
"Don't worry honey, if they ask you where your Juliet is just say she's in the bathroom!" Diane called after them.
With one last glare at his mother he got into the Jeep and sped off for Hartford.
~
"This place is huge!" Lane stressed.
An hour later the pair was standing in front of the Grant mansion in awe. Tristan had once seen his grandparents' house but it didn't even compare to the residence he looked upon now. If not for the dozens of party-goers running in and out of the house and the loud music it would have been the definition of class and elegance. Tristan sighed as he saw a bunch of guys walk in carrying a keg, already looking drunk enough as is.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea." he mumbled.
Lane noticed the guys as well. "Tristan, bad thoughts…"
"Right, sorry. Let's go."
Inside they were greeted with loud music blaring from the expensive sound system that went throughout the house. Everyone was dressed in a variety of costumes, some more tasteful than others. Most were chatting with friends, drinking what was hopefully not beer, or dancing in the large space in the spacious living room cleared out for such an activity.
"Tristan!" Henry called.
Tristan turned around and smiled. As Henry walked towards Tristan and Lane they got sight of his costume.
"Oh God," Lane groaned, "how appropriate!" she muttered sarcastically, burying her head in Tristan's shoulder.
"What?" Henry asked looking down at his ensemble, white coat, green scrubs, stethoscope…
"You're a doctor." Lane pointed out miserably. "My mother is for sure going to like him, there goes the whole rebel thing, they may as well marry me off right now…" she began to ramble.
"Does she not like doctors?" Henry asked hesitantly.
"Don't worry it's nothing personal." Tristan whispered. "As you may have guessed this Lane. Lane meet Henry."
"Hi, sorry about my less than friendly welcome." Lane apologized.
"It's okay." Henry laughed.
"Where's Paris?" Tristan asked curiously.
"Excuse me! Keep up, I'm not turning back!" Paris yelled as she stormed behind the three with two other girls trailing behind.
"Um…okay." Lane commented confused. The three followed the trail made by Paris and found them face to face with…
"Here are the refreshments." she said, clearly annoyed.
"It's all French!" one of the girls exclaimed, wide-eyed.
"Great!" Paris exclaimed sarcastically. "You people have known me for years and all I am to you is the French soda monitor!"
"So quit." Tristan suggested.
"What?!" she exclaimed, seeing Tristan, Lane, and Henry for the first time. "Oh, Tristan…um…hi, I didn't see you there. What did you say?"
"You don't have to be the French soda monitor you know, don't let them walk all over you." he answered gently.
"You know what? You're right!" she stepped away from the table and joined the trio. "Hi Henry, Tristan who's you friend?"
"This Lane, Lane, meet Paris."
They shook hands and gave each other warm smiles.
"So, what are you supposed to be?" Lane asked.
Paris looked down at her navy power suit. "Lawyer." she answered simply. Tristan snickered softly. "You think that's funny huh? What about you Romeo? The look doesn't work without a Juliet."
"Well, if anyone asks, she's in the bathroom." Tristan said joking along with her.
~
"Hey Rory."
Rory turned around and mentally flipped the flirt alert button. Josh Williams: tall, dark, and handsome all American athlete with a large inheritance to secure his future and an influential last name to open doors.
"Or should I say…Juliet." he continued noticing her costume.
She was dressed in a long, red, renaissance style dress with long sleeves that flared out and a matching hat to complete the look. His eyes traveled her body but mostly stayed in one spot. The bare skin revealed by the plunging neck line.
"Well, either name would work I guess." she flirted.
"You look absolutely gorgeous. Truly radiant." he admired.
~Fake~ she thought silently. ~Maybe if you took your eyes off my chest I would believe you~
She sighed inwardly, it was a game they played. Both knew the lines were an act that only led to one thing and once they got it what they wanted the game would be over.
~What if it's not what I want anymore? No…stop saying that! Life is an act. This is the game I play and I'm the best at it~ she reminded herself.
"Earth to Rory." Josh said waving a hand in her face.
She snapped out of her thoughts. "Oh sorry, what did you say?"
"I was saying…do you like my costume?" he asked.
She quickly scanned his body. He turned around and modeled…his football uniform. The same one he ALREADY had because he was the quarterback for the Chilton team. ~How original~ she thought sarcastically. Fighting back the urge to roll her eyes she locked eyes with him and began to twirl a strand of hair around her finger.
"I always did love a man in uniform." she said, laying on the sweetness.
"So, where's your Romeo?" he asked making sure see was fair game.
"I came alone." she answered.
"Really? Wanna dance?"
~
"I'm going to go to the bathroom." Lane told Henry above the music as they danced.
"Do you want me to show you where it is?" Paris suggested as she and Tristan danced next to them.
"Please." Lane answered eagerly. "This place is HUGE! I'd get lost for sure."
"Come on. Be right back Tris?" she asked.
"Sure, Henry and I will go get something to drink."
The girls left and Tristan and Henry made their way to the refreshment table.
"She likes you ya know." Henry stated.
"Who?" Tristan asked, oblivious to all.
"Paris."
Tristan laughed. "What?! She likes me?! No way man! We're friends. That's all!"
"That's how you may feel but listen, I know what I'm talking about. You're thinking friends she's thinking more."
"No, it's not like that." Tristan assured him.
~
Lane and Paris stood just outside the door waiting for the bathroom.
"You like him don't you?" Lane asked Paris.
"What? No I don't!" Lane gave her a skeptical look. "Okay fine…" Paris gave up. "Yes, I like him."
"I knew it!" Lane exclaimed.
"Do you think he likes me?" Paris asked eagerly.
Lane suddenly regretted bringing up the subject. She had known Tristan ever since kindergarten, there wasn't an emotion she couldn't read off his face. She knew that when Tristan looked at Paris he saw nothing more than a friend in her. Did she really want to hurt Paris like that?
'You know, I really couldn't tell." she lied.
"I just hope he likes me back."
The girl in the bathroom came out.
"You can go back if you want. I can find my way back." Lane offered.
"Okay, sure. See you in a few." Paris agreed.
Two figures emerged from a room behind the spot where Lane and Paris were talking. They stood in the empty hallway and both grinned evilly, the wheels in their minds turning as an evil plot formed.
"My, my, seems like our old friend Paris has a crush bible boy."
"Let's go tell Rory." Louise suggested pulling Madeline along.
~
Rory held in a sigh for the millionth time that hour. Josh may have the looks, the charm, and the name but he lacked a personality.
~God, this guy's ego is suffocating! Someone save me!~
"Rory, can we steal you away for a second?" Louise asked.
"Sure." she said giving them a thankful look.
"Well, I'll talk to you later?" Josh asked.
"I don't know. There are so many other people I really need to talk to. Maybe but I'm just not sure." she said as Madeline pulled her along.
They pulled her upstairs and into Rory's room. Because the girls were such good friends they had convinced their parents to turn two of the guest rooms in each of their houses into rooms for the other two girls where they could keep some stuff if they stayed over.
"Paris likes Davenport." Madeline blurted out.
"What?" Rory asked sitting on her bed.
The room wasn't as nice as her room in her own house but it still brought a small comfort knowing that she was in a safe place. While Louise and Madeline were just more pawns in the game she at least felt that they were her real friends. She let out a sigh. The game was on pause.
"Paris has a crush on Tristan. This is the perfect opportunity to crush her." Louise informed her.
~And the game is back on~ she inwardly groaned.
"What have you got planned?" Rory asked.
She didn't like the game, yes but hurting Paris was worth it. There was more to the Rory/Paris feud than everyone thought. Madeline and Louise were the only other people who knew that Paris was not the victim. Rory's act of stealing her boyfriend was out of revenge.
"Have you seen Tristan yet?" Madeline began.
~
Tristan was tired but a good kind of tired. For the first time in a long time he felt alive. The fear and guilt of the going to the party, any party for that matter seemed to vanish. He had done it. He had moved on. Wandering around the house he came to an empty room and dropped his jaw in awe.
A library, a large library with more books than the Stars Hollow public library. Scanning the titles he saw that nearly all of them were early prints and rare editions.
"Romeo, Romeo, where for art thou Romeo?" Rory said dramatically from the doorway of the room. She had seen him walk in and watched him as he looked around.
~I'm hearing a lot of that tonight~ he thought silently as he turned around to face the owner of the voice.
"Juliet…I mean Rory." he said in surprise.
"No, go ahead, I like being called Juliet. Role playing is fun." she said seductively as she walked further into the room.
"You do know they die at the end right?" he asked.
"Details, details." she shrugged.
Tearing his eyes away from her form he noticed a beautiful black baby grand piano sitting in the corner. The light reflected off it making it glow. Walking over he traced his fingers over the gold letters.
"Steinway." he said in awe.
"Yeah, that's a good sixty thousand."
"Sixty thousand dollars?!" he asked. "For a baby grand?"
"Yup, the Grants have a couple of them. They have a grand in their summer home." she said, making small conversation. "Nothing but the best for us Hartford socialites. Steinway is one of the best brands of pianos so naturally every home has at least two or three."
Tristan whistled in shock.
"Do you play?" he asked.
"I took lessons when I was younger but I stopped when I got to high school." she admitted. "What about you Romeo?"
"No, I never really had the patience for all the keys and notes. My mom didn't push me to learn so I didn't try." he answered sitting down on the bench.
He had only been in their world for a short time but he was already overwhelmed by the world that his mother had given up…for him.
"Lucky. My mother didn't want me to either but my father argued that a young woman of high society needed to be gifted with admirable talents." she said with distaste. "My mother used to hate high society and tried to put her foot down. He used to hate it too but…they sucked him in. A little later…they got her too." she finished sadly.
Oops. She hadn't meant to reveal that. ~So much for playing it cool Hayden~
Tristan's eyes softened for her. He scooted over and patted the space next to him on the bench. Reluctantly she sat down.
"So Lady Juliet play me something." he requested.
Smiling slightly she turned to the keys while he kept his back to them. ~What could it hurt? The game can be put on pause for a little while~
Looking down her hand began to gently flow over the keys into a sad melody.
"Greensleves." he whispered.
She continued on as she played note after note from memory. Her face mesmerized him. Scrunched in concentration it was as if nothing around her mattered. He was seeing a different girl than the one who had said hurtful and biting words to him before, she was soft and humble yet held a hint of sadness in her expression. Suddenly, he felt like he wouldn't be complete if he didn't hold her in his arms and find a way to remove the sadness.
Feeling the intense gaze she suddenly stopped playing and slowly turned to him. They locked eyes and she could sense what was coming next. Suddenly she felt guilty. This was what she came there for, to hurt Paris like she had hurt Rory all those years ago but for some reason it didn't feel right. Something pulled at her heart, she didn't want it because of Paris or the game, she wanted it because…she didn't know why.
"Tristan…" she whispered.
"Rory." he breathed.
She felt her heart jump as she tilted her head and he began to lean in closing the distance slowly their lips now barely centimeters apart.
~
AN: Yeah, yeah. I know, I'm evil right? Well, if you review then maybe I'll have the next part up sooner! Or maybe not because I have two MAJOR projects due in the next two weeks. Oh well, anyways. I hope you enjoyed it, grammar mistakes and all, and I hope that you will be kind enough to have pity on a poor girl by reviewing. Please?
~ Chapter 6 ~
"You're not the only one you know! You're not the only one who lost one of their two best friends! Every time someone passes around the word that they're throwing a party I think about it! I can't move on because every time I try the night Dean died flashes through my mind!" Lane yelled.
Tristan sat back on the bench in silence. Lane, who had started to cry, desperately tried to wipe away the offending tears. Tristan closed his eyes and remembered.
~~~Flashback~~~
"Okay, I think I've had enough of this party!" Dean commented as they made their way through the crowds that blocked the door.
"I don't know how you dragged me into this!" Tristan complained.
"Oh come on, we had to tear you away from your books!" Lane yelled above the music.
"And you! I can't believe you helped him!" he jerked his thumb towards Dean who kept grinning. "What happened to your very strict and religious mother?"
"Tris, there are ways to get around her and you know it!"
Tristan blushed remembering all too well the nights from their childhood. When they were both only thirteen the two friends had crushes on each other and he would sneak up to her room via the tree and open window late at night to see her without the constant glare of Mrs. Kim. Those crushes had long since ended but now years later whenever the need to talk during the middle of the night arose Tristan would brave the old tree that he had mastered in his youth.
"Whoa!" Dean exclaimed as a pack of large and very drunk guys barreled past them, knocking Lane over in the process. Dean bent down to help her to her feet before yelling, "Hey! Watch where you're going! Jerks!"
"What did you just say to us?" said one of the guys.
"I said, you're jerks." Dean got a whiff of their breaths. "Drunk jerks at that. Next time look where you're going so you don't hurt anyone! Come on, guys."
~
The three of them were walking on the sidewalk on their way home, not talking about anything in particular. Instead they were enjoying each other's company. Tristan and Lane had known each other all their lives so it came as a great shock that Dean, who had only moved to Stars Hollow a mere two years before, fit so well in their friendship. Tristan was about to make a comment about that very fact but was interrupted.
"Do you hear that? It sounds like a car." Lane said suddenly.
The street dark and quiet street was suddenly loud as a car came swerving dangerously around the corner, running into trashcans on the sidewalk in the process.
"Oh my god! What are they doing?" Tristan exclaimed. He recognized the car as one that belonged to the guy Dean told off for knocking into Lane.
They stared in shock with matching "deer-in-the-headlights" expressions as the car zigzagged its way down the street, knocking trashcans and mailboxes over along the way. The street came alive as residents woke up to the noise. All of a sudden the car shifted direction and ran straight for the trio.
"Look out!" Tristan yelled.
He and Lane jumped opposite sides out of the way and were sent rolling to the ground but Dean was not able to react as quickly. Both looked up just in time to see the car hit Dean, the force cracking the windshield and sending him flying over the other end in a sickening heap. The car went a few more feet before crashing into a lamppost. Tristan looked up from his spot on the lawn and froze, all around him residences who witnessed the scene were rushing out of their homes. A few of them were attempting to reach 911. Lane, who had jumped into the street when the car drove onto the sidewalk sat up and screamed. Struggling to Dean's side she frantically called for help and began to sob. Tristan, trembling in shock and fear, rushed over and cried with her. Everything blurred through his tears as he sat with Lane, refusing to leave Dean's lifeless body as cries and sirens sounded around them.
~~~End Flashback~~~
"You're thinking about it aren't you?" Lane said softly.
"It was so stupid!" he cried out. "They were drunk and they decided to have a little fun and scare the guy who stood up to them. How could they stand there in front of the judge and say that they didn't MEAN to hit us! That they only wanted to SCARE us! It's not fair! Dean didn't do anything other than defend you! WE didn't even drink that night and we lose our best friend whereas the guys who did drink, who decided to play a prank and lost control of their car thus killing someone got out of the accident without so much as a scratch!"
"I know. It wasn't fair." Lane said quietly. "But we can't let this get to us."
"How? You said it yourself, that night haunts us every time we try to move on."
"Well, we'll help each other. It might be good for us you know?" Lane paused. "I'm sick and tired of mourning for Dean. Don't get me wrong, he was my best friend but I know that if I ever want to have a life I have to move on and the same goes for you too."
"So, what are you saying? You want me to go to the party?" Tristan asked.
"No, I'm saying I want US to go to the party. I need this just as much as you do." Tristan looked hesitant. "You can even introduce me to Henry." she said in a singsong voice.
"Okay…I'll ask if I can bring a friend." he said.
"Yay! No bad thoughts, we are going to put this behind us?" she asked.
"No bad thoughts." Tristan agreed. He put on a small smile as the mood lightened. "It really is six in the morning isn't it?"
"Well, not anymore. Now it's six twenty in the morning." Lane answered.
"Why am I up this early?"
"Because you needed to talk and you couldn't wait." Lane explained.
"Right. So…wanna go to Luke's for coffee?" he asked hopefully.
Lane laughed. "You and your obsession. I'll never understand it. I think I'm going to have to introduce you to some other levels of the food pyramid."
"Hey, never joke about a Davenport's obsession to coffee." he warned.
Laughing along the way they walked to Luke's, who was more than astonished to see awake at such an hour.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monday morning…
"Hey Tristan." Paris said blushing at his smile.
"Hey Paris." he returned.
"So…" she began.
"So…do you still hate me?" he asked.
She opened her mouth in shock. "Wha…What? No, why would you think that?"
"Well I do recall you making it quite clear that you didn't want me here on my first day at lunch. In addition to that you've given me more death glares than I can count which is saying something because I can count very high."
"Yeah, I actually wanted to talk to you about that." she said nervously. "I know that I've been this total bitch to you and I am so sorry about that. I get jealous easily and I've learned that if I want to get where I need to be you can't let your guard down. It's still no excuse but…"
"Listen, it's okay." Tristan reassured her. "How about we start over and try to be friends? Trust me, I need a few around here to stop me from pulling my hair out."
She nodded and widened her smile.
"Haven't met any friendly people?" Paris joked.
"Yeah well, aside from Henry and now you, not many people are willing to open up to the new guy, especially one who is not of their class." he finished sarcastically.
"That's how it is here," she explained, "you're surrounded by the children of high society. We are taught not to socialize with those of the lesser status."
"Thank god you and Henry didn't pay attention to that part." Tristan sighed.
"Hey, I've got to go but how about as new friends I sit with you and Henry at lunch?" Paris suggested.
"Sure."
"Okay bye." she said before walking down the hall.
Tristan turned back to his open locker and looked for his morning books. He zipped up his backpack and slammed his locker shut only to be face to face with Rory.
"Bible boy." she greeted.
"You know, you've known me for almost a month now and you still haven't learned my name. All that money your parents have spent on education down the drain." he mused.
"Well, there are other things I'm good at." she grinned.
"That smile, so innocent, hides so many innuendoes."
"I don't know what's wrong with you. Most guys would kill for so much as a word from me."
"I'm not most guys and they don't know the real you."
Rory suddenly grew cold. "Don't even pretend that you know me!"
She stormed off leaving a stunned Tristan in her wake.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hey guys." Paris greeted as she sat next to Tristan opposite Henry.
Henry gave her a questioning look.
"We started over as friends." Tristan explained.
"That explains it." he said. "So, are you to going to the party on Saturday?"
"I have to go." Paris grumbled.
"Why?" Henry asked.
"Because my mom doesn't think that I have enough of a social life. What about you Tristan?"
"Yeah, I'm going. I'm bringing Lane with."
"Lane? Is she…your girlfriend?" Paris asked hesitantly.
"No, she's just my best friend." Tristan assured her.
"In fact he wants to set ME up with her." Henry added.
"Playing Cupid huh?" she asked.
"I just want to see my friends happy."
"Hello Henry, Paris, Tristan." Louise said coming up to their table.
They mumbled their greetings.
"So, are you guys planning on going to my party this weekend?" she asked.
"Yeah, we'll be there." Paris answered.
"Paris, I'm surprised, you're usually not the party kind of girl, in fact at the last party I saw you at you ran away with tears in your eyes. Are you sure you want to risk it this time? Oh what am I saying, you don't have a boyfriend to lose this time." she sneered.
"To dignify that with a response would involve sinking to your level…and I'm better than that." Paris replied.
"Keep thinking that Geller." she shot back lowering her voice menacingly. "Listen, change of plans, since it falls Halloween the party is now a costume party. So if you want to get in, dress up."
Without another word she left to talk to the next table of people.
"Great, as if parties aren't bad enough now we have to humiliate ourselves by dressing up like little trick-or-treaters." Paris sighed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~`
"I can't believe you made me dress up in this!" Tristan complained.
The week had gone by quickly and now Tristan stood in front of a mirror frowning at the outfit Diane and Lane made choose for him.
"What? Why waste a perfectly good opportunity to wear that again?" Diane asked teasingly.
Tristan turned around to face the two women and looked at them skeptically. It was unmistakable, he looked perfect as…
"Romeo, Romeo, where for art thou Romeo?" Lane mocked.
"Put a paw in it kitty cat." he grumbled. Lane laughed in return as she stood in her black cat costume holding on to Diane for balance. "I can't believe you are making me wear this! I haven't worn it since last year! And that was for the school play!"
"And you thought you would never get a chance to wear it again." Diane laughed.
"Well, fine. Just go on laughing, I'm not going!" Tristan pouted.
"Oh yes you are. It's time to move on and I'm not doing this without you." Lane said seriously.
Tristan slumped his shoulders and allowed Lane to drag him to the Jeep.
"I'm gonna look so stupid!" Tristan whined.
"Don't worry honey, if they ask you where your Juliet is just say she's in the bathroom!" Diane called after them.
With one last glare at his mother he got into the Jeep and sped off for Hartford.
~
"This place is huge!" Lane stressed.
An hour later the pair was standing in front of the Grant mansion in awe. Tristan had once seen his grandparents' house but it didn't even compare to the residence he looked upon now. If not for the dozens of party-goers running in and out of the house and the loud music it would have been the definition of class and elegance. Tristan sighed as he saw a bunch of guys walk in carrying a keg, already looking drunk enough as is.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea." he mumbled.
Lane noticed the guys as well. "Tristan, bad thoughts…"
"Right, sorry. Let's go."
Inside they were greeted with loud music blaring from the expensive sound system that went throughout the house. Everyone was dressed in a variety of costumes, some more tasteful than others. Most were chatting with friends, drinking what was hopefully not beer, or dancing in the large space in the spacious living room cleared out for such an activity.
"Tristan!" Henry called.
Tristan turned around and smiled. As Henry walked towards Tristan and Lane they got sight of his costume.
"Oh God," Lane groaned, "how appropriate!" she muttered sarcastically, burying her head in Tristan's shoulder.
"What?" Henry asked looking down at his ensemble, white coat, green scrubs, stethoscope…
"You're a doctor." Lane pointed out miserably. "My mother is for sure going to like him, there goes the whole rebel thing, they may as well marry me off right now…" she began to ramble.
"Does she not like doctors?" Henry asked hesitantly.
"Don't worry it's nothing personal." Tristan whispered. "As you may have guessed this Lane. Lane meet Henry."
"Hi, sorry about my less than friendly welcome." Lane apologized.
"It's okay." Henry laughed.
"Where's Paris?" Tristan asked curiously.
"Excuse me! Keep up, I'm not turning back!" Paris yelled as she stormed behind the three with two other girls trailing behind.
"Um…okay." Lane commented confused. The three followed the trail made by Paris and found them face to face with…
"Here are the refreshments." she said, clearly annoyed.
"It's all French!" one of the girls exclaimed, wide-eyed.
"Great!" Paris exclaimed sarcastically. "You people have known me for years and all I am to you is the French soda monitor!"
"So quit." Tristan suggested.
"What?!" she exclaimed, seeing Tristan, Lane, and Henry for the first time. "Oh, Tristan…um…hi, I didn't see you there. What did you say?"
"You don't have to be the French soda monitor you know, don't let them walk all over you." he answered gently.
"You know what? You're right!" she stepped away from the table and joined the trio. "Hi Henry, Tristan who's you friend?"
"This Lane, Lane, meet Paris."
They shook hands and gave each other warm smiles.
"So, what are you supposed to be?" Lane asked.
Paris looked down at her navy power suit. "Lawyer." she answered simply. Tristan snickered softly. "You think that's funny huh? What about you Romeo? The look doesn't work without a Juliet."
"Well, if anyone asks, she's in the bathroom." Tristan said joking along with her.
~
"Hey Rory."
Rory turned around and mentally flipped the flirt alert button. Josh Williams: tall, dark, and handsome all American athlete with a large inheritance to secure his future and an influential last name to open doors.
"Or should I say…Juliet." he continued noticing her costume.
She was dressed in a long, red, renaissance style dress with long sleeves that flared out and a matching hat to complete the look. His eyes traveled her body but mostly stayed in one spot. The bare skin revealed by the plunging neck line.
"Well, either name would work I guess." she flirted.
"You look absolutely gorgeous. Truly radiant." he admired.
~Fake~ she thought silently. ~Maybe if you took your eyes off my chest I would believe you~
She sighed inwardly, it was a game they played. Both knew the lines were an act that only led to one thing and once they got it what they wanted the game would be over.
~What if it's not what I want anymore? No…stop saying that! Life is an act. This is the game I play and I'm the best at it~ she reminded herself.
"Earth to Rory." Josh said waving a hand in her face.
She snapped out of her thoughts. "Oh sorry, what did you say?"
"I was saying…do you like my costume?" he asked.
She quickly scanned his body. He turned around and modeled…his football uniform. The same one he ALREADY had because he was the quarterback for the Chilton team. ~How original~ she thought sarcastically. Fighting back the urge to roll her eyes she locked eyes with him and began to twirl a strand of hair around her finger.
"I always did love a man in uniform." she said, laying on the sweetness.
"So, where's your Romeo?" he asked making sure see was fair game.
"I came alone." she answered.
"Really? Wanna dance?"
~
"I'm going to go to the bathroom." Lane told Henry above the music as they danced.
"Do you want me to show you where it is?" Paris suggested as she and Tristan danced next to them.
"Please." Lane answered eagerly. "This place is HUGE! I'd get lost for sure."
"Come on. Be right back Tris?" she asked.
"Sure, Henry and I will go get something to drink."
The girls left and Tristan and Henry made their way to the refreshment table.
"She likes you ya know." Henry stated.
"Who?" Tristan asked, oblivious to all.
"Paris."
Tristan laughed. "What?! She likes me?! No way man! We're friends. That's all!"
"That's how you may feel but listen, I know what I'm talking about. You're thinking friends she's thinking more."
"No, it's not like that." Tristan assured him.
~
Lane and Paris stood just outside the door waiting for the bathroom.
"You like him don't you?" Lane asked Paris.
"What? No I don't!" Lane gave her a skeptical look. "Okay fine…" Paris gave up. "Yes, I like him."
"I knew it!" Lane exclaimed.
"Do you think he likes me?" Paris asked eagerly.
Lane suddenly regretted bringing up the subject. She had known Tristan ever since kindergarten, there wasn't an emotion she couldn't read off his face. She knew that when Tristan looked at Paris he saw nothing more than a friend in her. Did she really want to hurt Paris like that?
'You know, I really couldn't tell." she lied.
"I just hope he likes me back."
The girl in the bathroom came out.
"You can go back if you want. I can find my way back." Lane offered.
"Okay, sure. See you in a few." Paris agreed.
Two figures emerged from a room behind the spot where Lane and Paris were talking. They stood in the empty hallway and both grinned evilly, the wheels in their minds turning as an evil plot formed.
"My, my, seems like our old friend Paris has a crush bible boy."
"Let's go tell Rory." Louise suggested pulling Madeline along.
~
Rory held in a sigh for the millionth time that hour. Josh may have the looks, the charm, and the name but he lacked a personality.
~God, this guy's ego is suffocating! Someone save me!~
"Rory, can we steal you away for a second?" Louise asked.
"Sure." she said giving them a thankful look.
"Well, I'll talk to you later?" Josh asked.
"I don't know. There are so many other people I really need to talk to. Maybe but I'm just not sure." she said as Madeline pulled her along.
They pulled her upstairs and into Rory's room. Because the girls were such good friends they had convinced their parents to turn two of the guest rooms in each of their houses into rooms for the other two girls where they could keep some stuff if they stayed over.
"Paris likes Davenport." Madeline blurted out.
"What?" Rory asked sitting on her bed.
The room wasn't as nice as her room in her own house but it still brought a small comfort knowing that she was in a safe place. While Louise and Madeline were just more pawns in the game she at least felt that they were her real friends. She let out a sigh. The game was on pause.
"Paris has a crush on Tristan. This is the perfect opportunity to crush her." Louise informed her.
~And the game is back on~ she inwardly groaned.
"What have you got planned?" Rory asked.
She didn't like the game, yes but hurting Paris was worth it. There was more to the Rory/Paris feud than everyone thought. Madeline and Louise were the only other people who knew that Paris was not the victim. Rory's act of stealing her boyfriend was out of revenge.
"Have you seen Tristan yet?" Madeline began.
~
Tristan was tired but a good kind of tired. For the first time in a long time he felt alive. The fear and guilt of the going to the party, any party for that matter seemed to vanish. He had done it. He had moved on. Wandering around the house he came to an empty room and dropped his jaw in awe.
A library, a large library with more books than the Stars Hollow public library. Scanning the titles he saw that nearly all of them were early prints and rare editions.
"Romeo, Romeo, where for art thou Romeo?" Rory said dramatically from the doorway of the room. She had seen him walk in and watched him as he looked around.
~I'm hearing a lot of that tonight~ he thought silently as he turned around to face the owner of the voice.
"Juliet…I mean Rory." he said in surprise.
"No, go ahead, I like being called Juliet. Role playing is fun." she said seductively as she walked further into the room.
"You do know they die at the end right?" he asked.
"Details, details." she shrugged.
Tearing his eyes away from her form he noticed a beautiful black baby grand piano sitting in the corner. The light reflected off it making it glow. Walking over he traced his fingers over the gold letters.
"Steinway." he said in awe.
"Yeah, that's a good sixty thousand."
"Sixty thousand dollars?!" he asked. "For a baby grand?"
"Yup, the Grants have a couple of them. They have a grand in their summer home." she said, making small conversation. "Nothing but the best for us Hartford socialites. Steinway is one of the best brands of pianos so naturally every home has at least two or three."
Tristan whistled in shock.
"Do you play?" he asked.
"I took lessons when I was younger but I stopped when I got to high school." she admitted. "What about you Romeo?"
"No, I never really had the patience for all the keys and notes. My mom didn't push me to learn so I didn't try." he answered sitting down on the bench.
He had only been in their world for a short time but he was already overwhelmed by the world that his mother had given up…for him.
"Lucky. My mother didn't want me to either but my father argued that a young woman of high society needed to be gifted with admirable talents." she said with distaste. "My mother used to hate high society and tried to put her foot down. He used to hate it too but…they sucked him in. A little later…they got her too." she finished sadly.
Oops. She hadn't meant to reveal that. ~So much for playing it cool Hayden~
Tristan's eyes softened for her. He scooted over and patted the space next to him on the bench. Reluctantly she sat down.
"So Lady Juliet play me something." he requested.
Smiling slightly she turned to the keys while he kept his back to them. ~What could it hurt? The game can be put on pause for a little while~
Looking down her hand began to gently flow over the keys into a sad melody.
"Greensleves." he whispered.
She continued on as she played note after note from memory. Her face mesmerized him. Scrunched in concentration it was as if nothing around her mattered. He was seeing a different girl than the one who had said hurtful and biting words to him before, she was soft and humble yet held a hint of sadness in her expression. Suddenly, he felt like he wouldn't be complete if he didn't hold her in his arms and find a way to remove the sadness.
Feeling the intense gaze she suddenly stopped playing and slowly turned to him. They locked eyes and she could sense what was coming next. Suddenly she felt guilty. This was what she came there for, to hurt Paris like she had hurt Rory all those years ago but for some reason it didn't feel right. Something pulled at her heart, she didn't want it because of Paris or the game, she wanted it because…she didn't know why.
"Tristan…" she whispered.
"Rory." he breathed.
She felt her heart jump as she tilted her head and he began to lean in closing the distance slowly their lips now barely centimeters apart.
~
AN: Yeah, yeah. I know, I'm evil right? Well, if you review then maybe I'll have the next part up sooner! Or maybe not because I have two MAJOR projects due in the next two weeks. Oh well, anyways. I hope you enjoyed it, grammar mistakes and all, and I hope that you will be kind enough to have pity on a poor girl by reviewing. Please?