Tristan looked down at his cup of tea which had long ago turned cold. He had spent all morning holed up in this little café pondering Rory Gilmore.

Life was like chess, a game Tristan had used to play with his Grandfather before he found more exciting things to do with his time.

It was Tristan's move.

He couldn't decide whether it was worth risking the King to capture the Queen.

And this particular queen seemed to be made of ice-white marble just like her smaller counterpart on Tristan's game of chess vs. life.

Rory had ignored him all day yesterday.

This was more than being ignored. It was a snub tinged with winter cold. Tristan doubted a very large generator would be able to melt the cold look he saw in Rory's eyes whenever he mustered the courage to look into them. Which he hadn't often because he found it futile.

This type of attitude, well to be frank, it brought out Tristan's feisty side.

Which is why he had holed himself up into this café all morning. To ensure he didn't do something stupid, something impulsive, …something Tristan.

The thing was Tristan had basically already come to his conclusion.

He wasn't really willing to risk himself for Rory Gilmore.

He had thought about it all morning.

He had examined every inch of her.

He had seen prettier girls than Rory, hell Tristan had spent summers frolicking with super models in Italy.

And surely, their general receptiveness to all things Tristan made up for the fact that none had yet to surpass her ability to banter. Or to hold his attention for this long.

There was still one thing that bothered him though.

Tristan couldn't wait to go back to the dorm room and see her.

"Paris, can we talk?"

"What's up?"

"I was just wondering…has Tristan mentioned when he might be leaving?"

"No, why? Is there a problem?"

Rory fidgeted. A problem? Yes.

"well I was just wondering. It doesn't so much matter…"

Paris peered at her suspiciously.

"Oh god. Rory, you like him."

A look of shock crossed Rory's face.

"Paris! I do not like Tristan. If anything, I really dislike Tristan, which is why I was trying to as politely as possible ask when he might leave."

Paris lifted an eyebrow in the most skeptical manner. She hadn't been raised a fool.

"You know, Rory perhaps you should speak to my life coach about denial. It's not healthy."

Rory started to tinge pink. How could she explain to Paris just how much she didn't like Tristan Dugrey. She didn't just dislike him…she couldn't stand to be in the same room with him. She couldn't even ignore him. He would breathe and she could feel it and she would become so aware of his every movement and expression and the way he would never once throw a glance at her, that it drove her crazy. She didn't just dislike Tristan, she …liked him. A lot.

"Oh god," Rory said before burrowing her head into her hands.

Paris smirked victoriously, reminiscent to a kid after they win a game of Trivial Pursuit.

So confident that they know everything.

"Rory, are you going to come out of there?"

"I'm never coming out," Rory moaned despairingly.

Paris sighed. "Then I'm leaving, I have other things to do."

Contrary to her last statement, Rory's head shot up and she cried, "Paris, you can not leave me now."

Paris shook her head, "and stick around to sit and watch you deny any feelings for him? I would but I actually made a vow to not repeat high school over again."

And with that Rory was left with no sympathy at all.

She sniffled to herself, piteously bemoaning her state and ready to take her case to the woman who taught her that sad little sniffle.

"Mommy?"

"What's up babe?" Lorelai fired back quickly.

There was a pause where Rory paused to decide how exactly to explain this to Lorelai.

All that came out was an equally pathetic, "Mommy."

"Rory honey, I'm here. But you must talk, you know use all those pretty words that you are learning at Yale."

Rory sat quietly, dwelling in her misfortune. She could sense her mother's impatience.

"I like a boy."

"Oooh. Rory and boy sitting in a tree-

"He doesn't like me at all. He ignores me and I just don't know how to deal with this."

Lorelai chuckled to herself.

"Of course you don't, munchkin."

Rory frowned into the phone.

"What do you mean of course I don't?"

"Well this is new to you, that's all."

"Hey I'm not a complete novice, you know. I have had my share of relationships."

"Well yeah, you are practically the queen of steady relationships. But this is different. This is a crush."

"I had crushes on Dean and Jess."

"Babe, you barely even let those sit for a day before suddenly springing into a relaaaaaaationship," Lorelai stretched the word to emphasize her distaste.

Rory was beginning to feel defensive.

"What's so wrong with relationships? You are in one right now, missy"

"Yeah but Luke and I put in the time. We did our little dance for ages and then finally became involved."

"So I skip that usually. I still have experience."

"Ah! But you don't little may," Lorelai cried.

"Little May?," Rory asked crossly.

"You know, the little girl who always thinks she knows everything and has to listen to the words of her older and more experienced townsfolk to learn new lessons. It's a reference. Jeez, and I thought Yale was supposed to be worth its money."
"I know it's a reference. But what are you referencing exactly?"

"Little May," Lorelai deadpanned.

"And where did Little May come from exactly?" Rory asked accusingly.

"Well if you really want to know, you dirty girl you, Little May's mother was umm Big Henry's wife. Now you would think that would mean Big Henry was the daddy but you see Little May bore a curious resemblance to the next door neighbor, er Kirk."

"Kirk? Our Kirk?" Rory said shrilly.

Lorelai answered hesitantly, "No a different Kirk. Duh, I mean do you really think Big Henry's wife would mess around with our Kirk?"

"Aha!," Rory said in victory, "you were so making that all up. Little May doesn't exist, and neither does Big Henry and then you ran out of names right before you saw Kirk and used his name for the philandering neighbor."

"So?"

"So, you can't reference an imaginary character."

"I can reference Bugs Bunny and you don't get mad. Hey! That's unjust. You're cartoon bigot! I'm going to go call the Imaginary Character Lawyer Association from you and get them to strip you of your right to watch cartoons."

"You made up Little May and therefore she's invalid!"

"Ohh, now you've done it girly. Calling her invalid- that's just insulting and degrading to little girls who look up to Little May everywhere. What's next? Are you just going to declare Santa 'invalid'?"

There was a pause where Rory became thoroughly exasperated.

"I don't know what to do about the boy."

Lorelai sighed and said, "I know baby. You've been lucky and haven't had to chase any boys yet. So let me ask, is he worth the effort?"

Rory hated herself for what she knew was the answer.

"Yes."