Title: Wavelength
Summary: She used to wonder what a father was. She didn't even know such a thing existed until she was five years old. A story about a father and daughter on the right wavelength at the wrong time.
Rating: PG-13
Chapter 1The Plaid Wasteland
"On your left is the senior hallway, on your right is the junior hallway. If you want to live to see your first Chilton report card I recommend you stay away from upperclassmen." The girl leading Rory through her new school was medium size, with short brown, almost black curly hair. Rory was struggling to remember what she had said her name was.
The morning had been a hurricane of events, starting when her mother forgot her purse and they had to turn around and wind their way back through their new town before setting out again, and ending with the headmaster's secretary speaking to her so quickly that it sounded like gibberish. She'd only caught bits and pieces of it. Something about a school song, pregnancy, and the guidance counselor. The girl showing her around had been passing the office when they were ushering Rory out, and the secretary roped her into leading the Rory around the school.
"If you keep heading straight, that's the dining hall. Don't buy lunch; you'll regret it by the next period. The gym is on the other side of the dining hall. We have to dress for gym, but they'll probably excuse you until they can get you the mandatory uniform. It's hideous, but at least we're all wearing it. What's your last name? That'll indicate where your locker is."
"Uh…Gilmore, Rory Gilmore."
The school was so big that Rory felt lost without even moving. It took her a moment to even realize the girl was talking again. "Oh, then you're right by my friends Paris and Louise. There aren't any spare 'G' lockers, though; you'll have to share with someone. I think Paris is next on the list."
"Okay." Rory had had locker buddies at her old school. Sharing wasn't that big of a deal. She'd always shared with Scarlotte, though.
"Here we are, this is Paris' locker. Do any of the papers they gave you say whose locker you're sharing?"
"Uh…" Rory reached into the tornado of unlined loose-leaf they'd handed her and pulled out the sheet with her locker number and combination. "324B, Paris Geller."
"Yup, this is it. You might want to watch out for Paris, she's a bit…obsessive compulsive."
"Okay."
"Can I see your schedule? We might have some classes together." Rory reached into the pile once again and pulled out the green sheet that listed her classes. "Oh, you're in my second period. That's where we're headed now. Come on, I'll show you where to go."
And they were off again.
"Hey Mom," Rory said with a sigh as she plopped down next to her mother on the couch.
"Bad first day?" she asked.
"The worst. The girl who showed me around was nice enough. That's Madeline, but her friend Paris is a nightmare, a nightmare and my locker buddy."
"Poor Baby. Unfortunately, I have more bad news."
Rory looked up at her like a lost puppy. "You have to meet your grandparents tonight."
Rory sat up. "I have grandparents?"
"Well…" Lorelai looked a little guilty, "you know how I told you that you were born in Connecticut." Rory nodded. "Well, I kind of ran away from home a week after you were born. They just found out that I was back and they insist on meeting their long lost granddaughter."
"Uh…"
"I know it's kind of a lot to spring in one day. New home, new school, new family members, but if we don't go tonight then we'll have to go tomorrow, and they'll yell at me even louder than they're going to if we go tonight.
"I have grandparents?"
"I know it's a lot."
"Do I have to dress up?"
"Your blue sweater and the black slip skirt."
"I have fancy grandparents?"
"They're millionaires."
"Oh."
"Yeah."
Next chapter: Big Fights in Small Group Settings