Tears – Part 24 [Bittersweet]

Disclaimer: I don't know anything. Enough said.

-

Taking a deep breath, Rory inhaled the scent of the hot liquid, shutting her eyes entirely. Letting out a desperate sigh, she opened her bloodshot eyes and blinked back the tears. She was tired of crying. So damn tired.

"I can't talk about this, not right now…" she muttered, resting her head on the table.

"Of course babe. Whenever you feel like talking," Lorelai whispered, standing up "I hate to leave you but…"

"Go," Rory urged, forcing a tiny wavering smile.

"Maybe I should call in sick…"

"No go, I'll be fine. We need your money for coffee and pop tarts," Rory joked, "Thanks for letting me stay home today."

"No problem, see you later babe."

Hearing the door close, and the heels walking down the house steps, Rory sauntered to her bedroom. Lying on the soft bed, she shut her eyes, feeling a horrible headache arriving. Rubbing her temples softly, she thought about their conversation. A long distance relationship? It would never work. Rory didn't believe in those. She refused to. What good would it do? It would only draw them apart, that she was sure of. Sitting up, she looked toward her desk; a lonely white envelope lay in the middle of the wooden surface. 

Rubbing her eyes, she rubbed the sleep from her blue eyes and lay on the bed once again.

-

"Stop badmouthing Patterson," she warned playfully, his Chilton tie tightly in her grasp, pulling their faces closer.

"Make me," he grinned, his eyes playfully teasing her.

Rory brought her mouth to meet his expecting lips, he responded eagerly to her touch, his hands roaming her body. His hands crept underneath her blazer, Rory pulled away, glaring jokingly. "Too close for comfort," she mumbled in his ear, kissing his neck softly.

"But you liked it," he whispered back.

Feeling her cheeks burn, she mocked anger "Stop making false assumptions."

He didn't respond, simply kissed her.

*

He stood watching, shaking from anger. 'Damn him' he thought hatefully 'Damn him!' His eyes looked on venomously, as the couple kissed once more. His jaw clenched, as well as his fists, ready to punch the next thing to come across him. Turning around, his eyes lingered on the girl standing at her locker, her long hair lying loosely across her back. "Paris," he called.

She looked to him and rolled her eyes "What do you want Patterson?"

"There's something you need to see," an unfamiliar twinkle on his eyes.

"I really don't have time for this," Paris answered, walking to him anyway "I have an English exam to study for and…" her voice caught in her throat, her eyes widening. Hurt filled her eyes.

"Looks like she doesn't tell you everything," Jamie whispered before walking away from an angry Paris.

-

Not even her favorite drink could make her smile. Pouring the coffee down the drain, she walked to the living room, turning on the television. Disgusted, only soap operas occupied the channels, finally she settled on Lizzie McGuire.

-

"Guess our friendship doesn't mean anything to you does it?"

Rory glanced at Paris, surprised at her words. "Paris, what are you talking about?"

"Answer my question," she replied, her voice made of steel.

"Our friendship means everything to me," Rory replied, ignoring the Chilton onlookers.

"But your relationship with Tristan means more."

Looking down, she suddenly was unable to meet her friend's eye. Suddenly feeling very guilty. "How did you…"

"Who cares," Paris interrupted rudely "Goodbye Rory, have fun with Tristan."

-

Later that school day, Rory exited the gloomy school and walked around the parking lot. Spotting his car immediately, she walked to it, noticing his driver seat door open. She spotted him sitting in his car, cell phone in hand. She heard his frustrated growl and watched cautiously as he stepped from the sport scar, looking angry and annoyed. Coming from behind, she licked her lips before whispering softly in his ear.

"I'm so glad to see you," she whispered.

Turning around, he buried his head into her neck, breathing in her flower scent. "I love you," he swallowed the knot in his throat.

"I love you too," she smiled, playing with the spikes in his head "Tris… what's wrong?"

He kissed her forcefully. Rory, a little shocked, kissed back tentatively. She pulled away just as his tongue forced her lips apart and looked at him, his eyes expressed a mixture of hunger and sadness. "Tell me," she forced out, finding her voice.

"This is it," he whispered.

"What is?" Rory asked warily.

"My bags are packed…"

"No, no, no…" Rory begged silently "No…"

"Father found out, it's final this time," he said in a soft voice "He's coming here to make sure I get to the airport," he said bitterly.

Soon, tears filled her sad eyes, causing him to do the same. He recovered quickly, hiding all the emotion he was feeling. He couldn't break down, not in front of her. He had to look strong, to make her see that everything would be all right.

"I'll write everyday and—"

"Don't…" Rory held her fingers to his lips, silencing him quickly.

"Here," he inhaled, pulling a sealed envelope from the back of his pocket "Please read it," he pleaded.

Rory took the envelope, looking at it longingly. "Is this it? Just like that?"

"Of course not, we can try the long distance thing. I'll call you often and… damnit Rory! We'll make this work. We'll make us work!"

"We can't… they never work…"

"Please, can't we at least try?" this was the first time Tristan DuGray ever begged for anything.

Rory didn't answer. She couldn't, as she panicked once noticing the black limousine rounding the corner, making its way toward the couple. Tristan noticed also, and a sense of urgency filled his voice.

"Please Ror, what's your answer?" he asked, glancing at the car, which had stopped.

"No…" she answered his question, barely audible for him to hear.

He had heard her answer. His eyes clouded with an emotion even Rory couldn't read.

"Please understand…"

"I do," he said, his voice wavering. From the corner of his eye, he saw his father step from the limousine, watching the couple with interest.

"I can't… they… they never work," tears poured down her cheeks.

"What now?"

"I'm letting you go… it's for… it's for the best."

"How do you know that? You know it's not," he replied, his anger rising.

Placing her hands on his shoulder, it calmed him down gradually. She brought her lips to meet his. She needed this. He needed this. Even if it was for the last time.

Wiping the tears from her eyes with his thumb, he delicately placed a kiss on her damp cheek. "Keep in touch, alright Mary?"

She closed her eyes at the softness of his voice. "Of course."

"I love you."

"I love you too," she bit her lip to keep the sobs from escaping.

"Don't forget," he smiled sadly, releasing her hands slowly.

"Never."

"Tristan, let's go!"

"Don't forget about the letter," he reminded.

Rory nodded mutely.

"See you Mary," he placed a soft kiss on her hand.

"See you later Tristan…" she whispered, as she watched him walk away from her, toward his awaiting father.

-

Rory blinked, remembering the memory. Getting up from her comfortable bed, she walked over to her desk. Sitting on the wooden chair, she picked up the white envelope. Ripping it open delicately, she was met with his masculine and curvy handwriting. 'Dear Mary… '

-

"Hey babe, how are you feeling?"

Rory looked up to find her mother standing over her bed, large coffee mug in hand. Handing the mug to her daughter, Lorelai sat at the edge of her bed, examining her daughter carefully. "You look better…" she commented.

"I guess I am," Rory whispered, taking a drink.

"What made you feel better?"

"You know that saying… 'If you love someone, let them go. If they return to you, it was meant to be. If they don't, their love was never yours to begin with...'"

Lorelai nodded.

Smiling sadly, Rory played with the rim of the mug before drinking "I believe it."

                         -- end --

-

Okay, all I ask is that you all breathe.  * ducks from flying vegetables *

Breathe in…

Breathe out…

Breathe in…

Breathe out…

BUUUTTTT…. Ready for some GOOD news?

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There will be a SEQUEL! And I didn't write the content of the letter for a reason. I have some ideas for the sequel and I just wanted to end this story so I can start writing it. It'll be up… sooner than you all think.

* tear * I still can't believe I finished this. I'm getting all emotional. And listening to GC's 'Emotionless' isn't helping. * sobs *

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