I just want to be part of your symphony
By birdsinastorm
Chapter One
Rory felt something brush her shoulder and fall to the floor. She felt annoyed. She reached down to pick up a piece of paper that was folded neatly on all four sides. Her name was written on it in tidy script. Rory unfolded the piece of paper out of curiosity. The piece of paper read:
"Meet me after class. This is IMPORTANT. Don't let me down, Gilmore.
-Paris"
Rory glanced at Paris. Her arch-enemy was staring straight ahead at their English teacher, Mr. Medina, as if she didn't send out the missive. Rory rolled her eyes but decided to comply. Sometimes the path to least resistance is a better option… especially when it came to Paris.
The end of class went by swiftly. They already had another English research paper due the following week. Rory waited outside of the classroom as students filed out of Mr. Medina's English class in small groups.
Paris arrived without her usual two minion—Louise and Madeline.
"Gilmore," said Paris sharply. "Walk with me."
Rory sighed. "What do you want, Paris?" she asked.
"I'm assume you heard. The Puffs have decided to stretch out their inner-circle invitations to include Sophomores. I heard names were being thrown around… you and I were obviously included. We're the smartest Sophomores in our grade."
Rory frowned in annoyance. "Paris, I don't speak inner-circle-Illuminati passcode. What are you talking about?"
Paris stopped her movements abruptly. She turned to Rory. "You haven't heard? Didn't your mother or your grandmother fill-you-in?"
"No, Paris," snapped Rory. "Save me the Manifesto and give me the quick-to-it Cliff Notes version and explain."
Paris snorted. "The Puffs are an elite sorority at Chilton. They are composed of the smartest and the best women of this school. Now, try to keep-up."
Rory nodded. "So, The Puffs choose which students are let it to their little group?"
"They don't let you in. They figure out if you can fit-in."
"So, they haze you?" said Rory smartly.
"Did I say haze?" said Paris snidely. "Well, if you can't stand the heat then you better get out of the kitchen I guess."
Rory began to walk away. "I'll see if this kitchen is worth standing in," she said over her shoulder.
It was the night of Rory and Lorelai's Friday Night Dinner at her grandparents home in Hartford. The two arrived right-on-time as usual. Rory wore a black skirt and a soft lavender blouse. She wore a pair of black tights and black shoes to match. Her dark brown hair was brushed back and held in place with a headband for the right effect.
"I hope dinner will be a quick one," said Lorelai. "There's something good to watch on television tonight."
"A repeat showing of 'The Shining' isn't something I'd write home about," said Rory. "In fact, this could be considered a repeat showing of 'The Shining. Even without Jack Nicholson."
Before Lorelai could answer the front door was opened by the newest Gilmore house maid. Rory and Lorelai entered the foyer where her grandmother stood impatiently waiting for the two of them. Her grandmother promptly handed Rory and Lorelai two drinks.
"Drink up," said Emily. "We have another guest tonight. Trix is here."
Lorelai promptly obeyed. Rory sighed. She wished she could have the alcoholic beverage like her mother and her grandmother.
"Who's Trix?" asked Rory.
"Trix is Dad's mother… your great-grandmother," supplied Lorelai.
"So, why does Trix's arrival mean we get drinks at the foyer?"
"She is a difficult woman to handle, Rory," said her grandmother. "Nothing is ever right when it comes to her. The air-conditioning is too cold, then, it's too hot. The ice in her drink has melted and it's too watery. Dinner could have been pheasant instead of duck."
Rory nodded. "I see. Well, I'll be happy to meet her anyway. Isn't she another 'Lorelai' like me and mom?"
"That's right," said Lorelai. "You haven't had the pleasure of meeting Trix yet. This should be good."
"Emily, let the ladies in already!" shouted a prim-and-proper voice from the sitting area. "You can harangue them after they sit down."
Emily sighed and ushered the two into the sitting-room.
Rory entered the sitting-room with trepidation. A stately woman sat in a chair by the fireplace. She wore black clothes that seemed as if they were meant to be from another time-period. The woman had soft gray hair pulled back in a bun. A sparkling black broach was on her lapel.
"Hello," said Rory politely to Trix. She smiled at her grandfather as a way of greeting. He sat on the other couch that was on the other side of the glass coffee table.
"Nice to see you there, Grandma," said Lorelai.
"Hello, Lorelai. It's nice to see you, too. And it is not even Christmas yet," said Trix.
Lorelai rolled-her-eyes but did not reply. However, Trix did not notice or care. Her eyes were on Rory.
"So, I see the final 'Lorelai' is here as well," said Trix. "Come here child. Let me see you."
Rory walked over to Trix. Trix examined her with a critical eye. She seemed appreciative of her black tights and sensible heels.
"I hear you attend Chilton Preparatory School," said Trix.
"Yes. I started this year."
"I also hear that you have aspirations to attend Yale."
Rory shook her head. "I want to go to Harvard actually," she said.
"We will disabuse you of that notion in time. Gilmores are Yale attendees through-and-through."
Rory decided not to argue.
"You look like a nice girl," said Trix. She glanced at Lorelai. Trix's eyes hovered over Lorelai's blouse. It was a black silk top that was cut a little too low.
"Thank you," said Rory. She turned and made her way to the couch now that Trix's perusal was complete.
"I'm happy that you're here to meet Trix," said Richard Gilmore. "My mother is a formidable woman."
Emily made a strange noise from the back of her throat.
Rory tried not to smile.
"So, how is your year going at Chilton?" asked Trix.
Rory bit her lip. A thought crossed her mind. "Well, something strange did happen to me today," she said.
"And what is that?" questioned Trix.
"A girl I know told me about a group at Chilton. She said—"
"That's enough now," snapped Trix. "Richard, I am a bit chilly. Will you go upstairs to get my wrap?"
There was a strange glimmer of knowledge in Richard's eye. "All right, Trix," he said promptly. "We wouldn't want you to catch cold."
Emily made another strange noise from the back of her throat.
Richard stood and made his way up the staircase.
Now, Trix's full attention was on Rory. "So, Lorelai—"
"It's 'Rory' actually," said Rory. Trix ignored Rory's interruption.
"I see that someone has approached you about 'The Puffs.'"
"Yes," said Rory. "This person assumed that I would get an invitation to the group. Can you tell me more about 'The Puffs?'"
"The Puffs are a Sorority-of-sorts at Chilton," said Trix. "They run under-the-radar. They invite special girls to be in their group."
The best girls who attend the best universities are a part of the group," explained Trix. "With your grades, with our Gilmore name, and with the The Puffs on your résumé you will be able to attend any university that you wish."
"So, it's a good idea to be a part of this group."
"The best idea," supplied Trix.
Rory nodded sagely. "I see."