Imagine Me Without You (Chapter 6)

Title: Imagine Me Without You (Chapter 6)
Author: gigi
Rating: I am not responsible for any kind of rating. PG-13 and R is sure to pop up for upcoming series that include cussing and blah blah blah.
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". It's long, I know, but, give me credit!
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. Paris and James C., Will L., and Kevin B. make their encore appearance.
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 serve as a late Christmas present to you all. I'm currently working on the next chapter and I want to make it good! Lots o' chapters and all! I mean, I hate giving my readers something short to read! I like detail! Reading and reviewing only makes me want to write you more!

Chatper 6: You Didn't?

Rory lay slumped on her stomach over her bed, eyes closed shut. A small smile crept behind her, feeling the warmth of the sun panging her window.

WOMP WOMP WOMP!

Slamming the snooze button once, she rolled back on to her back, murmuring to herself "gosh, can't it make a different sound for once?" Eyes still closed, she kept the smile on her face and purred in the security of her bed. After a minute or two, she rubbed the sleep off of her eyes and with ease, she rolled out and headed to the closet. Pulling the door open, she saw an aray of blue and white threads.

Lorelai took it upon herself to enter the room and peek behind the closet door while Rory stood before it dumbfoundedly.

"So kiddo, what fabulous encore will you be wearing today?" holding two cups of the famous elixir.

"Hah" pointing at the rather bland uniform set "This one looks good." tearing one cup away from the pair of hands.

Putting down coffee, Lorelai put herself in front of the closet and pulled out three white long-sleeved shirts and three navy blue pleated skirts with mock-interest.

"Ugh, this one doesn't have money plastered all over it and this one isn't blue enough and this---"

"Mom, they all look the same."

"Oh hush, darlin'", using a Southern accent, "you're wearing this one. Can't have you lookin' like a ragamuffin on the streets! I mean, unless you want me to tear down your curtains and make you a Scarlett O'hara dress." Lorelai placed one uniform on the bed and happily skipped out of the room.

Sighing after looking down in the empty cup, Rory stood up to close the door and got ready for school. Mocking Lorelai's poor excuse of a Southern accent, "Oh, whatever shall I do?"
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"Tristan."

He hadn't noticed the voice all too familiarly, although it was the voice of a girl. If it weren't Rory, then it sure wouldn't be one of his groupies because he never talked to them once on any occasion. Taking his head out of the locker, he peered behind the door and saw a girl with long blonde hair and hugging several books tightly to her chest.

"Well well well, Paris Gellar. No one could ever say my name like you."

"I beg to differ. Why didn't you show?"

"Oh, what, no hello Paris? This is how you welcome me back?" slamming the locker door and placing the folder under his arm. "You've known me for years and this is the welcome I get? An interrogation?"

"Cut the act." She didn't mean for her words to sound so piercing when in reality, it was a tone she had gotten used to and didn't know how to control. "Hello Tristan." she said cooly as possible.

On surprised, Tristan wrapped his arms around Paris, which more than evidently caught Paris off guard. People were staring but ice-glares were sure to turn them away. "I see Hell taught you sensetivity skills?" releasing herself from the embrace.

"Hell? This is Hell. Military school was bible camp." straightening his jacket.

"I'm surprised your fan club hasn't suffocated you yet."

"So am I. I had to fend off a few girls but nothing too serious for Tristan Dugrey."

Paris stared up at him and 'hmmed' to herself and what she saw was a different Tristan. Still somewhat cocky, he was more reserved. But the hair, well, just had to grow back.

"Well, we should be off to class. We wouldn't want you being late on your first day back, wouldn't we?"

Tristan couldn't help but smirk at the comment. "No Paris, we wouldn't like that."
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Turning on heel as quickly as possible, Rory damned herself for coming to almost late to school, two-times in a row. Yet she admit, she took too much time to get ready for school. Instead of the usualy ponytail or clips, her hair was softly curled and let down. She hadn't "done" her hair since her date with Bag Boy. Bag Boy was starting to take affect on her, as she saw it fitting.

BRRRRRRRRRRRRING!

"Dammit, just my luck." The first bell of the day had rang and Rory was running to class like a mad-woman.
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While Mrs. Fine, the english teacher, went over her attendance sheet, Tristan sat in his seat, with Paris to his left. "Where is she?" he thought to himself. The bell had already rang and Rory hadn't shown up. Paris already had her head buried in the studying material that day and whispers and murmurs swept the room since Tristan had made his appearance back. Several of his guy friends were chatting, although Tristan hadn't paid too much attention. He longingly stared at the open door, waiting for some sign that she was going to walk into the room but didn't want to look so hopeful.

After ten minutes, Mrs. Fine asked that everyone take out their text to follow along while she read. He didn't have his books as usual and scooted over to Paris to read along. Mrs. Fine's voice was quickly drowned out after looking down at the blur of words.

"She'll be here." Paris softly whispered without taking her engrossed eyes off the book. Stirring up a bit, he sat properly upright to not slump forward.

"What makes you think I'm waiting for her? I don't wait for anyone Gellar." returning the whisper.

"Oh, please! You haven't taken your eyes off the door you imbisil!" Tristan refuted an 'oh' and returned his eyes back to the book.

"Why Miss Gilmore, " Mrs. Fine said. Everyone looked up at the door and saw Rory rosy-cheeked and clutching the rim of the door, "how nice of you to show up. I'm sure you have a good explanation for your tardiness, hmm?" When no reply was made, Mrs. Fine shooed Rory to take a seat. "Take out your book, 229, 3rd paragraph, ending with Riley. Got it? Good."

Rory walked inbetween the rows, hearing a few snickers here and there and took her usual seat; 2nd row closest to the door, two seats from the back.

Tristan sat in the row to Rory's right, three seats from the back. When she had passed him, he caught a gust of wind of her sweet scent. Paris smiled, looking down at the book, muttering "what fools" underneath her breath, only to make sure the text on the paper only heard her.

Rory took out her book and wiped a stray hair behind her ear, searching for where the class left off. When she found the page, she let out a sigh and patted her rosy cheeks with her now somewhat cold hands. And then she saw him, sitting beside Paris. Instead of following along, she slightly rested her chin on her hand and stared at the back of Tristan's head.

He could feel her eyes burning a hole at his back and he didn't know whether or not to turn around. To his left sat Paris's figure. In front of him was the back of James Cardel's head, one of his longtime friends, and to his right was the wall. "Oh what the hell" Tristan silenty told himself. He turned around in Rory's direction and saw that she was already staring at him. He caught her off guard and flashed his trademark grin which infuriated a healthy pink blush into her face. Quickly, she looked down and pretended to read along. When she looked back up, his head was already turned back around. "Dammit Rory, what the heck? Pay attention. PAY ATTENTION!" she thought to herself.

Throughout the period, the two exchanged each other obvious and not-so obvious looks. Paris doubly-noted the joking around and rolled her eyes and nudged that Tristan pay attention or get in trouble. When class let out, Mrs. Fine stopped both Tristan and Rory at the door.

"I need to talk to you two. Stay."

Exchanging looks of confusion, the two slowly approached the foot of the rather large desk. Mrs. Fine took a seat behind the desk and pulled out both of their folders, starting with Rory's.

"Rory, you happen to be one of the brightest students in my class, let alone your graduating class. But I've noticed a change in your studies. It's not like you." scratching the back of her neck.

"I don't understand Mrs. Fine." Rory repied innocently.

When Rory didn't understand what she implied, she pulled out a bit from the desk and lightly placed both her arms on the desk. "Your grades Rory," clasping her hands together, "I've noticed a slight decrease in them, namely the past two weeks. It's not like you at all."

Tristan stood beside her in a slight shock. Rory, of all people, never let her grades slip, not even extra credit. And he was now concerned that Bag Boy had something to do with it.

"It's just that--" Rory began, "it's just that my mind has been elsewhere lately. I really am trying to get back up there."

"Rory, Chilton doesn't appreciate trying. You've been here long enough to know this. But I'm not mad and I'm not putting blame on you Rory. I just don't want to see one of my students dwindeling to the bottom. You've got a lot going for you and letting something small slip is a step torwards the bottom. Do you understand?" looking up for approval.

"Yes, Mrs. Fine. I understand."

"Alright then. Let me talk with Mr. Dugrey first and then I'll sign you a pass to your next class. Wouldn't want to have you late to class all the time, now would we?"

Rory nodded her head and stepped aside so Tristan could get a fair beating.

"Ah, Mr. Dugrey, back in session I see?" Smiling and opening his folder up.

"It's good to be back Mrs. Fine. Looking very fine I see?"

The comment echoed on for a bit as Mrs. Fine looked up and down Tristan's transcripts.

"You need help."

"Excuse me?"

"Your grades Mr. Dugrey, they need help." tapping the papers before her. "Cockyness is not allowed in my class Dugrey. As much as I would love to spat evil words at the spoiled children of Chilton, you, too, have a lot going for you. It surprised me to learn that you are in the top 5% of your class. I don't know how but I know in that mind of yours, you have potential. We'll just have to work on it since you've been absent for quite awhile."

He rubbed his hand through his hair and too, nodded in approval. Closing the folders up and scooping them up into her arms, she gave Tristan and Rory a pass to his and her retrospective class. With no thank yous or goodbyes, Mrs. Fine kindly let herself out of the now empty classroom. Only Tristan and Rory were left.

"Quite a beating, huh?" Rory mused.

"Nothing new Mary." smirking, "Nothing new. Off to?"

"Umm, history. You?"

"Calculus."

"Well, I better get going to class. You should, too." Turning around, she quickened the pace to walk away from him. She didn't know what was wrong with her but when he was close to her, her heartbeat just went faster and faster.

Tristan catched up to her and caught hold her arm to turn her around. "Yes?" she asked.

"Hey, I may not be as smart as you but if you ever need help catching up or studying, I could help you out Rory." She saw in his eyes a caring sincerity. He would never want her to fall behind nor let something hold her back.

"Umm, that would be nice Tristan. Maybe you could help me out in the library 6th period, since it's a free period for me? Unless you have class that period, it's ok."

"I'm free." He lied, he had auto-shop but the chance to spend more time alone with her? How could he pass it up?! "I'll see you there then."

"Alright."

Going their seperate way down the hall, each one smiled to themself.
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The rest of the day had been a blur and both of them anticipated to see one another. Rory lied to herself, too. She didn't want to use that time to study; she wanted that time to be used to talk, to catch up. The previous day had been fun but she really wanted to talk this time. When the 2nd to last bell of the day rang, Rory shoved her books and folder into her bag. She couldn't wait to get out of chemistry.

Pacing herself to the library, someone called out to her.

"HEY!" Rory turned around to see Paris. "Hold on, where are you off into such a rush?"

Rory simply replied "The library" when Paris caught up to her.

"Library, huh?"

"Yeah, the library. Wait, let me say it to you more profoundly. The library. Thee LIbrary. Duh lie-bwa-wee!"

"Very funny Gilmore, very funny."

"Aren't I quite the commedian?"

"Well HA-HA!"

Abruptly, the two found themselves walking in-step with one another. "So, what's up? If it's about The Franklin, I'm almost done with this week's article."

"Why are you in a rush?" Paris asked once more.

"I'm not in a rush. I'm walking with you. See?" The two knew she was lying but she needed Paris to go away.

"Right. Well, have fun in your sacred library. I hear that there are new sights and things to see." she turned on heel leaving Rory all by herself in the hall.

"Weird girl. Ugh." With that, she approached the doors of the library and pushed forward.
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"Hey Dugrey, wait up!" Tristan was desperate to go to the library, a place he never thought he'd walk into, let alone to meet up with a girl. But he knew it wasn't just any girl; that would be a lie. With a grunt, he turned around to see three of his long time friends: James Cardel, Will Lewis, and Kevin Bass.

"Oh, hey. Yeah, hey." not much enthusiasm in his voice.

"Damn Dugrey, not glad to see us? Or waiting to catch up on the lastest piece of ass?" James blurted out. He was almost a perfect carbon-copy of Tristan, just with brown eyes.

"No, I just need to catch up and shit. Gotta go to the library and all."

The three bursted out in laughter and when they saw Tristan was serious, they stopped. "Hey, sorry man. Didn't ever think you were so serious and crap about school." James interjected.

"Forget about it. I've just been gone for awhile. You wouldn't understand." keeping a straight face on. He thought it would be enough for the three go away but failed.

"So why is it again you're going to the library?" James asked. He could tell Tristan was a bit annoyed and with that noted, James wanted to know why. Tristan cleverly thought of the perfect thing to say, what the old Tristan would say.

"To study. All the pretty ladies are in the library." he replied smirkingly.

"Sure, I guess you're not going to get much done with a piece of ass passing you by every moment, huh?"

"Whatever Cardel." Tristan brushed passed him, wanting to get away from him, only to be held back. "Not everything is about getting ass, ok?"

"What the hell is your problem Dugrey? Do you think you're too good for all of us now?" The two looked into each other's eyes and saw someone different before them.

Walking up to James, he grabbed hold of his collar. "I don't know what the hell your problem is Cardel but I'm not in the mood for it, not right now. Now excuse me, I have prior engagemnts. Go on Cardel and take Lewis and Bass with you." With that said, he released his collar. James straightened his collar and turned to the other two who stared in amusement at the odd reunion.

James turned once more to look back and saw that Tristan was behind the doors of the library.

"Hey, what the hell was all that about?" Will and Kevin asked in unison. Kevin went up make sure James was ok but when he put his hand on his shoulder, he shrugged off away.

"I don't know." looking back at the two. "He's changed and I think I know why." staring at the doors of the library.
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She had submerged herself in Orwell's 1984 and took no account that Tristan was staring at her from behind the sofa chair. His hands were placed on either side of looking down onto the same book. He dipped down low and whispered, "Hello Mary."

The blue eyes perked up to meet his. She smiled and closed the book. With her eyes, she followed him to turn and sit down in the empty sofa chair in front of her.

"Hey."

"Well hello to you, too sweetie. Orwell?" getting comfy into his chair and pointing at the closed book.

She would've babbled but that butterfly feeling was making its way back into her stomach. "Umm yeah, it's a good book. You should read it sometime."

"I already did Mary. You could refresh my memory, hmm?"

To change subjects, she simply did not answer his question. On the outside he looked collected and cool but inside, he was nervous and unsure of what to say. They had been carefree yesterday but today was another day of awkwardness between them.

"Do you want to pick up that conversation we didn't have yesterday?" she blurted out to break the silence.

He looked up and smiled. "I'd like that."

"Well, what's something you're dying to know?" as she got more comfy in her seat, happy that a conversation would erupt. "Ask away and I'll answer and it won't leave this room."

He didn't think about what he would say next, so he asked it anyways.

"How did you and Dean break up?"

"Oh." The entertained face slowly disappeared. Slightly smirking, "I thought you'd want to know how your groupies missed you and what gossip I have for you but I guess not." She was now starting to babble. She didn't think, of all questions, that he would ask her that. It was still a touchy-subject but she kept her word to answer.

"Rory?"

"Yeah?"

"You don't have to answer. I know it's none of my business. I just got caught up in the moment. No pressue,ok?" *Damn* he thought, true it wasn't any of his business but he wanted to know. His heart was pounding for some kind of answer.

She put pulled her legs to herself and set her chin onto her knees. "I wasn't ready."

"I don't understand?" looking at her curiously. "Seriously?"

She didn't respond for a minute, giving him a little time to think about it. When his expression didn't change, she knew she had to further the information.

"Come on Tristan, you know what I mean." nervously biting her lip. She didn't know if he was doing it on purpose, not trying to understand but he wouldn't stop asking. So quickly, she mumbled.

"Webrokeupbecauseiwasn'treadytohavesexwithhimandhesaidhecouldn'twait."

Although he sure of what she just said, he wanted her to say it slowly.

"I'm sorry, say that again? You were kind of fast there?" cupping his hand close to his ear.

Sighing, she took her eyes off her lap and looked him straight in the eye. "We broke up because I wasn't ready to have sex with him and he said he couldn't wait. That's what I said. Happy?" Normally one would be embarassed for repeating themselves but she wasn't. Instead, the wound opened up and brought back bad feelings.

"It's ok."

"What?"

"Rory, it's ok. You did the right thing. You can't say nowadays you know a lot of people who are virgins. It's just that you caught me off guard."

Sitting back, she looked back in wonder. "How? I mean, you thought? Oh, no, you thought we?"

Now it was his turn to be embarassed. "Well, I mean, I thought you two did the "yeah" since you went out with him for a long time and all. So you're telling me you never did it?"

Letting out a laugh, "NO!" Her face turned a bright pink. "I never did the "yeah" with Dean, Tristan. I wasn't ready and I'm glad I didn't."

*Dammit Rory, why are you talking about your lack therefor of a sex life to the sex god himself?!* She slowly lifted her eyes off the ground to meet his. *What's running through his mind?!*

On the other side, Tristan sat there with his hands behind his neck. He was doing the happy dance in his head but she didn't know that. *Rory Gilmore is still a virgin?!* He was glad to know that she was one. Not because he'd want to be the lucky bastard who got her in bed but because she had saved a precious thing that not so many no longer had, including himself. She deserved to share herself with someone who was worthy of her. Rory was special.

"Tristan?"

"Hmm?'

"That was what you were dying to know about?" After opening her mouth, she was now embarassed. "You're not going to tell the whole student body this, are you?"

"Of course not. I'm not cruel, Mary. So your grades went down because of Bag Boy, right?"

"Yeah pretty much. I'll be fine, the wallowing isn't so bad." Tristan took her word for it and once more did the happy dance in his head because Bag Boy was now out of the picture. He couldn't hurt Rory anymore.

"My turn!" her glee broke the silence and she received his full attention.

"Alright, ask away. You probably want to know what turns me on most, huh? Or what I wear to sleep?"

Rolling her eyes at the devil in Tristan, "Don't get ahead of yourself" she crossed her arms and asked a question without thinking twice.

"What is it?" he declared. He was sure he could answer any question she threw at him.

"Would you sleep me?" He quickly froze, mouth dropped in an 'o'. Did he just hear right? Did Rory Gilmore ask him if he would sleep with her?

"RIGHT NOW?!" he flustered out too loud, making a few heads turn.

She laughed at his foolishness. Apparently, her inquiry struck a nerve. "No, silly! I meant, in the sense, if you found me attractive, which you don't I might add, would you sleep with me? I didn't mean, hey Dugrey, want to screw on the floor of the library!" The laughter was bringing too much tears to her eyes. When she saw that he stared at her, she abruptly stopped to see him smiling sincerely.

"Yeah Rory, I would." pausing inbetween, "but we both know, I'm not good enough for you." She hadn't expected that answer and in return, his answer struck nerve against her question.

The chirp on her watch went off, indicating it was now 2:00. There was ten minutes left before school let out. Rory quietly grabbed her bag and pulled out the article she was writing about for this week's Franklin.

"You're good, just to let you know." Tristan got up from the chair and looked down on her.

"Huh?" Her mind was elsewhere now.

"Your articles. They're good."

"How would you know? I mean, you've been gone for practically the whole school year. Heck, you don't even read the paper!" scrunching her face.

"They're good." was all he said.

"Thanks." welcoming the compliment.

He started to walk away, when he decided to once more make a confirmation. "So you didn't, right?"

Without taking her eyes off the paper, "No." Both of them hadn't anticipated that kind of a welcome back conversation; it only rose out sexual tension between them.

Going around to the back of her chair, she chimed torwards him, "You wouldn't. I know you wouldn't.", referring to her question if he would ever sleep with her. She looked up to find herself in the previous position earlier that hour. He smiled, looking down into her sky-blue eyes, then turned on his heel to walk away.
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END CHAPTER 6