Thank you all so much for the reviews! I am glad that you are all enjoying the story thus far. I found it especially entertaining that some of you think this is such a great Trory when I have not even really gotten to any Trory! Haha, I loved it!
Also, for those who thought the note from Logan was un-Logan like…I just had to throw it in there to explain his absence. I am kinda bitter at his character right now after last night's episode. I was in love with Rory and Logan, but now this new Rory is starting to irritate me…so I thought I would write a Trory instead, because they are just as good, if not better!
Chapter 2
Déjà vu
Rory looked up startled. She felt her heart stop and her stomach flip. "There is no way it could be him…" she thought as her eyes focused on the one and only Tristan Dugrey.
"TRISTAN?" She yelled in shock. "What are you doing here?" She was completely startled by his sudden appearance; he was the last person she expected to show up in her modern fiction class.
"Hey Rory, I am glad to see I still have this affect on you." He said with a wink.
Rory was too excited at seeing his familiar face to take offense to his comment.
"I did not know you even went to Yale!" She said to him as he took the seat by her.
"Yeah, I don't. I am at home for the summer working for my dad. One of his friends is teaching this course and he suggested I take it since I was going to be in town." He said.
"Your dad is friends with Earl Chapin?" Rory said, again in shock.
"Yeah, my dad's firm represents him and they have become really close over the years. He is a great guy; it should be a fun class."
"I know it will be. Have you seen the reading list? Contemporary fiction…who knew you could take a class where reading newly published best-sellers was required?"
Earl came in the room during Rory's speech, unannounced to her. He stood in front of Rory and Tristan's desk with an amused smile on his face. "So Tristan, who is your friend here? It would appear that I have a fan."
Rory flamed red in embarrassment. "Ah, hello Mr. Chapin, I did not realize you were standing there…My name is Rory Gilmore, and yes I am a fan." She said looking up at his towering presence.
"Well it is nice to meet you Miss Gilmore. I do hope that you and Mr. Dugrey enjoy this class; I am counting on him to provide a Harvard educated opinion. Us Yalites seem to take a different stance on contemporary literature. I hope that his insight will make this class more interesting then I already hope to make it." Earl said, walking back to the front of the room to his desk.
"That goes for all of you. I am only sharing one viewpoint with you, we all have our own unique interpretation of literature, and I hope that you will all feel comfortable by the end of this course to share those opinions with all of us. Our backgrounds shape the way we read these novels, and I hope that with each of your histories you will be able to shine new light to my own interpretation of the stories as well as your colleagues."
Rory could not help but smile at this comment. She loved when teachers spoke to her as equals, and not down to her as mere students. She was excited to start this class, and even more excited to learn more about the man who was seated beside her.
"Okay class, as juvenile as this sounds, I would like for each of you to interview the student sitting next to you. I want you to write a short bibliography on them for the next class. This bibliography should be about the extent of which you see in a book jacket. So I don't want anything that is beyond two pages double spaced. One page would be perfect. We will present tomorrow in class, and by Wednesday I expect you to be 100 pages into The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. I will give you the rest of the time to work with your partners and formulate information for their bibliography. Next class I will hand out the syllabus and give my introduction, but first I think it is best that we all make friends in this class. It is a proven fact that students who are friends with at least one person in a class get better grades. Since I want you all to succeed, I am going to help facilitate these friendships. Okay, so you have the next two hours. You don't have to stay here, you can go off campus or to a coffee shop, it is early, and I know we could all use a caffeine boost."
"Well Mary, it looks like I get the pleasure of writing about you…my former Chiltonee."
"I think this will be nothing if not intriguing." Rory said with a small smile. She was dying to find out more about what Tristan had been up to. From what she gathered, after military school he had went off to Harvard, apparently pre-law and would most likely take over the family firm.
"I think I saw a Starbucks just off campus…"
"You read my mind." Rory said, gathering her bag and standing.
The two gave a wave to Earl as they stepped out of the classroom and into the early morning haze of summer.
Rory ordered a venti mocha frappachino and Tristan followed suit, ordering the same.
"Hey Mar, it is on me." He said pulling out his wallet.
"Oh no, I got it, that is fine." Rory said, paying for both drinks.
"You did not have to buy mine too." Tristan said, sounding close to annoyed.
"Well, you will just have to buy mine next time." Rory said with a smile.
Tristan was silent for a minute, thinking about her last comment. Next time. He hoped that she would allow there to be a next time.
"Right, so how do you want to do this?" Tristan asked. "Do you want to talk first and then I will go after?" He asked.
"Um, sure. That works for me. So…where do you want me to begin?"
"Well, how about you state your full name for me and your demographics…where you grew up, where you went to school…that sort of stuff." Tristan said, smiling at the ridiculousness of this situation.
"Well, my name is Lorelai Leigh Gilmore, but everyone calls me Rory. I grew up in a small town called Stars Hallow with my mother, Lorelai. I was named after her and grew up idolizing her. She is not only my mother, but my best friend. We share our lives and we share our name." Rory said with a smile.
"So you and your mom seem to have a pretty amazing relationship. Do you want to tell me more about that?" Tristan asked, interested in her family life. Rory had never really told him anything about her mother, but he had seen her around once in a while, but never really had a conversation with the woman that Rory worshiped.
"Well, my mom had me when she was 16 years old. I was the only constant in her life from that point on, and we learned to fend for ourselves early on. She would do anything for me and she has. Now that I am getting older, our relationship has changed…I don't adore her the way I did when I was younger…I don't know…things changed when I went to college. I still look up to her in every way, but I also appreciate her more for what she has taught me rather than what she does. I don't know if that makes any sense." Rory paused, thinking about everything that had happened between her mother and herself. After she slept with Dean there was an undeniable jarring that took place between her mother and herself. Logan just added to it. She hoped now that she and Logan were through; things with her mother would begin to normalize. She hated their cordial relationship they had now and longed for things to return to normal.
"Anyway, I went to school in Stars Hallow up until my sophomore year of high school. I managed to get into a very exclusive private school called Chilton. My Chilton years were a living hell. I did not get along with any of my fellow classmates and I did not fit into the socialite mentality everyone carried there. I knew I had to suffer through it though, because it had always been my dream to go to Harvard. Once it came time to actually decide on a college though, I ended up choosing Yale because it seemed like a better fit. From there, I roomed with my once mortal enemy Paris and declared my major in journalism and now here I am." Rory finished lamely.
"You live with Paris?" Tristan asked shocked.
Rory let out a little laugh. "Yeah, surprisingly after you left things between the two of us cooled off. We were actually almost friends when we graduated. When I moved in to the dorm freshman year I had no idea that she would be waiting for me though. It was a shock, but we are actually really close now. She is one of my two best friends here."
"So you are still living with her then?" Tristan asked interested in this new development.
"Yes, we actually just moved into an apartment over the weekend with my friend Marty. It is such an amazing place; I still can't believe that we managed to get it."
Tristan felt his heart drop at the mention of this Marty guy. "So Marty is your boyfriend?" He asked, trying to sound casual.
"Oh no, not at all. Marty is my other best friend here. He is an amazing guy, but I just can't see him as anything other than a brother-type. I know he wishes we were something more, but you just can't create chemistry you know? I think it would be easier if I was attracted to him, I at least know he is a decent guy that won't leave me out of panic and run to Europe." She finished bitterly.
"Okay, well that sounded like a tough subject. Do you want to delve deeper there?" He asked, wanting to know more about this mystery man that broke her heart.
"Oh no, it was nothing. We did not date that long and it is over now, so I don't think it is important enough to put in my bibliography."
"So are there any guys that should be included?" He tried again.
"Umm, well there is Luke. He has been the only real male constant in my life. He is now dating my mother, and I suspect they will marry soon…at least I hope so. He owns the local diner in Stars Hallow, and he has been like a father to me. My own dad was never around. He came in and out of my life as he pleased. I used to hope that he would get back together with my mom and we would live happily ever after, but now I know that it wont ever happen and that would not be happily ever after anyway. And no, I am not seeing anyone if that is what you were really getting at with that question." Rory said with a sad smile.
Tristan felt his heart leap with her last statement. He was embarrassed that she still had this affect on him after four years, but he was also happy to see that some things never change.
"So, what are your ambitions? What do you want to do after college?" Tristan asked, steering away the obviously touchy subject of boyfriends.
"Well, I am still working to become an overseas correspondent. I want to travel and write and see the sights while telling others of my findings. I want to see the places that I have read about. I want to experience things that I have only dreamt about. I want to get away from Stars Hallow and spread my wings." Rory said, her eyes wide with shock.
"What?" Tristan asked confused about her expression.
"It's just that I have never said that before. I guess that I always thought that I would end up in Stars Hallow…or at least I never thought that I wanted to get away…" Rory said.
"Well, sometimes when you start rambling your deepest thoughts come out. You are bigger than Stars Hallow Rory, you are bigger than anyplace." He said smiling.
"Well, hopefully I can find something that will appease me." She said with a laugh. "Anyway, we should get to you now. What have you been up to since leaving Chilton? What were you like before Chilton?" Rory asked extremely interested. She never really knew anything about him, except for the front that he always gave off at school.
"Well, let's see. My full name is Tristan Janlan Dugrey. I am the only child of the Dugrey "kingdom" and I am set to follow in my fathers footsteps. I went to private schools my entire life, and was forced into military school after an incident involving a safe. I graduated from the school with honors and with my father's connections was accepted to all three major Ivy League schools on the east coast. My father pushed Yale, but I wanted to get further away and figured that Boston was a good choice. I am pre-law, and hope to graduate next year and get into Yale's law school. Well, I don't hope, my father does, but when you are born into the Dugrey family you are forced to do things that you don't necessarily agree with. It might not even be that bad once my father retires."
"So you are going to do the law school thing and do as your father wants?" Rory asked completely shocked.
"Yes. I don't have much of a choice. I have grown up since Chilton and have accepted my responsibilities. I guess that military school took the rebellion out of me."
"But you won't be happy as a lawyer, I know you Tristan, you won't obey your father forever." Rory said.
"No Rory, I don't have a choice. It is either I obey my father or I am disowned. If he cuts me off I am out of school and I am on my own….anyway, lets stay away from my father, he only depresses me."
"Oh okay, no problem. I totally understand." Rory said, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Yeah, I know you do." He said giving her a small smile.
"Okay, well then how about your personal life? Are you seeing anyone special?" She asked, following a similar line of questioning, feeling her cheeks redden with the question.
"Um, no not really. I guess I date casually, but nobody special. I have not had a girlfriend in years; I guess I have not found the right girl."
"So you no longer date any girl that looks your way, you are going to Harvard and you are going to take over for your father…what happened to the Tristan that I disdained from Chilton?"
"He got a clue." Tristan said, turning in his seat to look at Rory full on. "Look Rory, I am really sorry about the way I behaved back in high school. I was immature and stupid. I just want you to know that I am not that guy anymore. I never want to be that guy again, and I regret everyday that I chose to treat you like I did."
"Well thanks Tristan, but it is water under the bridge. It seems as though we have both changed since then. As long as you don't resort back to treating me like a first grader, I think this summer won't be half bad."
"I hope not. I have wanted to tell you I was sorry for a long time. When I first got to Harvard I looked for you at all the coffee stands and in all of my classes, but I eventually found out you were at Yale. I thought for sure I would see you around. I hoped I would. There was so much I wanted to tell you. You are an amazing girl, and I am so sorry that I made your life a living hell back in high school. I would love it if you would want to start over? Maybe we could be friends?" Tristan asked sincerely.
Rory stared back at him not knowing what to say. Did she want to be friends with Tristan? Could she be friends with Tristan? What would Paris say? What would Marty say?
"I would love to be friends with you Tristan." Rory said, for once putting her own feelings ahead of others.
"Good…so maybe we could start by me taking you out for lunch?" He asked, looking at his watch that has already passed noon.
"I am starved." Rory said, agreeing to lunch.
"Well you live around here, any place you recommend in particular?"
"There is a pub that is just a few buildings down; they serve good sandwiches and coffee. We could go there for a bite."
"That sounds great." Tristan said, standing up from the stool and throwing out his empty cup. He walked to the door and held it open for Rory to go through first and the two of them walked down the street to eat.
After the two ordered lunch they fell into an easy pattern of communication as if they had never lost touch.
"So aside from class what are your other summer plans?" Tristan asked Rory.
"Well, I am interning at a local paper, I am not getting paid for it though, so I also took a job at a coffee shop on campus that I start on Wednesday."
"Wow and taking a summer class. That sounds like it is going to be a fun summer." Tristan said sarcastically. "It will not leave you much time for a social life."
"Well, fortunately, my social life will be able to sustain itself for one summer. I just hope that I will be busy enough to keep my mind off of…"
"Off of what?" Tristan asked.
"Oh, it is not important. Just off of things."
"Right." Tristan said, not wanting to push it, but wanting to hear more about what had happened to her.
"Anyway, tell me about your summer plans. You are going to be working with your dad? That should be a good experience!"
"I guess it is my father's way of getting me trained in so after I get out of law school I will be able to start working immediately after I pass the Bar." Tristan said, getting cut off by a yell.
"Rory?" Someone called to her from across the bar.
"Hey, is that Rory?" The same voice asked.
"Rory, do I know a Rory?" A distinctive Australian voice answered.
"RORY GILMORE!" Rory heard her name being yelled and turned in her stool.
"Colin, Finn, hi." She said without much enthusiasm.
"Fancy seeing you here." Finn said, finally placing Rory as Logan's girlfriend.
"So you are sticking around this summer?" Colin said, making his way toward the table.
"Yeah, I still have the internship and I am taking a summer class, plus I got a job." Rory said, shifting her eyes away from him.
"Are you still working for Logan's dad?" Colin asked.
"Not anymore. I am working in the newsroom now. I wanted to write more-so than shadow anyway. Oh hey guys, this is my friend from high school, Tristan this is Colin and Finn." Rory said, making the routine introduction.
"Oh hey guys, nice to meet you." He said, shaking hands with the two men.
"Anyway, so we are having a party this weekend, Logan wanted to get drunk and party, and we don't really need an excuse to do that…so we rented out a bar and putting everything on his dad's card. We were actually just planning it today, so I don't think he told you about it yet, but were you planning on coming? You can bring Tristan too. It should be fun." Colin said to Rory.
"Wait. Logan is here?" Rory asked confused.
"Oh no, he is not here, here…he is back at our place. He is in charge of the guest list, so he is calling people from home." Finn said.
"Right." Rory said, her insides boiling over. "What bar is it at? I will try to come." She said through clenched teeth.
"It is at Maxwell's and it starts at 10 on Saturday. Bring a friend or two, the more the merrier." They said walking away.
"What was that all about?" Tristan asked, picking up on Rory's obvious discomfort.
"Those were my ex's best friends." Rory said.
"Oh, well that is always awkward." Tristan said, not understanding the full depth of the problem.
"No, you don't get it. Logan said he went to Europe for the summer…but apparently he did not plan on me sticking around." Rory said, near tears.
"Anyway, do you want to go to this party on Saturday?" She asked him trying to brighten up.
"You actually want to go?" He asked completely confused.
"Well, not really, but I want to go to see Logan and set him straight, and I could really use a friend after its over."
Tristan looked at Rory, hesitant to agree. He did not want to be her rebound and he did not want to pick up the pieces of her broken heart after she confronted this Logan guy…but he also did not want to say no to her.
"Okay, I will pick you up at 11." He said after a minute.
Blah blah blah! This is a filler chapter, so there is really nothing too juicy. I wanted to get in Tristan's history, and I figured one of these generic first day of class assignments was a good way to get it done. Anyway, let me know what you are thinking about this story thus far and if you want to see it go a certain direction. I like to take all sides into consideration.
Oh yes, and don't worry about Logan, they are done, but I did not like the fact that it was unsettled, so I thought I would throw him back in for good measure.
