SUMMARY: How far are you willing to go for love?
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any part of Gilmore Girls or its characters – the only thing I came up with was the story line, and a few characters. Chapter title is borrowed from '405', by Death Cab for Cutie.
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Chapter 1: You keep twisting the truth; that keeps me thrown askew…
Friday afternoon, and the halls of Chilton Prep echoed with the riotous sounds of students filing out of their classrooms, each and every one of them eagerly anticipating the start of their weekend.
"So? Party at Sandra's tomorrow night?"
"You bet!"
"Pete! Don't forget: lunch at Alistair's on Saturday!"
"Call me, okay?"
Overhearing the snatches of conversation pervading the hallway, Tristan DuGrey smiled as he strolled leisurely to his locker, surrounded as always by his friends. Of course, he had his reasons for looking forward to the weekends.
Firstly, it gave him a two-day reprieve from the monotony of school life. 48 blissful hours of not having to deal with morning traffic, and of not having to fast-talk his way out of being sent to Headmaster Charleston's office for sauntering into class late as always.
Secondly, it gave him some much-needed time away from his devoted – albeit unbearably insipid – companions and groupies. As much as he'd gotten accustomed over the years to being the undisputed King of Chilton, the constant, unrelenting adulation sometimes proved to be the bane of his existence. He couldn't go anywhere on campus without having a procession of admirers trailing behind him. Lunchtimes at school were always elaborate affairs, with him holding court amidst certified members of the 'in' crowd.
What it came down to at the end of the day was that his life was really nothing more than an endless, suffocating parade of social obligations and beautiful hangers-on. And on days when he felt himself teetering dangerously close to the edge of his sanity, Tristan would remind himself the weekend was just a few days away, and that would be enough to keep him going.
And then of course there was his third reason.
Tristan couldn't help frowning as a fleeting image of cornflower blue eyes flashed across his mind. Dammit. Shrugging his backpack off, he quickly yanked open his locker door and proceeded to stow away his textbooks, hoping to distract himself. He could hear his friends talking behind him, all of them waiting for him to finish up, but he took his time, not really in a hurry to be anywhere.
"So what's the plan for the weekend, DuGrey?" Tony asked behind him. "I hear Carrie's is throwing a party. Might be worth a look, what do you say?"
"Sure, why not?" Tristan shrugged noncommittally. He paused, checking his cell phone for new messages. "Josh's birthday party is on tomorrow night, too. Crystal just messaged saying it's gonna be big."
"On the one hand, Carrie's a babe, and all her hottie friends are gonna be at her party," Owen mused. "But then again, I heard it's gonna be free-flow alcohol all night at Josh's."
Leaning against the row of lockers next to him, Bryan looked around at the others. "So what's the consensus?"
Three pairs of eyes swung as one to look at Tristan, awaiting his response. He smirked. "Looks like it's gonna be a busy weekend. So anyway," he swung his locker door shut and stole a glance at his watch. "I gotta go. See you later."
With one final wave to his friends, Tristan walked away. The corridors were becoming more crowded now that the school day was officially over. He frowned, vaguely annoyed. But then he brightened considerably upon catching a glimpse of a familiar blue-eyed brunette headed his way. "Hey, Mary."
"Do you mind keeping the lechery down to a minimum today?" Rory Gilmore rolled her eyes, obviously none too thrilled to have run into the notorious King of Chilton. She hugged her books to her chest, almost as though she hoped that would be enough to discourage Tristan from coming any closer.
"What's the matter?" Tristan leered, leaning in. "Afraid you'll like it?"
Startled, Rory backed away, her blue eyes wide and indignant. "In your dreams, Perv Boy."
"You know you like me," Tristan teased, reaching out to playfully tug a lock of her flowing brown hair.
"You're impossible!" Jerking away from him, Rory pushed past and strode away, her delicate face creased in a scowl.
Tristan grinned, watching her rapidly retreating back. "See you on Monday!" Shaking his head in amusement, he went on his way, walking past the elaborate arched school doors that led to the parking lot. Off to one side, he could see a small figure he recognized as Rory making her way to the bus stop. Nose buried in a book, as usual. He smiled again, wistful.
"Still lusting after little Miss Perfect, I see," a dulcet voice spoke up behind him.
Tristan grinned. He turned around slowly. "Hey, gorgeous."
Anna Whittington stood before him, emerald eyes crinkling in amusement. "Hey, weirdo."
"Weirdo?" Tristan raised his eyebrows, the smile never leaving his lips.
She came closer, scanning the surroundings as she did so. "Sweetie, as your best friend, I think it's my God-given duty to bring you back to reality whenever you do anything like that."
"Like what?"
"Staring off into the distance at Rory Gilmore, with this love-struck look on your face," Anna elaborated, tucking a few strands of her auburn hair behind one ear. "Isn't it time you put this whole obsession behind you?" Was it Tristan's imagination, or did she sound just a little bit annoyed? But the brilliant smile she sent his way dispelled his doubt in an instant.
"Yeah well, I can't help it," Tristan shrugged easily. They turned and began walking toward Tristan's car, which lay gleaming in the afternoon sun just a short distance away. "Got plans for the day?"
"Not at the moment." Anna ran an admiring hand over the smooth curves of Tristan's deep blue Porsche Boxster. "By the way, when are you gonna let me drive this baby?"
"Not happening anytime soon, babe," Tristan laughed, unlocking the car doors. Pausing a moment to toss his backpack inside, he straightened up again. "You wanna come over later?"
"Sure."
"Need a ride?"
Anna shook her head. "Thanks, but no. My dad let me use his car today."
"Okay then." Leaning against his car door, Tristan gazed at her. "So I'll catch you later?"
"Absolutely," Anna nodded. "Later."
Tristan watched her stroll off, her gait confident and easy. And then almost guiltily (although he had no reason to feel that way), he snuck a glance in the direction of the bus stop once again. Rory was still there, oblivious to her surroundings. For a moment, he wondered if he should walk over to her and keep her company. What's the harm in that, right? But then he heard Anna's voice echoing in his head, loud and true.
"Isn't it time you put this whole obsession behind you?"
Maybe Anna had a point.
Determinedly, Tristan got into the car and gunned the engine. It was just a stupid high school crush, nothing more. Anna was just being dramatic, that was all. Steeling his resolve, Tristan pulled out of the parking lot, anxious to get as far away from the school as possible. There was no way he was going to spoil his weekend thinking about this.
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