Pairing: R/T…eventually
Rating: PG, if that
Spoilers: Up to and including the season 2 episode "Run Away Little Boy."
Disclaimer: The characters referenced here are the property of Amy Sherman-Palladino, Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions, and Warner Brother Television. No copyright infringement is intended. The characters are being used solely for entertainment purposes, and no profit is being made from them.
Please Mr. Postman
Part 3: There's Only One Cure for the Back-to-School Blues
By Grace
January 2, 2002
Dear Tristan,
Happy day after New Year! Okay, so it seems a little silly to write that since I did actually see you on New Year's, but oh well. I'm back at Chilton, so you should probably expect my mind to work in strange ways.
I hope you made it back to North Carolina safely. I'm so glad that you were able to come home for a visit—it was great to see you. Thank you so much for the bracelet—I love it and I wear it every day. I just hope that all the fine citizens of Stars Hollow didn't terrify you too much. Of course, you did come back for New Year's, so you couldn't have been too scared. Before I forget, my mom (not to mention Miss Patty) now expects you to be at all Stars Hollow holiday functions from now until…well, eternity. Hospitalization or death will be the only acceptable excuses for your absence. J
I ran into Dean while I was waiting at the bus stop this morning. Thanks to the Stars Hollow gossip circle, he had heard all about your visit. Needless to say, he was somewhat on the hostile side. I guess he hasn't quite grasped the full concept of being broken up yet. I tried to explain that I have every right to spend time with whomever I choose, but he was having none of that.
What I don't understand is why he thinks it's okay for him to date other people (which, according to Lane, he is), but I can't even spend time with a friend! Maybe it's just because it's you. He was always irrational about you.
Moving on to slightly less cheerful subjects, it was back to the usual grind at Chilton today. Paris launched into a diatribe about the crass commercialization of the holiday season and the fact that the American general populace almost completely ignores the fact that not all of us "worship Santa." At that point, I asked if she had been watching the Buffy the Vampire Slayer marathon on FX during break, and she shut up. Madeline and Louise were on the verge of laughing, but she silenced them with her patented death glare. I swear, sometimes I feel like Winona Ryder in Heathers.
Anyway, I think we'll manage to get the double issue of The Franklin out on time, but it won't be easy. Have I mentioned that Paris is insane? She's not a bad person, she's just really driven. We could probably be friends if someone got her a Valium prescription. Why am I explaining this to you? I'm sure you know better than most.
Okay, this letter has officially become boring. Write soon!
Rory
* * *
January 6, 2002
Dear Rory,
Your letters could never be boring to me, Rory. As you've probably guessed, I made it back to military school safe and sound. Can't you just hear the elation in my voice?
I know Paris has been known to make your life a living hell, but cut her some slack. At the very least, don't slip her a Drano and orange juice cocktail, or whatever it was in Heathers! Just remember that you have an amazing family, and she doesn't.
I'm sorry about the run-in with Dean. I had wondered if my coming to visit you would cause trouble. I guess it did. I can't really blame the guy, after the flour incident and all. I find it a little suspicious that he's already dating—I know I wouldn't be able to get over you that quickly.
Sadly, military school hasn't changed at all since I left. We've been back less than a week, and the assignments are already piling up—just like Chilton.
I finally talked to my parents. They left a message on my machine here Christmas Day—I guess it never occurred to them to try to reach me at home or on my cell. Anyway, they called again yesterday. They received my report card from last semester, and they're pretty happy with it. I'm hoping that if I do well again this semester, I'll be able to convince them to let me come home for senior year.
Tell your mom (but not Miss Patty) that I would be honored to attend any and all Stars Hollow celebrations. I guess I'm kind of in awe of how open and accepting people are there (except Taylor, of course). Sure, Luke and Jess probably would have pounded the crap out of me if I dared put one toe over the line, but there's something almost familial and comforting about that.
By the way, you do know that Jess has a crush on you, right? He hides it pretty well, but every once in a while I'd catch him giving me the death glare from across the room. Much as I hate to admit that any guy is worthy of you, he'd be a definite improvement over Bag-Boy.
Speaking of relationships, can I get in on the betting pool for when your mom and Luke will get together?
Well, since I have to be up in five hours, I should probably go to bed. Write soon.
Love, Tristan
P.S. Would you mind sending me a copy of the Franklin double issue? T
* * *
January 9, 2002
Dear Tris,
As requested, here's a copy of the paper. I'm sure you'll find Louise's article on the ten most alluring ways to eat cafeteria food particularly enlightening. I've also enclosed a copy of the calendar with the available dates left in the Junkie & Angel betting pool. Miss Patty needs your selections ASAP.
I can't believe you think Jess has a crush on me! Don't you think if a guy was interested in me, I'd know? Besides, even if Jess liked me (which I'm sure he doesn't!), it would never work out. He's a great guy and all, but he's not who I'm looking for, and anyway, he's like a brother to me.
Don't worry about the Dean situation. For once, I can honestly say it's not your fault! (Such a rarity. J) After all, I invited you here, remember?
Against my better judgment, I decided to take your advice (gasp!) and try to smooth things over with Paris. I don't think she'll be standing up in my wedding, but at least she's started calling me Rory again, instead of Gilmore. You know, for a school that's supposed to have such intelligent students, a lot of them sure seem to have trouble with my name… ;)
I'm glad that you were finally able to talk to your parents, but I'm appalled that they didn't make more of an effort to get in touch with you over the holidays. Christmas should be about family. My mom says you can be part of ours—especially if you'll take her place at Friday night dinners with my grandparents! I hope that you are able to work things out so you can be back at Chilton for senior year. It would be good to have you home—mostly because it would save on postage! Okay, maybe not. I do miss you—have I mentioned that before?
In an effort to be more "well-rounded" and get Headmaster Charleston off my case, I've decided to join the debate team. I figure all of the verbal sparring with you—not to mention my mother—has honed my skills. Our first meet is on Saturday. I still think it's strange to have contests for arguing, but whatever.
The West Wing is about to start, and since my mom never really got past her Rob Lowe fixation (it dates back to St. Elmo's Fire), that's Must-See TV for us. Hope I hear from you soon!
Love, Rory
* * *
January 13, 2002
Dear Rory,
First things first—I've enclosed my Junkie & Angel picks. Cute name, by the way. How'd someone come up with that? I also really enjoyed the newspaper—I almost felt like I was back at Chilton. It's good to hear that you and Paris are making positive strides. As for her standing up at your wedding, don't rule anything out just yet. Things have a strange way of working out. Just look at you and me.
I still say that Jess likes you. For one, a guy knows these things. For another, I'm quite sure that this isn't the first time you've been oblivious to a guy's feelings for you.
Moving on…I've been busting my butt this semester (all week and a half of it). The only way my parents will even consider letting me come home is if I can prove to them that I'm a model student. I guess even minor pranks like Alvin and the Chipmunks (which was a rousing success—I forgot to tell you) are going to have to stop. It's a good thing I have about 8,000 pages of J.R.R. Tolkien to read, courtesy of you! I'm about halfway through The Hobbit, and so far I really like it. It's definitely not what I expected. Now I'm debating whether I should go see the Lord of the Rings movie before I read the books. I know I won't get as much out of the movie as if I had read the books, but on the other hand it seems like the type of film that should be experienced on the big screen. Have you seen it?
Even though Christmas vacation just ended, I'm already looking forward to Spring Break. Anything to get away from this place, I guess! The people aren't so bad; it's just not where I want to be. I don't suppose I could convince you to join me for a vacation on South Padre Island? Clothing optional, of course! Hmm, somehow I know you'd never go for that. Miss Patty, on the other hand…
ACK! Bad mental image! Must go throw up now. Write soon!
Love, Tristan
* * *
TBC
