Rory hadn't seen Tristan all week. Well sure she had seen him…but she sure as hell hadn't seen him. Like she had been before Cassidy Sanders had showed up. The girl appeared everywhere Tristan was, it seemed. The more annoying part was the way Tristan acted. The way the two of them acted. Like friends…like really, really good friends. They didn't even make out in public for Christ's sake. She ate lunch with his friends and they seemed to have taken to the girl. Tristan didn't appear to be flaunting her in anyway…more protective. Rory was becoming more and more uptight. Not only did she miss Tristan, she missed the feel of his hands sliding down her back, his lips on her neck, and god. She could really use something to help get rid of the stress of midterms, she thought to herself.

And there's the happy couple now, Rory noted.

"Hey guys," Rory said pleasantly. Well as pleasantly as she could manage.

"Hi Rory," Cassidy said smiling at her.

"Rory," Tristan said in greeting.

There was a slight pause and Rory flushed.

"Sorry I didn't mean to interrupt," she said awkwardly.

"Oh no, you aren't," Cassidy said friendly enough, "we were just talking about this weekend."

"Got any hot plans Mary?" Tristan said, joining the conversation.

"Not really," She answered lightly, secretly pleased with the use of the nickname. It was like a line to their past. She almost hoped Cassidy would pick up on it and ask …just so she could explain, kindly of course, that it was an inside joke between them.

No such luck though.

Cassidy forged on, "we were thinking of going to Madeline's party. I've yet to experience a Chilton party. What's your opinion of them?"

Rory answered slowly, "well…they aren't really my thing," she made sure to make eye contact with Tristan, "I usually bring a book to read. But sometimes interesting things can happen."

She hoped he would think of the last Chilton party Rory had attended, also in Madeline's house. She hoped he would think of the piano and the kiss.

Tristan didn't really react at all. His eyes were completely unreadable.

"A book that's so funny," Cassidy giggled.

"I would call it odd," Tristan said quietly. Their eyes met.

"You are very odd, you know that?"

So he did remember.