Disclaimer: I own nothing. Gilmore Girls belongs to AS-P. The title of this story is from "Bad Day" by Daniel Powter. The title of this chapter comes from "World Spins Madly On" by The Weepies -- great group, check 'em out!
Rating: T - because Jess can't seem to keep his mouth clean, Finn likes getting laid waaaaay too much and because Rory finally likes to do something other than read.
It's the summer before senior year. She's up for a summer of boys and fun. He's ready to hit the sand and see the girls. Nothing could go wrong.
Chapter 3: Woke Up
Most girls didn't do what Rory did. Most girls were known for being the star of their soccer team, or for getting the good grades.
They weren't known as the girl who killed her mother. They weren't blamed for the death of a woman whose smile could light up a room.
Rory didn't remember much about her mother. She didn't really know her. All she knew was that two hours after giving birth to a baby girl, Lorelai Victoria Gilmore the Second died from loss of blood. She was sixteen years old.
Christopher Andrew Hayden was left to raise the baby girl who took Lorelai away. He named the young girl Lorelai, with the hope that the little girl would turn out like her mother. In some respects, that is.
Rory turned out like her mother -- in all respects. Mostly. She was out all hours of the night. She was constantly getting in trouble. She often was spotted at raves and other similar events. She was, after all, the daughter of Lorelai Gilmore and Christopher Hayden.
Rory sighed. She was seated in between Jess and Finn. Jess was holding her hand. Finn was comforting her. But that wasn't what she wanted.
She looked to Louise, Madeline, Paris, Lane and Dave. They all seemed so happy. She wanted to be happy like them. She didn't want to be weak like her father -- to whom she hadn't spoken since her outburst at her grandparent's house.
Now she was on Louise's plane, and they were flying to North Carolina for the summer. Louise's boyfriend, Logan Huntzberger, was in military school down there. His father owned a cottage just minutes away from the Outer Banks.
"Rory?"
Rory looked to Paris, who was seated across from her. "Yeah?"
"You were spacing," Paris stated. "You okay?"
Rory nodded. "Yeah. I'm good."
Paris smiled. "Good. We're going to have fun down there."
Rory smiled, her first smile since the night before. "Yeah. We are."
"But you're going to stay out of trouble," Paris said. "You, Jess and Finn have had enough trouble."
Rory laughed. "I don't think so. Do you two?"
Finn contemplated the question for a moment. "No, I don't think we have."
"When we get to the big house," Jess said. "That's when we'll have enough trouble."
"Don't speak so fast," Lane warned. "You three almost did end up getting there."
"I'll have you know that I was just 'an innocent bystander'," Jess said.
"Right," Dave said. "And Lane and I are starting a rock band."
"You two in a rock band?" Rory asked. "That's funny. Lane can't hold a tune to save her life."
Lane's mouth dropped. "Lorelai Leigh!"
Rory giggled. "Sorry, Lane, but you know it's true."
Lane smiled. "Yeah. Fine. But you didn't have to be so mean!"
They all settled down for the rest of the plane ride. Rory fell asleep with her head in Jess's lap. Not wanting to think about anything else for the rest of the summer but the beach -- and the boys.
"DuGrey!"
Tristin sighed. Again. It was Logan. Again.
Telling him (again) that he was going to get Louise and could he, please, straighten up his side of the room.
"I'll do it, okay? I promise," Tristin said. "Just go get your girl and her little friends. I won't be here when you get back, though."
Logan nodded. "See you later."
"Yeah," Tristin responded.
It didn't take him long to clean up. Logan was just a neat freak. Granted, when it came to things regarding Louise, Logan was just a freak.
He sighed. He decided to go hang out with Emma. Logan was coming back soon. He really didn't want to hang out with his friends. Besides, it was nearing dark, and he needed to get out.
He walked out of his dorm and saw Emma, with another guy.
So much for that, he thought.
He turned on his heel and made his way down to the club. He'd find someone there. For sure.
He didn't notice Logan walking with a group of people. He didn't see the brunette followed by two tall boys going into the club.
"Rory! Wait up!"
Rory didn't stop when Paris called after her. She was tired, and wanted to cut loose. She wanted to get away from these people for a little bit. She hurried into the club, Jess and Finn not far behind her. At least she knew she could always count on them to be by her side.
"Love?" Finn asked. "What now?"
"I'll meet up with you in three hours?" Rory asked.
Jess and Finn looked at each other and then to Rory. They nodded.
"See you in three," Rory said. "Or before, if I get really bored. Rhyme!"
Jess chuckled. "Three."
Rory smiled and walked over to the bar. She was happy she had her fake ID with her. She almost didn't bring it, but decided on a whim to bring it in case she decided to drink.
Which is what she needed right now.
"This is Rory," Louise said. "The felon."
Logan smirked. "Nice to meet you. Hope you're not corrupting my Louise here."
"We won't let that happen," Louise said. "Besides, Rory's got Jess and Finn here to do the corruption."
"You don't do anything for yourself?" Logan inquired.
"Rory, doing something for herself?" Paris asked. "That's funny."
She did things for herself. She did mostly everything for herself. Except her dinner. She couldn't cook to save her life.
"What'll it be?" the bartender asked.
"Beer," she responded.
"ID?" he asked.
She showed him her fake. He barely glanced at it. She figured he only asked just to see if she had one. He held the bottle out for her and she took it.
"So, you aren't a Mary," an unfamiliar voice asked.
She turned to see a tall blond in front of her. "And you got the impression that I was?"
"You seemed it," the blond responded. "When you walked in here with the two bodyguards."
Rory rolled her eyes and brushed by him. "Shows how much you know."
"What you drinking?" he asked.
She showed him her bottle. "Beer."
"Classy," he stated.
Rory rolled her eyes. "Well, normally I'd sip champagne, but I was feeling rebellious tonight."
He smirked at her. His eyes were burning into her. She began to grow uncomfortable and brushed by him.
"Can I get a name?" he asked.
Rory looked back at him. "You don't have one? How sad."
She saw him following her and made her way to a deserted room. Safe, Rory. Nice. Now if he kills you no one's going to hear you scream.
"And why did you come back here?" he asked.
"To get away from you," she responded. "You obviously aren't too bright. When someone walks away from you, it means they don't want to be around you."
He smirked again. "Really? I thought you came back here to be alone with me."
She stared at him. His eyes were cold, dark, guarded. He was tall, but just tall enough. His hair seemed to be calling out to her to touch it. She sighed.
May as well make the most of this summer, she thought.
He stared at her. "So, do I have to kiss you, or are you going to do it anytime soon?"
Rory shrugged and turned around. "I don't know."
She began walking away, but felt a hand gently pull her back. She was brought face to face with him.
"I don't kiss boys I don't know," she whispered.
He smiled. "Tristin. Tristin DuGrey."
She smiled and kissed him. Bringing the summer to an official start. A very good official start.