Are We or Aren't We?

Chapter 5 – Thoughts

Rory stared out of the window of the school bus, her eyes unfocused as she took in the blur from outside.  She pressed her lips together.  School.  But she'd always loved school!  Kindergarten, first grade, second grade, even Chilton.  Especially Chilton.  But again today, Rory had caught herself dozing off in class.  Even Paris' point blank challenges hadn't been enough to provoke Rory.  Why would she want to enter into another debate with her?  She had nothing to prove anymore.  No one to prove it to.  At that thought, Rory quickly stopped herself, and closed her eyes.  But she didn't want to go home either.  There was Dean...no wait, Jess...no, Dean....Jess.  Ugh!  The guilt never stopped.    

The bus was approaching Stars Hollow.  In front of them was an expensive looking black BMW and as Rory watched, it pulled over to the side to let them pass.  As the bus went by, Rory glanced casually at the passenger.  And then blinked disbelievingly.  That mop of blond hair.  She jerked upwards, pressing her nose into the glass of the window.  But they had pulled past, and she couldn't see him anymore.  She leaned back in her seat, putting a cool hand over her forehead, desperately trying to cool her hot face. 

This was ridiculous.  Besides, it couldn't have been. And even if it had been – what did she care?  She hated him – remember?  And....and he hated her even more. 

* * *

Tristan watched the big school bus rumble by.  Funny.  He'd never been on a public bus before.  Never wanted to before he'd found out that she took the bus every day.  For a moment he thought he glimpsed her face in the window, staring straight at him, her face white as a ghost.  But that was ridiculous, of course.  He was still obsessing.

They pulled back out onto the street, and he turned to the driver.

"Are we almost there?"

"Yup.  Just two, maybe three more minutes," said the driver shortly, his eyes concentrated on the road.  The driver had said nothing the entire trip, and Tristan hadn't felt like trying.  He hated this feeling.  Not knowing where he was going or what was waiting for him.  It was this exactly that he'd been fighting against his entire life.  He needed control.  If he had never had it over his own life, he needed it over something.  Or someone.  Or everyone.  He'd achieved that at Chilton, people had jumped when he'd called, even the teachers.  There was only...but anyway, he hadn't felt like trying at military school.  And he'd found out exactly how much people liked him for what he really was.  Hah.  How did people like her stay so true to themselves?  Tristan bit his lip hard. 

He looked outside the car, trying to distract his thoughts.  Right now they were close to Chilton, only fifteen, twenty minutes away.  Around where Rory- wait.  No.  It couldn't be.    

"Are we really almost there?" he asked desperately.

"Yup.  We're here," the driver said.  And Tristan looked out the window to see themselves passing the great big yellow sign that said: "Welcome to Stars Hollow!"

Oh no.  No.  No.  No!

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