The Grand Tour
Chapter Two
Walking into the class I felt as if I was some strange exhibit at the zoo. Everyone was staring at me as if I had a giant scar on my face. I could imagine the thoughts running through their heads, look at the new girl; I heard she's from Hartford. I chose a seat far in the back, making sure I didn't take one that already had someone's name on it. Of course, like all teacher need to do, Mr. Gregory made me stand up and introduce myself. I again, felt like a side show freak.
Lunch was even more embarrassing. I was hoping to find Luke but my hopes were brought down when I discovered him sitting with a gorgeous red head that appeared to be his girl friend and a few others I assumed wouldn't want me around so I ended up eating next to a group of computer nerds.
When I got back to the room that night my mother had been sitting up in bed reading and she actually asked me how my day at school was. You could imagine the look of shock on my face. I gave her a subtle answer, "fine."
Mia, the Inn's owner, noticed my look of boredom as I sat in the lobby staring at the ceiling. She offered to let me help out in the dining room, serving food and such. That's when I met Sookie St. James. She would sit in the inn's kitchen and watch the staff like an interesting show on television. We ate dinner together that night and she told me about her dream to become an amazing chef. I thought it was great she some sort of idea as to what she wanted to do when she got older, me on the other hand, had no idea. We walked to school together the next day and discovered we had a few classes together but informed me she had to volunteer at the school's library that morning. So I had to face the evil locker demon on my own. This time I actually managed to open it by myself and got to class on time.
After school I needed to stop by my locker to check to see if I had all the books I needed to do my homework that night and I noticed Luke seemed very interested in my inventory. He just stood there watching me as I traded my Algebra for my History.
"I might have a camera on me somewhere if you're interested in taking a picture. It tends to last a little longer." I mentioned as I closed and locked my locker.
"I don't know what your talking about." He replied with a wide grin.
"Sure. Anyways, I guess I'll see ya later." I closed as I walked back down the hall.
"Wait." Luke stalled. I stopped and turned his direction, remaining where I was standing. "What are you doing right now?" he asked after he came to stand beside me. I told him I didn't have anything planned and he offered to give me the grand tour of the town. I accepted his invitation.
We started in the square where he showed me the bench that George Washington supposedly blew his nose then we continued to Doose's where he introduced me to Taylor and explained that he was the student council class president all four years he was in high school and was determined to be a leader. Now, at the age of 24, was the manager of his father's grocery store. Our next stop had been the local body shop and I met Gypsy, covered in car oil from head to toe. We visited a few other odd places and our last stop was his father's hardware store.
The bell rang as we walked in the door, the place seemed very cramped. The many shelves were stacked with paint and hardware, the air smelled of rotting wood. Luke led me through the catastrophe to a counter in the back, behind it stood an older man. He was tall, muscular, he had a scruff white beard with the same on his head, and he wore glasses and was leaning over a stack of papers I assumed were receipts. The noise my big shoes made on the wooden floor had him looking up at us from his work.
"Hey, there! Who's your new friend?" he asked.
"Lorelai, this is William Danes, my father." Luke introduced.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Danes." I replied shaking his hand.
"Oh, please call me Bill, Mister makes me feel old. It's great to meet you."
Luke told him we were going upstairs as he pushed me to his right. We ended up in his father's office that looked more like an employee lounge. He told me to take a seat anywhere and make myself at home. I ended up plopping down on a couch and propping my feet up on the coffee table.
"I see you've made yourself comfortable." He remarked walking towards the "living space" carrying two sodas.
"Actually I don't get to do this at home so this is a giant advantage." I replied, "Are one of those for me or are you extremely selfish?"
"Oh, yeah. Sure."
"Thanks, so you've lived here all your life?"
He handed me one and took a long drink of his. "Yeah, unfortunately, my parents like to remain stationary. How bout' you? Why have you moved here?"
I explained my parent's separation and our temporary stay at the Independence Inn. We talked for a while. I mocked his taste in music while he made fun of my blue-blooded background. We had been there nearly an hour when we heard the door to the office open.
"Oh Lukie! Dad said you were up here." A female voice shouted through the room.
Luke ducked down in his position on the couch. "Stay quiet and maybe she won't find us." He whispered.
"There you are!" her high pitched voice echoed through the sparsely decorated office. She climbed on the couch and sat between us.
"Hey Lizzy!" Luke mono-toned, wrapping an arm around her back.
The girl looked to be no more than twelve years old. Short brown hair, big chocolate eyes, she looked a lot like Luke.
"Who are you?" She asked as she stared up at me.
"Liz, this is Lorelai. Lorelai, this is my little sister, Liz." Luke informed the two of us.
She whispered something to him and he whispered something back that made her laugh. I later found out that she told him she thought I was pretty. Soon after he walked me back to the Inn and I thanked him for the tour.
That night at dinner I spilled to Sookie the events of my day. I was over the moon.
A/n: I will continue! I actually have a direction I'm going in. It may take me a while till the next chapter. Be patient! Stay Tuned! Until then…Happy Reading!
