Title: 30 Minutes' Difference
Author: Silver Blood
Disclaimer: See Chapter One. 'Too Late' is owned by No Doubt.
A/N: Thank you everyone that reviewed positively. I'm glad you like it, it keeps me writing. One person flamed, and that sucks. What they said made me think of some things. Maybe some of you are getting the wrong idea.
Don't assume that Finn and Rory are going to be together, or that Tristan and Madeline will. I never told you what you were voting for. I like Finn BECAUSE he doesn't have much character development on the show, not in spite of it. I asked you all to vote because I wanted your opinion, not because I couldn't make up my mind. I want people to enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoy writing it. And I do love writing Finn.
Lastly, don't flame. What is the point in telling me you won't be reading this story any longer? And calling people 'stupid' or 'idiots' for their opinion is narrowminded and hypocritical. Just don't. It only serves to make you look bad. On with the story...
Oh, also... My Beatles phase is over.
Too Late
It's too late now
I don't think it can fade
It's too real now
Fulfillment just adds fuel to the blaze
She let the phone ring until the machine clicked on.
For the third time in a row, the person on the other end hung up instead of leaving a message.
Less than ten seconds later it rang again.
Sighing in frustration, Rory reached over to pick up the phone. She thought about unplugging it from the wall, but she had already turned off her cell and wanted to make sure she could be reached in case something was wrong.
"What do you want?"
"I'm so sorry! Please don't hang up, Rory."
She took a deep breath. It physically hurt her to hear his voice.
"Tristan, I can't talk to you right now."
"Just wait, please... Rory, I was stupid. Give me a chance to explain."
Rory took a few deep breaths, blinking back the tears that had yet to fall.
"Explain, then."
Relief was evident in his voice.
"I just want my best friend back. Forgive me for being an idiotic prick, Mary. Please."
"I don't know, why should I? Why were you acting like that? You weren't even drunk."
"Let me explain in person. Can I come over?"
Rory looked at the clock. It was late. Lorelai would be fine with Tristan coming over, but since he'd have to take his car she didn't want him getting in trouble with his dad.
"I don't think it's a good idea."
"So don't think."
Rory opened her mouth and was about to reply when the doorbell rang.
"Hold on, Tris-"
Outside the door stood her favorite blue-eyed blonde. He held six white roses in his hand. Rory decided then to forgive him. But he didn't need to know that.
"I'm sorry, Mary. I really am."
Rory sighed, exasperated.
"C'mon in."
She sounded entirely annoyed but Tristan followed her into the living room anyway. She turned to him and glared.
"Rory..."
She took the roses calmly, still sending him death rays. Slowly, she brought them to her face and closed her eyes, brushing the petals against her cheek.
No one, not even Tristan, had ever bought her roses before.
Finally, after a lengthy silence, Rory stepped forward and pulled her best friend into a hug.
"Why don't we sit down? Maybe you can explain to me where all that jerkiness came from."
Tristan took a deep breath.
What was he supposed to tell her? He didn't think that saying 'Well, Rory, I've been in love with you for as long as I can remember and trust me, unrequited love can turn anyone into an asshole' would go over well.
So he did something he rarely did with Rory.
He lied through his teeth.
"I haven't had a girlfriend for a while, you know. I'm used to having a girl all the time, being able to do... anything whenever I need to. I'm a guy, Rory. I do have needs. Trust me, I wasn't trying to use you. Not like I use them. It wasn't just convenience. It was sexual frustration, and me being a drunk idiot, and you being the only person I trust."
"Tristan..."
Rory looked sad. Her blue eyes seemed to shimmer.
"If I believed that for a second, I would have to say that you were definitely using me. But I know you better. I can tell when you're lying. What were you really thinking, Tristan?"
He couldn't tell her.
"I wasn't thinking."
As much as Tristan wished he could be honest, he knew the truth would only hurt her. She would probably tell him that she felt the same just to appease her guilt and avoid hurting him.
He didn't want her pity.
"Yes you were. No more bullshit, Tristan. Tell me."
Watching his eyes closely, Rory thought she saw a flash of something like adoration cross his face. He looked up into her eyes and she felt as if he was about to bare his soul to her. But his eyes dropped to his feet before he spoke.
"I love you so much, Rory. I care about you more any other girl I've been with. With all of them, it was so shallow. But we already have all this history, we have this bond through our friendship. It felt right, kissing you. I don't know if it was the alcohol or what... but don't deny it, because you felt it too."
Tristan ran a hand through his hair but didn't look up.
"For a minute, I forgot who you were, that we were just friends. I just knew that I cared."
Finally, Tristan's eyes met Rory's and he was completely honest for the first time in the last five minutes.
" I wanted to make your first kiss special, but I totally screwed it up. I went too far, and I'm sorry. It wasn't on purpose."
Rory leaned over to hug her best friend tightly. She squeezed her eyes shut, blinking back tears.
"You didn't totally screw it up, Tristan. It was a nice kiss. I'm glad it was you."
He laughed quietly, holding her tighter.
"Yeah?"
He buried his face in her neck for a moment before releasing her.
She shot him a watery smile.
"Yeah."
"Does that mean you forgive me?"
Rory grinned, her tears forgotten.
"I forgave you when I saw the roses, genius."
She laughed at his expression and bolted from the room, into the kitchen. Tristan followed close on her heels and grabbed her around the waist, tickling Rory's sides with his other hand. When she turned and shoved him away, her eyes were twinkling.
He couldn't help but grin. She was so beautiful.
"You're a horrible person, Mary."
Tristan reached out and affectionately tugged on a piece of her hair.
Rory stuck out her tongue but grinned back.
"C'mon, I have to tell you what happened with my mom yesterday. You're gonna love it."
Tristan waited until she turned away to drop his smile.
How could he stop himself from touching her now that he had memorized the texture of her skin?
How could he stop himself from kissing her when her taste still lingered in his mouth?
Tristan took a deep breath and steeled himself, following her into her room.
He would just have to do his best.
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