Fate Can't Deny: They Never Saw It Coming
"I can't believe you talked me into this…this…"
"It's just a party Ace."
"Blasphemy!" she burst out. They'd taken a train out of Connecticut to go all the to a college party at Princeton. "So tell me why, we had to go to another college just for a party. I mean I was perfectly happy at my own college," Rory pouted.
"We're here to visit Finn," Logan reminded her. This reason no longer seemed worth it, in her mind. Together they strolled up the terrace, Logan's arm draped over her shoulder protectively, as if at any moment a swarm of Princeton college guys would snatch her away.
"I hear music," Rory remarked, which seemed strange since the party was in front of them and the music was coming from behind them.
Logan pulled his cell phone out of his back pocket, and stopped walking holding it up to Rory. "This music?" he asked rhetorically. "Good job, Ace," he added before putting the phone to his ear. Rory watched him pace back and forth in what little illumination there was. The skies were dark by this point. This only added to Rory's irritation with the longevity of their road trip, seeing as they left when it was still bright out. She'd toned out Logan's conversation and thanked herself for wearing ballet flats instead of heels; her feet had been through enough.
Logan walked over to her putting his hand over the receiver. "This may take a while. Go ahead Ace. I'll find you," he whispered to her, leaning in and placing a kiss on her forehead. She nodded in response, turning towards the building of dorms where the party had just begun.
---
Although Sam hadn't been interested in the party Finn had invited her to she found herself in the middle of it. She locked her door, to prevent her drunk and horny classmates from stumbling in.
"Alright I'm coming up," Tristin warned. "We're in the middle of the party; we might as well join in."
It'd been a long first week, and both of them were anything but in the mood for a party. But Finn had pretty much taken over Tristin's dorm, he didn't have a choice and he wasn't going alone.
"Butttt," Sam whined.
"No buts allowed."
"Ugh fine," she gave in.
"Okay five minutes and I'll be there," he instructed.
"Wait," she interrupted. "What exactly are you expected to wear to a 'party'?"
"Whatever you wear I'm sure you'll look beautiful," he said hanging up.
"No help!" she muttered into the phone, before setting it down.
Trudging over to her closet she pulled out a pair of pale blue jeans, and matched it with a turquoise tank top and a deep red sweater. Once dressed she placed herself in front of the vanity mirror, and pinned the top half of her hair into a pony tail and applied a thin coat of red-tinted lip gloss to her already rosy lips.
There was a knock at the door. Sam smiled; it'd only been 3 minutes of the promised 5. "What?" she called out.
"Little pigs, little pigs let me in or I'll blow you house down!" Tristin recited to the other side of the door.
"Not by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin!" she yelled back. Tristin perched himself in the door way, and knocked again politely.
"Just a minute," she said. "I haven't finished making myself look human."
On the other side of the door Tristin laughed quietly to himself. The door then swung open and there she was, standing before him.
"Now thanks to your lack of instruction on what to wear to a party, I look like a Beverly hill Billy." She caught a glimpse of his smile; he hadn't done a good job at hiding it. "Oh, you think this is funny!" she placed her hand in his chest applying enough pressure to get him out of the doorway, as she closed the door behind her and locked it.
"Well…yeah," he said wrapping his arms around her.
"You'll pay," she said sarcastically before taking off down the hall. Tristin had to run to catch up with her. Grabbing her hand he laced his fingers in hers as they made their way down to the floor below where the core of the party was. The music grew louder as they went down the stairs. Already the hall was lined with couples passed out, liquor in hand.
---
Rory stood her ground, by the refreshments table in the corner. She didn't trust that any food hadn't been contaminated, so she remained empty handed. She watched half naked girl's dance, a ton of guys chug beer, who in the end started giving her a good look up and down. Her regrets to even coming to this party grew with every second. Her eyes scanned the room every five minutes, in hope of finding Logan.
Rory let her eyes wander the room; everything looked almost exactly the way it did when she got there. Her eyes skimmed over the entrance way, and settled when she saw a little blonde walk in. At first she wasn't sure but with examination she recognized Sam Montgomery, the girl from the copy room. She immediately made her way over, pushing through the crowd of dancers. Turning sideways she squeezed past the last couple landing in front of Sam.
Sam was surprised to find Rory at the party, even more so that she stood before her. With her in the room Sam found herself sub-conscious. "Hey Gilmore," she said, stepping forward and embracing Rory in a slight hug. "What are you doing here?"
Rory had just become aware of the figure beside Sam, his arm curved around the blonde's waist. When she concentrated on his face she came to recognize him too. Her jaw dropped as her gaze remained on Tristin.
Tristin hadn't realized it, but he'd been staring mercilessly at the young Gilmore ever since she stepped through the crowd. It was to his disbelief, when the two women he loved, one past, the other present, took to each other so easily, as if they'd met before.
A moment's wait, Rory had yet to respond to Sam's question. But just before Sam concluded that she possibly hadn't heard her over the music she realized it wasn't that at all. The expression on Rory's face told it all. Looking back at Tristin's face, both were similar. She thought it'd be no use to introduce the two, seeing as they already seemed to know.
"Do you two…" she started.
"Dugrey," Rory said mechanically.
"Mary," Tristin responded his smile lengthening his lips.
Rory still remained in shock. "I haven't seen you since…You go here?" she began.
"Since, I was shipped off to military school…and Princeton, yes."
"Wow, I didn't know you wanted to go to Princeton."
Sam watched the intensity of their conversation. Absorbed in each other, Sam couldn't help but realize. She was the one he said he'd loved, and she was back. Where could that possibly leave her? Their connection, their past, history was evident. This sent her nerves flying. Tristin had faked love, he'd failed her, she thought to herself. As much as she liked Rory, she found herself wishing they'd never met. She let out a sigh, and turned towards the door, as she quietly made her way through the partiers and out of the terrace. Breaking through the door, she inhaled a deep breath. 'Free,' she thought. She wasn't upset with Tristin or the Gilmore girl. Sam was mainly upset with herself for believing in love.
"Welcome to hell on earth!" a drunken Finn, said into her ear, possible too close for comfort. His breath reeked of beer, and he stood topless beside her, less then a foot away. Sam wrinkled her nose to the smell.
"Hell!" he repeated, this time calling out to the darkness. A few people turned their heads to witness the Australians drunken escapade.
"If you're so interested in hell why don't you go there," Sam snapped at Finn, who was too intoxicated to realize what had happened. Rolling her eyes she began strolling over to the library. Hugging herself to create a small barrier against the chill of the night.
Finn attacked her from behind, his arms cast around her shoulders. Sam jumped forward to escape his grasp. He fell forward drunkenly, hitting the grass face-first. He lay there pathetically wincing on the ground. She felt sympathetic, for the drunk.
"Are you all right?" she asked, kneeling down beside him.
"Hug!" he pouted.
She now knew what he was doing, and felt guilty for acting so hostile. Sam began to apologize, as she saw his eyes waver shut.
"Great" she muttered. She couldn't just leave him there. Could she? She removed her sweater and draped it over his bare back, before continuing her stroll.
Sam had been gone a good 20 minutes before either Tristin Dugrey, or Rory Gilmore noticed. They'd both been lost in each other, in their little reunion.
"I'd better go find her" Tristin suggested, regretting the face he'd have to leave her again.
"Yeah, I'd better go find my date too"
They smiled wearily at one another, walking out onto the terrace. Walking out Tristin caught sight of Sam's red sweater, only it wasn't her that was sporting it. It was Finn. Looking up he saw Sam's slim figure against the backdrop of the library building. He took out his cell phone and called her. Watching her stop, take it out of her back pocket, look down at it, and continue on, replacing it into her pocket.
Tristin rolled his eyes in response, looking over at Rory who's eyes were focussed in the other direction. "I…" he started to say, pointing in Sam's direction.
Rory nodded, and pointed in the other direction "I'm going this way" she told him. "It was really nice seeing you again" she added.
"Don't be a stranger" he said lastly before taking off in a jog towards the library.
Catching up to Sam, she was well aware of his presence. The continuous panting, and heard of footsteps prepared her for his arrival.
"So is that what you do everytime I call?" he asked still out of breathe. His chest heaving in and out, gasping for air.
Sam remained silent her eyes staring directly at the path in front of her. "I guess this means, you put it together. The whole me and Rory thing" he sounded worried. "Well, I guess if you hadn't I just gave it away." He sighed as they walked in silence. When they reached the steps Sam stopped and sat down near the top. Tristin followed her example.
"You love her…" she whispered.
"I did love her…past tense" he corrected.
"Did, Do it's all the same" she turned her head towards him, resting her chin on her shoulder. "When you think about it… You two never really had your chance at love."
"So far it was a one way thing, Sam. So logically nothing could've or would've ever happened"
"I saw the way she looked at you, and you her. I mean how long until you even noticed I was missing? 20, 30 minutes? That's proof in itself."
"I don't think jealousy goes with that outfit… Speaking of which. What is Finn-"
"Long story" she interrupted. Sam crossed her arms in front of her, hugging her knees to her chest in an attempt to stay warm.
"Sam"
"Hmm?"
"I did love her. But now, I am in love with you" he reassured her, moving closer and pulling her body into his. Her head lay on his chest listening to his heartbeat. His chin rested on her head as he found happiness, and comfort in her scent, and in the way she felt in his arms. In the tranquility of darkness they sat, the glow of the street lamp before them, was all the light they needed.
It was already 11 o'clock before Logan had got rid of the phone conversation and managed to track down Rory. Not to his surprise, he found her sitting on a park bench, book in hand.
He flopped down in the seat next to her. "Good evening Ace," he said almost apologetically leaning over and placing a kiss on her cheek.
She looked at him. "You know, I read this book…about this girl and her newlyfound friend, You see, it turns out that one friend is dating the others ex-crush-thing, that she hasn't seen since he was shipped off to military school. And so the whole thing climax's at a BIG party…"
"What happens at the party?" Logan asked, slightly amused with the tone in her voice.
"Well you'd have to have been there to know"
"Ace…" he moaned. "C'mon there's still some party left. I'll see what I can condor up." He said nudging her slightly with his elbow.
Rory smirked. "okay, okay!"
He held her hand tightly as they proceeded into the lobby once again. As they entered Rory struggled to fit her novel back into her purse.
"Have you seen Finn?" Logan asked, disrupting the process. She shook her head 'no'. She'd refrain from using her words, knowing her voice could never dominate the loud music.
Logan's eyes sparkled as he looked around at the partiers. It was just like old times. All Rory saw was a mess, of intoxicated limbs flailing about. "Let's dance!" he yelled, tugging her arm onto the designated 'dance floor'.
Rory groaned standing in front of Logan. She'd dismissed the fact that this was the first time she'd ever seen Logan dance. And what you would've thought to be a disaster was just another remake of 'Lord of the Lady's'.
"Moving is key!" someone shouted, dancing past her.
Rory remained still, uncomfortable in this environment, Logan could tell. As much as he wanted this 'blast from the past' he wanted her more. And in all fairness, he'd dragged her out to this. "Bathroom" Rory mouthed to him, pointing over her shoulder. Logan had stopped dancing and nodded, giving her a weary smile.
She bolted through the crowd, unsure of where she was headed. She passed multiple people whom gave her dirty looks; as if they knew she wasn't a Princeton student. Others stumbled right into her, without apologies they would continue down the hall. Rory reached the end of the hall and began rising the steps.
When the cold was too much for them, Tristin and Sam retired their 'cuddle-session' to Tristin's dorm, which he's cleared of drunken couples. So they might be alone, closing the door behind them.
Sam walked around the room, picking up random objects, studying them briefly, and putting them back into place.
Tristin watched quietly from his place in front of the door. "I'm tired," he finally let out yawning.
Sam spun in his direction, to face him. "Idea.." she smirked. "Why don't you lay down on the couch" she stood right beside it no, patting the back. "And we can pretend it's your funeral" she laughed.
Tristin threw his head back in fake laughter. "Funny!" he exclaimed.
"Oh, wait.." Sam proceeded, looking around the room. "There are too many people."
Tristins eyes narrowed playfully as he approached her. Sam's eyes widened, as she stood frozen in place, smiling innocently. Tristin grabbed her waist, sending her body crashing against his own. He looked down at her, and her up at him. Their eyes locked, but neither one said anything.
There had been a burning desire ignited in Tristin, as he lost himself in the beauty and laughter of her gleaming brown eyes. He had to have her, it was driving him crazy. Tightening his grip he pulled her up and crushed his lips against hers. Emersed in a deep kiss, Sam felt Tristins tongue line her lips, their tongues pushing against one another. Sam gripped his shoulders, her feet dangling as he held her tightly in his arms. She could only pray he wouldn't put her down, because she was sure her legs wouldn't withstand her own weight at the moment. Her knees felt weak, as their connection grew. As if he's read her mind, Tristin placed his hand on the back of her thigh and laid her down gently on the couch. Breaking their kiss, Tristin proceeded to lay on top of her, careful not to let all of his weight on her. He nuzzled his head in her neck, as he kissed it gently. Sam closed her eyes pushing her head back into the cushions, biting her bottom lip. Her arms lay loosely around Tristin's back. His need for her only grew, and her logic and sensibility became less present with every touch.
Backing away from her, Tristin sat up, his eyes still fixated on the blonde beneath him. He pulled his shirt off, dropping it carelessly on the ground, and lowering himself down again, placing another kiss on her lips.
When his fingers began to trace her shoulders, pushing down the strap of her bra; it was then she knew… This wasn't ending. Her mind raced with indecision. It would all come down to trust…
The young Gilmore completed her self-led tour of the building by circulating each floor, peering into the occasional open door. She continued to avoid going back down to the party, by retracing her steps down each hall on her way back down.
Rory knew she was stalling her return to the party, she also knew that she had told Logan she would go, she just hoped he wouldn't think too much about her 30 minute 'bathroom' trip. As she took the stairs down to the floor below her, she heard the pounding beat of the music get louder and she knew she must be getting closer to the party. Sighing she hopped off the last step and hugged her arms to her chest, as she wandered the hall.
"Hey Tim! Go Long!"
Rory jumped, her head snapping up to the loud drunken yell. Ahead of her there were a group of guys, one holding a football and another, whom she assumed was Tim, running backwards towards her. Rory quickly flattened herself against the wall as Tim dove for the football. Rory guessed he was more then just intoxicated because, he'd dove for the ball…after it hit the ground. He landed beside her, face first on the ground. Tim lifted his head off the ground, his eyes slowly tracing up Rory's bare legs that soon disappeared under her dress. Then up to her chest, and finally her face. Rory shifted nervously, her cheeks going a dark red, as he obviously checked her out.
"Nice hands," she muttered.
"Nice legs," he said back, a wicked smile coming over his face.
Rory's eyes widened and she went to walk away from him. When she looked up, all the other guys had crowded around, blocking the hall.
"Well, Hello Princess…" one of them said, his eyes certainly not focussed on her face.
Panic entered her eyes, as her heart started to pound. Until she swore it was louder then the music. "The party!" Rory felt relief as she thought about the party happening a few floors below them. "I'm gonna go," she said, backing up and then quickly taking off down the staircase. She just hoped that the group was too drunk to follow or stop her.
Without warning Rory was immersed in the crowd, and she pushed herself through it, her eyes searching frantically for Logan. She couldn't find him at first, but as she walked further into the party she heard his voice over the music and the hum of students chatting mercilessly. She turned around, following the voice.
It was then she saw him, seated with a group of guys surrounding him. The cards gave him away Logan had always been one for poker. Betting off anything and everything that he'd received from his father of great fortune. Rory had a theory; her theory was that selling off any possessions given to him by his father was a harmless pay-back. For what, Rory never knew, but this was her sole reason for never stopping him in the act. She stalked her way over to where he was sitting, it didn't take him long tonotice her towering over his shoulder.
"Hey Kidd-o!" he let out. Logan was hardly aware that it wasn't just his eyes that were set on the fragile brunette. Rory frowned and sat down next to him, painfully aware of the fact he's been drinking and had left her now, to fend for herself at the party HE'D taken her to.
With this thought her stomach turned, and she solemnly wished Tristin hadn't left her side earlier. Or maybe she was wishing she hadn't left Logan's? Emotion ran through her, leaving her lost and confused. Princeton was the last place she wanted to be. Yet it was the one place she was.
"Mom?"
"Rory! Prodigal Daughter. Fellow Sister. Soulmate! What's up?"
"What are you doing?"
"I'm planting bulbs."
"Bulbs?"
"Bulbs."
"Bulbs?"
"Bulbs."
"Hey, are we in a loop?"
"A bulby kind of, loop de loop!"
"So you've got no concept of time, then?"
"Say…what?"
"It's twelve."
"Oh yeah! I wasn't serious."
"Shouldn't you be sleeping?"
"I was, but my insane daughter Margaret Kidder Gilmore woke me up."
"Well…We all have parties in our past. As it turns out one of mine is present!"
"And there'll be more, no doubt, in your future kid!"
"This 'Kid' thing seems to be of some plague, that only I, Margaret Kidder Gilmore am immune to.."
"Huntzberger?"
"Who else? He dragged me all the way to Princeton for a college party."
"Oh, NO!"
"Oh No, is right. But No, NO that's not all… He went and got himself drunk!"
"That weasel" Lorelai whispered sarcastically into the phone. "I guess I'll just have to put on my red, white, and blue leotards. Grab my golden lasso and fly the invisible plane on over to save you!"
"That'd be very Wonder woman of you."
"I try. So are you going to be okay hun?"
"Yes, MOTHER GILMORE. I'll be fine. I just needed to hear a friendly voice…"
"All right, DAUGHTER GILMORE. I just wanted to make sure. Why is your voice no longer satisfying?"
" I quit talking to myself a while ago…"
And I was not informed! Woe is me! You no longer sound like my offspring!"
" I ran into Tristin" Rory finally told her.
Lorelai seemed speechless. "At Princeton?"
"Uh Huh"
"I never took Pretty-boy as the Princeton type"
"Nor did I"
"So.. How is he?"
"He's… Good, I guess."
Lorelai knew about Rory's former crush on Tristin, and it worried her to see the possibility of history repeating itself. "So is he-"
"He's seeing someone…Yes"
"Are you okay with that?"
"It's none of my business"
"Yeah, you're right…Okay"
"I have to go" Rory intervened, suddenly disappointed with the fact that her own mother had brought up such an open wound.
"All right, play safe kid"
Rory hung up, making her way over to the park bench once again. It'd been a long night and her body slowly began to sink into the effect of it all. Her eyelids grew heavy as she drifted off to sleep on the open Princeton terrace.
So I hope you liked this chapter. It's been a long weekend without anything to do... So writing is the solution. I'm stoked to write the next chapter, we've begun already. Thanks again for reviewing... Keep it up! Feedback keeps us going. Even if you really have no suggestions, review so we know we have readers out there! Much appreciated!
Love Always,
Samantha and Ella