Disclaimer (goes for last chapter, too; I forgot): I own nothing, unfortunately. The rights to Gilmore Girls belong to ASP and the WB. darn.
I have absolutely no resolve. I was going to wait to post this for a few more days, but crumbled under happiness from reviews. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far, and to my new beta, Samantha!
-Tristan-
I always hoped to see her again one day. She always entranced me at Chilton. Why? That's still a mystery. Perhaps because she was such a Mary; maybe it was because she was so fresh, so smart, so different from all the other girls I dated. Maybe it was because she wouldn't give me the time of day. Whatever it was, it drew me to her.
She feels so right in my arms. I didn't think she would actually dance with me when I asked. Mmm... her hair smells so good, some floral scent I can't quite put my finger on and, strangely, coffee.
She's finally relaxing, feeling comfortable. She always puts her guard up around me, and, truthfully, it's no wonder why. Somehow, I become a first-grader around her instantly, and even when I try to be charming, she can see right through my act.
"So, how has Chilton been treating you since I left?"
"Okay, actually. I've actually made friends with Paris, well, most of the time, anyway." Paris? Anal-retentive, grade-obsessive Paris?
"Paris?"
"Yeah. Kind of surprising, huh?"
"Not too much actually. You two are a lot alike. Well, if you don't factor in Paris's unique... overbearing... qualities."
She laughed."I suppose so. So, are you back to Chilton next year, or are you shipping off to military school again?"
"Depends on 'my behavior' this summer." And if I even want to re- enter the Chilton circle.
The song ended. "Like to take a walk on the balcony, Mare?"
"Rory. Sure, it will save me from my grandmother; she's eyeing us as we speak."
-Rory-
It was just to get away from Grandma's prying eyes. Wait, no. Just so she can't hound me about the very attractive young man I'm dancing with. Right. Very attractive? God.
"So, how was military school?"
"Fine. It gave me a chance to get away from all this upper-class hypocritical nonsense for a while. Although the lack of girls was a very negative factor." Of course.
"Oh, how did you ever survive?" I said in my best overly concerned mother tone.
"Somehow, I managed. There were a few free weekends." And there comes the smirk again. It's actually kind of cu... no! I have enough boy problems already. Why did I wear these heels tonight?
"God, what time is it?"
"Oh, are you not enjoying my company?" He said it with a laugh, but it looked like he was hiding something.
"These shoes are killing me, and if my grandmother sees me barefoot, she'll shoot me." Why did I have to wear the shoes with the pointy toe and the heels? Why me? "If my mother was here, we could make a quick getaway, but she had a 'inn emergency'..." Was that an entirely good idea?
"Well, if you want, I could always be a gentleman and drive you home. Nothing pressing is keeping me here." A thirty-minute car ride with Tristan DuGrey or aching feet and legs? He's been mostly good...
"A gentleman? We'll see about that. Sure, why not?"
"Good. Let's find your grandparents."
After a good fifteen or twenty minutes of searching (I swear, when you don't need them, boom, they are everywhere you turn) we found my grandparents and told them goodnight and that I was going home with Tristan. They didn't seem too happy with it until the name 'DuGrey' was mentioned. Figures.