Chapter Four

Disclaimer: See Chapter One.

He entered the class almost hesitantly. He detested English. Groaning to himself, he took his usual seat in the back and prayed this class to be a relatively long lesson. Me, Jason McPhee… wishing for class, not just any class… but English to take a long time. Jason mused, usually he couldn't wait for class to end… but today was not just an ordinary day. It was the day in which he would see Tristan DuGrey… his archenemy. Today was the day of Esther DuGrey's funeral.

He checked his watch. Two more hours. Jason sighed, playing with his blue pen apprehensively.

Droning out the teacher's lecture, his eyes settled on a familiar sight sitting in the front row. Rory Gilmore. He almost missed her… almost. He looked to the person sitting beside her and scowled. Paris Gellar. She hated him… and he hated her, end of story. His eyes focused on the brunette once more. His thoughts drifted to when they were together… he supposed he had felt something for her. Rory Gilmore was a great girl… but he cherished his reputation, the popularity and the power more.

The class had ended. Jason groaned privately while he gathered his books. He walked out of the classroom and headed directly for his locker. He slowed his pace unexpectedly, and became aware of who was walking in front of him. He followed her, and stopped a few feet away from where she had stopped. Jason inhaled slowly, taking her in. Come on McPhee… get a grip. You don't come back for seconds… no matter how good they were. The hold on his binder tightened as he walked in the direction of the brunette. He stopped behind her, so close that he could smell the fragrance of her shampoo. Breathing in deeply, he licked his lips.

Rory turned around, surprised to see Jason standing in front of her. She eyed him curiously, wondering what he was up to.

He smiled at her, almost innocently. "Hey Ror, I'll see you later."

Rory watched, absolutely speechless as he walked away.

"That was weird."

Rory noticed Paris beside her and nodded. "After we broke up, he never spoke to me. What gave him a reason to start now?"

"Mom, I'm ready," Rory called, dressed in the proper black attire.

"Goody," Lorelai emerged from the living room, buttoning the last few buttons of her black blouse. "I am too," she grinned, "We have ten minutes to spare. Huh… that's a new record."

Rory nodded absentmindedly.

"Something's wrong… what's wrong?"

"Jason talked to me today."

"He did not."

"He did."

"What did the punk say?"

"Just hello, but it was still weird… why is he all of a sudden talking to me?" Rory sighed, playing with the strap of her black dress.

"So you're saying…"

"He has some ulterior motive… which only gives me a bigger reason to think that he was the guy Dean was fighting with at Doose's."

"How did that go?"

"How did what go?"

"The talk you had with Dean."

Rory shifted uncomfortably, "It didn't really… go. I saw him in the gazebo and I was walking up to him… but he saw me and he walked away."

Lorelai nodded, grabbing a leftover pop tart from earlier that day. "So you think it was Jason?"

Rory nodded back enthusiastically, "It makes the most sense. Jason hates Dean… Dean hates Jason and now Jason's starting to talk to me. Who else could it be?"

"But why would Jason come to Stars Hollow? To just pick a fight?" Lorelai doubted her daughter's theory.

"That's what I have to find out. Is that my pop tart?"

Lorelai swallowed the last of the pastry "Not anymore. It's time to go… we don't want to be late, now do we?"

The funeral of Esther DuGrey was over. It was as if it had been a social function. Everyone who was anyone attended. Tristan clenched his fist as he stood outside of the church with his family, bidding goodbye to the guests and their families. He would occasionally smile and nod his head, but he was too preoccupied with his bitter thoughts to really comprehend what was happening. His throat was dry, and he almost felt suffocated by the people around him. Excusing himself, he started walking around the vast property surrounding the church.

Tristan stopped dead in his tracks as his eyes stopped to a familiar face. He grinned, walking over to him slowly. "McPhee," he drawled.

Jason turned to face the recognizable voice, his eyes widened and he let the unlit cigarette in his mouth fall to the ground. He hastily regained his composure and smirked in response. "DuGrey."

"Thanks for coming."

"No… uh problem," Jason was shocked.

"Need another one?" Tristan motioned toward the fallen cigarette.

"It's alright. So, how long are the 'rents letting you stay this time?"

Tristan shrugged, "So eager to get me out of here I see."

"It's not that… I'd just hate to see you overstay your welcome."

Tristan laughed "Believe me, I won't."

Jason laughed along… not quite sure how to respond to his reply.

"So uh… how are you and the Gilmore chick?" he tried to ask nonchalantly.

Jason grinned. He doesn't know… he still thinks we're together. "Oh, we're great man… she's a great girl if you know what I mean."

Tristan tensed, but visibly nodded. "Yeah, you said that in your letters."

Jason's grin widened. "About those… I didn't mean for them to sound cruel."

"It's alright man."

"So we're still cool?"

"Yeah, we're still cool," Tristan replied, his insides churning in the process. "Listen, I have to get back to my family. "

"Later," Jason gave a casual wave before digging into his pockets for another cigarette.

Tristan walked back to the church with a knowing smile. You were always so damn gullible, McPhee.

"Emily, thank you for coming," Janlan smiled sadly, hugging his old friend tightly.

Emily could only smile back, accepting his hug comfortably. "This is my daughter Lorelai, and my granddaughter Rory," she pointed to the pair behind her.

"Thank you both for coming," Janlan nodded.

Rory and Lorelai both smiled, both offering their condolences to the DuGrey family.

"Thank you, I see that introductions are in order. This is my son Matthew and his wife Margaret."

"Hello," they replied simultaneously.

"Pleased to meet you," Margaret DuGrey answered; she then looked around her surroundings, in search of someone. "Rory, you really should meet our son … he used to go to Chilton."

Rory kept her smile, nodding her head. "Oh yes… Tristan," she attempted to hide the resentment in her voice.

Margaret grinned, "So you two know each other?"

"We've talked a few times."

All heads turned to the young man standing behind them; a slim grin graced his features.

"Hello everyone," Tristan greeted the group, "Rory."

"Tristan," the girl mumbled.

"Matthew, there are Alexander and Sarah McPhee… let's go say our hello's," Margaret chirped, pulling her husband toward the couple who were getting ready to leave.

"Emily, may I walk you to your vehicle?" Janlan offered.

Emily beamed gratefully, "That would be wonderful. Come along Lorelai."

"Come on kiddo, I want coffee," Lorelai called, following Janlan and her mother.

Rory sighed and followed her mother, who was already a few feet away.

"I'll walk with you," Tristan offered.

"Oh, you don't have to."

"I want to."

"It's a long walk," Rory tried again.

"I think I can manage," he smirked.

The two walked side by side as an uncomfortable silence passed through them. Rory coughed, not quite sure what to say. Tristan continued walking with his head up, surveying the departure of the guests.

"I'm sorry about your great aunt," Rory spoke softly.

"There's nothing to be sorry about, it was her time to go."

Again, the silence had arrived. The tension was thick, and both unsure of what to do or what to say.

"How long are you staying here?"

"Why do you want to know?" Tristan talked confidently, the tone of his voice made Rory unwillingly cringe. His tone had just been bitter and haste.

"I'm sorry for asking," Rory mumbled.

"Don't worry, I'll be out of here in no time."

"I didn't mean-" Rory's sentence was abruptly cut short as Tristan turned and started to walk the opposite direction. She stood... absolutely dumbfounded, instantly regretting what she had asked.

"Ror! Hurry up… coffee's waiting," Rory snapped out of her trace like state and followed her mother into the car.

The youngest Gilmore sat in her seat meekly, not one word uttered from her mouth. She looked out of the window as the car maneuvered its way out of the parking lot. Rory spotted Tristan; he was walking to his own car… his keys dangling from side to side from his hand. She watched as he entered his car… she was too far away to notice the hurt and lost expression on his face. Rory swallowed hard as her eyes broadened, and she soon found her face centimeters away from the tinted window, trying to give herself a clearer look.

It couldn't be… Tristan was driving a Mercedes. A black Mercedes.

"With tinted windows," Rory whispered, her voice quivered.

I hope this chapter wasn't too confusing. The main reason for this chapter is to make you all see that the fun's just beginning and that all three main characters (Tristan, Rory and Jason) will all take part in drastically altering each other's lives.

Princess Ruby: Holy crap, you live in Thornhill? That's so weird… I'm always there. In fact, I'm going there tomorrow. Dude, that's awesome… another Torontonian Trory fan.

To everyone else, push the button and review… thanks for the support and feedback so far.