See chap 1 for info
Authors Note: Thanks to all who reviewed, I really love reviews, I mean, who doesn't? Unless they're bad, which I haven't really gotten. So thanks! It makes me feel special.... Oh, and there's Trory interaction, but no happy moments, this is going to be a angst chapter, I think. Maybe not. One never knows. Ooh, but there is singing! Don't forget to review!
Chapter Five: Like A Virgin
Rory is stuffing books into her locker when she hears someone calling her name .
"Rory!" She looks up and sees Tristan moving through the crowd of students toward her locker. She sighs and turns back to her locker, hoping that he's only stopping by to say hello.
"Hey Rory." Tristan says, pushing past some freshman girls who are openly staring at him in awe.
"Hey." Rory replies, all her concentration on her locker. Tristan leans against the locker next to hers like he always does and looks confident.
"I've got something to ask you." He says self-assuredly. Rory slams her locker shut and starts heading for the doors to the parking lot and the bus stop. Tristan follows after her.
"What is it?" Rory says nervously. "Are you going to ask me something about the play?"
"No...I'm going to ask you if you want to do something non-play related on Saturday night." Tristan grins like a little kid.
"Like a date?" Rory asks uneasily.
"Yep. You me, a movie, preferably in English, but subtitles will do. It's not like we'll really be watching it anyway, right? Oh, and dinner at that new French restaurant that just opened at the mall. Sound good?"
Rory sighs again and stops where she is. "Tristan...." she starts. "I don't know how to say this, so I'm just going to say it. I've decided not to break up with Dean after all, I'm sorry."
Rory looks down at her shoes, which is a good thing, because had she looked up, she would have seen the smile vanish from Tristan's face and a look of absolute heartbreak on his face. By the time Rory looks up to see his reaction, Tristan has managed to put a faux smile on his face to mask his feelings. "So there's no chance for us?"
"I'm afraid not." Rory says steadily, ignoring her mind, which is screaming, NO! You're making a mistake!
"Oh, I see. Well, no big deal, these things happen, right? I guess I was imagining things when I thought there might actually be chemistry between us. I mean, someone like ME, would never have been able to go out with someone like YOU..."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Rory says suspiciously.
"Nothing. Just that I usually go out with girls who have more experience, if you know what I mean. But maybe that's why I was attracted to you.... " Tristan stops abruptly and walks away.
Rory's bus comes, and she busies herself with thoughts of Dean. But she can't help thinking about the fact that Tristan didn't even seem like he cared.
***
"Hello is Rory there?" came a voice through the phone.
"Yeah, this is her, what's up?" Rory looks around her kitchen, searching for food, and finds a lone Pop Tart. She sits down at the kitchen table.
"This is Paris. Do you have the homework assignment for English? I outlined Chapter Three while I was sick, but I don't know the assignment."
"Oh, okay, we were supposed to write an essay on why non-fiction isn't necessarily 'real', it's just another aspect of fiction. Or if we disagree, we state our argument in essay form. And there's also questions that we have to answer on page 103. Oh, and in Chem. we took notes. You can borrow mine tomorrow if you like." Rory offers, while munching on her Pop-Tart.
"Really? That would be great. So how was rehearsal today?" Paris asks, worriedly. "Did you guys get a lot done without me there?"
"Um, yeah, we got lots done." Rory lies, looking at her newly polished nails, knowing Paris would freak out if she knew that nobody did anything play related.
"Okay, that's good." Paris says in relief. There's a silence, and Paris clears her throat. "Well, I better go and get started on my homework. Thanks again, see you tomorrow." She hangs up, without waiting for Rory to say good-bye.
Lorelai comes through the door happily. She stops when she sees Rory eating a Pop Tart.
"Hey! That better not be the last Pop Tart!"
"Um, oops?" Rory says guiltily. " I'm sorry. I was hungry, and this is the only thing in the house!"
"Fine, but you're coming to Luke's with me." Lorelai sets down her car keys and sits down next to Rory. "So how did things go with Tristan today?"
"Well, I managed to avoid him up until after school, but then he cornered be and asked me out for Saturday. I said no, and he acted like he was fine with it. Which he probably was. I mean, who knows with Tristan. I don't have the time to dwell on this, it's better this way."
"Ahhh.....! God, you know how when you see one of those cheesy love movies when the two main characters ALMOST get together so many times, but don't until the very last scene and all throughout the movie you just want to slap them and tell them to get together already? I so feel that way about you right now. I mean, I'm all for Dean, but if you don't love him anymore, just frickin tell him! You should be more like me. Just don't give a damn about the male species feelings. It works much better." Lorelai heaves a great dramatic sigh, and reaches for a piece of Rory's Pop Tart.
"Yeah, and we know how well THAT works."
Lorelai looks at Rory openmouthed. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Well, lets see, you didn't marry Dad, even though he's asked you, like a million times, and then you practically left Max at the alter. And then there's Luke. The poor guy has been in love with you for years, and you obliviously see him only as our 'coffee guy'. Your way of handling guys is not the greatest, Mom." Rory says, not noticing her mother's increasing anger and hurt to these comments.
"Excuse me? That was completely out of line, Rory! I know I encourage for you to voice your opinions, but that was outright mean!" Lorelai says, hurt.
"I'm sorry, but it IS the truth, is it not?" Rory looks nonchalant.
"It's not very fair of you to judge me so harshly. What brought this on? Is it the whole thing with Tristan and Dean? I mean, I sympathize with you, but don't take it out on me, I don't deserve it! And it is actually not your decision when I decide if I want to marry someone or not."
"Well, it affects me, doesn't it? Every time I see Mr. Medina, he avoids looking me in the eye. I wonder why that is..."
"You know what? I really don't want to listen to this, I'm sick of being blamed for that....it's in the past, Rory. Why did you drudge it up? And why don't you give me an answer when you're ready to actually talk, not just give scathing remarks." Lorelai stands up and heads for the door. "I'm going to Luke's. You can come, if you're going to behave. If not, then don't bother. Nobody likes childish behavior."
The door slams, and Rory groans and bangs her head down on the table. She really didn't mean to pick a fight with her mom, but she can't figure out why Tristan didn't seem to care about her. She couldn't figure out why she felt so down. She was making the RIGHT decision, by staying with Dean.
Did he really mean what he said? Rory wonders, That he was only in it for the sex? Probably. It's a good thing I stopped myself, because I almost fell for him.
What do you mean almost?, a voice in the back of Rory's head taunts. You've already fallen, in case you haven't noticed. Irreversibly and completely fallen.
"No." Rory says aloud to no one. She stands up and heads for her bedroom, slamming the door as she walks in.
***
"The French are glad to die for love." Satine sings out. There's a hush among everybody, for they are supposed to be in awe. Tristan is not looking at her, he's flirting with one of the courtesans. Paris is busy sorting through the costumes, and everybody else is bored ot of their minds.
"Look like you're in awe, people!" Paris yells out in irritation. "We're all bored and want to get out of here, but we're not leaving until we get his done! Rory, start over!"
Rory sighs, and plasters a sexy, alluring smile on her face. "The French are glad to die for love. They engage in fighting duels. But I prefer a man who lives, and gives expensive, things."
Music breaks out of the speakers, and Rory spins around and jumps off the stage, landing near one of the men who are ''stupefied".
"A kiss on the hand may be quite continental, but diamonds are a girls best friend." Rory trills. "A kiss may be grand, but it won't pay the rental on your humble flat, or help you feed your helpless pussycat."
"Men grow cold, as" Rory casts a look in Tristan's direction, "girls grow old, and we all lose our charms in the end. But square cut or pear shaped, these rocks don't lose their shape! Diamonds are a girls best friend!"
"...Tiffany!... Cartier!" Rory, in actuality, hates this song because it embodies the superficial world in which we live in. But that doesn't mean she gets out of singing it.
"Cause we are living in a material world, and I am a material girl!" Satine makes her way around the area where everyone is standing, looking at her as if she's not real. "Black Star, Ross Cole! Talk to me Harry Zidler, tell me all about it!" Harry comes out, and Satine goes around to the dressing area, still singing.
"There may come a time when a lass needs a lawyer, but diamonds are a girls best friend! There may come a time when a hard boiled employer thinks you're awful nice, but get that ice or else no dice!"
The other courtesans start singing. "He's your guy when the stocks are high, but beware when they start to descend. Ooh diamonds are a girls best, diamonds are a girls best, diamonds are a girls best friend!"
Satine comes out from the dressing area, dressed in a different costume. "Cause that's when those louses go back to their spouses. Diamonds are a girls best, friend." She ends that last note, and then proceeds to faint.
The male courtesan rushes over and gets her offstage, and that's when the scene ends. Tristan barely pays attention and Paris calls him on it.
"Good job everyone...DuGrey, you didn't have any lines in the scene, but you still had to pay attention! I didn't see your head look Rory's way once. Next time, do it right!"
Tristan mock salutes her. "Yes sir! Will do sir!" He goes back to flirting with the girl.
"This isn't a laughing matter Tristan! I'm not laughing! We have three weeks left, and if you do anything to screw the play up, I'll kill you! You understand?"
Tristan rolls his eyes. "Yes Paris. Now leave me alone, can't you see I'm busy?"
The girl he's been flirting with, Marcy, pipes up. "Maybe you shouldn't be so hard on him. After all, he is doing the best he can."
Paris send Marcy a look so cold it could have frozen her in an instant. Marcy shirks back and winces. Tristan puts his arm around her and gives Paris a wink.
Paris turns away, disgusted and marches over to Rory, who has just finished putting her Chilton uniform back on.
"So how well do the costumes fit?" Paris asks. Rory shrugs.
"Pretty well. The one I was just wearing is hard to get on, though."
"Hmm....I'll take it to the dressmaker to see if she can make it easier. So what's up with you and Tristan?"
"Paris!" Rory groans. "There is nothing going on with me and Tristan! I have a boyfriend, remember?"
"Oh, come off it, Rory! Everybody in the play can see that there something between you two. You guys are either too stubborn or too dense to realize it and just get together already!"
"No, I just don't want to be with him, because he's a complete user. Once he gets me to have sex with him, he'll leave me in a flash for the next 'Mary'" Rory says stiffly.
Paris looks Rory straight in the eye. "True, Tristan has a problem with commitment, but I've never seen him behave like this. I think it started out a game, but now, he's fallen for you. I wish it weren't you, because it's really hard to hate you, but I do pretty good at it, don't I?"
Rory grins at Paris. "Yes, you are very good at hating me. You could found the 'I hate Rory' club, and add it onto your extracurricular list. Harvard would love it!"
Paris laughs. "Oh yes, I can see it now. Extracurriculars? Well, she was editor of the school paper and she also founded the 'I hate Rory' club, of which she was president and the only member of."
"I'm sure there would be more members. Tristan could be vice president. Oh no wait, he can't, he's already in the, 'Nail em and bail em' club. Sorry, that takes up all his time."
Paris laughs, then turns grave. "Seriously, Tristan really likes you, and if you guys just let this opportunity pass you by and leave it as a could've been, then both of you should be kicked out of Chilton."
"For stupidity?"
"No, with you gone, I would be the smartest girl at Chilton again, and a shoe-in for valedictorian, and with Tristan gone, well, I think that would just be good for mankind!"
"Figures." Rory laughs. Paris smiles again, which is a rarity that Rory is seeing more and more.
"Okay, well, I gotta go check on how the people painting the sets are doing. If they've screwed up..." Paris walks away, muttering to herself. Rory watches her go, and ponders what Paris said.
***
"Dean, where are you taking me?" Rory says laughingly, a blindfold over her eyes.
"I can't tell you, now stop asking!" Dean says, for the fifth time.
"I'll stop asking once you tell me!"
"Argh! We're here, now you can take off your blindfold!"
Rory takes off her blindfold, and looks around in awe. They are in the heart of Boston, outside of a bookstore.
"There's a book signing and a poetry reading going on." Dean explains. Rory looks as him excitedly and beams.
"Are you serious!? You are the best boyfriend ever! I love you." The words just come out of her mouth before she even realizes it, but they make Dean very happy.
"I know. Now let's go! Cause afterwards we're going to see that new Tim Allen movie."
"I knew there was a catch. Do we have to see that movie? I heard it sucked." Rory whined as they walked into the bookstore.
"Yep. We're compromising. I'm doing this thing with you, and you're watching the movie with me."
"Fine but if the movie sucks, then you are so NOT my boyfriend anymore!" Rory threatens, jokingly. Dean pretends to look wounded, and Rory leans up and kisses his cheek. "I'm just kidding, Dean, even if the movie is the worse than 'Glitter' I'll still love you."
They walk into the bookstore holding hands, and at the moment, all thoughts of Tristan are forgotten.
***
Rory browses though the books, waiting for Dean while he goes to get some coffee for them. She's looking in the 'Humor' section, when she sees a familiar face.
She groans. "Oh no. Not you. Go away."
"Mary, you know you love me." Tristan smirks, but really, he is just as shocked as Rory is. He came with his grandfather to Boston to get away from Hartford, hoping to forget about Rory.
Rory starts to walk away. "I don't want Dean to see you, leave me alone!"
"Mary, Mary. Is that any way to behave towards your love?" Tristan says admonishingly.
"Tristan, get it through your head. We are only an on-stage couple. Once the curtain goes down, I'm back to loathing you." Rory spits out.
"You wound me with your hateful words. No one would be able to ever guess that we've kissed so many times out of pure, unadulterated love for each other."
"I'm not going to do this with you, Tristan. For the last time, will you leave me alone? I'm here on a date with Dean!"
Tristan's heart drops when he hears that, but on the outside, he just keeps his smirk on firmly.
"Oh, so the Beave can read? Wow, shocker."
"You know, people could say the same about you." Rory retorts. "What are you doing here, anyway? Are you stalking me now or something?"
"And you say I have a big ego. We happen to run into each other, and she automatically assumes that I'm here for her. For your information, I came here with my grandfather for the poetry reading." Tristan says defensively.
"Really?" Rory knows she shouldn't be talking to him, but she can't seem to stop. "What happened to your big Saturday night date with Marcy?"
"You heard about that?"
"Yeah, it sort of tipped me off when she screamed down the hall, "See you Saturday night, Tristan!" I see you're keeping up your pattern of the absolute geniuses, Tristan."
"Yeah, well, I try, I really do. And as much as I would love to stay and chat, Mary, I have to go find my grandfather."
"What? You don't want to stay and chat with Dean? You guys never did get to build that clubhouse, did you?" Rory says sarcastically.
"Rory? Where are you?" Rory hears Dean's voice a few aisles over and she turns to Tristan urgently. "You have to go, Tristan!"
"Dean, we're over here!" Tristan calls out cheerfully. "My grandfather won't mind if I stay and chat with you for a little longer."
"Rory, who's with you?" Dean finally comes into view, and he gets a look of disgust and anger on his face when he sees Tristan.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Dean demands. "You decided that hassling my girlfriend at school and at those stupid play rehearsals isn't enough, now you have to bother her on her dates? I suggest you leave, I don't want to cause a scene."
"I wasn't hassling your girlfriend. We just happened to run into each other, and we had a lovely conversation. It was simply fascinating. And you know, I've been meaning to ask you, when are the green beans going on sale? I need my vegetables. I'm a growing boy, you know." Tristan leers at Rory, as Dean glowers at him.
"Look, man, could you just leave us alone? Rory sees enough of your ugly face as it is."
"Ugly? Oh, Dean! I'm devastated! I'm crying!" Tristan glances over at Rory, who is tugging on Dean's hand. "Or maybe I'm singing."
"Whatever, Tristan. I don't care. We're leaving, Dean." Rory says, shooting a nasty look over at Tristan.
"But we haven't even seen the poetry reading yet!" Dean protests, "We shouldn't leave on account of HIM."
"But I want to!" Rory says urgently. "We can go get dinner before the movie."
"Which movie are you seeing?" Tristan asks, butting right into their conversation. Dean glares angrily at him.
"None of your goddamned business, Dristan."
"Oh, we're breaking out the big insults, are we?" Tristan replied flippantly.
"Dean, let's go! He's not worth our time!" Rory is almost at wit's end, wanting to go as soon as possible, before anything damaging can be said.
"No, wait, Rory. I've got a bone to pick with this guy." Dean says, shrugging off Rory's hand.
"Dean! You're ruining our date!" Rory cries. Dean realizes that by acting like the macho man he tries to be, that he's only losing the girl in return.
"I'm sorry, Rory. We'll just leave."
"Aw, I'm all alone now! Some people are just so rude!" Tristan calls out as they leave. As soon as they're out the door, Tristan, who had been standing ram-rod straight, slouched down in depression.
I shouldn't have said anything to Rory at all. I'm never going to get over her if I keep speaking to her. But she just, looked so pretty, standing there all alone, reading a book, Tristan thinks, ambling over to his grandfather.
"Where have you been?" his grandfather orders. "The reading is about to start!"
"Sorry Grandpa. I ran into some friends." Tristan says sheepishly. His grandfather nods understandingly.
"You ran into a cute girl, didn't you? Have you been in the 'Romance' section, doing a little of your own, 'Romance reading'?"
"Grandpa, that was so lame! You're losing your touch as you get more senile." Tristan laughs.
His grandpa shook his fist menacingly. "You watch it, now! I am not senile! I am just, cranky. Because I didn't know where you were."
"Uh-huh. Sure." Tristan sits down as a girl dressed in black and gray sits down in the chair in the front of the room.
"Hello. My name is Maria Marris. I will be reading the poem that I wrote..."
"I am NOT senile!" his grandpa whispers to Tristan loudly.
"Grandpa, shut up!"
"Don't tell me to shut up, boy! Or I'll tell that girl you were making out with that you still sleep with Mr. Bear.'
"But I haven't slept with Mr. Bear for years, Grandpa." Tristan says in confusion.
"Oh....just, shut up, I'm trying to listen to Mia."
Their talking comes to a halt and Tristan tries to focus on the poetry, but he can't stop thinking about Rory and Dean. His grandpa nudges him.
"Are you listening to Mira? She's really good. That last poem was just, fascinating.....Can we go home? I'm bored." Tristan's grandpa whines.
Tristan sighs. " Grandpa, we're only on the first poet...there's still five more to go."
"I'll buy you a Slurpee on the way home."
"Gee, with an offer like that, how can I refuse? Grandpa, FYI, I stopped accepting bribery by Slurpee payment years ago. Now it's cars."
"Good boy. Grandpa has taught you well."
"Don't I know it. Let's go, Grandpa. I'll even pay for the Slurpee."
"Take back the senile comment though."
"Never, in a million years, senile old man."
***
Authors Note: Sorry Part 5 is late, I've been in Lazy mode, and haven't wanted to write. And I'm very sorry about the R/D scene, but it had to be done! Don't worry, I think all will be well with Trory in the next Chapter or so. I don't think I'm going to have too many more chapter, cause it would be bad if I dragged it out. So, tell me what you think! That means, review, damn it! I'm just kidding....it means, review, damn it, please. Isn't that much better?
Authors Note: Thanks to all who reviewed, I really love reviews, I mean, who doesn't? Unless they're bad, which I haven't really gotten. So thanks! It makes me feel special.... Oh, and there's Trory interaction, but no happy moments, this is going to be a angst chapter, I think. Maybe not. One never knows. Ooh, but there is singing! Don't forget to review!
Chapter Five: Like A Virgin
Rory is stuffing books into her locker when she hears someone calling her name .
"Rory!" She looks up and sees Tristan moving through the crowd of students toward her locker. She sighs and turns back to her locker, hoping that he's only stopping by to say hello.
"Hey Rory." Tristan says, pushing past some freshman girls who are openly staring at him in awe.
"Hey." Rory replies, all her concentration on her locker. Tristan leans against the locker next to hers like he always does and looks confident.
"I've got something to ask you." He says self-assuredly. Rory slams her locker shut and starts heading for the doors to the parking lot and the bus stop. Tristan follows after her.
"What is it?" Rory says nervously. "Are you going to ask me something about the play?"
"No...I'm going to ask you if you want to do something non-play related on Saturday night." Tristan grins like a little kid.
"Like a date?" Rory asks uneasily.
"Yep. You me, a movie, preferably in English, but subtitles will do. It's not like we'll really be watching it anyway, right? Oh, and dinner at that new French restaurant that just opened at the mall. Sound good?"
Rory sighs again and stops where she is. "Tristan...." she starts. "I don't know how to say this, so I'm just going to say it. I've decided not to break up with Dean after all, I'm sorry."
Rory looks down at her shoes, which is a good thing, because had she looked up, she would have seen the smile vanish from Tristan's face and a look of absolute heartbreak on his face. By the time Rory looks up to see his reaction, Tristan has managed to put a faux smile on his face to mask his feelings. "So there's no chance for us?"
"I'm afraid not." Rory says steadily, ignoring her mind, which is screaming, NO! You're making a mistake!
"Oh, I see. Well, no big deal, these things happen, right? I guess I was imagining things when I thought there might actually be chemistry between us. I mean, someone like ME, would never have been able to go out with someone like YOU..."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Rory says suspiciously.
"Nothing. Just that I usually go out with girls who have more experience, if you know what I mean. But maybe that's why I was attracted to you.... " Tristan stops abruptly and walks away.
Rory's bus comes, and she busies herself with thoughts of Dean. But she can't help thinking about the fact that Tristan didn't even seem like he cared.
***
"Hello is Rory there?" came a voice through the phone.
"Yeah, this is her, what's up?" Rory looks around her kitchen, searching for food, and finds a lone Pop Tart. She sits down at the kitchen table.
"This is Paris. Do you have the homework assignment for English? I outlined Chapter Three while I was sick, but I don't know the assignment."
"Oh, okay, we were supposed to write an essay on why non-fiction isn't necessarily 'real', it's just another aspect of fiction. Or if we disagree, we state our argument in essay form. And there's also questions that we have to answer on page 103. Oh, and in Chem. we took notes. You can borrow mine tomorrow if you like." Rory offers, while munching on her Pop-Tart.
"Really? That would be great. So how was rehearsal today?" Paris asks, worriedly. "Did you guys get a lot done without me there?"
"Um, yeah, we got lots done." Rory lies, looking at her newly polished nails, knowing Paris would freak out if she knew that nobody did anything play related.
"Okay, that's good." Paris says in relief. There's a silence, and Paris clears her throat. "Well, I better go and get started on my homework. Thanks again, see you tomorrow." She hangs up, without waiting for Rory to say good-bye.
Lorelai comes through the door happily. She stops when she sees Rory eating a Pop Tart.
"Hey! That better not be the last Pop Tart!"
"Um, oops?" Rory says guiltily. " I'm sorry. I was hungry, and this is the only thing in the house!"
"Fine, but you're coming to Luke's with me." Lorelai sets down her car keys and sits down next to Rory. "So how did things go with Tristan today?"
"Well, I managed to avoid him up until after school, but then he cornered be and asked me out for Saturday. I said no, and he acted like he was fine with it. Which he probably was. I mean, who knows with Tristan. I don't have the time to dwell on this, it's better this way."
"Ahhh.....! God, you know how when you see one of those cheesy love movies when the two main characters ALMOST get together so many times, but don't until the very last scene and all throughout the movie you just want to slap them and tell them to get together already? I so feel that way about you right now. I mean, I'm all for Dean, but if you don't love him anymore, just frickin tell him! You should be more like me. Just don't give a damn about the male species feelings. It works much better." Lorelai heaves a great dramatic sigh, and reaches for a piece of Rory's Pop Tart.
"Yeah, and we know how well THAT works."
Lorelai looks at Rory openmouthed. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Well, lets see, you didn't marry Dad, even though he's asked you, like a million times, and then you practically left Max at the alter. And then there's Luke. The poor guy has been in love with you for years, and you obliviously see him only as our 'coffee guy'. Your way of handling guys is not the greatest, Mom." Rory says, not noticing her mother's increasing anger and hurt to these comments.
"Excuse me? That was completely out of line, Rory! I know I encourage for you to voice your opinions, but that was outright mean!" Lorelai says, hurt.
"I'm sorry, but it IS the truth, is it not?" Rory looks nonchalant.
"It's not very fair of you to judge me so harshly. What brought this on? Is it the whole thing with Tristan and Dean? I mean, I sympathize with you, but don't take it out on me, I don't deserve it! And it is actually not your decision when I decide if I want to marry someone or not."
"Well, it affects me, doesn't it? Every time I see Mr. Medina, he avoids looking me in the eye. I wonder why that is..."
"You know what? I really don't want to listen to this, I'm sick of being blamed for that....it's in the past, Rory. Why did you drudge it up? And why don't you give me an answer when you're ready to actually talk, not just give scathing remarks." Lorelai stands up and heads for the door. "I'm going to Luke's. You can come, if you're going to behave. If not, then don't bother. Nobody likes childish behavior."
The door slams, and Rory groans and bangs her head down on the table. She really didn't mean to pick a fight with her mom, but she can't figure out why Tristan didn't seem to care about her. She couldn't figure out why she felt so down. She was making the RIGHT decision, by staying with Dean.
Did he really mean what he said? Rory wonders, That he was only in it for the sex? Probably. It's a good thing I stopped myself, because I almost fell for him.
What do you mean almost?, a voice in the back of Rory's head taunts. You've already fallen, in case you haven't noticed. Irreversibly and completely fallen.
"No." Rory says aloud to no one. She stands up and heads for her bedroom, slamming the door as she walks in.
***
"The French are glad to die for love." Satine sings out. There's a hush among everybody, for they are supposed to be in awe. Tristan is not looking at her, he's flirting with one of the courtesans. Paris is busy sorting through the costumes, and everybody else is bored ot of their minds.
"Look like you're in awe, people!" Paris yells out in irritation. "We're all bored and want to get out of here, but we're not leaving until we get his done! Rory, start over!"
Rory sighs, and plasters a sexy, alluring smile on her face. "The French are glad to die for love. They engage in fighting duels. But I prefer a man who lives, and gives expensive, things."
Music breaks out of the speakers, and Rory spins around and jumps off the stage, landing near one of the men who are ''stupefied".
"A kiss on the hand may be quite continental, but diamonds are a girls best friend." Rory trills. "A kiss may be grand, but it won't pay the rental on your humble flat, or help you feed your helpless pussycat."
"Men grow cold, as" Rory casts a look in Tristan's direction, "girls grow old, and we all lose our charms in the end. But square cut or pear shaped, these rocks don't lose their shape! Diamonds are a girls best friend!"
"...Tiffany!... Cartier!" Rory, in actuality, hates this song because it embodies the superficial world in which we live in. But that doesn't mean she gets out of singing it.
"Cause we are living in a material world, and I am a material girl!" Satine makes her way around the area where everyone is standing, looking at her as if she's not real. "Black Star, Ross Cole! Talk to me Harry Zidler, tell me all about it!" Harry comes out, and Satine goes around to the dressing area, still singing.
"There may come a time when a lass needs a lawyer, but diamonds are a girls best friend! There may come a time when a hard boiled employer thinks you're awful nice, but get that ice or else no dice!"
The other courtesans start singing. "He's your guy when the stocks are high, but beware when they start to descend. Ooh diamonds are a girls best, diamonds are a girls best, diamonds are a girls best friend!"
Satine comes out from the dressing area, dressed in a different costume. "Cause that's when those louses go back to their spouses. Diamonds are a girls best, friend." She ends that last note, and then proceeds to faint.
The male courtesan rushes over and gets her offstage, and that's when the scene ends. Tristan barely pays attention and Paris calls him on it.
"Good job everyone...DuGrey, you didn't have any lines in the scene, but you still had to pay attention! I didn't see your head look Rory's way once. Next time, do it right!"
Tristan mock salutes her. "Yes sir! Will do sir!" He goes back to flirting with the girl.
"This isn't a laughing matter Tristan! I'm not laughing! We have three weeks left, and if you do anything to screw the play up, I'll kill you! You understand?"
Tristan rolls his eyes. "Yes Paris. Now leave me alone, can't you see I'm busy?"
The girl he's been flirting with, Marcy, pipes up. "Maybe you shouldn't be so hard on him. After all, he is doing the best he can."
Paris send Marcy a look so cold it could have frozen her in an instant. Marcy shirks back and winces. Tristan puts his arm around her and gives Paris a wink.
Paris turns away, disgusted and marches over to Rory, who has just finished putting her Chilton uniform back on.
"So how well do the costumes fit?" Paris asks. Rory shrugs.
"Pretty well. The one I was just wearing is hard to get on, though."
"Hmm....I'll take it to the dressmaker to see if she can make it easier. So what's up with you and Tristan?"
"Paris!" Rory groans. "There is nothing going on with me and Tristan! I have a boyfriend, remember?"
"Oh, come off it, Rory! Everybody in the play can see that there something between you two. You guys are either too stubborn or too dense to realize it and just get together already!"
"No, I just don't want to be with him, because he's a complete user. Once he gets me to have sex with him, he'll leave me in a flash for the next 'Mary'" Rory says stiffly.
Paris looks Rory straight in the eye. "True, Tristan has a problem with commitment, but I've never seen him behave like this. I think it started out a game, but now, he's fallen for you. I wish it weren't you, because it's really hard to hate you, but I do pretty good at it, don't I?"
Rory grins at Paris. "Yes, you are very good at hating me. You could found the 'I hate Rory' club, and add it onto your extracurricular list. Harvard would love it!"
Paris laughs. "Oh yes, I can see it now. Extracurriculars? Well, she was editor of the school paper and she also founded the 'I hate Rory' club, of which she was president and the only member of."
"I'm sure there would be more members. Tristan could be vice president. Oh no wait, he can't, he's already in the, 'Nail em and bail em' club. Sorry, that takes up all his time."
Paris laughs, then turns grave. "Seriously, Tristan really likes you, and if you guys just let this opportunity pass you by and leave it as a could've been, then both of you should be kicked out of Chilton."
"For stupidity?"
"No, with you gone, I would be the smartest girl at Chilton again, and a shoe-in for valedictorian, and with Tristan gone, well, I think that would just be good for mankind!"
"Figures." Rory laughs. Paris smiles again, which is a rarity that Rory is seeing more and more.
"Okay, well, I gotta go check on how the people painting the sets are doing. If they've screwed up..." Paris walks away, muttering to herself. Rory watches her go, and ponders what Paris said.
***
"Dean, where are you taking me?" Rory says laughingly, a blindfold over her eyes.
"I can't tell you, now stop asking!" Dean says, for the fifth time.
"I'll stop asking once you tell me!"
"Argh! We're here, now you can take off your blindfold!"
Rory takes off her blindfold, and looks around in awe. They are in the heart of Boston, outside of a bookstore.
"There's a book signing and a poetry reading going on." Dean explains. Rory looks as him excitedly and beams.
"Are you serious!? You are the best boyfriend ever! I love you." The words just come out of her mouth before she even realizes it, but they make Dean very happy.
"I know. Now let's go! Cause afterwards we're going to see that new Tim Allen movie."
"I knew there was a catch. Do we have to see that movie? I heard it sucked." Rory whined as they walked into the bookstore.
"Yep. We're compromising. I'm doing this thing with you, and you're watching the movie with me."
"Fine but if the movie sucks, then you are so NOT my boyfriend anymore!" Rory threatens, jokingly. Dean pretends to look wounded, and Rory leans up and kisses his cheek. "I'm just kidding, Dean, even if the movie is the worse than 'Glitter' I'll still love you."
They walk into the bookstore holding hands, and at the moment, all thoughts of Tristan are forgotten.
***
Rory browses though the books, waiting for Dean while he goes to get some coffee for them. She's looking in the 'Humor' section, when she sees a familiar face.
She groans. "Oh no. Not you. Go away."
"Mary, you know you love me." Tristan smirks, but really, he is just as shocked as Rory is. He came with his grandfather to Boston to get away from Hartford, hoping to forget about Rory.
Rory starts to walk away. "I don't want Dean to see you, leave me alone!"
"Mary, Mary. Is that any way to behave towards your love?" Tristan says admonishingly.
"Tristan, get it through your head. We are only an on-stage couple. Once the curtain goes down, I'm back to loathing you." Rory spits out.
"You wound me with your hateful words. No one would be able to ever guess that we've kissed so many times out of pure, unadulterated love for each other."
"I'm not going to do this with you, Tristan. For the last time, will you leave me alone? I'm here on a date with Dean!"
Tristan's heart drops when he hears that, but on the outside, he just keeps his smirk on firmly.
"Oh, so the Beave can read? Wow, shocker."
"You know, people could say the same about you." Rory retorts. "What are you doing here, anyway? Are you stalking me now or something?"
"And you say I have a big ego. We happen to run into each other, and she automatically assumes that I'm here for her. For your information, I came here with my grandfather for the poetry reading." Tristan says defensively.
"Really?" Rory knows she shouldn't be talking to him, but she can't seem to stop. "What happened to your big Saturday night date with Marcy?"
"You heard about that?"
"Yeah, it sort of tipped me off when she screamed down the hall, "See you Saturday night, Tristan!" I see you're keeping up your pattern of the absolute geniuses, Tristan."
"Yeah, well, I try, I really do. And as much as I would love to stay and chat, Mary, I have to go find my grandfather."
"What? You don't want to stay and chat with Dean? You guys never did get to build that clubhouse, did you?" Rory says sarcastically.
"Rory? Where are you?" Rory hears Dean's voice a few aisles over and she turns to Tristan urgently. "You have to go, Tristan!"
"Dean, we're over here!" Tristan calls out cheerfully. "My grandfather won't mind if I stay and chat with you for a little longer."
"Rory, who's with you?" Dean finally comes into view, and he gets a look of disgust and anger on his face when he sees Tristan.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Dean demands. "You decided that hassling my girlfriend at school and at those stupid play rehearsals isn't enough, now you have to bother her on her dates? I suggest you leave, I don't want to cause a scene."
"I wasn't hassling your girlfriend. We just happened to run into each other, and we had a lovely conversation. It was simply fascinating. And you know, I've been meaning to ask you, when are the green beans going on sale? I need my vegetables. I'm a growing boy, you know." Tristan leers at Rory, as Dean glowers at him.
"Look, man, could you just leave us alone? Rory sees enough of your ugly face as it is."
"Ugly? Oh, Dean! I'm devastated! I'm crying!" Tristan glances over at Rory, who is tugging on Dean's hand. "Or maybe I'm singing."
"Whatever, Tristan. I don't care. We're leaving, Dean." Rory says, shooting a nasty look over at Tristan.
"But we haven't even seen the poetry reading yet!" Dean protests, "We shouldn't leave on account of HIM."
"But I want to!" Rory says urgently. "We can go get dinner before the movie."
"Which movie are you seeing?" Tristan asks, butting right into their conversation. Dean glares angrily at him.
"None of your goddamned business, Dristan."
"Oh, we're breaking out the big insults, are we?" Tristan replied flippantly.
"Dean, let's go! He's not worth our time!" Rory is almost at wit's end, wanting to go as soon as possible, before anything damaging can be said.
"No, wait, Rory. I've got a bone to pick with this guy." Dean says, shrugging off Rory's hand.
"Dean! You're ruining our date!" Rory cries. Dean realizes that by acting like the macho man he tries to be, that he's only losing the girl in return.
"I'm sorry, Rory. We'll just leave."
"Aw, I'm all alone now! Some people are just so rude!" Tristan calls out as they leave. As soon as they're out the door, Tristan, who had been standing ram-rod straight, slouched down in depression.
I shouldn't have said anything to Rory at all. I'm never going to get over her if I keep speaking to her. But she just, looked so pretty, standing there all alone, reading a book, Tristan thinks, ambling over to his grandfather.
"Where have you been?" his grandfather orders. "The reading is about to start!"
"Sorry Grandpa. I ran into some friends." Tristan says sheepishly. His grandfather nods understandingly.
"You ran into a cute girl, didn't you? Have you been in the 'Romance' section, doing a little of your own, 'Romance reading'?"
"Grandpa, that was so lame! You're losing your touch as you get more senile." Tristan laughs.
His grandpa shook his fist menacingly. "You watch it, now! I am not senile! I am just, cranky. Because I didn't know where you were."
"Uh-huh. Sure." Tristan sits down as a girl dressed in black and gray sits down in the chair in the front of the room.
"Hello. My name is Maria Marris. I will be reading the poem that I wrote..."
"I am NOT senile!" his grandpa whispers to Tristan loudly.
"Grandpa, shut up!"
"Don't tell me to shut up, boy! Or I'll tell that girl you were making out with that you still sleep with Mr. Bear.'
"But I haven't slept with Mr. Bear for years, Grandpa." Tristan says in confusion.
"Oh....just, shut up, I'm trying to listen to Mia."
Their talking comes to a halt and Tristan tries to focus on the poetry, but he can't stop thinking about Rory and Dean. His grandpa nudges him.
"Are you listening to Mira? She's really good. That last poem was just, fascinating.....Can we go home? I'm bored." Tristan's grandpa whines.
Tristan sighs. " Grandpa, we're only on the first poet...there's still five more to go."
"I'll buy you a Slurpee on the way home."
"Gee, with an offer like that, how can I refuse? Grandpa, FYI, I stopped accepting bribery by Slurpee payment years ago. Now it's cars."
"Good boy. Grandpa has taught you well."
"Don't I know it. Let's go, Grandpa. I'll even pay for the Slurpee."
"Take back the senile comment though."
"Never, in a million years, senile old man."
***
Authors Note: Sorry Part 5 is late, I've been in Lazy mode, and haven't wanted to write. And I'm very sorry about the R/D scene, but it had to be done! Don't worry, I think all will be well with Trory in the next Chapter or so. I don't think I'm going to have too many more chapter, cause it would be bad if I dragged it out. So, tell me what you think! That means, review, damn it! I'm just kidding....it means, review, damn it, please. Isn't that much better?