Title: Challenge

Summary: Tristan went to Yale just to get her back. Could that mean he really loves her?

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot

Important: I know that some of you had probably already given up on updates for this or any other story I have written. Thing is, I can't write or type anymore since my wrist can't be operated on and it feels like a knife gets stabbed into my wrist whenever I type for a long time. So, I am relying on my boyfriend or other people to type up my stories. Unfortunately we have all been very busy with school and moving house. Plus my grandfather died and I suffered from a really bad depression. I hope you forgive me.

He loved her. He loved her. He loved her. He loved her. No matter where the emphasis was put, the sentence remained ever so amazing. She almost drifted back to her room, her head in the clouds, one hand unconsciously pressed to her heart. All those months that they had been apart...why had they been, again? He was being truthful this time. She knew it. She just knew it. Her heart wouldn't play tricks on her, would it?

Standing in front of her door she watched the wooden structure with interest, almost as if it would give her an answer to the many questions whirling around in her head.

He had come to Yale for her. That had to mean something, hadn't it? If what he said was true, if he had fought with his parents over coming here...

That was just it though, wasn't it? If. If he had fought. If he was being truthful with her. Did she have any reason to trust him? Was there anything different now from all those months ago? What had he done to earn her trust? To earn that love she had given to him so unconditionally? Why should she take that risk again when he had so aptly proven to her that it was too much of a risk? If he hadn't changed he would only break her heart again. On the other hand, if he had changed...

She groaned, resting her head against the wooden door. It felt strong, solid. She needed something like that.

"No Rory. No!"

Rory sat on the couch, watching her friend and roommate Paris pace up and down the livingroom.

"But Paris...what if he really did change? What if it's for real this time?"

Paris groaned, pulling her own hair in frustration.

"He is Tristan! He won't change! Ever! He has always been full of himself, a player and an asshole. He will always be like that. You were right to dump him. He doesn't deserve to be loved."

"You loved him too once, what changed?"

Paris' voice became gentler as she sat down next to Rory.

"I woke up. Faced reality. I know that you want to believe the best of everyone Rory, but some people just aren't kind. I spent my whole life around Tristan DuGrey. Trust me."

Rory nodded, chewing her bottomlip. Paris watched her for a while before suddenly hugging her awkwardly. Surprised, Rory tried to hug back, but the blonde had already withdrawn.

"You should go out. On a date. Tonight. Why don't you take that Marty guy? He's nice."

"I don't like him like that. You know I only like Tristan like that."

"Liked,"

Paris corrected her softly.

"You liked him like that. Don't forget that Rory. There are far better guys waiting in line for a girl like you. Marty adores you. There's no harm in spending a nice, relaxing evening together, is there? Go for coffee? Maybe a pizza?"

"Thanks for inviting me Rory"

Marty smiled at his compagnion, who seemed unable to relax. She smiled back at him.

"Thanks for coming."

She fidgeted with her coffeecup, almost causing the hot liquid to spill over her hand. He quickly put his hand atop of hers to stop the nervous habit. She was too kind to say anything about his hand not withdrawing from hers.

Suddenly someone with blonde tousled hair grabbed Marty's hand and pulled it off Rory's. Angry blue eyes focused on the other man's face.

"Get your filthy hands off of her. She's mine. Got it?"

PS Sorry for the short chapter. Another one should hopefully come soon-ish. There will be 2 more chapters to this story.