Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I own nothing…
"The coffee pot's empty," Rory replied as soon as they entered the teacher's lounge.
The blue-eyed brunette couldn't help but look around in awe and amazement. The teacher's lounge actually looked rather nice and spacious. In the center of the room were two round tables and along one of the blue walls were three vending machines. Rory licked her lips, her eyes on a delicious looking chocolate bar teasing her from the candy machine.
"That's why we make more," Tristan told her with an unusual gentleness in his usual confident speaking voice.
Rory shrugged and took a seat on one of the many chairs, watching the teenaged boy's every move. Tristan maneuvered his way around the room; he had obviously been in the room on a previous occasion. She watched as he opened a cabinet and pulled out the coffee grounds.
"You've been in here before?"
Tristan paused and turned his head to look at her, a smile playing at his lips, "Yeah once. End of junior year, Luis and I decided to stay here after the janitors closed the school for fun. We jimmied the lock open and spent hours playing foosball. I guess they took the foosball table out but the coffee's still in the same place."
"Foosball huh? Can you imagine Headmaster Charleston and Mr. Medina battling it out?" Rory pondered.
Tristan chuckled, "Scary thought… but if I had to bet on it, I'd put all my money on our headmaster."
"Why? The headmaster's old so I'm assuming his limbs are also."
"Yes but how can Mr. Medina win when he's halfway across the country?" Tristan asked, switching the coffee maker on.
Rory shrugged, biting her inner cheek to keep from smiling. Tristan brought over two Styrofoam cups filled with coffee. Rory accepted the hot cup gratefully having had no caffeine that day. She sipped thoughtfully; silence engulfed the room slowly until Rory almost felt a little claustrophobic.
"I apologize for my parents. I'm so embarrassed," he suddenly spoke.
Rory looked up from her coffee and met his eyes, "It's okay."
"Come on… it's not."
"I know but at least you didn't say them."
"I would never," he whispered the three words softly.
She took another sip of the hot black liquid, somehow satisfied with his answer.
-
"Oh and we're going to bring up the fact that I got pregnant at sixteen again! My god woman, learn new facts!" Lorelai spat.
"I think that fact alone speaks for itself as to what kind of mother you are."
"Yeah, I'm more of a mother then you'll ever be that's for sure."
"Please ladies, that's enough."
"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"
"It's means whatever you want it to mean sweetheart," Lorelai smiled sweetly.
"Miss Gilmore!"
"You're calling me a bad mother?" Agatha's voice was intertwined with both shock and malevolence.
"Ding ding ding! And the award for most intelligent woman in Hartford goes to…"
"Aaron," Agatha slapped her husbands shoulder to gain his attention, "Are you honestly just going to sit there while this woman continues to harass me?"
Aaron DuGrey finished his phone call moments ago and despite himself was enjoying the fight between his wife and the younger woman.
"You know me dear, I love watching you make a fool out of yourself and you certainly did not disappoint. Now have a seat and let's get this absurd meeting over with."
Agatha's cheeks reddened from both anger and embarrassment. She refocused her eyes on Lorelai who was now seated calmly in her seat.
"You heard him Aggy… be the wonderful wife I'm sure you are and listen to your husband," Lorelai smiled sweetly.
Agatha DuGrey begrudgingly took her seat.
"Now that that matter is settled, I have one question to ask, where did your children go?"
-
"You would never what?"
"Say what they said or anything even remotely close to the crap they accused you and your mother of being," he answered honestly.
Rory nodded, licking her lips and taking another sip of the now lukewarm coffee. Tristan remained quiet as well, not really having anything else to say. Instead, he reached into his right pant pocket and placed the item in the center of the table.
"What's that for?" Rory looked at the dollar bill curiously.
"To get that chocolate bar you were eyeing since the minute we came in here," he couldn't help but smirk at her reddening cheeks.
"I can't help it if I have a healthy appetite," she mumbled half-heartedly.
"I think it's cute," Tristan replied then coughed, realizing what he had just said, "So uh… go get the chocolate bar and I'll get you a refill."
Rory nodded and proceeded toward the vending machine, Tristan's dollar safely wrapped around her left hand.
-
"Where are Mr. DuGrey and Miss Gilmore?"
"I don't have much time Thomas, let's proceed without them," Aaron insisted impatiently.
"Very well…if it is alright with you two," the headmaster looked to both Lorelai and Agatha respectively.
"I guess," Lorelai said, silently wondering where Rory had gone.
"What has been said about my son, headmaster?" Agatha questioned.
"Well, like I said before it seems as though the actions of your son and daughter outside of school has been the main gossip in Chilton these past few weeks."
"Actions outside of school? My son cannot be punished by what he does outside of school."
"Nor can Rory," Lorelai added.
"I'm not going to punish Mr. DuGrey and certainly not Miss. Gilmore. I just thought it was best that you know what is being said in this school because it can greatly affect your children's ability to learn."
"Then that is your problem, not ours," Aaron interrupted.
"What is being said, Mr. Charleston?" Aaron's wife looked at the aging man expectantly.
"The main topic that students have been talking about and teacher's have been complaining to me about is the rumor that Miss Gilmore is currently expecting Mr. DuGrey's child."
"That's preposterous! Tristan's a responsible boy," Agatha shrieked, outraged at the thought.
"I can assure you that Rory is certainly not pregnant," Lorelai replied, clearing her throat.
"Oh Aaron, how horrible would it be if it's true," Agatha whispered loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.
"Agatha sweetie… it's not true. Let it go," Lorelai told her slowly and scathingly.
"And I am very grateful it is not, trust me."
"I'd rather not," Lorelai smiled softly.
-
After purchasing her chocolate bar, Rory had joined Tristan on the couch where he had relocated. The couch was located at the very back wall of the teacher's lounge. A simple wooden coffee table filled with crossword booklets separated them to the small television. Tristan had turned on the television and was watching the only channel available, which was the weather channel.
"You'd think with the expensive enrollment fees our parents pay they'd at least have cable," Tristan said, handing Rory her coffee.
Rory smiled, "Or over three channels."
"The weather channel is real great and informative and all but it gets a little redundant, wouldn't you think so?" Tristan turned his head to look at her.
Rory shrugged, "Weather does have a tendency to change often."
Tristan leaned back against the worn out couch and rested his feet on the coffee table, "That may be so but it doesn't change the fact that it's boring. No wonder teacher's here express no emotions… they think about lunch and the fact that they have to come here and watch the weather channel and all previous happy thoughts go down the drain."
Rory laughed, "You're odd for thinking such thoughts."
"But hey, at least I made you laugh instead of cry. Who knew that was possible?" he cracked.
Rory rolled her eyes and opened her chocolate bar. She offered him half of the candy and Tristan shook his head.
"I don't have much of a sugar tooth."
"You're crazy. I love chocolate," Rory bit into the chocolate bar.
"Then do me a favor, love it enough for the both of us."
Rory turned her head to meet his eyes. She swallowed forcefully and found herself unable to look away. She could feel the familiar fluttering in her stomach and she swallowed once more to erase the feeling. It was unsuccessful; the feelings only seemed to intensify.
Tristan was going through the same thing. He couldn't find it in himself to look away from her mesmerizing blue eyes. He gulped down the ball in his throat and decided to be bold. He lifted his hand to her pale cheek stroked the side of her face softly. He inhaled deeply before his fingers found a stray strand of her rich brown hair and he tucked the strand behind her ear, smiling softly as he felt her take a sharp intake of breath.
"Nervous?" he whispered, licking his lips.
They were still looking at each other, both wondering who would be the first to break the eye contact. Alas, Tristan broke their eye contact and let his blue eyes to wander to her rosy lips. Rory watched him do so and she shivered, feeling tingles run up and down her spine.
Licking his lips again, Tristan brought his head closer and closer until their lips were centimeters apart. He was restraining himself… he wanted Rory to make the final move.
And after what seemed like hours to him, Rory could no longer wait and leaned forward, connecting her lips to his waiting ones.
Adrenaline seemed to pump through both their bodies as their lips locked. Rory found herself letting go of her chocolate bar and wrapping her hand around his neck, bringing him closer. She continued to kiss him with all the passion she could muster. She tentatively allowed his tongue to enter, and as soon as his tongue met hers she couldn't help but moan softly.
The soft sound caused Tristan's confidence to grow and he used his hands to guide Rory to lie down on the couch. Rory allowed him to do so and he soon found himself on top of her. He continued to kiss her sweetly while his left hand found its way underneath her blazer and button down shirt to caress her flat stomach.
Rory felt his hand caress her skin and she moaned once more, only this time louder. She felt her back slightly arch toward him, as if her body ached to be touched further. Their lips broke contact and his then began making its way down her slender neck, leaving his mark behind by occasionally nipping the sensitive skin.
"Tristan," she whispered, running her hands up and down his back.
All the blonde could do was groan in response.
"Do you think this is wise?" she continued to whisper, "I mean, in the teacher's lounge?"
He stopped what he was doing as soon as she asked him the rhetorical question. He inwardly cursed knowing Rory brought up a good point. No matter how much he wanted it, he vehemently refused to make it so their second time together was in the teacher's lounge.
Tristan pulled away from the confines of her neck, sighing as he did so, "I hate it when you're right."
"Then you must hate it ninety nine percent of the time," she responded, hiding her smile.
Tristan snorted, chuckling softly at the cheesiness of her retort. "So um, you think our parents are done accusing each other of who raised us worse?"
Rory chewed on her bottom lip, her eyes glued to her hands. She was suddenly nervous… what in the world had she just done?
Breathing in quickly, she nodded, "Probably. It's been a while."
"Yeah," he readily agreed, sitting up.
Rory nodded and sat upright, running a hand through her disheveled brown hair, she waited for Tristan's reaction before further contemplating on what they had just done. Tristan took a shaky breath before standing up. He paused, letting his eyes scan the room before he turned his head toward the seated Rory.
"You think we should go back?" he asked.
Rory nodded, "I'm sure my mom is probably wondering where I am."
He offered his hand to her to help her up. Rory accepted shyly, as soon as she was standing upright, she immediately dusted her shirt and pants for imaginary dust and wrinkles.
Tristan let her pass and as soon as she walked past him, he closed his eyes tightly before following her. He couldn't believe what had just transpired between them earlier. Now it will only continue to make their relationship even more uncomfortable.
Rory waited for him in the doorway, her eyes glued to the floor.
"You okay?" he whispered to her.
Rory nodded quickly, "Just tired."
He sighed quietly, "So am I."
Tristan twisted the door open and let her exit first.
-
Headmaster Charleston shut his eyes tightly, his hands rubbing his temple slowly to rid of the terrible migraine that was coming.
"Ladies please, can we stop the arguing?" he yelled, exasperated.
Aaron DuGrey rolled his eyes, "This meeting is utterly useless. Not only is it wasting my time but it is causing my wife further stress that she does not need."
"Well then I suggest controlling your wife," Lorelai quipped, rolling her eyes at the audacity of the couple.
"I am perfectly controlled, thank you very much," Agatha replied.
"Maybe a little too much, right Agatha dear?" Lorelai smiled sweetly.
"You impudent woman! How dare you talk to me as if you know me."
"Yeah well lady, you've been doing the same thing to me."
"That's because I know everything about you. All of Hartford does."
"Just like all of Hartford is well aware of the fact that you are nothing more then a gold digging trophy wife wannabe!"
"I guess it's better then being a slut, what do you think sweetheart?" Agatha turned to Aaron for support.
Aaron refused to answer, his cell phone was glued to his ear and he was too busy arguing with his secretary.
Lorelai smirked, fighting back a laugh, "How sweet. I could feel the love radiating between you two from here."
Aaron abruptly stood, "Are we done here Thomas? I think we are. My time has been wasted enough."
Agatha nodded, "This was pleasant Mr. Charleston," she replied dryly.
"I hardly think we are done! We have yet to discuss what actions we are to take to protect your children from all of the rumors."
"Both are seniors so I think they are old enough to take care of themselves."
"Honestly Thomas, stop acting as if they are fourteen. Tristan is old enough to make his own decisions and face the consequences from those decisions."
Lorelai stood up, grabbing her purse beside her. "And Rory will be fine. I am one hundred percent sure of that."
The headmaster shrugged, giving up. "Very well. I hope you all have a fine evening."
Lorelai rolled her eyes, watching the DuGrey's ahead of her, arguing with each other back and forth. She shook her head and reached into her purse for her cell phone, she wondered where Rory had run. As she was dialing her daughter's cell phone number, she cancelled the call as she caught sight of her daughter walking down the corridor alongside Tristan DuGrey.
She watched as Tristan turned around to walk with his parents, he looked back at Rory briefly before following his parents out of the school.
Rory met her mother halfway.
"Where did you disappear to?"
"I'm sorry. I just couldn't take the arguing and Tristan offered coffee and you know it's a sin to say no to coffee."
Lorelai gasped, feigning shock. "You got coffee without me?"
"You know I can't say no to coffee!" Rory argued, walking out of the school with her mother. She caught sighed of Tristan and his parents walking to their luxury car.
"And you can't say no to having a blonde babe to drink coffee with. I know I can't."
"I don't want to talk about that," Rory said.
Lorelai glanced at her daughter, "Did something happen between you two?"
"Sort of. But I'll tell you later. So what happened after we left?"
"Bad. A lot of screeching… name-calling and glares. Plus we didn't even get a chance to talk about you two… it was just basically about me and Ursula."
"What about Tristan's dad?"
"His fancy schmancy cell phone was glued to his ear the whole time," Lorelai replied, turning on the engine of the jeep.
"So coffee?" Rory asked as Lorelai reversed out of the parking spot.
"Definitely! God, this day was so bad! The only positive thing about today is that mommy looks good."
"Oh you're so modest."
"One of my many attractive qualities."
Rory smirked, her eyes watching the scenery from the window. A low beeping interrupted the comfortable silence between mother and daughter. Rory felt her pant pocket vibrate and she pulled out her cell phone. She flipped open the silver device and saw that she had a new text message from an unfamiliar number.
It's raining tomorrow. Bring your umbrella… don't want you getting sick again.
Rory's stomach gave a quick slip, having a hunch as to who it was. She pressed reply and began typing.
Who is this?
I have a feeling you know who it is.
I have a feeling I know also. How did you get my number, bible boy?
I have my ways. Good night, Mare.
Rory fought a grin and put her phone back into her pocket.
"What was with all the beeping?" Lorelai asked, her eyes on the road.
"Nothing important," Rory replied, wishing it were true but knowing that it was not.
--
So there is chapter eighteen. Wow, chapter eighteen! And you guys are still reading this… thank you guys! I can't begin to tell you how much I'm so thankful for your reviews and continued support!
Until next time, lovelies!