Chapter 6: Taking a chance on you


Over the next two weeks Rory and Tristan barely spoke a word to each other. She went different ways to her classes to avoid him. They had both hurt each other so deeply that it was hard in practice. Everyone noticed the chemistry wasn't what it had been in the beginning. Miss Smith was annoyed at the two of them.

"STOP! That was horrible," she cried out during one rehearsal.

"What's wrong with you two?" she asked them.

"Nothing," they both mumbled neither looking at Miss Smith, they both glanced at each other for a moment but then looked away. They went their separate ways and Rory sat down in a chair, Tristan was getting more complicated then ever. 

"Hey Rory," greeted Katie.

"Hi Katie," Rory said to the younger girl.

"What happened between you and Tristan?"

"What do you mean?"

"You guys use to hang out all the time and get together all the time to practice,"

"Yeah. Tristan's reputation got in the way. I told him I'd see him after school to practice and he said in your daydream if you get lucky baby,"

"Ouch that must of hurt. well see you later!" with a wave Katie left with her boyfriend. That night Rory began thinking it was just like A Walk to Remember.

"Then we'll fall in love," Rory laughed at the idea but quickly stopped wondering what if that did happen?

The next day Rory came into her fifth period math class slightly early due to her Spanish class being let out early. Tristan had been called to stay after class. So, she had gone her usual way to class when she saw it. In large bold handwriting it read: RORY GILMORE IS A SLUT! She turned ready to dash out the door when she rammed into someone.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered and when she looked up she started to cry. Tristan saw the tears and the look of embarrassment on her face. He glanced around the room and spotted the sentence on the board. His eyes turned angry, as did the rest of his face. He went over to the board and erased it.

"Who the hell wrote this," he growled. The class was surprised at his reaction they had expected he'd laugh at it and with all the other guys make fun of poor Rory.

"I did," spoke up Tristan's 'best friend' Mike Briggs.

"I should've known," he reached Mark and pulled his fist back and punched Mike straight in the eye. He turned walking down the aisle and went to Rory's side.

"DuGrey, we're through," Mike called out to him. Tristan glanced back and shook his head at Mike.

"We've been through. See if I give a damn Briggs!" he called and he led Rory outside to his car.

*          *          *         

"I'm so sorry Rory," Tristan apologized to her. He had driven her home straight from Chilton to her home in Stars Hollow.

"Thanks Tristan," she said with a small smile. She began to open the door when Tristan stopped her.

"Hey, listen I was wondering if after the play on Saturday you'd like to go out with me?" he asked hopefully.

"I'd love to," she said with a soft smile.

"I'm sorry about saying that to you about daydreams and you getting lucky. Truth is, I'm the lucky one to be with you,"

"I know," she replied with a smug smile. Tristan smiled, his Rory was back.

"Bye!" she called to him as he drove away.

 "He asked me out!" she squealed jumping up and down in excitement with Lorelai watching her grinning.

Dress Rehearsal was that Friday night, the day after the incident with Mike and the blackboard. Rory had been smiling goofily all day as had Tristan.

"Tristan man why you two so happy?" asked Jeff

"I asked her out last night," he explained with shy grin.

"And she said yes?" Jon said surprised.

"yeah,"

"well hope it goes well," the two boys wished him luck.

"Thanks"

*          *          *         

After practice ended he saw Rory standing at the front steps of Chilton waiting for her mother no doubt. She glanced at her watch 6:55…they were suppose to be at the grandparents in five minutes. Where was she?

"hey Rory," Tristan called out causing Rory to jump.

 "Hey," she greeted back.

"See you tomorrow,"

"Tomorrow," she echoed him with a grin. As Lorelai pulled up in the jeep.

"Finally!" Rory said sarcastically to her mother.

"You must understand darling…coffee break,"

"Did you bring me some?"

"Maybe," Tristan smiled at the mother-daughter pair, that's why Rory was so different.