DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything to do with Gilmore Girls or the song "What's Up Lonely?" by Kelly Clarkson. I'm just borrowing them for a little while.

Hey, I'm back again! Thanks so much for all of the reviews! You guys have definitely encouraged me and made me smile! I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint, I wasn't really sure how this one should go!

Rory was sitting on the front steps when she saw the Jeep pull up to the house. Lorelai got out and ran over to Rory with a panicked look on her face. "Ror, what happened? I got here as fast as I could."

The guilt on Rory's face grew and she quietly said, "I accidentally drank punch that was spiked. I didn't realize it until I had already had a few. Paris did too, but apparently she did it intentionally. She couldn't give me a ride home and said she would go home with a kid she met tonight."

"What? Are we talking about the same Paris here?"

Rory nodded her head and said, "I know, I couldn't believe it either. I'm so sorry mom, but I didn't think you'd want me getting a ride from some stranger."

"No, you're right hun. But Paris sure as hell isn't getting a ride from him either. Let's go."

Rory frowned and got up to follow Lorelai who was already well into the party. She should have known this would happen. Then again, it will be great payback to see the look on Paris' face. Rory observed while Lorelai went straight onto the dance floor and up to Paris. "Paris, we're leaving now!"

Shocked and drunk, Paris said, "Um, hi, Lorelai. This is Peter, he is going to give me a ride."

"Oh, hi there Pete. Thanks for the offer, but I can handle this. Bye bye now." Peter just glanced between Lorelai and Paris, and deciding that Lorelai looked far scarier at the moment, gave a slight wave and walked off.

"Lorelai! Why'd you do that?" Paris asked, and then slightly wobbled into Rory. Rory grabbed her arm and helped Lorelai lead her to the car. "This is so embarrassing! I never should have taken you with me Gilmore!"

Lorelai looked at Paris, who was squished between her and Rory, and said, "Oh, don't worry about that kid. I don't think my daughter will be going anywhere with you any time soon."

Paris just snorted, laid her head against Rory's shoulder and fell asleep. The ride to Paris' house was spent in silence, with the exception of the few times Paris would shout out facts in her sleep. When they arrived at Paris' house, both Gilmores grabbed and arm and led Paris to the front door. Rory searched through Paris' purse and found her house key. After they made sure she was in bed, they quietly left and headed back to Stars Hollow.

The weekend had been spent the same way as any other, filled with movies and junk food. Rory didn't mention Tristan at all and just told Lorelai that she had spent the party watching Paris dance, which they both found very entertaining.

By the time Monday rolled around, Rory was definitely not looking forward to going to school. She had Paris and Tristan to contend with, which wasn't actually out of the ordinary, but she knew this would be different. After two cups of coffee and then two more of Lorelai's, she finally made it to Chilton. She went to her locker and was surprised to find it devoid of both Tristan and Paris. Sighing in relief, she made her way to first period, which happened to be one of three classes she shared with Tristan. She sat at her usual seat, and started reading before class started. A few minutes later, she saw Tristan enter out of the corner of her eye. She looked up from her book to see Tristan bidding a goodbye to his latest conquest. Flustered, Rory tried to go back to reading her book as if she didn't care. Why did she care? It's not like this wasn't a normal thing to see.

Rory's reaction did not go unnoticed by Tristan. He smirked when he saw her trying desperately to act as if she was interested in her book. Giving Sarah another kiss for show, he gave her a slight push out the door and went to his seat, which was behind Rory. The calculus lecture began, and Rory tried her hardest to concentrate on the notes. Tristan was tapping her chair to a silent beat, and it took all of her self-control to not turn around and hit him. Towards the end of class, Tristan leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "Have fun on Friday, Mary?" Rory swatted him away and he just leaned back in his seat with a victorious grin on his face.

Rory couldn't understand why he was acting like nothing had happened. Maybe it really wasn't as big of a deal as she had made it out to be all weekend. She was a little tipsy, so she could have imagined it much worse than it actually was. Tristan on the other hand, was trying his hardest to act like everything was normal. He'd show Rory that she means nothing to him and Friday night had no effect on him whatsoever.

The bell finally rang, and Rory practically sprang out of her seat and into the hallway. Her relief was short-lived, because as soon as she arrived at her locker, she was met by Paris. "Oh, hello Rory."

"Uh, hi, Paris."

"You know, there's a couple kissing over there. Should I get Lorelai on the phone?" Paris asked, grinning.

Rory let out a deep breath and said, "You know what Paris? You deserved what happened to you, so why don't you just go torture someone else?"

Paris looked pleased with her self and walked off towards her locker. Rory began unloading her books when she took notice of the kissing couple mentioned earlier. Of course, it was Tristan and his latest bimbo. She didn't know why it was bothering her so much, but she felt like she had to get out of there. With her eyes set forward, she walked right past them and everyone else and into the library.

Thankful for study period, she grabbed one of her favorite Jane Austen books and sat down against the bookshelves. She hadn't made it through three pages before she heard giggling. Annoyed, she looked up from her book and saw Tristan and the girl from before going at it a few feet away. She let out a loud, frustrated sigh and stormed out of the library. Needing some fresh air, she went outside and sat in the courtyard.

He saw me go in the library and that's why he brought her in there. Why was he trying extra-hard to make my life miserable today? She laid her head down on the table and closed her eyes, willing this day to be over. Sure enough, she heard someone sit next to her. Not lifting her head, she said, "Whoever you are, go away."

"Now, that's not very friendly, Mary."

Rory lifted her head from the table and put it in her hands. "Why are you torturing me, why? I thought you said you didn't even want to bother with me anymore."

"Relax Mare. I just saw you throw a little fit in the library and wanted to make sure you we're okay. But, now that I see you are, I will leave you alone." Tristan began to stand, but was surprised when Rory grabbed his arm and pulled him back down.

"Can you just answer one question?" Rory asked.

"Um, sure." Tristan was nervous, a feeling he wasn't accustomed to.

"Did you take that girl into the library because you knew I was in there?"

"Now, there you go again. Thinking that the world revolves around you." Tristan said, his voice becoming bitter.

Rory sighed and said, "Just answer the question Tristan."

Tristan raised his finger to his forehead as if in deep thought and said, "Tell you what? You answer a question of mine, and I'll answer yours."

"I have a feeling I'm going to regret this, but fine."

Tristan smiled at her tone and asked, "Why would it bother you either way?"

Rory definitely wasn't expecting that question. It was actually an excellent question; one that she had been asking herself.

Tristan, tired of waiting for her response, said, "Well?"

Rory opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Tristan smirked and said, "Nevermind. I got it."

He tried to stand again, but Rory finally said, "What? What do you get Tristan?"

Seeing her face full of confusion and anger, he said, "Don't worry about it, Mare. I'll see you around."

He was already on his way back into the school, but Rory got up and ran after him. She grabbed his shoulder and turned him around. "Does this mean that you're going to leave me alone?"

"Is that what you want?"

Rory looked into his eyes and thought she saw disappointment. Then as fast as she saw it, it was gone and replaced with the same wall. "Yes."

"Okay, then. Later, Mare." Tristan patted her head, causing her to flinch at the childish gesture. He gave her another smirk and went back inside the building, leaving her standing there. The whole encounter had left her even more confused. He can go from caring to ass in two seconds flat, she thought. Despite all her better judgments, she couldn't stop thinking that all of his actions were just a defense mechanism. Every now and then, she saw something in his eyes. Something that she just couldn't get out of her head.

Was it awful? I hope not, I just am not sure about this one! I could really use some feedback so please do me a huge favor and review! As always, thanks so much for continuing to give me a chance!