Disclaimer: Nothing's changed. I still don't own anything, and I'm still not making money from this story.

Reliving the Past

Chapter Four

Sept. 23

The date with Tristan was okay. Really, it was. He wasn't in the least bit a jerk. Well, he did call me Mary, but I don't mind so much. It makes me feel like there's something in this Harvard world that I'm still familiar with.

He was really sweet, I learned there was more that went through his mind then girls and getting into trouble. It turns out he likes books too- and will never admit it to anyone. Kinda like Jess. Anyway, that's good because he has 'The War of the Worlds.' I'm borrowing it from him.

He asked me out again… and I said yes.

I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Dad smiled. "She never gave the book back until we were married. When we first got married, she had to donate some of her books, because I had doubles of them. I remember the day. She said good-bye to each one, and kissed them before we donated them."

"Sounds like mom," Tristan replied.

Dad nodded. "Kooky, sweet and beautiful."

I found the greatest coffee place! It's this little out of the way café, it's small, cozy, and they have the greatest coffee in the world. It even beats Luke's! Not that I'd ever tell him that. The café's called Warehouse. I don't know why, though.

Anyway, it's in the end of the day, and I'm at Warehouse, enjoying a cup of steamy goodness. In other news, I formed a study group in my French class. It makes things so much easier. It was in fact, one of them who told me about it. Her name is Pam. It's not the coffee she comes for though, it's the vegetarian meals – I don't know how she can stand it – and the hot chocolate and croissants at night. The croissants are great! But when it comes to chocolate cake and danishes, I turn to the little old town of Star's Hollow to a little place called Luke's.

Paris has gone vegetarian. I brought her here tonight, and she's off chatting with Jess on her cellphone. She'll take an hour probably… it's no

Wonders really do happen. Guess who showed up about two hours ago while I was in the café? Jess! Can't write… just dropping this stuff off, Paris insisted that I go with her so that she wouldn't be tempted into getting together again with Jess. Hmph. I can already predict what'll happen. We'll sit, there'll be uncomfortable silence, then Jess will ask Paris to dance. Of course, I am left as the third wheel.

Sept. 25

I can't believe last night! There I was, expecting to be third wheel again, when just my luck, Matthew, a classmate from a couple of my class showed up. We talked on and on. I never realized how much I had in common with him. Would you believe he had the same coffee addiction? He's not so much a reader, so we didn't talk about books much, but we talked about Kent, his high school, and Chilton, we talked about his family and mine, we talked about flying, Europe- he told me so much about Europe, I so want to go there!- I could go on and on! He asked me to dance… and at the end of the night, he asked me for a date on Saturday. It was strange but, I thought of Tristan before answering. And it was almost as if he heard my thoughts because I heard his voice and thought I was hallucinating, but with a few hasty words to Matt, (he was rude, actually…) he pulled me away for a dance. I was at a loss for words. It wasn't like Tristan to be so possessive over me, and I quickly found out why he got me as quick as he did. With a fervent, 'Rory, you are my savior,' he explained the whole thing.  It turns out there was someone there who refused to leave him alone, and he said he was taken, conveniently seeing me, and using me as his excuse. 

"Did she ever date Matthew?" I asked Dad.

Dad shook his head. "Well… once. To make me jealous."

Tristan smirked. "Did it work?"

"Like a charm." Dad looked at his watch. "Look kids, it's late, and even if it's the weekend, I think it'd be better if you guys got some rest. Good night."

No good night kiss or hug, he just left the room. Well… I didn't expect much.

I walked into school to find there was a new girl in my level. A new girl transferring a month into the school year was rare. Recess period, that's when all the info came out. She was extremely smart and would have gotten a scholarship into Chilton, but unfortunately something had gone wrong with her papers… she got something late. It turns out her parents threatened to sue or something… there was this big misunderstanding with the school board, but she got the scholarship in the end.

I was watching her eating alone, and right away I pitied her. She wasn't used to these people, who were nice to their own kind, and subtly- sometimes not so subtly, rude to others. Actually, the first year of Chilton is scary for everyone. Freshmen- mostly scholars, people they call 'charity cases' they don't like go through initiation, which is a humiliating or potentially dangerous situation. It never happened to me, mostly because of my big brother. He was a junior that time… popular, rich, good-looking…. Everyone knew he was my brother. I really think it was because he beat up that guy who tried to hit on me my first day in school.

I glanced at my brother and his friends. I wonder what they'd do to this girl.

I went to my fifth period class, History. I sat down in my normal seat, and took out and started reviewing my notes. In the middle of the Age of Exploration and the Age of enlightenment, I looked up to see her looking around nervously, then coming in to sit in the chair beside me. I looked at my notes again.

The girl was pretty, she had dark brown hair, green eyes, flawless skin, good figure… I wondered how smart she was. Did I have competition? The teacher came in and started discussing where we left off.

People who are used to Chilton know how to take notes. Everyone writes in some form of shorthand on long yellow legal pad, and copies their notes that night down on their real notebook. She obviously needed help. She was writing like mad, but the teacher was already discussing the next part of the lesson. Oh well.

I went to my locker, to find her again beside me. She was having trouble opening her locker. I decided to be nice. She looked nice enough.

"It helps if you hit it right above the lock after putting in the combination." I demonstrated. It opened.

She smiled at me in relief. "Thanks."

I nodded. "I'm Lorelai DuGrey. Aren't you in my History class?"

"Yeah. I'm Stephanie Parker."

"Nice to meet you."

I started to turn away, but she called me back. "I was wondering, the teachers all said it would be helpful… if I could borrow your notes?"

I frowned. My notes? Though, me being me, I'm not exactly sure, but somehow "Sure. Get them from me after last period. I'll meet you here," came out of my mouth. I saw Will looking at me. "I've got to go. See you later!" I turned and walked towards Will.

"So?" Will asked. "What was she like?"

What was she like. That was a loaded question. At Chilton, a lot is based on superficial things. How many cars, how many houses, how pretty, what your parents do… if you couldn't compete, you weren't fit to be in Chilton. At least that's how people make you feel.

I kept my answer simple. I knew she wanted to hear more but… "Nice enough."

Willow rolled her eyes. "Think she'll be competition?"

I shifted my books from one arm to the other. "She borrowed my notes."

Willow glared at me. "Why didn't you say no?"

"I was being nice?"

"You're never going to get to Harvard with an attitude like that. Too much brains, and too little determination."

"I have plenty determination!"

Wllow rolled her eyes... again. "Then you're too nice."

"Being nice isn't a crime!"

After dinner, I walked to my room, quickly finished my homework, and went to my dad's room. I raided the fridge, found some snacks, and brought them to the den. It was a habit of mine, and my mom's. At night, we would both go get food, grab a book, and read in the den on comfy, squishy couches. After mom died, I didn't anymore, but about two years ago, I started doing it again.

I guess I started doing it again, because when she died, it was like she completely disappeared. There were no more pictures of her and the family scattered all around the house, just paintings… all the stuff she'd buy and put somewhere even though it clashed horribly with the room were all put away… there were no more monthly trips to whatever new place my mom discovered… no more late night talks or midnight snacks… no more coffee brewing every hour of the day and night.

I missed her. By doing it, it was like keeping her alive somehow.

But tonight, I was reading a different story, a story I'd never heard before. I was reading hers.

September 27

I can't believe how nice Tristan is being. He gave me roses, as a thank you for that night. When he dropped them off my roommate Kathy answered the door, and was really flirting with him. I felt a little uncomfortable. I did every time I did in Chilton, because I knew he deserved better, but even though Kathy was really nice… I guess it's just habit.

            Of course, after Tristan left, Kathy started grilling me. How did I know Tristan? How long have we known each other? Is he taken? Are we together? For some reason, it really annoyed me.

            I looked up at dad. "When did you fall in love with her?"

            "By that time, I was head over heels," he answered with a wistful smile.

To Be Continued…

Author's Note: I'm alive. I wasn't abducted by funny little green men, or mysteriously swallowed by the TV. I was never in a coma, nor had amnesia.

Author's Note2: The updates to my other stories should be here soon. This is my favorite story among all those I've written, the only one that I felt satisfied with, so, this gets updated first. So… hope you guys enjoyed it. =)

Author's Note3: No flames please, not unless it's constructive criticism. And definitely, no flames from people who have nothing better to do, and just want to try flaming. MIG, MY PESKY LITTLE COUSIN, THIS MEANS YOU. Or the Purple Goddess of Love will come after you.