Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore Girls.

Thursday morning

Rory

I got to school, half expecting him to be waiting for me by my locker. But he wasn't there. A wave of relief passed through me…and maybe disappointment? No. Scratch that thought. Just relief. No disappointment. 

Physics class came and that's when I saw him. Physically, he looked the same but I kept watching him throughout class and I noticed he seemed upset and troubled.  Was he upset because of the kiss? Why would he be upset? Did he have a girlfriend waiting for him in North Carolina? I bet he does. I mean, he's Tristan. Cute, charming Tristan. Cute? Charming? Where did that come from? Oh, okay. Fine. He's cute. And he can be charming sometimes too. I bet his girlfriend is blonde and beautiful with a name like Muffy. I bet she listens to Britney Spears and chews gum really loudly.  I bet he feels bad because of the kiss. I bet he feels like he cheated on her. Even if I was the one who leaned in and kissed him. Stupid Rory! Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Tristan

Yesterday had the good, the bad and the ugly. The good, no, the great, the wonderful even- Rory kissed me. She actually leaned in and kissed me. The kiss was short. Too short. I was about to pull her closer and kiss her back with all the want and desire I had in me. But the bad happened. She ran away, again.  I wanted to run after her. To tell her to stop running away from me, to tell her how much I thought about her in military school, to tell her she was the most beautiful girl I've ever seen and to tell her I wanted to be with her. But I didn't do that. I wanted to give her time to think. I didn't want to overwhelm her.  I came home and the ugly happened. My dad said those four little words you hate hearing in a relationship or from a parent:

"Tristan, we need to talk."  He motioned me to sit down. I felt like an employee about to get fired by his boss. I sat down on the wooden chair and waited for him to talk.

"Your grades haven't been up to standards." I sat there, surprised. He never seemed to care before.

"If you want to live up to the DuGray name, you have to get into an Ivy League school."

"I just came back from Military school. Of course, I'm going to have trouble catching on, if you hadn't sent me there-" I cut myself off, trying to suppress my anger. God, I hate him so much.

"I hear you're in a band."  

"How'd you hear about that?"

"Rosa got a message from this guy James calling to confirm this performance at the Pergola. You can't be in a band, Tristan."

"Why not? It's the only thing keeping me sane from living in this hellhole you call a home" I said, my anger getting the better of me.

"Very well.  I consider myself a reasonable man. Get straight A's on your first quarter at Chilton. If you do, then you get to stay in the band. If you don't, then you have to quit."

I stormed off, knowing that nothing I could say would change his mind.

And now I'm sitting here in Physics class, trying to concentrate and understand what the hell the teacher is saying.

Riinnngggg

"Tristan, is everything okay?" Rory asked me, her blue eyes looking at me, worried.

I was surprised she noticed I was upset. She was the first person to ask me that today.

"My dad wants me to quit the band."

Then under her breath I thought I heard her say, "Oh, so there's no Muffy?"

"What?"

"Nothing. Is there anything you can do? Maybe he'll change his mind."

"My dad never changes his mind. He's too proud and he always thinks he right. He wants me to get straight A's for the quarter."

"Well, that's not so bad."

I looked at her. "Come on, Rory. The best grade I've gotten is a C. The last time I got straight A's was in the second grade."

"I'll help you."

"What?"

"I'll help you. In case you haven't noticed, I get straight A's."

"Of course I've noticed. Are you sure?"

"Yes I'm sure. I can tell the band means a lot to you."

"Thank you, Rory."

"So, do you want to start today?"

"The sooner, the better. We'll study at my house after school."

"Okay. I'll see you later."

She left and I felt better already. I had hope. God, this girl is amazing.

AN: Good? Bad? Ugly? Tell me what you think. Thanks for the reviews Tristanlover59, ilovegilmoretrory, ILUVALEC, Southrnbelle09 and tiff.

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