A.N: Okay, so I just wanted to say I again that I don't own the characters… there's also a song here by Michelle Branch and I don't own that either. I wrote the words for those who don't know it 'cause it will show up again in the future. Enjoy…

Don't judge a book by its cover

Chapter 3:

I was in my room, staring at the letter in my hands, trying to force myself to finally put it down when the phone started to ring, "Hello." I answered.

"Hey." I heard Josh' voice

"What do you want?"

"Don't give me that shit, Tristan, you know we just wanted to help."

"How very loving of you…"

"Well, did it work?"

"Did what work?"

"Are you two okay now?"

"No."

"I was sure that it would help."

"Yeah, well, she gave me a chance and I blew it. She doesn't want anything to do with me and there's nothing you can do about it. End of story."

"So, what, you didn't even give it a shot? You didn't even try to talk to her?"

"I didn't say that."

"And what happened?"

"We got into a fight again."

"What did you do this time?"

"Why do you assume that it was my fault?"

"Whose fault was it, then?"

"She just hates me and there's nothing I can do or say that will change that."

"So it was your fault."

"Yes, it was."

"Give her the letter you wrote."

"Is Jane by your side, listening to every word?"

"It doesn't matter. Just give her the letter."

"I'm busy. Can we talk later?"

"Busy doing what?"

"Feeling sorry for myself, apparently that takes a lot of energy."

"Come on, Dugrey, just pick up the phone and call her."

"I lost her number."

"I have it right here, I can give it to you…" he kept insisting.

"Go make out with Jane." Not wanting to hear more of what he had to say I just hung up. After putting the phone back in its place I lay back on my bed, the envelope still in my hand. I stared at the ceiling, why couldn't she see that she was the only one I really wanted? Why was it so hard for her to understand that I needed her forgiveness?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The moment finally came. I was sure at the beginning that I would never want to go back to North Carolina but I, apparently, was wrong. I came to Josh' house the day before to drop the letter and to say my last goodbyes until the next time. I stayed there for a while and just talked to him about random things, avoiding the subject that occupied both our minds. After that I just left home…

There I was, finally, standing at the terminal in the airport. I was staring impatiently out the large window in front of me, waiting with the bag in my hand so that as soon as it was a possibility to bored the plane I would be ready. I couldn't wait to leave Hartford. All I wanted was to leave all the pain I was feeling behind me, leave it in Hartford as I left back to military school. I couldn't wait to get away from everything and everyone. Especially away from her. Away so that maybe, for at least a while, I could forget…

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Come on, Dugrey, it can't be that bad…" Matt said.

"At least you got to leave this place for a while." John added.

"I wish I would never have left this place."

"What happened there that you actually want to be here?" Don took a seat on the bed next to mine, on which I was sitting.

"Nothing happened, okay?"

"You just love this place, right?" Matt asked.

"Don't do this, I'm not in the mood to deal with you right now."

"Then why don't you tell us the truth?" John asked quietly.

"Nothing happened."

"And that's way you're in this shitty mood, right?" Matt asked, waiting for an answer.

"Get off my back." They could be so frustrating sometimes.

"I'm sure we'll all be glad to, once you tell us everything." John said.

"Fine." I said, completely exasperated.

After a few moments of silence Don looked at me, expectant look in his eyes, "Now would be a good time…"

"You know Rory, right?"

"No." John said, smiling "We know of her, though." He continued as he caught the glare I was sending his way.

"And we also know that you wanted to become her friend." Don elaborated.

"And believe it or not, she actually gave me a chance." I paused for a moment, thinking about the last few days.

"Then why are you so down?" Matt asked.

"Guess…"

"What did you do?" John asked, making me feel even more aggravated.

"Why do people always assume that I'm the one to blame?"

"What did you do?" John asked again, ignoring my question.

"To make things short, I ruined everything."

"We sort of got that." Don said, "But you still haven't told us what it was that you did that ruined the whole thing."

"It's a long story." I said, trying to make them drop the subject.

"Well, I think we have a couple of hours…" John said.

"A really long story."

"Then let me just take a seat before you start telling it…" John said, sending an annoying look my way.

"Well…" I said, staring at the floor, "As I already said, we started pretty good. She gave me another chance and we actually had a nice conversation. We got into talking about relationships somehow, I can't really remember how, and she asked me why I was never in a serious relationship. I tried to avoid answering her question but then she asked another one, she wanted to know, as a friend, if never being in a serious relationship made me happy. I don't know what made her think that but she came to the conclusion that it didn't. Later that day she walked into the library and found me making out with some random girl, it made her mad at me for some reason and after yelling at me she left the library. I followed her and we started arguing, then she tried to get rid of me by telling me to do what I wanted to, I was sick of fighting it and I just kissed her. She pushed me away and told me to stay away from her." I looked up from the floor to see the three of them staring at me, "And that's only the beginning of this wonderful week. Do you want me to go on?"

"You kissed her?" Matt asked in amazement.

"She told me to do what I wanted to, and I just couldn't fight the urge to do so anymore so I did what I wanted to. I kissed her. I did exactly what she told me to do."

"How does the story go on?" Don asked.

My eyes returned to the floor, "She and Paris argued over something, I never got to ask her what it was about, and she fell somehow and sprained her ankle. Josh called me and I came to help, I guess I was hoping that she didn't mean what she said the day before. We were arguing about me helping her and, when I think about it now I don't even know why I did it in the first place, I kissed her again. She pushed me back again and informed me that she didn't want my help. The nurse told her that she didn't think it was a good idea for her to just take the bus home and…" I stopped for a moment, hating to repeat it again, bringing the pain with it.

"And…" Don pushed me to go on.

"And she reluctantly had to let me take her home since everyone else had to be in class." I took I deep breath, trying to calm my nerves down, "On the way to her house I was trying to make small talk so I asked her about her boyfriend. She was trying to avoid answering my question but I kept on pushing and left her no choice but to answer my question. She took me to this little diner and ordered coffee for the two of us. I already told you about the coffee thing, right?"

I saw John nodding his head, signaling yes, "You told us everything about Rory and coffee, too many times if I might add." He sent a smile my way.

I smiled lightly, "Right." I said, returning to the story, "Anyway, we sat outside and she was trying to figure out how to explain things to me. We had another argument, not the kind that made her want to kill me I guess. I think that it was the first time that she had ever admitted to herself that she wasn't in love with her boyfriend. I guess it was hard for her, it hurt her to say that…" I looked up, trying to make them understand what I meant, "Even though I was walking on shaky ground at the moment I pulled her into a hug, asking her to forgive me for forcing her to say those words. She let me hold her that way for a while, I guess I'm weak but I couldn't take it anymore and I kissed her again. It was hard not to…" I looked down at the floor again, "And now, not that I can blame her, she won't even let me near."

"I would have locked you two in the same room together." John said thoughtfully.

"Don't bother. Josh, Jane and Sharon already tried that one."

"And what happened?"

"Well, as you probably guessed, it only got worse. Now she won't even look at me."

"Sorry." Matt said.

"What for? It was my fault, not yours. Plus, I wrote her a letter. Jane said she'll give it to her and make her read it."

"What does it say?" John asked.

"Not much. Just that I'm sorry for everything I've ever done to her."

"I still can't believe you kissed her." Don said.

"Go ahead, rub it in my face…"

"And three times, no less."

"I can't help it, okay?" I said, annoyed.

"Because you have feelings for her." Don went on.

"I just-" I started.

"Don't even try to deny it." Don cut me off.

I sighed in response.

"Now, how about if we all sit down tomorrow and try to find a solution to your problem?" John asked.

"Then let's have at the same time a slumber party." Don said sarcastically.

"And talk about boys all night long." Matt continued.

"And then I'll show you all the new shirt I bought at the mall." I joined in.

"And we could all make fun of me…" John smiled.

"It was a nice thought though," I said with a smile, "If we were girls that is…" I started laughing, the three of them joining me.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The week that past along only proved what everyone kept repeating, it didn't matter that I was so far away, all I wanted was for her to forgive me. All I wanted was for her to be close. All I wanted was to go back to Hartford and fix everything. The thought that she was mad at me kept bothering me, not letting me rest. All I wanted was for her to be near, for her to want me near. This wasn't supposed to be happening to me, I was the player type. I was the guy that was looking for another girl while his was still with another. I was not the type that wanted only one girl. I was the type of guy who only had fun and then moved on. Everything was different now, she consumed my every thought and I hated that feeling. Now all I could think about was how on earth could I get her to see that I didn't mean to hurt her, how could I make her see that she was more than just a conquest. I hated that feeling more than anything; I had to find something else to do. It was unbearable not knowing, and so, I got up and left the room I was in, heading in the pay phones direction.

"Hello." I heard a man's voice on the other side of the line.

"Hi, may I please speak to Jane?" I asked, hoping she'd be home.

"One moment please." I heard I thump as that person put the receiver down on, what I assumed to be, a table.

A couple of minutes later I heard Jane's voice, "Hello."

"It's me." I said quietly, loud enough for her to hear.

"How are you doing?" She inquired.

"Fine. How's Rory?"

"No 'Hi Jane, how are you'?"

"Hi Jane, how are you?" I asked. Not waiting for an answer I asked again, "How's Rory?"

"Her ankle's much better but she's a bit of a loner again lately."

"So she didn't get the letter…"

"You must have done something really bad to make her mad at you this way. She's even mad at me for trying to give it to her."

"I'm sorry." The thought that she didn't even want to hear something related to me just killed me.

"Don't worry though, I'll give it to her soon and I'll make sure that she reads it."

"Sure, why not?"

"Hey, do you enjoy this whole misery thing?"

"Are you kidding? I just love it." I said sarcastically.

"I'm sending you a CD. Listen to song number seven."

"What CD?"

"You have to bring it back with you the next you come here though, because it's one of my favorites."

"Don't worry. Who's CD is that anyway?"

"I really have to go. Don't forget, song number seven and you bring it back to Hartford with you or I'll kill you. Bye." She hung up.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Three days later when I opened the package I found Michelle Branch's CD staring at me teasingly. I put the CD into my Discman and put number seven on.

"I was lost

And you were found

You seemed to stand on solid ground

I was weak

And you were strong

And me and my guitar, we strummed along

Sweet misery you cause me
That's what you called me

Sweet misery you cause me

I was blind

But oh, how you could see

You saw the beauty in everything, everything and me

I would cry

And you would smile

You'd stay with me a little while

Sweet misery you cause me
That's what you called me

Sweet misery you cause me

And in my heart I see, oh

What you're doing to me

And in my heart I see, oh

Just how you wanted it to be

Sweet misery

Sweet misery you cause me
That's what you called me

Sweet misery you cause me

And in my heart I see, oh

What you're doing to me

And in my heart I see, oh

Just how you wanted it to be

Sweet misery

I was weak

And you were strong

And me and my guitar, we strummed along."

I just lay there on my bed and listened to the music, that same song on Repeat, playing itself over and over again. All I could think about was the reason that Jane sent it to me and what she had said a few moments before she said she'd send this CD to me. I still couldn't understand a few parts; I couldn't understand what Michelle Branch meant when she had written down some of the words.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"The last time we spoke you sounded thrilled to come back home." My father insisted.

"Well, things change. I'm not coming home for a stupid party."

"Watch your mouth, young man." He warned.

"I don't want to come home, okay?"

"This party is given by your grandfather, the least you could do is come and support him. How do you think people would react when they see that one of the Dugreys didn't even bother to show up?"

"Tell them I'm in school."

"You are coming to this party, young man, I don't care if you want to come or not. And this time I'm not asking you, I'm telling you that you're coming. End of discussion."

"Fine, I'll make an appearance. But just so you know, I'm gonna spend the evening in the library."

"It's settled then, I'll see you Friday."

"Friday it is." I hung up.

Who would have thought that I'd go back to Hartford this soon? After everything that's happened I really didn't want to go back. But it's not like I had a choice or something… Besides, this was a Hartford party; Rory won't even be there. And it's not like I have to stay for that long anyway. The plan was to go to the party, have fun or whatever and go back. As simple as that.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Who was that?" John asked as soon as I walked into the room.

"My father."

"What did he want?" Don asked.

"The Dugreys are having a party, I'm expected to be there."

"You're going home again?"

"This Friday. It's nice of them to finally let me know, they probably know about this party for about a month." I said, still mad at my father.

"Wow, you have 'influence' around here. I mean, first of all they don't force you to shave your head like the rest of us and then you get out whenever you want to." Matt said, smiling.

"Yeah, Goldilocks, how do you do that?" Don asked, smirking my way.

"My father is a Dugrey, we have connections. Have you forgotten that?"

"So, a party, huh?" John asked, with a smile of his own.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Go with Sasha, she'll find you something to wear for tonight's party."

"I'm seventeen, mother, I'm perfectly capable of choosing my own clothes."

"But Sasha is a professional, let her do what she does best."

"Fine, I'm not gonna argue with you over this. But for her sake she'd better find me something that I won't be embarrassed to wear."

"Stop complaining and go with Sasha."

"Sometimes I wish I was born in another family. A poor one!"

"I don't have time for this now. Let's argue over this tomorrow, okay?"

"I'll have your secretary write it in your schedule."

"Tristan…" She was getting aggravated.

"Fine, I'm going."

"Have a nice day."

"Don't count on it…" I left the room, frustrated.

It was just like my parents to Force me to come. And then, to expect me to have a nice time while I was at the mall, shopping for clothes I was sure to throw away after the party, with the hired help. And as I knew Sasha, based on past events, all she did was to come up with the most ridiculous outfits and I ended up, every single time, picking up my own clothes and, of course, both my parents just loved it. But who am I to argue with my mother over such things? She always wins, no matter what. But still, every once in a while, I have to protest even a little. Just so that both my parents know that I'm not just there to do what they want me to.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I don't want to sound cruel saying this, but how could my mother trust someone who couldn't seem to find the mall even though they were there many times? Sasha was the one driving, after she insisted that she knew the way. For some miraculous way it took us nearly half an hour to get there, to a place that was five minutes the most. When we finally reached the mall she didn't stop apologizing for a moment, she drove me crazy. We walked inside and she started pulling me in the direction of one of her favorite stores and, of course, one of those I hated the most. I pulled away from her, making her turn to look at me, "Look, I'm gonna go find something to wear while you'll be in the food section, eating your lunch. Then, when we get home we'll just tell my mother that you were the one who picked out my outfit, okay?" I asked, sending a smile her way.

"My job is to find you an outfit for tonight…"

"And what a great job that is." I said, "But, for some reason, I think I'm gonna pick out my own clothes."

"Your mother told me to-" she started.

"I don't care what my mother told you. I'm gonna be the one who picks out my clothes. Now, you have two choices, you can take credit for the choice or you can just tell my mother that I wouldn't let you help me. Either way, you're not the one who's even looking for what I would wear tonight."

"I'll be in the food section."

"Good. It won't take me too long."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I really wasn't in the mood to party that evening and so, about an hour after the party had begun I started wandering around the house, looking for something that might help me stay awake until the night was over. As I walked around I spotted the library, I stopped in my tracks as soon as I walked inside and saw a familiar figure sitting on the floor, book in hand, "What are you doing here?"

She turned to look at me, "I didn't want to be here. My grandma made me come." She looked at me for a moment, "But it's your grandparents' house, so why don't you stay here and I'll find another room?"

"No, you stay here. You were here first, anyway."

"Why aren't you downstairs, 'mingling'?" She was obviously using her grandmother's words.

"I didn't want to be here either. My father forced me to come home from North Carolina so that people won't think that something's wrong. After all, the Dugreys must be perfect." I said bitterly.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be, I'm used to it by now. I only exist when it comes to the family's honor."

"What do you mean?" She looked confused.

"Let's just say that I wasn't born because my parents loved each other."

"I'm sorry." She said, again.

"Yeah. Well, I'm gonna stay away now."

"You don't have to go."

"I don't need your pity, Rory." Not her pity and no one else's.

"It's not like that." She said, trying to explain, "I just don't like it when people play with others." I could barely hear her voice.

"I said I was sorry."

"But you didn't mean it."

"Well, I am sorry. I don't know what came over me but it won't happen again." I meant each and every word; I would never touch her again.

"I got your letter…"

"And…"

"And I read it."

I chuckled, "I assumed that much but what do you think?"

"I don't know."

"People make mistakes, Rory, I'm just asking you to give me another chance. The last one."

"Tristan, it's not that easy. You were being a real asshole."

"And I want to fix it, I want to start over. I mean, look, I stopped calling you Mary."

"True. But you've found new ways to torture me."

"But look at us now, we're having a nice conversation…" I went on.

"And you've showed me that I can trust you sometimes. I mean, you know about the Dean thing and you haven't used it against me." She said softly.

"You should really talk to him."

"I already told you that I don't want to hurt him."

"So, what, you're going to stay with him because you don't want to hurt him?"

"Tristan, you don't get the whole picture…" She reasoned.

"Let me see, you care about him and that's why you don't want to hurt him. I mean, you love him, just not the way he loves you anymore. Am I getting close?"

"Fine, then you do get it. But how am I gonna end it without hurting him?"

"That's impossible, Rory."

"See? That's why I don't want to end it."

"And what happens if you fall for another guy?"

"Who could I possibly fall for?"

"I don't know, but it could happen."

"Well, it won't."

"And what are you gonna do if it does happen?"

"Then I'll talk to Dean."

"And you'll hurt him even more when he'd think that you left him for another guy." I can be such a girl sometimes…

"Maybe he'll see that the magic's gone and he'll end it himself…"

"And maybe he won't."

After a moment of silence she finally spoke, changing the subject without me even noticing, "Wait a minute, didn't you bring a date with you? Why are you wasting your time by standing here and talking to me?"

"I didn't bring anyone with me today, Rory. I came alone."

"Why?" She inquired.

"Because I don't want to start another meaningless relationship."

"And may I ask why is that?"

"Because it doesn't make me happy…" I could see a smile of victory spread across her face, "Don't start with me." I warned.

"Why not?" she smiled even brighter, "You actually listened to what I had to say."

"Yes well, you're a smart girl."

"Just answer me one more thing…"

"What?"

"Why are you so afraid of commitment?"

"I'm not afraid of commitment."

"Then why aren't you looking for someone to be with?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but I already found someone to be with."

"And…" she was waiting for me to elaborate.

"And she's not interested."

"How do you know that?"

"Trust me, I just do."

"Who is she?"

"You said that you were going to ask me one question, and I believe that this is your fifth question by now."

"Then just answer this one."

"I don't think so."

"Why not?"

"Well, you're a woman and women has their mystery. I'm, on the other hand, a guy and I have to make sure that I keep some things to myself if I want to keep any ounce of mystery…" I tried to avoid answering her question.

"That's lame." She said after a moment of thought.

"I just don't want to talk about it, okay?"

"And that's why you came up with the whole mystery, lame explanation?"

"Cut me some slack."

"And you used to attend Chilton…"

"Rory…" I warned.

"I thought that Chilton was supposed to be a good school..."

"Rory."

"I guess image is everything…"

"You can go on like that for hours, can't you?"

"It's part of the Gilmores' charm." She gave me a smile.

"Teach me some more…" I said, trying to make her forget the mystery thing for even just a moment.

"I'm gonna go back to the mystery thing some day, you can't avoid it. At least not when you say a stupid thing like that…" she started laughing.

"Okay, let's just drop it today, then…"

"Do you think they have good coffee in this house?"

"My grandparents don't drink coffee."

She looked at me, amazement evident in her eyes, "You're lying."

"I wish…"

"Then where am I going to get coffee?"

"Is that another part of the Gilmores' charm?"

"The biggest of all." She smiled brightly.

"Do you want to tell me about over a cup of coffee?"

"I'll tell you anything over a cup of coffee."

"Anything?" I asked teasingly.

"I thought that you got rid of that Tristan for the rest of the night."

"Well…"

"Are you gonna get me coffee anytime soon?"

"Of course, how could I forget your need of coffee?"

"I don't know but you can make it up to me by buying me extra coffee."

"You do know that it's pretty late and that coffee has caffeine in it, right?"

"I'm a Gilmore girl. Coffee doesn't work on me that way."

"And may I ask what does work on you that way?"

"It's a mystery." She started laughing.

"What?"

"You go and make up some stupid reason just so that you won't have to answer a question. You could have just said that you didn't want to tell me who she is…"

"You just lost that extra coffee, Gilmore."

"Mean!"

"Only because you were mean first."

"But you're evil…"

"Let's go put some coffee in your system."

"I take the evil comment back." she smiled again.

"I can't wait to learn some more about the Gilmores' charm…"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"So what are you going to do about the whole Dean thing?" I asked as I put her third cup of coffee in front of her and sat down again.

"I already told you." she took a sip from her coffee and sighed, content, "Nothing."

"You're the one between us who's so uptight about doing things only if they make you happy…"

"But I also consider other people's feelings…"

"Was that a hint, Miss Gilmore?"

"No. But don't forget that Dean's the one who's really important here."

"Do what you want to do. I'm not gonna bug you about it anymore."

She took another sip before smiling brightly, "Good."

"So, how's school?"

"School is school. Though, ever since Sharon and I became friends things got much easier."

"Yeah, that Sharon is one cool chick."

"Hey!" she smacked me on the head.

"Sorry, she's nice. I'll definitely give her that."

"She's more than nice. Jane and Josh are great too."

"No one knows me as good as Josh does. We've been friends since the third grade or something like that and I know that I can trust him with anything."

"Wow, you two are close. I didn't think that friendships like that could exist between two guys."

"Not at Chilton. You can ask him that and he'll be more than happy to share, I put him through a lot of shit. You know how things go at Chilton."

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Though, as you've probably noticed, we do have our ups and downs since I'm hotter and I get all the girls. And sometimes he's jealous…" I flashed a smile her way.

"Jerk."

"I was kidding, Rory."

"I knew that."

"I wonder sometimes how you got accepted to Chilton. You're not that bright sometimes…" I smirked at her.

"Says the guy who made up some lame excuse to avoid talking about the girl he likes…" she smirked back, "You should have stayed in the third grade a little while longer. You sure act like a third grader…"

"Let's make a deal, I'll stop bugging you about not understanding my jokes and you'll drop the whole mystery thing." I extended my hand out for her to shake.

"Oh no, I'm not dropping the mystery thing. You can laugh about me not understanding your jokes all you want but the mystery thing is too good to just let it drop."

"Wicked girl…"

"That's because I'm out of coffee." She looked sadly at the empty cup in her hand, "I want more."

"You've already had three cups." I said in amazement.

"If you want me to be nice you have to get me another one."

"It's the last one though…"

"You see what I mean? You're evil."

"And besides, it's getting pretty late. I should get you home."

"What time is it?" I asked.

"Way too late for a school night."

"It's Friday, it's not a school night."

"Are you telling me you're not gonna study tomorrow?"

"I have homework…"

"When are you getting up?"

"Are you going back to North Carolina tomorrow?" She asked, ignoring my question.

"No. I'm leaving on Sunday, seven P.M I think." I let it slide.

"Oh." She looked at me for a moment before asking, "Are you glad to be home?"

"Well, when my father called and informed me that I had to come home for that stupid party I really didn't want to come. But I guess I'm okay with being home now. I guess things changed."

"So, you're happy to be here, right?"

"Yeah, I guess so."

"What changed?"

"Just some things that I didn't think would mean as much as they did."

"What?" Her confused look confirmed that she didn't understand a thing of what I was trying to say.

"It doesn't matter. I understand myself. Plus, I'm not gonna tell you…"

"Well, at least someone understands you." She smiled again, her eyes full of laughter, "And at least you didn't try to come up with some lame story as an excuse." She started laughing as soon as those words left her mouth.

"I'll go get you that coffee you wanted." I stood up.

"That'll be great." I walked to the counter and asked for a refill. When I came back and place the cup in front of her she looked at me for a second, smiling, "So, I was kind of wondering if you'd like to do something tomorrow… You know, before you go back to North Carolina, back to school."

"To military school..."

"Yes."

"You can say those words, you know. I'm not gonna die or something."

"Fine. Do you wanna do something before you go back to military school?"

I smiled, "Sure, what do you want to do?"

"We'll figure out something…"

"Okay, a movie or something…"

"So, how come they let you keep your hair?"

"I guess my father asked them to let it pass or something for occasions like the one today. You don't want people talking. As far as their concerned I'm off in some other big school that's even better than Chilton. Getting the best education there is…"

"That's the reason I hate Hartford."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. All people care about is what others might think or say. My parents are just like that."

"Well, at least you got to keep the hair." She smiled.

"And I got to know great people."

"Do you feel like telling me about them?"

"I wouldn't know where to begin…"

"Give it a try." She smiled; her attention fully turned my way.

"Well, I guess that they're just your normal type of a teenage guy but they have their moments. I guess you might think that it's stupid since you probably have something like that, but it's just different from Chilton. People just don't give a damn about the material things there…"

"We have some people like that in Chilton too."

"Yeah… but, as you've probably noticed, it's pretty rare."

"I guess I'm lucky that I got to hang out with the good crowd."

"Only because you belong to that crowd…"

"And only because you asked Josh to do you a favor."

"I didn't ask Josh to do anything."

"Tristan, "she sent a knowing look my way, "don't lie to me. I know you asked him."

"Okay, maybe I did. But now they're your friends for who you are."

"Well, that's because I'm so charming." She smiled.

"And people say my ego's big..."

"And in your case it's true."

"Well, I see that caffeine isn't working when you need sleep so I think I'd better get you to bed and soon, before you might kill me with your cruel words…"

She yawned, "I am tired…"

"And that makes you 'meaner' than usual." I said.

"Well, what can I say? You bring out the worst in me…"

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"So, I'll call you tomorrow, okay?" I asked as I pulled my car in front of her house.

"Why don't we just meet at the Hartford mall at around five P.M?"

"Are you taking your mother's car?"

"No, I'll come by bus."

"Then why don't I just pick you up around that time?"

"Don't trouble yourself…"

"It's no trouble. Besides, I want to." She opened the door; "I'll see you tomorrow." I said, she smiled in response and got out of the car. I waited until I saw that she was inside her house and left.

Later that night I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling and just thinking. This was supposed to be a very bad day and yet, it turned to be a good one in the end. I was tired from the flight and everything that went on but as I set my alarm clock I came to the conclusion that I won't have much time to sleep anyway. Why waste a whole day?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It was now seven in the morning and I was standing in front of the door, ringing the doorbell for the fifth time. The door flung open and in front of me stood a very angry Rory Gilmore, "What are you doing here?"

"Not much of a morning person, are you?"

"Even the sun just woke up." Sleep was still evident in her voice.

"Well, I don't know when I'll be back again and I don't want to waste any precious time."

"You're ten hours early!"

"And that's the only reason I'm gonna let you get dressed before I drag you out of here." I gave her a charming smile.

"Tristan," she whined, "I want to sleep."

"Rory, I want to hang out…"

"Then come back in ten hours."

"Why don't I come inside right now and just watch you while you sleep? It's not like a have anything better to do."

"You're evil, go away." she tried to close the door.

I held the door, leaning close to her ear and whispered, "I've got coffee in the car."

"You better have more than one cup in there…"

"Yeah, I have three."

She opened the door, wide enough for me to walk inside, "Come in, it'll just take me a moment."

I chuckled, "My first time at the Gilmore's house…"

"Yeah, whatever you say. Make yourself comfortable, I'll be right back." she left the door open and walked to, what I assumed to be, her room.

Ten minutes later I saw the door open up and she stepped out of the room. I stared at her for a moment, amazed by the way her eyes looked when she was still half asleep. Beautiful, just incredible, "Nice house…"

"Yeah, yeah… let's go."

"What's the rush?"

"Do you really have to ask?"

"You want the coffee in the car…"

"We're leaving." She grabbed my hand and pulled me to the door, "Now!"

"As you wish…"

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