Tristan DuGrey was absolutely convinced that Summer and her cronies were undoubtedly lost on this new school that smelled of salt water and surfboard wax. He was practically blinded by the bright rays of the sun reflecting off the water and was in no mood to continue walking around following a person who didn't know the school any better than himself.


He swore that if there wasn't a promise of a new car and the choice of any college he wanted then Tristan would have preferred to ship himself home in a cargo box than stay in California. But as the situation had been presented to him the benefits of being in California outweighed his option of waiting around in Hartford for his parents' divorce to be finalized. It was just too bad that so he wouldn't be lonely his father had convinced some of his business partners to send their kids to the exact same school.


His frustration was interrupted by the yell of his closer friend, Henry. "Hey, is that the gym over there? You know, the one with signs saying 'Back to School' and 'Home of the Titans'." Henry was referring to the building that was standing out very nicely due to the excessiveness of bright posters and that was also large enough to hold a couple thousand people.


Madeline and Louise completely ignored the fact that they had missed the obvious while Paris seethed silently. Tristan was for once glad with Henry's knack of pointing out the obvious, even though he hadn't even been trying to find the place, and gratefully walked down the wide pathway. The rest trudged behind slowly and he waited for them impatiently at one of the doors.


"Looks like we're late. Some girl is already up there giving a speech. Hey, everybody is starting to talk. We can slip in now," oblivious to the subject of conversation in the gym the group agreed and quietly opened the door, only to have the entire sophomore class look at them suddenly.


Tristan glanced at the girl on stage but couldn't make out her face due to the obnoxiously bright stage lights fully directed at her. She stood staring at him dumfounded for a minute before regaining her thoughts, which he could tell because she started speaking again.


"Um...so...again, our newest visitors. Please give them a hand everyone." The last sentence came out rushed and Rory practically ran off the stage, up the bleachers, and disappeared into a group of people.


The crowd had just processed what Rory had said and began hesitantly clapping as the principle rushed up to them. No one noticed how Rory was able to tell that this group was the exact one they were looking for.


Tristan nodded absently as the principle introduced himself and greeted them but he couldn't get his mind off the disappearing girl who had seemed so familiar in that one instant. Someone poked him in the ribs and he realized it was Jaime who motioned at Mr. Dasun's offered hand. He shook the calloused hand and followed blindly when the crowd began to leave and the principle led them toward the office.


"Since this is supposed to be a learning experience for all of you, I've arranged it so that, even though you'll have almost the same classes, you will each have them at a different time period. Just to ensure that you will make other friends during your stay here. I have also arranged for our student council and two representatives to act as each of your guides. They have the same schedule as you and will become your first new friend. You will be required to show up, on time, to your home room tomorrow, but for now please proceed to the second class on your schedule." he handed them each a printed out sheet along with the name of their "guide". They each filed out individually and started in the general direction of their class this time with a map in hand.


Tristan took the time to look at his guide's name and though that it had sounded suspiciously close to someone he knew. Dwelling on the thought until he reached his next class, he handed the paper to the teacher and in turn she gave it back to him then asked Rory Gilmore to raise her hand. Immediately he recognized the girl and noticed the changes about her. Perfect hair and makeup, and not to mention the slightly modified uniform that just seemed to tease him.


The blonde boy to her right reluctantly moved away and Tristan took the seat next to her, smirking in anticipation. She turned away from him to the girl on the left and started whispering conspiratorially. He leaned in close to her and whispered in her ear, "I thought your name was Lori." Suddenly, and without warning someone grabbed the collar of his blazer and roughly jerked his head back.


"You don't do that without permission. Got me?" It was the blonde guy who was moved. He spoke clearly and enunciated every syllable as if talking to a two-year-old. Due to his unfortunate position Tristan could only nod and did so with some difficulty. His jacket was released only after a stern shouting from the teacher, and with such force that his head snapped forward and he could have claimed whiplash.


Tristan turned to Rory when readjusting his neck and noted her contented smile, realizing that she knew what her friend would do to him when he did something as stupid and direct as that. For the rest of the class they ignored each other one out of annoyance and the other out of fear.


He caught up to her in the halls on the way to the next class and went against his desire to question her when the same blonde guy walked her to the next room. Somewhere along the way he realized the guy's name was Daryll and Tristan suspected that they were going out. He had followed her into the room without even looking at his schedule and was completely confused as to where they were.


But before he could ask Rory spoke to him for the first time that day in a commanding voice. "Sit there and don't move." She was pointing to a chair in the corner and when he had complied she dropped her stuff onto the table next to him. When the bell rang Rory closed the class door then locked it behind her. She began making a speech and Tristan suddenly noticed that Paris was in basically the same position as him just on the opposite side of the room. To avoid Rory's glare he waited until she turned away again then quietly slid along the back wall to her.


"Do you know who is talking right now?" he asked, motioning to Rory who had started talking about respect despite position.


"Now I know I was right. When I first saw her I thought she looked familiar but now I realize where I've seen her before. That's Lori Gilmore from the first two weeks of Chilton." Paris looked at him confident even though she should have been confused at the time.


"You don't think it's weird that she's at this school in California when two days ago she was in Hartford. And her name's Rory Gilmore now. Evidently she likes aliases. So who brought you in here?" Tristan noted that no one was even paying attention to them and instead started talking again, some working.


Paris was rightfully confused this time and took a moment to think before answering him, "You're telling me that Lori is now Rory and it is a coincidence that she goes to this school even though she never told anyone where she was from. Also, I have to tag that dark-haired guy in the corner. His name is Jess. He's pretty quiet though and seems to like reading and ignoring people he's supposed to be friendly with."


Rory came over to use the computer which was conveniently close to where Tristan and Paris were now conversing. She barely glanced at them and only did so when Paris acknowledged her in a ruder way than necessary. "Well, if it isn't the social outcast Lori Gilmore. So what have you been up to since the oh, the last two days?" By now the entire room had stopped to look at them but Jess especially.


Rory slowly rose out of her seat, an open challenge for Paris to continue talking. She didn't so Rory decided to continue the conversation. "Listen you glorified, preppy, bitch. I am by no means unpopular in this school and the only reason I was in yours was so I could live my life peacefully without ever having to go back to the East Coast. So this year while you're here stay the hell away from me or you thought being a social outcast in Chilton was bad? That will be nothing compared to the torture I could deliver." Now it was Jess' turn to speak but he thought it would be better received by Tristan.


After getting out of his seat to calm the potential fight, he was suddenly jammed against the wall and under the threat of having his oxygen being cut off. Tristan realized that it was the guy showing, or at least supposed to be, Paris around. He could hear the menacing growl next to his ear and winced inwardly. "It's your turn to listen. Keep your girlfriend's mouth shut and in check when she's around us. If not, the pain can be taken by you to make up for her mistake."


He was released and took in deep, ragged breaths while glaring at Rory. "This is the second time today I've been choked and/or threatened by one of your friends. I'm starting to think that it's dangerous being around you."


Rory gave him an indignant snort than returned to her work which was the signal for everyone to get back to theirs. Tristan rubbed his neck and throat uncomfortably while Paris remained uncharacteristically silent.


The next morning Tristan and Paris decided to do something about their uncomfortable position in the school. Walking into Mr. Dasun's office Tristan started out talking, "Good morning, Mr. Dasun. Now it's really not in my nature to complain but I don't think I'll be able to survive the rest of the year with my appointed guide. Literally. I've been experiencing a bit more violence than I'm used to."


Mr. Dasun chuckled uncharacteristically, "All you have to do is stay an arm's length away from Rory and none of the boys here will ever hurt you. If this is all the problem you two have I'm sure that if you just give the students here a couple more days they'll all come to accept you. I don't honestly see why you two wouldn't get along, that includes you Ms. Gellar. I took the time to arrange your guides based on personality. Now correct me if I'm wrong Mr. DuGrey but you were quite popular at Chilton."


This was the first chance Tristan had to argue his point but there was nothing to argue about and the principal smiled smugly before continuing.


"And you, Ms. Gellar, are quite learned about many issues. Mr Mariano is the same. He's very well read and can debate a number of topics flawlessly. I'm sure he may seem a bit of a recluse to you now but isn't everyone defensive at first glance?"


Paris reddened here and she thought she saw Tristan struggling to conceal a smile since her hostile ways weren't exactly well hidden.


"As you could most likely see Ms. Gilmore is also quite popular in that aspect and I thought the two of you would agree most easily. Unless, that is, you can't stand having your authority questioned by another, Mr. DuGrey?"


Even Tristan had to admit the slyness of their new principal. He embarrassed Paris for not giving Jess a chance and was now challenging him to get along with Lori/Rory.


Someone knocked on the door frame and the three persons inside the room turned. It was Jess and Rory. One holding a large manila envelope and the other looking on with just the right amount of calmness.


"Do you have anything else to debate on?"


Tristan and Paris shook their heads in defeat and slowly walked by their guides.


Rory smirked at Tristan like she knew what he had been requesting. And closed the door behind her after Jess walked into the room. Coming up with a plan Tristan waited for her in te main office while Paris excused herself to Madeline and Louise who had finally shown along with Jamie. When Rory reemerged her and Jess went their separate ways and Tristan trailed along behind her, supposedly out of sight.


"I know you're right behind me. And before you obtain any more bodily harm we might as well talk." She had sat down on a stone bench away from the crowd and was haphazardly checking her makeup.


he walked up casually and remarked sarcastically, "Can I take this seat or will someone put me into a headlock?"


She seemed to smile a little but the expression quickly disappeared when she patted the spot next to her. "If you want to know why all my guy friends are beating you up, you can just ask. Cause if you don't they're just going to continue since I'm not giving them reason to stop."


Tristan was silent for a minute as if lost in thought. "You can just ask them to stop out of the kindness of your heart."


"What good would that do you since I'm sure you think I don't have one?" She turned to face him full on and he could see the sun glinting off the reflection in her sunglasses. "You're not used to asking for things," she noted this with a teasing tone and a sardonic smile. "Don't worry, I wasn't used to it either. That is, until I begged my grandparents to let me leave Hartford."


"With comments like that who would ever guess that you're cold hearted," he winced at the bright reflection in her sunglasses and wished that she would just take them off.


"Time's up. My friends are here. Are you going to give me reason?" She had stood up and was surprised when he too rose to his full height.


Knowing that he just may end up in the hospital for his next action he took the chance any ways. Leaning down to her level, he kissed the corner of her mouth then whispered in her ear, "No thanks. I don't give up easy." Quickly he nipped her ear lobe then rapidly walked away before the football player friend noticed what he had done.