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. "Collide" belongs to Howie Day -- who isn't that great in concert, but he's nice to look at nonetheless.
Author's Note: Thanks so much for your reviews. Sorry for not updating, I've been working on my application to Washington and Lee University (for anyone who doesn't know, it's a really good school) so my thoughts have been mainly with that. However, seeing as I can either chew my nails until I find out whether or not I've been accepted or write more, I decided to write more. I hope you're all happy with this, because I'm putting in some Trory action to tide you over until they finally get together (it may be awhile!)
Chapter 9: Collide
Friday. The most wonderful day of the week. The day that should have a crown and a saber and permission to rule all other days.
Those were only some of the thoughts running through Rory's mind as she made her way downstairs to the diner, where Logan was waiting patiently for her.
Tonight was Louise's 'We Need an Excuse to Have a Party so Welcome Back Rory' Party. Although Rory had at first been hesitant to go, she agreed on the condition that Logan or Lane could come with her. Lane had a gig, and Logan had a paper due on Monday, so Rory was going solo.
"Hello, Ace," Logan greeted.
Rory rolled her eyes. "And you still don't know my name."
Logan smiled at her and took her hand. "Are you sure you want to take the bus today?"
Rory nodded. "Yeah. I'm staying with Paris tonight, and she'll bring me back tomorrow morning."
"Does the warden know you're not coming home tonight?" Jess asked, interrupting Logan before he had a chance to speak.
"Yes, Jess," Rory responded. "I rhymed!"
"Subject," Jess stated.
"Luke knows I'll be at Mom's tonight," Rory said.
"Good. Huntzberger, let's get to school," Jess ordered, taking Logan's sleeve and dragging him.
Logan stopped walking and made his way back to Rory. "I'll see you in the morning."
Rory smiled and took his hands in hers. "You will."
Logan kissed Rory good-bye and followed Jess to school. Rory made her way to the bus stop and waited. She knew today would certainly be a long day.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the day for students. Ms. Rinald, however, was not about to let them leave without putting a cloud in their sun.
"Remember everyone," she said. "Speeches are due next week."
Louise linked her arm with Rory as they left the class. "Excited about my party?"
Rory nodded. "Actually, I am. I think it'll be fun."
Louise smiled. "Good, because I have it on good authority that many boys will be coming."
"And yet you seem to forget she's taken," Paris interjected.
"Is she married to him?" Madeline asked, joining the trio.
"No, but very happy," Rory said. "And standing in the middle of you three."
"Ah, yes, the ever present being that is Rory Gilmore," Paris retorted.
Rory put her arm around Paris. "Are you nervous about the upcoming festivities, Paris?"
"No," Paris replied. "Just happy that you will be there to keep me company."
"Yeah," Madeline agreed. "Because misery just loves company."
Paris rolled her eyes. "The one witty comeback you have, and you use it on me."
Madeline began to say something, but Rory stopped walking and saw Tristin at her locker. The other three girls looked in front of them.
Paris laid a hand on Rory's shoulder. "Should we…"
"I need to talk to him, Paris," Rory said. "May as well be now."
Louise, Madeline and Paris walked by Tristin and out of the school. Tristin watched them walk away, then looked to Rory, who was nervously walking to him.
"Hi," she greeted.
Tristin ran his hand through his tousled hair. "Hey."
"I'm back," she said. "In case you didn't notice me."
"I did," Tristin replied. "Your sort of hard to miss."
Rory smiled. "Of course. Paris said I'm an ever present being."
Tristin smiled at Rory. "You always have been. Things weren't the same without you."
"Yeah," Rory said. "I heard you changed. A lot."
"Do you want to go somewhere?" Tristin asked.
"Sure," Rory answered quickly -- too quickly, in her opinion.
"Let's go," Tristin said.
"I have to put my stuff in my locker," Rory responded.
Tristin stood with her as she put her things in her locker. He put his arm around her as they walked outside to his car. Rory looked over at Paris, Louise and Madeline, who were all staring at them.
Rory got in Tristin's car, remembering the numerous times she'd done it in the past. It hadn't been recently, though, she realized. She remembered the last time she had been in Tristin's car was the day she'd told him about Caleb.
Tristin started the car and drove toward his house. Rory remembered going there so many times when she was younger. Their sleepovers were a tradition -- but had not lasted when she'd left for Stars Hollow.
She followed Tristin to his bedroom, where she sat on his couch and watched as he rid himself of his tie, blazer, and oxford.
Tristin sat down on his bed opposite Rory. "So…"
"You didn't say anything the whole way over," Rory said. "You didn't say anything on the way in here. You didn't say anything once we got here, but you want to talk?"
Tristin sighed. "Rory…"
"I waited, Tristin," Rory explained. "I waited for you to call me, or write me, or even show up unexpectedly. Not a day passed when I wasn't thinking about you. You never came, though. I found out from Paris after I left that you were hanging out with Duncan and Bowman. Tristin, I didn't even know you were sent to military school."
"I figured Louise, Paris or Madeline would have kept you informed," Tristin replied. "You seemed happy enough when I came to see you that day."
Rory walked over and sat next to Tristin. "Tristin, I fell for you long before you kissed me. I waited even after I was raped for you to realize that I loved you. You kissed me that day, though, and I thought everything had finally come together. I was heartbroken when you left that day."
"You and Logan are together," Tristin stated. "I saw you hugging him that day, Rory, and I thought maybe you thought that our kiss was a mistake."
Rory shook her head. "I didn't."
"What do we do now?" Tristin asked.
"I'm still with Logan," Rory responded. "And he makes me happy."
"I can make you happy," Tristin said.
Rory smiled sadly at Tristin. "It's not that simple."
Tristin stood up. "Dammit, Rory! Why can't it be? I love you, and you said you loved me. What is so wrong with our getting together?"
Rory stood up and faced Tristin. "Because, Tristin! I waited, and you never came for me, so I started talking to Logan and we became a couple. That means I'm his girlfriend until I decide I don't want to be, or until he doesn't want me to be. You don't get to make that decision!"
Tristin grabbed Rory and kissed her. Though surprised, she didn't fight him and instead deepened the kiss. Tristin wrapped his arms around Rory's waist as she brought hers around his neck.
The dawn is breaking
A light shining through
You're barely waking
And I'm tangled up in you
They broke the kiss long enough to breathe, but resumed quickly. Thoughts of what her friends would say flashed through Rory's mind, but she didn't care.
Well, I'm open you're closed
Where I follow you'll go
I worry I won't see your face
Light up again
"Are you sure you want to go to this party?" Tristin asked.
"Yeah," Rory said. "I'm sure."
"If you want to leave…"
Rory rested her hand on Tristin's. "I'll let you know."
"Good," Tristin said, turning off his car.
They got out of the car and stayed close together. Rory reached for Tristin's hand and was happy when he held firmly to hers.
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the wrong words seem to rhyme
Out of the doubt that fills my mind
I somehow find, you and I collide
Rory smiled at the song that was playing once they'd found their way inside Louise's house. She pulled Tristin to the floor amongst the other couples and rested her hands at the nape of his neck. Tristin pulled her close as they began to dance.
Paris watched from her spot on the stairs as Tristin and Rory danced. She had no idea just what had transpired in between the end of school and now, but she would corner Rory and get the information as soon as the song was over.
I'm quiet you know
You make the first impression
I found I'm scared to know I'm
Always on your mind
"Look out there, by Summer and Oliver," Louise said, pulling at Madeline's sleeve. "Rory and Tristin."
Madeline smirked. "I figured."
Louise nodded. "Yeah, me too."
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the stars refuse to shine
Out of the back you fall in time
I somehow find, you and I collide
Logan Huntzberger entered the party at Louise's house on a mission. He just wanted to see Rory tonight, and surprise her by showing he'd remembered their one year anniversary. He saw Louise first and smiled at her.
"Hey, Lou," Logan greeted.
Louise's eyes grew wide. "Hey, Logan. What are you doing here?"
"I was looking for Rory," Logan responded. "I was actually hoping to surprise her, since it's our one year anniversary."
"Dude, Gilmore is all over DuGrey!" one boy said to another as they walked by Logan and Louise.
"It's not what you think," Louise reasoned.
"Where is she?" Logan asked, his voice now cold.
"On the floor," Louise said. "Not, on the floor, but dancing out on the floor with Tristin."
Logan pushed past Louise and saw Rory and Tristin dancing close together, looking at one another as though they were the only people in the world.
Rory, however, turned her head and looked straight at Logan. She released herself from Tristin and ran after Logan as he made his way out of the house.
Don't stop here
I lost my place
I'm close behind
"Logan!" she called out. "It's not what you think!"
Logan kept walking. Rory kept chasing after him.
"Please, will you just listen to me!" she cried.
Logan stopped on the porch and waited for Rory. She tried to take his hand, but he pulled away from her.
"Logan," Rory said. "I…"
"You forgot it was our one year anniversary?" Logan asked, angry. "You forgot you had a boyfriend?"
"It's not like that," Rory said. "We were just dancing. We're just friends."
"Did I ever meet Tristin?" Logan asked. "I sure as hell don't remember him visiting you. Or calling you. Or even sending you a letter. Did he do any of that?"
Rory bit her lip. "No. He… he didn't do any of that."
"Then what the hell is he doing holding you like you two were dating?" Logan questioned.
Rory sighed. "It's not like that. Tristin was my best friend. I hadn't seen him in forever and I wanted to dance with him. It was just a dance, though, Logan. I love you, I'm your girlfriend. It didn't mean anything."
Rory saw Logan begin to calm down. He took her hand and laced his fingers through hers.
"Happy anniversary," she offered.
Logan smiled at her. "You sure know how to make weak, Ace."
Rory smiled. "I know."
Logan kissed Rory. She hugged him tightly, pushing the memory of the kiss she and Tristin had shared out of her mind.
But that was the thing -- she couldn't get it out of her mind. The two times Tristin had kissed her had carried more fire than any of the kisses she and Logan had shared.
But she didn't want to think about that now. She wanted to focus on the boy in front of her.
"You want to dance?" Rory asked. "Inside, of course."
Logan smiled at Rory and followed her back in the house, where the song was still playing. Logan held Rory close, and she smiled at him as he kissed her. Paris rolled her eyes and made her way over to Tristin, who was standing by the alcohol.
"Hey," she said.
Tristin looked at Paris and smiled. "Hey, Paris. How's your night?"
"Probably not as bad as yours," she responded.
Tristin directed his gaze back to the brunette dancing with the blond. "Probably not."
Paris put her hand on Tristin's shoulder. "It's good to have you back, Tris."
Tristin put his arm around Paris. "It's good to be back."
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the wrong words seem to rhyme
Out of the doubt that fills your mind
You finally find, you and I collide