Tristen leaned his head against the cool glass of the window and closed his eyes. He hated himself for what had happened this evening. Breaking into that safe was the stupidest thing he had ever done. He would never be able to forget the look of disappointment in Rory's eyes when he told her.

The car came to a stop about 15 minutes later. Tristen figured that they were at the airport. Slowly he opened his eyes. To his shock, they were sitting in front of his grandfather's house. Turning to his father, he said

"Why are we here?"

"Your grandfather will explain everything when you get inside."

When he didn't say anymore, Tristen opened the door and climbed out. As he shut the door, his father pulled away. Slowly he turned away and headed up the sidewalk. He pushed the doorbell and stepped back. The door opened and his grandfather's housekeeper, Mrs. Phillips, appeared. She smiled at him.

"Hello Tristen." She said, "Your grandfather is in his study. May I take your coat?"

Tristen smiled at the woman as he slipped off his jacket. He handed it to her and headed down the hall. The door to his grandfather's study was open so he stepped inside. Janlen Dugray looked up, seeing his grandson.

"Come here."

Tristen approached the desk. He pulled a chair next to the desk.

"Did your father explain why you are here?"

"He said you would, I thought I was going to military school."

"Tristen when your father told me about what you did I was deeply disappointed in you." Janlen began, "You have your whole future ahead of you. How could you jeopardize everything."

Tristen didn't know what to say. He was used to hearing this speech from his father and he always blew it off. His grandfather was a different story. To hear his grandfather express his disappointment really hit him hard.

"Tristen are you listening to me?"

He looked up, meeting his grandfather's eyes.

"I…I don't know what to say. I am so sorry. I will never do it again." Tristen felt tears welling up in his eyes. "I really messed everything up. I was that I could take everything back."

His grandfather smiled.

"I know you do. I have spoke with your father and he has agreed to let you come here to live with me."

"What about military school?"

"You will be enrolled in Bates Military Academy in Hartford. You will go to school and come home. No more partying, no more staying out at all hours and no more bad influences. Do we have an understanding?"

"Yes sir."

"You break one more rule and you will be sent to finish you schooling in North Carolina."

"Yes sir."

"Now go see Mrs. Phillips. She will show you to your room. Tomorrow your father will send over your things. Monday we will go to Bates and get you enrolled."

Tristen stood slowly and moved towards the door. Before walking out, he turned to his grandfather.

"Thank you…for believing in me."

He was about half way down the hall when he remembered something. Turning around, he walked back to the study. He opened the door and stepped inside. His grandfather looked up from the paper on his desk.

"Yes Tristen."

"I have no reason to ask and I know you will say no but I have to ask. Can I…Is it all right if I…I have somewhere I have to go. I let someone down tonight and this person is very important to me."

When his grandfather didn't say anything, he turned slowly.

"See Mrs. Phillips. She will give you the keys but I want you back by 11:00pm."

Tristen turned to his grandfather.

"Thank you."

"She must be an amazing girl."

"She is."

Tristen walked out of the room and ran down the hall. He explained everything to Mrs. Phillips and she quickly handed over the keys. Quickly he made his way to the garage and slid behind the wheel of the car. He started it and pulled away from the house.

But what do I say to her?