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Major thanks to my beta, Lourenda!
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It had a little less than a week since Rory had sent in her application to the camp. Attached to the application she was e-mailed, was a note that she had to go to the camp office two days before the camp started to get the lay of the land and meet the other staff.
As Rory drove to the park she didn't really know what to expect, she had never actually been to camp. The closest she had ever gotten was watching Disney's television show 'Bug Juice'.
She took comfort in the fact that the guy she had spoken with on the phone had told her that the kids would tell her what they wanted.
Rory hadn't gotten the name of the man on the phone but she had spent a lot of the past week trying to figure out why the voice had sounded familiar. Lorelai had told her over and over again that most guys sounded the same on the phone but Rory had her doubts. This voice was different; it was a voice from her past.
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Tristan was sitting on the bench in front of the camp office when he saw a little silver car pull into the parking lot. He immediately knew who it was, only because every other counselor was already there.
Not wanting to make her run in the other direction he decided to make himself scarce. The camp couldn't afford to lose another counselor and he was willing to bet that Rory would decline the job the moment she saw him.
Walking into the office he walked over to a short, plump women with dark brown hair named Wendy. Wendy was the camp coordinator and oversaw everything that took place at the camp.
"Wendy, the new counselor just arrived. I'm going down to the pond to help Eric out with the equipment."
"Why didn't you go greet her?" Wendy questioned. She had known Tristan for a few years now and she knew that he was usually the first on to introduce himself.
"No reason, just figured Eric could use some help." Tristan said lamely.
"Now tell me the real reason."
Tristan sighed; there was no getting out of telling her. "I used to go to Chilton with her. Let's just say she didn't like me very much. I don't want her to walk away from the camp all because I work here. I know we can't afford to lose any more counselors this year."
Wendy shook her head, he was right they couldn't lose another counselor. "Fine, but you do know eventually she will realize you work here."
"By the time I make an appearance she will have signed the contract." He grinned and walked out the back door just as Rory walked into the front.
"Hi, I'm Rory Gilmore. I applied for the counselor position."
"Hello, I'm Wendy Brockmen. I am the camp coordinator; I oversee everything that goes on."
Wendy took in Rory's appearance she was beautiful. Her brown hair was straight and in a ponytail, but her bangs were swept to the side and her eyes were an amazing blue.
That's when it clicked, Tristan had obviously been chasing after this girl. Wendy had known that Tristan had always been a bit of a ladies man, but he had managed to keep his charm to himself when it came to the female counselors. However, judging his reaction to Miss Gilmore, she suspected this year might be different.
"It's nice to meet you." Rory said politely shaking the older women's hand.
"You too, how about we get your contract signed and everything set up. Then I'll get someone to show you around the property."
"Sounds like a plan." Rory smiled and sat in the chair that Wendy had motioned to.
"Ok, Rory. Tri…The young man you spoke to on the phone told me that you are going to need community service hours instead of payment. I know it's personal but I have to know why." Wendy told her cautiously hoping that Rory didn't notice her slip up.
"Don't worry about it. I stole a yacht with my ex-boyfriend."
"I know it's none of my business but my curiously has piqued, why did you steal a yacht?" Wendy asked.
"It's a long story, but to summarize it a very powerful man told I did not have what it took to be a journalist, and for some reason I felt I had to take to the seas." Rory said with a small laugh realizing how silly it now sounded.
"Moby Dick?"
"How'd you know?"
"It's my husband's favorite book and every time he gets angry he goes out on his boat." Wendy smiled warmly. "But enough of me prying into your personal life. Obviously since you will be in charge of minors there are a lot of rules you must abide by."
Rory nodded and took the paper that Wendy was holding out to her.
"There are the obvious ones: no smoking or drinking of alcoholic beverages on the camp grounds." Wendy told her and then began to list some other obvious rules that involved cursing and substance abuse.
"There is camper confidentiality, we do have older campers around the ages of thirteen or fourteen and they do tend to form a bond with you over the summer. They may tell you things that you are not to talk about unless you feel it is threatening the well-being of the camper."
"The packet I have said the oldest campers were twelve." Rory said confused.
"Within the last two years the park officials changed the age. It's their attempt to keep older kids out of trouble." Wendy explained.
Rory continued to listening intently to the rules, she did not want to mess this up.
They spent the next hour going over other things such as uniform requirements, how her hours would be accounted for and other important information.
"So, do you have any questions?"
"No, I think we're good." Rory smiled.
"Alright, if you do have any questions just come find me or ask any other of the counselors. There are only two new counselors this year, you and another girl named Sammie. If you would just wait a moment while I file this, then I will get someone to show you around."
"I can go walking on my own. All the staff are wearing bright yellow shirts, I think I'll be able to pick them out." Rory said sweetly.
"Alright, come back in a little while and I'll have your name tag and shirts ready for you."
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Rory left the camp office and began to wander around the park. She soon realized she had no idea where she was going, seeing a girl in a yellow shirt she cautiously approached her.
"Um, hello. I'm Rory Gilmore. I'm new here and I'm sort of lost." She said shyly.
The girl turned around and looked at her. She was a few inches shorter than Rory with blonde hair and green eyes.
"I'm Sammie. I'm new here as well, but I've managed to find my way around. How about we explore together?" She said brightly.
Rory smiled gratefully, "Alright, thank you so much."
They walked around the park and Sammie pointed out things that she had already discovered. "My next stop was the pond and the equipment shed, I know it sounds silly but I like to know where everything is."
Rory shook her head and chuckled, "Don't worry, I'm the same way."
The girls chatted as they made their way over to the pond, where from even a distance they could see two guys that worked at the camp.
"I wonder if they are hot!" Sammie laughed.
Rory smiled, it seemed no matter where she was or who she was with she seemed to make friends with girls that were boy crazy.
"It sure would make the summer a lot more fun." Rory agreed.
Tristan was helping Eric blow up the plastic inner tubes for some sort of water activity when he glanced over his shoulder quickly and did a double take. "Shit." He muttered.
"What?" Eric asked. Eric was Tristan's best friend from military school and had come to Hartford to be a counselor with him every summer.
"Remember that girl Mary I used to tell you about?"
"The one that you were and probably still are head over heels in love with? Yes, I remember." Eric said sarcastically.
"I left one minor detail out. Her name isn't Mary, its Rory."
"So you lied about her name, no big deal."
"Yeah, she's also working at the camp this summer." Tristan added nonchalantly.
"Oh?" Eric said raising an eyebrow
"And she's heading in this direction at this exact moment."
"Oh." Eric said his voice faltering slightly.
"Yeah," Tristan agreed.
As Rory and Sammie approached the two guys standing on the bank of the pond she noticed one leaning up against the shed has he pushed on the pedal of the air compressor with his foot.
As silly as it sounded she remembered that stance. She'd only seen it against her locker every day of her sophomore year of high school.
"Oh my god," Rory said stopping dead in her tracks.
"What?" Sammie questioned.
"Do you happen to know that blonde guy's name?"
"When I was in the office Wendy gave me a staff list. I've met every guy except Eric Rogers and Tristan…"Sammie began but Rory cut her off.
"DuGrey."
"Yeah, how'd you know?"
"I only know one Tristan." She told her smiling.
For some reason Rory was glad to see Tristan, it wasn't as if they were close when Tristan had left, but they did have a small friendship. Rory even wanted to write to him, but never could get Paris to give her the address.
"You know him?" Sammie asked.
"Yeah." Rory said slowly walking over to where Tristan was standing.
"How?"
"I'll explain it later." Rory promised as they approached the guys. "Well, well, I didn't think I'd ever see the likes of you again!"
Tristan looked up and smiled, he was slightly shocked she wasn't running in the other direction. "Once in a while god does like to do favors."
"Still as cocky as ever I see," Rory teased.
"And you wouldn't want me any other way."
Rory rolled her eyes "Give me a hug, Tristan." Rory told him, taking them both by shock.
Walking over to her Tristan pulled her into a tight hug, taking in her floral scented shampoo and whatever perfume she was wearing because he didn't know if he'd ever be allowed to get that close to her again.
Rory slowly pulled away and smiled "It's good to see you."
"You too, Mar." He told her.
"Far From." Rory mumbled. Tristan didn't hear her but Eric did.
"Tristan is a moron and forgot all the manners they taught us at military school, I'm Eric." he said holding out his hand for Rory to shake.
"Yes, I concur, Tristan is a moron. I'm Rory…Oh and this is Sammie." Rory said turning to the blonde girl who was blushing furiously.
Tristan and Eric both shook Sammie's hand and made the proper introduction. The whole time Rory was off in her own little world.
'Why am I so happy to see Tristan? He was the guy who tortured me all through high school.' Rory thought glancing at the tall blonde boy in front of her. 'Though, military school did do wonders for his body.'
"Like what you see?" Tristan teased after he saw Rory openly checking him out.
"Not really." She shrugged causing Eric to laugh.
Eric had known Tristan for almost four years and never had he seen a girl shut Tristan down like Rory just had.
Tristan just laughed, the one and only thing he had missed about Hartford when he was sent to military school, other than his freedom to roam around, was Rory Gilmore. He had never met a girl with as much wit and sass as her.
But he did notice something different about her, something was missing. The playful spark in her eyes was gone. When she laughed her face still lit up, but even when she smiled she seemed sad.
Tristan was going to figure out what broke Rory Gilmore's spirit and he was making it his personal mission to put it back together.
I know it's sort of short and lacks detail but I'm still in the process of setting up the story. So please be patient…It will get better!
Reviews are always appreciated!