Rory leaned against the door staring out the window.
He loves me. How could this happen? Why didn't I see it?
"Rory?"
Slowly she turned to Henry.
"Yeah?"
"Are you all right?"
"I…I'm fine."
"If you want to talk about anything."
"Thanks Henry but I think its something I gotta work out for myself."
"No problem."
A few minutes later he pulled into the driveway for the Hayden mansion. He parked the car in front of the house and Rory climbed out. Turning to Henry, she said
"Thanks for the ride."
"See you Monday."
"Okay. Night Henry."
She shut the door and pulled out a set of keys. Opening the door, she walked in and headed for the stairs when she heard her mom's voice.
"Rory?"
"Yeah mom."
"Can you come in here?"
"I'm kind of tired mom. I really want to lay down."
"Rory, please come in the living room."
Rory walked into the family room. She found her parents curled up on the couch watching a movie. Lorelai looked up when she heard footsteps.
"Hey babe, how was the party."
As soon as Rory tried to speak, tears began rolling down her cheeks. Lorelai stood up quickly and walked over to her.
"Rory, what's wrong."
"Nothing mom."
"Something upset you."
"I…I…I can't."
Rory ran out of the room and up the stairs. Lorelai stood there for a minute. Chris stood up and walked over to where she was standing.
"What happened?"
"I don't know but something's wrong?"
Lorelai started to head to the stairs but Chris grabbed her arm.
"Maybe you should giver her some time."
"Chris, our daughter's hurting. She needs someone right now."
Lorelai slipped away from him and headed up the stairs. She walked down the hall, slowly approaching her room.
Stopping outside the door, she could hear Rory crying. She knocked and heard Rory's voice through the door.
"Go away mom."
"Please honey, talk to me."
When Rory didn't say anything, Lorelai opened the door slowly. The room was dark, the only light coming from outside. Lorelai could barely make out Rory lying on the bed. She walked into the room and sat down on the edge of the bed. Leaning over, she flipped on the lamp.
"Rory, what happened."
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Did something happen at the part. Did Tristen do something?"
Rory turned over, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
"Tristen didn't do anything mom."
"Then what happened."
"He…he kissed me."
"He who…Tristen…. Tristen kissed you?"
Rory nodded.
"And he said he loves me."
"What did you do?"
"I ran away and got a ride home with Henry."
"Did you talk to him."
"No."
"Rory I need to ask you something and I want you to think before you answer."
"All right."
"How do you feel about him."
"I…he…He's my best friend. I would do anything for him."
"Do you love him?"
"I…I…I…"
Rory closed her eyes. Several images filled her mind. The party, the pictures she looked at earlier, the way Tristen was always there for her, the way he looked earlier in her bedroom, the feeling she got in her stomach when she saw him sometimes. Her eyes opened slowly.
"I do…I love him mom."
"Then what are you doing here with me."
Rory slid off the bed and walked over to the dresser. She grabbed her keys from the bowl. Turning to her mother, she said
"I'll be back later."
She ran out before Lorelai had a chance to respond.
15 minutes later
DuGray Mansion
Rory pulled up in front of the house and parked the car. Flipping down the mirror, she checked her face, making sure she didn't have make up smeared anywhere. She climbed out of the jeep and walked up to the front door.
She knocked on the door and stepped back. The door opened slowly and woman appeared.
"Hello Rory."
"Hi Mrs. Phillips. Is Tristen home?"
"He's in his room."
"Can I…"
She smiled, opening the door a little wider. Rory stepped inside, looking around.
"Go on up dear."
Rory started up the stairs and walked down the hall to Tristen's room. She heard music playing as she got closer to his door. Stopping outside the door, she waited for a moment, then knocked.
"Go away."
Rory winced at the sound of pain in his voice, knowing she was the primary cause for that pain. Taking a deep breath, she slowly turned the knob and pushed the door open. She saw Tristen lying face down on the bed.
"I said I didn't want anything." He mumbled
"Tristen?"
He looked up, seeing her in the doorway.
"Rory?"
Slowly he sat up and slid off the bed. Moving towards her, he said
"What are you doing here?"
"I…I needed to see you."
"You said everything at the party Rory." He said, starting to turn away
"Except that I was wrong." She said quickly
He turned back to her. Slowly she moved towards him.
"Tristen what you said at the party scared me." She said, "We've been friends for so long I was afraid that I would lose you if it didn't work."
"So what makes it different now."
She stopped just in front of him. Her arms slipped around his neck.
"Its different because…I love you Tristen."
Before he had a chance to speak, she pulled him down until their lips met. After a moment, she felt his arms wrap around her waist.