Rating: Teen, for implied sexual situations including rape and situations involving the tragic disorders of anorexia nervosa and bulimia
Summary: There are two tragedies in life. One is to lose your heart's desire. The other is to gain it. AU Trory.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the idea for this story and any characters not recognized. All else is the property of Amy Sherman-Palladino. The quote in the summary is by George Bernard Shaw. "Memory" belongs to Sugarcult.
Author's Note: Thanks so much for your reviews. Rory's moving day.
Chapter 5: Memory
Rory dragged her suitcase behind her. Luke was standing outside her room with her mother talking. He'd readly agreed to let her stay with him. She smiled at the sound of their voices.
Lorelai knocked on Rory's door. "Babe, are you ready?"
"Yeah," Rory responded, dragging her suitcase behind her out of her room.
She stopped when she saw the people in the living room -- in plaid. She smiled.
"We couldn't let you leave without a good-bye, Rory," Summer said.
Paris walked over to Rory. "You're the ringleader. It won't be the same without you."
Rory smiled at her friends. "Thanks, guys."
Madeline made her way to Rory. "No problem, Queen of Chilton."
Rory rolled her eyes. "Not even close."
Matt smiled at her. "Always."
Rory found herself surrounded by her best friends -- minus one. "Where's Tristin?"
"We thought he was here," Madeline said.
"I guess he didn't want to say good-bye," Louise added.
Rory hugged Oliver. Everyone else joined in.
"I'll miss you guys," Rory said. "I'll visit when I'm okay."
"Good," Matt replied. "It's not going to be the same without you there to get us in trouble."
Lorelai and Luke smiled at the group of teenagers gathered around Rory.
Rory felt the love surrounding her, but she couldn't shrug off the fact that Tristin wasn't there.
"I'll visit," Rory said.
They all smiled at her before turning to leave. Rory turned to her mother, who was crying.
"I'll miss you, baby," Lorelai said, enveloping Rory into a hug.
Rory hugged her mother tightly. "I'll miss you. I have to do this, though."
Lorelai nodded, kissing her daughter's head as she did so. "I know, kid. I know."
They separated and Luke cleared his throat. "Rory, why don't you take your stuff to the car. I have to talk to your mom for a minute."
Rory nodded and made her way outside, where she was greeted with the one person who mattered most to her. "Tristin."
"I knew they'd come," he said. "I wanted to say good-bye to you alone."
Rory looked down at the ground and set her bag down. "Oh."
Tristin stepped closer to Rory and took her hands in his. "I don't know what I'll do without you."
Rory buried her face in Tristin's chest. "You'll be fine."
Tristin shook his head. "No. No I won't."
"You will," Rory said. "I know you will."
Tristin brought Rory's eyes to meet his. "You were the one good thing I had going for me."
On impulse, or whatever central force that guided her, Rory kissed Tristin. She felt his hands bring her closer to him. She brought her hands to his face, feeling the coarse whiskers that sprinkled his face. She gently pulled away from him and rested her head on his.
"Rory," he whispered. "Please come back."
Rory closed her eyes and felt a tear slip down her cheek. "I promise."
Tristin kissed Rory once more and walked away. She wiped away the tear as she heard Luke and her mother come outside.
"You ready, kiddo?" Lorelai asked.
Rory looked at her mom. She then looked at her pale skin and the poles that had once been her arms. She felt the sun on her face and basked in the warm glow.
"Yeah," Rory said. "I'm ready."
Luke took Rory's bag. "Let's go, Rory."
Rory smiled at her mother and hugged her once more. "I'll visit, Mom. I promise."
"Okay," Lorelai choked out. "You better."
Rory made her way to the door Luke had opened for her. "Thank you, Luke."
Luke looked at Rory and smiled. "No problem, Rory."
Rory got into the truck and saw her mother go inside. She knew it was a new beginning for her. She hoped that she could get it right this time.