AN: Haha just kidding about the Chapter Title! I wouldn't do that to you guys! Anyways, here's the chapter.
I own nothing.
"Rory!" he yelled watching her stride as quick as she could into a closing elevator. She heard him, and he knew she heard him by the way she flinched. But she refused to turn around or look up from the ground, afraid of what she would do if she locked eyes with him.
The elevator doors
slowly closed, and Rory thought she was out of the clear an arm
reached in between the door stopping them from closing.
Rory looked up thinking she knew who would be standing there but instead was greeted with the chiseled Australian features of none other than Finnegan Rothschild the 3rd. Rory was disappointed, but didn't show it and instead pretended he wasn't there, focusing on the cool metal doors rejoining.
"Hello there love," Finn said chipper, trying to cut the tangible tension in the confined space. Rory made no attempt to response so Finn continued. "I told the other blokes and Sheilas that I would be your humble escort down to the cafeteria. So here I am!"
Rory still made no response and shuffled her feet not believing how long the elevator was taking. Suddenly, the whole thing came to a halt with a loud buzz as Finn slammed his hand into the emergency stop button fixated on the button panel.
"Finn!" Rory exclaimed in shock gripping onto his arms to steady her self.
"So you do know my name love?" Finn quipped with a big grin.
"You're crazy! This is a hospital Finn; people need these elevators for emergencies," Rory ranted trying to push a button that would start the elevator again. Finn shook his head. "Sorry doll the only way out is through me."
Rory stared at him blankly. "Finn that doesn't make any sense."
"Of course it does doll, now have a seat next to your favorite Aussie," he said sitting down with his back against the far wall of the elevator. Rory sighed but had no choice to comply, keeping an impatient face on.
"What is this all about Finn?" she asked irritated.
"It's about you being mad as a cut snake at the group love," Finn replied. "On behalf of all of us I'd like to apologize."
"It doesn't work that way Finn. You can't say sorry and expect things to be better, you can't just ignore something that happened and hope that it never comes back to bite you in the ass," Rory replied.
"Love I admit we did make a Blue but that's no reason to give us Buckley's, Buckley's chance," Finn said thoroughly confusing Rory.
"Can you please rephrase that?" she asked with her brows furrowed together.
"Oh right love, sorry I sometimes I forget you're a Seppo," he replied still leaving Rory confused. "We made a mistake love, but you need to give us a chance to explain how the situation looked to us."
Rory sighed, she was getting tired of being mad at everyone in her life minus her 3 best friends, and knew that she had to eventually put this feud past her before it was too late. "I guess it might have looked and sounded suspicious, but you guys should have trusted us," Rory said leaning her head on Finn's shoulder and breathing in his missed distinct scent of alcohol and cologne.
"I know love, we should have… but with you and mate in that big spat we thought you were trying to get back at him, because if you were it worked," he said flinging an arm around her and pulling her closer.
Rory couldn't help but giggle. "No I wasn't trying to do that Finn. I'm just trying to survive each day that he's… yeah," she replied not being able to say it out loud.
"It's his way of handling things love," Finn said honestly.
"Let's not talk about him," Rory said quickly not yet feeling comfortable about that particular topic.
"Fine love, but you can't keep hiding from your feelings and pretending they're not there," Finn said wisely.
"Are you sober?" she asked surprised on his comment.
"Yes love, but let's not tell anyone that, they might see how much more loveable I am and try to keep me this way," he said seriously, rubbing his head. "I forgot my flask at home."
Rory laughed before a voice came over an intercom. "Excuse me, is everything ok in there? Our computers just alerted us that an emergency stop was activated."
"Things are going to be alright," Rory said more to herself than the operator over the intercom.
"Err… well ok then, we'll have you out of this mess soon," the operator answered confused by Rory's response.
"Sounds good," Rory replied with a grin to Finn. Finn knew she wasn't talking about the elevators as the lights turned back on and they continued their descent.
Logan watched Rory disappear behind the closing doors of the elevator before a flash of Aussie ran past him and stuck his arm in between the magnetic doors.
"Finn what are you doing?" Logan asked confused.
"One step at a time mate; she has to let us in before she lets you in," he replied meaningfully before disappearing behind the silver doors.
Logan sighed and ran a hand through his hair before turning back in the direction of Tristan's room. He couldn't help but want to push the process faster than it was supposed to go because he missed Rory. It had been two months since she had truly been with him and it killed him. He just wanted her there in any way shape or form, he needed her to feel something again, anything but her hollowness she had adopted recently.
This was the reason he was in such spite with Austin and Matt. He felt as if they were slowing down the process of reconciliation, acting as two big guard dogs keeping him away from her. And now, Tristan was in the hospital and it only made yet another obstacle standing in his way.
He was so caught up in his thoughts he paid no attention to where he was walking and bumped into a body. He brought his eyes up for an apology but they turned to slits.
"Watch it," he spat.
"You were the one off in Never-Never Land Peter Pan. What was your choice of pixie dust?" Austin answered with a smirk.
"Clever," Logan answered dryly side stepping to try and get by. Austin exhaled noisily, if he didn't love Rory so much he wouldn't be doing this but alas his affection for the Hayden got the better of him.
"Wait man, I think we should talk," he said turning around and calling out to Logan's back. Logan slowly turned around with a weary face.
"If you're going to tell me how much of an ass I'm being and how much I'm throwing my life away then you don't have to. I get enough of that from my father, especially after he found out about me and Rory," he replied.
Austin shook his head. "It's nothing like that man. It's just that I think we should just put what happened in Zugerberg aside and start with a clean slate; despite all the things that have been going on lately."
"There really is no point is there? I mean, it's not like I'm with Rory anymore, so there really is no need for you to feel obligated to befriend me," Logan replied with a hint of bitterness while turning back around.
"She still cares for you. Even if she doesn't act that way, I know she still does," Austin said seriously causing Logan to turn back around.
"I think she stopped caring when I did," Logan replied trying to cover up his feelings.
"Then she never really stopped huh?" Austin replied cleverly. Logan blinked twice with a frown. "You don't know anything about me."
"I may not, but your friends do and they can see it too. And Tris, Matt, and I can see the same exact look on Rory's face; those looks of hidden pain. No matter how many girls you screw and no matter how much Rory tries to cover up her feelings with her little Ice Princess mask, it's obvious what you're both feeling."
"Really now, tell me Dr. Phil, what are those feelings?" Logan asked deciding to humor Austin.
"Betrayal, regret, anger, love," Austin replied not missing a beat. Logan scoffed not willing to be seen as easily read. "That's bullshit man," he said lying completely.
Austin stared him down before shrugging. "If you say so Huntz, but if you'll excuse me I have to find her," he said turning around. "Oh and just don't be surprised by what you see in the room, be careful with those so called not there feelings," he added before walking off leaving Logan confused and frustrated.
As Finn and Rory entered the cafeteria, they were greeted with the aggravated voice of Violete Packard. "What do you mean you only have potato soup!? My Tristan's favorite soup is chicken noodle and when he wakes up I want it to be there waiting for him. Therefore I would need a hot plate also! " she yelled at the confused cafeteria worker. "If he wakes up…JUST GIVE ME THE DAMN CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP!" she blubbered before smothering her face in the shoulder of her husband Channing's jacket.
"L-Listen ma'am, I'm really sorry we really don't have any chicken noodle soup here," the worker stuttered feeling bad for making her cry. Rory sighed and made her way over to the group of 8 misplaced socialite grandparents.
"What are you guys doing here?" Rory asked when she reached them, surprising them.
"Rory, Tristan's in the hospital!" Francine Hayden exclaimed as if Rory had no idea.
"I was aware of that grandma Hayden, that's why I'm here," Rory replied.
"And that's why we're here Rory, how is he doing?" Arnold Dugrey asked nervously. Looks like the cold heart of the Dugrey grandparents were melting in concern for their grandson.
"Mate's awake and kicking! Upstairs with the others," Finn answered with a big smile to the usually intimidating socialites. They all beamed back at him and Finn began to feel uncomfortable, shuffling between his two feet with Rory coming to his rescue.
"Room 376 you guys, follow the signs," Rory directed. The grandparents nodded happily and walked away leaving Rory rubbing her forehead and Finn fanning himself. "Oy love, remind me never to try talking to the Stepford wives and their counterparts again, I felt like they were brainwashing me with invisible mind control waves."
Rory laughed but gave Finn a smack on the arm. "Those are my grandparents you're talking about!" she scolded with a smile. Finn just smiled back and threw his arm around her, getting in line for some much needed snacks.
Logan stepped into the room still confused about what he was told by Austin, but then realized exactly what he was talking about. Inside he came face to face with the girl that started the whole mess, and another close friend of Rory's. Yes, that's right folks, our beloved Marissa and Aiden!
While Marissa sat in the corner being ignored by the room as a whole, Aiden was at the bedside of Tristan smiling and laughing with him, apparently having heard the news of the accident. As soon as Marissa spotted Logan she got a sly grin and stood up to strut her way over to him. Logan pretended not to see her and instead went over to Aiden and gave him a stiff but acknowledging nod. "Hey," he said shortly.
"Hey," Aiden answered obviously uncomfortable about the situation.
"Hey babe," Marissa purred sliding up next to him, oblivious to the glares everyone in the room sent her. It was no secret what she did, and everyone felt anger towards her for doing it. Her and Logan's kiss had sparked a whole shit load of chain reactions, ultimately leading the situation they were in now.
"Don't even talk to me Marissa," Logan replied angrily, pulling away from her and now even bothering to hide the hate and anger in his voice.
"Aww now, that's not the way you were New Year's Eve," she said seductively.
"How would you know? Logan didn't even have a chance to speak before you assaulted his lips with yours," Colin replied arrogantly as he could.
Marissa glared at him briefly before turning her bedroom eyes back on and flashing them at Logan. Logan just rolled his eyes and addressed Tristan. "How are you feeling man?" he asked trying to break the ice.
"Err… fine," Tristan replied uncomfortably. "How are you?"
Before Logan could answer 8 well dressed grandparents burst in to the room with the four women being followed by their significant others.
"Move, move, move!" Emily Gilmore commanded shooing the teens out of the way. "Tristan darling how are you? Are you feeling alright? Ugh look at these dingy sheets how are you supposed to feel better with sheets like these!"
Tristan whined, "Grandma Gilmore really it's alright I'm fine."
"Nonsense!" Violete Packard exclaimed fluffing his pillows as Eliza Dugrey opened the shades wider. "We're going to get you back in tip top shape young man. You got yourself in quite a mishap today and you're lucky to be so well as you are now!"
"But that's how the Dugrey's are; we're fighters!" Arnold exclaimed placing a hand on Tristan's shoulder.
"Uhh… Tris, we're going to go find Austin so your grandparents can take care of you. It's getting a little too crowded in here," Matt said ignoring the pleading looks of 'no' Tristan sent their way. Matt just smirked and left the room with the other 7 teens trailing behind him.
"Tristan's quite a prince isn't he?" Louise asked laughing as they made their way to the elevator, shooting fierce looks at Marissa as she tried to latch on to Logan's side with no luck.
Matt just laughed and nodded his head, leading the way to the cafeteria, praying to God that Rory wasn't there… and that if she was that a vicious food fight wouldn't start with her and blonde bimbo known as Marissa
"There you two are," Austin said finding Finn and Rory playing sugar packet football on the cafeteria table with empty cups of coffee surrounding them.
"Yep, we were planning to go back up there but then the sugar packets distracted us," Rory replied flicking a packet at Finn that immediately hit his forehead.
"Touchdown!" Rory exclaimed throwing her hands in the air causing Finn to pout and groan.
"So I take this as a sign that you two are ok now?" Austin asked pulling a chair up to their table.
"Yes mate, finally gave in to the Finn finesse!" Finn exclaimed with a smile.
"Try the playboy pleading," Rory quipped with a smirk.
"That hurts right here love," Finn said holding his hand to his heart. Rory laughed and rolled her eyes before turning to Austin.
"What are you doing here dearest?" she asked placing her hands on his lap. He instinctively took them and his with a smile. "Checking up to make sure neither of you have killed each other, unfortunately you haven't," he joked.
Rory scoffed, "You can't live without me Hayes, who are you trying to fool?" Austin rolled his eyes in return before Rory asked, "Did my grandparents make it up to Tristan's room?"
"Uhh… actually Tristan had some other visitors," Austin replied uneasily.
"Who mate?" Finn asked perking up in interest. The voice from behind them answered their question. "Logan come on," the whiny voice said.
"If I turn around will you promise me that a scrawny blonde dip shit won't be standing there?" Rory asked through clenched teeth.
"I can't really promise you that Rory…" Austin said holding onto her hands tighter. "We're in public Rory," he reminded.
"Yes a hospital, which means she can get treated for both her physical and mental ailments," she hissed back trying to get up but being held down by Finn who suddenly had a firm grasp on her shoulders.
"There you guys are," Matt said coming up to their table with an annoyed look. "Someone give me a painkiller please," he mumbled.
"Headache?" Austin asked with a smirk.
"Looogan come on talk to meee," Marissa whined.
"Among other things," Matt mumbled plopping down on a seat next to Finn. Rory couldn't help but laugh until the rest of the group found their way to the table.
"Oh my gosh Aiden!" she exclaimed almost forgetting that he and Marissa lived with each other. She lept up into his arms and he laughed and hugged her back.
"When I said we should hang out again soon I didn't think it would be under these circumstances," he said with his green eyes sparkling.
"Better than nothing," she suggested, ignoring Logan who she knew was glaring at the moment. Rory took a deep breath and turned to Marissa, trying so hard to keep her composure. "Hey Marissa," she said with a plastic smile.
"Hello Mory," she answered snottily.
"It's Rory," the whole group corrected causing her to make a face. "Whatever."
"How's Tris?" Rory asked turning to Aiden. "He was good, getting spoiled by the socialites as we speak," he answered with a big smile. "That's good," Rory replied giggling.
"Rory love I'm bored!" Finn exclaimed with a glower. The group looked taken aback that Finn was talking Rory and even more taken aback when she answered.
"Patience is a virtue sweetie," she said.
"Whoa wait, you and Finn are talking now?" Colin asked not being able to bite his tongue.
"Yes, I apologized to the kitten and she accepted," Finn replied smiling at Rory who smiled right back.
"So does that mean we're good?" Stephanie asked hopefully. She had missed Rory being there for her, and that was no secret. Rory turned to look at her as if contemplating. "I guess so," she replied nonchalant with a smile. Stephanie squealed almost high enough only dogs could hear it and pounced onto Rory with Louise and Madeline close behind. "I missed you so much!" she exclaimed hugging the dear life out of Rory. Rory tried to laugh but began to cough from lack of air. Colin came over and pried the three girls off of Rory.
"Easy there ladies, one socialite in the hospital is enough," he said with a smirk to Rory. "Good to have you back Hayden," he said giving her a brief but brotherly hug.
"Softie!" Rory exclaimed with a smile.
"Aiden, I'm bored let's go," Marissa suddenly proclaimed flipping her hair and grabbing his arms. Aiden frowned. "I barely got to catch up with Rory and Tristan," he replied. Her response was a glare.
Aiden sighed and turned to Rory irritated. "Listen obviously my rides being a whiny brat so I have to go, but I'm having a birthday party in two weeks so if Tristan is doing better you guys should come," he suggested. "All of you," he said addressing the group.
"We'll see," Rory replied. "Where is it going to be?"
"My place," Marissa replied sending a wink towards Logan who just turned away. Rory looked uneasy about the whole thing but luckily Austin spoke up. "We'll see man, Tristan might not be in a partying mood 2 weeks after a car accident."
Aiden nodded in understanding, "No problem, just let me know. You know my number Rory," he said giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Bye Aiden," she said returning the gesture before he was practically dragged out of the cafeteria by Marissa.
Rory sighed and plopped back down in her chair as the others went to get some snacks, leaving Rory with Austin, Logan, Matt, and Finn. She sat thinking about how much life could change in the blink of an eye while Austin, Finn, and Matt all talked about some Maxim model they were obsessing over.
Change is a funny thing. Without it, life would be amazingly dull but with too much of it and life just doesn't seem to slow down. There are changes that seem to make your walls go crumbling down, while there are other ones that make you feel like you're on top of the world. It's happening everyday, sometimes a little at a time, and sometimes all at once.
It's funny to think that one change to your past and your future can be altered. Imagine how people who love each other change together, almost as one life. Imagine if you were to take a chance at something different, how different your life could be.
Imagine if that one person decided they were going to change their future by taking a chance now.
"Rory can we talk?" Logan asked hoarsely approaching her slowly.
One decision can change the outcome of the rest of your life. One decision can change the outcome of a story and give readers another gleam of hope towards the broken relationship of their favorite couple with one simple statement.
"Yea, I think we should," Rory replied getting up from her seat and leading Logan out of the cafeteria and out of the hospital.
The hardest part of taking a step towards change is being unsure of the direction it will lead you though.
AN: The ending of that chapter was so much fun to write! haha Anyways, Im not promising anything in subject to Rogan action for next chapter, but at least Rory's not completely bitchin and mopey right? Magic number is 37! just because... idk I think i like that number lol. Love you all thanks so much for the great reviews!