Tears – Part 3 [So That's How It Is]

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

AN: I noticed a few errors in Chapter 2, and I apologize. I was rushing through it and I didn't get time to read over it. * Insert embarrassed smiley here *

Anyway, on to Part 3!

-

"Rich, where's Tristan?"

The intoxicated teenager looked at the angry woman and shrugged. He burped lowly and laughed, excusing himself.

Rory rolled her eyes; she didn't have time for this. She had spent over 45 minutes looking for her boyfriend and she was getting impatient and restless. "Rich, think long and hard. Have you seen Tristan?"

"Tristan? Yeeaahh… he's outside," he said, his sentence slurred.

Rory gave a quick thank you and headed outside the Mitchell estate, where the weekend party was being held. She walked around the vast front yard, still not catching a sign of her boyfriend. Mumbling incoherently, she continued to walk. She stopped as she heard giggling noises from the side of the house. Walking towards the laughter, she stopped, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Tristan!"

The blonde stood up, his face full of guilt. Rory looked at him in disgust, her hands to her side, waiting for an explanation. She looked at Summer and glared hatefully.

"I… caaannn explain…" he reasoned, stumbling over his words.

Rory shook her head in astonishment as she noticed the bottles of liquor on the grass. "Come on," she took his hand "I'll take you home."

-

Tristan opened his eyes and squinted at the brightness of the room. He groaned, his head was throbbing. Lazily, he lay on his bed, his eyes looked up at the ceiling. Opening his eyes, he stifled a yawn as he felt his head pounding. Fuck, I shouldn't have gone out and drank so much. Getting up, he headed for the shower.

By the time he reached school, his headache was still present. He was in a grouchy mood, his 'so called' friends greeted him with fake enthusiasm, he shrugged them all off and headed inside. He wandered the halls aimlessly, finally finding himself in front of the library. He entered the quiet room and just like that, he thought of her. Sorry wasn't enough for her. What more did she want him to do? Beg for forgiveness? DuGrey's never beg.

He let out an exasperated sigh and made his way towards his locker. He opened the compartment slowly, he examined the contents of his locker and groaned as he laid eyes on the picture of him and Rory pinned to his locker. His eyes looked around the empty hallway; with one swift move he took the picture and placed it in his pockets. A tap on his back caused him to turn again, he faced the girl he had called last night for a favor. The girl's eyes shone with amusement. In her hands, were a dozen white roses. She handed them to him, her eyes still filled with laughter.

"Just so you know, I'm keeping the change," she said, smiling thinly.

"Thanks Paris," Tristan replied, taking the flowers and gently set them inside his locker.

"Hmmm… you'd better hope this works DuGrey, it's probably your last chance." Paris told him, walking away from the teenage boy "Oh and by the way, I saw that."

Tristan smirked and made his way to his first class.

=

By lunchtime, Tristan was getting awfully annoyed. He had not seen Rory all morning. In between classes, he had roamed the hallways and peeked in classes in which she was supposed to be in. No such luck. He asked everyone who knew Rory, no such luck. This angered him, and there he sat, in the lunch table, no one talked to him as everyone took notice of his bad mood. Damn. What the hell am I gonna do with those roses? Standing up, he needed to go for a walk, maybe even a drive. He got to the parking lot, where he made his way towards his expensive sports car and stepped inside. He sat there, never moving, and just looked straight ahead. What was with him?

He rolled the window upon hearing laughter coming from outside. His jaw clenched at what he saw and he stepped from the car. He looked on at the sight with utter disgust. Was this what she felt whenever she saw him with Summer? Was she trying to make him feel jealous? Pissed off? Because it was working. He recognized her, but did not recognize the person she was with. Who was he? What was he doing with her? Who the bloody hell was he?!

"Paris," he yelled at the person 20 feet away.

Paris walked to him, noticing the look on his face, she felt bad for him yet inwardly laughed at his expense. All at the same time. "What?"

"Who the fuck is he?" he asked, pointing at the man Tristan could kill in an instant.

"That?" Paris pointed at the teenage boy with Rory "Is Jamie Patterson. But need not worry Tristan DuGrey, they are only lab partners after all."

"Lab partners my ass. The little dirt bag's got something up his fucking sleeve," Tristan growled.

"How would you know?"

"I'm a guy Paris, just look at the way he's staring at her," he replied in frustration.

"Oh, all I see is a little jealousy… coming from you."

"Shut up."

"So you admit it?"

"So what if I do?"

"Ha! Now you know how it feels, huh?"

Tristan sighed in defeat. He did.

=

"So, I think we should work this weekend on the project. That way, we may finish a week early."

Rory laughed "Are you crazy Jamie? This project is huge. No way we can finish it in two days," she smiled.

He smiled back at her. Rory's smile erased as she noticed the way he looked at her. Why is he- The thought was left unfinished once she noticed Tristan's tall figure from the corner of her eye. She grinned evilly. Could she do it? No Rory, don't. But she did anyway.

She kissed him.

=

Tristan's face couldn't hide the shock as he watched her kiss him. How could she just… so not like her… what the… His hands clenched into fists as he watched the scene unfold in front of his very eyes. Suddenly, he noticed her eyes shift towards him and he smirked. Two can play that game, Gilmore.

He walked, well ran towards the school to his locker. Opening the combination quickly, he pulled out the bouquet of flowers. He smirked and headed outside. Looking around, he spotted the girl he was looking for. He noticed Rory was watching him now, without one look towards her direction, he made his way towards the girl. Tristan stopped behind her and spun her around. He grinned fakely, and handed her the beautiful roses.

"For you," he grinned.

The girl squealed in delight and accepted the flowers. "Thank you Tristan-pooh," she cooed.

He winced inwardly. What had Summer just called him?

=

Rory watched angrily. How dare he, stupid jerk! She crossed her arms and continued to watch. She stood up from her seat on the grass and slowly made her way towards him and the girl who clung to his arm once again. Grabbing his tie, she led him away from the Chilton princess and stopped a couple feet from the group of glaring girls. She brought her mouth towards his ear, licking her lips softly. "So you wanna play like that huh? We'll see who gets the last laugh," she whispered, her voice soft and innocent.

He shivered.

"So Mary, you got a date to the Valentine's dance?"

She laughed softly "Why Mr. DuGrey… are you asking me out?"

"Depends. Do you wanna be asked out?"

"Maybe," she smiled.

"Then yes Mary, I'm asking you out."

"Then yes Bible Boy, I'll go with you."

He stood there. Speechless. Did she actually say yes?

"What DuGrey? Cat got your tongue. First time I've ever witnessed such a thing. Where's that smart ass comment you always seem to have? "

He shook his head and smirked coyly "See you Saturday Mar."

Just had extra time on my hands and decided to write one more chapter. Besides, I don't want a killer leprechaun after me, lol.

Thank you ALL so much for your reviews!

-RockerFreak