A/N: wow, so it looks like you like it. I couldn't write for about two weeks because I didn't have a normal computer. I really need a BETA reader, so whoever's up for it please say so in a review… I think I know where I'm going with this, but if there's something out of character happening here just say so, in a review. If you want to be my BETA reader and say that there's something out of character, it will be easier for you to write it in the same review. (sorry, I just thought you should know ). Oh and just for the sake of the story, Rory didn't go to Madeline's party.

On with the chapter… ENJOY!

Chapter Two- Natural Highlights

She walked in, she hoped that she didn't look too different. It was her first time in a Chilton party, and even though she didn't care about making a good impression, and she didn't even care what they said about her, her self esteem was lower than usual since Dean broke up with her.

She slipped inside toward the refreshment table, she poured herself some orange juice and went to a room that was about half the size of the main room, but still was very big. She sat down on an overstuffed chair thinking about how much she wanted Lane to be there with her, but this time she couldn't get past her mother and had to attend another Korean-based event to attend. She pulled a book out of her purse and started reading.

"What the hell are you doing here?" she heard a deep voice she hated so much, right next to her left ear.

"Why do you care?" she said angrily. She just wanted to get away from Stars Hollow, to get away from Dean, and her mom.

"Just hoped that you came to see me" he whispered, still uncomfortably close. She shivered, she felt his warm breath on her neck, she hoped he didn't see her reaction, he'd read to much into it, think she felt exactly the opposite of what she really felt.

"Tristan, I thought you were better than that. Not even one brain cell understands the fact that I despise you?" She asked angrily.

"you want another drink?" He asked, ignoring her question altogether.

"I have one" she said angrily, but when she looked back at her glass she realized that she finished her orange, and was- actually- craving for more.

He looked at her, smirked, and turned around. About five minutes later he came back with two glasses of Coke. She thanked him and went back to her book.

Tristan didn't budge even though she made it clear she didn't want him there. After about ten minutes she finished her drink, and realized he was still sitting there.

"Can I help you Tristan?" she asked irritably.

"Dance with me?"

"Wha-"

"Dance with me" he repeated, cutting her off.

"No"

"Please?"

"No"

"Why not?" he asked.

"Leave me alone" she said, standing up, wobbling a bit. She walked away, up the stairs into a room, and saw a couple making out, the hair all mushed and most of their clothes on the floor. She jerked the door closed and went to the next room, which she found empty, sat on the huge bed and started reading again.

Being lost in the book she didn't notice Tristan enter the room and sit next to her. She looked at him, and felt a little lightheaded. Annoyed with him she stood up and tried to walk away, deciding to leave the party. But the fact the room started twirling around her stopped her, she steadied herself and felt warm hands slip around her waist and bring her back to the bed.

The warm hand weren't on her waist anymore, and she felt warm breath on her neck, she didn't even try to squirm away, she was to tired, and it felt nice and welcoming. The hands were creeping upwards and---

"I have natural highlights!" she heard someone yell.

It took her a moment to register the room around her and clear her blurry sleepy eyes and see her mom standing in the doorway, her arms aloft looking excited.

Rory mumbled something and stared at her mother who was doing some sort of dance that involved throwing her arms in the air and swinging her hips and legs everywhere, and chanting "I have natural highlight, I have natural highlights".

"Mom?"

"Yes dearest?"

"what have you done with my mom?"

"she has natural highlights"

"I figured as much" Rory said, putting her head back on the pillow.

There was a pause in which Rory- thankfully- drifted back to sleep and Loralei continued her cheerful chant.

"Rory?"

"Whozair?" Rory asked drowsily.

"fruit of my lions? Must you ask that question? Don't you recognize your own mothers voice?"

"mom?"

"yes sweetie?"

"can I sleep now?"

There was another short pause where Loralei appeard to be considering this.

"No" she said simply, and came to sit on her Rory's be.

"What are you doing mom? No don't jump on the bed! Mom there's barely room for me! OUCH! You're jumping on my legs! Get away! MOM!" Rory said and scrambled off the bed.

"huh, mission accomplished" Loralei said happily.

"you're particularly annoying this morning, mom" Rory whined.

"no matter, all will be fine in the end. Go take a shower, and we'll go to Luke's " she said, sitting on Rory's bed and examining her fingernails.

"fine, I get an extra cup of coffee this morning" Rory said, looking through her closet .

"No! don't wear that red sweater! It makes you look boobless!" Loralei exclaimed.

"Green?"

"Blue; it matches your eyes." She said, smiling.

"Coffee for the poor!" Loralei yelled as soon as they entered the diner.

"since when are you poor?" Luke asked, and added "hi Rory, are you poor too?"

"Luke fast! I'm coffee deprived and Rory made we wake up very early today" the older Gilmore said as she sat down at the counter, staring intently at the coffee maker.

"excuse me! You woke me up screaming you have natural highlight, which buy the way I can't see!" Rory exclaimed playfully

"that's what I said; and you I told you many times that you need glasses, I have natural highlight, and they are appear to be very high indeed!"

pause

"you're highlights are high?" Rory said, giggling uncontrollably.

"laugh at you're mother, that's what I raised you for! I can't control my actions, Luke won't give me COFFEE!" Loralei whined.

"I'm coming ,I'm coming" Luke grumbled.

"thank you, you're my god. I'll bake you cherry pie!"

"Where the hell is Jess, I need help down here. I can't believe I have to drag his ass down here. He'll pay for this, he'll eat the cherry pie" Luke grumbled, walking away in the direction of his apartment.

"may the force be with you!" Loralei shouted after him. "I'll poison him" she added more quietly to Rory.

"Mom!"

"anyway" Loralei said, ignoring Rory, "I went fishing with alex yesturday and we said in the sun for about 6 hours and my hair is lighter!" she added sounding like a little child with a new toy.

"that's not possible, you can't get highlights in one day"

"can too!"

"your crazy mom" Rory said, rolling her eyes.

"anyway, drink up, I have to leave in a couple of minutes, early stuff at the Inn." She said, finishing her coffee with one gulp and gesturing to a tired looking Jess to come refill her cup.

"Hey" he said as soon as he got the coffee pitcher and rushed over to Loralei.

Rory smiled back, and averted her eyes. Not ready to face him just yet.

"you know what mom? I think I'll just take the early bus to school, maybe I'll get some work done with Paris and won't have to stay late today." Rory said quickly.

"sure Gilmore" Loralei said.

But Rory was already out the door.

a/n: I know, no Rory Jess interaction, or Tristan Rory interaction. Or any interaction with anyone. Though the dream was important. I will update soon! R&R PLEASE!