AN: For all the Rory/Jess fans out there they won't get together in this story they will just have a really strong friendship. Thanks for all the reviews.

Disclaimer: I asked Santa for Gilmore Girls last year but all I got was tube socks

Chapter 8: New Rules

The next day at Chilton was horrible for Rory. No matter what she was doing she couldn't shake the feeling that people were staring at her and it was very unnerving.

"What's up with you Gilmore?" Paris asked that afternoon.

"What do you mean?" Rory asked a little annoyed.

"What I mean is that this new article you turned in is horrible" Paris said looking like she would have a panic attack.

"I've had some problems at home" Rory said honestly.

"Well boo hoo we all have our problems but you can not let it affect this paper" Paris said near screaming.

"Paris that article I gave you is still good" Rory said hanging her head.

"Well good won't make us the best paper, we have to beat USA Today, The New York Times, and The New Yorker" Paris said.

"Whatever I promise it will be better next time" Rory said getting up and walking away.

As Rory walked out of the newspaper room she ran into Max.

"Hello, Mr. Medina" Rory said putting on her best fake smile.

"Rory there is something I need to talk to you about" Max said guiding her to the parking lot.

They were soon in the car and on their way home.

"I want to personally read all your articles" Max said.

"I don't care but why?" Rory asked.

"Because I heard Paris talking about how you weren't trying your hardest and we can't have that and expect Harvard now can we?" Max asked.

"No sir" Rory said in fear.

"Good I will also check your homework and should anything not be A material you will be punished, and for any grade under an A you will be punished do I make myself clear?" Max asked.

"You make yourself clear" Rory said not looking at him.

"You will look at me when I talk to you!" Max screamed. If he hadn't been driving he would have hit her.

"You've made yourself clear" Rory said looking at him this time.

"That's better" Max said.

"When's mom coming home tonight?" Rory asked.

"A big wedding is being held at the inn meaning she won't be home until at least eight, which gives us at least four hours alone together" Max said.

When they finally did get home Rory went straight to work on her homework after she was finished Max looked it over.

"This isn't good enough" Max said.

"But I've spent two hours on it" Rory complained.

That earned Rory a backhand across the face. Max hit her so hard that her mouth was bleeding.

"You are going to do this again and do it right this time" Max said.

Rory sighed "I'll do it again" she said as she started to work again.

A little while later Rory was once again finished and Max was looking over it.

"This is better, you're done for the day" Max said.

Rory sighed with relief 'Thank God' she thought.

"Now work on that article Paris was talking about" Max said.

Rory looked down at the ground. "I'll get back to work" she said.

Suddenly Max got mad and threw her to the ground.

"What have I said about looking at me when speaking" Max said.

"I'll get to work on it" Rory said crying.

A little while later Lorelai walked in.

"Hello where is everyone?" Lorelai shouted through the house.

"Hey sweetie" Max said kissing her.

As soon as Rory heard her mom walk in she reapplied her make-up and went out to greet her.

"Hey mom" Rory said putting on another fake smile.

"Have you guys eaten yet?" Lorelai asked.

"No we haven't" Max said.

"Well then let's head to Luke's" Lorelai said.

"Are you sure you want to go there?" Max asked.

"Yeah, it's eight and I'm sure you don't feel like cooking" Lorelai said.

"Alright let's go" Max said reluctantly.

"Dad, do you want to look over my article?" Rory asked as they walked out.

"Sure I'll take a look after we order" Max said.

"I'll look at it too" Lorelai said.

When they arrived at the diner they ordered three cheeseburgers, two chili cheese fries, and one regular fry.

While they were waiting both Lorelai and Max read Rory's article.

"This is great" Lorelai said.

"I agree" Max said.

"Really?" Rory asked hopefully.

"Yeah this is great, isn't it Max" Lorelai said.

"Yeah one of your best" Max said.

It meant so much to Rory to hear her mom say that. That meant she was doing a good job and nothing would happen to her.

Jess came out to serve them their food and he looked at Rory.

'Something's different about her' Jess thought as he put down their plates.

'She's wearing make-up, a lot of make-up' Jess realized. Which seemed odd to him, Rory didn't seem like the kind of girl that would wear that much make-up.

Jess dismissed it and went back to the kitchen but he couldn't shake this nagging feeling that something was up with this girl that he hardly knew.

"Hey Uncle Luke does Rory usually wear a lot of make-up?" Jess asked.

Luke looked at him like he was crazy. "Not that much, I mean a little bit but not a huge amount" Luke said.

"Thanks" Jess replied.

"Why did you want to know that?" Luke asked.

"No reason" Jess responded.

Luke just shook his head and grumbled to himself.

The Medina family ate their meal fairly quickly and then headed back home.

"So how about a movie night this Saturday" Lorelai said.

"Sounds good to me just as long as I can pick one movie" Max said.

Rory stayed quiet, her mouth was bleeding once again.

"Rory are you there?" Lorelai asked.

"Yeah I'm fine just as long as we have Wonka it's a movie night" Rory said quickly.

When they arrived back at the house Rory went straight for her room and locked the door.

"Max do you think something's wrong with Rory?" Lorelai asked her voice filled with concern.

"Why would you think that?" Max asked acting as naïve to the situation as he could.

"Well she's just off lately it's like she's not even Rory" Lorelai said.

"It's nothing to worry about she's probably just adjusting to me being here and working with Paris on the paper does take its toll" Max said.

"I guess" Lorelai said not believing one word of what Max had just said.

"Don't worry I'll talk with her tomorrow and find out what's wrong" Max said.

Lorelai was a little hurt since Rory always talked to her but she guessed it would be fine if she talked to Max.

"Well alright, talk to her tomorrow" Lorelai said.

"Yeah I'll talk with her tomorrow" Max said angry burning up inside of him.

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