CHAPTER 4

It wasn't like there was any apparent tension on the spot filled with confusion.

Rory broke eye contact with Tristin and bent over to pick up the mess she just dropped. Tristin crouched over to help her. Their eyes collided quickly, a second of confirmation of the people they once were. He averted his eyes before giving himself away once more.

When they both got up, Tristin's eyes shifted between his mirror image and the girl he once knew. She mumbled a quick, inaudible "thank you" before shifting back to their former zones of comfort. Then he started looking intently at Charlie, studying him for a second like he doubted his existence.

It's not like they were similar in any way. The figure in front of him wore his hair like a Chia pet in full bloom. His taste in clothing screamed poseur from the Clash T-shirt that had seen better days to the obviously frequently worn jeans held up by an American Eagle belt and a chain loop that might secure a wallet in the baggy pants.

Charlie was curious himself. It's not like he really knew anyone that closely resembled him. A chill traversed down his spine, almost afraid to acknowledge the reality that stood before him. His almost reflection was definitely more affluent than him. From the rugged leather jacket he only saw in Details magazine to the Diesel Jeans he sported, his whole attire for the day was far more expensive than his whole wardrobe collection. He envied him for living the life he dreamt to eventually have.

"By the way, I'm Tristin DuGrey," he introduced himself, waiting for Charlie to shake his extended hand.

"Charlie Todd," he accepted the friendly gesture, grabbing the strong hand.

"This is so Parent Trap," Jen chuckled nervously, her eyes wavering between the towering blondes.

"Oh, by the way," Tristin absentmindedly spoke as he fished scraps of paper from his front pocket. "I believe these are for you."

Charlie took the scribbled notes from Tristin and gave them a cursory glance before tucking them into his pocket.

"Adding on to your new whore list, Charlie?" Joey teased, trying to lighten up the drab mood.

"Oh Joey, smart girl from Worthington, are you jealous?" Charlie teased her. "I can move you on top of the list."

"Oh, how cheesy!" Jen squealed at the banter, oblivious to the averted gaze of the freshmen.

"So, Rory, I'm surprised to see you here!" Joey gushed. "Again, I apologize if Audrey was a little… abrasive last night? Her personality is a little strong and it takes getting used to."

"Rory chuckled. "That's okay. I think she's a riot," matching Audrey's personality with Paris, only friendlier and less extreme in the fun department.

"You are looking at the newest member of WBCW, Rory Gilmore," Charlie said proudly. "Take a bow," he whispered into Rory's ear.

Instead, she smacked Charlie on the arm and blushed. "Thank you, Mister Subtlety."

"Hi, I'm sorry, we haven't been formally introduced," Jen spoke. "I'm Jen."

"Hi," she smiled bashfully.

"So," Jen added, dragging the 'o' longer than usual. "You guys partied without me?"

"Blame Pacey. He made the arrangements," Joey giggled before squinting her eyes at Charlie who was staring at her again. "Anyway, I don't think we would've wanted to wipe off the drool on your face when Charlie performed."

"Would not!" Jen replied hotly.

"You still can't resist me. Admit it," Charlie taunted the pint-sized girl.

"To strangle you, yeah!" Jen proceeded to attack Charlie. Both of them disappeared down the hallway hearing her smack him and him yelp in pain.

After the sounds died down, Joey found it amusing that Rory and Tristin avoided eye contact with each other.

"Uh, I think I have to get back to work," Rory uttered, her eyes nervously darting at Tristin. His gaze was quizzical, if not curious to talk to her.

"Do I still make you nervous, Mary?" he finally spoke.

Rory coquettishly blushed. "You never did, DuGrey."

"So you do know each other," Joey chuckled. "Should I leave you guys alone?"

"That's not necessary, Joey," Rory replied quickly. "It's just…"

"She and I were never friends," Tristin finished the statement for her.

Somehow that statement stung her. "He's right, we didn't run in the same circles."

"But you guys are both in college now," Joey pointed out. "Everyone starts fresh. Hey, you guys don't have anyone around here that you used to hang out with in high school, right?"

Tristin and Rory looked at each other for answers. Both ended up mute.

"Uh, no. Not really," Rory grumbled.

"Well, now you have each other to talk to about home," Joey reasoned out. "I'm not saying that we can't be your friends but knowing someone from back home being there for a moment's notice can really come in handy."

Rory grinned. "You sound like someone who's gotten some experience in that field."

"I have!" Joey admitted. "Pacey and Jen are two people I went to high school with."

"Lucky you," Tristin said. "I wish I had friends like that."

"You could've if you didn't hang out with Chip and Dale," Rory guffawed, referring to the Duncan and Bowman incident.

Tristin just squinted his eyes at Rory.

Just as quickly as Charlie and Jen disappeared, they came back, all disheveled and flushed.

"Well, love to hang out with you guys but I have a show in five minutes," Charlie announced. He swung to Rory and said, "My CDs, madam?"

Rory handed him the stack she held in her hands. "Here you go… by the way, you still have some lipstick on the corner of your lip." Rory reached out to wipe the coral pink stain on his lower lip.

Joey and Tristin coughed up the laughter as Jen and Charlie blushed fire red.

"We have to work on your tact," Charlie teased Rory. "Anyway, ladies, Tristin, it's been a pleasure."

Just like that, he went through the heavy door, winking at them before disappearing.

Jen straightened out her outfit and said, "Anyone up for coffee?"

"Sure," Joey agreed.

"Great. Let me just get my stuff together," Jen excused herself.

Joey's cell phone rang. Knowing there was bad reception in the building she excused herself, "Can you let Jen know I'm waiting for her outside?"

"Sure," Tristin reassured her.

She mouthed a word of gratitude as she answered her call and walked out of the station.

Finally, the two stood alone.

"Wow, this is surreal," Tristin chuckled, taking in the sight of Rory as she fidgeted on the spot.

"It is," Rory laughed nervously wringing her hands simultaneously.

Their uneasy conversation made them feel like utter morons to each other, not knowing what to say.

"So," the said in chorus. He laughed. She giggled.

"Ladies first," he flashed her a dimpled smile.

"Uh," she said in hesitation, " I need to get this off of my chest."

Rory closed the gap between her and Tristin and wrapped her arms around his neck. Surprised, Tristin hugged her back.

"It is so nice to finally see a friendly face other than my dad's!" she exclaimed, surprised that tears welled up from her eyes.

"Rory, are you crying?" he teased her back after giving her an extra squeeze.

"Yeah," she said hotly. "I know it's girly but it's the truth." Her finger wiped away the tears of joy.

"I know what you mean," he grinned back. "I'm glad to know that you're here. Makes Boston a little more bearable."

"So have you been in Boston long?" Rory asked. "How do you know Joey?"

"I've been here for about two weeks? I got back from Spain and decided I didn't want to spoil the last days of summer at my parents'. So I packed up my gear and moved in to the dorms," he explained. "Joey and Audrey are in my Physics class at Worthington."

"How convenient!" Rory mocked.

"Oh, it was strange," he tried to convince her. "They thought I was Charlie."

"Really?" Rory replied skeptically.

"Swear to God," he traced a cross over his heart. "How about you? How did you get associated with them?"

"Pacey asked me to join them last night after school and I agreed," she simply stated. "I have to admit that I thought Charlie was you, too."

Rory's disarming smile made Tristin's knees weak. "You're kidding."

"Nope," she regretted confessing her mistake. "I guess somewhere within me really wanted something that is comforting and recognizable… Even if it's a face from the past."

"I know what you mean," he sighed.

"You know, he got me this job," she said.

"Are you sure he's not just wanting to keep an eye on you?" he leered.

She punched him on the shoulder playfully. This was what Tristin was almost used to.

Jen came out of the corner, slinging her messenger bag over her torso. "Where's Joey?"

"Outside on her cell," he said. "Ready to go?"

"Sure," Jen said before glancing towards Rory's way. "Hey, nice meeting you. My suggestion is to stay away from Charlie. He's bad news."

"Will do," she said graciously.

Halfway down the hallway, Tristin looked back. "Hey Rory!"

"Yeah?" she responded with bated breath.

"Can I come around and drop you off a cup of coffee?" he asked. He knew she was addicted to the hot form of caffeine.

"That would be nice," she admitted. "Thank you."

"See you later, Mary," he said.

"Later, 'gater," she smiled back, not minding the once offensive nickname.