Disclainer: I don't own the Gilmore Girls...

A/N: Chapter 4 has been replaced... I had to edit it a bit. Here's the fifth chapter. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I appreciate it.

Chapter 5

Rory ran all the way to her hotel room. She couldn't believe that she had just seen Tristan Dugrey in the flesh. Who would have thought that he'd still be in North Carolina after all this time? What the heck was he still doing here?

Sure she hadn't spoken to him since the night he'd left and she hadn't heard anything about him since then either. She had just assumed that once he'd graduated he'd moved back home. Maybe he was just in town visiting friends. Or something she thought to herself.

Since she hadn't been able to find a job the day before she decided that she's continue to do so the next day. She hadn't had a chance to talk to the owner of the bookstore so she would return first thing in the morning. What were the odds that she'd run into Tristan at the same store two days in a row?

As for her search for an apartment it would have to wait until she got a job. What good was an apartment if she couldn't pay for it?

Looking around her room it suddenly dawned on her that she was starting to miss Stars Hollow. It was about time that she gave somebody a call. Unfortunately she didn't think that she could stand talking to her mother yet. That would be too painful and sad. Instead she dialed Lane's.

"Hello?"

"Hi Lane? It's me Rory."

"Rory! Where the hell are you? The whole town is worried sick?"

"I'll tell you but you've got to swear that you will not tell anyone. The last thing I want is for someone to come find me."

"Ok I promise. Don't you think you should at least tell your mom?"

"Lane, I'm in North Carolina and I've decided to stay here for the summer. I will call my mom to tell her but not just yet. So don't tell anyone."

"So what will you do all summer?"

"I plan on getting a job and an apartment."

"Ok Cool!"

"Anyway you'll never guess who I saw today."

"Who some hot actor, some hot singer?"

"None of the above. I saw Tristan Dugrey. I walked into this bookstore and he was standing in the music department."

"So, tell me, what did he say?"

"Um... well, we didn't actually talk."

"Why not?"

"Because I couldn't face him. I ran away. I'm so embarrassed."

"Oh Ror, why?"

"I don't know! I just didn't feel like talking to him. Anyway I doubt I'll see him again."

"Yeah I guess!"

"I should go. My stomach is growling. I'll call you again soon. Remember, don't tell a soul. You don't know where I am."

"Yeah, yeah I know."

"Bye Lane. Thanks."

That phone call made her miss home even more but she didn't want to think about it anymore. She'd be happy here for the summer. She just had to be.

There was a diner downstairs and that's where she decided to go eat. With her book in hand she headed downstairs. She ordered a hamburger and fries with coffee and for desert she had chocolate cake and coffee.

After dinner Rory went for a walk. It was a beautiful night and the temperature was just perfect for a long walk. Looking up at the star filled sky she couldn't help but smile a little. For the first time in the last four days she felt in control of her life. She was happier than she had been since "that night". But she wasn't completely happy. Emotionally she still wasn't healed completely. She wasn't sure how long it would take for her heart to feel better but she hoped it didn't take too long.

Refreshed and relaxed from her walk Rory decided that it was time to go to bed. Unfortunately sleep wasn't as peaceful as she had hoped.

--

Tristan was standing in front of her in the halls of Chilton. It was the night of their group's play. Tristan was supposed to play Romeo to her Juliet but he was telling her that he couldn't do it. His parents were sending him off to Military school and he had to leave that night. It was all because of a stupid prank involving some safe.

"I'm gonna miss you Mary but I have to go. Good luck tonight"

As he was about to turn to leave Rory put her arms around his neck and gave him the most passionate kiss ever.

"Mary you surprise me. "He said with a smile on his face and a sparkle in his eye.

"Goodbye Tristan"

"Goodbye Mary"

"I love you Tristan!" She whispered as she watched him leave.

--
 With that she woke up. What was happening to her? She didn't love Tristan. He was just the guy who had intrigued her the most and annoyed her the most all at once. She just decided to ignore her dream. There were too many things to do that day. First on her agenda was to go back to the bookstore and get herself a job. That was, after she grabbed some coffee.

The first person she saw when she stepped into the bookstore was the man she had spoken to the day before. She approached him once again.

"Excuse me sir?"

"The name's Frank, what can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if I could speak to the owner."

"Actually he won't be here for a week or two, he's out of town on business but the manager is here if you'd like to speak to him"

"That would be great thanks!"

While she waited she decided to look around. The place looked great. It was decorated the same way that she would have decorated it. She couldn't help thinking how great it would be to work there.

"Hello! I'm Mark, the manager, what can I do for you miss?" "Hello, I'm Lorelei Gilmore. I'm new to this city and I was wondering if you were looking to hire anyone?"

"This must be my lucky day. One of our cashiers just quit this morning. We are short one person and it would take forever to find a replacement. Why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself?"

"Well, my name's Lorelei but everyone calls me Rory. I'm a student at Yale and I'm looking for a summer job."

"Ok Rory why do you want to work here? Do you like books? Do you have any experience?"

"I want to work here because this would be the perfect job for me. I love books and I love coffee. I don't really have any experience but I know a lot about books and could really help your customers with their book questions."

"Sounds good. Usually, the owner hires the staff but since he's away and we're stuck he gave me the go ahead to hire someone myself. So you've got yourself a job."

"Are you sure he won't mind?"

"He won't. I think he'd probably hire you himself. Can you start tomorrow?"

"Definitely. Thank you very much."

"Welcome aboard Rory. See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

She had accomplished her first mission of the day. She couldn't wait for the next day.

Ok guys what did you think? I like to hear what you all have to say.