Rory kept to herself the whole way home, pretending to be asleep so no one questioned her desire to be alone.

There was no other way to put it, she was depressed and avoiding something, something she knew, yet didn't really know, understood, yet could not really understand…she was definitely confused, and that's about all the sense she could make of everything.

Even though her eyes were closed, she felt someone take the seat next to her on the plane, they had been in the air for a while now and all the students were roaming the plane freely.

"Rory," Tristan whispered, playing with her hair, she reluctantly opened her eyes,

"Hi," she replied coldly,

"You want to come hang with us? Everyone's playing 'I've Never',"

"Nah, I'm tired, you go ahead," she refused to look at him,

"I can stay here,"

"Nah, its fine go ahead and play, have fun,"

"I don't mind staying, in fact, I'd probably prefer it,"

"Just go away Tristan!" she snapped, she saw the hurt cross his face out the corner of her eye before he turned and left, she sighed and shut her eyes once more.

"Ror, wake up," she opened eyes to see Paris looking at her with a concerned face,

"Are we home?" asked Rory rubbing her eyes,

"Yeah…are you okay, you've been really quiet today?"

"I'm fine, just really tired, I'll see you at school Monday okay?"

Rory got out from her seat and exited the plane, she leaned against a wall watching the rest of her class as they gathered there luggage. She wasn't in the mood to push and shove so she waited until most of the crowd had left.

As her fellow students left, some that never usually spoke to her said a quick goodbye, waved or smiled. They were just grateful for the massive party she threw, which was a big hit; Rory figured they'd be over it as soon as someone else threw another party so she just politely nodded.

Soon most of the students had disappeared and she felt it was safe enough to head off too, she had hugged Derek, Austin, Mike, Louise, Maddie and Paris a quick goodbye as they left the airport, Tristan wasn't with them and she couldn't see him, so she figured he must have already left.

Quickly grabbing her bags she made her way out, she had just received a text message from her mom informing her that she would be late. Once outside she went to turn left but noticed Tristan was their leaning against a pole, looking down as he put out a cigarette, she quickly took off to the right, hoping he wouldn't spot her.

She obviously hadn't moved fast enough since he quickly caught up and was now walking in step with her,

"Avoiding me now huh?"

"Maybe a little," she shrugged, giving up the chase and sitting on a bench, he sat next to her,

"Might as well be completely," he mumbled, she shrugged watching the different cars move around the airport car par, "Why?"

"Why not?"

"Don't be difficult," he pleaded,

"It's in my nature," she replied, he ran his hand through his hair frustrated,

"Your eyes show fear, what are you afraid of?" he questioned, she thought for a while then spotted Lorelai, pulling up, she quickly got up, grabbed her suitcase and faced Tristan,

"Nothing…a little bit of everything…I don't really know," After a moment of staring she turned and left.

"Hey babe! Give mamma some sugar," Lorelai excitedly greeted her daughter,

"Mommy!" she squealed giving her mom a tight squeeze, Lorelai gladly hugged her back,

"I am taking you to Luke's and you're gonna spill the beans on the trip".

The two Lorelais sat side by side in Luke's with four coffee cups each, quite content with being back in their normal routine.

"So you and Bibleboy ey?" Lorelai playfully nudged Rory while wiggling her eyebrows, Rory's face immediately dropped,

"Uh, no, not really," she sighed,

"What happened?"

"Nothing, it was just kind of a two week fling,"

"Did he say that? Because if he did, I can sic Luke on him and he can hop in his truck and drive into Hartford, then whack Tristan with his baseball bat while wearing his baseball cap then use his truck to tow his ass down here to apologise, that bastard!"

Lorelai ranted loudly, making the other customer's in Luke's look at her oddly,

"Who am I whacking? Did someone hurt you Rory?" Luke's head popped out from behind the counter,

"No one Luke, calm down and go make me a burger," Rory called,

"Demands, demands," Luke rolled his eyes and went back to the kitchen,

"Anyway, mom don't worry about it, it doesn't matter," Rory watched her coffee as she stirred it,

"How can I not worry about it, if a guy you had feelings for treated you like crap, saying everything that happened was a big joke, just a fling?"

"But mom he didn't!"

"He didn't?"

"No… I did, well not exactly, but it was implied," Rory sighed,

"And now my head hurts," concluded Lorelai, rubbing her forehead.

The Gilmore Girls spent the weekend, watching movies and sharing gossip… it was fun but then Monday rolled around.

Rory quickly sat up to the sound of her buzzing alarm clock; she groaned as she turned it off, she really couldn't be bothered today. She fell back on her pillows, resting her eyes for a few moments, 'Go be a 'Mary'!' she sarcastically encouraged herself before jumping out of bed, bouncing down the stairs and throwing herself at the coffee pot.

Her mom left a note saying that she had left for work early and that she caught a ride with Sookie so Rory could drive to school today, 'Or I could skip school…no, I'm supposed to llluuuurrrvvve school'.

She grabbed the keys and headed off to Chilton, her skirt just below her knees, all her shirt buttons done up and covered with the blazer, her hair was braided and she only wore lip gloss, her 'innocence' was perfected.

As she walked through the halls a few of the more 'popular' Chiltonites gave her a once over, realising she wasn't joining their leagues after all. It didn't really bother anyone; they just continued as the way they had before. Rory smiled and gave a slight wave towards Mike, Austin and Derek as she turned the corner toward her locker. Maddie, Louise and Paris were all there,

"Eew, Gilmore, you're dressing like that again?" Louise frowned,

"I said I would,"

"But you gotta flaunt it!" Maddie protested,

"How about both of you leave my sucky wardrobe alone and one day I'll take you all up to California and we can flaunt it all you want up there,"

"Promise?"

"Cross my heart,"

"You rock! We'll talk to you later," the two linked arms and made their way to a group of boys.

Rory opened her locker and started sorting out her books,

"You do remember the performing arts school starts today right?" Paris asked, the fear evident in her voice,

"Of course I remember,"

"Well aren't you scared? I can't do anything like this, why is this stupid thing compulsory, you don't need this to get into colleges,"

"No, not really, but it would look good, besides I don't think you will have to do something big, maybe they will have other jobs you can do to pass instead of actually performing,"

"I hope so because otherwise this school better be ready to fight a hefty law suit, the bells going soon, you should hurry up," Paris took of to homeroom.

Rory closed her bag, she noticed an extremely confident looking Tristan heading her way, she rolled her eyes, shut her locker and started walking, but Tristan quickly had her pinned up against a wall,

"So this is how it's gonna be now?" he questioned, she kept her gaze focussed over his shoulder,

"What?"

"You ignoring and avoiding me, me chasing you, how it was before?"

"That's how it's supposed to be,"

"It doesn't have to be,"

"Yes it does," she met his eyes,

"I won't let it," he gripped her shoulders,

"I'd like to see you try, it was what happens in Australia, stays in Australia and that's how it's gonna stay, you're two weeks are up Bibleboy, I'll make sure of it"

"That's what you say now Gilmore, get to class," he gave her a light push in the direction.

Rory managed to avoid Tristan until lunchtime and she was quite proud of that accomplishment. During lunch all seniors were expected to be in the auditorium for the PA (performing arts) induction. Rory found herself a seat away from everyone else, but of course she wasn't alone for very long,

"Bye Tristan,"

"That's okay Mary you don't have to leave,"

"You're leaving,"

"Oh so we're leaving together, where? The janitor's closet…I'm right behind you,"

Rory got fed up and moved, of course, Tristan followed, she tried this three times before just giving up and ignoring his presence, which was quite a difficult task.

"You should all be grateful to have the opportunity to participate in a course like this and yes you must all participate in one way or another. Be aware that there will be no getting out of it. For those who are extremely adamant against performing publicly, there will be stage jobs, scrip writing, costume making etcetera…" The principal drawled.

Tristan moved his arm to the back of Rory's chair, and rested one hand on her knee, she was enjoying the feeling it cause and he wasn't doing more than resting there, so she pretended not to notice while secretly enjoying the moment. Though she covered it up by sending a glare which he returned with a smirk

The microphone was turned to the PA director,

"The course will proceed through the entire school year, in the first block you will be split into two groups, one group will work with theatre while the other dance, in the next block both groups will revolve around music. We will talk about that later on, next semester…"

Tristan started rubbing his hand up and down her thigh, moving her skirt up, his head rested on the back of the chair, he lightly blew on her neck while his other hand played with her hair,

"Mary, oh Mary," he whispered, "You know you want me as much as I need you, don't fight it baby,"

She removed all his hands and shoved him away.

All students with a surname beginning with a letter between A-K were put into dance and the others theatre. Rory, Paris, Tristan, Derek and Louise were all in dance. At the end of the class there were two pieces of paper for both groups, one for those willing to perform and the others to work with the crew.

Rory went to sign the 'crew' sheet but her hand was quickly grabbed by one of the dance teachers, who pulled her off to the side,

"Darling, vhy were you going to put your name there?" the heavily accented woman asked,

"Because I don't dance," Rory smiled sympathetically,

"But you have the perfect figure for ballet," the teacher said,

"Unfortunately I don't have the coordination for dance,"

"Nonsense, all you need is to be trained, it won't be hard, mainly basics, and I will find you an experienced partner," she turned and faced her new dance students, "Are there any males here with ballet experience?"

"Tristan does!" Louise exclaimed,

"Only because my mother forced me," he grumbled, slightly embarrassed,

"Oh Tristan DuGray! You were one of my better students, you shall partner Rory here," she scribbled Rory's name under ballet, there were a few different dance classes running.

Tristan stalked over to Rory and threw an arm over her shoulder,

"Me, you, ballet, late night practices…how romantic?"

"I don't dance!" she said firmly,

"Oh but you vill!" Tristan mocked the teachers accent, "We have a lesson during fifth period, see you then."

All dancing pairs were given a number that was posted on a timetable on the auditorium board, they were given a pass to get out of class during the period that they had their private lesson. Ten couples were going to be dancing while the others were did extra theory work and learnt about more cultural dances.

At the beginning of fifth period Rory quickly got some work from her teacher and the pass signed before slowly making her way to the dance studio. Tristan was already there,

"Took you a while Mary,"

"Sorry I'm late…"

"Madame Ruel, but Madame vill do just fine."

Madame sent Tristan to the other side to brush up on his skills while she worked with Rory. Rory did as she was told half-heartedly, Madame kept telling her to be graceful and light but this didn't suit work and she danced heavy and sharp and not concentrating on her turn-out.

"Sorry, but I just don't dance!" Rory yelled and took a seat, Madame sighed,

"Tristan! Please show Rory ze piece you did at ze showcase last year," she changed the CD.

Rory watched in shock as Tristan danced, he moved gracefully and performed all moves in ease… 'who would of thought he was so flexible?'

"See zat Rory," Madame said as he finished, "Ballet is beauty, it isn't hard and rough, you need to practice in your own time with Tristan, I hope to see you give it a better go next time, ve don't have long until ze grading starts,"

"I still have Katrina's beginners videos," Tristan informed,

"Katrina?" Roy asked curiously,

"My elder sister, she started ballet a little bit later and needed all the help she could get up to catch up to standards,"

"Oh,"

"Vell make sure to organise practice, off you go," Madame dismissed them.

Tristan and Rory had sixth period English together, there was still a few minutes left so they just waited outside the classroom door patiently.

"So partner…"

"Not by choice," Rory quickly said, Tristan frowned, but he wasn't giving up yet,

"How was your weekend?"

"Same old, now stop talking to me," she snapped,

"Just when I though we were being at least civil,"

"I need good grades and to get them I kind of have to, so that I do this thing and pass,"

"Using me for grades?" she shrugged in response, before their conversation could continue the bell rang and students piled into the halls.

Tristan spent the period trying to get Rory to talk to him, his attempts were futile. They were set a writing task, while everyone was working Tristan tried whispering to her, she put on headphones, he wrote her notes, she scrunched them up and threw them away.

She wasn't budging and eventually he got pissed off. As soon as the class was over he quickly stormed out, she saw this and was hit with a wave of guilt.

She had to go to the library, the office and her locker before she could leave, by the time she exited the big front doors the car park was practically empty.

Rory hopped in her car and turned on the ignition, taking another look across the school grounds she saw Tristan, he was sitting on the same bench that they had once made a pact to be friendly towards each other.

He was attempting to light a cigarette, his lighter wasn't working and that most definitely did not help his mood. She watched him with a longing expression; she would never admit that the way she looked at him was out of her control.

Her emotions were fizzing in the pit of her stomach as she saw how she had affected him, she had to talk to him, really talk to him, right now.

Turning off her car she slowly stepped out and quietly closed the door behind her. It was a fairly windy day and Tristan was unable to hear her approach.

Rory quietly sat next to him, a strong distance between them, he didn't acknowledge her, just continued fiddling with his lighter. Rory pulled a lighter out of her bra, cupped her hand and reached out to Tristan, who complied using her help to light his cigarette.

Moments of silence followed,

"So, suddenly those cravings for my company finally won you over?" Rory sighed in relief that he was talking to her,

"Sadly enough,"

"You're a head spin," he pointed at her with his cigarette, her reflexes quickly kicked in and she grabbed it before he had a chance to stop her, she took a deep drag,

"I'm a head spin?" she took another drag and he snatched the stick back,

"Yes, you are a walking, talking, human sized, head spin,"

"I know," she conceded,

"You do?"

"I do, but I have no control over it,"

"I almost wasn't sure if reality happened, maybe I had completely imagined everything, making an idiot of my self….You gave me two weeks with you that gave me hope, once we got home you took it all away and then here you are once again, dangling it in front of me now,"

"Oops," she said innocently and he couldn't help but give a slight chuckle,

"Oops?"

"Shut up!" she lightly slapped his knee, "Listen, I just don't cope well with change, I think it just may be genetic, but my instinct is to run… wow"

"What?"

"I've always known that, and I've done it before, but this has got to be the first time I've actually admitted it to someone,"

"I feel special," he said smiling,

"Uh-huh, well you do that, I have to go, see you tomorrow?"

"I'll be at your locker with coffee early,"

"You better, and you're driving me home tomorrow to,"

"I am now am I?" he said in his flirting way,

"We have to work on that dancing thing sometime," his face lost excitement immediately, 'using me for grades' he though solemnly, "…And I have to take you to Luke's, when we order we can roll our R's just like Madame, that'll drive him bonkers, rrrrrrrrr" his face lit up once again, she gave him a quick hug and headed off.

He watched her walk away, a stupid grin plastered on his face.


AN: I wrote two chapters today and i personally really liked the next one...so review! coz it make me wanna update! update!