I stood in the shadows hidden partially behind the melee of blue robes. Leaning against the massive stone wall behind me. Just watching her. Rory stood their with her mother laughing, smiling, crying, and hugging. Their emotion was so genuine that it was infectious. They really loved each other and for that I was envious. Wishing wistfully that I had that kind of close knit relationship with my parents, but hell they hadn't even come. It was a warm spring day May 15th to be exact. Graduation day. That's right I Tristan Janlan Dugrey was a highschool graduate.

The ceremony had been beautiful and shoved elegance down your throat. It had been filled with rich snobs and I wondered how they managed to fit all that ego in one room. Rory had been valedictorian and I was so proud of her. Her speech was delivered eloquently and she showed the uttermost poise. The speech itself had almost moved me to tears. But she was like that even if you didn't know her you could see the love and kindness that she gave out freely to anyone who wanted it.

The weather was perfect a light breeze out of the east and warm. The sun warming the concrete beneath my feet. The air was heavy with expensive perfume. Groups were huddled people saying their final goodbyes not only to there friends but there childhood as well. Laugher filled the air and gave the scene a bittersweet quality.

Rory and I had been dating for two months and sixteen days now. And though I hadn't said it to her yet I was in love with her. Of course I had known this for almost a year now, but I had refrained from telling her not wanting to scare here off and ruin the beautiful fledgling of a relationship that we had created. My heart still swelled when I thought of it. I had wanted to wait to tell her till the perfect time. Hoping to let her fully get over the Dean debacle and it's aftermath.

I had seen Dean a few times around Stars Hallow. He never confronted us but I assume from Miss Patty that he knew. He nodded in acknowledgment when he saw me but other then that we steered clear of one another. It was decided early in our relationship that at first Rory and I wouldn't do a lot of "dating" around Stars Hallow it would hurt him to much. And even if they weren't together anymore he still meant something to her and I understood that, it's hard to give up your first relationship. It the ending of something and your irreparably changed by it.

We were taking things slow I wanted to give her all the time she needed to heal to accept and to move on. And I was just contented with the promise of a relationship. The sun shone warmly illuminating the Chilton grounds. Making the stoic prison I had devoted the last four years of life to a little less scary. All around me their were people bawling and hugging but I held back. These people, none of them had seen the real me, they knew the facade that I had at once worked so hard to make sure was seamless. Hiding my real self in a cool mask of cocky smiles and indifference. She was the only one to break through. Honestly she was the only one who had cared enough to try.

Rory turned and her gaze met mine she beamed her face tear streaked and angelic. She turned then to her mom and Sookie whispered something and started towards me. I winked at her. She looked absolutely phenomenal. Her cobalt blue eyes shone with a stunning brilliance and her smile was bittersweet and sincere. Her heels clicked sharply against the macadam as she neared.. Our eyes still locked and when she reached me I slug my arm around her slender shoulders and whispered my lips caressing the shell of her ears "Having fun Mary..." Radiating happiness with the fact that I could now do this without awkwardness.

"Of course Bible Boy now that you're here" she countered as she place her open hand on my chest. Folding complacently into my embrace. Everything just felt right. Her and me. And I realized with a startling urgency that I needed to tell her.

Even if at first she didn't say it back I couldn't bide my time anymore. This I knew. No more excuses. So I smiled trying to calm my racing heart and the butterflies that consumed my stomach with every touch she applied. It was so hard to think with her this close my mind was numbing and on pure impulse I removed my arm from her shoulders. Knowing that if I held on to her that I wouldn't be able to keep my mask of composure up. Trying in vain to still my frazzled nerves.

"Ror...I have something that..." I paused then collecting myself knowing that the next words I uttered would be the most significant words that I may even speak. I bit my lip unconsciously. Sighing and conceding to the task at hand. " I ...I mean Rory I love...you" I stumbled through the words tripping over them hastily. Anxious of what her response might be I averted my eyes not wanting to think of the consequences that my words might have if she didn't feel the same. Chastising myself for letting the words escape my mouth.

To my surprise she wrapped her arms around my neck pulling us only inches apart and with each word she spoke her lips brushed against my own. "Tris...I love you too" she emitted without hesitation. How could three little words evoke that much emotion. My mind reeled I was so deliriously blissful that I wrapped my arms around her waist and scooped her up in my arms as our lips met. The most surreally perfect moment of my life. She giggled giddily as I placed her delicately back down on the ground and even though my feet were firmly plated I felt like I was flying.

I knew without looking that people were staring but I didn't care. How could I the most perfect girl in the world loved me. We didn't talk then what else was their to say. My heart was still In my throat and I knew that I couldn't say anything if I had wanted too. Loralie spotted us and marched over here and Rory chatted and I listened intently commenting when asked but my thoughts were so far away from weather or not we'd go to Luke's after this. She had told me she loved me. The thought was surreal and as hard as I tried I could stop grinning like a deranged idiot.

I couldn't help feeling and overwhelming sense of closer as we strode from the Chilton grounds for the last time a few minutes later. This was the ending of something significant. The ending of one chapter and the promise of a new one. Looking back on the last four years of my life I realized how much I really had grown up. In the last few months I had really found myself. No longer needing to prove anything to anyone but myself. I reached out and clasped Rory's hand. We laced our fingers together and she squeezed lightly. A faint smile graced her lips. All of this had happened because she had given me a chance to grow looking past the facade into the real me.

In the fall we would both be entering the ivy covered walls of Yale together. I didn't know what the future would bring I didn't even want to venture a guess. But it was new and it involved Rory so I smiled walking off the Chilton grounds for the very last time with my head held high and a heavy heart.

A/N

finally finished i really want to know your opions on this story what I did well what I didn't your gripes and completments on this story please review it. It feels so wierd to end this story I'm proud because i think me like Tristan grew as the story progessed alright so please review lol! (btw if you don't want to post a review on the site you can always email me at