Story Title: The Tables have turned Gilmore.
Author: Sancia Chislaine aka Angel Moon Princess
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own The Gilmore Girls series nor am I in anyway affiliated with the TV show or characters.This disclaimer is meant for the entire story.
Chapter Four:
Rory entered the conference room to be greeted by Paris, Madeline, Louise, Clai, Jensen and Tyler.
"What took you so long Gilmore? Wasn't trying to ditch the meeting were you?" Clai whispered playfully into Rory's ear as she took her seat.
The thought had crossed her mind but she knew that if she had tried to make up an excuse it would have seemed like she was running away so she said, "That stupid locker of mine revolted again."
"It's about time to start the meeting but two more are missing," Paris observed from her seat at the head of the table, "It's not like Mandy to be late but I knew Tristan was going to be this paper's downfall," she complained.
Paris was cut off by Tyler who said, "I saw him in the hall earlier he said he might be late. I figure he's probably at some girl's locker making out."
"The boys only been back for a day and already he has all the ladies going crazy," Jensen said with a frown on his face, "That cuts into my chances of having a date every weekend."
Rory felt a small pang in her gut but she brushed it off. Why would she care any way? It was just like Tristan. Everyone laughed at Jensen's statement but stopped abruptly when the door slowly peeked open to reveal a tired looking Tristan. His tussled hair looked like he had run his fingers through it too many times but somehow it still managed to look amazingly gorgeous.
Everybody in the room laughed. "Dude for a second there I thought you weren't going to come," Jensen laughed. "But I see you chose to grace us with your presence."
Tristan flashed his trademark smirk but returned his attention quickly to a glowering Paris.
"DuGrey you've got some nerve. Showing up late to your first meeting, you really need to set your priorities right. Now take a seat, we don't have anytime to waste," Paris commanded angrily.
"I have a date with the Mary chick and I don't want to be late could we hurry this up," Tyler whined.
As soon as Tyler had said the word 'Mary' everyone's eyes shot up at Tristan, he hadn't even flinched he just kept on looking through the agenda. It was as if he didn't even notice Rory was in the room, he didn't seem to care at all about her. Rory's eyes stung with hot tears that had taken refuge in her sapphire wells.
"I think I'll um... I'll be right back," she muttered as she got up and walked out the oak door. She didn't know why he was affecting her like this. It was as if she longed for his attention, before she wouldn't have cared but now it hurt, it really hurt. She couldn't stop her tears. Why were they there in the first place? She tried to wipe them away with the back of her hand but she couldn't stop them. They poured out like a never- ending river.
Why am I crying? It's not like I ever meant anything to him and he's Tristan for crying out loud, it shouldn't bother me, she told herself, I lived while he wasn't here. I have everything I want but why does it feel like I want him. Rory was confusing herself, her feelings were going haywire. It doesn't bother me. IT DOESN'T BOTHER ME! Rory whispered the words to herself until her tears discontinued.
She walked into the room for the second time that afternoon but this time she could feel concerned eyes roaming all over her body, searching for any clue as to what had happened.
"Are you alright?" Clai asked as she returned to her seat next to him.
Rory looked at Tristan instead of Clai and for the first time that entire day she could see concern in his eyes but when he realized that she was looking at him, he quickly bent his head and shuffled the papers in his hand.
"I'm fine," Rory replied. "I just needed some air, I was feeling stuffy. You know what I'm like without coffee," she tried to joke but the hurt in her voice was evident. Tristan hadn't even noticed that she was hurt; it doesn't bother me she kept saying in her mind.
Paris noticed Rory's eyes were blood shot so she took the opportunity to try and divert the attention away from Rory before anyone else noticed it as well, "Now that everyone's here we should really discuss who does what this year because we've been in here for what?" she looked down at her watch and continued, "Twenty minutes, I have home work! Ok people start working," she commanded.
The group sat there for about thirty minutes more and everyone argued about what contribution they would make to the paper this year. They were now discussing who would be able to be the writers for the two missing parts of the paper.
"I'll take the entertainment," Rory and Tristan both said in unison but when they heard the other they both said, "Um ok so I'll take the current events," Rory flushed and Tristan found fancy in staring at the shiny mahogany table.
"Well," Paris said, "Make up your minds. I don't have time for this!" She tried hard to cover up for Rory's blushing but found it quite amusing herself and had to use all of her will power not to burst out laughing.
They both looked at each other and came to a silent agreement, Tristan however voiced the news, "She'll take the entertainment and I'll do the current event."
Paris looked at Rory and when she nodded she continued, "Glad that's worked out. So people you know what you have to do. The meeting has finally come to an end. Same place same time next week Tuesday."
Everyone got up from their seats and tiny moans were heard as everyone stretched their tight muscles. Rory stared at Tristan but he didn't seem to show any interest, she never thought in a million years that the tables would turn. She let out a soft sigh and bent down and picked up her book bag.
"Rory?" a soft masculine voice asked.
She turned around wishing that it was Tristan but he had already walked out the door, "What?" she asked as she saw Clai and Madeline staring at her.
"Want to get some coffee?" Madeline asked, "We could go to Luke's. I have the whole evening off and Clai and I don't have plans so we could all go get some coffee," she suggested kindly.
Rory was glad that she was offered the treat and her mind let go of all of her previous thoughts. Paris heard the discussion to and she said she would join them so all four headed out the door talking about how great the paper would be this year.
"It doesn't bother me," Rory whispered it softly as she saw Tristan open the door to his car and seated himself while turning on the engine in a hurry.
Rory had second thoughts about the whole coffee idea but she knew it would take her mind off of things and she would relax. She remembered how soothing the liquid she found in her locker was that morning and joined the group that was seated in Clai's car that soon enough headed for Star's Hollow.
While in the car Rory asked, "Did any of you put coffee in my locker this morning?"
Paris, who was sitting directly next to her looked her in the eyes and shook her head, Clai looked back from the driver's seat at said, "You know that stuff could kill you and I love you too much to hurt you."
"You know I should be jealous here," Madeline replied but she gently hit Clai on the shoulder, "I didn't even get my own this morning."
"I found this note with it," Rory said pulling out the note and handing it to Paris.
"Rory thought you might need this," Paris read it out loud and Madeline added quite a few giggles.
"Rory I think you may have a secret admirer," Clai said, "If anything strange happens you can always tell me and I'll take them out," Clai's voice was serious and Paris took note of this.
"What are you jealous Clai?" Paris said in mock amusement.
"Paris, Clai's my boyfriend he has no reason to be jealous," Madeline looked very offended and eyed Clai a bit jealous. Clai laughed however and stretched over to give her a kiss.
"Look at the road!" Paris yelled fearful of what might happen.
A/N: This chapter along with every other before chapter 11 has been revised. If you have read this before nothing has changed except for the fact that I fixed most of the errors. Feel free to review and tell me if you hated it or loved it.