*Disclaimer: I don't own the series Gilmore Girls or the characters. All I
own is my imagination and the plot.
*A/N: Hey! :-) Yeah, yeah, I know. I took too long. Well, in my eyes anyway. I had some stuff going on, so once again I apologize for my lack of updates. Not that any of you actually missed them. I have a feeling that no one is reading this story. I mean, why should you, right ? There are a lot of better Trory's out there. To all of you who have reviewed: thank you so much! :-)
*~*~*:-)*~*~*Bye, smile :-)
When Tristan DuGrey stepped into the hallway of his parents' grand mansion, there was still a certain taste lingering on his lips. When he ran his tongue across them, he could still taste the faint suggestion of strawberry that had been smeared across his lips during his earlier 'meeting' with Amy. The worst part was that he actually felt guilty for using her for his own pleasures. But the thing was, that as soon as he felt her lips on his, he was lost in a world that didn't quite meet reality. And that was exactly what he needed right now. Someone to 'heal' his wounds and help him forget. See, the only way to cleanse his soul was to commit a sin.
Tristan played with the keys of his car as he strolled into the cyclopean and businesslike living room. His mother was sitting on one of the luxurious armchairs, her legs elegantly crossed and the telephone cord playfully wrapped around one of her red painted fingers. Tristan's expression saddened for a hidden second when he realized that the room fitted the personality of his sophisticated mother. Finally his mom noticed Tristan's presence and lifted her hand, gesturing that it would only take one more second.
''Yes.......Rose Hill Cemetery. Of course...........''
Tristan inwardly cringed at her words. Just hearing those three words made the whole experience more realistic. Like someone had turned on the light in a dark room after all those years. He listened as his mom finished up her conversation with ease and hung up. Tristan looked at her with a neutral look on his face, his fingers still playing with his keys.
''When is grandpa's burial taking place ?''
Carolyn DuGrey looked up at her son.
''In a couple of days. Your dad and I are leaving tomorrow to make sure that everything will go our way.''
''I haven't heard my name yet,'' Tristan said.
Carolyn briefly met his gaze before she lowered her eyes and gestured towards the chair across from her.
''Why don't you sit down ?''
Tristan shook his head, putting his keys in his pockets before hiding his hands in them. He watched as his mom took a deep breath before forming a perfect and complete sentence.
''We decided that it's for the best if you don't come to the burial.''
''You mean dad decided,'' Tristan said, with a harsh tone in his voice.
Carolyn didn't look up at him as she tried to defend herself and her husband.
''We think it's for the best.''
''Why ?'' Tristan asked, trying not to let his temper get in the way of this conversation.
''Because of this,'' Carolyn said. ''Your reaction.''
''My grandpa died. I'm allowed to react like this !'' Tristan yelled as he removed his hands from his pockets with one swift movement.
A silence fell between them. Tristan studied his mom as she silently struggled for the right words to say in this particular situation. But for Tristan there were no right words. How could his own parents forbid him to go to Janlan's funeral ?!
''You'll cause a scene.''
Carolyn looked up at him with her clear blue eyes, pleading him to understand.
''A scene ?''
''Sweetie, there will be a lot of important people there and........''
''I'm his grandson for god's sake !'' Tristan yelled, interrupting his mother's explanation.
''Honey, me and your dad both know how fond you were of Janlan, but believe me, you don't want to see him get buried,'' Carolyn said, as she got up.
Tristan knew it was no use arguing with her. Especially not when she had already called him by her 'fake' pet names. She only did that when she knew that there was nothing he or she could do about the situation. Tristan's father, Alexander, was holding the last card that would sure enough decide the entire game. Tristan coldly looked at her and nodded.
''Yes ma'am.''
He turned around and calmly headed up the stairs, leaving a sorry and disappointed Carolyn behind. He knew that he could never be really angry at his mom. Especially since she probably didn't have any say in this decision. His dad was the man of the house and sat on the throne, so to say.
Tristan sat down on his bed, feeling bitter and extreme hatred towards his father. He passed by mad without even noticing and went straight to hatred. Every time his dad would open his mouth Tristan's heart would start to beat faster and his hands would starts to tingle. It was caused by a certain urge and sensation to blow up at his father and tell him exactly how he felt. With violence if it was necessary. But of course he never did.
Tristan glanced at his phone and grabbed it. He looked at it for a while, before he made up his mind and threw it on his bed. He thought about the keys that were still in his pockets and got up. Within one minute he had put on his jacket and was one his way to his car.
*~*~*
He drove the distance to Stars Hollow without hesitating. He didn't even feel hesitant about getting out of his car and walking up to the front door of the Gilmore residence. While he had been sitting on his bed, he had gotten the sudden urge to talk to someone and what better person could there ever be but Rory Gilmore ? She would listen to him even if it took him an entire night to utter out those words, that would shed light on the tragedy that was going on around him. Inside his own home..... Tristan rang the doorbell and took a step back as he waited for someone to open the door.
When the door opened, it revealed a surprised and confused Rory. She took in his appearance before focusing her kind eyes on his face.
''Tristan..........what are you doing here ?''
Tristan gazed into her eyes and realized that this had been a bad idea. It was foolish to think that Rory would care about what was going on behind the closed doors of his home. He shook his head.
''Nothing.''
With that he turned around and started to walk back to his car. Halfway there, he felt her delicate touch as she gently placed her hand on his arm.
''Tristan.......,'' she said, as she forced him to turn around.
Tristan slowly turned around and faced her, though his eyes were fixed on her hand. He let his eyes rest on the silver charmbracelet that hung around her slender wrist. He studied the small and precisely shaped charms as he tried to catch his breath. Standing so close to her was intoxicating and the reason for his visit was slowly fading away.
''I can't help you, if you don't talk to me,'' Rory said, bringing Tristan back in to reality.
The reason for his visit started to appear again, like the sun would slowly break through a cloud. He brought his eyes up to meet hers.
''There's nothing to tell.''
He pulled his arm back and awkwardly stuffed his hand in his pocket. He turned around and headed for his care without looking back once. Rory, who was saddened by his abrupt departure, wondered if his tears have ever been wet with tears before......
*~*~*
As soon as Tristan got out of his car, he knew that his dad was home. One of Alexander's many expensive cars was parked in the driveway. As Tristan passed it, he couldn't help but place his hand flat against one of the spotless windows. He waited for five seconds before he removed his hands. A vague outline of his hand could be seen on the once gleaming window. It was childish, but he had been doing this ever since he was a little boy and it made him smile every time. And this time was no exception.
Once inside, he went straight to his room. He decided to skip their usual 'family' dinner. He wouldn't miss anything fascinating anyway. He usually ate his dinner in silence while his dad talked about another car he was going to buy. His mom was just as ignorant and would always add her part to the conversation by talking about another part she was attending. For his parents this was small talk. Tristan always tried to finish his dinner as fast as he could, so he could leave the table and could go up to his room.
Tristan dropped himself on his bed and listened to his father's loud footsteps as they came up the stairs. He felt like a little boy again. Every time he did something wrong, he would be send to his room by his dad. And he would always sit on his bad, listening for his dad's forceful footsteps. Suddenly there was one short knock on the door and before Tristan answered, it already flew open. His dad made his way into Tristan's room, leaving the door open behind him. Tristan knew why he always did that. It was to remind the maids and his mom, that he was the one with the power around here.
''Your behavior was disrespecting towards your mother,'' Alexander said, with a certain kind of patience in his voice.
Tristan remained silence. He learned that one wrong word could cut through his dad's last thin string of patience. Alexander casually placed his hands in his pockets while he scanned Tristan's room. Letting his eyes linger on the posters of various punk and soft rock bands that were hanging on almost every wall. After he took in every last detail of every single poster, he returned his eyes to his son.
''I understand how you feel.''
''You don't have any idea how I feel. I'd be surprised if you even cared !'' Tristan exploded, realizing his mistake too late.
Alexander's eyes hardened.
''I'll let that comment pass, because you're obviously upset.''
Tristan turned his head, not wanting to look at his dad anymore. He heard his dad sigh.
''We're leaving tomorrow, one of the maids will make you dinner. Will you be alright ?''
''I always am,'' Tristan said, in an emotionless tone, remembering all those times his parents left one some business trip or other.
His dad gave him one more look before he left the room, closing the door silently behind him. As soon as the door closed, he unclenched his fist. He didn't even notice that he had clenched it. Tristan shook his head and reach for his headphones, wanting to get his mind off of things. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted his chemistry book. He put on his headphones without thinking twice about the chemistry test he had tomorrow. It wouldn't be the first time that he would fail a test, because he couldn't find the concentration that was needed at home to study. He glanced at his phone one more time before he pushed play.
*~*~*
The next morning, Rory was one of the last to arrive in class. Paris had kept her up on her way to class, causing her to arrive later than usual. Rory walked over to one of the few empty seats, that was unfortunately next to Tristan. She quickly sat down and started to rummage through her bag, looking for the right pencil. Suddenly someone handed her a pencil. As she took it, she brought her eyes up only to meet Tristan's exceptionally captivating eyes. She mouthed a thank you, but Tristan had already returned his gaze to his desk. Rory wanted to say something to him, but couldn't, because their teacher started to hand out their test papers.
Rory immediately started to answer the questions, that seemed so simple now that she had studied for them. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Tristan. Normally he too was busy answering the questions, but on this particular day, he was staring out the window while tapping his pencil against the side of his desk. The teacher shot him a few warning glances, but he chose to ignore them. Finally the teacher couldn't take it anymore.
''Mr. DuGrey, instead of staring out of the window, wouldn't it make more sense to look at the question in front of you ?!''
Tristan dropped his gaze to the test paper. He stopped tapping for the four seconds it took him to scan through the questions. Not one he knew the answer to. He started to tap his pencil against his desk again, waiting for the teacher to send him out of the classroom.
''Since you choose to ignore my warnings, I suggest you leave this classroom.''
Tristan nodded as he gathered his stuff and got up. He put a fake smile on his face as he left the classroom. One that was immediately wiped off once he shut the door behind him.
*~*~*
During lunch, Rory joined Paris at their regular table. Almost immediately Paris started to talk about Rory's chemistry test and started to compare answers with her. Rory only listened with one ear, while her eyes roamed across the cafeteria. , looking for the familiar coy smirk or the intense blue eyes. But the alluring face she was looking for, wasn't there.
''Are you even listening ?'' Paris asked, a little frustrated at the fact that she didn't seem to have Rory's undivided attention.
Rory sighed as she returned her gaze to Paris, pretending to misunderstand.
''What ?''
Paris rolled her eyes before she followed Rory's gaze across the cafeteria.
''Who are we looking for ?''
Rory's eyes shot back to Paris.
''No one,'' was her short and abrupt answer as if she had been caught doing something illegal.
Paris nodded.
''Okay.''
''Why are you assuming that I'm looking for someone in particular ?''
''I didn't. I just saw you scanning through all those people as if they were pieces of meat, so I guessed that................''
''I didn't go through them like they were pieces of meat,'' Rory interrupted.
''Would you have liked it better if I had used the term Candy ?'' Paris asked, with a neutral expression on her face.
Rory shook her head as she reached for her bag.
''I'm getting up and leaving now,'' Rory said as she got up.
''Who am I going to share my candy with now ?'' Paris asked, her voice dripping with her natural sarcasm.
Rory yelled a quick goodbye before leaving the cafeteria and heading for her locker, her mind occupied by thoughts of none other that Tristan DuGrey. She couldn't help worrying about him. She couldn't understand why he was being so casual about his grandpa's death. He should cry, talk to someone about it. That's how he was supposed to act. He wasn't supposed to walk around like her couldn't care less or that it didn't bother him in any way. But then again, what were supposed to do in this sort of situation ? It wasn't really fair to judge him, since she had never went through something like this before.
She was still deep in thought when she spotted him. He was sitting on the first few steps in front of the school's entrance. She stopped and looked up at him, briefly meeting his gaze. What was he doing here ? She was used to seeing him surrounded with either his friends or one of his latest 'girlfriends'. His eyes were boring into hers, as if they were daring her to come closer. She wiped a strand of hair away from her face. And in the two seconds it took her to do this, she made her decision. She lowered her eyes as she slowly made her way up the steps.
''Hey,'' she said as she sat down next to him, placing her bag between the two of them.
Tristan nodded.
''So..........,'' Rory said, as she clasped her hands together in her lap.
''How are you doing ?''
Tristan threw her a sideways glance. One that Rory caught way too easily. He saw the genuine expression of concern on her face and he couldn't help but slightly smile.
''Better.''
''Good,'' Rory said, as she returned her gaze to her clasped hands.
''How did your test go ?''
Tristan looked at her before he shook his head and turned his head away.
''That's what this is all about ?''
''No,'' Rory defended herself.
''I just wanna know what's wrong. You seem sad, but you don't show it.''
Tristan warmly smiled at her, her earlier words already forgotten.
''Five more minutes until the bell. Are you sure you want to waste them with me ?''
Rory didn't say anything, but looked at him in a modest and self-conscious way. Tristan didn't say anything either, afraid that he would ruin the moment. So, instead they just decided to silently sit there until the bell would ring.
*~*~*
As soon as Rory reached Stars Hollow, she made her way over to Luke's. She was later than usual, because of some research she had to do in the library. Her mom was already sitting at one of the tables. As soon as Lorelai spotted Rory, she waved at her. Rory smiled and hurried over to her.
''Hey mom,'' she said, as she sat down across from her mom.
''Hey sweets,'' Lorelai said, as she held one of the biggest yellow coffee cups you had ever seen in the air.
''What's that ?''
''I decided to bring my own cup. Luke's were way too small.''
Rory nodded as she turned her head to look out the window.
''How was your day ?'' Lorelai asked, still holding the cup in the air.
Rory shrugged.
''Okay. I tried to talk to Tristan today. You know, his grandpa died. Janlan DuGrey ? It was in practically every paper. Anyway, I know, well almost everyone in school knows, that Tristan was pretty close with him.''
''Exactly how close ?'' Lorelai asked, with one eyebrow raised.
Rory ignored her mom's comment and kept talking.
''And now that his grandpa's dead he should be drowning in his own tears, but..........''
''Okay, no more love songs for you missy,'' Lorelai interrupted once more.
''Mom, this is serious.''
''I know, but drowning in your own tears ? How dramatic is that ?''
''Mom !''
''There you go again with the drama..........''
Rory glared at her mom before she continued.
''......but instead he's walking around as if nothing has ever happened. You might as well nickname him the rainbow after the rain. And I know he's sad, I just have this feeling, but he won't talk to me.''
Lorelai sighed and lowered her cup.
''Honey, I don't think that he's a talking kind of guy. Maybe he really didn't take his grandfather's death that hard.''
Lorelai smiled at Rory before getting up and getting some coffee for the two of them. Rory looked out the window again. Just like this window seemed to separate her from the outside world, Tristan's stubbornness separated her from him.
*R*E*V*I*E*W*! Please ? :-) Thanks again for the reviews! Hope you read the A/N at the top of this chapter. To you who have read 'That's when the crowd goes wild', chapter 3 is up.
*A/N: Hey! :-) Yeah, yeah, I know. I took too long. Well, in my eyes anyway. I had some stuff going on, so once again I apologize for my lack of updates. Not that any of you actually missed them. I have a feeling that no one is reading this story. I mean, why should you, right ? There are a lot of better Trory's out there. To all of you who have reviewed: thank you so much! :-)
*~*~*:-)*~*~*Bye, smile :-)
When Tristan DuGrey stepped into the hallway of his parents' grand mansion, there was still a certain taste lingering on his lips. When he ran his tongue across them, he could still taste the faint suggestion of strawberry that had been smeared across his lips during his earlier 'meeting' with Amy. The worst part was that he actually felt guilty for using her for his own pleasures. But the thing was, that as soon as he felt her lips on his, he was lost in a world that didn't quite meet reality. And that was exactly what he needed right now. Someone to 'heal' his wounds and help him forget. See, the only way to cleanse his soul was to commit a sin.
Tristan played with the keys of his car as he strolled into the cyclopean and businesslike living room. His mother was sitting on one of the luxurious armchairs, her legs elegantly crossed and the telephone cord playfully wrapped around one of her red painted fingers. Tristan's expression saddened for a hidden second when he realized that the room fitted the personality of his sophisticated mother. Finally his mom noticed Tristan's presence and lifted her hand, gesturing that it would only take one more second.
''Yes.......Rose Hill Cemetery. Of course...........''
Tristan inwardly cringed at her words. Just hearing those three words made the whole experience more realistic. Like someone had turned on the light in a dark room after all those years. He listened as his mom finished up her conversation with ease and hung up. Tristan looked at her with a neutral look on his face, his fingers still playing with his keys.
''When is grandpa's burial taking place ?''
Carolyn DuGrey looked up at her son.
''In a couple of days. Your dad and I are leaving tomorrow to make sure that everything will go our way.''
''I haven't heard my name yet,'' Tristan said.
Carolyn briefly met his gaze before she lowered her eyes and gestured towards the chair across from her.
''Why don't you sit down ?''
Tristan shook his head, putting his keys in his pockets before hiding his hands in them. He watched as his mom took a deep breath before forming a perfect and complete sentence.
''We decided that it's for the best if you don't come to the burial.''
''You mean dad decided,'' Tristan said, with a harsh tone in his voice.
Carolyn didn't look up at him as she tried to defend herself and her husband.
''We think it's for the best.''
''Why ?'' Tristan asked, trying not to let his temper get in the way of this conversation.
''Because of this,'' Carolyn said. ''Your reaction.''
''My grandpa died. I'm allowed to react like this !'' Tristan yelled as he removed his hands from his pockets with one swift movement.
A silence fell between them. Tristan studied his mom as she silently struggled for the right words to say in this particular situation. But for Tristan there were no right words. How could his own parents forbid him to go to Janlan's funeral ?!
''You'll cause a scene.''
Carolyn looked up at him with her clear blue eyes, pleading him to understand.
''A scene ?''
''Sweetie, there will be a lot of important people there and........''
''I'm his grandson for god's sake !'' Tristan yelled, interrupting his mother's explanation.
''Honey, me and your dad both know how fond you were of Janlan, but believe me, you don't want to see him get buried,'' Carolyn said, as she got up.
Tristan knew it was no use arguing with her. Especially not when she had already called him by her 'fake' pet names. She only did that when she knew that there was nothing he or she could do about the situation. Tristan's father, Alexander, was holding the last card that would sure enough decide the entire game. Tristan coldly looked at her and nodded.
''Yes ma'am.''
He turned around and calmly headed up the stairs, leaving a sorry and disappointed Carolyn behind. He knew that he could never be really angry at his mom. Especially since she probably didn't have any say in this decision. His dad was the man of the house and sat on the throne, so to say.
Tristan sat down on his bed, feeling bitter and extreme hatred towards his father. He passed by mad without even noticing and went straight to hatred. Every time his dad would open his mouth Tristan's heart would start to beat faster and his hands would starts to tingle. It was caused by a certain urge and sensation to blow up at his father and tell him exactly how he felt. With violence if it was necessary. But of course he never did.
Tristan glanced at his phone and grabbed it. He looked at it for a while, before he made up his mind and threw it on his bed. He thought about the keys that were still in his pockets and got up. Within one minute he had put on his jacket and was one his way to his car.
*~*~*
He drove the distance to Stars Hollow without hesitating. He didn't even feel hesitant about getting out of his car and walking up to the front door of the Gilmore residence. While he had been sitting on his bed, he had gotten the sudden urge to talk to someone and what better person could there ever be but Rory Gilmore ? She would listen to him even if it took him an entire night to utter out those words, that would shed light on the tragedy that was going on around him. Inside his own home..... Tristan rang the doorbell and took a step back as he waited for someone to open the door.
When the door opened, it revealed a surprised and confused Rory. She took in his appearance before focusing her kind eyes on his face.
''Tristan..........what are you doing here ?''
Tristan gazed into her eyes and realized that this had been a bad idea. It was foolish to think that Rory would care about what was going on behind the closed doors of his home. He shook his head.
''Nothing.''
With that he turned around and started to walk back to his car. Halfway there, he felt her delicate touch as she gently placed her hand on his arm.
''Tristan.......,'' she said, as she forced him to turn around.
Tristan slowly turned around and faced her, though his eyes were fixed on her hand. He let his eyes rest on the silver charmbracelet that hung around her slender wrist. He studied the small and precisely shaped charms as he tried to catch his breath. Standing so close to her was intoxicating and the reason for his visit was slowly fading away.
''I can't help you, if you don't talk to me,'' Rory said, bringing Tristan back in to reality.
The reason for his visit started to appear again, like the sun would slowly break through a cloud. He brought his eyes up to meet hers.
''There's nothing to tell.''
He pulled his arm back and awkwardly stuffed his hand in his pocket. He turned around and headed for his care without looking back once. Rory, who was saddened by his abrupt departure, wondered if his tears have ever been wet with tears before......
*~*~*
As soon as Tristan got out of his car, he knew that his dad was home. One of Alexander's many expensive cars was parked in the driveway. As Tristan passed it, he couldn't help but place his hand flat against one of the spotless windows. He waited for five seconds before he removed his hands. A vague outline of his hand could be seen on the once gleaming window. It was childish, but he had been doing this ever since he was a little boy and it made him smile every time. And this time was no exception.
Once inside, he went straight to his room. He decided to skip their usual 'family' dinner. He wouldn't miss anything fascinating anyway. He usually ate his dinner in silence while his dad talked about another car he was going to buy. His mom was just as ignorant and would always add her part to the conversation by talking about another part she was attending. For his parents this was small talk. Tristan always tried to finish his dinner as fast as he could, so he could leave the table and could go up to his room.
Tristan dropped himself on his bed and listened to his father's loud footsteps as they came up the stairs. He felt like a little boy again. Every time he did something wrong, he would be send to his room by his dad. And he would always sit on his bad, listening for his dad's forceful footsteps. Suddenly there was one short knock on the door and before Tristan answered, it already flew open. His dad made his way into Tristan's room, leaving the door open behind him. Tristan knew why he always did that. It was to remind the maids and his mom, that he was the one with the power around here.
''Your behavior was disrespecting towards your mother,'' Alexander said, with a certain kind of patience in his voice.
Tristan remained silence. He learned that one wrong word could cut through his dad's last thin string of patience. Alexander casually placed his hands in his pockets while he scanned Tristan's room. Letting his eyes linger on the posters of various punk and soft rock bands that were hanging on almost every wall. After he took in every last detail of every single poster, he returned his eyes to his son.
''I understand how you feel.''
''You don't have any idea how I feel. I'd be surprised if you even cared !'' Tristan exploded, realizing his mistake too late.
Alexander's eyes hardened.
''I'll let that comment pass, because you're obviously upset.''
Tristan turned his head, not wanting to look at his dad anymore. He heard his dad sigh.
''We're leaving tomorrow, one of the maids will make you dinner. Will you be alright ?''
''I always am,'' Tristan said, in an emotionless tone, remembering all those times his parents left one some business trip or other.
His dad gave him one more look before he left the room, closing the door silently behind him. As soon as the door closed, he unclenched his fist. He didn't even notice that he had clenched it. Tristan shook his head and reach for his headphones, wanting to get his mind off of things. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted his chemistry book. He put on his headphones without thinking twice about the chemistry test he had tomorrow. It wouldn't be the first time that he would fail a test, because he couldn't find the concentration that was needed at home to study. He glanced at his phone one more time before he pushed play.
*~*~*
The next morning, Rory was one of the last to arrive in class. Paris had kept her up on her way to class, causing her to arrive later than usual. Rory walked over to one of the few empty seats, that was unfortunately next to Tristan. She quickly sat down and started to rummage through her bag, looking for the right pencil. Suddenly someone handed her a pencil. As she took it, she brought her eyes up only to meet Tristan's exceptionally captivating eyes. She mouthed a thank you, but Tristan had already returned his gaze to his desk. Rory wanted to say something to him, but couldn't, because their teacher started to hand out their test papers.
Rory immediately started to answer the questions, that seemed so simple now that she had studied for them. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Tristan. Normally he too was busy answering the questions, but on this particular day, he was staring out the window while tapping his pencil against the side of his desk. The teacher shot him a few warning glances, but he chose to ignore them. Finally the teacher couldn't take it anymore.
''Mr. DuGrey, instead of staring out of the window, wouldn't it make more sense to look at the question in front of you ?!''
Tristan dropped his gaze to the test paper. He stopped tapping for the four seconds it took him to scan through the questions. Not one he knew the answer to. He started to tap his pencil against his desk again, waiting for the teacher to send him out of the classroom.
''Since you choose to ignore my warnings, I suggest you leave this classroom.''
Tristan nodded as he gathered his stuff and got up. He put a fake smile on his face as he left the classroom. One that was immediately wiped off once he shut the door behind him.
*~*~*
During lunch, Rory joined Paris at their regular table. Almost immediately Paris started to talk about Rory's chemistry test and started to compare answers with her. Rory only listened with one ear, while her eyes roamed across the cafeteria. , looking for the familiar coy smirk or the intense blue eyes. But the alluring face she was looking for, wasn't there.
''Are you even listening ?'' Paris asked, a little frustrated at the fact that she didn't seem to have Rory's undivided attention.
Rory sighed as she returned her gaze to Paris, pretending to misunderstand.
''What ?''
Paris rolled her eyes before she followed Rory's gaze across the cafeteria.
''Who are we looking for ?''
Rory's eyes shot back to Paris.
''No one,'' was her short and abrupt answer as if she had been caught doing something illegal.
Paris nodded.
''Okay.''
''Why are you assuming that I'm looking for someone in particular ?''
''I didn't. I just saw you scanning through all those people as if they were pieces of meat, so I guessed that................''
''I didn't go through them like they were pieces of meat,'' Rory interrupted.
''Would you have liked it better if I had used the term Candy ?'' Paris asked, with a neutral expression on her face.
Rory shook her head as she reached for her bag.
''I'm getting up and leaving now,'' Rory said as she got up.
''Who am I going to share my candy with now ?'' Paris asked, her voice dripping with her natural sarcasm.
Rory yelled a quick goodbye before leaving the cafeteria and heading for her locker, her mind occupied by thoughts of none other that Tristan DuGrey. She couldn't help worrying about him. She couldn't understand why he was being so casual about his grandpa's death. He should cry, talk to someone about it. That's how he was supposed to act. He wasn't supposed to walk around like her couldn't care less or that it didn't bother him in any way. But then again, what were supposed to do in this sort of situation ? It wasn't really fair to judge him, since she had never went through something like this before.
She was still deep in thought when she spotted him. He was sitting on the first few steps in front of the school's entrance. She stopped and looked up at him, briefly meeting his gaze. What was he doing here ? She was used to seeing him surrounded with either his friends or one of his latest 'girlfriends'. His eyes were boring into hers, as if they were daring her to come closer. She wiped a strand of hair away from her face. And in the two seconds it took her to do this, she made her decision. She lowered her eyes as she slowly made her way up the steps.
''Hey,'' she said as she sat down next to him, placing her bag between the two of them.
Tristan nodded.
''So..........,'' Rory said, as she clasped her hands together in her lap.
''How are you doing ?''
Tristan threw her a sideways glance. One that Rory caught way too easily. He saw the genuine expression of concern on her face and he couldn't help but slightly smile.
''Better.''
''Good,'' Rory said, as she returned her gaze to her clasped hands.
''How did your test go ?''
Tristan looked at her before he shook his head and turned his head away.
''That's what this is all about ?''
''No,'' Rory defended herself.
''I just wanna know what's wrong. You seem sad, but you don't show it.''
Tristan warmly smiled at her, her earlier words already forgotten.
''Five more minutes until the bell. Are you sure you want to waste them with me ?''
Rory didn't say anything, but looked at him in a modest and self-conscious way. Tristan didn't say anything either, afraid that he would ruin the moment. So, instead they just decided to silently sit there until the bell would ring.
*~*~*
As soon as Rory reached Stars Hollow, she made her way over to Luke's. She was later than usual, because of some research she had to do in the library. Her mom was already sitting at one of the tables. As soon as Lorelai spotted Rory, she waved at her. Rory smiled and hurried over to her.
''Hey mom,'' she said, as she sat down across from her mom.
''Hey sweets,'' Lorelai said, as she held one of the biggest yellow coffee cups you had ever seen in the air.
''What's that ?''
''I decided to bring my own cup. Luke's were way too small.''
Rory nodded as she turned her head to look out the window.
''How was your day ?'' Lorelai asked, still holding the cup in the air.
Rory shrugged.
''Okay. I tried to talk to Tristan today. You know, his grandpa died. Janlan DuGrey ? It was in practically every paper. Anyway, I know, well almost everyone in school knows, that Tristan was pretty close with him.''
''Exactly how close ?'' Lorelai asked, with one eyebrow raised.
Rory ignored her mom's comment and kept talking.
''And now that his grandpa's dead he should be drowning in his own tears, but..........''
''Okay, no more love songs for you missy,'' Lorelai interrupted once more.
''Mom, this is serious.''
''I know, but drowning in your own tears ? How dramatic is that ?''
''Mom !''
''There you go again with the drama..........''
Rory glared at her mom before she continued.
''......but instead he's walking around as if nothing has ever happened. You might as well nickname him the rainbow after the rain. And I know he's sad, I just have this feeling, but he won't talk to me.''
Lorelai sighed and lowered her cup.
''Honey, I don't think that he's a talking kind of guy. Maybe he really didn't take his grandfather's death that hard.''
Lorelai smiled at Rory before getting up and getting some coffee for the two of them. Rory looked out the window again. Just like this window seemed to separate her from the outside world, Tristan's stubbornness separated her from him.
*R*E*V*I*E*W*! Please ? :-) Thanks again for the reviews! Hope you read the A/N at the top of this chapter. To you who have read 'That's when the crowd goes wild', chapter 3 is up.