Still no word about Jess. Rory went every morning to Lukes, and asked about her friend along with her usual order of coffee. Yet every morning, she would leave the diner with no more information than she had entered with. Just the unintelligable grunts and mumbled words of a man who had no answer. She didn't mind that much, though. Though it wasn't the sameas Jess, Rory had new friends.

Several weeks had passed since Rory's friendship with Paris had began. The girl was difficult to deal with, to say the least. She was boorish, outspoken, and often rude, but it was worth it. She was the one person at Chilton Rory knew she could trust no matter what. She had other friends, of course, but it just wasn't the same. Paris had also convinced her to join the newspaper, something she hadn't even been aware of. The entire idea of the newspaper was a little silly, but Rory ignored that.

It only reached the people in the little valley of Chilton, which was small enough that everyone already knew everyone's business. Never one to raise the dread existentialist dillema though, Rory joined the paper. It was a great distraction, and at the same time, easy work.

She had gotten used to the rigorous schedule at Chilton, and had even caught up with her work. Now nothing filled her days but the comfortable mind numbing repetiion that was a school schedule. It was good, letting her mind relax after the ordeal it had been through. After that one day that changed everything. Rory didn't really think about what had happened, she didn't let herself.

Repression fan number one, she hadn't even told people the reason for her arrival at the institution. When they asked she would mention her father, and how there was not enough rom in his life for her. Most of the students left it at that. Some of them had even experienced this bitter reality. Rory did her best not to think about that fateful day. She couldn't. She wouldn't.

After this morning coffee trip, Rory would scamper off to her first class, today included. Luke hadn't found any information today either, but he had given her a large latte, so she forgave him. Now she sat at her desk, awaiting the begining of class. It was actually quite peaceful. The air was warm, and the sunlight defied venetian blinds and landed lightly on the wooden surface in front of her. The room was fairly quiet. Students filtered in but made very little chatter, which was unusual, but nice.

"Morning, Mary." a shadow fell over her. Tristan DuGrey sat down next to her, as he did every morning. The seating arrangement was hardly coincidental. The day after they had met, he discovered that they shared a Political Theory class. Rory sat fairly close to the middle of the classroom's depth, and off to the side. Near the window. The chairs around her were all filled, but of course, this didn't matter to her tormentor in the slightest. He had simply walked right up to the seaat on her right, and waited. It had been only a moment before the boy occupying the chair had moved, allowing Tristan to have the seat permanently.

"Rory." she said, as she had countless times already. She knew he wasn't stupid, he knew her name. Still, she was stubborn. As long as he insisted on calling her by that rediculous title, she would correct him.

"And how are you and this fine and lovely morning?" he asked urbanely. He wanted to be polite? Fine.

"Quite well and thank you for asking. I had a lovely night's sleep and I'm feeling rather up to the day." she said, taking on his high society mannerism in response. She tried to pretend she wasn't helplessly lost in those blue eyes, the eyes which had plagued her since their first meeting. They seemed so much more instense than any other eyes, and absolutely focused on her. Every time he approached her, he would aim those eyes at her, and she would suddenly be fighting not to smile. She hated his power over her. She hated that one glance from him could send a slow flush creeping up her face. Right now those deep pools of light took on a devlish glint, and a smirk found it's way to the lips beneath them.

"Oh? Who's the lucky guy?" he asked impudently. Okay, nice moment over. Rory hid her blush with a dark scowl. She turned to the front of the room and fixed her eyes on the board.

"Actually I'm rather hurt, I must admit. I thought you were saving yourself for me..." Rory rolled her eyes and refused to look at him.

"Dream on, Tristan." she said through clenched teeth.

"Okay, I'm sorry, look. I need a big favor from you." he said. She turnd to him incredulously. He couldn't possibly be serious. Yet he seemed to be. No smirk, no innuendo about what sort of favor it was. Just those pleading eyes.

"I was looking for a tutor in English." he said, and she scoffed.

"Since when do you care about your grades? I've heard your reputation. Evreyone has."

"Do you always believe what people tell you?" he asked, and she had no answer. She struggled a moment for words, and his smirk brought them forth.

"Why would I ever want to help you?"

"Because I am woefully behind, and you're too good to let me slip through the cracks." he said. She peered at him, sure he was kidding now. But no, his face remained absolutely serious.

"For get it." she said, hiding her blush with a frown. She turned to the front of the room once again, just in time for the proffessor to enter and begin the lesson..

"Now, as we discussed on Monday; the Depression caused the downfall of many different..."

Rory sat in the sunlight, letting herself absorb the information being given by her teacher. Suddenly she felt her right hand gently lifted from her desk. A small folded paper was pressed into her palm, and the warm fingers closed her own. She looked over, but Tristan was looking away from her, apparently watching the board. She unfolded the note.

Aw, come on Mary

Just one night of

Tutoring.

It might surprise you.

Rory turned the paper over and scrawled a short response.

My name is Rory.

She tossed the note onto his desk, and told herself she didn't enjoy the grin that slid onto his face when he read it. She forced herself to look away, scolding herself. How could she be harboring friendly feeling for this guy? He was a monster. She knew he was a monster. She hated him. So why didn't she hate him?

He took her hand once more and gave her the note, not seeming to care about the professor anymore.

Aw, come on Rory

Just one night of

Tutoring.

It might surprise you.

She supressed her smile of victory, having finally forced him to use her real name. She turned to him, and mouthed the word 'fine.' This was going to be hard.

-

After class ended he lingered by her desk.

"Okay, how does tomorrow night sound?" he asked, getting right to the point.

"Fine, I guess. Where should we meet?" she asked, trying her best to look bored.

"I know where your room is, don't worry about it." What?

"Uh..."

"Pick you up at seven, Mary." What had just happened there! Lacking anything else to do, Rory made her escape. She didn't say anything, just left the room.

-

Tristna smiled. That went well. Marty walked up to him, and slapped his back in comraderie. Tristan sighed inwardly.

"Hi, Marty."

"So, I see you've met my girlfriend." Tristan's smile faded.

"What?"

Yeah, I'm sorry that this chapter is shorter. Is it shorter? It feels shorter, anyway.

More to come soon, though.

Please R&R!