Even the idea that I might be interested in having a "pet" was stupid. Sure, I knew a few seniors took a freshman or two and trained them to be their sequel in the coming years. But that was the thing where you took a frosh in your Spanish class so they annoyed the heck out of Headmaster Charleston when we'd gone. First of all, I'm a junior, not a senior. And second, I'm a little too cool for a freshman pet. Only the drama kids took them.

"Hey Tris." A few girls tried to look cool as they passed me.

I glanced out of my locker and glanced at them from neckline to toe, then winked. "Hello ladies."

They tittered and walked away.

It was a routine. I didn't even look at their faces. I didn't know who they were. I attatched Mary's head over their neckline. I attatched Mary's smirky laugy didn't you show up last night?"

"Were you sober enough to notice?"

He smirked. "Do I look like I got a hangover to you?y I ask, is the Tristan DuGrey that found pleasure in the fact that he had every girl in Chilton wrapped around his little finger. Where, may I ask, is the Tristan DuGrey who thought 'outside the box.'?"

I smirked and lolled my head at him lazily. "On a piano bench."

"You're not studying Chopin are you? Cuz you're speakin' music notes as far as I'm concerned."

I groaned. "Did I teach you that one?"

"Yeah, did I do it wrong?"

"You need to put the emphasis on the write syllable."

He smirked. "What can I say? I learn from the best. Why didn't you show up last night?"

"Were you sober enough to notice?"

He smirked. "Do I look like I got a hangover to you?"

"Dude, you always look hung over." I zipped up my sidepack.

"I'm saying physically, not mentally." Evey now and again we took punches at ourselves for the sake of a laugh.

"You look fine."

"Tristan DuGrey! I did not know you swung that way."

I shrugged and smirked. "After two months in military school, guys get that way."

He shuddered. "Don't give me nightmares man."

We headed down the hall.

"Feel like ditching homeroom and hittin' the parking lot?" He asked.

"Who's in the parking lot."

"In your case? Whoever you want to be." He winked.

A smirk covered my real thoughts. Not Mary.

"Nah. I don't want my butt kicked into military school again."

"They're not going to military school. You know what you missed while you was gone? The Yaught club ball, the Country Club dinners, and the French club ice cream social."

"Oh la, la." I smirked. "Prime places for finding the perfect old money honey that my dad wants me to get right?"

"Come on man. Chilton is a flippin' breeding ground for old money couples."

"Who's on your parent's list?"

"Eh. Typical names. Old ones, preferrable with three generations. Normally one who isn't in competition with us."

"Like?"

"Gilmore."

That perked me up. "Gilmore?"

"Joking man. Like anyone could marry ice woman." He smirked. "Come on, come on. I hafta go find someone."

We seperated and I went into my classroom. I knew that part of the reason dad had be come back was simply for looks. When Duncan and Bowman were finally brought back into the fold of not being "scandelous recreants" it was safe to bring me back. Especially with my military honors.

"DuGrey. You're on time." Paris said as I came in.

"Oo. Gellar gets a gold star."

"Is that your new line?"

"Just for you." I sat down and glanced back at her. "So, what's up?"

Redding Military School for Boys: 5 am

"Get up Drew! We got work to do!" King marched down the aisles of beds and threw the blankets off the sleeping soldier.

"Yes sir, Mr. Pimp, sir." Drew, unbothered by the rude awakening, used King's new nickname.

Ever since 'Ken-Doll' played the tape everyone in camp referred to him as 'Pimp'. It was always puntuated with a smirk. A smirk that was left behind by Ken-Doll himself.

"Yo Pimp Daddy, ready to do some push ups?" Chris called from across the room. His face was a portrait of innocence and his tone was it's usual fake sweetness.

"You will address me as King, or nothing, maggot."

"Yes sir, nothing, sir." Lance saluted from across the room.

Everyone held back grins.

King marched from the room, slamming his door behind him. Before Tristan had come he was King of the compound. He demanded respect from a snap of his fingers and got it quickly or he beat the offender to a pulp. Every girl swooned under his touch and gaze.

Now he knew he would be less than welcomed at the Saturday dances. He was referred to as "pimp" and he didn't even have anyone around to talk to.

Everything he had was lost to the Ken-Doll. And on top of all that, Ken-doll got his freedom. He was probably kicking in in a Viper somewhere with a beer in one hand and a hot chick on the other.

I'm just biding my time he thought bitterly. I'll find some way to get Ken-Doll back whether he's here or not.

Chilton, Lunchtime:

Rory sat on a bench in the back of the library. She glanced over her shoulder again. She was reading. She had come here to avoid Tristan, yet part of her almost wanted to see him gliding over.

She had finished the smarties he'd left all ready. Now that she reflected on it it was probably smarter for her to leave them there. Now he'd think she liked him. And she didn't! He was a self-confident windbag who found his kicks collecting virginity. Well, he wouldn't get hers!

Her stomach knotted in shame. Last night Dean and her had fought. She should have broken up with him. He mocked her, using every low blow he had. Lorelai had kicked him out.

If it wasn't for that he called and apologized, she would be single.

Part of her liked arguing with him. She liked the banter, missed it even. She hadn't had any since Tristan left. Dean was so careful before to be nice to her that they didn't even argue about pizza toppings or which movie to rent. Part of it was nice, he was making sacrafices for her. But she felt like it was dying.

Was she in love with Dean? Or in love with being in love?

I glanced at her from through the bookshelves. She had this twitchy way of glancing over her shoulder, checking. Was she looking for me? Or was she waiting for someone?

Despite her usual fast-as-lightning pace of reading she'd spent the past fifteen minutes reading the same page. She has to be looking for me. Now came the clincher. Was she looking for me, or looking out for me? I couldn't decide.

"Rory in the library. Clever." Paris stutted over, the air of superitority like a scent hanging over her.

"I try." Rory's eyes went back to her book.

"So, Tristan's back."

"I know." She didn't glance up.

"Considering he spent a fortune leaving roses on your porch the least you could do is talk to him."

"It's not like it's his money." She quipped. Her cheeks flushed.

"You're so cold. A million girls would give their-"

"Virginity?" Rory cut in.

Ouch. Even though it was an insult to me, I still smirked at her clever wit.

"I was going to say kidney for that kind of attention from him." Paris' eyes narrowed. "But I see you like toying with people."

"Me? Me toying with him?" Rory set her lips in a firm, sarcastic line. "Right Paris, sure. Like anyone can toy with the great-"

Was there a better time to pick my entrance?

"-Tristan DuGrey!" Rory retorted.

And that was when I heard it over my shoulder. "Here!"

I should have waited till Paris left, slowly sat next to her and made a polite comment on her book. It's not in my blood.

"-Tristan DuGrey!" She quipped.

It sounded like roll call. "Here!" I piped up, and leaned over her. "Hey Mar."

She jumped and her wide eyes whirled around in surprise. "Tristan! You scared me."

"I tend to have that effect. Is it the haircut?" I looked up at Paris. "Heyya Gellar."

She affected a snort and stalked out, watching us all the time out of the corner of her eye.

"Hi Mary, wutcha readin?" I tried to come off casual. She stood up and stalked into the shelves.

I followed her, could I resist? Her skirt swished after her.

She went into a row and i went into the otherside. I watched her pull books out and pretend to skim through them. I affected a grin and pulled one out myself. I pretended the encyclopedia. I glanced up and looked through the empty spaces in the shelves to see her glancing at me.

I shut my book and sauntered next to her. She saw me coming and quickly grabbed a book off the shelf."Maaarrry, were you looking at me?" I leaned against the book shelf in a classic cool pose. It didn't effect her.

"I." She held up her book. "Am reading."

I looked at the cover while she blushed at me, ignoring the book. I raised my eyebrows. "Reading Mar?"

Istrolled away with a grin.

Rory looked down at the title. "The Miracle of Life: The Wonder of the Sexual Experiance".

Crud.

Well, when I realized that my story was #72 via my lack of updates I was very upset. I know my lack of updating is the reason my readers interest is falling as well. I'm sorry! Ignore the typos por favor and please review. I love ALL my readers! :) Especially YOU!