"Lorelai, that one costs a 165 dollars." Sookie said as her eyes bulged.

"It's perfect." Lorelai smiled as she touched the leather cover. "I can even get her name engraved."

"That's an extra twenty dollars." Sookie added. "That's an awful lot of money to pay for a book."

"This isn't just a book, Sookie." Lorelai contradicted. "It's the book."

"Rory will love it."

Lorelai nodded. "I hope so."

"Is this the one you want, ma'am?" The clerk asked.

"Yes, this is the one. Also, I'd like the name Rory Gilmore engraved on the case, please."

The clerk pushed several buttons on the cash register. "That'll be 189.99"

Lorelai handed the clerk her credit card.

"The engraving will be finished in about an hour." The clerk replied. "You can pick it up then."

"Come on, Sookie, let's grab a bite to eat while we wait."

Sookie frowned. "Are you sure you can afford to eat?"

(Chilton)

Rory had grown tired of Sheena's could shoulder. She was actually starting to become angry at the fact that Sheena wouldn't take the time to listen to her. Rory had tried repeatedly to apologize, make conversation, and be nice but Sheena was having nothing of it. During lunch, Sheena had been sitting with another girl. The same girl that Rory saw her talking with a few days before. Feeling neglected and replaced, Rory decided that today she would sit with the girls.

Rory placed her tray beside Sheena's. "Gosh, there's hardly an empty table anywhere." Rory replied as she took off her book bag.

Sheena nearly choked on her food. "Rory, what are you doing?"

"Having lunch." Rory smiled. She glanced across the table at the other girl. "Hi, I'm Rory Gilmore."

"Mary Newberry." The girl replied awkwardly.

"Rory, you can't sit here." Sheena said becoming forceful.

Rory was silent for a moment. "I can sit where I please." Rory replied.

"Not, here." Sheena restated. "Leave."

"What is wrong with you!" Rory asked, her voice full of anger and frustration. "You won't talk to me, you won't hang out with me, you won't even accept my phone calls."

"Rory, this is not the time." Sheena replied.

Rory's emotions were starting to get the best of her. "If it was up to you, there wouldn't be a time. You'd just go on living your life like I didn't even exist. Why can't we talk about this? Why can't you tell me why you're so angry? If it's over what happened the other night, I'm honestly sorry. I swear."

Mary rose from the table. "I should go."

"Wait." Sheena objected.

Mary continued to walk away, paying not attention to the girl.

Rory's eyes began to tear up. "Sheena, why are you acting like this?"

"Rory, stay away! I can't be your friend anymore, it just doesn't work. We fight too much."

"Fight?" Rory asked broken heartedly, "Sheena, you and I never fight."

Sheena grabbed her tray and stood from the table. "Just let it go."

Rory stood as well. "I can't let it go. You're my best friend." Rory replied. "I can't stand being an enemy to you."

Sheena sighed. "Fine, Rory, we're friends okay? We're not enemies, we're not fighting, we're friends. Just leave me alone."

Sheena briskly walked away, leaving a devastated Rory behind.

(Later that afternoon)

Lorelai opened the back door and walked into the kitchen. She planned on hiding the beautiful new bible in the closet and pulling it out later that night for Rory. She even had it gift wrapped. Very pleased with herself and her acts, Lorelai placed the bible on the top shelf of the closet. She quickly closed the door and looked at her watch. It was nearly 2:30. Rory would be getting out of school soon, so it was time for Lorelai to head to Chilton.

As Lorelai walked back into the kitchen, she heard the small sounds of sniffling and crying. At first she became alarmed, but then realized the tiny noises were coming from Rory's bedroom. Lorelai cautiously preceded in the direction of Rory's room.

"Rory?" Lorelai asked, almost afraid. "Is that you?" Lorelai opened the door. Rory was laying across the bed, her head cradled in her arms. "Rory, sweetheart, what are you doing home?" Lorelai quickly went to the side of her daughter.

Rory raised her head and faced her mother. "I'm sorry." She whimpered. "I know I shouldn't have left school. I caught a bus home…"

"Why did you leave school?" Lorelai asked, becoming more concerned. "What happened?"

"I- I tried to talk to Sheena." Rory's voice was crackly. "She told me to leave her alone and that we couldn't be friends anymore. I don't know why this hurts so much…" Another wave of tears engulfed the teenage girl, "But it does."

Rory reached out and wrapped herself around her mother. Lorelai soothed her daughter for several moments. "Shhh." Lorelai whispered. "It's okay."

"She hates me." Rory pouted.

Lorelai gently stroked the back of her daughter's head. "She doesn't hate you, Rory."

Lorelai hated to see her daughter hurt. To make matters worse, she couldn't help but blame Sheila for all the pain. Lorelai laid down on the bed beside her daughter. Rory soon cried herself to sleep. Lorelai, however was wide awake thinking of ways to mend her daughter's heart.