Chapter 4: Rewind Erase

'Have you ever had one of those days, you wish you could take back?'

Rory's POV

Hayden residence 4:50pm

'Hey buddy what are you doing?'

Tristan came walking into my room and lazily fell onto my bed. I wiped my cheeks and forced a smile on my face. Turning in my desk chair I crossed my legs and placed my hands on top of my knees.

'English Essay. I'm no where near done though; shouldn't you be doing the same thing?'

'Yea yea I know. I wanted to stop by before I went home and started, see how your doing?'

Ignoring his question for now, I changed the subject.

'I herd about that thing with Finn and the mystery girl today.'

He groaned and put a pillow over his face.
'So she turned you down pretty bad huh?'
I couldn't help laughing a little.

'She didn't turn me down, she just had other plans.'

'Oh … see the way I herd it was she turned you down … big time.'
'Shut up.'

'Hey it had to happen sooner or later. I'm just disappointed that it had to happen while I wasn't around.'

He sat up and laughed.
'Your honestly enjoying this aren't you?'
'I'm loving every second.'

'Nice Gilmore, real nice.'

I laughed and turned my chair back and forth.

'Just so you know I caught the fact that you ignored my question. How are you doing?'

Turning back to my desk with a sigh, I was hit with another wave of sadness. I didn't want to talk about anything that had happened that day, especially with him.

'We broke up.'

I turned back to look at my "best friend" just as the shock and realization hit him, and the tears began to sting my eyes.

'Have you ever had one of those days, you wish you could take back?'

Tristan's POV

Chilton Prep. 12:35pm

I knew the look Sean had on his face, he thought he had it all figured out, I know he's not really defending the asshole, so I let him continue talking.

'I'm not. I'm just stating a fact. Nobody likes Cooper, or wants him with Rory, plain and simple. But you really hate him Tris. It's in your eyes.'
I sat quietly. Honestly I never had given the guy a chance, but I knew what kind of person he was from the second she introduced us. I told Rory and she wouldn't listen, now here she was getting hurt, exactly what I had said would happen. I knew that if she found out that I told Sean what happened there was a very large chance that she wouldn't trust me ever again. Hell there was an even bigger chance that she would stop talking to me all together, but I had to tell him, or else this conversation was going somewhere best left undiscovered.
'Do you want to know why Rory and I weren't here today?'

He looked mildly confused for a second then shrugged.

'We were at my house, but not for the reason I told Colin.'

'Ok, so she wasn't sick? Wait a second if you guys are doing it or something please, please, please don't tell me. I don't want to be the first one to know, Paris will literally kill me man.'

I laughed at the look on his face and shook my head.

'Come on you know it's nothing like that.'

'Oh thank god. Continue.'

I laughed again then looked in the direction of Cooper's table, where he was still sitting, openly flirting with some red headed sophomore. I cracked my knuckles and stood up. Instantly Sean jumped up as well.

'What are you doing? Man you know if you touch him, that's it for you and Rory.'

'He doesn't even care that we see him, because he knows she'll never believe us.'

I was twenty miles passed pissed and honestly I feel like I can punch the jerks face in. Looking at Sean I knew I wasn't alone, we had to get out of here. I stuffed my hands in my pocket and popped the hair pin I pick up every morning before leaving, in and out of place. Without another word I walked directly passed Cooper and out of the library, Sean right next to me.

'You alright?'

'Nope not yet.'

'Tell me why you guys left then if she wasn't sick.'

'Trust me man that won't make me feel better.'

'Why?'

I stopped abruptly and turned on Sean.

'He told her if she didn't sleep with him soon, he was going to get it from somebody more willing.'

'What! Why is he still walking Tristan?'

'You said it yourself man, I touch him me and Rory are done.'

'You mean she still wants to be with him?'

'Those were her words. She made me promise not to touch him, or tell anybody. In exchange I get to punch the guy … once whenever I want.'

'That doesn't make it ok, what were you thinking?'

'Yea I know. Which is why I told you.'

I continued walking again but this time, Sean wasn't with me. When I looked back he was walking in the opposite direction, running to catch up with him I began to panic.

'Where are you going?'

'I'm going to find Colin and Finn. I'm going to do what you should have did the second she told your dumb ass.'

We both stopped and I felt like he had slapped me in the face.

'Your who she depends on to make sure assholes like Cooper don't fuck with her Tristan. Why would you let him get away with something like that?'

'She begged me not too!'

'So because she turned her bambi eyes on you, you just let it go?'

'You know that's not what happened man. Don't try and tell me what's best for Rory. I know letting it go the way I did was stupid, but what else was I supposed to do? I couldn't say no Sean.'

I knew I was basically laying it all out, and that it couldn't end well, but surprisingly the sympathy on his face settled my stomach some what.

'Alright. But now we have to fix it.'

'I can't touch him, or tell Finn or Colin. And if you do then she's going to know I said something.'

'Well we're going to. We just have to make sure it doesn't come back on you.'

What to do? What to do?

'I'm getting out of here. There's Colin, do what you want. The less I have to do with this the better. I better not lose her Sean.'

Before he had the chance to say anything I walked off toward the parking lot, knowing this wasn't going to end well.

'Have you ever had one of those days, you wish you could take back?'

Paris` POV

Chilton Prep. 1:00 pm

I was walking down the hallway when I overheard Tristan and Sean talking nearby. My instant reaction was a bubbly, girly happiness. It's been happening more and more often lately. I really cant explain it, everyone's noticed. Finn had even brought up my sudden "un-Paris like behavior" whenever Sean came around. I stopped myself abruptly just as I was about to walk over and fulfill my sudden yearning for his arms to be wrapped around me.

'You alright?'

'Nope not yet.'

'Tell me why you guys left then if she wasn't sick.'

That caught my attention. Rory had lied to me, oh she was going to get an ear full for skipping school to go mess around with Tristan all morning.

'Trust me man that won't make me feel better.'

'Why?'

'He told her if she didn't sleep with him soon, he was going to get it from somebody more willing.'

What the hell?

'What! Why is he still walking Tristan?'

'You said it yourself man, I touch him me and Rory are done.'

'You mean she still wants to be with him?'

Of course she doesn't.

'Those were her words. She made me promise not to touch him, or tell anybody. In exchange I get to punch the guy … once whenever I want.'

No freaking way. What is wrong with her? What could she possibly be thinking? God somebody seriously needs to smack some sense into that girl.

'That doesn't make it ok, what were you thinking?'

'Yea I know. Which is why I told you.'

Both boys began walking in different directions. Fuming I turned around and rushed off in the direction of Rory's locker. I found her standing there laughing with Madeline and Louise, the picture of a popular high school Queen. As soon as I walked up the laughter was gone, she knew that I knew something.

'We need to talk.'

'Paris not now please.'

I laughed and shifted my weight from one foot to the other.

'No Ror we need to talk now.'

She glanced at the very interested girls beside us, they were gossips but loyal friends first. Whatever was said wouldn't be repeated, we both knew this.

'OK fine. What's up?'

'If you don't give it up soon, I'll go find someone more willing?'

Louise stood at alert, Madeline looked a bit confused for a second but just as quickly realization hit her, both girls looked just as pissed off as I did.

'What the hell Rory?'

Madeline said, effectively cutting me off.

'You guys calm down, he didn't mean it like it sounds.'

'How else could he have meant it?'

'Louise stop, you don't understand. He was upset with me and didn't know what he was saying.'

She was starting to panic, shaking her head she looked back at me confused.

'How did you even find out? Tristan'

'Didn't say anything to me. I overheard him and Sean talking, which is beside the point Rory. Why are you still with him? And why are you making Tristan promise not to tell anyone.'

'Because I knew you guys would over react like this. Wait Tristan told Sean what happened?'

I saw the fury in her eye's and couldn't help being angry with her.

'Don't you dare be mad at him, he only did what you should have done from the beginning.'

'Lower your voice people are starting to look.'

'Right and god forbid anyone find out that Little Rory Hayden takes after Mommy dearest, when it comes to letting guys treat em' like shit.'

OK so the line was officially crossed. The looks I was getting from all three girls only made that clearer, but it was the truth. Louise grabbed my arm and pulled me down the hall into a bathroom, Madeline stayed back trying to get Rory to come along. Once inside she let go of me and went into a furious rant about how I shouldn't have said that, I was totally out of line, and how she wouldn't be surprised if Rory never spoke to me again.

'Yea I know, but it doesn't make it any less true and you know it.'

Louise stayed quiet which told me I was right. A few seconds later Madeline opened the door to the bathroom, no Rory in sight.

'Have you ever had one of those days, you wish you could take back?'

Colins POV

Chilton Prep 1:00pm

'Damn it damn it DAMN IT! Ok so it's just one pop quiz, it doesn't mean anything. DAMN IT!'
I slammed my locker shut just as Sean walked up.

'Hey you have Johnson next period right? She's giving a PQ so be careful.'

'Damn he's pissed.'

'What's wrong with you? You haven't even failed it yet.'

'It's that asshole Cooper.'

'You know what man, I'm tired of hearing it, there's something new every damn day.'

'Nah your going to want to hear this. Where's Finn?'

'Behind you.'

'Talking about me are you?'

'Nothing good trust me. Apparently Sean has some vital information regarding our dear Cooper.'

'Is it what Tristan wanted to tell me but couldn't because Rory made him promise not to.'

'Yea. But before I tell you guys, I promised Tristan it wouldn't get back to Rory that he told us.'

Ok now I was getting nervous.

'What happened?'

The second he started to tell me I began wishing he hadn't. One more fight at school and it was off to Boarding school for me. Down the hall I saw Cooper standing in a circle laughing with his friends. Without a second thought I dropped my things in front of my locker and started toward him. Half way down the hall Finn and Sean fell into stride with me. As if sensing us, Sean looked up and our eye's locked.

'Boarding school here I come.'

Suddenly Rory appeared out of nowhere, seeing me she gave me that look that begged me to stop. I couldn't. Cooper began to smirk as I stopped in front of him. Rory began to panic.
'Colin please.'
He laughed.

'Oh Colin please … boo hoo. Are you here to defend the little Princess` honor?'

'She doesn't need anyone to defend her.'
Rory began to nod and tried to move between us.
' I agree, I don't so please..'

'But nevertheless I need to kick your ass.'
There was an instant where I saw fear flicker in his eyes, but just as quickly he hid it.
'I'm right here.'
'Rory leave, now.'
'Don't talk to me like that Colin. Walk away, I'll handle this.'

I glanced at her then back at the asshole in front of me. Backing up a few steps I started to turn to leave.

'Yea that's right Colin leave so she can handle me.'
The double meaning made clear, the nerve this guy had made me laugh. Turning back, I saw Rory turn on him and shake her head, she leaned over and whispered something in his ear, then pulled away smiling. She moved out of the way and waved at him.
I don't know which registered first in his head, the fact that she gave me the go ahead or my fist coming at his face. As soon as my fist connected with his jaw he flew against the wall behind him. I pulled back and swung again, this time hitting him in the stomach, which had him falling to the ground. Putting my legs on each side of him, so he couldn't get up, I punched him again, and again. I pulled back once more and at that instant the dreaded Mrs. Johnson, who had apparently not made my life shitty enough that day, came around the corner. I got another look, one I knew all to well, and without her having to tell me I stood up straight, smoothed my shirt out, and started for the headmaster's office.

'Have you ever had one of those days, you wish you could take back?'

Tristan's POV
Hayden residence 5:00pm

'We broke up.'
She turned to look at me and her eye's filled with tears.
'Shit.'

'Where were you today Tristan?'
'Ror –'

'No don't. While you were ditching school, my cousin was getting suspended for beating the crap out of my boyfriend. After Paris told the entire school how much my mother and I are alike when it comes to letting guys treat us like shit.'

My skin began to get hot and I knew there was no way I was getting out of this.

'Rory I don't know how Paris or Colin found out but-'

'Oh give me a break! She overheard you telling Sean!'

Tears began to fall from her eyes and stream down her porcelain cheeks. My instant reaction was to walk over and hug her, but hers was to back away from me.

'You promised you wouldn't say anything. You lied to me Tristan.'

'No I didn't. I wasn't going to say anything! But I kept thinking about it and thinking about, and god Rory the last thing I ever wanted was for you to look at me the way you are right now, but someone had to make it clear that he cant treat you like that!'

'So you should have left that up to me!'

I laughed bitterly.

'I told you this morning, over and over. You were just letting it go. You don't deserve to be used like that.'

Suddenly she was pissed.

'Oh come off your high horse Tristan! Your just like him! You use girls and then throw them away like last weeks leftovers! How about Shawna Tristan? Remember her? Or Becky? Lynette? Josie, Katey, Rachel, Monique? Do any of those girls ring a bell? They're all the girls you screwed over the summer and never called again! You used every single one of them, made them believe that they were special, and then as soon as you got what you wanted they were gone! What makes me so much better then them? You are no different the Cooper.'

She was right, and I didn't know what to say.

'Your right, I use girls. But what are you always telling me? The only girls who get used are the ones who aren't smart enough to see it for what it is and walk away, and I know you saw it. What makes – made you different was that you would never let somebody treat you the way he did. So why did you?'
She had begun to cry again, she whispered something that I couldn't hear.

'What?'

'I said I don't know. Maybe Paris right, I'm just like my mom.'

'No she's not, and no your not. Paris was mad, and said something incredibly stupid, that I'm sure she regrets one hundred percent. Ror I'm so so sorry that I hurt you. However, I'm not sorry that he broke-up with you.'

'I broke up with him.'

'Really?'

A huge smile fell onto my lips, and a small one on her's as she nodded.

'That's awesome!'

Just as quickly as it came her smile was gone.

'I don't trust you.'

My heart gave a thud and my body went mildly weak.

'I hate this feeling, I never wanted to feel like this with you. My heart hurts, and my eyes burn … I feel like I cant breathe.'

'That's pretty much what's going on over here right now, just throw in the fact that I feel like pushing myself off a cliff. Rory stop looking at me like that please.'

She shook her head, as if she didn't know what I was saying.

'Like … like your about to tell me that we can't be friend's anymore.'

'I'm not going to say that. We'll get past all of this I know we will.'

I sighed in relief.

'We'll always be friend's Tristan. But right now I think we might need to keep our distance from each other.'

'No.'

'No? I'm not asking you, I'm telling you Tristan. Stay away from me. When I feel like I can trust you again then we can talk, but for now … I need my space.'

That overwhelming, can't breathe feeling washed over me. She had made up her mind.

'I'm not sorry that I told Sean, or that he told Colin. But I am sorry that I hurt you in the process, which makes me no better then Cooper.'

I started to leave but something held me back. I walked over, wrapped my arms around her, and kissed the top of her head.

'I love you Ror, more then you'll every really know, and whenever you need me, I'm right next door.'

I felt her nod against my chest, and I kissed her head one more time before pulling away and walking out the door.

'Have you ever had one of those days?
You know which one's I'm talking about
The kind you wish with everything inside of you
that you could just go back and do it all differantly.
Say the perfect thing to make a friend feel better,

Do something that could be life altering.

Basically rewind and erase the mistakes we've made.

I think we've all had one of those days.

I know I have.'