A/N: Ok so I think I've forgotten to mention that this story is set in 2008 … and while writing this chapter I realized that, that information is important. So in case there was any confusion with that, hope that clears it up. Sorry and Thank you 

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Chapter 8: The Crack in my heart keeps growing
and the pain doesn't seem to fade

Wednesday 2:20pm

'Well you're the last person I thought I'd see here.'

Anna jumped, the voice startling her. She twisted her body to see the person standing behind her, after whipping the tears from her cheeks she moved to stand up but Colin's hand on her shoulder stopped her.

'Stay, I could use the company. Chris isn't very talkative these days.'

'That not funny.'

'I know, sorry.'

He sat down next to her and stared intently at the stone embedded in the earth before him.

Christopher Richard Hayden

Beloved Son, Brother,

Grandson, Nephew, Cousin and Friend

May 21st 1992 – March 15th 2006

Neither said anything, they just sat quietly and stared. It would be two years next week, which is why Colin figured his aunt and uncle were getting as far away from Hartford as possible; and if he were to be completely honest with himself he would admit that his staying with Rory was more about keeping an eye on her then it was about hiding from his parent's. Although there were a dozen other places he could go, no questions asked, he knew where he needed to be. You would think that after the struggle Rory went through over her twin brother's death, the last thing Christopher and Lorelai Hayden would want to do was leave her alone. She seemed to be doing well though, which is what Lorelai had told his mother earlier in the week, so they weren't worried, Rory's a smart girl, she said.

He jumped slightly at the sound of Anna trying to catch her breath. He instinctively moved closer to her and wrapped his arm around her.

She buried her head in his shoulder and began to cry harder.

'I miss him so much, sometimes I feel like the pain isn't ever going to go away.'

Cressing her hair in a soothing motion Colin began to chock up.

'I know kid, trust me I know.'

She began to cry a little harder, so he tightened his hold on her.

After a few minutes, the sobs subsided and Anna slowly pulled away. She whipped her eyes and cheeks then looked at Colin with a confused expression.

'What are you doing here?'

'Got suspended.'

'Oh that's right you punched Rory's boyfriend.'

'Ex-boyfriend and it was totally worth it. Anyway I'm hiding from my parent's.'

'Why? It's not like it's the first time.'

'Exactly. I've been threatened with Boot Camp if I get in one more minor confrontation.'

'Oh that sucks.'

'Yea. Why are you here? Shouldn't you be in like Geography right now or something?'

'How do you know that?'

He looked away embarrassed and shook his head.

'We still pay attention Ann.'

'Not Rory.'

'Actually Rory more then anybody.'

'Tristan was following me around all day. Couldn't take it anymore so I left. Got in the car and just ended up here.'

'Tristan was following you? God that boy is dumb, he is incapable of taking orders isn't he?'

'Apparently. I told him to leave me the hell alone three times and he didn't get the hint. But I'm going to guess that's not what you're talking about.'

'He like's Rory.'

'You mean like, Likes, Likes Rory?'

'Yep.'

'And he thinks talking to me of all people right in front of her, is going to make her want him back?'

'Like I said he's not very bright.'

'Obviously.'

They once again fell into a comfortable silence. After a minute passed Colin put his arm over Anna's shoulders and pulled her close to him, she laid her head on his shoulder and they both sighed.

'I've missed ya kid.'

'I miss you to. All of you. Most of you.'

'She's still hurting, and doesn't mean half of the crap she says.'

'Part of me wants to believe that, but the other part of me remembers how easily you all walked away'

She moved away from him and stood up. Sighing Colin said a silent 'I miss you' to his cousin then stood up as well.

'He's was her brother Anna and my cousin.'

'Yea well he was my boyfriend! I was hurting just as much as you guy's! I still am!'

'I know and leaving you to go through it alone was wrong of us, you were our friend to. But Rory…'

He paused and shook his head, trying to find the right words. Anna chocked back her tears and laughed bitterly.

'She blames me because I was with him. I was driving and we were drunk! Don't you think I know all of this? Don't you think I wake up every morning knowing that I'm going to get to school and he's not going top be there! And it's my fault! I killed him! You think I don't know that I – I'

Her voice broke and the tears flooded from her eyes. Colin pulled her into his arms once again. He held her tight as she sobbed, every now and then a chocked 'It's my fault' made its way through her tears, and he would hold her tighter.

Chilton Prep 3:00 pm

As she made her way out of the school Paris attempted to look over the large stack of books in her hands. Failing to see the last step she tripped and hit the ground with a loud thud.

'Shit!'

She shouted then instantly groaned at the pains shooting through her ankle and arm.

'Hey you ok?'

Footsteps ran towards her then came to an abrupt stop.

'Paris?'

The laughter that immediately followed the boy's recognition, made her groan and roll over onto her back while holding her left arm bent towards her chest. He stopped laughing and bent down beside her.

'You ok?'

'Do I look ok idiot?'

'You know there's only so many times I'm going to allow you to call me that before I really get pissed Pairs. I'm trying to help'

She sat up slowly then winced'

'OK that definitely isn't ok.'

'Its my arm and my ankle.'

Tristan threw his stuff on the steps behind him then bent over to help her up.

'Here put you're arm over my shoulders.'

She did as told, then proceeded to hop over to the wall with his assistance. Once she was safely sitting down, he went back and picked up her books. She watched him quietly while rubbing her wrist.

'Sorry I called you an idiot.'

'Which time?'

'Only the times that you didn't deserve it.'

He laughed then sat down beside her.

'You're forgiven. So you go to the same doctor as me right?'

She sat up straight and her eyes grew.

'Why?'

He laughed again.

'Well because that looks pretty painful and I'm sure only a doctor would know how to fix it.'

'I don't like doctor's Tristan!'

'I know but you still have to go; unless you want to walk with a limp from now on.'

'Shut up!'

'Paris come on, seriously it's not going to be that bad. I'll be there the whole time.'

'That's supposed to make me feel better?'

He picked up his bag'

'My car's just right there, I'm going to bring it over and we're going to get you to the doctor.'

Before she could register the fact that he was gone he was already at his car and inserting the key. The sleek sports car pulled to a silent stop a few steps away from her and Tristan jumped out. He opened the passenger door and then once again she placed her arm around his shoulders. After placing her in the car he put all of her books in the trunk, slid into drivers seat and pulled out of the school parking lot.

'So.'

Paris looked at him quizzically.

'So?'

'I told Colin.'

'Told Colin what?'

'I told him about my feeling's for Rory.'

She gave an understanding nod then shifted in her seat, trying to relieve the pressure on her left leg.

'How did he react?'

'Well he called me an ass fewer times then you did.'

'I didn't call you an ass! I said that you were acting asinine!'

'I fail to see the difference. And besides I don't see a problem with me telling her, I mean friends fall for each other all of the time. There's nothing wrong with that, its completely natural. Don't you agree?'

'Yea I guess. You know somebody long enough it's only natural that certain feeling's develop. You can't really help it, it's like one day you're friends and everything's comfortable; and then the next day everything's just thrown completely out of whack over a touch or a look. One stupid feeling that you don't entirely understand but can't say anything about on the off chance that the other person might not have felt it, and then there are people involved that will get hurt. So you push it aside and pretend like nothing has changed but then all you get is this increasingly tense environment and nobody knows what to do, but it's there and everyone knows it's there because it's …. Undeniable.'

Tristan gave an understanding nod and smirked.

'Not to mention its scary as hell.'

'Exactly!'

Catching herself she looked quickly to Tristan then down at her feet.

'I mean so I've herd.'

'Really? Well you talk like you've got experience.'

She sat quietly and Tristan sighed.

'What's going on Paris? I thought you and Sean were doing good.'

'We are! I love him!'

She still hadn't looked up.

'Then? What the deal? Why are you and Colin having touches and looks?'

'We're not!'

'Paris come on, of all people, you know you can be honest with me and it not leave this car.'

She sighed again.'

'I don't know. It's just … never mind.'

'Dude I trusted you with how I felt the least you could do is trust me!'

'I love him Tristan, I really do. Whenever I see him I get this girly bubbly feeling in my stomach and can't help but smile.'

'Who are we talking about?'

'Sean!'

'Sorry! Continue.'

'I love him, but with Colin..'

She gave another thoughtful pause and then smiled.

'He gives me butterflies, and when he isn't around I find myself wanting him to be, just so I can feel that flutter. Ya know what I mean?'

She looked at him questioningly, her eyes silently pleading with him to say yes he knew, she wasn't alone in this. Smiling sadly he nodded.

'I know exactly what you mean.'

'What am I going to do? They're two of my best friends!'

'It'll work out, and you'll be with the person you're meant to be with.'

'How do you know that?'

Smirking he tapped her head.

'Stop listening to this.'

He then proceeded to place his hand over his heart.

'And start listening to this.'

'That's unbelievably corny.'

'I like to call it romantic.'

'Call it what you want but we're here.'

She pointed to the doctor's office in front of them.

'You know it doesn't even really hurt anymore.'

'Is that right? Straighten out you're arm.'

'No, I don't have to prove anything to you.'

'OK then.'

She gave a childlike nod, thinking she had won, then the instant her head was turned she let out a howl of pan. Tristan pulled his hand back quickly.'

'What the hell is wrong with you?'

'I'm going to guess it still hurts.'

'You flicked me!'

'You lied about it feeling better!'

Not giving her a chance to respond, he jumped out of the car and ran over to her side. As they entered the office Tristan couldn't help but laugh as she called him names in a hushed tone. He sat her down then walked up to the nurses window.