Disclaimer: Seriously, how many times must one person say they don't own something? I may own a lot of things, but Gilmore Girls is not one of them.
Summary: Chloe has moved to town, goes to Chilton, and has caught the eyes of Jess and Tristan. Rory has unofficially broken up with Dean. Also, she has found she is attracted to both 'bad boys' she knows. Unfortunately, Chloe is taking her spot. Jess also goes to Chilton so life is really complicated. The last time we saw our happy couples (as if), they have returned from shopping and Chloe has accused Tristan of being in denial.
Author's Note: Well, I'm sure you are used to this by now. But, my outline is helping greatly (despite the fact I'm having doubts on the ending). It's heading in one direction but I still want to do two endings (so I won't be able to do a sequel ^_~). Yet, Chloe is bothering me greatly. That scene at night with Tristan was way off. I'm trying to fix that. Not by redoing that chapter (that would be too time costly) but by having her realize her mistake. I don't want to hate her. And I don't want to leave one of the guys in the cold because Chloe is too awful to pair them with. And don't worry about updates. I promise you that I'll have chapter nine at least before I graduate (I'm legal!) and hopefully I'll get a lot done during Spring Break (unlike Winter Break). And here we go! You should know my writing style (italics and all) so no need to remind you.
~~~Chilton~~~
Rory and Jess walked into their first class to see Tristan reading Lord of the Rings and Chloe napping on her copy.
"Is it Hobbit in Middle Earth Day and no one told me?" Jess smirked as he settled into his spot.
Chloe picked up her pen and threw it at Jess without looking up. "Bite me."
Rory shook her head and retrieved the flying pen. "No fighting."
"Ah, but mom. You ruin all our fun." Tristan joked while still reading.
"Look, multitasking at its finest." Jess threw a wad of paper at Chloe.
Before Chloe could retaliate, more of the class walked in as well as the teacher.
The day went by fast and soon it was lunch. As usual, they went to 'their spot' and set out some work. After five minutes, Chloe jumped up. "I just remembered a book I was wanting to read."
"Not another fantasy novel, is it?" Tristan mock cringed.
"Oh, be quiet." And with that, she went off in search of her book.
The only sound at the table was their pens on paper. Rory shifted uncomfortably and glanced at the two boys. Jess looked up so she returned to her work. He glanced at Tristan and he shrugged.
"Why did this year turn into a stupid love triangle, square, shape?" Rory muttered under her breath.
Tristan's head popped up. "What did you say?" Both boys looked at her suspiciously.
"Nothing." Rory said quickly without looking up.
"Oh no. You said something about a 'stupid love triangle square shape.' Care to enlighten us on the full subject and question?" Jess inquired.
"Not really." Luckily for Rory, Chloe returned with her book at that moment.
Yet, before they had time for any reaction, a loud bell rang throughout the whole school. A voice over the P.A. system announced, "This is not a drill. Evacuate the school immediately. Classes are cancelled. Evacuate immediately."
The four exchanged glances before grabbing all their items and following the librarian outside. They could see smoke coming from another section of the school.
Chloe led the way to her car and they headed away from the burning building. "Where to?"
"The mall," was the unanimous consensus. With help from Tristan, they made it with no mishaps.
After a satisfying lunch, they piled back into the car. "So what now?" Chloe started the ignition and turned on the heat.
"I need to work on my room before homework." Jess commented.
"I should work on my homework before I meet Lane after she gets out of school." Rory added.
"Ok, Stars Hollow it is. Tristan, you can just call Jeffrey about getting a ride home." Chloe pulled out of the parking lot and headed towards the small town.
"Don't you usually get picked up from Chloe's?" Rory asked the boy in the front seat.
"Today we had planned on working at my house and then Chloe would just drive you home before dinner. We planned on asking you about it during lunch but then the excitement happened." He explained.
"Oh."
"Very articulate, Rory." Jess chortled.
Rory hit his shoulder. When he made a small yelp of protest, she just grinned and looked at the window. The ride was filled with music from the radio and four teens singing along.
~~~Stars Hollow~~~
Chloe dropped Rory off at the Gilmore's residence before swinging by the diner. Then she took herself and Tristan to her house.
Rory dropped her bag in her room and proceeded to work on her homework. At 3:00 she put away her stuff and got ready to leave for Stars Hollow High. If I go now, I'll get there before the final bell. I'll surprise Lane and see if Dean made it back.
Jess hurried past Luke and picked up where he left off in his room. After a couple of hours, he decided to do school work. When he looked out his window, he saw Rory walked toward the high school.
~~~Connelly residence~~~
Chloe plopped down onto the couch, sighing. Tristan went to the other side and sat down much more carefully. As Chloe opened her mouth to say something, Tristan beat her to it. "Don't say it."
"What? All I was going to say was..." Chloe started innocently.
"Oh, I know what you were going to say. You were going to say 'I told you so' about the evacuation. Well, don't." Tristan then opened his bag to get his work out.
"Meanie. I did think about saying that earlier but what I actually wanted to ask was if you wanted anything to drink or eat." Chloe followed his lead and started on her work.
"Oh. Nothing for now. Maybe later, when Marissa comes home." The room was silent for ten minutes before Tristan got confused. "What, no conversation? Had enough of me already?" He teased.
"Nothing to do with you. I just want to enjoy the quiet before the terror known as my sister returns. You would be wise to do the same." Chloe didn't even pause in writing.
"Do you think she'll bug us about this weekend?" All the answer he got was a look that plainly read, 'do I really need to answer that?' "I'll take that as a yes." Chloe nodded and they returned to their work.
They didn't talk at all during the interval before Marissa got out of school. If one needed help, they would tap the other's shoulder, point to the difficult work, and read the other's work. Three o'clock came quickly.
"Ok, time to make the coffee. Is it okay if I turn off the lights? I want to scare her. " Chloe headed into the kitchen and started the coffee maker.
"Sure." Tristan called into the other room.
As she walked back into the living room, she turned off all the lights. The only illumination was form the sun streaming through the windows.
"Very atmospheric." Tristan joked.
"Don't say that to my sister. No need to give her ideas." Chloe rested on the arm of the couch and closed her eyes.
"Who says it's your sister who is supposed to get ideas?" Tristan laughed and rested back on the couch.
Chloe kicked at him and hmph'ed. "None of that now, none of that."
"Oh, lots of that." He chuckled before closing his eyes as well. "What there shouldn't be is kicking of cripples."
"Then we agree to disagree, on both accounts." Chloe opened her eyes and seeing Tristan napping, put her feet (shoeless) on his lap.
"Am I your personal footrest now?"
"Yes. And shush. I hear someone at the door." Both became silent and stopped moving aside from breathing.
"Alright, I beat them for once. Time to hide the coffee." Marissa mused aloud.
Yet as she entered the kitchen, she noticed something wrong. "Why is the coffee machine on and brewing?"
Chloe had to bite her tongue to keep from snickering. Peeking at Tristan, she saw a smirk emerging on his face. But as Marissa started for the living room, both let their faces relax so they looked to be asleep.
Marissa noticed forms on the couch but there wasn't enough light to recognize who or what they were. Her brows furrowed in contemplation. She walked over to the light switch and had to place her hands over her mouth to keep from gasping out loud.
Then a wicked smile crept over the young girl's lips as she walked over to the couch. They are so going to hear about this when they wake up.
Marissa was about to return to the kitchen after examining Tristan, when two hands grabbed her from her left and pulled her onto the couch. Chloe then proceeded to tickle her sister mercilessly. Tristan held down Marissa's legs and just laughed.
After about five minutes, Chloe released Marissa and started to really laugh. Marissa just glared and stomped off into the kitchen.
When Marissa finally returned, both teens were still resting on the couch. "You are so mean. You would think that ditching school to be with your boyfriend, who you just spent all weekend with, would put you in a good mood." She just rolled her eyes and gave Chloe her coffee. "And see, I was even going to get you coffee."
"We didn't ditch. There was a fire at lunch so we had to evacuate." Chloe sipped her coffee.
"Really?"
"Yup. So after eating we headed here to get a jump on homework." Tristan added.
"Oh. So, this weekend…" Marissa grinned and wiggled her eyebrows.
"Don't even." Chloe didn't even look up.
"Or what?" Marissa crossed her arms over her chest.
Chloe made a movement as to get up so Marissa grabbed her band and ran up the stairs.
"So, we have this homework, right?" Chloe grinned.
~~~Stars Hollow High~~~
Rory sat down on a bench not far from the school entrance and within sight of where Lane would be coming.
A bell was heard coming from the school and a moment later, a herd of students was rushing from the building.
Soon, Rory spotted Dean but since he was going the other direction, she remained undetected. Right behind him was Lane but she headed towards Rory.
Rory knew she had been spotted when Lane stopped walking. Rory grinned and walked to her friend. "Can you spare a moment for a funny story?"
Lane grinned back. "You know I got this time free, don't hold back. Tell me everything."
Rory laughed. "The funny story is about today actually. The reason I got here earlier is because there was a fire at Chilton."
"No way!"
Rory nodded. "During lunch. The funny part is, Chloe predicted such an occurrence the next time she went to get something in the library."
"Chloe? Oh. The new girl who gets to follow Tristan around."
"Yeah. But there was a reason I called you last night so we could meet today." Rory sat down on a bench on a side street that got little traffic.
"About this weekend?" Lane sat down, too, looking puzzled and curious.
"About everything." Rory paused a moment to collect her thoughts. "This may come as a shock, but I've gotten myself involved in a love…square."
"A square? So there are two guys and two girls or just you and three guys."
"Oh, there is another girl that got dragged into this, too." Rory tried to get comfortable on the cold bench.
"So you, another girl, and two guys. Hmm. Now if this isn't it, don't hurt me, but this has been a little obvious. Jess?" When Rory nodded, Lane's eyes got a little wider but she still continued her guessing. "Wow. Not like that's surprising but it also means there is something between him and this other girl, either returned or unrequited."
"To make this easier, since you seem to enjoy the guessing, you know everyone or at least know of all involved." Rory watches as a young child walked down the street with her mom.
"Ok. There is you and Jess. Paris?" A simple shake of the head told Lane she guessed wrong. "Chloe?!" A nod. "Poor girl. Unless she isn't as innocent in this as she would want us to think."
"I wouldn't accuse her of being a slut if that's what you think."
Lane sighed. "Tristan. Now it makes sense. At least the Chloe and Tristan part." Her eyes got wide again. "You like both guys! When did you realize this?"
"You know the day I called you about Dean and Tristan being back? That afternoon I realized I was jealous of Chloe being with Tristan. Plus, I learned that Tristan really liked me before he left. And then the next morning after I confessed that to my mom, she asked about Jess. That's when I realized I liked him, too."
"Double wow. What about the guys?"
"Well, you said it was obvious about Jess and we had a great time this weekend. And then during school after my confession, Tristan really opened up to me about he felt about life and school. He seemed really scared about my answer when he asked if we were friends." Rory looked over to see Lane watching her intently.
"All this would seem daunting on its own, but then there is Chloe to think about. I could say to forget her because she intruded into your world, but that would be mean and unfair." Lane shivered a little in the cold air.
"I can see why both guys like her. For Tristan, it's a new start. She hasn't bought into the image of Chilton high society girls but she doesn't have a preformed opinion of him like I did. Then there is Jess." Rory sighed.
"He can't have you so along comes a new chance. Again, no existing opinion so he has a new chance. She must be smart since she got into Chilton and they probably got along on that tour you told me about." Lane added.
"And there isn't any reason for her to not like them. Right now we seem to be heading towards how we've been partnered, but Chloe was able to hold conversations with Jess. In the end, it could go either way." Rory shivered as a gust of wind blew down the street.
"That is if it runs smoothly. What if the guys make a decision and it doesn't work with the one you come up with Chloe?" Lane mused.
"Don't say that! I don't want to think about that now." Rory exclaimed.
"My advice: have a group chat. That's the first step to a resolution. Then you can see where everyone stands." Lane nodded knowingly.
"When did you become so wise?"
"Years of asking you for advice."
Both girls laughed before standing up. They linked arms and walked to Luke's diner. After talking about the antics of SHHS students, Lane had to go home.
Rory was half of the way to her home when she met her mom. "Where are you going?"
"I could ask you the same thing. Luke's, my dear. Dinner. Care to join?" Lorelai held out her arm and Rory took it before they headed back the way Rory came.
They were slightly shocked to see the Connelly family already there with Tristan and Jess eating with them. Luke was talking with Tristan while he poured the coffee. Chloe saw the two Gilmore's and waved them over.
Mr. Connelly noticed as well and signaled for the group to make room. Soon everyone was situated and Lorelai had her coffee.
"Fancy meeting you here." Mrs. Connelly smiled warmly. The adults and Marissa sat at one table while the teens sat at the next one to them.
"We haven't gotten to talk to you yet. We hear you run an inn…"
Talk continued in such a manner with Lorelai and Rory being questioned and the teens chatting among themselves, Rory included.
Once they were done, Mr. and Mrs. Connelly took Marissa home and allowed Chloe to stay out.
"I'll see you at home. I'll wait here until I need to meet Dean."
"Sure, sweetie. Then you can tell me all about this weekend." Lorelai got one last cup of coffee to go before heading home.
Rory walked up the stairs to where the others had headed. Inside the apartment, Jess was discussing books with Chloe while Tristan was looking through the movies.
"You can tell that those are all Luke's easily, huh?" Rory kneeled down next to Tristan.
He smirked before hobbling over to the couch. Rory followed and plopped down next to him.
"I never realized how boring it would be to live in an apartment above a diner." Tristan surveyed the room.
"Only if you live with Luke." Rory laughed.
Jess and Chloe came back from Jess's room with Chloe carrying two books. "I have a reading assignment. I feel like I'm at school."
Jess smirked. "Only you don't have to write a paper."
"I'd refuse otherwise." Chloe grinned.
"Your movie selection is rather lacking." Tristan smirked.
"Tell that to Luke." Jess shrugged.
Chloe looked at the movies and put on into the player. "And no, this isn't Lord of the Rings."
Jess and Rory looked lost while Tristan chuckled. "That's the movie we watched Saturday night."
Jess just laughed. "That's what we watched."
Everyone just laughed before focusing on the movie. Soon the theme for Star Wars filled the apartment.
Rory kept checking her watch until it was five till nine. "I'll see you tomorrow." She whispered as she got up.
The other three look at her quizzically but just said bye as she left.
~~~Gazebo~~~
Rory saw that Dean was already at the gazebo by the time she left the diner. She could tell what his answer was just by his stiff posture and glare at the diner.
She sighed with defeat as she came to stand next to her boyfriend. "Just for confirmation, what have you decided?"
"I haven't changed my mind or my thoughts."
Rory took a deep breath to collect herself. "Then it's over. There can't be a relationship without trust and you don't trust me or my decisions."
Dean's eyes narrowed in suppressed anger. "You've probably been planning this since Jess arrived. You just didn't want to look like the bad guy. Were you going out with him and that's why you're so insistent about this? I know you stayed with him this weekend. I bet it wasn't the first time."
Rory's eyes grew big. "How dare you! I never cheated on you. The weekend visit was for a class assignment. You make assumptions with barely any facts. I'm glad you showed me the real you now, before we got too close. Good bye Dean."
Rory turned away and walked down the steps and towards her house. Dean opened his mouth to yell something at her but changed his mind. He just glared at the diner before stomping back to his house.
~~~Gilmore Residence~~~
Rory found Lorelai on the couch with a cup of coffee, watching TV. Rory dropped her jacket and purse before collapsing next to her mom.
Lorelai just stroked Rory's hair before talking. "That bad? Let me guess, he didn't change his mind?"
Rory glared at the TV. "He accused me of cheating on him."
Lorelai gasped. "He didn't?!"
Rory nodded. "He truly didn't trust me."
Lorelai's eyes flashed with fire. "No one insults my daughter and accuses her of such atrocities and gets away with it. I say we tell Luke."
Rory grinned. "You want Dean dead, don't you?"
Lorelai gasped again. "And you don't?"
Rory shrugged. "I saw it coming. I just didn't think it really would come. I'm better off without him. There are other fish in the sea."
"Yeah, and two already have their eyes on you. But seriously, no wallowing?"
Rory sobered a little. "Ice cream?" She asked in a soft voice.
So the Gilmore's spent the night eating ice cream and watching late night TV.
~~~Author's Notes~~~
Wow. I thought I wrote a lot. But once it's on the computer, it shrinks. Eh. I've already started chapter 9, Tuesday. I was going to do more in each chapter, but this one was getting so long and I didn't want to make you wait longer than necessary. So, it's coming along. There won't be such a long wait for the next part if I have my way. Of course, school has a way of butting into life. Well, once this grading period (6 weeks) is done, English is going to get better. Physics and Calculus (both AP) won't get better but after the AP tests, it's all down hill from there. Hope you liked this chapter. I love reviews. They make me feel welcome into the community. Well, don't give up. I'm getting there. There is still a chance for double endings because…because I say so. ^_~
