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Sorry for not updating in a while. But first I was sick! And then I just had a lack of inspiration! I guess the following is not my best chapter. I just couldn't come up with good ideas on how to start the whole trial/court thingy. Anyways, here the next chapter.

Chapter 13:

"Henry the VIII was born in?"

"1491" I answered, while stretching my arms out in a desperate act of exhaustion.

Grandma indeed hadn't lied when she had told me she would call headmaster Charleston as soon as the following day. For a moment I let myself drift away. Far away from Henry, the Tudors, and the whole bunch of other crazy inbreeded monarchs and thought back on today's morning.

At 8:00 a.m. sharp, the bell rang and grandmas' personal delivery boy presented me ceremoniously with a huge envelope, marked with the venerable Chilton stamp. And all this on a Sunday morning. Soon after that little encounter the telephone rang and no other but Emily Gilmore herself was on the other end of the line.

"So you have received the envelope!" she said more like a statement but a question as soon as Rory had handed me the phone.

"Yes…just a minute ago" I told her, surprised about how she could possibly already know this, for the delivery guy had just left a moment ago.

"Mom, was probably right, she had indeed telepathic abilities" I thought, frowning my forehead slightly.

"I called Hanlin, and explained the situation. A very stubborn man. He told me that he couldn't take exceptions, that he had to treat every student equally etc etc. But…my friends do not call me the Cobra without any good reason" she said in a really strange, almost frightening voice.

"I hammered him with very convincing arguments until I had dragged him into the farthest corner where he couldn't escape any more. I pulled the snare and I had him" she laughed victoriously.

"Would she had broken out in hysterical fit of sneering laughter, like one of those villains on TV, I would have really started to worry" I thought as I continued to listen to her words.

"So I said….Hanlin…we have known each other for a very long time now. You and I, we are well respected people, highly prestigious in our circles. Your wife and I are members of the DAR and the Society matrons league and many more. But this is not about how well respected we are or about our status in society, but about a girl, who deserves to have a second chance on live, who deserves to have the best education she can get. I don't ask you to take her into your school without any effort. She herself is only willing to go to Chilton if she can prove herself. So let her take a test or an exam…whatever…. if she won't pass, which will not happen, then I'm grateful that you have given her a chance, but if she passes, then it could only mean a gain for Chilton" Grandma continued in such an excitement over her achievement, that I couldn't hold back a smile.

"So finally he agreed but he said that he wouldn't favour you. Hanlin worked out a range of subjects and topics yesterday and that's what's in the envelope. The test will be very hard Hanlin said and will be the day before school starts. The 8th of September. So you have two and half weeks left to prepare yourself." she finally ended her little speech, waiting for my reaction.

"Wow…that's great. Thank you" I stammered. "I really appreciate it Mrs. Gil….I mean Grandma" I corrected myself quickly.

"My pleasure. Now go and study. We see us on Friday" she replied shortly before ending the conversation.

"What did she want?" Rory asked, who just appeared out of the kitchen with a plate of pancakes in her left hand and a fork in the other one.

"Telling me that I have received an envelope" I told her with raised eyebrows and a frown on my forehead.

"Good that we have Grandma to inform us about those things" she replied smirking, while shaking her head.

"Also that she has convinced headmaster Charleston to give me a chance to prove myself for Chilton. That the examination will be very hard and I've got two and half weeks to prepare myself" I repeated the words of Grandma.

"Wow. Awesome. This is so great. So what's in this envelope?" Rory asked as she slumped down on the sofa in the living room.

"According to Grandma, the topics for the entrance examination of Chilton" I told her while positioning myself in the armchair opposite Rory.

"Oh my God! Really?" she practically squeaked. "What are you waiting for? Open it" she ordered me excitedly.

I did as I was told and neatly opened the envelope. Carefully I unfolded the paper, like it was a document of highest and foremost importance and for me it was indeed. Slowly I scanned over the first piece of paper, which was a letter by headmaster Charleston. Telling me at what time and date to appear to the examination, wishing me good look and the usual formal bla bla. The second paper contained the list of subjects, plus the topics, I would be tested in. And I'm not kidding when I say that this little harmless, plain looking piece of paper seemed to take no end. The list of topics was endless, infinite, unending! My eyes wandered in a desperate attempt left and right and back again to process the mass of information.

Subjects: English, Mathematic, Latin, French, Science, History

Topics:

English:

1) The Middle Ages: Medieval Estates and Orders, King Arthur, The First Crusade, The Linguistic and Literary Contexts of the Middle Ages

2) The 16th Century: Renaissance Exploration, Reformation, The Magician, the Heretic, and the Playwright

3) Early 17th Century: Civil Wars of Ideas ,Emigrants and Settlers

4) Restoration and the 18th Century: Slavery and the Slave Trade in Britain, The Plurality of Worlds, Travel, and the Expansion of the Empire

5) The Romantic Period: Literary Gothicism, The French Revolution,Romantic Orientalism

Mathematic:

1) Algebra

2) Discrete Math: Algorithms, Combinations, Permutations,

3) Linear Algebra: Vectors, Linear Equations,

4) Analysis: Approximations and Expansions

5) Pre-Calculus: Functions, Graphics, Trigonometry,

6) Calculus: Differentiation, Integration

Latin:

1) Ovid: The Metamorphoses of Ovid, In Tristia, Epistulae ex Ponto,

2) Caesar: De Bello Gallico

3)Pliny: Naturalis Historia

I had to stop reading because suddenly I felt really dizzy.

"How in the word could I learn all of this in two and a half weeks? And I wasn't even half through the topics yet. This was impossible" I thought desperately, while Rory got up from the sofa and took a look at the list herself.

"Wow" she gasped with her eyes wide open. "This is crazy! He really didn't lie when he said the test will be hard" Rory said matter of fact. "This is practically everything we have done the previous year" she explained.

"Well, I guess this means that I will go to Stars Hollow High then" I said defeated, while shrugging my shoulders helplessly.

"What? You want to give up without a fight?" Rory asked me appalled. "You can't leave me with Paris for another year. You simply have to go to Chilton."

"But"

"No buts" she told me strictly.

"So let me think this through" she said, while rubbing her forehead affectingly.

"We have six subjects and eighteen days to study. So we have three days for every subject. I suggest we spend two weeks on studying and the last week we use to revise" she murmured absently.

"We approximately study six hours before noon…. ahm… from …6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m….then we include a two hour lunch break. From 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. we study again….this makes another four hours…again a two hour break…and from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. makes two hours. In total we have twelve hours per day. That makes 24 hours in two days. And…

"Rory?" I said, looking probably totally freaked out by now.

"This makes 84 hours a week…"

"Rory!

"168 hours in two weeks"

"Rory!" I practically screamed by now.

"What?" she asked startled, as she snapped out from her little math marathon.

"This is crazy!" I told her, shaking my head no.

"What? Don't you want to go to Chilton?" she asked me questioningly.

"Yes…but"

"Don't you want to go to Harvard and study medicine?"

"Sure…but"

"What?" she asked expectantly.

"Nothing" I sighed defeated, while thinking about the prospect of spending the next weeks indoors and studying an unbelievable time of twelve hours a day.

So here I was. Sitting with Rory in the living room, surrounded by books, papers, maps, notes and all kind of other learning materials. It was 5:40 p.m. by now, and an astonishing 7 hour studying marathon lay already behind us. Rory wanted to get an overall picture of my scholastic knowledge and skills and started to quiz me systematically with all kind of questions. We started with English, went over to Maths and have now reached the last subject, History. I was tired, hungry and all I could think about was the sweet luring break that lay ahead.

At the same time however, I felt guilty. Rory was setting so much trust in me. She believed in me. She believed that I could make it, that I could really pass the examination. And nobody had ever believed in me before. Believed in the real me. Believed that I could accomplish a goal like this. My whole life long I had just been a major disappointment for everyone. Now I had the chance to prove them wrong.

These thoughts filled me with new motivation and energy. If Rory believed that I could make it, then I would also believe it. I tore myself out of my thoughts and turned my attention once again to Rory. I would study until smoke would come out of my ears, I told myself. If I didn't owe it myself, then I would owe it at least Rory.

"How many wives did Henry VIII have? "Rory started anew.

"Six"

"Names?

"Catherine of Aragon: Marriage in 1509, divorcing her in 1533, one daughter Mary. Anne Boleyn : Marriage in 1533, executed for infidelity in 1536, one daughter Elizabeth. Jane Seymour: Marriage in 1536, died giving birth to Henry's lone male heir the same year. Anne of Cleves: Marriage was never consummated. Catherine Howard: Marriage in 1540, was executed for infidelity. And Catherine Parr: Marriage in 1543 until his death in 1547" I said without taking a breath once.

"Wow! How do you know so much about English History?" Rory asked me amazed, her blue eyes fixated on me.

"I don't know. I heard it somewhere?" I said, shrugging my shoulders.

"You heard it somewhere?" Rory asked incredulously.

"Well maybe I read a book about it" I tried again, this time with the truth.

"I would say we can confidently move on from History, because you are way better then I'm" Rory said, while ticking it off on her list.

In that same moment the front door swung open and in came mom.

"Oh my God. I'm so exhausted" she whined, while taking off her coat and shoes.

"Stupid wedding. Who in the world gets married on a Sunday? Oh yes, the Millers. So do you want to hear about my day? Of course you want!" she said before giving us a chance to respond.

"It started with me getting up at five. Can you believe it. Five! I guess not even my Hello Kitty alarm clock believed it. It continued with me heading to the Independence Inn, getting out of the car, and breaking my heel. I tell you that was a bad omen, because as soon as the priest was there, it started to rain. So the whole ceremony had to be moved indoors. Everybody was soaking wet. Then the rings disappeared because little flower girl Mary Sue had swallowed them. And it ended with Michel chasing little girls in hoop skirts. Okay….I have to admit that was funny. Can anyone top that" she finally ended her strain of words and let herself fall exhaustedly on the sofa.

"What's that mess?" she asked as she pulled out a book on English literature underneath her, which she had let herself fall on.

"Our day?" I asked. "Well, it started, me getting presented with this huge envelope, which was delivered by Grandmas' personal delivery guy. And not to forget, this on a Sunday. The minute I closed the door, the telephone rang and no other but Grandma was on the other end. By the way, I think you are right about her having telepathic abilities. Then she started to talk about her being a cobra and that she would squeeze so long until she would get her way" I stopped at that point, waiting for mom's reaction.

"The cobra? I remember hearing that before" she said smirking.

"Anyways, in the envelope were the subjects and topics I would have to learn for the entrance examination for Chilton. I guess she squeezed headmaster Charleston too" I said chuckling.

"Wow, Honey, that's great" she said, squeezing my hand affectingly.

"It is?" I asked sarcastically.

"Isn't it?" Mom asked.

"It is" Rory said. "I worked out a schedule. We have eighteen days to study and six subjects. We spend two days on every subject. I have calculated that if spend twelve hours studying every day, we can spend 24 hours on one subject. In two weeks we have everything through. And then there is one week left to revise everything."

"I get the sarcasm now" Mom said, while patting my head pityingly.

"That makes 84 hours a week. 168 hours in two weeks."

"And 216 hours in total" I ended her calculations. "Have you seen the list director Charleston has worked out?" I asked mom, while handing it over to her.

"Jesus, Maria, Joseph and a Camel" she said, her eyes getting wider and wider. "This is suicide."

"Don't discourage her" Rory said accusingly, shaking her head tauntingly. "She is really really really smart. I tested her in all six different subjects today."

"Seven hours" I mouthed, while holding up seven fingers, behind Rory's back. Mom tried her best to suppress the laughter that was threatening to come out.

"She knew a lot. Often more than I knew" Rory continued. "I'm sure she will make it. She has to. One more year with Paris and I'll go nuts" she sighed.

"I'm sure you will pass the test, Hon. You are both, smart and intelligent young girls. I don't know where this is coming from, but it's the truth" she chuckled, while getting up and patting both our heads.

"You know what! I'll go over to Luke's and grab us something to eat" Mom suddenly said. "The fridge is emptier than an empty glass."

"Nice comparison" Rory observed.

"You will need help. Won't you?" I asked hopefully, shooting mom a desperate look.

"No thanks. You better stay here and study a little bit more" Mom said mischievously, while I shot her a "you will regret this look".

"Ola Luke" I said, as I entered the diner with the usual jingling sound above me.

"What do you want?" he countered in his gruffly voice, while balancing two plates with food through the diner.

"So gruffly today? Oh right, your are always like that" I said with a smile as my eyes unconsciously followed Luke as he made his way over to the table by the window.

"Great butt" I thought, but immediately was appalled by my own thoughts. "Were was this suddenly coming from?" I asked myself as I tore my gaze away from Luke.

"Luke is a friend nothing more" I thought. "Right?

"Right? Was I really asking myself if I was right. Of course I was right? Lorelai Gilmore you really need therapy" I told myself.

"So what do you want?" Luke's voice suddenly interrupted my strain of thoughts.

"What?" I asked a little bit startled.

"What can I get you" Luke tried again.

"Oh right. Three burgers. Big load of fries. And three pieces of apple cake" I quickly said to overplay the awkward moment.

"Are you okay Lorelai?" he asked, as he scribbled down my order.

"Sure" I said, avoiding his gaze.

What's your problem Lorelai Gilmore

"Hey Luke?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I talk to you for a moment. Maybe upstairs?" I suddenly asked, while Luke shot me a surprised look.

"Ahm…sure" he said. He pointed his hand to the door, or more to the curtain that led upstairs, and indicated me to follow him.

"So?" he finally asked, as we both stood in his little apartment.

"Wow, I have never been up here before, you know? Nice. Comfy. Very bachelor-like…."

"Lorelai?" he said impatiently, his eye brows raised expectantly.

"Why was I suddenly so nervous?" I thought.

"This was Luke. Stars Hollow Luke. Burger boy, coffee provider, handyman and good friend Luke. Nothing to be nervous about. Right? Oh boy, I'm talking to myself again."

As I stood there, face to face with Luke, his gaze so intensely fixed on me, I felt as if my feet would give in any minute. The palms of my hand were sweaty and I desperately tried to control the speed of my breath.

"Why in the world, was I acting so strange" I asked myself again.

Time seemed to stand still as I lifted my head, to be met with the eyes of Luke.

"Have they always been that blue? Why haven't I noticed earlier? Why haven't I noticed the tiny little scar beside his left brow. Why haven't I noticed how sexy his chin was or what gorgeous lips he had?" I thought, while my heart raised at speed 180km/h.

For the first time I saw him. I saw Luke. And I didn't see Luke the diner guy, Luke the coffee supplier or Luke the friend but I saw Luke. Luke has always been there. He was like a constant in my life. He was my anchor, whom I could cling to when I would fall. The only person I could rely on 100 percent.

He brought Rory mashed potatoes when she was sick. He built a coffin for Tony the caterpillar. He offered me money when termites threatened to eat my house. But most important of all he was there when I needed him the most. When I found out that Avery was alive, he didn't question the situation but simply supported me in every way a person could possibly do. He drove us to the hospital. He sat with us the whole night in front of Avery's room. He was there without any question. And that was something I wasn't used to. My whole life long I had to fight for things. I wasn't used to someone doing me a favour without anything in return until I met Luke. Over the years, however, it had become a habit, a routine. I took it for granted that he would always be there for me. Now I realised that it wasn't. I was very very lucky that I had someone like Luke in my life. To have someone, who cared for you, someone who would do everything for you.

"I've been so blind" I thought. "All those years, Rory and Sookie, told me over and over again. But now as I looked into his eyes, I finally realised that they were right. I finally saw the compassion and devotion in those beautiful blue eyes."

"Lorelai?" he tried again and this time I snapped out of my thoughts.

"Luke" I started. "I wanted to thank you."

"Thank me?" he asked startled.

"I want to thank you for everything you have done for me, Rory and Ella. What you have done for me on that particular day, I will never forget. You have been there" I practically whispered by now.

"I wouldn't have made it through that day without you" I said this time with more confidence.

"I didn't do anything" Luke told me and it felt as if his eyes would look right into my soul.

"Just being there, just your presence, helped me through the day. You have always been there. And for this I wanted to thank you." I said, giving him a shy smile.

"No problem" he said in his typical Luke way of being. But just a look into his eyes, told me that my words meant a lot more to him.

"Avery is a great kid" he said nodding. "Just like her mom"

"Thanks" I said shyly, my cheeks turning a light shade of red.

"You are…what should I say now? You are great too? Very lame. You are sexy? Lorelai, get a grip. You are everything I ever wanted in a man, in a partner? Very true. You are like a father for Rory? Also true. You are the best thing that ever happened to me? So true…a very good friend.

"You are a very good friend? You are a very good friend? That was so typical for you, Lorelai Gilmore" I thought and I could practically see Luke's disappointment written all over his face.

"What was the matter with me? Why couldn't I tell him, that I cared for him so much more than a friend? I'm such a chicken"

"Lorelai why don't you see me?" he suddenly said and his words hit me like a punch into my face.

The painful disappointment in his eyes was worse than the sad expression he had on his face.

"I see you Luke. I see you. I really do" everything inside of me screamed.

Just as I opened my mouth to prove him wrong, to tell him that I did see him, my cell phone rang.

"Why in the world did it have to ring now?" I wanted to scream, but instead I grabbed into my bag to dig for the phone.

Luke was the first to break eye contact and, oh God, it pained me to hurt him so much. What was wrong with me? First I tell him how he was always there for me and then he asked me a simple question and I couldn't answer? Why didn't I just answer and switch off the stupid phone?

"Hello? I finally answered the phone with an angry undertone.

"Chris?" I gasped, my eyes turning frantically over to Luke. The second time this day I saw pure hurt and disappointment in his eyes. He shot me a last glance and headed out of the door.

"Luke" I desperately called as the door closed behind him. For a moment I was paralysed and near tears. Why did I hurt the person that was so important to me?

"Chris?" I asked again.

"My parents are in jail"

"I know" I said, squeezing my eyes shut and rubbing my forehead exhaustedly.

"You know? Why?"

"You don't know why?" I asked appalled.

"I just came back from California with Sherry and my father called me to inform me that I should take over his business for a while until the misunderstanding will be resolved. He told me nothing more."

"Misunderstanding? You must be kidding me!" I nearly screamed into the phone.

"Lore I don't understand"

"Christopher! You parents are responsible that Ella couldn't grow up with her real family. They are responsible that she has been abused and mistreated. And they call it a misunderstanding?"

"Who is Ella"

"Avery"

"Avery?"

"Ella is Avery!"

"Who is Avery?"

"What?" I shouted.

"Who is Avery?"

"Oh God Christopher!

"What?"

"You daughter Christopher. She is your daughter! Remember!" I sighed defeated.

"Lore you know that she is dead, right?"

"That's the point Christopher!" I barked. "She isn't. Your disgusting parents have kidnapped her from the hospital and gave her up for adoption. She grew up with an abusive man, who mistreated her so much that she ended up in the hospital. In some twisted way I should even thank him, because wouldn't she have been brought to that hospital I would have never found out that she is alive"

"She is alive?"

"Haven't you listened?"

"So she really is alive?…Have you seen her?"

"Of course I have. She lives with us"

"Why haven't you called me?"

"I wanted to wait until you are back from L.A. I didn't want to tell you over the phone."

"Oh god"

"I know" I sighed once again.

"I'll come as soon as possible"

"Okay Chris. Bye."

"Bye"

I took a deep breath and stayed like that for a moment. I shook my head, as if I couldn't quite believe what had happened in the last 30 minutes. First I hurt and disappointed Luke and then Christopher's phone call left me in a state of confusion and anger. In addition there were all these new feelings inside my stomach as soon as I thought about Luke, which however I couldn't quite name.

As I stood there all by myself in Luke's apartment, my mobile rang once again.

"Can't you just leave me alone for a moment?" I said frustrated to the phone in my hand.

"Hello?" I answered sharply.

"Am I speaking with Lorelai Gilmore?"

"Yes"

"This is Daniel Hart. I'm court usher in the trial of both Hayden and Thompson versus the State. I call to inform you that both trials will already be next Wednesday. As you know, we do need yours and Avery Thompson's testimony."

"Next Wednesday?" I asked shocked. "Both?"

"Yes they are coincidentally both on the same day. The first trial will be at 7:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m. in which Avery Thompson's testimony will be needed. The trial against the Haydens will start at 2:00 p.m. and will end approximately at 6:00 p.m.

"Thank you. And her name is Avery Gilmore" I said angrily before ending the conversation.

I threw the phone into my bag and slowly headed down the stairs. Luke, who was just standing with his back faced to me, didn't notice me as I slipped out of the diner with two other guests.

Slowly I slandered down the street, as I processed this last conversation. I didn't expect the trials to be so soon. I thought it would take months until it would come to a trial. Months until I would come face to face with the Haydens. Months in which I would have time to process everything that had happened the last weeks. And how in the world should I tell Ella that she would have to face the man that had hurt her so much? All these thoughts accompanied my way home.

If anyone has a few suggestions about love interests for Ella, plz tell me. Jess, Tristan, a new guy or nobody? Tell me what you think!