*Disclaimer: I don't own the series Gilmore Girls or the original
characters. All I own is my imagination and the plot.
*A/N: Hey, this chapter is partly a filler, but definitely a chapter I had to put in. I know it's not so good, so I apologize for that in advance, but I still hope you like it. :-)
*~*~*:-)*~*~*Bye, smile :-)
Rory saw Zack standing near his locker, surrounded by his friends, which were a sign of his popularity. A popularity that she had been a part of all this time but hadn't accepted. She didn't care much for it, because most of the popular crowd found themselves to good to show the respect that they should have for the other people around them. People who followed their rules only because they were intimidated by them. Rory had never been afraid of them or worshipped the jocks and cheerleaders, but there were a few times when she had felt threatened by their presence. But that feeling had quickly subsided when she had met Tristan. She had never been impressed by his reputation and she had never felt honored when he would take the time to talk to her. But he had taught her how to stand up for herself, without even knowing it.
So far Zack hadn't given her anything to discover and he had given up on getting to know her after their first and last date, but still she felt guilty for kissing Tristan behind his back. She had been reciting a variety of sentences throughout the day, hoping to find a right way to tell him, but she had stopped trying so hard when she had realized that there was no right way to tell him. What she had done wasn't right and Zack would probably get upset, an emotion she disliked, especially when she was the one who had caused it. She had vowed to not be one of those girls who broke promises that they had made themselves, and although one mistake didn't immediately put her in the same category, she had broken the promise she made to herself and she felt horrible for not being able to be honest with both herself and Zack.
Rory pulled at the strap of her bag, before walking over to the small crowd. She just needed something to hold on to. Before she had even fully reached the small circle, it broke apart and their laughter faded as they all looked at her. Rory met two or three pairs of eyes, each reflecting the same emotion, amusement, so far she could tell. Even though she felt uncomfortable and out of place, she held her ground and locked eyes with Zack.
''Can we talk?''
''You talk a lot huh?'' the guy next to Zack asked, although it seemed more of a statement. One, Rory didn't entirely get.
''That's what you two have been doing ever since you started dating,'' another pointed out.
Rory wanted to tell them that they were both wrong. They didn't talk a lot and they had only gone on one date. As she thought of this she knew that she had been foolish to just agree and start a relationship with Zack. She didn't know anything about him, except for a few random things that could as easily be lies. She didn't even know the names of his friends, if these guys were indeed those.
Zack glared at the two guys who made those comments and it took only a few seconds for the entire group to fall into smaller pieces and leave.
''What did they mean?'' Rory asked, feeling left in the dark by her own boyfriend, although it was just a title.
Zack shrugged, as his eyes found a few of his friends, before they left the hallway, empty. ''Who knows? They say one thing and mean another.''
Rory nodded, feeling a slight suspicion crawl up inside of her. His answers always became cryptic when he wanted to hide the truth, but didn't want to lie either.
''I talked to Tristan, the night you called,'' she started, carefully adding the last two words.
''You called him up or something?'' Zack asked, as he brought his eyes down until they landed upon her face.
''Actually, I went by his house.''
''His house?''
''Yeah,'' Rory started. ''I wanted to talk to him in person.''
''Why?''
''Well, uhm, I thought I could be more clear that way,'' she nervously explained. ''You said that you wanted me to talk to him.''
''I did, and I appreciate the effort. So, how did it go?''
''Well, my visit took a little longer than expected, cause his mom saw me and wanted me to stay for dinner, so..........''
''And you couldn't decline?'' Zack interrupted, as a frown appeared on his face.
''I could, but that would have been rude.''
''And God forbid you would be rude to anyone,'' Zack said, his tone slightly bitter.
Rory narrowed her eyes just a little. ''Why do you get like this every time Tristan is mentioned? I mean, I know you guys don't like each other..........''
''We don't. And I don't trust him either. He has a reputation.''
''And so do you,'' Rory gently countered.
''You always defend him, even though you're my girl and not his.''
''I'm not anybody's girl.''
''Well, you're dating me, so it sure looks like it,'' Zack said.
''Dating you,'' Rory repeated. ''So far we have only been on one date.''
''And that would have been enough if you weren't such a prude,'' Zack mumbled, though not soft enough.
Rory looked at him in silence for a few seconds, before responding. ''I guess me trusting you was a mistake.''
''Oh, God! Don't pull that innocent crap on me. Tristan might have had the patience to put up with it, but I don't. I'm sick of it.''
''Then I guess Tristan's patience paid off,'' Rory shot back, without really thinking about what she had just said.
''What does that mean?''
''The night I went to visit Tristan, I, well, I kissed Tristan, or he kissed me. That's what I wanted to tell you, and I'm sorry.''
''At least your conscience's clean again,'' Zack said. ''I had expected this to happen. Besides, I was planning on breaking up with you today anyway, so don't feel too bad.''
''So, that's it?''
''Yep, thanks for wasting my time,'' Zack said, as he roughly passed her and started to walk away.
Rory turned around and watched him walk off. She sighed and leaned back against the locker. She was relieved that she had finally told him, but at the same time she felt saddened by the way they had parted. Zack had indeed been upset, but not like Rory was right now. He had brushed their relationship off like it had been a burden all this time, and maybe it had been, but she had wished that he hadn't walked off like that.
''Did your dog just die?'' came a voice beside her.
Rory turned her head, her eyes immediately recognizing the girl who was standing next to her.
''I don't have a dog, Paris.''
''Well, you look like your dog just died.''
''My dog didn't die, Paris.''
''Obviously,'' Paris said. ''So, why do you look like your imaginary dog just died?''
Rory sighed, before answering, not having the will to come up with an artful remark. ''Me and Zack just broke up.''
''I feel sorry for the dog.''
''Forget I even mentioned it,'' Rory said.
''Whom's fault was it?''
''I think mine. See, I went to visit Tristan the day before yesterday and I, uhm, kissed him.''
''I had been expecting that. Maybe I should quit school, set up a booth and make my living as a fortuneteller,'' Paris said.
''Apparently Zack knew too and he was a jerk during our conversation.''
''Popular and a jerk, yep, that's a new one.''
''I still feel guilty though,'' Rory admitted. ''I think I'm going home, so could.........''
''Rory went home sick Mrs. Swimmer, she has a terrible cold,'' Paris interrupted.
Rory weakly smiled at Paris. ''Thanks.''
*~*~*
After Rory had gotten the books she needed, she went straight over to Luke's. She slipped past him without him noticing and lay down on Jess's bed as soon as she had entered the apartment. Since Jess hadn't come out off school yet, she was left all alone with her thoughts and the fresh memory from which she had just run. Before she could even start fighting against her tears, they were spilling from her eyes and running down her cheeks. She buried her head in a pillow to muffle her cries, because she didn't want anyone to hear her cry over someone who didn't deserve it. He had seemed so nice, but all this time he had had a plan to follow, one that failed, which we had stated clearly through his stinging words. Suddenly she could hear footsteps coming up the stairs and only moments later the door opened.
''What the.......... Rory?'' came Jess's voice, when he found her figure lying on his bed.
The door slammed shut and she could hear him drop several items on the floor, before making his way over to her. While he was making his way over to her, she turned around, so her face was no longer buried in the pillow. She didn't bother to wipe away the tears. She knew she didn't have to hide them from Jess, although they did make them a little uncomfortable.
''My mom's not home yet, so I came here,'' she explained, her voice still strained with the exhausting she felt over wasting so many tears over Zack.
Jess just nodded, as he sat down in the chair across from the bed. Instead of asking what was wrong, he just waited for her to tell him. She always did, just to fill the silence between them.
''You should be happy. Zack and I broke up, so I'm all alone again.''
Rory wiped away a stray tear and locked eyes with Jess, letting him know that he had to take the next step, which he did.
''Why did you two broke up ?''
''Cause I kissed Tristan. It's my fault, and I know that, but Zack was so mean when I went up and talked to him. He said some horrible things and now I'm crying cause I feel guilty and he..................''
''......doesn't deserve that,'' Jess finished for her. ''Although he sounded different when you described him to me.''
''I know, but........... Tristan was gone and Zack, well, he reminded me of him and now I'm alone. I doubt that Zack will ever talk to me again and Tristan's back at military camp.''
''That will be Zack's own loss. And I'm pretty sure Tristan didn't have a choice in the whole matter,'' Jess said.
''I feel so stupid for thinking Zack was a nice person. He just wanted.......... he wanted to............''
''He wanted to what?''
''He called me a prude and said I was a waste of his time,'' Rory said, before burying her face in the pillow again, just as Jess's mind figured out what she meant.
''Ror........,'' he started.
''Maybe I am a prude. I should be banned to a world where there are no guys, that way I won't waste their time.''
Jess sighed. ''You're taking this way too hard. I know you're upset, but you're better off without Zack.''
''I'm a waste of people's time. I'm wasting your time right now.''
Jess rolled his eyes.
''And I'm a prude.''
''And a drama queen,'' Jess added, which made Rory look up at him.
''Right now I'm allowed to be a drama queen or whatever I want to be.''
''I'm just saying that Zack doesn't deserve you feeling so bad about yourself.''
A smile appeared on Rory's face, as she looked at Jess.
''What ?''
''I almost believed that. You're getting better.''
Jess rolled his eyes. ''Whatever, just stop crying.''
*~*~*
That night, after both Lorelai and Lane had held a movie night to cheer Rory up, she lay in bed, alone. During the movies she was able to keep her mind off Zack and Tristan, although she had almost gotten over the incident with Zack. After Lorelai and Lane had agreed with Jess for the first time, she knew that they were right, Zack didn't deserve her being so upset. But some of her tears and sadness were also meant for Tristan, because he wasn't here to cheer her up with his coy grin and playful remarks.
Before Rory could sink any deeper into her thoughts, the door of her room opened and Lorelai came in, holding the phone to her chest.
''Sweets, are you still awake?''
''Yeah,'' she answered, as she turned until she was lying on her back.
''Tristan's on the phone, do you wanna talk to him?''
Rory contained a smile and nodded. After Lorelai had handed her the phone and left, she brought it to her ear.
''Hey.''
''Mary.''
''You called,'' Rory pointed out, grateful that he did.
''I'm a man of my word. So, how are you?''
Rory sighed. ''I told Zack about the kiss.''
''And?''
''We broke up,'' Rory answered simply.
''I'm sorry..........''
''Don't be. He wasn't as nice as he pretended to be.''
''Good, cause I wasn't genuine about being sorry,'' Tristan admitted.
''That's not a shock at all.''
Tristan chuckled. ''You know me too well, Mary.''
''I think you're confusing me with another person, cause my name's Rory,'' she playfully said, as they fell into their familiar routine.
''I know, but I need a nickname for you, one I can scream out when I'm on the edge of..........''
''I'm hanging up if you finish that sentence,'' Rory warned.
''See, a Mary.''
Rory smiled at his words and wanted to respond, but stopped when she heard another voice in the background.
''Listen, I'm afraid that we're gonna have to cut this session short. Since it's late I get fewer minutes.''
''Oh,'' Rory said. ''It was nice talking to you, especially with what happened today. I miss having you around at Chilton, you know ?''
''I miss being your guardian angel too, Mary.''
Rory rolled her eyes. ''What are you talking about ? I'm fully able to take care of myself and I don't need someone looking out for me.''
''Maybe I'm the one who needs a guardian angel ?''
Rory smiled at his words. ''Goodnight, Tristan.''
''Sweet dreams, which won't be a problem since I'm the star in them.''
''Bye,'' Rory said, before hanging up on him.
She looked up at her ceiling with a smile. Maybe she did indeed need Tristan as her guardian angel. He fitted the description of one in her eyes, untouchable.
*R*E*V*I*E*W*! Please? :-) At least Zack and Rory aren't together anymore, so there was one bright side to his chapter..... Like I said, it's a filler and I'm trying to find a balance between my descriptions and the actual plot and dialogue. I know the description can be a little too much, but I'm trying to work on that, although I enjoy writing very descriptive, but too much is too much. Anyway thanks for reading this and for reviewing the last chapter. :-)
*And for you Trory fans who happen to read Lit's too (hey, that is possible! I'm prove.) I updated *Cornered* yesterday, so please R&R ?* :-)
*A/N: Hey, this chapter is partly a filler, but definitely a chapter I had to put in. I know it's not so good, so I apologize for that in advance, but I still hope you like it. :-)
*~*~*:-)*~*~*Bye, smile :-)
Rory saw Zack standing near his locker, surrounded by his friends, which were a sign of his popularity. A popularity that she had been a part of all this time but hadn't accepted. She didn't care much for it, because most of the popular crowd found themselves to good to show the respect that they should have for the other people around them. People who followed their rules only because they were intimidated by them. Rory had never been afraid of them or worshipped the jocks and cheerleaders, but there were a few times when she had felt threatened by their presence. But that feeling had quickly subsided when she had met Tristan. She had never been impressed by his reputation and she had never felt honored when he would take the time to talk to her. But he had taught her how to stand up for herself, without even knowing it.
So far Zack hadn't given her anything to discover and he had given up on getting to know her after their first and last date, but still she felt guilty for kissing Tristan behind his back. She had been reciting a variety of sentences throughout the day, hoping to find a right way to tell him, but she had stopped trying so hard when she had realized that there was no right way to tell him. What she had done wasn't right and Zack would probably get upset, an emotion she disliked, especially when she was the one who had caused it. She had vowed to not be one of those girls who broke promises that they had made themselves, and although one mistake didn't immediately put her in the same category, she had broken the promise she made to herself and she felt horrible for not being able to be honest with both herself and Zack.
Rory pulled at the strap of her bag, before walking over to the small crowd. She just needed something to hold on to. Before she had even fully reached the small circle, it broke apart and their laughter faded as they all looked at her. Rory met two or three pairs of eyes, each reflecting the same emotion, amusement, so far she could tell. Even though she felt uncomfortable and out of place, she held her ground and locked eyes with Zack.
''Can we talk?''
''You talk a lot huh?'' the guy next to Zack asked, although it seemed more of a statement. One, Rory didn't entirely get.
''That's what you two have been doing ever since you started dating,'' another pointed out.
Rory wanted to tell them that they were both wrong. They didn't talk a lot and they had only gone on one date. As she thought of this she knew that she had been foolish to just agree and start a relationship with Zack. She didn't know anything about him, except for a few random things that could as easily be lies. She didn't even know the names of his friends, if these guys were indeed those.
Zack glared at the two guys who made those comments and it took only a few seconds for the entire group to fall into smaller pieces and leave.
''What did they mean?'' Rory asked, feeling left in the dark by her own boyfriend, although it was just a title.
Zack shrugged, as his eyes found a few of his friends, before they left the hallway, empty. ''Who knows? They say one thing and mean another.''
Rory nodded, feeling a slight suspicion crawl up inside of her. His answers always became cryptic when he wanted to hide the truth, but didn't want to lie either.
''I talked to Tristan, the night you called,'' she started, carefully adding the last two words.
''You called him up or something?'' Zack asked, as he brought his eyes down until they landed upon her face.
''Actually, I went by his house.''
''His house?''
''Yeah,'' Rory started. ''I wanted to talk to him in person.''
''Why?''
''Well, uhm, I thought I could be more clear that way,'' she nervously explained. ''You said that you wanted me to talk to him.''
''I did, and I appreciate the effort. So, how did it go?''
''Well, my visit took a little longer than expected, cause his mom saw me and wanted me to stay for dinner, so..........''
''And you couldn't decline?'' Zack interrupted, as a frown appeared on his face.
''I could, but that would have been rude.''
''And God forbid you would be rude to anyone,'' Zack said, his tone slightly bitter.
Rory narrowed her eyes just a little. ''Why do you get like this every time Tristan is mentioned? I mean, I know you guys don't like each other..........''
''We don't. And I don't trust him either. He has a reputation.''
''And so do you,'' Rory gently countered.
''You always defend him, even though you're my girl and not his.''
''I'm not anybody's girl.''
''Well, you're dating me, so it sure looks like it,'' Zack said.
''Dating you,'' Rory repeated. ''So far we have only been on one date.''
''And that would have been enough if you weren't such a prude,'' Zack mumbled, though not soft enough.
Rory looked at him in silence for a few seconds, before responding. ''I guess me trusting you was a mistake.''
''Oh, God! Don't pull that innocent crap on me. Tristan might have had the patience to put up with it, but I don't. I'm sick of it.''
''Then I guess Tristan's patience paid off,'' Rory shot back, without really thinking about what she had just said.
''What does that mean?''
''The night I went to visit Tristan, I, well, I kissed Tristan, or he kissed me. That's what I wanted to tell you, and I'm sorry.''
''At least your conscience's clean again,'' Zack said. ''I had expected this to happen. Besides, I was planning on breaking up with you today anyway, so don't feel too bad.''
''So, that's it?''
''Yep, thanks for wasting my time,'' Zack said, as he roughly passed her and started to walk away.
Rory turned around and watched him walk off. She sighed and leaned back against the locker. She was relieved that she had finally told him, but at the same time she felt saddened by the way they had parted. Zack had indeed been upset, but not like Rory was right now. He had brushed their relationship off like it had been a burden all this time, and maybe it had been, but she had wished that he hadn't walked off like that.
''Did your dog just die?'' came a voice beside her.
Rory turned her head, her eyes immediately recognizing the girl who was standing next to her.
''I don't have a dog, Paris.''
''Well, you look like your dog just died.''
''My dog didn't die, Paris.''
''Obviously,'' Paris said. ''So, why do you look like your imaginary dog just died?''
Rory sighed, before answering, not having the will to come up with an artful remark. ''Me and Zack just broke up.''
''I feel sorry for the dog.''
''Forget I even mentioned it,'' Rory said.
''Whom's fault was it?''
''I think mine. See, I went to visit Tristan the day before yesterday and I, uhm, kissed him.''
''I had been expecting that. Maybe I should quit school, set up a booth and make my living as a fortuneteller,'' Paris said.
''Apparently Zack knew too and he was a jerk during our conversation.''
''Popular and a jerk, yep, that's a new one.''
''I still feel guilty though,'' Rory admitted. ''I think I'm going home, so could.........''
''Rory went home sick Mrs. Swimmer, she has a terrible cold,'' Paris interrupted.
Rory weakly smiled at Paris. ''Thanks.''
*~*~*
After Rory had gotten the books she needed, she went straight over to Luke's. She slipped past him without him noticing and lay down on Jess's bed as soon as she had entered the apartment. Since Jess hadn't come out off school yet, she was left all alone with her thoughts and the fresh memory from which she had just run. Before she could even start fighting against her tears, they were spilling from her eyes and running down her cheeks. She buried her head in a pillow to muffle her cries, because she didn't want anyone to hear her cry over someone who didn't deserve it. He had seemed so nice, but all this time he had had a plan to follow, one that failed, which we had stated clearly through his stinging words. Suddenly she could hear footsteps coming up the stairs and only moments later the door opened.
''What the.......... Rory?'' came Jess's voice, when he found her figure lying on his bed.
The door slammed shut and she could hear him drop several items on the floor, before making his way over to her. While he was making his way over to her, she turned around, so her face was no longer buried in the pillow. She didn't bother to wipe away the tears. She knew she didn't have to hide them from Jess, although they did make them a little uncomfortable.
''My mom's not home yet, so I came here,'' she explained, her voice still strained with the exhausting she felt over wasting so many tears over Zack.
Jess just nodded, as he sat down in the chair across from the bed. Instead of asking what was wrong, he just waited for her to tell him. She always did, just to fill the silence between them.
''You should be happy. Zack and I broke up, so I'm all alone again.''
Rory wiped away a stray tear and locked eyes with Jess, letting him know that he had to take the next step, which he did.
''Why did you two broke up ?''
''Cause I kissed Tristan. It's my fault, and I know that, but Zack was so mean when I went up and talked to him. He said some horrible things and now I'm crying cause I feel guilty and he..................''
''......doesn't deserve that,'' Jess finished for her. ''Although he sounded different when you described him to me.''
''I know, but........... Tristan was gone and Zack, well, he reminded me of him and now I'm alone. I doubt that Zack will ever talk to me again and Tristan's back at military camp.''
''That will be Zack's own loss. And I'm pretty sure Tristan didn't have a choice in the whole matter,'' Jess said.
''I feel so stupid for thinking Zack was a nice person. He just wanted.......... he wanted to............''
''He wanted to what?''
''He called me a prude and said I was a waste of his time,'' Rory said, before burying her face in the pillow again, just as Jess's mind figured out what she meant.
''Ror........,'' he started.
''Maybe I am a prude. I should be banned to a world where there are no guys, that way I won't waste their time.''
Jess sighed. ''You're taking this way too hard. I know you're upset, but you're better off without Zack.''
''I'm a waste of people's time. I'm wasting your time right now.''
Jess rolled his eyes.
''And I'm a prude.''
''And a drama queen,'' Jess added, which made Rory look up at him.
''Right now I'm allowed to be a drama queen or whatever I want to be.''
''I'm just saying that Zack doesn't deserve you feeling so bad about yourself.''
A smile appeared on Rory's face, as she looked at Jess.
''What ?''
''I almost believed that. You're getting better.''
Jess rolled his eyes. ''Whatever, just stop crying.''
*~*~*
That night, after both Lorelai and Lane had held a movie night to cheer Rory up, she lay in bed, alone. During the movies she was able to keep her mind off Zack and Tristan, although she had almost gotten over the incident with Zack. After Lorelai and Lane had agreed with Jess for the first time, she knew that they were right, Zack didn't deserve her being so upset. But some of her tears and sadness were also meant for Tristan, because he wasn't here to cheer her up with his coy grin and playful remarks.
Before Rory could sink any deeper into her thoughts, the door of her room opened and Lorelai came in, holding the phone to her chest.
''Sweets, are you still awake?''
''Yeah,'' she answered, as she turned until she was lying on her back.
''Tristan's on the phone, do you wanna talk to him?''
Rory contained a smile and nodded. After Lorelai had handed her the phone and left, she brought it to her ear.
''Hey.''
''Mary.''
''You called,'' Rory pointed out, grateful that he did.
''I'm a man of my word. So, how are you?''
Rory sighed. ''I told Zack about the kiss.''
''And?''
''We broke up,'' Rory answered simply.
''I'm sorry..........''
''Don't be. He wasn't as nice as he pretended to be.''
''Good, cause I wasn't genuine about being sorry,'' Tristan admitted.
''That's not a shock at all.''
Tristan chuckled. ''You know me too well, Mary.''
''I think you're confusing me with another person, cause my name's Rory,'' she playfully said, as they fell into their familiar routine.
''I know, but I need a nickname for you, one I can scream out when I'm on the edge of..........''
''I'm hanging up if you finish that sentence,'' Rory warned.
''See, a Mary.''
Rory smiled at his words and wanted to respond, but stopped when she heard another voice in the background.
''Listen, I'm afraid that we're gonna have to cut this session short. Since it's late I get fewer minutes.''
''Oh,'' Rory said. ''It was nice talking to you, especially with what happened today. I miss having you around at Chilton, you know ?''
''I miss being your guardian angel too, Mary.''
Rory rolled her eyes. ''What are you talking about ? I'm fully able to take care of myself and I don't need someone looking out for me.''
''Maybe I'm the one who needs a guardian angel ?''
Rory smiled at his words. ''Goodnight, Tristan.''
''Sweet dreams, which won't be a problem since I'm the star in them.''
''Bye,'' Rory said, before hanging up on him.
She looked up at her ceiling with a smile. Maybe she did indeed need Tristan as her guardian angel. He fitted the description of one in her eyes, untouchable.
*R*E*V*I*E*W*! Please? :-) At least Zack and Rory aren't together anymore, so there was one bright side to his chapter..... Like I said, it's a filler and I'm trying to find a balance between my descriptions and the actual plot and dialogue. I know the description can be a little too much, but I'm trying to work on that, although I enjoy writing very descriptive, but too much is too much. Anyway thanks for reading this and for reviewing the last chapter. :-)
*And for you Trory fans who happen to read Lit's too (hey, that is possible! I'm prove.) I updated *Cornered* yesterday, so please R&R ?* :-)