Chapter 1
Rory POV
When I wake up the next morning turning my alarm off I see Steph pulling a pillow over her head. "Steph get up! We got school." I said. I get up and go take a shower. After my shower, I put my Chilton uniform on and by now Steph is up and dressed. She keeps extra clothes at my house for this reason (even though we are the same size). I grab my backpack and we go downstairs.
Mom, Dad and Gigi are in the dining room eating breakfast when we walk in and sit down. Esmeralda brings me and Steph a cup of coffee. Mom and Dad are reading the paper. Steph and I both look at each other. "Logan is gonna take me to cotillion." I say.
Dad looks up at me. Mom looks at him. "As in Huntzberger?" Mom says.
"Yeah. He's in town and said that he wouldn't mind doing it." I tell them.
Dad takes a drink of his coffee and says "I'll call your grandmother. Go to school."
When Steph and I get to my locker, there is a note sticking out. My name is written on the front. I recognize the handwriting immediately and stick it in my locker. As Steph and I walk to first period my phone vibrates. I pull it out of my jacket pocket and see that it's a text from Logan.
Logan: have a great day! See you later!
As we walk down the hall to class I quickly text back.
Rory: Thanks! Had fun last night!
I close my phone and put it back in my jacket. Hopefully he did too. First period was dull. Mr. Medina was going on about Shakespeare in preparation for our big test. Today was Friday and Cotillion being this weekend. I should have skipped today. Maybe Steph and I can ditch during lunch.
After class, Steph and I decide that we need coffee so we go to the quad (perks of private school). We get coffee and sit on a bench. "We should ditch." Steph says.
"Totally. We could go to the salon?" I say.
We walk to my car and head towards the salon. When we get situated at the salon I decide to text Logan.
Rory: Decided to ditch. Massive hangover.
A few minutes later...
Logan: Wanna grab lunch?
Rory: bringing Collin?
Logan: How is it that you still know me so well?
Rory: Because your you.
"Hey the boys wanna grab lunch?" I say to Steph.
"Logan and Collin?" she says.
"You are in big trouble." A voice says.
Steph and I look up. "Mom." I said. "What're you doing here?"
"Umm...Headmaster Charleston called and said that you two left school and hoped that you felt better because that would be the only reason that you would leave without a note." my mom said.
beep. beep. New Text.
I look at it quickly.
Logan: China Garden...half hour?
"Look kid. I get it. Cotillion weekend and your hungover from last night. I covered for you. Just make sure you pick your sister up. I texted her and told her to meet you around the corner from the school at 4. Don't come home smelling like alcohol. Dad'll be pissed. And invite Logan to dinner. And his friend...what's his name? The one that you two used to be friends with?"
"Collin." Steph said.
"yeah that one. And I assume you'll be there. right Stephanie?"
"Of course, Lorelai."
"Good. Enjoy your afternoon." Mom said and left. Hopefully we wouldn't run into my dad or my grandparents or Steph's parents.
"You know...sometimes she scares me." Steph says as we are leaving the Salon.
"You're not the only one." I said as I pulled out of the salon parking lot and headed towards China Garden. When we got there Logan and Collin were waiting for us in the parking lot. Steph was excited. She had liked Collin since middle school. She was sad when he left for boarding school. And Logan who knows? There has always been a connection, but I always thought that he looked at me like a sister. I guess time will tell. We are shown to a table and we all sit down. I look at Logan. "So, I told my mom about cotillion and she wants you guys to come to dinner tonight." I said.
Logan and Collin looked at each other like they could read minds. "Sure."
Lunch was amazing, and I had forgotten how much fun I used to have with Logan. "Listen I hate to eat and run but we gotta pick up my sister. But see you tonight?"
"Yeah." Logan said.
Steph and I headed back towards Chilton so that we could pick up Gigi. She climbed in the back seat.
"You need a bigger car." She said.
"You could always walk or take the bus." I said.
I look at Steph. "The bean?" She nods, and we decide to go through the drive thru since I didn't want to chance seeing Tristan. While we were waiting on our coffee my phone rang. I answered it. It was Logan.
"Hello?" I said.
"So, lunch was good." He said.
"Yeah it was. So, what you missed me so much that you couldn't wait till dinner?" The lady in the drive thru handed me our coffee and I head towards my house.
"Actually, I was wondering if maybe you and Steph wanted to go to a party after dinner. It's my buddy Finn's birthday and I really don't wanna go alone."
"I'll talk to Steph but sure." I said. I look said and hang up. "Party at Yale tonight. Logan and Collin want us to go."
"Sweet." Steph said.
"I hate you guys." Gigi said.
When we get to my house, mom was in the living room on the phone. Steph and Gigi go upstairs. I wait for mom to get off the phone. "Hi sweets." she says.
"Hi. They said yes. They'll be here." I tell her.
"Good."
"Umm...Mom?" She looks at me. "Logan invited me and Steph to go to a party with them tonight. It's at Yale."
"Rory, you know your dad's rules about parties." Mom takes a drink of her coffee. "And I'm sure you would crash at Logan's after the party, so you'll need to talk to your dad about that too."
"Fine. Is he in the study?" I ask, and she nods.
I get up and walk towards my dad's study. He's sitting at his desk, looking at some papers when I walk in. He looks up.
"Hey kiddo." He says.
"Hey dad. Can I talk to you?" I ask. I sit down in the chair across from him. "So, mom invited Logan and his friend Collin to dinner tonight, and after dinner there is a party at Yale." I said.
"You would be going with Logan and not just Steph?" Dad asked me.
"yes sir."
"And you would most likely stay at Logan's since there will be drinking?"
"most likely but I haven't asked."
"Fine. Go. Have fun."
"Thanks dad." I get up and go upstairs. Steph is in my room she has already changed. I walk over to my closet to look for an outfit to wear. My phone rings. I answer it. "Hello?" I say without checking the caller ID.
"Ror, can we talk?" Its Tristan.
"What do you want? I'm busy."
"I want to talk about us. I screwed up. I'm an idiot."
"Yeah...well...you screwed up for the last time." I said.
"Ror, please"
"Goodbye Tristan." I said and hung up. I looked at Steph. "He won't give up." She looks at me and shakes her head. I grab my jeans out of my closet and look for a shirt. I pull out a silky one-strap that dad had bought me when he went to Paris last year. I try to decide on my shoes. I end up grabbing my black stilettos. I put them on and walk into my bathroom. I touch up my makeup and fix my hair. When I come out of the bathroom there is a knock on my bedroom door. "Yes?" The door opens and I see Esmeralda.
"Miss Rory, your mother is asking for you and Miss Stephanie." She says.
I nod, and she closes the door. "Showtime." I grab my phone, ID, and keys and we head downstairs. "Mom."
"Rory, good. You look nice. But are you sure about the stilettos?" She asked me.
"Yes, they here yet?" She shakes her head. Steph and I both walk into the living room and Esmeralda brings out coffee. beep beep. I pull my phone out of my pocket and read the new text.
Logan: Sorry running late be there soon.
Mom walks in and joins us. Dad comes in a few minutes later after fixing himself a drink. We hear the doorbell a minute or two later, Logan and Collin walk into the living room.
"Sorry we're late." Logan says. Dad stands up and shakes his hand. "It's good to see you Mr. Hayden it's been a while."
"It has. Good to see you Logan." Dad looks at Collin. "Collins, how's your dad?"
"He's good sir. He told me to tell you to call him about a game of golf." Collin said.
"I'll do that. Please sit." They all sit. Dad looks at Logan again. "So, Rory says there's a party at Yale tonight."
"Dad..." I say.
"yes sir. A friend of ours" Logan says pointing to himself and Collin. "Is having a party for his birthday"
"Ah. And the girls would be staying with you since there's drinking?" dad says.
"yes sir. I wouldn't dare let anyone drink and drive."
"very well"
A few minutes later Esmeralda walks in. "dinner is served."
We all get up and walk into the dining room. I look at mom noticing that Gigi wasn't there. "Where's G?" I asked.
"She went to the movies with Allison."
Surely mom didn't believe that. Dinner was great. Logan charmed my dad and even made sure that my mom knew that he would be on time for Cotillion. After dinner, I told Logan that I had to grab my jacket and I ran upstairs.
LOGAN POV
"Mr. Hayden may I speak with you privately?" I asked. He nodded and led me to his study.
We sit down. "What can I do for you Logan?" He asked me.
"Mr. Hayden, I know that you have known me since I was a kid. I was wondering if I could have your permission to officially date Rory." I say.
He sits there for a minute before answering. "My concern Logan is that you're in college. However, I know that you would never let anything happen to my daughter."
"No sir. I would protect her with my heart." I tell him.
"Then yes. You have my permission."
"Thank you, Sir." I say. We make our way back to the living room.
RORY POV
Dad and Logan come back from the study a few minutes after I come back downstairs. "You guys ready to go?" Logan asked.
"Yeah. Everything okay?" I say looking at my dad. He nods his head. We walk out of the house. Steph rides with Collin in his car and Logan and I take my car. It wasn't a bad ride. I had made the trip with Grandma and Grandpa Gilmore, but for some reason Logan was quiet. "Hey are you okay? You've been really quiet since we left my house." I say.
"Yeah. I wanna ask you something." He said as we pull into Yale. "How would you feel about dating me exclusively?"
"You want me to be your girlfriend?" I asked, and he nodded. "But I'm in high school?"
"I know but Ror, you understand me. You understand the life that we've grown up in. Plus, I have feelings for you. I've liked you since 8th grade."
Wow. WOW! "Okay." Okay? That's all I can say?
"Really?" I nod. Why am I acting like this? I mean its Logan. I have known him my entire life. We get out of the car and head into the building to the party. We are greeted by a couple. "Finn!" Logan says. "Rory, this is my friend Finn and his girlfriend Rosemary. Guys this is my girlfriend Rory."
"Nice to meet you." I say.
"You too." Rosemary says.
"I think we're gonna get a drink." Logan says, and we make our way over to the bar. The party was cool until I saw a face that I didn't want to see.
Steph and I were standing in a corner talking and drinking while the guys caught up with their friends, when he walked up. "What're you doing here?" I said.
"My sister invited me." He said.
"Well go talk to someone else."
"But I miss you."
"Well go away because my boyfriend doesn't like you."
All of a sudden, I felt a hand on my back. "You heard her." Logan said. "How did you get into this party anyway?"
"my sister invited me." Tristan said.
The next thing I knew we were surrounded by Collin, Finn, and Rosemary.
"Tristan, what are you doing?" we all look at Rosemary. "He's my brother." She said.
"Well keep him away from me." I say. Rosemary looks at me confused. "He's my ex."
"Wait...are you the one that broke up with him in the bean?" I nod. "Tristan...NOW!" She says pointing to the door and they walk away.
Logan puts his arms around my waist and rests his chin on my shoulder. "You OK?" he asked.
"Better now that your here." I said.
He kissed my cheek. "You wanna get out of here?"
I nod. Logan grabs my hand and we walk out of the party. Rosemary stops us. "Rory, I just want to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry for the way my brother treated you." Rosemary said.
"Its not your fault. But maybe you can talk some sense into him and get him to leave me alone." I say.
"I will try."
Logan and I leave and walk over to his dorm. He and Collin are roommates. I take my jacket off and lay it in the chair. Logan sits on the couch and motions for me to join him. "Thanks for coming with me tonight." he says.
"It wasn't a big deal. I just wished Tristan hadn't showed up." I say.
"Me too." He says pulling me into his lap and kisses me.
We are interrupted when my cell rings. Its Steph. It must be important or else she wouldn't call. "I'm sorry." I answer it. "Steph?"
"Can you come get me?" she asks.
I sit up. "What's wrong?" Logan looks at me concerned.
"It's Collin. Andrew showed up after you left professing his undying love for me. I told him I didn't care and when I went to find Collin he was in the corner making out with some red head."
"Damn Steph. Yeah be right there." I say and hang up. "We gotta get Steph." We get up and grab our jackets.
"What happened?" Logan asked.
"Okay so Andrew, Steph's ex showed up professing his love for Steph and apparently Collin saw. Well when she went to find Collin he was making out with a red head in the corner." I tell him.
"Idiot." He grabs my hand as we walk out of his building. "Just so you know, that will never be me."
I look at him and smile. "I know."
We make our way back over to where the party was, and Steph and Collin are standing out front arguing. "Do you remember how to get back to my dorm?" Logan asks. I nod. He hands me his keys. "I'll meet you back there. I'm gonna knock some sense into this idiot." he says. he walks over, and grabs Collin and they walk away.
Steph walks over to me and we lock arms walking back toward Logan's dorm. We see a coffee cart. "2 please." I tell the guy. I look at Steph. "What was going on when we walked up?"
"So, after I saw Collin I went to get a drink at the bar and he saw me. He came over figuring that I had seen him with the girl." We pay for the coffee and start walking again. "He starts trying to apologize. Saying that he saw me with Andrew and thought that I was trying to make him jealous. I tried to explain. I tried to tell him about Andrew. And then..." Steph says, stopping.
"What?!" I say, stopping in front of Logan's building.
"I might have blurted out that I have liked him since middle school and that I thought he felt the same way."
"Wow..." Tonight had become a night of confessions. "Then what?"
"Then Logan came up and dragged him away."
We walk into Logan's building and see a blonde girl standing in front of Logan's door. "Hi." we say to the girl.
She turns toward us. "Rory?" she says.
I look at her and then it hits me. "Honor?" I throw my arms around her in a big hug.
"Hi. What are you doing here?" She asks Me the three of us walk into Logan's dorm and we sit down on the couch and I explain about Madeline's party and everything since. I leave out the part about Logan asking me to be his girlfriend. "Where is he now?"
"Collin was being an idiot so they are walking around and he's trying to knock some sense into him." I tell her.
"Wow."
"Yeah." Me and Steph say at the same time.
Suddenly the door opened and there was Logan and Collin. Collin looked at Steph and pointed to his room for her to follow. She got up and followed. Logan took his jacket off and laid it in the chair, turning to notice his sister. "What are you doing here?" He asked her.
Honor stood up. "Dad sent me."
This is obviously a family thing. "Logan, I'm just gonna..." I said, and he pointed to his room. I walked in there and sat on his bed.
LOGAN POV
"Why are you here?" I asked.
"Dad sent me. Said you wouldn't take his calls." Honor said.
"What does he want?" I sit on the couch and look at her.
"He and mom got the DAR program for cotillion this weekend and were surprised to see your name as Rory's escort."
"Well its none of their business." I stand up and pour myself a scotch.
"This is me your talking to, not mom and dad. Your forgetting that I know that you have been in love with her since you were 14."
"Yes Honor. Other than my friends you know me better than anyone. You know all my secrets. Message received. You can go."
"Fine. There's a family dinner tomorrow. Mom said that your presence is mandatory. 6 o'clock. Bye Logan." She said and left.
I take a drink of my scotch. Honor was right. I had been in love with Rory since I was 14. She never acted her age and she was smarter than any girl I knew. I finish my drink and walk into my room to find Rory sitting on my bed. "Hey." I said, closing the door behind me.
She smiles. "So... crazy night." She says.
"Yeah." I say sitting next to her on the bed.
"Everything ok? You seem upset."
I look at her. She's so beautiful and smart. I don't want to mess any of this up especially since Tristan broke her heart. And I don't want to scare her away. I put my arm around her and pull her close kissing her. When we pull apart, I say "Yeah. I'm okay."