You guys are awesome. =) Thankx for all the great reviews. Not TOO many people said the chapter was rushed, but because some people did, I might redo it after my Sociology essay. Can you imagine, homework during Christmas holz???

And merci beaucoup to: blitzen, mandie, blackroseangel69, Lizzie Bee, Melissa, Michelle (Trory4ever), Angel Monroe, gohuskers8604, stargazer3988, CaffineLFNDGG, Alexia, Naomi, Jessie, Flossie and Deeta ( I don't get what you mean by 'hmmph', are u mad or what?) ! *muah and hugz

I've just realised how much time I've spent online. And how much my parents will scold me for being addicted to the internet. *groan.

BTW Thanx for being so concerned about my life… to those people who said they were sorry about me and my boyfriend, I bestow an extra hug.

Chapter 8

Tristan's heart dropped down to his feet and started beating faster and faster. How did Leigh guess that I am Romeo? I even used an alias, for heaven's sake.

Then, he realized whom the only person that could see through the alias and the web of secrets could be. The only person who could figure him out is…

"Rory?" choked out Tristan. He prayed he was right, and strangely, prayed that he was wrong at the same time. There could be nothing more gratifying than having your feelings returned, but nothing more embarrassing than pouring out your whole heart and feelings, then having them scorned.

Rory couldn't breathe. Her mind couldn't take in everything, it was happening too fast for her to handle. This can't be Tristan, I'm just dreaming.

"Oh my god," said Rory and a split second later slammed the phone down.

Tristan listened to the monotone beat, and was finally convinced that Rory Gilmore must hate him. After all, he did practically confess to her that his whole world revolved around her. And what did she do? Turn him down. Well, not in so many words, but that's what he perceived by the slamming down of the phone. He felt his heart harden minutely, and put the phone down. He lay down on his bed, staring up at the ceiling that was made to look like the real sky late at night when the stars were out.

He felt shaken and his heart was broken, but he was unwilling to let the healing tears fall. That would be the ultimate disgrace. Tristan Dugrey, crying over a girl? No, he can't let that happen. He didn't notice the few tears that slipped his control. He was too angry. Too preoccupied. Too proud. At length, he fell to an uneven and uncomfortable sleep that seemed like the only option for the time being.

Rory was still frozen on the spot. I can't believe what I've just done. I've just turned down the guy of my dreams. The one I feel is my soul mate. He probably thinks I hate him.

She stood up, and went to the person in charge, claiming that she wasn't feeling well. Which wasn't an outright lie. She took the taxi home, knowing that she can't wait for the bus that would come in 45 minutes time.

Upon climbing onto her porch, she saw Jess sitting there with two cups of coffee. Sitting next to him was… Paris.

Rory sighed. Great. My day is just getting worse by the minute.

Paris greeted her. "Hi Rory, I have something important to tell you. However, I don't think it's that important, considering the state that you are in now, if you want I can just leave. Hopefully, I'm not intruding on anything." She glanced between Rory and Jess, unsure of what else to say.

Rory nodded. "Hey Paris. Its ok, come on in."

Jess stood up and handed Rory a cup of coffee. "Here Ror, you look like you need it. Come on in, tell me what happened."

He led her in, and sat her down on her bed. Paris followed, and they sat on the two chairs in Rory's room.

"Care to tell me what happened?" asked Jess.

Rory looked towards Paris's direction, unsure of whether to pour out her whole heart in front of the girl that was her mortal enemy a few hours ago.

Paris looked back at Rory, and noticed the hesitation on her face. She understood. "It's ok, whatever you guys discuss will stay within these four walls."

Rory nodded, and thanked Paris silently. She's alright I suppose.

Then, she began. "I found out who Romeo is."

Jess looked surprise. "Really? Is it someone that we know?"

It was then that Rory broke down. "That's the problem. It's someone that we all know."

After relating the whole story to the two people in the room with her, Rory felt a little bit better. She felt as if she wasn't the only one carrying the burden.

Jess was shell-shocked. Who would have thought that Romeo was Tristan? Although, Romeo did sound like him, the way he acted, all the words and off-hand compliments. He was always a ladies man, even from the tender age of seven.

Paris didn't know what to say. She didn't have a crush on Tristan anymore, after noticing that the only one he noticed was Rory. Besides, she has Brad now. After he had gotten over the uncomfortable stage of being scared of her, he finally had the guts to admit that he was head over heels in love with her. Plus, she thought he was cute. She felt sorry for Rory, but she wasn't an expressive person by nature. Neither was Jess, truth be told.

"I'm sorry, Rory-" the both of them said together.

Jess paused, and then spoke again. "I know Tristan, and by the way things sound, I'm willing to bet anything that he's just as crushed and shattered as you are."

Paris nodded. "Yeah. Tristan and I were crib friends. So, I can kind of predict what he'll be feeling. If there's one thing I've learnt by now, it's that guys are always insecure, no matter how much they try to show that they aren't. So, you should probably go and tell Tristan that you don't detest him."

Jess agreed. "Maybe you should call him."

Rory shook her head vehemently. "I don't want to pick up a phone for a long, long time. That's what got me into this mess in the first place."

Jess grinned. "Then, let's drive over to his place."

Paris offered, "Yes, you can even use my car."

Rory shook her head again. "No. I have to do this the right way. And that is just Tristan and I. So you guys just stay here and get acquainted with each other whilst I go meet my destiny."

Paris smiled at her. "Which we all know should be you and Tristan together."

Rory stood up and gave them both a hug. "Thanks you guys, for being here in my time of need. Jess, I know you'll always be here for me. And Paris, who would've guessed that we'd actually get along together? I'll see you when I get back."

Paris handed her the keys to her car and Rory was off to the finer area of Hartford.

Rory paused, contemplating whether she should knock. She turned around again, deciding that she will do this another day, another time, when her emotions weren't running quite so high. The door opened. Rory turned around to face the person. Tristan was standing in the doorframe.

To be continued…

Oh no! Another cliffhanger! I bet you're all cursing me, I'm really sorry, I don't like them as well! It just seems like an appropriate way to end the story seeing as there are only a few more chapters to go. Review please!