AN: I LOVE YOU GUYS! Thanks so much for the great reviews and staying loyal to this story. I'm really sorry that I'm doing really bad with updating, I know i used to be really good updating eveyday or every other day but this week my parents took off and have been taking me everywhere getting in as much 'family time' as possible. I know I'm a litlle old for that but hey I get to take advantage of all expenses paid shopping sprees and trips! Last night i went to see RENT on broadway and we stayed in NY over night. I felt horrible for not being able to update for you guys but I promise my updating schedule will soon return to normal! Plus my trip gave me some great ideas for the groups' New Year's Trip to NY so yay! K enjoy!
I own none of the characters, but I did make up the drama plot in this chapter!
For the whole week, Rory and Tristan had been on the front page of possibly every tabloid magazine with various headlines and a candid picture of them. Apparently being a socialite entailed being the center of all gossip. Every day, Rory was asked to sign something by students, people in the café, and even teachers. Tristan had gotten some of the same attention, but most of the attention went to Rory since she was considered a Hollenzallen heiress as well as a Hayden and Gilmore heiress. She was praised by everyone for the quote she had given Sara Tattler during dinner, saying she was composed and lady-like as well as clever.
Most of the cover pictures in the tabloids were of Rory or Tristan in different situations. Several of them were them during dinner, looking around, talking to each other or their friends, as well as eating their food. The headlines ranged from praising Rory as America's new Sweetheart that would give Resse Witherspoon a run for her money, even though Rory didn't really need to money, to her being the role model for all little girls around. Tristan's headlines praised him and claimed he was the next Brad Pitt, minus the affair.
Other tabloids had Rory and Logan's kiss that took place as he escorted her out of the limo. Those headlines stretched the interpretation of the picture, saying that Rory had an arranged marriage to Logan, Rory was cheating on Tristan with Logan, or that the two companies were merging, and some went as far to say that the two had eloped and are pregnant with child.
The last types of picture seen on the newsstands were of Rory and her friends by the pool. Those headlines hailed Rory and Tristan's bodies and called them heartthrob models in the making. They also talked about their exclusive clique of socialite friends that seemed to be close and unbreakable. The stories made their meeting sound like a fairytale stating that it was destiny that their paths had crossed, but in truth their encounter had been purely ironic.
While Colin, Finn, Louise, Madeline, and Stephanie basked in the glow of the attention, Rory was embarrassed by it. Her father had told her no one would treat her differently, but everyone knew he was lying to try and comfort her. Logan was too busy trying to soothe Rory every time she would be close to a panic attack to enjoy the interest, while Tristan just acted like nothing was different, all in the hopes that Rory ould feel the same way. Rory was so caught up in being worried about what people thought about her that she had forgotten her birthday over and over again.
"Someone's birthday is next week," Tristan said in a sing song voice while nudging Rory at the lunch table on Thursday. The whole week the group had been mentioning it, but the subject was immediately interrupted by Rory voicing her concerns about Friday's dinner as well as the press being there. Rory had a way of sensing things were off, and she couldn't help but think there was something off with the dinner.
"Doing anything special Ace?" Logan asked from the other side of her, idly playing with her hair. Rory was about to rant about how they had bigger things to worry about, but hearing the sincere interest that Logan and Tristan had as well as the expectant looks from Finn and Colin, she knew she had to answer.
"Nah, my parents will unfortunately be out of town for it. Their business trips have been occurring more and more lately," Rory said sadly, playing with her food. This would be the first time without her parents or Tristan's parents present for her birthday, and it really put Rory out. Even though that was the fact, she was glad she had some more friends to spend it with this year instead of just Tristan.
"Don't worry love, we'll make it fun," Finn said with a wink to her.
"I don't want a party or anything guys, just the eight of us alright?" she asked hopefully. The guys just looked at her, and seeing that she was serious they complied, it was after all her birthday.
"Fine Hayden," Colin said. "Now where are the girls?" he asked. Before Rory could answer the three burst into the cafeteria running straight to the table, panting for breath.
"What happened, the Louis Vuitton line being discontinued?" Logan asked with a smirk.
"Blashphemy!" all four girls yelled at him surprised he would say such a thing. "You know I should break up with you for that," Rory said looking at him seriously.
"Good love, leave him for me," said Finn reflexively while sipping on his Coke getting a glare from Logan. Louise just rolled her eyes before speaking up again.
"Getting back to the matter at hand: gossip," Louise said.
"What's the dish kitten?" Finn asked interestedly. Finn could be such a girl when it came to gossip, he ate it up like his true Australian self ate Vegemite.
"We got some new students coming in this school year. I have no idea who they or what they are but we heard from Jodi who heard from Tommy who heard from Joey who heard from Samantha who works in the office that their papers came in the other day, but no news of when they're coming in," Steph said all in one breath.
"Wow such a reliable source," Colin said sarcastically, prompting Stephanie to send him a 'you're not getting any tonight' look that immediately made him regret his words.
"Normally my Reporter instincts would kick in but I'm worried about tomorrow night's dinner," Rory said causing the rest of the group to sigh in exasperation.
"Ace we'll all be there with you, so if something does happen we go through it together," Logan said as if reading a script while he held her tighter, allowing her to lean on him as he kissed her head. Rory just nodded and enjoyed the comfort she was feeling at the moment, the comfort that she hoped would last but the feeling in her gut had her sensing otherwise.
"Do you guys want to have another sleepover this weekend to get over the horrible meeting we're probably going to have?" Stephanie suggested to the group.
"Yeah, we can stay over my house, my parents are leaving the night after dinner," Louise replied causing most of the group to nod their heads, except Rory and Tristan. Rory had lifted her head from its resting spot on Logan's shoulder and shot a look to Tristan. The two had been so caught up in worrying about dinner that they had forgotten to mention their plans for the weekend. The two were unsure about how the group would take it.
"We can't this weekend sorry," Tristan said uneasily trying to ignore Rory's hand grasping tightly around his arm in nervousness.
"Why?" Logan asked wondering also why Rory had tensed up all of a sudden.
"On Saturday me and Tristan are spending the day with just to two of us, to catch up on things," Rory replied looking at Logan to see his expression. Logan just nodded, he understood that the two wanted some time alone and that the two were just best friends. He didn't mind it one bit but he couldn't understand why they were both so worried.
"How about Sunday?" Colin asked. Along with the rest of the group, he didn't understand why Rory and Tristan were making a big deal.
"We can't do anything that day either," Rory quickly said.
"Why?" Madeline pushed further.
Tristan took a deep breath before answering, knowing that Rory surely wasn't going to. "We can't because we're spending the day with Aiden Dennison," he spat out as swiftly as his mouth would allow.
The group just stared at them. Rory looked over to Logan to see his eyes filled with anger and his fists clenched. Colin and Louise were looking at the two with disgust while Madeline, Stephanie, and Finn all had sympathetic looks on being sent to Rory, Tristan, and Logan. To Rory and Tristan because they had walked into something they had no idea they were walking into and to Logan because they knew how angry that statement had made him.
"Logan?" Rory all but whispered trying to catch his gaze. Logan flinched as she reached for his hand and pulled away. He was angry. He hadn't told Rory but he didn't trust anyone associated with Marissa, even if he was an old friend of the two. When he saw Rory run up and hug Aiden at the mall, he felt jealous and angry at the same time but realized that this was just a one time thing. Or, he thought it was a one time thing. He thought that all the exchanging of the numbers and hopes for future plans were just formalities; he wasn't at all thinking that they would really initiate something. He didn't want Rory to hang out with him. What if she cheats on me? If Summer is friends with that Aiden kid, then doesn't mean that Rory is the same way as Summer? He knew it was wrong not to be more trusting of Rory but he didn't really find a need to spend a day with Aiden.
"Logan what is it?" Rory asked softly, trying to be as selective with her words as possible.
"What the hell do you mean what is it Rory? You're going to go spend a day with Marissa's boy toy and you expect him to be peachy keen?" spat Colin. Although he thought of Rory as a little sister, when it came down to it all he would still be on Logan's side in any argument. Rory was quickly taken aback by his tone and couldn't say anything, Tristan's features hardened in anger, he couldn't believe the group was going to gang up on them again like they were still outsiders.
"Colin you don't have to talk to her like that," Stephanie scolded. She wasn't trying to take sides but her boyfriend was being mean to Rory and overacting about it.
"Stephanie shut up, he's right. You two have no right to go out with Aiden," Louise spat gaining a shocked look from Stephanie and a hurt one from Rory.
"Kitten, the mate seemed nice enough, and it's not like Rory's Marissa. I trust you love, I know you won't do anything," Finn said with a reassuring smile. Rory smiled before it quickly dissolved into a frown. So what only Finn and Steph trust me?
"Yeah guys quit with the angry face," Madeline added. …And Maddy?
It was piecing together for Rory. Logan didn't trust her because with Aiden. She looked over to Tristan who looked like he was thinking the same thing before she spoke up. "Logan you don't trust me," she stated more than asked, her voice was low and disappointed and Logan quickly looked up at her.
"It's not that Rory. It's just that he has to be bad news if he's letting Marissa use him as a boy toy," Logan reasoned, still angry but trying to make Rory believe what he was saying.
"Bullshit," Tristan said all of a sudden causing all eyes to meet his angry ones. "You don't even know him so you have no right to say that's what he is. Just because you got screwed over by Marissa doesn't make everyone who hangs out with her a slut or a manwhore," Tristan spat, immediately bringing up Logan's anger again.
"Tris!" Rory hissed. Everyone else stared wide eyed at the exchange, Logan quickly got up followed by Tristan, as the equal height guys stared each other threateningly in the eye. By now the whole lunchroom was buzzing with interest pointed at the quarreling group of Chilton Royalty Socialites.
Rory quickly stood up and got in between the two to stop before anything started. She looked at Logan who only stared back at Tristan. Her intention was to take him away but when he didn't meet her gaze she instead turned to Tristan who met hers. "Tristan, let's just go. Let it go," Rory said sadly. I can't believe its come down to choosing sides. Rory started leading Tristan out of the room, but when he didn't follow she intertwined her fingers with his. "Come on Tris," she said, not noticing the look of anger, pain, jealousy, and sadness that crossed over Logan's face.
Everyone else in the cafeteria watched in confusion all wondering what was going to happen to their Royal Court. In the corner of the room, Josh and Summer along with their small group of supporters sat with proud smirks, thinking they now had a chance in the spotlight.
"Tristan you didn't have to be so harsh," Rory reprimanded as she led them to their lockers for their next class.
"Rory, he doesn't trust you!"
"I know, but if he didn't trust me you should've let me handle it. I know you meant well Tris but I don't want to tear apart the group," Rory reasoned.
"I think it's too late for that," Tristan mumbled as he saw Madeline and Finn coming down the hall. "Are you two all right?" Madeline asked carefully, almost sounding scared that Tristan might lash out at her.
"Yea, you two should go back to Logan, he must be pissed that you're here," Rory said as Finn wrapped his arms around her waist. "No can do love, apparently they don't want us there."
"What why?" Tristan asked as he tossed his arm around Madeline's shoulder letting her snuggle into him. He felt bad about her obvious fear of him. "They said if we were going to try and justificate your actions then we should just leave when we tried telling them they were over reacting," Madeline said.
"She means justify love," Finn whispered seeing that Rory was about to question the statement.
"So that leaves Steph, Louise, and Colin on his 'side'?" Tristan inquired using air quotes. Finn shook his head. "No just Louise and Colin mate. Stephanie said she wasn't going to be choosing sides because she knows where both sides are coming from. Colin got pretty upset that his girlfriend wasn't taking his side and called her a prissy bitch so she left to go to the library."
"I feel horrible, I didn't want to tear apart you guys like this," Rory said guiltily
"You didn't Ror, Logan's just being an asshole," Tristan comforted bitterly.
"Mate, you're right. Even though he's one of my best mates he was being an asshole, and I didn't think he would be so doubtful of you love," Finn added. Rory didn't answer him. All she did was stand there analyzing the situation and what could become of it. Everyone was pulled out of their thoughts by the ringing of a bell and the flood of students coming out from their various classes. "Let's get to class," Rory said with a deep breath leading them into their next class, preparing for angry looks.
"Sucky, sucky day," Rory mumbled as she threw her head into Tristan's lap in the limo on their way home.
"Tell me about it," he said with his thrown back against the head rest while stroking Rory's hair.
The rest of the day had been a difficult one, with Tristan constantly trying to avoid getting shot a death look from Logan, Colin, and Louise and also with Rory trying to get Stephanie to talk to her. Stephanie was trying to stay completely out of the argument, and her way of doing that was talking to no one the rest of the day and getting rid of her usual happy attitude while replacing it with a stuck-up one. Finn and Madeline had been trying to talk to the other group and trying to convince them they were over reacting but that only caused them to storm out of class in a huff.
Their traditional good bye still took place, but it was short and angry, causing everyone to storm away with mixed emotions. Rory still couldn't believe that they were doing this over a stupid date both she and Tristan were attending with an old friend.
"How long is this going to last?" Rory asked worriedly.
"I don't know," Tristan replied sadly. "Maybe we were wrong in joining this little exclusive clique," he said with a voice full of regret. Rory just looked up at him and shook her head, "Don't be so thespian, it's just a fight. I'm sure by tomorrow everyone's egos will be healed and we can all talk about it."
She was wrong. The next day, the morning of the dinner, Rory and Tristan walked out of their limo to find none of their friends waiting for them. They had at least expected Finn and Madeline but none of them were there. Confused, the two walked into their hallway to find it deathly quiet, even the other socialites that they shared the hallway with were quiet and minding their own business, instead of sending the usual smiles and waves to Rory and Tristan.
The two slowly made their way to their part of the hall way to see Stephanie in her locker doing something or other with her books, while Logan, Colin, Louise were in a tight circle talking to what looked like a Logan with bloodshot eyes. Tristan and Rory exchanged glances before turning to their lockers where Finn and Madeline were waiting for them.
"Why is it so quiet?" Rory whispered, spinning in her locker combination as Finn held her bag for her.
"My mate Logan's gone crazy," Finn whispered to the two of them.
"What do you mean?" Tristan asked confused.
"Josh came here asking if he and Rory were over and Logan snapped and started to punch the crap out of him, a bunch of the socialites had to hold him back to stop him," Madeline said. Rory's eyes widened and she turned to look at Logan who looked horrible. His knuckles were red to match his eyes and his hair more disheveled than usual. His shirt was wrinkled and un-tucked from his unpressed pants that had a loose belt on it. Logan usually looked neat like Colin but today he was far from in, and it worried Rory.
"He doesn't look so good," Rory commented, tearing her gaze away from Logan. The group just nodded in response.
Logan knew right when she stepped into the hall way, and he hated knowing. He tried endlessly the night before to get her out of his mind and stop feeling guilty about not truly trusting her, tossing and turning unsuccessfully. That morning, when Josh had talked about their relationship so insensitively, he snapped and reached his breaking point, and right now feeling Rory's eyes on him made him want to run over there and kiss the living daylights out of her, but was stopped by Colin's voice.
"You're gawking at her Logan. It's bad enough that you kicked Josh's ass over her to show that you still care about her, but do you have to get a boner while looked at her?"
Logan glared at his comment. "First of all Colin, she's still my girlfriend even if we are fighting so I do still care about her. Second, she was gawking first. Third, I don't have a boner!" he practically hissed.
"No need to bite our heads off," Louise commented. Logan just grunted as Stephanie walked by both of the groups, Colin attempted to grab her arm but she whipped her head around and yelled, "Don't touch me!" before running to the bathroom with tears in her eyes.
Logan's side connected eyes with Rory's side before Rory shook her head. "All over a fucking dinner!" she yelled before going after Stephanie to try and comfort her. Her cracked voice made everyone wince and look down guiltily, especially Logan.
"Steph?" Rory called into the bathroom while looking under the stalls for her feet. She reached the last stall and heard little sniffles and saw her feet so she knocked. "Steph let me in please," Rory said through the door. Slowly, the stall door opened and Rory was pulled in by Steph.
Rory didn't say anything, instead she threw her arms around Steph and cried with her. She had missed Steph even though it had only been a day of them not talking. Out of all the girls, she had gotten the closest with Steph and Steph felt the same way with Rory. The two of them were more alike and interested in the same things and less out there as Madeline and Louise even though they still loved them dearly. "I didn't mean to tear apart the whole group," Rory hiccupped.
"I didn't mean to be a prissy bitch!" Stephanie replied hugging Rory tightly.
"I don't even have feelings for Aiden, I just want to catch up with an old friend!"
"I don't know who's right or wrong, I just wanted to be fair!" Stephanie added.
"This is ridiculous," Rory said pulling away and wiping her eyes. "We're being such babies."
"I know, but so is everyone else. They're making a big deal out of everything and we're falling apart right before we need each other the most," Stephanie added. Rory just nodded.
"We'll be there for each other ok Steph?" Rory suggested which caused Stephanie to heartily concur. "What do we do with everyone out there that's going to be biting each others' heads off?"
"Ignore them for today, let them come to their senses," Stephanie said pulling Rory out of the bathroom stall while linking their arms together. They two stepped out of the bathroom that way to come face to face with 6 worried stares. Colin was about to say something when Rory stuck her hand out in front of his face and told him to shush. "Don't want to hear it," Steph said sternly before leaving the group confused and looking after the two girls.
The group sat in silence at lunch at their usual table, avoiding each other's gazes. Rory sat at the end of the table with Stephanie across from her and Tristan to her left. Across from Tristan was Madeline who was sitting next to Colin and next to him Louise. At the other corner of the table was Logan with Finn and Tristan in between Finn and Rory. All of a sudden, the sound of a ringing cell phone filled the silence playing 'Conceited by Remy Martin', knowing right away whose ring tone that was, Rory pulled out her phone and ran out of the cafeteria, leaving her friends looks after her.
"Who do you think it is?" Stephanie asked Tristan who she had agreed to talk to after he apologized for attacking Logan the way he did, even though he hadn't apologized to Logan himself yet.
"Aiden," spat Colin gaining glares from everyone at the table except Louise and Logan who scoffed.
"Who asked you?" Stephanie yelled with a glare, immediately shutting them all up.
Tristan got up out of his seat and walked over to Stephanie's side of the table and whispered something in her ear causing her to, "Oh." Before proceeding to get up and follow Tristan out of the cafeteria, leaving the other 5 looking annoyed that they didn't know who was on the phone.
"Austin I miss you too, but what are you calling during school hours for?" Rory asked the person on the phone.
"I just was checking up on you, I called your house last night and you were already sleeping but your mom informed me about some drama going on with your and your friends and your boy toy," Austin replied concern.
"Yeah, me and Tristan kind of split up the group because we're having dinner with Aiden who just happens to be living with the whore who cheated on Logan."
"Logan? Why does that sound familiar, what's his last name?" Austin asked suspiciously. That story and that name sounded all too familiar, but he wasn't going to bring up the story yet unless he got all of the facts.
Before Rory could answer, Tristan and Stephanie appeared in the hallway with smiles, Tristan immediately pulled the phone from Rory's grasp. "What's up man?" he asked, completely causingAustin to forget about asking for Logan's last name.
The girls turned away from Tristan to let them talk about what ever guys talk about. "What's he doing calling you?" Stephanie asked interested.
"He heard about the drama and got worried about me, he knows how I get when I'm stressed out," Rory explained.
"Aw, it's good that you guys are good friends again," Stephanie said with sadness in her voice. Rory sensed what she was thinking and threw an arm around her. "We all will be soon too Steph."
"I hope so," she whispered as Tristan approached them again. "Rory Austin wants to say bye," he said handing her the phone.
"Bye Austin," Rory said with a smile.
"Bye Rory! Now, I know your birthday's coming up, and we will be sending you a little gift but then your real one isn't coming until next year."
"Next yearrr," Rory whined, "Tell me what it is!"
"Nope, bye love you. I hope everything works out," he said sincerely trying to avoid further questioning.
"Me too, love you too," Rory said before listening for the click ending the call. The three walked back into the cafeteria smiling and sat back down at their table to find the group looking at them expectantly. "It was Austin," Rory stated annoyed, it wasn't any of their business in the first place.
"Oh great another one of the many guys you had sex with and are still close with," Logan spat before he could stop himself. The group all collectively gasped and Rory turn to look at him with daggers in her eyes and venom in her voice. "Fuck you," she stated before getting her stuff and running out of the cafeteria. Logan smacked himself on the head and sighed before getting up to go after her when Tristan stood up quicker. "You've done enough," he said angrily before running after her.
"I'm getting tired of running after upset girls Logan," Stephanie said before also following. Logan sighed and plopped back into his seat with a defeated face. I'm a jackass.
AN: Drama drama.. I kind of had fun writing this, drama is always fun to write. It is a Rogan guys so just don't get too worked up with the drama haha. Review please!