Imagine Me Without You (Chapter 5)
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Title: Imagine Me Without You (Chapter 5) Author: gigi Rating: I am not responsible for any kind of rating. Summary: you have to read to find that out. The title of this series was inspired by Jaci Velasquez's ballad "Imagine Me Without You" Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters except for MY story line. In advance, Christian and Evelyn Dugrey are the names I gave for Tristan's parents. E-mail: gigi@xquisite.net Etc.: I respect "constructive" criticism. Sorry for the lack of updates. I'm on my winter break and I am enjoying it thank you very much. I hope this chapter makes up for lost time as well as suffices as a late Christmas present. I'm currently working on the next chapter of this on-going series. I mean, I hate giving my readers something short to read! I like detail and I want you guys to enjoy it! Chatper 5: Blue Mondays & Whatever You Says Breathless just had to be the word both Tristan and Rory could use to describe what happened back there at school. Spontanaiety, well, is overused. Breathless would have to do. After settling into his car and the warmth of the environment, a conversation was soon to be developed between the reunited Tristan and Rory. "I can't believe we just did that. I, I can't believe that I just did that!" Rory exclaimed. Tristan in turn responded to the gitty outburst. "No kidding Mary. And hell, it was on my first day back! You should lose your way more often to class!" Throwing her hands up in refusal, Rory giggled. "I didn't lose my way to class...Tufty. I was late and so were you! So don't tell me that this is all my fault!" "Tufty? Where the hell did you get Tufty?" raising an eyebrow. In complete awe, she delicately patted the top of what used to be a mess of blonde hair. "You have no more hair! It's like a baby's tuft of hair! ", she pouted. "What's the fun in messing up boring hair?!" Tristan smiled at her childishness, which was found to be highly cute in his eyes. He smirked uncontrollably as he gripped the steering wheel, not quite sure of where they were headed. "So where is it that you're kidnapping me to, huh? It's only 9. If you're still up for coffee, we can head to the Hartford Shopping Gallary if you want." pointing his chin at the car clock. "Actually, I don't want any coffee." Rory simply said. Never in his lifetime did he think Rory Gilmore would utter those words. For chrissakes, it was coffee, her drug. She'd shoot him in the leg to get just a bean of the sacred item! He shook his head and it made Rory jump in her seat. "What? You think I can't go without coffee for a day?" "Hah! More like an hour! But, you said it. I'm actually offering, so, you better make up your mind or else no caffeine will be distributed." She knew he said it to annoy her and she crossed her arms defiantly and declared she would go on without coffee, at least for now she thought. "Tristan?" "Hmm?" as he slowly braked at a stoplight. "I want to talk." "Umm, we've been doing that." "No Tristan, I want to talk, I mean, I want to talk to you about--" Tristan raised his hand and pleaded that she stop there. "Rory, what is it that you want to talk about? Don't beat around the bush." His tone had been lowered, part of the cheeriness sucked out of his voice. The tone would be serious and sincere if what she was going to talk about was serious and sincere, as he curiously stared at her. She had wanted to talk about, well, everything. Tristan had been gone for what seemed like an eternity. There wasn't anything in particular that she wanted to talk about but just everything. Her hands were getting clammy and she hesitated a moment, to carefully select words that wouldn't spark up conflict. "I just want to talk about how we've been. I mean, how you've been and how I've been. You know, I want to know what's going on in your life and I'm sure you want to know what I've been up to, I guess." How could she say 'I guess'. Of course he wanted to know how she was! He was dying to know. There didn't go a day when he didn't think of her, how she was doing, what she was doing at exact moments. Hell, he even wanted to know how she was doing with Bag Boy! The green light blinked before Tristan could reply and he pressed the gas pedal to drive into their unknown destination. Rory fumbled with the cuff of her jacket as Tristan drove on. He didn't want things to be awkward between them, not this time. Although the pressure to be so close to her, to want to touch her, and give her his love was hard, he knew he needed to do things right this time. This was his chance, not to coerce her into being his girlfriend (although he'd love that, too) but to become her friend. This was his only chance. Tristan pulled into the sidewalk and parked his car. Rory didn't turn to Tristan, in fears that he would figure out that during the whole car ride that she was trying to steal glances of him. Continuing to fumble with her cuff, Tristan leaned forward onto the steering wheel, tapping his fingers on the grooves. He let out a sigh, when Rory turned to look at him. "What?" as he gently bit his lower lip. "Nothing". She took her eyes off the gorgeous creature and went back to fumbling her cuff. Tristan took notice of the habit and gently picked up her hand and held it in his. She looked at their hands, hers being held in his. She looked up to meet his, the innocence just glowing off of her. But quickly lowered her head down once again. "Come on, what is it? You don't have to hide anything from me." He traced his finger from underneath her chin, guiding her up so that their gaze would be locked-in again. The warmth of his hand and the chill of his eyes made her knees quiver with both fear and delight. She furtively decided that she had nothing to hide from Tristan, so she thought. "It's just that--" speaking slowly with consideration. "Yes?" "It's just that, you're really here Tristan. You're here, back home, back here. You're with me of all people!" trailing off into a soft chuckle. He smiled, neither one noticing that he was rubbing his thumb in circles, gently on her hand. The two smiled at one another, embracing the moment. "I didn't think you would come back...ever. You were unexpected." A small tear seeped its way from her eye, streaking her rosy cheeks. With her other hand, she quickly wiped away the tear. She was embarassed, letting him see here this way. "Look at me, getting all emotional on you." lowering her eyes back down. It was something she had to work on; eye-contact. He couldn't believe it, he was making her cry again. It pained him to see her cry, something he couldn't bare. "Hey, don't worry about it. Come on, don't cry, please? Please Rory?" Her name upon his lips sparked something deep inside of her. It was the way he said it. Dean had stopped calling her that after they had gotten back together but when Tristan had spoken her name, she felt a burst of something spark up inside of her. She just loved the way he said her name. He traced the same spot with his finger where her tear had fallen, making sure that it was now dry. "I don't want you to shed a tear over me, promise me that? I'm not worth a tear or a cent of your time Rory. Come on, I'm Tufty, remember?" He formed a puppy-frown and it eased the tension that had built up in the car. She cracked a small smile, staring back up at him and then at his hair. "Funny, Tufty and Mary, sitting in a car. How strange." Tristan smirked, slowly releasing his hand from hers. "Speak for yourself Mary, speark for yourself" He didn't see her disappointed look when he released her hand but she smiled to hide it. He sat back straight up again and started the ignition, this time asking where they should go or what they should do next. "Well, I do still want to talk but not in your car nd definitely not in the middle of---." She checked out the window to see where they were and quickly concluded that she had no clue where they were. "What do you suggest Mary?" "Well, there's this old quarry that no one no longer goes to. I used to go there when I was younger but well, I haven't found the time to go back. But I figure while we're out, how about now?" In approval, he nodded and pointed with his index finger if they were going to be driving north, west, south, or east. She pointed south and Tristan gave her the thumbs-up sign. Checking traffic, he pulled out and made a u-turn at the stoplight, when Rory suddenly slapped the sides of her seat in craze and motioned that Tristan pull the car aside again. "What is it?!" he beckoned. "We have to do something first." "What do you--" Rory placed her finger on his lips as her other hand searched for her bag pack behind her seat. On she caught hold, she pulled it to her and released her finger from his lips. She unzipped the frong pocket of her bag and dug around until she pulled out her cell phone. Before Tristan could peep a word, Rory 'shhhhed' him and dialed. Tristan could only sit back and watch. --------------------------------------------------------- "Chilton Prepatory. How is it that I may be of service to you?" The woman on the other line sounded droneful, programmed to most likely say that every morning when someone called into the office. On the other line, Rory was nervous, not sure of what she should say. Her voice was too soft-spoken and she didn't know how to make herself sound older, nonetheless sound different. She cleared her throat and casually responded. "Yes, I called to inform you that Tristan Dugrey, who was inclined to start up his curriculum and return this morning, will not be present." Rory gripped her phone with all her might, hoping that the person on the other line couldn't tell that a student was calling in. Tristan sat back, staring at amazement. He couldn't believe Rory Gilmore was fibbing, for him! Not only was she playing hookie but she was fibbing! He tried to control himself from bursting out in laughter, while Rory playfully punched him in the arm to shush him. He fell back and pretended to be wounded, clenching his right shoulder, which stifled a laugh out of Rory. She placed her other hand over her mouth, so she couldn't laugh no more. "Miss, is there something you were laughing at?" the lady questioned, apparently hearing all the ruckus in the background. Rory's eyes shot-up wide. "Oh, no, me? Of course not, why would I be laughing?!" She heard the woman on the line whisper an audible "sure, whatever" and Rory rolled her eyes, mouthing the words 'sure, whatever'. Tristan rubbed the back of his neck while Rory spoke on the phone. "Well, thank you for taking the time to call in on the behalf of Mr. Dugrey. Before I go, may I ask who I'm talking to?" Rory froze and slapped Tristan on the shoulder again, this time a little bit harder. He looked at her like a mad-woman and mouthed 'what-was-that-for?'. Rory mouthed back, waving her free arm for something, 'what's-your-mom's name?' Tristan whispered, 'Evelyn'. "Evelyn Dugrey." "Well Mrs. Dugrey, we hope to greet the presence of your son tomorrow morning. Good day." The woman on the line held the phone to her ear, while looking at a computer monitor, to make sure that someone else other than his parents were calling in. Before Rory could say 'good day', the line went dead. Rory let out a sigh of relief and clicked 'end' on her phone. She turned to Tristan, for what seemed like the millionth time, and saw that he was leaning on his elbow against the driver's arm rest. "What?" Rory asked, as she threw the phone back into her bag. "My my, Mary, I never knew you played hookie." "I don't." "So?" "So? What do you mean, 'so'?" "You just lied for me." She happily pulled her hair back into a pony tail. "Come on now, you just missed your first day of school AND you were late! What kind of an impression would that be?!!" Tristan nodded his head in approval. "The Tristan Dugrey impression to be precise. But Rory, you'll be in trouble. Won't your Mom get mad?" "Are you kidding? She'd give me a standing ovation and build me a coffee tower!" He chuckled at her confession. "Gilmore, you truly are a strange girl." He started up the ignition and pulled out to drive to Rory's secret quarry. --------------------------------------------------------- He had expected the quarry to be small and unappealing but he found it to be quite the opposite. Indeed, the quarry had been abandoned and left alone for quite awhile but he liked the idea that it was private and left alone and untouched by time. Wild flowers sprung up from the ground, which Rory took in delight in picking. While she picked away, Tristan tore himself from her and approached a tall, willow tree. The trunk of the tree was thick, a dark chocolate color. Insitinctively, he placed his hand on the trunk, gripping the grooves and cracks. He walked around it slowly, taking time to notice the engravings on the trunk, smiling at the tiny proclamations of love and the initials of lovers intertwined in the thick of the trunk. The spring time unveiled her beauty amongst the quarry and he could see why Rory enjoyed coming here. He turned to expect her still picking flowers but she was nowhere to be seen. In panic, he darted his eyes around, until he felt a brush of something prickly on his neck. Flowers. Quickly, he spun around to see Rory, who was sniffing the boquet of flowers. He placed his hand over his chest and then gently let his hand rest on her shoulder. "Don't do that." "So what do you think?" Rory held the boquet in her hand, picking out several petals. "I can see why you come here a lot. It's beautiful. There's not really a lot of this in Hartford." She looked up at him, seeing that he was truly in awe. Rory grabbed his hand into hers and led him under the willow to sit down on the huge boulders. She sat down first, laying the flowers aside, and then patted the spot to her left for Tristan to sit down. He stood for a moment, looking down at her. She was so innocent, sitting there in her little plaid skirt, picking away at her flowers. Her slender legs billowed over the rocks, a pond below her where the petals fell into. She didn't know that he had been staring at her and he smirked, taking off his Chilton jacket. Tristan sat down beside her and placed his jacket aside him. "Gosh Tristan, how have you been?" "Military school wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I guess you can call me crazy, but it beats 'Hell'." Rory perked at the word 'Hell' as Tristan patted the academic 'C' on the jacket. She squined at the remark and shrugged her shoulders. A moment of silence overcame the two. They did have a lot to talk about and they wanted answers but the words were just not pouring out. She plucked petals at a time while he watched her do so. While Rory did that, Tristan pondered what he should say next. The last thing he needed to do was say something wrong and to scare her away. But his curiousity was killing him; he wanted to know how Rory was doing with Dean. "So, umm, how are you and Dean?" Rory fidgeted to the name. Dean. Of all people, he was the very last person on the list of who she was thinking about that minute. Why did he have to bring him up? In a way, the revelation made her think that some comfort would come out of the conversation. After all, she hadn't spoken about Dean to anyone else but Lorelai. She let out a heavy sigh, which caught Tristan attention, and patted her skirt. "Dean." The way she repeated his name sounded like a plague against man-kind. "Umm yeah, Dean, your boyfriend." He had meant for it to be an implied-fact but it was more of a question. Another sigh was let out and she paused before she would answer. "He's not my boyfriend. We broke up." As simple as the words were, they hit Tristan with a pang of great hope. His thoughts danced happily in his mind but he could see Rory's breakup with Dean still affected her. A smirk played up on his golden silk and shook his head. "I'm sorry." At the same time, his condolence was sincere but nonetheless, he was glad that Bag Boy and Rory were through. She pursed a tiny smile and looked deep into his eyes. She didn't know what she was looking for in those blue pools of his but she enjoyed staring into his eyes. They were pretty. "Liar. You're not sorry one bit!" She laughed at the god beside her and patted his golden locks. "Don't be sorry. If anything, I'm more than sorry that I went back out with him. He was a---" Tristan filled in the void with four-lettered words and mean words, which brought on a surpised look to Rory. She whole-heartedly laughed at the fill-in words and mused that even obscenities and expletive deletives couldn't begin to describe Dean. "I guess Bag Boy couldn't compare to my looks, huh Mary?" The oh-so-famous eye-rolling affect made its way back into her baby-blues. "I see that military school and miles and miles apart away from Chilton couldn't T.K.O. your ego." "You have to admit, I still look good. Right?" Rory could feel her face redden. Yes, it was true he was still gorgeous. Time had quickly sped in front of her and when the personality wasn't at hand, Tristan was a beauty. He had sparkling eyes that seemed to explode, blonde hair was that was soft to the touch, and a body. Yes, a body, she secretly desired to seek under the articles of clothing. She quickly cursed herself for thinking such thoughts. He sat there right beside her and he had no clue of the thoughts that just passed through her mind. "Whatever, Tristan. Whatever" Rory rolled her eyes once more and let out a chuckle. Althought it was early in the day, the day was warming up quickly and she couldn't take the heat underneath her clothes. The uncomfortability was driving her mad. She mumbled a few words under her breath and rather impatiently slipped off her jacket. "Wow Mary, what are we doing, huh?" He threw her one of his seductive looks. He may have been gone for awhile but he still knew how to do it. Before a grin could come about, Rory placed the palm of her hand over his face. "You need get over yourself." He couldn't help it but the little devil in Tristan was making its way up to the surface. "Consider it done. How about I get over you?" His eyebrows gave off a wiggle. He knew that Rory had to have a moment to process what he meant by the last comment. When she realized the implication was sexual, she released her palm from his face and rolled her eyes. "Be careful Mary, if you keep on doing that, they'll never come down." She had just had about enough of his teasing and declared that the only thing that would be going down would be Tristan. They exchanged looks of childishness. He knew that she was going to try and hit him (or at least try) and sprung on his legs before she could get a hold on him. Like rabbits, the two reunited "friends" attempted to "beat" one another up. Giggles and banter were exchanged back and forth in their private moment. Both of them felt so good, getting to laugh and run around. Both of them needed it. The two ran around the quarry what seemed like for eternity, wading in the creek and throwing thousands of wildflower petals all over the place. They had played hide-and-seek, duck-duck-goose, and a bunch of other childhood games and riddles. Not much had conversation had gotten accomplised but neither one cared. They were happy. As much as he wanted the moment to last, he quickly darted his eyes to his watch: 1:48. They had been playing for almost five hours. When he seized to look at his watch, the smile slowly disappeared. He lay there on the ground, while Rory stood above him, happily depositing flower petals over him. Her cheeks were flushed with a healthy pink, smiling like no other. She looked down and saw that he was no longer smiling and pouted. He tapped the lense of his watch and she fell to her knees right beside him to peer the time. While she peered at his watch and swept the petals away from his body, he stared up at her. She leaned into him but not too close. It was close enough for him to smell the strawberry scent of her shampoo, her coffee-colored hair grazing his forearm. Her hair glowed a golden brown, the rays of sunlight enhancng her beauty. He so badly wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her soft lips, right there and then. Of course, she had no clue that he was thinking all this. He chastised himself for thinking what he thought. *Dammit Dugrey, you're supposed to be trying to be a friend. You're rushing it. Stop it* His heartbeat slowed down once he calmed himself of his thoughts. She didn't know that he was staring at her for that long and to knock her out of her trance, he tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and removing a petal that was intertwined in her hair. She perked up to his touch and looked down at him, leaning on her arm. "Thanks" she softly replied. "I guess we better get going. People are going to wonder why my jeep is parked in the school parking lot when I'm not there. You ready to go?" "Uh, yeah." The two silently got up a shrugged off the remaining leaves and twigs from their clothes. They walked to the rocks where they had earlier disgarded their jackets. As Rory picked hers up to inspect it, while she wasn't looking, Tristan bowed down and picked up the boquet of flowers she had bound together earlier. Quickly, he tucked the boquet under his jacket. Even though he'd always have the memory, he wanted something tangible he could remember the day by. Rory once again slipped on her jacket and walked side-by-side with Tristan to his car. Before Rory got to the passenger door, Tristan ran around and opened the door for her. She nodded a simple 'why-thank-you' and slipped into the car. She was greeted by a warm environment and slapped the leather exterior and decided once for all that the jacket just had to go. Tristan slipped in onto the other side of the flawless BMW and left the door open to release the heat. Like a child thrashing in a kiddie pool, Rory removed her jacket and threw it behind her. Tristan gave her a 'what-the-heck' look and smirked. He, too, put his jacket in the backseat with the boquet. Buckling up, the two left the quarry alone, once again to bask in its beauty. --------------------------------------------------------- The Chilton parking lot was still quite full since school had let out 20 minutes ago but Rory had parked her car in the corner, where she was sure that many people wouldn't look. Tristan drove around to park right beside her jeep. The ride back to Chilton was spent in silence but a comfortable silence. Tristan most of the time kept his eyes on the road, unable to control the smile on his face. Rory spent most of the car ride looking out the window, her hands folded on her lap, with a content smile. "Milady, yourchariot awaits." He used his chin to point at her jeep. "Why thank you dear sir." With one arm on the arm rest and the other pulling her bag pack from behind her, she shyly looked away. Tristan ran his hand through his hair and fought the urge to stare at her too hard or touch her. Skin-to-skin contact was still too hard for him to handle. After recovering her bag, she slung it onto her lap. Tristan and Rory sat in deaf silence. "I guess it's my time to get out." She tucked another stray hair behind her ear. "I really enjoyed today, even if we didn't have much to talk about." "It's ok." He stole a glance of her sky-blue eyes, which locked into his deep ocean-blues. "We have all the time in the world to catch up on everything and anything Mary. It just wasn't today." He didn't think about it when he reached for her hand. She let out a squeakish laugh and Tristan caught it. Rory was embarassed by her little burst of glee but Tristan said it was ok. "I really enjoyed today, Tufty. Even if it was spent ditching and lying and with not much conversation...I really enjoyed today." "So did I Mary. So did I. And you said you wanted to talk." He didn't want them to be seen together, in the sense that both would be in trouble for not actually showing up for class. She snapped out of her thoughts and released the lock of her door and pushed forward. She didn't get out right away. "You better show up on time to class tomorrow. People won't be expecting to see you tomorrow; they'll be dying to see you." Tristan chuckled and put up in hands in defeat and mocked Rory's eye-rolling motion. She didn't know why she hesitated to hug him now. She did it on impulse earlier that day but this time they were closer. She wouldn't have to run up and jump on him. There was no more time to think about her actions, so she turned and gave Tristan another hug. It surprised him but he welcomed her warmth and welcome into his arms. The hug wasn't as strong but still sincere. It was the hug of a new beginning and a new chance, even if Rory didn't know it. It meant more to Tristan than she would ever know. "Ok, I'm getting out. The gargoyles will swallow me alive if I don't leave now." Tristan was disappointed that she left their embrace but braved that there was always tomorrow. He was home now and he would do anything to stay. She forced herself to remove herself from the sticky leather and got out the car and slammed the door without a lot of force. "Hey hold on Mary." She ducked down to the open window and pursed a questionable look. Tristan turned to his backseat and grabbed her jacket. Quickly, he plucked a daisy from the now-hidden boquet and slipped it into the breast pocket of her jacket. Casually, he handed it to her out the window. "Can't forget this now." Instructively, she took the jacket from his grasp and simply flung the jacket over her arm and turned to open the door of the driver's side. He wanted to say 'thank you' and 'goodbye' but the words weren't forming. While he tried to mouth the perfect words, Rory turned back once more and ducked down to the window to see his face. "Welcome home Tristan." She smiled warmly and waited for no reply. Instead, she flung open her door and slipped in, placing her jacket and bag on the passenger seat. Tristan sat in his car, staring straight ahead. All he heard was the sound of her jeep's ignition and her pulling out of her spot. He sat in wonderment, thinking about the girl that just left him. "Damn it feels good to be home". --------------------------------------------------------- Rory drove into Gilmore driveway, happy as could be. She had spent her whole day with Tristan and the smile just wouldn't go away. Turning off the ignition, she jumped out of the jeep and skiddadled to her front door, jacket and bag in hand. She was unaware of the daisy that Tristan placed in her jacket. There wasn't much struggle with opening the door today, unlike other days when a fight had to be put up with. Pushing the door forward, Rory carelessely dropped her bag and jacket onto the floor. "Mo0o0o00om! Where art thou mom?", closing the door behind her. "Over here!" a voice called out, unsure of where here really was. "Where?" Rory asked once again. Rory walked straight into the kitchen, where she saw Lorelai standing on the kitchen countertop, apparently looking for something in a high shelf. "OVER--" Lorelai shouted and looked down from the kitchen countertop. She hadn't noticed Rory had walked in when she belted 'OVER'. She knew she was too loud when she looked down at Rory, who placed a hand on each side of her head over her ears. "---uh, yeah, here." "I knew you were blind, not tone-deaf. What are you doing up there?!" Rory released her hands from her ears and took a seat at the dining table. "Well, if you must know, I'm looking for the candlestick holders your grandma gave us a long time ago. I think they were from Christmas." Coughing, Lorelai smoothed dust away from the collar of her shirt. "You're home early. Trying to catch up with the after-school specials?!" "Ha ha Mom. No. What's wrong with being home a little bit early?" "A little bit? It's before 4 on a Monday. You're always home after 4. It's barely 3! And I know you drove the speed-limit. You, missy, have got some explaining to do." "It doesn't matter Mom, I'm just home early." Lorelai slowly stooped down on the countertop and stepped onto the chair set against the bottom cupboards and mumbled to herself about 'screw the candlesticks holders' when she came up empty-handed. Wiping her pants, she looked up to see her daughter with a smile plastered across her face. "Hey, what's up with the smile? Something good must have happened today. So what is it?!" Rory hadn't heard her mom. She was too busy thinking about what happened today. When she saw that her mom was staring at her, one hand on hip, Rory broke out of her trance. "Hey Maryanne, the Professor and Gilligan want to know why you're dozing." "Oh, mom, it's nothing. I just had a really good day. I got an A on a paper. It's nothing." She was lying but she hoped that she sounded believable. She had to. She wasn't ready to have a conversation about Tristan when she wasn't even sure of where to start. "Riiiiiiight." Lorelai wasn't going to take any of that hoopla seriously. "You are a bit too chipper coming home from Hell.Thee expensive Hell to be precise. Something must have happened, I mean, did Paris die or something?!" "Mom that was harsh." staring up. "Well, whatever. I'm heading out to Luke's for some coffee. I'll bring you back a few cups, ok?" "That'd be great. Bye mom." "Bye Mary." Her mom's last words had caught her off guard. She turned in her seat to give her mom a glare and mouthed a silent HA-HA. Rory got up and scooted out the door to get the mail while Lorelai headed out to the hallway to select a jacket. Lorelai opened the closet door only to find Rory's Chilton jacket and bagpack lying on the floor. She dared not pick up the bag; she knew it weighed a ton. Instead, she dragged it to the foot of the stairs and flung the expensive jacket over her forearm. "Expensive threads, very expensive threads. Threads that I don't pay for" Lorelai thought in a singy-song way and smiled to herself. She straightened it out to look at it and noticed that a daisy was tucked inside the front breast pocket. "Hmm, a daisy. Must be the secret admirer at work again." speaking aloud. With no consciense to bother her, she plucked the daisy out. She would've asked Rory who gave it to her but she kept hush and walked into Rory's room. Lorelai wanted to make sure the jacket was easily visible, so she wrapped it around Rory's computer chair. It was a matter of time before Rory would tell Lorelai what really made her happy today and she decided no prying would be instigaed. Quietly, Lorelai shut her daughter's bedroom door. On her way back to the closet and placing the daisy on the drawer beside the closet, she simply pulled out a gray-duster jacket, then slipping into it with ease. She could hear Rory coming up the steps and opened the door for her. Removing her eyes from the mass of junk mail, Rory nodded in approval of her mother's appearance. Suddenly with no desire to hold the mail, she shoved it into her mother's arms. "Playboy is offering a yearly subscription to you, Lorelai Gilmore", Lorelai read aloud "and family", smiling at the ridiculous invitation, "for the affordable price of 19.99. Act now!" Rory stood beside her, smiling. "And hey, it's cheap.", Rory pointed out in mock-excitement. Lorelai wiggled her eyebrows while Rory rolled her eyes. "How come you're not gone yet?" Rory questioned. "And no coffee is present. You can't come back until you give me coffee. It's the rule." "Hah. How come you were so eager to find something in the mail, huh?" It was true. Ever since she received that mysterious envelope, she was really anxious to see if she would get anything else in the mail. But it had been two weeks, going on three, and nothing else was popping up. Maybe it was a joke. Maybe. "Whatever Mom." once more, rolling her eyes again. "Whatever. Just come back with coffee." "You've been doing that", mocking the eye-rolling gesture, "a lot lately. You're not telling me something and I want to know! No coffee for you!" "Evil, you trully are evil." plopping down onto the famous Gilmore couch and crossing arms. Clutching her purse and daisy off the chestnut drawer and tying her duster while walking to the couch, Lorelai then placed her hands on the back edge of the sofa. "I may be evil, but this evil woman gets coffee. Hah, beat that heffer!" Out of nowhere, unbeknownst to Rory, Lorelai tucked the daisy behind Rory's right ear. Turning on heel quickly, Lorelai walked out of the residence in search of her coffee. Rory plucked the daisy from behind her ear and turned around, only to find herself alone and hearing the door shut. Once again, she stared at the daisy with much confusion and question. Sighing, she fumbled with the daisy and reflected back on the day's earlier events. She smiled, knowing that she was alone with Tristan Dugrey and that he was back. For good. It was good to have him back, it made her feel complete and at ease. It was a good day and drowning in the comfortable couch cushions was only making her wish that the day was longer and would never end. "Damn the coffee better be good." --------------------------------------------------------- Tristan pulled up to the Dugrey mansion and surveyed the gardener mowing the lush, green front yard. Wow...I never realized how huge my front lawn looked.. Nearing the end of the driveway, he proceeded to break steadily and pulling it around to the garage. Coming to a full halt, he braked, put the car in park, and turned off the ignition. The ride home was somber. It wasn't so much that he needed someone to talk to but he wanted someone to be there right beside him. He needed a real presence. Instead of a physical being, a substitute of thoughts had to be sufficient for the time being. All he could think about was her. All he could think about was what had happened between them that day, wishing that it never ended. He was intoxicated the very moment she turned around and ran to him and it would never leave his memory. If anything, he wasn't expecting a welcome-back like that, maybe just a simple 'hello' or the nod of the head. But he wouldn't trade anything for today. Nothing. He sat in his BMW, looking at the empty spot beside him. Strawberry. He could still smell the faintest scent of her shampoo still lingering in the enclosed space. Releasing a heavy sigh, he pushed forward, laying his head down on the grooves of the steering wheel. His eyes closed, a smile smoldered his handsome features. "Rory, you don't have a clue what you do to me." mumbling his secret thoughts aloud. "I don't understand how you,a girl, could do this to me." After blurting out the last few words, he gave himself a mental slap. She wasn't just a girl. She represented every pure, innocent, and good thing in this world. He had wanted to talk to her today but they were too caught up in their moment to seriously talk about anything. From their mindless chit-chat at the quarry, he now knew that Bag Boy and Rory were no longer. It was a sign from the heavens that things so far were going good in his direction. And now that he was back with a chance to spark up any kind of relationship with Rory, he made a promise to himself that he wouldn't mess it up. Turning around, he snatched his binder (and realizing the pointlessness of bringing it today), jacket, and bouquet of wild flowers. Before Tristan was sent away to military camp and meddled in trouble with Duncan and Bowman, he had a promising future set before him. Although he was the "ladies man", he was not just another pretty face; he excelled in his academics quite fairly and had a secret ambition to be a lawyer, maybe even be a journalist. His dreams were jaded for the time being but if he learned anything from military school, it is that you don't ever quit and second chances are to be taken seriously. Slipping out of the car and aiming his keys to enforce the alarm, he bumped into a structure, pushing back the young fellow. Lost in thought, he glanced up to meet a pair of navy-blues staring into his view. It was his father. Behind his father, a woman jabbering into her cell-phone motioned a sort of 'hello' to Tristan but never took her attention away from the phone. "I see that you attention is focused somewhere else, son?" "You could say that Dad. I see that Mommy Dearest has her attention on other things as well?" looking past his father and at Evelyn Dugrey. She was still beautiful in her age but a mature beauty with a poise and grace most women lost as they aged. Her locks were a dirty-blonde color, stylishly put up in a french twist, neatly tucked beneath a rather large social hat. Although her eyes weren't any shade of blue, the exotic mix of hazel-grey eyes were hidden behind a modern-style of black sunglass shades. When Christian turned to the jabbering woman and cleared his throat, she immediately smirked and told the person on the other line she needed to go. Clicking the cell on end, she straightened up, swifting her silk scarf to the side, and removed her sunglasses. "Mother." Tristan stated. She wasn't born to be a motherly figure; just meant to have them. Being a woman of her social status, she wasn't meant to express love but futher generations and mingle amongst the blue blood. Secretly, she desire a close-knit with her only child but when either one failed to make a true effort, she put her personal feelings and thoughts aside and focused on what was "important." She was sure that Tristan had no problem not having a close relationship with his parents. Evelyn hesitantly approached her son and gave him a semi-hug. "Darling, it's so nice to have you back home. Did you miss me? Did you miss us? Everyone has missed you so dearly!" She babbled more, releasing her hold, but Tristan found it very easy to tune her out, since he learned the skill at a very young age. He found her inquiries to be false and insincere in all its entirety. After she halted to receive a response, Tristan simply nodded. The cell phone rang and Evelyn sprung on it like wildfire. Without a hello, she continued her unfinished conversation on the other line, motioning both to Christian and Tristan she needed to excuse herself to deal with "important" matters. And soon enough, she was out of sight, only the echos of her pump heels clicking on the pavement. "I guess some things will never change." The comment was bitter, as Tristan looked on. The words stung, as Christian saw the hurt in his sons eyes and met him at his side. He didn't know if it was right to do so but Christian put his arm around his son, which brought on surprise and comfort to both of them. "She's your mother." looking into his son's eyes. "And she's your wife." Christian smirked in approval at his son's rebuttal and proceeded with his open arm to walk to the Dugrey's residential entrance. "So tell me my boy. How was your first day?" walking beside him slowly. He hadn't heard his father's voice because once again caught in his thoughts of Rory. When no response was made, Christian saw that his mini-me version was smiling like a love-struck fool. "I see that the skirts got shorter and the work-load got easier, I see." Christian inquired. Tristan stopped in step and stared at his dad with a rather questionable look. "Am I right?" Tristan chuckled. "It was good Dad. It was a really good day." Of course, it wasn't spent in school but with his dream girl. She just didn't know it yet. "You saw a girl, huh?" "What makes you think that?" "I didn't have to. You're smiling like a boy in a candy store." It was true. Tristan was smiling like no other and the feelings were not easy to hide. Underneath the jacket, he saw his son was holding an unidentified object. "I see that your admirers missed you much?" He didn't know what he was talking about until he looked down at the flowers. "You could say that." He brought up the flowers close enough for both to observe. Plucking out a daisy, he snapped off half of the stem and professionally slipped it into his father's breast pocket. "I was right. You did see a girl." looking down at the tiny piece of beauty submerged in a thick pack of threads. "Whatever Dad." Tristan, smirking, removed his father's arm around him. "Whatever you say." slapping his father on the side of his arm. With that said, Tristan with his belongings, slightly jogged up the foot steps and disappeared into the mansion. Christian stood aloof alone, rolling back and forth on his heels after watching his son leave him. Walking slowly to the door, pockets in hand, he looked up at his son's now-lit bedroom window. "Well whoever she is my boy, " he thought to himself, fumbling with the stem of the daisy, "she's not just another girl." --------------------------------------------------------- END CHAPTER 5
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