Chapter 25: a month

Monday was avoidance day. Paris knew about what had happened and didn't say anything, knowing it would just break Rory and Tristan down. Tristan and Rory completely avoided each other, for they were afraid that if they looked at one another, the might not be able to look away. Everyone tried bugging them, but being Paris, She pulled enough strings so that no one said anything to them about each other.

A month had passed. Rory hadn't been out doing anything fun for a month. She refused to socialize or talk to her mom. All she wanted to do was study, sleep and cry. Everyone was worried about her.

Tristan wasn't any better. His wall was stronger than ever, flirting with every girl, keeping up his façade self.

When Rory saw what was happening, it broke her heart. Lorelai had been bugging her to let him go. She couldn't. But obviously, he could. She hadn't taken the ring off since February 16. But she had to let him go.

With a pen in hand, she compiled a letter to him, letting her tears drip on it. In the end, after she was done, she smiled wearily and went to sleep.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It was cancelled his Friday night date. He tried to go out, but couldn't. Rory had come to school that day and said something that made his stomach turn.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

He stood in the janitor closet with the flavor of the day. His mind wasn't on the make-out, but more upon the two familiar voices he heard from outside the door. He seemed to always pick the closet nearest to her locker.

"So, are you feeling better now?"

"Yeah, I think I should be recovering soon Paris."

"Great to hear. But what started this new revelation?"

Rory's face fell.

"I decided to let him go."

"What?!"

"Yeah. I think I've pined over him for too long. He isn't going to come back to me. He just doesn't love me anymore."

Tristan felt his heart break.

*But you do still love her!*

"Plus, I now understand that I have to let him go. I mean, I don't really think he cares that much, since he has a girl everyday now. But at least I can finally just let him go and let him have his fun with the girls he like right?"

"I hope you know how much you are lying to yourself right now. Do you have any idea how much he still cares about you?"

*Go Paris. I seriously need to remember to buy her a present.*

Tristan's mind was somewhere else, while the bimbo in front of him was kissing his lips. That was when the bell rang. She smiled at him and opened the door, revealing to Paris and Rory the other person in the closet.

Rory whispered in a soft voice.

"Not really."

And with all the strength Rory had within her, she kept her tears in and walked away to class.

"I hope you know how stupid you are Tristan."

Tristan looked down at his feet.

"I know."

"Do you have any idea how much she suffered because of you? You should be happy that you had her in this lifetime. Truthfully, I don't know what she sees in you. I can't believe that she put herself in that much pain for you. I hope you know what are you gave up."

With that, Paris left. Tristan felt tears running down his cheeks. He felt like he had lost her forever. He left Chilton grounds and drove home.

*~*~*~*~*~*

There was a letter on his bed. From what he heard, a young girl had dropped it off that morning right after he left.

He went to his room and saw on the envelope a neat writing. Rory's handwriting. He hastily opened the envelope and saw many blurry spots all over the letter.

*Her tears.*

And out came the heavy silver ring.

*The ring.*

He had it specially made for her. He was so sure that he had thrown it away, because she never seemed to wear it to school. But it seemed as though she had kept it after all. He went back to the letter.

Dear Tristan

You are probably wondering why I am writing this to you. I mean, it's been a month. But I had to tell you some things and I know I will break down if I just say it to you. As you can tell, I have already broken down.

First things first. The kiss. I want you to understand what it really meant. The kiss told me that I no longer loved the guy I had claimed to love before. It showed me that I could give you my full heart and soul without thinking. 'I wonder if Dean still has a piece.' But no, it showed me that all of it was given to you. It may not be the most believable explanation, but it is the truth.

Dean found the ring at my house and gave it to me right after you left. I felt like the worst person in the entire world. I caused you so much unimaginable amount of pain and suffering. I was going to give the ring back, but I wore it around my neck because I needed your love close. I didn't feel like I was good enough to wear it on my finger, but I did want it near my heart, so since then, it had been around my neck.

But I am writing this to tell you that I am going to stop pining over you. I need to, because I know I don't even have a chance with you. I don't think I was ever good enough for you. I used to wonder how I got so lucky. But I know you have moved on.

I know that you are going back to your 'King of Flirt/ Player' ways. But as I think about it, you did seem the most happy and comfortable that way. It's my fault that you changed to this miserable person. I have caused you so much pain, but not anymore.

I am going to give you back this ring, the symbol of your love. You can give it to whomever you think is worthy of it. All you have to promise me is that you will be happy, for that is all I wish of you.

I am going to try my hardest to forget you and move on with my life, as hard as it is. But for the final time, I have to say that I truly do love you and I would never purposely do anything to hurt you. Unfortunately, I did.

Love, Lorelai Leigh Gilmore

*~*~*~*~*~*

So there he sat, on Friday night, feeling lower than dirt. Then, he got the call.