Chapter Six – Part 1

Disclaimer: See Chapter One.

Rory stifled a loud yawn and blinked several times… for the past few nights, she had received little to no sleep. She was too preoccupied. Her thoughts kept her awake for most of the night. The past few days had been very confusing for the brunette… she no longer knew what to do. Tears blinded her vision… she had never been so confused. She had revealed her deepest, darkest secret to her supposed enemy. And she was angry with herself for letting it happen. The worst part is I haven't even told mom… and yet I tell Tristan DuGrey first. What the hell is wrong with me?

"Rory…"

The soft knocking interrupted Rory's thoughts.

"Come in."

Lorelai walked inside her daughter's room. Inwardly, she was worried about her only child. All weekend she had been distant, and she refused to leave her room. Something had happened between her and Bible Boy… and she was dying to know what that something was.

"Are you ready for school?" Lorelai knew the answer to her question, as she took note of Rory's attire. Track pants and a baggy t-shirt was not an acceptable outfit for a school such as Chilton.

"Yeah, almost… let me just change," Rory replied, sitting up.

Lorelai hesitated for a slight moment. "You know, you don't have to go to school. I'll just call in and say you're sick."

Rory contemplated her mother's suggestion. It wasn't such a bad idea. "Thanks mom," she smiled a thin line before covering herself with her comforter.

-

She flipped through the channels absentmindedly. Rory groaned loudly and looked around her surroundings. She was bored and wished she had gone to school instead. Biting her lip, she continued to channel surf and decided on I Love Lucy, in the meantime, she was trying desperately to keep her mind from thinking about her conversation with Tristan a few days back. Rory jumped slightly as the phone beside her started to ring.

"Hello?" Rory answered cautiously.

"Rory!"

"Paris?"

"Yeah… why the hell are you not in school?"

"I… I didn't feel so good," Rory lied.

"Right," Paris replied sarcastically.

"Aren't you supposed to be in chemistry right now?"

"I asked to go to the bathroom. So I ask again, why are you there and not here?"

"I told you Paris, I'm sick… I… I don't feel very well," Rory coughed for effect.

"Quit the act Gilmore, I know your not really sick."

"Why are you calling me anyway?" Rory stifled a yawn.

"You have half of our English project."

"What?"

"The one that's due today! English summative… thirty percent of our final grade, does that ring a bell Gilmore?"

Rory closed her eyes… she had completely forgotten about her English report. Running a hand through her face in frustration, she walked to her bedroom and grabbed the floppy disk positioned on top of her chemistry textbooks. "Look, I have it done… I just need to print it."

"Great… but one problem. How are you going to get it here?" Paris exclaimed desperately.

"Well… umm… can't you drive here on your lunch period and pick it up?"

"My cars in the shop… I had to get a ride from Louise today."

Rory closed her eyes, frustrated at herself. "Okay… then I'll just go to school and give you the assignment."

"How will you get here?"

Shit. Mom has the jeep. Rory groaned inwardly, her fists clenched into tight balls. "I'll find a way, don't worry. I'll see you in about an hour."

"Hurry up Gilmore, I still need to read over your half."

--

30 Minutes Later

Rory shifted nervously in her seat, casting the driver of the car a nervous sideway glance. She looked down at her lap and became extremely self-conscious. What were you thinking Gilmore! She had decided that she was too lazy to change and so she was headed to Chilton wearing black track pants and a form fitting red t-shirt.

"Thanks for driving me," Rory ended the awkward silence.

"No problem."

After his short reply, silence had again filled the vehicle. Finally, Rory decided it was for the best and looked out the window for the rest of the ride to Hartford.

"Thanks again," Rory hesitantly smiled as they arrived.

"No problem."

"I'm not going to take long, I'm just going to give this to Paris," Rory waved the blue folder.

He nodded, "Take your time, I'll be here."

And with that, Rory turned around and jogged to the entrance of the school.

-

She arrived during lunch and students filled the hallways. Rory felt extremely embarrassed by her outfit and power walked toward Paris' locker.

"Here," Rory handed Paris the folder.

Paris nodded, her face remaining calm and intense. She managed a slight smile "Thanks… judging by your outfit I think I interrupted something."

"You did interrupt me in the middle of an I Love Lucy marathon."

"Ah," Paris nodded; she herself loved the 50's sitcom, "Are you leaving right away?"

Rory nodded, "My ride's waiting outside."

"Who was nice enough to drive you here?"

Rory blushed, "Dean."

"Dean?"

"Dean," Rory confirmed.

"I never knew you two still talked."

"We don't."

"He drove you here?"

"Yes."

"All the way to Hartford?" Paris continued to pester.

"It really isn't that far."

"He still goes to school right?"

"Yes."

Paris looked down at her watch, "It's eleven forty five."

"And your point?"

"And it's a Monday."

"I'm still not understanding."

"It's eleven forty-six, it's a Monday… shouldn't Dean be in school?"

"Maybe he has lunch too," Rory answered.

"Right," Paris replied sardonically, "Or maybe he's still hung up on you."

"Or maybe he's just nice," Rory argued.

Paris chose not to answer and flipped through the folder Rory had handed her. She nodded approvingly and stuffed the folder into her already crowed book bag.

"So… anything interesting happen today?"

"Nothing really out of the ordinary. I think the cafeteria's switched their menus. So instead of meatloaf on Monday, we get meatloaf on Wednesday," Paris replied, closing her locker.

Rory laughed a little, "I should get going. Dean's waiting outside."

-

Rory agreed to walk Paris to class, seeing as how it was on the way. Rory couldn't help but push other students as the hallway was starting to get busy. Rory and Paris stopped walking as they noticed a swarm of students blocking the narrow hallway.

"Move out of the fucking way," Paris yelled.

The group of about twenty (mostly female) glared at the blonde before reluctantly obliging to Paris' demand.

Rory looked on curiously. What was going on?

"Hey Mary."

Rory looked up, and to her disappointment, her eyes gazed at the male in the middle of the group. She glared slightly. What the hell is he doing here? He's not supposed to be here. God… this is a dream… this is all a dream.

"Oh, I forgot…" Paris said, her heavy book bag weighing down her left shoulder, "Tristan's back."

"I see that…" Rory replied, walking past Tristan DuGrey himself. How is this possible? He can't be back… he said he was only in town for a couple of days. Oh god…

"Nice outfit by the way," he called out.

Rory bit the inside of her lip to keep from screaming. What else could go wrong?

-

I DEEPLY apologize for the longass wait. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

Now that's off my chest, I must begin by telling all of you that I'm slightly disappointed in this chapter. But an update's an update nonetheless. I know this chapter was filled with only Rory, but part 2 will have Tristan's point of view, and that will slightly be more interesting.

I can't begin to thank my reviewers enough. You guys are the best. Thank you for all the feedback and your patience.