CHAPTER 9
"I will never, ever go shopping with you guys," Rory moaned. "Both of you combined are worse than my mom dressing me up!"
"I would think that you would be pleased with us, giving you our opinion," Graham responded.
"If I knew that it would be this fun going shopping, I would do it more often," Tristin teased.
"I am not a Barbie doll," Rory said, frustration getting to her. "So are these clothes really worth it? I just wanted hiking boots or something."
"Well now you're equipped for all kinds of weather. You've got a poncho for rain, a sweater for cool nights, socks to make you look trendy and a pair of shorts you look so cute in!" Graham pointed out.
"Dude, don't say that," Tristin said. "It makes you sound so girly."
Before Rory knew it, the boys were play punching each other.
"Hello, I'm still here! What should I get?" Rory demanded.
"Get the whole thing, babe. You'll eventually need them later," Tristin suggested.
Agreeing with Tristin, Rory took all her purchases to the counter, leaving the guys alone.
"So what do you think of her so far?" Graham asked.
"She's great," Tristin said.
"Do you think I have a chance dating her? Be honest," Graham asked.
Tristin scratched his head. He did not how to tell him the truth. Personally, he was jealous of the fact that he and Rory had the opportunity to get intimate with each other while he is in Princeton. He wanted Rory to be his. He knew he cannot have the relationship he had with his cousin if Graham and Rory ever started dating.
"I can't guarantee you anything, Graham," Tristin answered hesitantly.
At a quarter past two, Rory found herself amongst tourists in what was once an abandoned silo. Graham thought it would be great to see the largest kaleidoscope according to the Guinness Book of World Records. He was right.
The trio watched the 'Metamorphosis – A Celebration of Spring's Awakening'. The collective ooh's and aah's drowned the music and narration that accompanied the spectacular sight. Seeing the almost thirty-eight foot tall Pyramid of Mirrors change above them was a vision to behold. The greens and the blues and the reds molded, burst and spread like it had a life of its own.
It was ironic that the presentation they viewed was titled as such. It reflected a lot of the feelings she's been going through. It amazed her how they all got along. She was intrigued to see how different Tristin was with someone who can see him for what he is. She was also taken aback with the dynamic relationship the cousins had. Graham was the calmer, quieter of the two. Would she have hung out with Graham if he did attend Chilton? She wondered if it was maturity that made her and Tristin act like civilized adults. She wondered if they still have within them the idealistic fifteen year olds that quarreled every opportunity they could get. Were they any more different two weeks ago? Does this day count? Or are they deluding themselves and just going through the motions of script that's been handed to them? Rory pondered the questions as Graham stared at her throughout the show.
Graham was in a quandary. He watched the colors change on Rory's face. The awe and bewilderment he saw on her made him shiver to the core. However, he could see that something was in her head other than the spectacular sight. He was hoping she was mulling over her visit and how she's enjoying it. He also hoped that somewhere in her thoughts was him, in a pleasant light. He reached for her hand. She felt their skin graze each other. She looked at him bashfully and pulled her arm away, tucking her hand into her pocket. At the same time, he noticed Tristin's arm loosely hung on her waist and hip. Graham felt upset about the situation but his confusion over the situation overwhelmed him. He envied Tristin at his ability to woo the opposite sex. He was stumped why Rory fell for a chump like him.
Disappointed, Graham walked out of the show.
Rory stared at Graham as he left the room. She had the strangest feeling that she had let him down somehow. She looked at Tristin and told him that she needed to use the facilities. He kissed her on her head before letting her go.
It took a few moments for Rory to adjust to the natural light. It took her a few moments longer to locate Graham. She saw him propped against the gate not that far from the silo's entrance.
"Hey," Rory said as she leaned up against the gate right next to him.
"Hey," he muttered, without looking at her.
"Thanks for taking us to the show. It was breathtaking," she said.
"You should be here during Christmastime. The 'Hexagon Holiday' show is great," he stated.
"Maybe I will," Rory said, suddenly feeling uncomfortable.
Silence lapsed between them. Both were at thought, both feeling lonely.
"So," Graham asked, "what's between you and Tristin?"
Rory pondered his question. What was between her and Tristin? She knew that the question answered wrong would set off the balance of their friendship and maybe the bond that has existed between Graham and Tristin before she, or any other girl ever even existed in their universe.
"Remember last night when Tristin tried to tell you that he knew me?" Rory asked.
Graham looked at her and nodded his head.
"Well, he does," Rory acknowledged, wringing her hands in nervousness.
"Oh," he responded. "One of his conquests?"
"Not really," she admitted. "I was the girl whose locker he made out on."
More silence passed. An array of emotions transpired on his face: confusion, anger, defeat.
"I guess I can't compete with a history like that," Graham said, laughing nervously.
"I'm sorry you have to learn about it this way," Rory said, touching him lightly on his forearm.
"I'm just surprised that Tristin wasn't more surprised to see you last night," he responded.
Rory laughed. "Oh, he was more than surprised." She paused. "I haven't seen him in eons. The last time I saw him, he was leaving for military school. That was what, three years ago? Then he bumped into me almost two weeks ago by accident. I said things that I wish I could take back."
'That explains Tristin's behavior!' Graham said to himself.
He can see the longing in her eyes. God, they were expressive! He wondered how many men lost their souls in her deep blue eyes. He envied the men who got to know her. At the same time, sympathetic to the loss she leaves herself, vulnerable to heartbreak. He hoped that Tristin wasn't dumb to throw away something that is more than notch on his bedpost.
Tristin was spooked by Rory badly enough for him to run. Graham was going to make sure that his cousin learned that girls like her are the ones worth staying for.
Graham smiled at Rory. She did the same and looked away. Neither of them minded the silence. They knew where they stood with each other.
Tristin wondered where Rory went. He became suspicious when he realized that Graham was missing, too. He got a queasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. Following his hunch, he stepped out of the show to search for the pair.
From a distance, he saw the couple talking. He can't make out the words they were saying but he knew their conversation was serious.
He saw Graham look at her. He was beholden. He saw Rory smile at Graham. She has no clue how she affects guys that are attracted to her. She touched his arm. Graham smiled back, covering her hand with his. She retracted her arm after a second of contact. Then, she looked ahead.
A little bit of Tristin died at that instant.
His legs felt like lead as he trudged toward the couple. He pondered. Would he and Rory have that kind of relationship? No banter and contented silence?
"Hey," Tristin announced his arrival.
The couple turned around and looked at him.
"Is the show over?" Graham asked.
"It was when you guys disappeared," Tristin responded matter of factly.
"I'm sorry. We didn't mean to leave you alone," Rory gushed.
"Whatever," Tristin muttered. "I guess it has to be important for you two to run out on me."
Rory and Graham looked at their feet and said nothing.
The silence became unbearable for Graham. He asked, "So, what should we do now?"
"Hell if I know. This is your town," Tristin retorted. Realizing his blunt behavior, he walked away.
Rory was about to go after Tristin when Graham touched her on the shoulder and said, "I'll handle this."
Graham stepped up his speed to catch up with Tristin's long strides. He knew his cousin was agitated.
"Hey, wait up!" Graham called out.
Tristin continued with his pace.
"Hey," Graham said forcefully, taking a hold of his cousin's arm. "What's gotten into you?"
What has gotten into him was a good question.
"Nothing," Tristin responded.
"That's bull and you know it," Graham challenged.
Tristin looked into his cousin's eyes and saw both hurt and betrayal. He knew if he didn't set things right between him and his cousin, their relationship is as good as gone.
"I don't know, man," Tristin responded, "Maybe this vacation is just for the dogs."
"Is it me? Is it Rory?" Graham asked.
Tristin remained mute.
"You know, you could've told me about Rory," Graham continued saying, "And last night doesn't count. The alcohol was talking for me."
Tristin chortled.
"She told me about you," Graham said, almost whispering.
Tristin blushed. "Everything?"
"The basics," he clarified. "I'd assume that you'd give me the details if you really wanted me to know about it."
Tristin took a seat on the concrete barrier at the end of their walk. "See," he started saying, "she and I have a strange relationship. Hell, I thought I was in a relationship with her. I just forgot to send her the memo."
Graham started being less serious, listening to his cousin talk. "She likes you a lot, I can tell."
"Oh, that goes to show you that you don't know her," Tristin said back to him. "She and I cannot have a civilized conversation."
"That's hard to believe," Graham mocked.
Tristin playfully punched him on the shoulder. "I'm serious. I'd probably do anything for that girl and she'll just see me as her tormentor."
