Imagine Me Without You (Chapter 7)

Title: Imagine Me Without You (Chapter 7)
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. James, Will, and Kevin and the names of Tristan's parents, Evenln and Christian, belong to me!
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 7: Just My Luck

"Hey there, Lori is it?"

Rory lifted her head up from her book, looking up to see the one who caught her off guard with the wrong name. Damn, when are these people going to get my name right? she thought to herself. Pushing the uneaten lunch aside, she gave the visitor her full attention.

"It's Rory. Did you need something?"

"I'm James Cardel", extending his hand forward. "I'm in your 1st period class and a friend of Tristan's. I'm sure you know who I am? But you can call me Cards though, everyone else does."

"Sorry, I was unaware of both. And I suppose people call you cards because you play tricks and switch the cards on them? Please, I'm not interested. " She chose to return to her book and ignore his handshake, only to have her book taken away.

"Excuse me, what are you doing?"

"Well, " looking on the inside inscription of her book, "Rory" continuing along, "it's not very polite to ignore those who are talking to you, as well as make accusations."

"WELL James" enunciating the sarcasm, "it's not very polite either to take things that aren't yours. And it wasn't an accusation; you know its true." Her efforts to retrieve her book were pointless, seeing that he was much taller than her height. Inevitably, she stood before him in defeat.

"Oh, tsk tsk Rory. Good things come to those who wait."

"Well that person died waiting. So may I please I have my book back?" staring into his brown eyes.

Ah, I see why Dugrey is fired up for this girl. What a challenge it would be. He looked down into her eyes and saw a tinge of anger in her. The infuriation only made her look more beautiful. "Whatever you say." When she thought he would hand her her books, he simply dropped them beside her. "Oops", as he bowed down to pick the book up. He slowly rose, eyeing her slender legs and figure. It made her uncomfortable, seeing as it were easy for anyone at Chilton to make her feel less than they were.

Arms crossed defiantly and tapping her foot, he placed the book back on the table. "It was nice meeting you Rory. I'm sure I'll be getting to know you better." Smirking, he turned away to walk back where Will and Kevin were sitting, witnessing the whole attack.

Sittng back down, Rory quickly threw her bagpack onto her shoulders. Paris had made her way over with her lunch, only to realize her friend was leaving her stranded. Taking a seat beside her, Rory laid her head down on the table.

Situating herself, Paris patted the top of Rory's head and with her other free hand, she picked up the now-closed book.

"Bad day?" Paris asked as she placed a napkin over her lap. A mere gruntle made its way out of Rory. "I see that James Cardel was talking to you? Do you even know who he is?"

Lifting her head from the table, she looked up. "Please, if anything, that was not talking. And as far as me knowing who he is, he made it very aware to me." She pulled the book forward to her.

"Well, what'd he say?", forking bits and pieces of the salad.

"Not much." Throwing up her hands to do a mock-quotation mark, "He said to call him Cards."

"Ah, him and his 'player-name'. Right." rolling her eyes, "What'd he do?"

"He stole my book."

"Damn Gilmore, what is up with you and boys taking your books?!" as Paris said shoving a cherry tomato into her mouth.
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"Hey Cards, what are you doing man? You know Dugrey is head-over-heels for that chick!" Kevin said inbetween bites of his sandwhich.

Sitting the opposite side of Rory, he had a clear view of his next conquest. "And I should be scared?"

Ooohs and ahhs came out of Will and Kevin, who paid no attention to Cards' comment. When he saw that they didn't take him seriously, he leaned forward.

"What makes you think I can't get a girl? Let alone that girl?" pointing his chin in Rory's direction.

"She's not easy. It's simple as that. If Dugrey couldn't get her to budge, you sure as hell can't and I'm just saying, you can't get that girl. Period. Forget it Cards, she's out of your league and you know it, too." Will concluded.

Kevin butted in, "Plus, Dugrey was the closest to ever sweeping her off her feet. You couldn't possibly do it."

Will and Kevin were apparently angering James. It had always been a competition of who was the best between him and Tristan. Just name it, sports, cars, popularity, academic, girls, etc. The words were fuel to make James's plan come true although at the moment he wasn't sure of how it would go.

"It'll work. I'll make her mine." he muttered to himself while Will and Kevin munched away.

"Make who, Cards?"

Everyone turned to see Tristan standing behind James. Damn, James thought to himself, I hope he didn't hear that. Tristan placed his tray of food on the table and moved in beside him. "So Cards, why don't you tell everybody what you were muttering to yourself again?" Will and Kevin chose to be oblivious, knowing James had a scheme up his sleeves.

"You must be hard of hearing Dugrey. I didn't say anything."

Tristan shrugged his shoulders and casually looked around the room. He caught the attention of several girls when he saw what he was looking for. But instead of her normal reading schedule, she was talking to Paris. He couldn't help but wonder what the two were talking about, let alone, together.

To be brought back in the world, James slapped the back of his back. Shuddering, he darted his eyes back down to the other three pairs of eyes.

"So Dugrey, still in love with what's her name?' James darted his eyes once more at Rory.

"Who? Her or her?" nudging both at Rory and Paris.

"Please, you know who I'm talking about fool. Her." He knew he was pointing at Rory but he didn't want to have a conversation about her right then and with James, Will, and Kevin.

"Whatever Cards."

"Oh don't say 'whatever'. You know you still have the hots for her. I mean, a lot of us thinks she is. It just wasn't so evident until you left for boot camp. And have you seen her mother? Talk about MILF!" All three cackled while Tristan sat there gripping the fork in his hand. "I wouldn't mind getting a piece of Gilmore. She's single, right?"

He fought the urge to sock James right in the face. Keeping his cool, "She just broke up with her boyfriend. I don't think she's interested in anybody right now." The laughter died down quickly but James refused to budge.

"Well that means equal opportunity. Ass for everybody, right?"

"I told you already, she's not a piece of ass. What is up with you?" now backing out of the bench.

"I think I could ask you the same thing army boy."James also backing out of the bench to meet up with Tristan. The two were perfect in height, blue eyes confronting the brown.

"Stay away from her. I don't know what the hell you're planning or thinking but stay away from her." Tristan sternly said. "She's not a game."

James belted out a loud "HAH", causing suspicious heads to perk up at the confrontation. "Please, this coming from the person who told me that everyone and everything in life is a game. Admit it Dugrey, she's just another one of your games. You even told me this."

He couldn't lie now, while some were listening in. True, at first, she was a game. But she became more than that. After she was a game, she was an obsession. After that, she was his lust. And when he couldn't have her, she became a need in his life. Instead of a smart-alleck rebuttal, he brushed past James and walked out of the cafeteria.
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"You have to admit, he looks good."

"Who? Poker boy? Paris he looks like Tristan with brown eyes!"

"Ah, so you have been paying attention." Rory had to admit "Cards" was good looking but he wasn't the cut; Tristan was.

"So what is going on with you and Tristan?" as Paris wiped her mouth with her napkin. "It's been two days since you've seen each other. Everywhere I turn, it's like you two are joined at the hip!"

"You mean two." Rory smiled at the 'fill-me-in' expression all over Paris's face.

"What do you mean 'two'? Rory, he just came back yesterday!"

"No" Rory calmly mused, "he came back Monday."

"But you weren't here Monday." When Rory didn't say anything else, Paris figured out that the two didn't show up because they had ditched on Monday.

"Rory Gilmore, I don't tolerate that kind of behavior. It is strictly against the Chilton code to leave the premises at school hours. But who cares! What happened?!" throwing her arms up in joy.

Rory filled her in on the details, causing the two girls to giggle and laugh at spontaneous times. Although there was a time Paris had a thing for Tristan, she eventually learned to let go. She wouldn't hold it against Rory, Tristan, and herself any longer. When Tristan was temporarily gone, the two had bonded over the Franklin.

BRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!

"Damn, who invented the bell again?" Rory whined over the echo of what meant that lunch was now over.

"I don't know but when I figure it out, we'll drop one on top of him. Or is it her?" as both Rory and Paris pulled away from their table.

"Who cares. I'll see you after school?" Rory yelped over the crowds of students.

"Yeah, 3:00. Don't be early!" Paris yeled back, the crush of students taking her away.

With that, Rory walked the other way, mouthing "dont-be-early". She smirked to herself, only to collide into another figure. She didn't care to look up but kindly said "Excuse me", and "sorry". When she tried to walk away, a hand cuffed around her arm held her back. Quickly, she turned around to see who was holding her back.

"Off to class in a rush I see."

"Ugh, it's you. What do you want?" Rory regretted the moment she saw James looking down at her with is wobbly smirk.

"I'm sorry."

"No wait, I'm sorry as in 'I'm sorry, come again?' or 'I'm sorry, you're in my way?'" He released her hold and let her straighten the cuff of her shirt.

"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry," trying to sound sincered, "for messing with you. I know that you haven't had it easy here. And yeah, I'm sorry. I hope you can forgive me."

Rory stared up at him with a rather questionable look but she was one who couldn't hold a grudge. She couldn't help but forgive him. "Well, I forgive you. I don't mean to sound so blunt but I really have to go to class and I'm sure you do, too. I'll see you around or something. Umm, I meant in english. Have a good day." She turned once more to walk away when she felt the oh-so-familiar hold on her forearm.

She was a bit annoyed and in a rush but found herself turned around again. "Aren't we just touchy-feely?" looking down at her forearm.

"Sorry" he said with straight face.

Choosing to let her guard down, she looked up at him. "What is it that you want?"

"I know we just briefly met but I was wondering if you would like to go out on a date?"

A pang of fear hit her. "What?"

"I'm asking you out."

She didn't think twice and she blurted out the first thing that came out of her mouth. "Ok." It had sounded more like a question but it was her answer and she was sure James wouldn't have taken no for an answer. She had heard him ask for her her phone number and directions to her house and she was sure she answered the questions. Before she knew it, she heard the shrill of the bell and she was left all alone in the hall. Fuck, placing a hand over her forehead, what the hell did you just do Rory?!

Damming herself, she dragged her late-self to class. Just my luck, muttering herself sarcastically, you get a date AND a get to be late to class...AGAIN! AH! Why couldn't I just get to class in time?!
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END CHAPTER 7