Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I own nothing…
"What are you doing?"
Rory sighed before joining her friend behind the counter, "What does it look like?"
"It looks like you're violating regulations."
"I'm only pouring myself a cup of coffee," she argued, filling her mug with hot steaming hot coffee.
"I'm supposed to do that," Jess argued, snatching the coffee pot away from her grasp, "Get back to your seat."
"Do you have any whipped cream?"
Jess shrugged, "We should. I think it's in the back."
Rory nodded and proceeded to the back. From behind her, she could hear Jess' constant yelling at herself and various customers. Shaking her head, she rested her cup of coffee near a semi-vacant table and searched for the whipped cream. While searching, she loosened her school tie and sighed… school was becoming tough. Not so much the school work but because students were still gossiping about her. She could go nowhere without being looked at, whispered about and laughed at.
Shaking her head, she found the whipped cream easily and topped her coffee with a mountain of the sweet, fluffy cream. She looked around and paused for a minute before walking to an unopened box of pickles. Rory sat on the box, coffee in hand and she drank slowly, her mind thinking thoughts that she did not want to think about.
"What's taking you so long?" Jess asked, standing over her.
Rory looked up at him and shrugged, "It was hiding," she commented, holding up the whipped cream.
"What's wrong with you?"
She took another long sip of her creation, "What are you talking about?"
"You look like the time you let your mom borrow your copy of The Old Man and the Sea and she stained the first 3 pages with coffee and strawberry jam."
Rory frowned at the memory, "I'm still mad at her for that."
"What did she stain this time?"
"Nothing. Its just… school."
"Ah yes – school. It's become a foreign word to me."
"That's because you never go. And I don't blame you… school's hard," she half whispered.
Jess looked at her questioningly, knowing that her answer had a double meaning. "Hard? How? School was never hard for you."
Rory chewed on her bottom lip, in deep thought about how she was going to explain her situation to him. "There's sort of… um… someone involved."
"A guy?" he bluntly asked.
Rory nodded silently, looking into her empty cup.
"And what about this guy?" Jess pressed on.
"Remember Tristan? The guy I told you about."
"The jackass who made your life at that prissy school a nightmare?"
Rory nodded, "Except that that jackass is not really much of a jackass anymore," she admitted.
"Interesting. How did that happen?"
"I have no idea… maybe I judged him before I even got to know him."
"He never really gave you an opportunity to do so, now did he?"
Rory shook her head, "No."
Jess walked across the room and rummaged through his uncle's pantry, in search for something to quench his thirst. The two were silent for a while… Rory followed his every move and Jess continued to search. Loud chatter could be heard from the diner and it was almost deafening for the teenaged girl.
Jess later emerged with a smirk, his hand now clutching a bottle of beer, "So do like the jackass?"
Rory groaned at the inevitable question.
"I'll take that as a yes," Jess replied, twisting open the bottle.
"No… it's not a yes," she mumbled.
"But it's not a no."
"Maybe."
"Maybe," Jess repeated, an all-knowing smirk reaching his lips.
"Stop that," Rory chided, glaring at the smirk on his face. "And then there's Paris."
"Paris…"
"She hates me! And I have to stay away from Tristan or else she's going to kill me."
Jess snorted, "She doesn't have that much power. You shouldn't base your happiness on the girl. She's harmless."
"She'll make my life at that school a living hell."
"Isn't it a living hell already?"
Rory paused… he did have a point. "Speaking of hell, the burning pit awaits. I'll see you later," she replied, getting up from her seat slowly.
-
She arrived early. Rory walked through the still empty hallways tentatively; the few students who were there had their eyes on her and mouths whispering away.
"What now?" she asked herself while she walked to her locker.
Rory turned the combination quickly. While storing her heavy textbooks away, she could feel a presence beside her. Closing her eyes, she prepared herself for the inevitable encounter with either Tristan DuGrey or Paris Geller.
She shut her locker shut and turned to face the person patiently waiting for her.
"So I hear you're my new girlfriend."
"What are you talking about Tristan?"
"You heard me. I came in and it seems like everyone but yours truly received the memo," Tristan answered, leaning against a random locker.
"Well, I guess I'm joining your club," Rory replied.
He grinned, "Welcome. Oh and do you want to know what else?"
"Do I want to know?"
"I think you do."
Rory shook her head; "I think it'd be best if I didn't know."
"It's really comical. It made me laugh."
"Fine," Rory set her heavy backpack down.
"Apparently, I asked you out at my grandfather's house whilst you were on your deathbed. I didn't want to lose you so I took a chance. I also bought your mom a red Porsche for her blessing."
Rory couldn't help but laugh at the last bit of information, "My mom would have not only given you her blessing… she'd gladly hand me over."
"I'll be sure to remember that," he coughed before flashing her a small yet bright grin.
Rory couldn't help but feel a spark and chill crawl up and down her spine. She shivered despite the school's incredibly warm surroundings and she fought a blush, a fight that she was now deeply losing.
He caught sight of her pink cheeks and grinned despite his feverish effort to do the opposite, "Why are you blushing?"
"I'm not," she replied adamantly, "Is it hot in here or is it just me?"
"It's just you."
Rory sighed, loosening her tie a tiny bit for effect.
Tristan laughed, "Nice. You know… if the whole journalism thing doesn't work out you can become a drama major."
"Your humor kills me… really it does," she responded dryly, walking past him toward her first class of the day.
The hallway was filling up with lazy Chiltonites who looked less than thrilled to be there. Rory could feel Tristan following her and she couldn't help but grin at the immaturity and stupidity of it all. Turning her head to confront the blonde boy, she was met by his teasing boyish face before he turned a corner and up the stairs.
Shaking her head, she entered her first period class anxiously.
-
It was soon lunchtime and Rory thanked heaven above, her stomach had been growling nonstop and she was in dire need of food. She walked inside the cafeteria and approached the lunch line, wondering what she was in the mood for. Coffee for sure was her first and only thought. She moved with the line and grabbed herself a ham and cheese croissant, a bag of chips and a cup of coffee.
She stood in front of the vast cafeteria, her tray in her hand and her blue eyes searching for an available seat. Her eyes caught an empty table in the far corner of the room and she smiled. Approaching the table, she caught eyes with several giggling students and she shook her head lightly.
As she got closer and closer to her destined table, the fantastic trio of Madeline, Louise and Paris stood up from their chairs, blocking her way.
"If it isn't little miss Mary," Paris replied.
"I don't think calling her Mary is appropriate Paris," Madeline grinned at the blonde.
"My mistake. If it isn't little miss Mary Magdalene."
Rory glared at the laughing trio, "And I thought people in this school were supposed to be smart and intellectual? What now? I can't even eat in peace anymore?"
"You can and you will. It's just that your choice of food, well your choice of beverages rather caught my eye," Paris said, her eyes drifting to Rory's steaming cup of coffee.
"Is that so? It's only coffee Paris."
"Bingo… it's coffee."
"Do you have a point or are we just going to stand here all day?"
"I'm getting to that. Being the civilized person I am, I'm only trying to look out for your safety."
"My safety?"
"Well more so the safety of your baby… you shouldn't be drinking caffeine while you're pregnant. Didn't mommy dearest teach you anything?"
"What are you talking about Paris?" Rory spat, she held onto her tray tightly, "I'm not pregnant!"
"I'm sure if I asked my aunt she would tell me that your mother told her the same thing seventeen years ago. Gee, it is true what they say… like mother like daughter," Paris deadpanned. She then reached for the orange on her tray and placed it on Rory's, "Eat a little healthier will you. The DuGrey family would greatly appreciate a nice and healthy heir."
"Your aunt? Why would you ask your aunt?"
"They went to high school together. Ask your mother if she knows an Amanda Geller… I have no doubt in my mind that your mother will remember her," Paris smirked. With one look to both Louise and Madeline, the three took their original seats and let Rory go.
Rory shook her head and ventured to the vacant table. The table was situated near the gigantic windows and it overlooked the school courtyard, where several students were taking advantage of the beautiful albeit windy day.
She took the seat where she could look outside and began to eat her lunch. Taking a tiny sip of her coffee, she almost choked on the hot liquid as she caught sight of a familiar blonde teenaged boy walking out onto the courtyard.
He took a seat on a nearby bench and Rory had a full view of him. She blushed at the thought and hastily resumed eating her lunch. She took her eyes off of her sandwich to take a quick peak to where he sat and she blushed a deep crimson as her blue eyes met his own. Even with the far distance between them, she could see the smirk glued to his face and that fact caused her to blush even more.
He parted his lips and mouthed a hello before looking down at the laptop sitting on his legs. Shaking her head slightly, she finished her lunch and gathered her belongings. Quickly, she walked out, ignoring the deep stares and whispers despite the fact that her heart was threatening to jump up her throat.
The end of the day was near and by that time, the whole school was up in arms about the new rumor that they had heard from their friends. And that rumor was that Rory Gilmore was expecting. Rory felt the aftermath of how quickly the rumor had spread… she was sure that the teachers knew because of the way they looked at her with disapproving and some even disgusted faces.
Thirty minutes into her first class, she was called to the office, which only seemed to add fuel to the blazing fire.
"Miss Gilmore, please take a seat."
Rory walked into headmaster Charleston's office apprehensively. She sat uncomfortably on the leather seat, watching him with almost fearful eyes.
"I'm wondering why I've been called here Headmaster. I've done nothing wrong."
"No, I suppose you haven't. It's just that this past week and a half… I've heard many stories regarding you and a certain classmate of yours."
Rory felt her stomach flip, "And they are just that. Stories."
"While I believe that fact Miss Gilmore, I simply cannot ignore another fact."
"Which is?"
"Which is your innuendo's with Mr. DuGrey are disrupting the school and the student body. I've even received calls from worried parents."
"You've received calls? From who?" Rory questioned, her eyes widening.
"That is not any of your concern."
"It is! It's about me isn't it? What exactly are they saying?"
"They are questioning their children's ability to gain knowledge in a school where the only subject in which the students are talking about is that of you and Mr. DuGrey."
"No offense headmaster Charleston but that isn't my fault and I don't think this is any of your business," Rory whispered, not at all bothered by the tone of her voice.
"While I greatly sympathize with you Miss Gilmore… when such an issue is disrupting the school such as this one and the students abilities to fully focus on the work ahead of them are disturbed, it becomes my business."
"Shouldn't Tristan be here?" she asked suddenly.
"He should be here shortly and I will speak with him about the same subject following this meeting."
Rory nodded wordlessly, her insides hurting and her throat dry.
The gray haired man leaned back against his chair and met the young girl's stormy eyes. He could see that she was deeply conflicted and fearful.
"The purpose of this meeting is not to punish you in any way Miss Gilmore. Please do understand that. The purpose of this meeting is to make you aware…"
"With all due respect sir, I am aware… and though I do not like the fact that I am being talked about, I can't do anything about that. The things you've heard are rumors based on nothing. Tristan and I are merely acquaintances and that's all we'll ever be."
The aging headmaster nodded his head, "I am sure this is not the final time I will be hearing from you Miss Gilmore."
"I have no doubt in my mind of that also."
"You are a fine student and I hate that this is happening. I have already contacted your mother and she agreed that it'd be best if we sit down and talk, along with Tristan and his parents about what we are going to do about this because even you have to admit that it is creating havoc all over the school. I am even receiving complaints from your teachers… they say that the students pay attention to you and Mr. DuGrey more than the students pay attention to them."
Rory swallowed hard, "I understand."
"Now seeing as how only fifteen minutes remain in your last class, I will grant you an early dismissal."
"Thank you," she whispered, gathering her bag and exiting the stifling office.
She closed the door and leaned against it, her eyes were closed and she was breathing rather heavily. Her hands were shaking and she could not stop her erratic breathing. Inhaling and exhaling several times finally allowed her breathing to go back to normal. Opening her eyes, she noticed Tristan sitting on a chair not too far from where she stood. His eyes were watching her every move, confused and amused.
"That bad Mary?"
Rory smiled slightly, "You have no idea. I'll let you find out for yourself."
Tristan stood and straightened his tie, "Now I'm really scared," he joked.
"You should be," she told him half seriously.
He walked past her and reached for the doorknob of the headmaster's office, "Oh and Mare, I saw you looking at me today at lunch. Why didn't you say hi back?"
"That was you? I thought it was Brad."
"Are you insinuating that I look like that loser?"
"Hey, if the shoe fits…"
Tristan only rolled his eyes, "My favorite person awaits. I'll see you Mary."
--
Now I know that the chapter was completely pointless but it's building up to the eventual meeting mentioned above.
I've been having MAJOR writer's block and am extremely glad to have finished this one. It took me forever to write this (though you can hardly tell) because I would always start the chapter and by the middle, it would be so crappy that I just had to delete it.
I'm semi happy with this one… a couple of things were established. Like the fact that Rory might or might not be developing feelings for Tristan and of course, the meeting which will be just joy!
Again, I would like to thank EVERYONE for their amazing reviews and YAY, I've reached 400 freakin' reviews! Thank you guys again for making that happen! )