*Disclaimer: I don't own the series Gilmore Girls or the original
characters. All I own is my imagination and the plot.
*A/N: Chapter 7, I believe.... :-) I just wanted to thank you for sticking around so long, although there hasn't been any Trory interaction in this story yet....... I needed to develop Zack as a character and I wanted to show you what Tristan's life's like at military school. But after this chapter, Tristan will return, for the weekend. Enjoy! :-)
*~*~*:-)*~*~*Bye, smile :-)
''Hey, dreamer, what do you see on the other end of the rainbow ?'' Lorelai asked her daughter, who had been staring out off the window with a whimsical expression on her face, her eyes caught up in one of her daydreams.
''The pot of gold,'' Rory answered, as the enchantment, she had been in, was starting to wear off.
She reached for the large cup of coffee, which her mom had placed in front of her only seconds ago. She took a sip of the warm liquid, concentrating on the taste, as she tried to break out off her spell completely. But as her lips found the mocha, that Luke always put in their coffee, a flicker of recognition appeared in her eyes and she stood once again on the edge of her mind, ready to dive back in to her memories. Most of them were about Zack, but she was looking for one in particular. One that would replace the taste of coffee with the taste of another sensation. Luckily Lorelai noted the turmoil of feelings in the small smile, which Rory hadn't carried upon her face until now.
''That was an easy one. Everyone knows that. But the real question is, how do you get to the other part of the rainbow ?''
Rory looked at her mom, as she took another sip of her coffee. ''If I told you it wouldn't be a secret anymore. Besides if the leprechauns found out that I revealed their secret to you, they would stop making lucky charms.''
''Nice safe,'' Lorelai said. ''Now, what's really going on ?''
''What do you mean ? You started talking about the rainbow.''
''I know, but I was hoping you would see passed that colourful subject and tell me yourself why you are glowing,'' Lorelai answered.
''I'm not glowing.''
''You are. You're like the sun only minus the whole towering above the earth thing and feeling all high and mighty, because if you don't glow then the world will remain in the dark, just like I am right now, even though you're glowing........''
''You're story just lost its point,'' Rory pointed out, as she smiled at her mom's imaginative rambling. Next to coffee, her mom's trademark was her phantasmic way with words, turning even the most boring daily routine into a colourful adventure.
''It did, but at least it killed a couple of seconds. So, tell me what's on your mind ? Please ?'' Lorelai pouted.
Rory smiled again, this time at her mom's childish behaviour and curiosity. ''It's a who actually.''
''Zack ?''
Rory nodded. ''Yeah, I just can't stop thinking about him. I mean, I try to, but I just can't.''
''Ah, that's so sweet. Although the empty look you get in your eyes when you space out is a little eerie. Do you do this when he's around, cause I walked into you spacing out a couple of times and you were drooling, and I don't think that's something he looks for in his girlfriends,'' Lorelai said.
''I don't drool.''
''Hah! You didn't even deny the fact that I said that Zack wasn't looking for the drool factor in his girlfriends.''
''And..........?''
''And that means that you're also not denying the fact that you might wanna become his girlfriend,'' Lorelai said, a grin appearing on her face. ''You've fallen head over heels for him, I hope you did it gracefully.''
A blush coloured Rory's cheeks a faint red, as she shook her head, trying to fight her mom's accusation. ''No, I just sorta like him..........as a person. Besides we had a fight yesterday..........''
''I'm sure he apologised and found a way to make it up to you.''
Rory lowered her head, so her hair would cloak her increased blushing from her mother, although she knew that it was no use. She couldn't lie to her mother. Lorelai always saw through every fib and straight face.
''He did! He found a way to make it up to you, didn't he ? What did he do, tell me. Did he buy you a pony ? Cause that would not only score major point with you, he would also score some brownie points with me.''
''Nothing that extreme,'' Rory said, as she looked up again.
''Then what ? Unless he bought us a Starbucks I can't think of anything else.''
''He kissed me,'' Rory softly uttered.
''Yep, that's way up there on the great-ways-to-apologize-list.''
''So, what do you think ?'' Rory asked.
''Sweetie, I wasn't the one who got kissed, so maybe I should be asking you that.''
''I thought it was.................magical.''
''Great choice of words,'' Lorelai said. ''If he managed to make the kiss feel magical to you, then there was absolutely nothing wrong with that kiss or the guy.''
''I'm glad.''
Lorelai nodded and quickly checked the clock above the counter. ''How about I drive you to school and we can talk some more ?''
''Okay,'' Rory said, and took one last sip of her coffee, before grabbing her bag and following her mom to the door.
*~*~*
Paris saw Rory head in her direction out of the corner of her eyes. Her first reaction was to pretend she hadn't seen her and head off in the opposite direction, but that would be running and Paris Gellar never ran. That was probably why most of the students here feared her. She never backed off and always came through. A fighter. She fought for her grades, for her position in this school and this morning she felt as if she was picking up an ancient sword and was preparing to fight a battle that she had already lost. Avoiding Rory throughout the day, wouldn't make her feel better about herself. The guilt would just pile up and tower over her, until it would eventually swallow her completely.
Not calling Rory last night had created a burden, which she was forced to carry, unless she got over her heartburn and told Rory about Tristan's arrival this Friday. They could go to the airport together, after school, and give him the surprising welcome he deserved. Paris knew that Tristan deserved Rory to be there, but he also deserved the truth and right now her will to cause his adoration for Rory to flicker, was proving to be stronger than the friendly feelings she had towards the brown-haired princess. Cause that was what she was in Tristan's eyes, a princess from out off a fairytale, one that would remain out of his reach forever, because she wasn't of this world. And yet Paris was, but she had never had a chance with him.
Paris' expression hardened, but she managed to force a small smile on her face, as Rory approached.
''Hey, Paris,'' Rory cheerfully said, as she passed Paris and continued towards her own locker.
Paris nodded, showing her that she had acknowledged her, but the smile faded as soon as Rory had passed her. Best friends was something that they would never be.
At her locker, Rory found another hidden message. A small note was hung on the front of her locker, written hastily.
*Guess you're not 'holy' anymore, angel.*
Rory pulled the note off of her locker and stared at it, confused about its meaning and purpose. But the ringing of the bell forced her to stop her worrying and focus onto getting to class on time instead. She neatly folded the note and slipped it into her pocket, making a mental note to ask Madeline and Louise about this as soon as possible. After all, there was nothing in this school that they didn't know.
*~*~*
During lunch Rory sat down at Madeline, Louise and Paris' table, which wasn't uncommon, but it wasn't one of Rory's habits either. She only sat there when she wanted the company. Every once in awhile she would get sick of eating alone and her loneliness would sneak up on her. This time she sat with them, because she wanted to know what the note meant. And why people had started staring and whispering at her again.
''Hey,'' Rory greeted, after sitting down.
Louise and Paris just nodded and continued arguing, but Madeline looked up from the food and smiled at her. ''Hey, Rory.''
Even though Madeline didn't look like it, she was an incredibly nice person, who tried to please everyone around her. She was also one of the only people who dared to disobey Paris when she was mad. Although Madeline was a part of the in crowd, she was still her own person.
''Hey, Madeline, can I ask you something ? I was wondering if you knew anything about this ?'' Rory asked, as she handed Madeline the folded note.
Madeline took it and took her time to unfold the note. When she read the message a frown appeared on her face and she nudged Louise with her elbow. Louise stopped talking and shot Madeline an annoyed look for interrupting her conversation with Paris. ''What ?''
''Read,'' Madeline gently ordered, as she gave Louise the note.
Both Louise and Paris hovered over the small print to read it. Louise was the first to look up, an understanding smile upon her face. ''Zack got his way.''
''What ?'' Rory asked.
''You're not 'holy' anymore, just like the note says,'' Louise answered, placing the note in the middle of the table.
''What does that mean ?''
''Either you finally lost your virginity to him................''
''I what ?!''
''Or,'' Louise started again. ''.......something else happened between you two.''
''Did something else happen ?'' Madeline asked.
''And people just assume this ?'' Rory asked, ignoring Madeline's question.
Louise shrugged. ''Most of the time the information is correct. Now, what exactly happened between you and Zack ?''
''Nothing, all he did was kiss me,'' Rory confessed.
''There's your answer, angel.''
Paris rolled her eyes. ''This is ridiculous. The last time I checked, kissing someone didn't make headlines.''
''Yeah, Zack has kissed a lot of girls,'' Madeline commented.
''True, but because it's Rory he kissed this time, it's a big deal.''
''Why ?'' Rory asked.
Louise sighed. ''Cause you've been off limits ever since you got here.''
''Off limits ?''
''She means that Tristan had a special interest in you,'' Madeline explained.
Rory and Paris exchanged a knowing look. It wasn't something they both hadn't known, but seeing that people made such a big deal out of it was a little shocking to both the girls. Suddenly Rory grabbed her bag and got up.
''Where are you going ?'' Madeline asked.
''I'm going to talk to Zack,'' Rory answered, before grabbing the note and heading to Zack's table.
As she neared, people stopped their conversations to look at what she was about to do. Whispers started to fill the air once more, and a few people, sitting at Zack's table, even started to whistle. Zack knew who was approaching him, but he didn't turn around until she was standing right behind him.
''Hey, Rory, can I offer you a chair ?''
''No, I was actually wondering if we could talk ?''
''About what ?'' Zack asked, playing dumb.
Rory didn't say anything and just handed him the note. ''I guess the gossip train eventually caught up with us.''
She briefly met Zack's eyes, before storming out of the cafeteria for the second time this week.
*~*~*
Rory was halfway towards the library, when she heard footsteps behind her. Because she already knew who it was, she stopped, but kept her back facing him.
''You know, me chasing you isn't going to do anything for my reputation.''
''But kissing me did,'' Rory said, clutching her bag even tighter.
She could hear Zack sigh behind her. ''I didn't mean for this to happen. I told one of my closest friends about that experience, because I couldn't keep it to myself......you know what I mean, right ?''
Rory bit her lip and finally turned around to look at him. Nothing but sincerity could be seen in his jade coloured eyes, which eventually lead her answer to her lips. ''Yes.''
Zack nodded. ''Apparently I couldn't trust him, but I really didn't want this to happen and I knew nothing about the note.''
''Are you sure you're not protecting one of your friends ?'' Rory asked.
''I probably am, but I don't know which one.''
''Okay,'' Rory said, accepting his explanations.
''Things aren't looking good for me huh ?''
''What do you mean ?''
''Well, yesterday we got in a fight and then after I made it up to you, we end up in yet another fight,'' Zack told Rory, as he moved closer towards her.
Rory shrugged, keeping her eyes on his face, although she had noticed the way the space between them had decreased. ''Fights happen and I'm just glad we talked it out.''
''Me too, cause there I wanted to ask you. Although it's more of a proposition.''
Rory nodded.
''We've been getting along really well these passed two weeks, right ?''
''More than,'' she answered, which caused a grin to appear on Zack's face.
''And since we both seem to feel some sort of attraction towards each other.......'' Zack stopped for a moment, to study Rory's reaction to his choice of words. ''.......I was hoping we could take our relationship a step further.''
''You mean boyfriend girlfriend ?'' Rory asked shyly, as a blush was already starting to take over her cheeks. And it would only distend if she ended up being right, or wrong for that matter.
Zack smiled at her, as he reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. ''Yes, that's exactly what I mean.''
''I don't know. I'm not sure if I could handle the pressure of being someone's girlfriend.''
''I promise you that there will be no pressure whatsoever, just like there will be no strings,'' he said, trying to persuade her into falling completely.
Rory bit her lip and lowered her eyes for a moment, before responding. ''Why would you want me to be your girlfriend ? There are so many other girls.''
Zack grazed her cheek lightly with his knuckles, before lowering his hand to reach for hers. ''Because I like you, not them.''
''But...........can I trust you ? I mean, today............''
''Was a mistake,'' Zack finished for her, as he took her hand in his. ''I'm not sure if I will tell you all my secrets, but I will be honest with you.''
''No strings ?''
''Stringless,'' Zack reassured.
''Okay, but I don't have to sit with you during lunch, do I ?''
Zack brought his face closer to her, before he answered. ''You can do whatever you want.''
Rory smiled. ''Good.'' She closed the remaining distance between them and lightly pressed her lips against his. This time she was the one who couldn't control herself.
*~*~*
''I'm practically feeling the radiation.''
Rory looked up at the dark haired boy who cracked this playful joke. She had been sitting here for a couple of minutes now, with her hands wrapped around a warm cup of coffee. She needed something to hold onto, otherwise she would keep fidgeting. Ever since the kiss she shared with Zack this afternoon, she couldn't seem to sit still. During her History class she had driven everyone crazy with her tapping and during her English Literature class she had to keep fighting the urge to giggle. By now she had her excitement under control, but it was still there, visible to the people who knew her the best.
''Hey, Jess, where have you been ?'' she asked, ignoring his earlier remark.
''Upstairs,'' Jess said, as he motioned towards the stairs. ''I was doing homework........'' Jess stopped long enough to glance at Rory, expecting her to say something about the fact that he was actually doing some homework lately, but she didn't. Instead she just kept staring at her coffee, a smile still in place.
''So, did you get accepted into Harvard or something ?''
''What ?'' Rory asked, slightly confused by his answer, since he hadn't even filled in the applications yet.
Jess shrugged. ''Just looking for a reason..........''
''A reason ?''
''Yeah, why you're so happy. I mean, I know you're cheerful, but this is over the top,'' Jess explained. ''Even for you.''
Rory looked up at Jess, while her smile was turning into a grin. ''I have a boyfriend.''
''You mean one we can actually see ?''
Rory gave Jess a look, which just caused him to smirk. ''So, who's the lucky fellow ?''
''Zack.''
''Zack ?''
Rory nodded.
''Are you sure you can trust him ? I mean, you only went on one date with him,'' Jess pointed out.
''So ? We like each other, isn't that a valid reason to move our relationship up a level ?''
''I just think you're moving things too fast,'' Jess warned, knowing that he was hurting Rory with his opinion.
''Don't you trust my judgement ?'' Rory asked, offended by what Jess just said.
Jess sighed. ''Rory, it's just that, well, you're.............nice.''
Rory crossed her arms and looked at Jess. ''So, guys don't like me because I'm nice ?''
''Rory..........,'' Jess started, not wanting to turn this argument into a fight.
''No, it's fine, I respect your opinion, just tell my mom I went home, okay ?''
And with those last words, she stubbornly left, not paying any attention to Jess as he called out her name. He didn't even know Zack, so it wasn't his place to tell her if Zack was right for her or not. After all, she was excited about the decision she made today and she couldn't wait to tell both her mom and Lane about it. When two people liked each other, it didn't matter how fast you went. Zack told her that she could trust him, and that was exactly what she was going to do.
*~*~*
Meanwhile, Tristan was also feeling frustrated, towards his mother for manipulating him into spending this weekend at home. She had made him feel guilty about staying here and when he finally agreed to coming home, she didn't even have the decency to pick him up herself at the airport. Instead she would send of her limo drivers to do it for her. He would be sitting in the biggest limo he had ever seen and yet he would feel like a beggar. He would be spending time at home, and yet he would feel like an orphan. At moments like this he wished his grandfather was still alive. They could always get along so well and he would always find a friend in Janlan.
Today he could count his true friends on two hands and the people he truly loved on one. Unknowingly Rory had creeped onto the last list. And ever since he had received that phone call from his mother, he was saying a short prayer every night, asking for Rory to be there when he came home. His prayers and wished had developed into a daydream, one he was pulled into whenever he felt less fortunate.
She would be waiting for him, time and time again. And every time he neared those glass doors that would lead him to her, he would try to peer as hard as he could, trying to catch a glimpse of her, before stepping out onto the open. He would just stop and look at her for a while, trying to define her feelings and thoughts, right at this moment. When she would finally lower her eyes, he would walk up to her and whisper her name as soft as he could.
''Rory.''
This would cause her to look up every time, since she wasn't used to the way her name sounded coming from his mouth. But she would remain silence and just stare at him with that shy expression, which he found so cute.
''I never expected you to be the one who would pick me up from the airport,'' Tristan would say, slowly letting her get used to his humour again, not wanting to scare her off.
''Someone had to,'' would be her innocent response, one that hurt him more than she could ever imagine or understand. But maybe it was the other way around. Maybe he didn't quite grasp her.
Rory would then lower her eyes and mumble an apology, one that he could barely hear. After that, he would place his fingers underneath her chin and lift her head, so she would be looking at him again.
''No need to apologize, Mary. I'm just glad you're here.''
Then Rory would smile and say something that would leave him breathless every time. ''I'm glad you're back.''
And before he could tell her that he was only back for the weekend, she would carefully place her arms around his neck and hug him, making him forget the words to every sentence.
Tristan knew that he was just grasping at straws, but he couldn't deny the way his daydream made him feel. Just the thought of being within Rory's reach again, made his eyes shine and a smile to light up his face. And he couldn't help but hope. She had been there when his grandfather died and when he left for military school, so why couldn't she be here now......
*R*E*V*I*E*W*! Please ? :-) So, tell me what's on your mind. I wanna know everything. Is Zack and Rory's relationship gonna last, was Jess being unfair, is Paris right and is Tristan aiming too high ? Thanks for the comments I have gotten so far, they're definitely appreciated. *For you who read Lit's as well, please check out my new story: Cornered* Thanks!!! :-)
*A/N: Chapter 7, I believe.... :-) I just wanted to thank you for sticking around so long, although there hasn't been any Trory interaction in this story yet....... I needed to develop Zack as a character and I wanted to show you what Tristan's life's like at military school. But after this chapter, Tristan will return, for the weekend. Enjoy! :-)
*~*~*:-)*~*~*Bye, smile :-)
''Hey, dreamer, what do you see on the other end of the rainbow ?'' Lorelai asked her daughter, who had been staring out off the window with a whimsical expression on her face, her eyes caught up in one of her daydreams.
''The pot of gold,'' Rory answered, as the enchantment, she had been in, was starting to wear off.
She reached for the large cup of coffee, which her mom had placed in front of her only seconds ago. She took a sip of the warm liquid, concentrating on the taste, as she tried to break out off her spell completely. But as her lips found the mocha, that Luke always put in their coffee, a flicker of recognition appeared in her eyes and she stood once again on the edge of her mind, ready to dive back in to her memories. Most of them were about Zack, but she was looking for one in particular. One that would replace the taste of coffee with the taste of another sensation. Luckily Lorelai noted the turmoil of feelings in the small smile, which Rory hadn't carried upon her face until now.
''That was an easy one. Everyone knows that. But the real question is, how do you get to the other part of the rainbow ?''
Rory looked at her mom, as she took another sip of her coffee. ''If I told you it wouldn't be a secret anymore. Besides if the leprechauns found out that I revealed their secret to you, they would stop making lucky charms.''
''Nice safe,'' Lorelai said. ''Now, what's really going on ?''
''What do you mean ? You started talking about the rainbow.''
''I know, but I was hoping you would see passed that colourful subject and tell me yourself why you are glowing,'' Lorelai answered.
''I'm not glowing.''
''You are. You're like the sun only minus the whole towering above the earth thing and feeling all high and mighty, because if you don't glow then the world will remain in the dark, just like I am right now, even though you're glowing........''
''You're story just lost its point,'' Rory pointed out, as she smiled at her mom's imaginative rambling. Next to coffee, her mom's trademark was her phantasmic way with words, turning even the most boring daily routine into a colourful adventure.
''It did, but at least it killed a couple of seconds. So, tell me what's on your mind ? Please ?'' Lorelai pouted.
Rory smiled again, this time at her mom's childish behaviour and curiosity. ''It's a who actually.''
''Zack ?''
Rory nodded. ''Yeah, I just can't stop thinking about him. I mean, I try to, but I just can't.''
''Ah, that's so sweet. Although the empty look you get in your eyes when you space out is a little eerie. Do you do this when he's around, cause I walked into you spacing out a couple of times and you were drooling, and I don't think that's something he looks for in his girlfriends,'' Lorelai said.
''I don't drool.''
''Hah! You didn't even deny the fact that I said that Zack wasn't looking for the drool factor in his girlfriends.''
''And..........?''
''And that means that you're also not denying the fact that you might wanna become his girlfriend,'' Lorelai said, a grin appearing on her face. ''You've fallen head over heels for him, I hope you did it gracefully.''
A blush coloured Rory's cheeks a faint red, as she shook her head, trying to fight her mom's accusation. ''No, I just sorta like him..........as a person. Besides we had a fight yesterday..........''
''I'm sure he apologised and found a way to make it up to you.''
Rory lowered her head, so her hair would cloak her increased blushing from her mother, although she knew that it was no use. She couldn't lie to her mother. Lorelai always saw through every fib and straight face.
''He did! He found a way to make it up to you, didn't he ? What did he do, tell me. Did he buy you a pony ? Cause that would not only score major point with you, he would also score some brownie points with me.''
''Nothing that extreme,'' Rory said, as she looked up again.
''Then what ? Unless he bought us a Starbucks I can't think of anything else.''
''He kissed me,'' Rory softly uttered.
''Yep, that's way up there on the great-ways-to-apologize-list.''
''So, what do you think ?'' Rory asked.
''Sweetie, I wasn't the one who got kissed, so maybe I should be asking you that.''
''I thought it was.................magical.''
''Great choice of words,'' Lorelai said. ''If he managed to make the kiss feel magical to you, then there was absolutely nothing wrong with that kiss or the guy.''
''I'm glad.''
Lorelai nodded and quickly checked the clock above the counter. ''How about I drive you to school and we can talk some more ?''
''Okay,'' Rory said, and took one last sip of her coffee, before grabbing her bag and following her mom to the door.
*~*~*
Paris saw Rory head in her direction out of the corner of her eyes. Her first reaction was to pretend she hadn't seen her and head off in the opposite direction, but that would be running and Paris Gellar never ran. That was probably why most of the students here feared her. She never backed off and always came through. A fighter. She fought for her grades, for her position in this school and this morning she felt as if she was picking up an ancient sword and was preparing to fight a battle that she had already lost. Avoiding Rory throughout the day, wouldn't make her feel better about herself. The guilt would just pile up and tower over her, until it would eventually swallow her completely.
Not calling Rory last night had created a burden, which she was forced to carry, unless she got over her heartburn and told Rory about Tristan's arrival this Friday. They could go to the airport together, after school, and give him the surprising welcome he deserved. Paris knew that Tristan deserved Rory to be there, but he also deserved the truth and right now her will to cause his adoration for Rory to flicker, was proving to be stronger than the friendly feelings she had towards the brown-haired princess. Cause that was what she was in Tristan's eyes, a princess from out off a fairytale, one that would remain out of his reach forever, because she wasn't of this world. And yet Paris was, but she had never had a chance with him.
Paris' expression hardened, but she managed to force a small smile on her face, as Rory approached.
''Hey, Paris,'' Rory cheerfully said, as she passed Paris and continued towards her own locker.
Paris nodded, showing her that she had acknowledged her, but the smile faded as soon as Rory had passed her. Best friends was something that they would never be.
At her locker, Rory found another hidden message. A small note was hung on the front of her locker, written hastily.
*Guess you're not 'holy' anymore, angel.*
Rory pulled the note off of her locker and stared at it, confused about its meaning and purpose. But the ringing of the bell forced her to stop her worrying and focus onto getting to class on time instead. She neatly folded the note and slipped it into her pocket, making a mental note to ask Madeline and Louise about this as soon as possible. After all, there was nothing in this school that they didn't know.
*~*~*
During lunch Rory sat down at Madeline, Louise and Paris' table, which wasn't uncommon, but it wasn't one of Rory's habits either. She only sat there when she wanted the company. Every once in awhile she would get sick of eating alone and her loneliness would sneak up on her. This time she sat with them, because she wanted to know what the note meant. And why people had started staring and whispering at her again.
''Hey,'' Rory greeted, after sitting down.
Louise and Paris just nodded and continued arguing, but Madeline looked up from the food and smiled at her. ''Hey, Rory.''
Even though Madeline didn't look like it, she was an incredibly nice person, who tried to please everyone around her. She was also one of the only people who dared to disobey Paris when she was mad. Although Madeline was a part of the in crowd, she was still her own person.
''Hey, Madeline, can I ask you something ? I was wondering if you knew anything about this ?'' Rory asked, as she handed Madeline the folded note.
Madeline took it and took her time to unfold the note. When she read the message a frown appeared on her face and she nudged Louise with her elbow. Louise stopped talking and shot Madeline an annoyed look for interrupting her conversation with Paris. ''What ?''
''Read,'' Madeline gently ordered, as she gave Louise the note.
Both Louise and Paris hovered over the small print to read it. Louise was the first to look up, an understanding smile upon her face. ''Zack got his way.''
''What ?'' Rory asked.
''You're not 'holy' anymore, just like the note says,'' Louise answered, placing the note in the middle of the table.
''What does that mean ?''
''Either you finally lost your virginity to him................''
''I what ?!''
''Or,'' Louise started again. ''.......something else happened between you two.''
''Did something else happen ?'' Madeline asked.
''And people just assume this ?'' Rory asked, ignoring Madeline's question.
Louise shrugged. ''Most of the time the information is correct. Now, what exactly happened between you and Zack ?''
''Nothing, all he did was kiss me,'' Rory confessed.
''There's your answer, angel.''
Paris rolled her eyes. ''This is ridiculous. The last time I checked, kissing someone didn't make headlines.''
''Yeah, Zack has kissed a lot of girls,'' Madeline commented.
''True, but because it's Rory he kissed this time, it's a big deal.''
''Why ?'' Rory asked.
Louise sighed. ''Cause you've been off limits ever since you got here.''
''Off limits ?''
''She means that Tristan had a special interest in you,'' Madeline explained.
Rory and Paris exchanged a knowing look. It wasn't something they both hadn't known, but seeing that people made such a big deal out of it was a little shocking to both the girls. Suddenly Rory grabbed her bag and got up.
''Where are you going ?'' Madeline asked.
''I'm going to talk to Zack,'' Rory answered, before grabbing the note and heading to Zack's table.
As she neared, people stopped their conversations to look at what she was about to do. Whispers started to fill the air once more, and a few people, sitting at Zack's table, even started to whistle. Zack knew who was approaching him, but he didn't turn around until she was standing right behind him.
''Hey, Rory, can I offer you a chair ?''
''No, I was actually wondering if we could talk ?''
''About what ?'' Zack asked, playing dumb.
Rory didn't say anything and just handed him the note. ''I guess the gossip train eventually caught up with us.''
She briefly met Zack's eyes, before storming out of the cafeteria for the second time this week.
*~*~*
Rory was halfway towards the library, when she heard footsteps behind her. Because she already knew who it was, she stopped, but kept her back facing him.
''You know, me chasing you isn't going to do anything for my reputation.''
''But kissing me did,'' Rory said, clutching her bag even tighter.
She could hear Zack sigh behind her. ''I didn't mean for this to happen. I told one of my closest friends about that experience, because I couldn't keep it to myself......you know what I mean, right ?''
Rory bit her lip and finally turned around to look at him. Nothing but sincerity could be seen in his jade coloured eyes, which eventually lead her answer to her lips. ''Yes.''
Zack nodded. ''Apparently I couldn't trust him, but I really didn't want this to happen and I knew nothing about the note.''
''Are you sure you're not protecting one of your friends ?'' Rory asked.
''I probably am, but I don't know which one.''
''Okay,'' Rory said, accepting his explanations.
''Things aren't looking good for me huh ?''
''What do you mean ?''
''Well, yesterday we got in a fight and then after I made it up to you, we end up in yet another fight,'' Zack told Rory, as he moved closer towards her.
Rory shrugged, keeping her eyes on his face, although she had noticed the way the space between them had decreased. ''Fights happen and I'm just glad we talked it out.''
''Me too, cause there I wanted to ask you. Although it's more of a proposition.''
Rory nodded.
''We've been getting along really well these passed two weeks, right ?''
''More than,'' she answered, which caused a grin to appear on Zack's face.
''And since we both seem to feel some sort of attraction towards each other.......'' Zack stopped for a moment, to study Rory's reaction to his choice of words. ''.......I was hoping we could take our relationship a step further.''
''You mean boyfriend girlfriend ?'' Rory asked shyly, as a blush was already starting to take over her cheeks. And it would only distend if she ended up being right, or wrong for that matter.
Zack smiled at her, as he reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. ''Yes, that's exactly what I mean.''
''I don't know. I'm not sure if I could handle the pressure of being someone's girlfriend.''
''I promise you that there will be no pressure whatsoever, just like there will be no strings,'' he said, trying to persuade her into falling completely.
Rory bit her lip and lowered her eyes for a moment, before responding. ''Why would you want me to be your girlfriend ? There are so many other girls.''
Zack grazed her cheek lightly with his knuckles, before lowering his hand to reach for hers. ''Because I like you, not them.''
''But...........can I trust you ? I mean, today............''
''Was a mistake,'' Zack finished for her, as he took her hand in his. ''I'm not sure if I will tell you all my secrets, but I will be honest with you.''
''No strings ?''
''Stringless,'' Zack reassured.
''Okay, but I don't have to sit with you during lunch, do I ?''
Zack brought his face closer to her, before he answered. ''You can do whatever you want.''
Rory smiled. ''Good.'' She closed the remaining distance between them and lightly pressed her lips against his. This time she was the one who couldn't control herself.
*~*~*
''I'm practically feeling the radiation.''
Rory looked up at the dark haired boy who cracked this playful joke. She had been sitting here for a couple of minutes now, with her hands wrapped around a warm cup of coffee. She needed something to hold onto, otherwise she would keep fidgeting. Ever since the kiss she shared with Zack this afternoon, she couldn't seem to sit still. During her History class she had driven everyone crazy with her tapping and during her English Literature class she had to keep fighting the urge to giggle. By now she had her excitement under control, but it was still there, visible to the people who knew her the best.
''Hey, Jess, where have you been ?'' she asked, ignoring his earlier remark.
''Upstairs,'' Jess said, as he motioned towards the stairs. ''I was doing homework........'' Jess stopped long enough to glance at Rory, expecting her to say something about the fact that he was actually doing some homework lately, but she didn't. Instead she just kept staring at her coffee, a smile still in place.
''So, did you get accepted into Harvard or something ?''
''What ?'' Rory asked, slightly confused by his answer, since he hadn't even filled in the applications yet.
Jess shrugged. ''Just looking for a reason..........''
''A reason ?''
''Yeah, why you're so happy. I mean, I know you're cheerful, but this is over the top,'' Jess explained. ''Even for you.''
Rory looked up at Jess, while her smile was turning into a grin. ''I have a boyfriend.''
''You mean one we can actually see ?''
Rory gave Jess a look, which just caused him to smirk. ''So, who's the lucky fellow ?''
''Zack.''
''Zack ?''
Rory nodded.
''Are you sure you can trust him ? I mean, you only went on one date with him,'' Jess pointed out.
''So ? We like each other, isn't that a valid reason to move our relationship up a level ?''
''I just think you're moving things too fast,'' Jess warned, knowing that he was hurting Rory with his opinion.
''Don't you trust my judgement ?'' Rory asked, offended by what Jess just said.
Jess sighed. ''Rory, it's just that, well, you're.............nice.''
Rory crossed her arms and looked at Jess. ''So, guys don't like me because I'm nice ?''
''Rory..........,'' Jess started, not wanting to turn this argument into a fight.
''No, it's fine, I respect your opinion, just tell my mom I went home, okay ?''
And with those last words, she stubbornly left, not paying any attention to Jess as he called out her name. He didn't even know Zack, so it wasn't his place to tell her if Zack was right for her or not. After all, she was excited about the decision she made today and she couldn't wait to tell both her mom and Lane about it. When two people liked each other, it didn't matter how fast you went. Zack told her that she could trust him, and that was exactly what she was going to do.
*~*~*
Meanwhile, Tristan was also feeling frustrated, towards his mother for manipulating him into spending this weekend at home. She had made him feel guilty about staying here and when he finally agreed to coming home, she didn't even have the decency to pick him up herself at the airport. Instead she would send of her limo drivers to do it for her. He would be sitting in the biggest limo he had ever seen and yet he would feel like a beggar. He would be spending time at home, and yet he would feel like an orphan. At moments like this he wished his grandfather was still alive. They could always get along so well and he would always find a friend in Janlan.
Today he could count his true friends on two hands and the people he truly loved on one. Unknowingly Rory had creeped onto the last list. And ever since he had received that phone call from his mother, he was saying a short prayer every night, asking for Rory to be there when he came home. His prayers and wished had developed into a daydream, one he was pulled into whenever he felt less fortunate.
She would be waiting for him, time and time again. And every time he neared those glass doors that would lead him to her, he would try to peer as hard as he could, trying to catch a glimpse of her, before stepping out onto the open. He would just stop and look at her for a while, trying to define her feelings and thoughts, right at this moment. When she would finally lower her eyes, he would walk up to her and whisper her name as soft as he could.
''Rory.''
This would cause her to look up every time, since she wasn't used to the way her name sounded coming from his mouth. But she would remain silence and just stare at him with that shy expression, which he found so cute.
''I never expected you to be the one who would pick me up from the airport,'' Tristan would say, slowly letting her get used to his humour again, not wanting to scare her off.
''Someone had to,'' would be her innocent response, one that hurt him more than she could ever imagine or understand. But maybe it was the other way around. Maybe he didn't quite grasp her.
Rory would then lower her eyes and mumble an apology, one that he could barely hear. After that, he would place his fingers underneath her chin and lift her head, so she would be looking at him again.
''No need to apologize, Mary. I'm just glad you're here.''
Then Rory would smile and say something that would leave him breathless every time. ''I'm glad you're back.''
And before he could tell her that he was only back for the weekend, she would carefully place her arms around his neck and hug him, making him forget the words to every sentence.
Tristan knew that he was just grasping at straws, but he couldn't deny the way his daydream made him feel. Just the thought of being within Rory's reach again, made his eyes shine and a smile to light up his face. And he couldn't help but hope. She had been there when his grandfather died and when he left for military school, so why couldn't she be here now......
*R*E*V*I*E*W*! Please ? :-) So, tell me what's on your mind. I wanna know everything. Is Zack and Rory's relationship gonna last, was Jess being unfair, is Paris right and is Tristan aiming too high ? Thanks for the comments I have gotten so far, they're definitely appreciated. *For you who read Lit's as well, please check out my new story: Cornered* Thanks!!! :-)