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. "Follow Through" belongs to Gavin DeGraw -- who is by far the best singer ever!
Author's Note: Thanks so much for your reviews. For those who are wondering why everyone's saying good-bye: Rory won't be visiting until she feels she is better, and her friends won't visit until she says. Tristin will be the most torn up about this, because he and Rory kissed. Surprises are in store, however! Dean will not be in this story… Jess is, but he and Rory will only be friends, other familiar characters will be in here, I won't say whether or not they pose a threat to Rory and Tristin… hehehe!
Chapter 6: Follow Through
Rory followed Luke upstairs to his apartment. She'd received a number of stares from the quirky people of Stars Hollow when she'd entered the diner. She wanted so badly to ask them what they were staring at, but held her tongue as she made her way through the diner to the stairs.
"This is your side," Luke said, showing her a bed and nightstand. "It's not much, but I'm getting a desk moved in here so you can do your schoolwork. Your mom said you were pretty serious about that."
Rory nodded. "Yeah. I'm the first in my class."
"You'll do fine at Stars Hollow High, then," Luke responded. "With that bunch of airheads over there, they'll think you're the next Einstein. My nephew goes there -- Jess Mariano. He lives up here, too. Over on that side."
Rory smiled at him. She looked across the room into the mirror, though, and her smile began to fade.
The girl in the mirror had long stringy hair that was shed all over her clothing. Her shirt was too big, and she looked as though she was being swallowed by a pair of jeans. Her eyes were only noticeable if one were to look past the dark circles. She sighed and set her bags on the bed.
"What's good to eat around here?" Rory asked.
Luke smiled at her. "Want a hamburger and some fries?"
Rory nodded. "That sounds good."
"Ms. Rinald, may we see Caleb Prescott in the front office?" Headmaster Charleston asked the teacher.
She nodded. "Of course."
Caleb eyed Tristin and Paris, but followed Headmaster Charleston.
Tristin and Paris looked at one another, aware of what would happen to Caleb.
"Caleb, this is Lorelai Hayden, Rory Hayden's mother, she would like to speak with you," Headmaster Charleston said. "Ms. Hayden, go ahead."
Lorelai smiled at Caleb. "Nice to meet you."
Once she saw Charleston leave, she grabbed Caleb by his shirt collar.
"Just thought I'd let you know that my daughter hasn't forgotten that little stunt you pulled," Lorelai said. "Don't think I was pleased with how she handled the situation, but I wasn't there and she didn't have anyone. Now, she's off in some place with an ex of mine because she doesn't want to face you."
Caleb looked at Lorelai. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Of course you don't," Lorelai responded. "I used that lie all the time when my parents brought up something stupid I did. You, however, messed with the wrong girl. She is loved by everyone in this school."
"Yeah, I know," Caleb said. "I know why, too."
"You, smart ass, are going to have to watch what you say," Lorelai responded, releasing him from her grip.
Caleb began to walk away from her, but Lorelai stopped him.
"Oh, by the way, if you think Rory and I won't press charges, you're sorely mistaken."
Rory started school three weeks after her arrival in Stars Hollow. She hadn't wanted people to see her looking horrible, and had managed to gain three pounds since her arrival in the small town. She walked into her first class and was greeted by stares.
"Class we have a new student with us today," the teacher stated. "This is Lorelai Hayden. Anything you want us to know about you?"
Rory smiled. "Everyone calls me Rory."
The teacher smiled at Rory. "Well, Rory, welcome to Stars Hollow High. I see you transferred here from Chilton."
"Probably some rich trust fund baby," a girl said.
Rory looked at the girl. She seemed to be Asian, probably Korean. Her long black hair was highlighted with blue. She had on a Clash t-shirt.
Rory shrugged. "Not hardly."
The girl looked at Rory. Rory stared back. A new challenge.
The teacher pointed to a seat beside the girl. "You can have a seat beside Lane. It seems Lane has already introduced herself."
Rory made her way to the desk beside Lane. Lane looked her up and down.
"Not a trust fund baby?" Lane asked.
"The unfortunate product of teenage socialites," Rory responded. "I'm Rory Hayden."
Lane smiled at Rory. "Lane Kim. Nice to meet you."
"You, too," Rory replied.
Rory made her way to the lunch room with a bag of Luke's food. She looked around, but didn't recognize anyone.
"Hayden!" she heard.
Rory turned around and saw Lane standing with a few guys. She hesitated when Lane signaled for her to join them, but decided to sit with them.
"This is Dave Rygalski, Logan Huntzberger and Jess Mariano," Lane said.
"Mariano? You're Luke's nephew," Rory greeted.
Jess nodded. "Yeah. Seems like you and I are going to be roomies."
Rory smiled. "Yeah."
"Too skinny," Logan said.
Rory looked up at him. "Excuse me?"
"You're too skinny," Logan repeated. "Do they not feed you at Chilton?"
"They do," Rory said. "I just don't eat."
"So, Rory, what kind of music do you like?" Dave asked.
"Everything," Rory answered. "Gavin DeGraw, Gwen Stefani, Frank Sinatra."
"Quite an eclectic mix," Jess said. "Am I going to have to listen to any of those late at night?"
Rory shook her head. "No. The only person who gets those privileges is Tristin."
"Who's Tristin?" Lane asked. "Boyfriend?"
Rory shrugged. "I'm not sure right now."
"Oh, he's one of those," Logan said.
"One of those?" Rory inquired.
"He posed as your best friend, but the day you left he told you that you were the one good thing he had and kissed you," Logan informed her.
Rory laughed. "You just described Tristin."
"He's one of those guys," Dave said. "Who's your best friend this week, Logan?"
Logan smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know Rygalski?"
Lane rolled her eyes. "You'll have to excuse Logan. He's a pig."
Rory smiled. "He reminds me of Tristin."
"Second time you've mentioned him," Jess noted. "Like him?"
Rory smiled. "Not sure yet."
Lane giggled. "You like him. You do."
Rory thought back to their good-bye. She'd kissed him -- not the other way around. He had kissed back, though. What did that make them? Rory rubbed her forehead, tired of thinking about it.
"Hungry?" Jess asked. "Luke said you liked his hamburgers."
Rory nodded. "Yeah, I do."
"Have some," Jess said, digging one out of her bag.
Rory took the burger and bit into it. She willed herself not to run to the bathroom and instead smiled as she began to eat.
"Are you some sort of food worshipper?" Lane asked.
Rory swallowed her food. "Long story."
Lane eyed Rory cautiously. "Want to come over after school?"
"Sure," Rory replied.
Paris watched as Tristin made his way over to Duncan and Bowman -- two of the most notorious people in school. Those two had been in enough trouble to last them a lifetime and still share.
Louise stood beside Paris. "Is he serious?"
Paris shrugged. "I don't think any of us are anymore. Not with Rory."
Louise looked down at her books. "How is she?"
"Haven't spoken to her," Paris replied. "She's only been there for three weeks, though."
"How about Caleb?" Louise asked.
"He plead out," Paris responded. "No jail time. Community service, military school."
Madeline walked over to Paris. "Is Tristin actually hanging out with them?"
Louise and Paris both shrugged. They saw Tristin turn to look at them, but he didn't acknowledge their presence, and instead made his way out of the school with Duncan and Bowman.
Matt and Oliver walked over to the group of girls. "Hey."
They all looked up at them. "Hey."
"So happy to see us, Olly," Matt said.
Madeline rolled her eyes. "Guys, do you not see someone here?"
"Besides Rory?" Paris added.
"Tristin," Oliver said. "He's been hanging out with Duncan and Bowman."
"How's Rory?" Matt asked.
Paris' cell phone went off. "I'll tell you in a second. Hey, Rory!"
Rory smiled at the sound of her friend's voice. "Hey, Paris. How are you?"
"Good," Paris said. "You? Meet anyone?"
Rory laughed. "No. I made a friend, though. Her name's Lane. She's in a band with her boyfriend, Dave, and two guys named Zack and Bryan, who don't go to Stars Hollow High, but one in the next town over. I also met Logan, who said I'm too skinny, and Jess, who is Luke's nephew and apparently never home."
"I see," Paris replied. "Are they nice to you?"
"They are," Rory assured her. "And I've gained three pounds."
"That's awesome, Ror," Paris said. "Good for you."
A silence followed. Paris heard Rory cough, and heard the sound of a gruff man repeating names of various foods.
"How's… umm…" Rory trailed off.
"Tristin doesn't hang out with us anymore," Paris said. "He's been with Duncan and Bowman."
"Oh," Rory's voice sounded distant.
"Hayden!" Paris heard someone yell. "Get your ass out here!"
"I have to go, Paris," Rory said. "I'll call Tristin tonight. Don't tell him, though."
"Secret's safe with me," Paris responded. "Bye, Rory."
"Bye," Rory replied.
Paris closed her phone. "She's okay. She's calling Tristin tonight. Don't tell him."
The group nodded and made their way out of the school, their minds on the girl who was not there, and the boy who needed her most.
Rory made her way outside with Lane. "What do you want?"
Lane put her arm around Rory. "Want to come to practice with us? Logan wants you to."
Rory rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll come. Only because you say Logan wants me to."
Jess appeared by Rory's side. "Hey, roomie."
Rory laughed. "Hey, roomie."
Lane ran over to Dave, leaving Rory and Jess to themselves. Jess put his arm around Rory when he saw Logan.
"Protecting me?" Rory questioned.
Jess smirked. "Maybe."
No one noticed the boy in the too expensive sports car watching them. The boy with a rose in the passenger seat. The boy who cringed when Rory smiled as she hugged the blond boy.