Disclaimer: I don't own the show or its characters (nothing's changed since the last time I wrote…) but I'd love to own it, it's genius.
A.N: It's been a really long time and I felt like I really I have to finish this story; I hate it when people post things and then leave me hanging. So I refuse to do that. It might take a while, but I'll have it all on-line.
I hope you enjoy it.
Vaguely hearing the alarm clock ringing in my head I opened one eye in hopes that somehow this was just a dream and that I didn't have to wake up. No such luck, morning has definitely come and so did the time for me to get out of bed.
I had about an hour to get ready and have a lot of coffee before my first class started, Journalism 101. Now, don't get me wrong there's a reason for my being here, it was, after all my own choice, but I'm not a morning person in case you haven't noticed and getting used to being - let's call it alive- this early is a little hard for me.
Walking out of class a couple of hours later I felt that coffee was needed, and immediately. I wouldn't say that it was boring, not at all, it just wasn't that interesting to say the least. I didn't really expect it to be mind blowing, being the first class, it's more informative in a way. Not a thing to make me want to come back to class eagerly and I guess that's the problem. I did come to stimulate my brain. That did not happen yet.
And even though we didn't learn anything the teacher, Noah Cain, gave us an assignment. He said that it would help him to get to know us a little better, to see who we are on the inside (whatever that means). Not a bad assignment in all just frustrating. We have to find at least 3 sources about an historic event and write about it. At first just the cold hard facts, an objective writing. Then we need to do it again, this time from our own perspective, giving our opinions and adding our thoughts. All in all, a good assignment, it just sucks that we already have homework. I guess this guy knows what he's doing though, he's been teaching for a while now.
So as I said my body was screaming for caffeine. And I wasn't going to let it down. I live right off campus and there's this small place I saw the day before so as I headed to my apartment I made a stop there go get some java. As I paid the guy and started walking I took out my cell phone and dialed Jamie's number.
Taking a sip I heard her cheery voice, "Hi Tristan, what's up?"
"I was kind of hoping that you're free right now."
"Why?"
"Because I really need to get a mattress and I have no idea where to find one."
I galloped what was left of the coffee and threw the cup in the trash as she spoke, "I guess you didn't get a good night's sleep huh?" I was about to answer but she went on, "you should have tried the floor, I'm sure it would have been much more comfortable."
"Actually, I really needed a good night's sleep so I spent the night in my apartment."
"Oh, right.""She sounded a little disappointed, "So how was class?"
I entered my building and started up the stairs, "Tiring."
"So you didn't enjoy it?"
"That's not it. I don't think the first class is even meant to be interesting."
"Oh, I see. Just so I know what to expect, What do you think the second one is meant to be?"
I pushed the key into the lock and turned it, opened the door and walked inside, "So are you free or are you just wasting my time?"
I threw my bag on the kitchen floor and headed to the refrigerator as she spoke, "Where are you anyway?"
"In my apartment."
"Doing what?"
"I just walked in and I am in search of some coke."I said, looking inside the open fridge, where the hell did I put that thing?
"Tristan, I thought we said no more drugs…"
"Ha ha, very funny."
She laughed, "So when are we going to get you that mattress?"
Finally locating it I took a half empty bottle (or should I say half full?) out and poured some into a glass. I took a sip and smiled, "why don't you stop by here and then we'll head down town and see if we can find something."
"Okay." After giving her the address we hung up.
"All I'm saying is that you have to do something with all the other rooms. It just looks horrible."Jamie said as we walked back into my apartment.
"It's a work in progress. I know it doesn't look that great at the moment but I do have all year ahead of me. I will do something about it eventually."
We walked into the kitchen and she smiled "now I see what you were talking about. And I do love it."
"Do you want something to drink?"I asked, opening the fridge.
"Just water."
"Thank you for helping me."I said as I grabbed a cup and poured in it some mineral water."
"No problem." She took the glass from my hand "It was fun."
"I'll just grab my bag and we're good to go. They should be there with the mattress in about half an hour."
We walked into my dorm room laughing hard, "Yeah, I fell on the second day here down the stairs, you do not want that to happen. Some of my friends still bother to warn me every now and then to watch my steps as we walk down the stairs."
I started laughing harder, "You've always been clumsy…"
"At least I admit that."
"Are you implying something?"
"No. I'm saying it flat out, you're as clumsy as I am."
"She's right about that, you know…" We both turned to face the voice's owner.
"Jamie, I'd like you to meet Mark, my roommate." I said.
She looked at him, "Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate your support and all that but how would you know whether he's clumsy or not? You two just met."
"Not exactly. We've known each other for about 2 years." He smiled, "I'm Mark from military school. I'm sure you've heard of me." He winked.
"Aren't we cocky…"
"Well, I am a big part his life." he smiled again.
"Now I see why Tristan actually needs his own apartment."
"I like your cousin, Dugrey." he said, standing up.
"Did you even bother going to class?"I asked.
"Yes, and then I came here to get some sleep."
"You're like a dog, all you do is sleep and eat."
"I told you I've been to class." He protested.
"Did you fall asleep there too?" I asked knowingly.
"I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer."
"Like I said, all you do is sleep and eat."
"Now that you mention that, I am hungry."
I saw Jamie smiling, "Nice friend…"
"Do you want something to eat?" he turned to ask her.
"What do you have to offer?"
He smiled, "I was going to order some pizza."
"Sounds good." Giving her another smile he picked up the phone and dialed.
Ten minutes later there was a knock on the door and Mark got up to get it, when he opened the door and two big men walked in with a mattress he looked dumbfounded, "Okay, I'm pretty sure I ordered a pizza and not that."
"That's for me."I said, "Put it there." I spoke to the men while getting up and pointing to my side of the room.
A moment later the new mattress was on my bed and they were holding the old one, taking it to put in storage, I signed the needed papers, gave them a tip and they left. Just as I was about to close the door the pizza guy showed up. I paid him for the pizza told him to keep the change and took the pizza from his hands. Finally, I was starving.
Jamie left about an hour later and Mark went back to sleep.
Let me just straighten things out before we go on, I'm blind as a bat without my contacts, has been for a couple of years now. I'm also not the guy to be walking around with glasses so if I don't have my contacts on I see practically nothing.
That evening, I took my contacts out because I'd been with them all day long. When I realized Mark wasn't going to wake up any time soon I've decide to go to the library.
Three hours later, tired, yet satisfied, I closed my books and took my glasses off after I'd finished the assignment I'd gotten in class. I had to admit that maybe it was not that stupid, it had a point. Thinking that I pushed the library's door open, only to hit someone on her way in.
"Ouch, tell me it didn't just happen to me." She mumbled, her hand covering her face.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going."
"Me neither." She rubbed her forehead and turned to look at me, "Please tell me that I'm not bleeding."
Confused for a moment all I could do was mumble a quiet no, she seemed familiar as far as I could see. Blue eyes, dark hair, I was sure I knew her from somewhere. I just couldn't figure that out at the moment, "I'm sorry; again, I don't know what's wrong with me." I finally managed out.
"Don't worry about it."
"If you don't mind me asking, of course, why are you going into the library at such a late hour?"
"It's the only time that it's really quiet in there." She said simply, "Quiet enough for me to concentrate that is."
"Well, of course it is, everyone's asleep. As should you be…"
"And who exactly are you to be telling me what I should or shouldn't be doing?"
"I'm your guardian angel…"
"Well, in that case, could you please tell God that I need more than 24 hours a day?"
"No can do." I said, smiling, "24 is his lucky number."
"Then how about you get me a time machine?"
"No, sorry, we've tried that before, it didn't go very well. It was decided to destroy it along with its plans."
"So when am I going to sleep?"
"Now would be a good time, I'd even walk you home if that's what it takes."
"Sorry but I really have to finish a few things." She said, holding up a folder and a couple of books just to show that she really meant it.
"Well, I'm really tired so I'm gonna head home."
"All right, have a good night." She said with a smile.
"I'm sorry I hurt you."
"I won't hold it against you, I assure you that."
"Have fun." I said as I moved past her and walked back in the direction of my dorm room, smiling. She was cute.
Moving the egg from the pan to a plate I put it down and walked over to mark's bed, pulling his blanket, he almost fell off the bed in surprise, "Wake up, I made breakfast."
He opened his eyes and looked at the watch, "What are you doing up already? You do know that it's six AM and not PM, right?"
He sat up and I handed him his plate, "Look who's talking. You're having a tough time remembering what year it is…"
"So what are you doing up so early anyway?" he shoved some egg in his mouth.
"I couldn't sleep."
"What aren't you telling me?" he gave me a suspicious look.
"Nothing." I said as I moved to pour myself some coffee.
"Tristan, you're not one to wake up this early, not unless someone kicks your ass out of bed."
"Again, look who's talking." I took a big gulp of coffee, "Besides, I already told you, I couldn't sleep."
"What time did you go to sleep yesterday?" he asked, spitting some egg in the process.
"Two AM. But I'm done with everything."
"And you're already up?" he almost choked on his food, "Maybe you should see a doctor."
"Well, since I'm up this early I'm going out for a run."
"As long as I don't have to join you, do whatever you want…"
"What are you going to do?"
"Go back to sleep, I don't have any classes until later."
"Are you sure you don't want to join me?" I put my cup down.
"I've had enough of this to last a lifetime in military school, but thank you for the offer."
"So now you're just making up for all the sleep you've lost over the years?"
"Something like that…"
"Then I'll see you later." I said smiling as I opened the door and left.
Trying to catch my breath I stopped running. Right in front of me stood tall the library's building. I took a deep breath in, thinking of the conversation I had last night with that girl. I smiled to myself and then I realized that I never got around to asking her what her name is.
I remember thinking that she seemed familiar in a way and now it was driving me crazy. I figured she might still be in there so I decided to give it a try. Maybe if I saw her again something would strike a chord. Knowing that it was a long shot I still found myself opening the door and walking in. I smiled at the sight before me, there she was, sound asleep, at one of the tables, her head in her hands. So peaceful.
I could see in front of her many books open, her folder and many pens scattered about the table. As if she was still in the middle of studying. I took a seat beside her and gave her a little nudge, "Rise and shine…"
Her blue eyes met mine the second I finished that sentence, she froze for a moment, looked around in confusion and then she got up, "I can't believe I fell asleep."
In that moment I realized that it was none other than Rory Gilmore before me. My high school crush. You could say she's the one that got away. And I didn't recognize until that very moment. And it also occurred to me that she did not recognize me yet.
"Are you okay?" I asked. She looked the same way she did in high school.
"What time is it?"
"6:45 AM" Her hair was shorter.
"What are you doing up so early?"
"Went out for a jog and stopped here for a little rest." Those eyes - just as I remembered them. Just beautiful.
"Oh, you're one of those…" I thought I heard disappointment in her voice.
"One of those what?" I asked, not sure what she meant.
"One of those healthy guys." She explained.
"Not really, I don't do that normally, I just had trouble sleeping tonight that's all. I figured that if I'm already up I may as well do something productive"
"I wish I could say that, I didn't get anything done."
"What time is your first class?"
"Nine, why?"
"Why don't you put those aside for a little while" I motioned with my head to her books, "and join me?" I asked with a smile.
"I'm not jogging with you if that's what you mean."
"I was thinking more along the lines of getting some coffee."
"Oh, I could actually use some coffee." She gave me a smile.
"By the way, I'm Tristan."
Recognition hit her face, "Now I know why you looked so familiar…"
Just then a thought came to mind, "Why aren't you in Harvard?"
"Because I attend Yale."
"Wasn't Harvard your dream?"
"It was." She smiled.
"Then why are you here?"
"Do you want me to leave?" she asked with a smile.
"No." how was that even possible? "Did you not get in? I was sure that you would."
"I did. I just realized that Yale was a better option for me."
"Does your mom know about this?"
"Yes, she does, and it's working pretty well for the both of us." She looked me strangely.
"Okay, Rory Gilmore in Yale." I felt weird saying that.
"Don't look so shocked." She said, smiling.
"It'll take me a little while to get used to the idea." I said, smiling back.
"Okay, but could you maybe do that while we're having coffee?"
"Right, coffee." What was up with me?
I helped her to gather her things and we left the library
Rory Gilmore at Yale, this should be interesting. And I wasn't about to miss that…
"So, how come Yale?" I asked as I paid for the coffee and handed her one cup.
We started walking, "It was more convenient."
"What do you mean?"
"My mom and I made a list of pros and cons and it was clear that Yale was the right choice."
"But you've always wanted to go to Harvard.
"I guess that my dream has always been to get accepted to Harvard."
"I guess that makes sense, as long as you're content with your choice."
"I am." She smiled.
"So what were the pros?"
"All sorts of things. But the main thing was just how closer it is to Stars Hollow than any other place." She smiled, "I surprised everyone including myself when I've made this decision."
"Do you ever think that you made a mistake by going here?" I spotted a bench and moved to take a seat.
"No. I've made my decision and it's all worked out for the best." She said, taking a seat beside me.
"I guess that would mean you're doing well in school."
"As well as one can expect. I've really enjoyed last year."
"I hope you're not just studying all day long."
"Well, I also have a job. I work at Sarah's Café, do you know that place?"
"I've been there once with my cousin, James. They have good coffee."
"I wouldn't work there if they didn't." she laughed, "So, is he nice or is he like you?" she asked taking a sip of her coffee and emptying her cup.
"I don't appreciate that tone but she is nice, you'd like her."
"James?"
"Her friends call her Jamie but you two haven't met."
"That's very clever, Tristan."
"I'm supposed to meet her boyfriend for the first time soon, and I'm supposed to be nice."
"Relax, she knows you. She probably wouldn't bother if she knew he's not worth it."
"You say it like you know me." When in fact we both knew that she didn't.
"Let's just say that you couldn't keep your temper back then, by what you're saying I assume that hasn't changed."
"Really?"
"That's probably part of the reason your father sent you to military school."
"Something like that."
"What was it like there anyway?" she asked.
"It was hard." I said thinking back, " I guess it was the right thing to do. But it's over, and here I am, a better person for it."
"I don't know about better but you do seem like you've grown up."
"How come?"
"You haven't teased me yet.'
"Do you want me to?"
"I think I can live without it."
I chuckled, "Okay, fair enough."
"So why did you start college only this year?"
"I needed some time to rest; I spent most of that year travelling the world."
"Really, I went on a trip with my mom after high school."
"Where to?"
"All over Europe."
"I love Europe, It's beautiful."
"I know, it was so hard to come back, we had such a good time there."
"I spent about 2 months in Italy, I just love it."
"I wish I could, I had 2 months to see all of Europe."
"Next time I'm there I'll take you with me." I smiled.
Looking at her watch she smiled, "I really have to go."
"Do you want me to walk you?" I asked.
"No, I think I'll manage." she said, getting up.
"I'm sure." I said, getting up myself.
"Besides, it's probably out of your way."
"So I guess I'll see you around."
"Yes, you will." She gave me a quick hug and walked away.
30 minutes later I was in my room, sound asleep.