Disclaimer: See prologue page.
Chapter 10: Is Right
Tristan held tightly to Rory as tears streamed down her face. He let a few tears show. He knew this would not be a good way to end Rory's stay, but he didn't care. He loved her.
"I love you, so much," Rory sobbed. "Please don't let me go."
"I can't do that, Rory," Tristan responded.
Rory looked into Tristan's eyes. "Do you still feel the same about me as you did at the beginning of the summer?"
Tristan knew this question would determine it all. One answer would give him Rory, but would mean Rory gave up Harvard. The other would mean Rory would have Harvard, but he couldn't have Rory.
Tristan looked away from her. "No."
Rory closed her eyes as the words stung her. She stood up slowly and nodded. She knew he was lying only to make her go.
"Good-bye, Tristan," she said.
Tristan watched her walk away toward Shelly's house.
Rory came into the house sobbing. She saw Jess sitting on the couch waiting for her.
"Rory?" Jess asked.
Rory made her way over to Jess. "Oh, Jess."
Jess opened his arms and Rory threw herself into them. "It's okay, Rory."
Rory forced herself to nod as she cried. She knew she was lying, but she knew there was nothing else to do.
Tristan watched the sun rise from his spot under the tree. He remembered the many sunsets he had seen with Rory this summer and smiled. His smile faded, however, as he thought of the way he'd made her cry.
He saw Joie walking over to him and he made room for her. "Hey."
Joie put her hand on his. "Hey."
Tristan look at Joie. "Are they gone?"
Joie nodded. "Yeah. I just said good-bye to Jess."
"How's Rory?" Tristan asked.
"She was curled up in the car," Joie responded. "Her eyes were puffy and red."
Tristan took a deep breath. He couldn't go after her now. He knew he would only hurt Rory more.
Shelly hugged Jess. "Make sure she gets some coffee."
Jess chuckled. "I will."
Rory got out of the car and stood behind Jess. Jess turned around and smiled at her. Rory forced a smile back.
Shelly hugged Rory. "Call as soon as you get there. Make sure you annoy Jess."
Rory laughed, her first genuine laugh all morning. "I will. Make sure you come visit with my niece."
Shelly nodded. "I will. Are you stopping in Stars Hollow on your way to Cambridge?"
"Yeah," Jess replied, opening Rory's car door.
"See you," Rory said.
Shelly gave her sister a small wave. "Bye!"
Jess started the car and looked at Rory. "You okay?"
Rory looked out at the morning sky. She knew that an answer of 'no' would make Jess take a right at the end of the road to Tristan's house, which would lead to Tristan getting his ass kicked.
Instead, she put on her fine-just-fine smile and looked at Jess. "Yep."
Tristan saw Jess's car stop at the end of the driveway. He saw Jess prepared to make a right. Then, he saw the car correct itself and go to the left, away from him, Texas and the whole summer.
Joie put her hand on her friend's shoulder. "It'll be okay."
Tristan nodded. "Yeah. It will be."
At noon three days later, Rory and Jess were in Stars Hollow.
"Rory," Jess called. "We're here."
Rory opened her eyes and saw her hometown. She looked over and saw that Luke's Diner was still open. She smiled as she saw her mother on the sidewalk jumping up and down.
Jess stopped the car and Rory ran to her mother. "Mom!"
"Kiddo!" Lorelai exclaimed. "I'm getting married!"
Rory's smile widened as she inspected the ring on her mother's finger. "Oh, my God!"
"I know!" Lorelai shouted.
Luke's booming voice from inside the diner shook them from their reverie. "Lorelai, Rory, you're scaring the customers."
Rory followed her mother inside. "Hi, Luke. Good to see you, too."
Luke hugged Rory. "Good to have you here, kid."
"My baby's going to Harvard," Lorelai said.
Rory smiled. "So is Jess."
"My Jessie's going to Harvard," Lorelai stated.
Jess rolled his eyes and looked at Luke. "Are you sure about this whole marriage thing?"
Luke shrugged. "Unfortunately."
Rory and Lorelai smiled at the two boys. "He likes you."
Lorelai beamed. "Yeah. He does."
Rory watched as Jess, Luke and Lorelai maneuvered around the diner. She and Jess would be leaving soon for Harvard. Lorelai had informed them that their request to room together had been accepted, which made life a bit easier.
"Ready?" Jess asked.
Rory took a sip of her coffee and nodded. "Yeah."
Jess smiled and she followed him.
"Rory!" Lorelai called.
Rory turned around. "Yeah?"
Lorelai made her way over to Rory. "You didn't mention Tristan. Is something wrong?"
Rory's eyes softened. "It's over, Mom. He didn't want me."
"Oh, honey," Lorelai said, hugging her daughter. "That's not true. Trust me."
Rory smiled. "I have to go, Mom. I'll call you when we get there."
"Okay," Lorelai said. "Have a safe trip."
"Have a safe trip, Rory," Luke called.
"Bye!" Rory said.
Jess looked at Rory as she got in the car. "We're going to Harvard."
Rory smiled. "It looks like it."
Rory sighed contentedly as she prepared to fall asleep. Her classes would start the next day and she still couldn't believe she was here.
"Night Rory," Jess whispered.
Rory smiled. "Night, Jess."
Tristan sat on one of the fence posts that surrounded his land. He couldn't believe Rory had been gone for three days already.
He wondered what she was doing. He knew that Joie had talked to Jess and that they were already moved in and classes would start the next day. He knew that Rory and Jess were sharing a dorm together.
Tristan sighed. He then looked out at the fireflies that were now coming out. He thought back to the first time he and Rory had kissed.
He knew what he needed to do.