| by Tiffany Adams It's Rory and Tristin's senior year at Chilton. Rory and Dean broke up for good in the middle of their junior year. Paris, Madeline and Louise have become pretty tight, and Rory is slowly becoming friends with Tristin. ~Chilton~ Rory is at her locker, getting her books for her next class. On her locker door, are empty spaces where pictures of her and Dean used to be. When she closes the door of her locker, she nearly screams as she sees Tristin standing there-that intense, unblinking blue stare focused solely on her. "What are you trying to do, send me to an early grave?" "Hey, at least you'll be a beautiful corpse." "Oh, that's sick, that's real sick. Am I supposed to be flattered? Cause let me tell you, I can do without those types of compliments, thank you very much!" With that, Rory turned and stalked away with a small smile playing with the corners of her mouth. Lately, Tristin had been having that effect on her�.instead of finding him annoying and arrogant, she found him funny and sweet. Tristin as pretty happy with himself, that killer smile spread across his face. He was happy with the way his friendship with Rory was progressing�very nicely to be exact. *I love getting her angry. Those eyes are amazing to watch.* He whistled as he walked to his next class. ~1 week later~ Monday February 10, 2003~ Rory walked to her locker after first period with a look of annoyance on her face. Sometimes the students at Chilton could be so self absorbed and jerkish. Just last period, Rory had received an invitation to a party next Saturday. However, the guest of honor had made it more than apparent that she was only inviting Rory as an obligation, be it common courtesy or her parents rules. So, as she opened her locker to remove her book for Mr. Medina's class, she noticed a small package-wrapped rather poorly- on her book pile. On the top was a car that simply read: 'To the love of my life' She opened up the box, and inside was a necklace with a small crystal pendant on a delicate white gold chain. "Oh�my�.gosh�.this is so gorgeous!" Rory was so wrapped up in the gift that she once again didn't notice Tristin come up beside her. "Hey there, where'd you get the necklace?" "Good Lord, Tristin. Don't you ever make noise when you come up to a person? I mean one of these day's your going to give me a heart attack and then you'll really be sorry!" "I'll try to do better next time." Tristin couldn't help but grin as he said it. Sometimes she went off on these tangents that came out of the middle of nowhere. It was one of the things he loved most about her-her quirky personality. She probably got most of it from her mother, having heard stories from his parents about the bouncy Lorelai Gilmore. "So, about the necklace�." "Oh, right! Someone left it in my locker with an unsigned not isn't that sweet? I wonder if it was Dean�?" "NO! I mean, I doubt it. How could he have gotten it in your locker since school started if you just now found it?" "I guess you're right, it was just wishful thinking. Besides, he seems pretty content with his brainless, leggy, blonde, airheaded cheerleader." She sighed. "So, would you like some help putting it on?" Tristin asked. "That would be great, thanks." Rory handed him the necklace then turned and lifted her hair so he could fasten it. Tristin was in his own world entirely. The temptation to lean down and gently kiss her neck was so strong that he had to snap his head back up from where it was. Fixing his mind on the task at hand, he secured the delicate clasp. As he let go, his fingers brushed the back of Rory's neck ever so slightly, sending bolts of electricity through both of them. This was something neither of them had expected, and it made them both a little uncomfortable. "Uh, well thanks. I gotta get to class. See you later�.." Rory's voice was weak and soft as she said this then she quickly turned and walked away, her attention focused on the floor in front of her. "Yeah, later." Tristin replied, even though she couldn't hear him. He watched as she rushed off to class. She was so beautiful, he could never deserve her- but maybe, just maybe, God would let him have her. ~Tuesday February 11, 2003~ Rory is walking towards her locker after 1st period. "Rory, wait up!" "Oh, hey Paris. What's up?" "Like you don't know. Everyone at school is talking about it. The necklace. Do you know who it is yet? It must be so cool to have a secret admirer. I always wished that I could have a secret admirer. But then again, I never had an admirer secret or otherwise." "Paris!" Rory said, "Slow down. Jeepers girl, what has gotten into you?" Paris blushes. "Well, did you see the new guy in Lit class? He's so cute, and smart, and nice, and wealthy-so my parents will approve. But he doesn't even know that I exist. Do you think I have a chance with him? I mean, my idea of good date conversation is the Spanish Inquisition, how could I possibly talk to him like a normal person? I don't know what to do." "Whoa, let's back up her. First, what happened to your crush on Tristin? Second, I think he would be lucky to go out with you, and I'll help you with the date part." With a sly look, Paris said, "Well, I finally realized that it would never work out between Tristin and me. Besides," she said, aiming a look at Rory, "he's got his eye on someone else." " You're crazy, Paris. Tristin and I are only friends. Just barely friends at that. Besides, I want to find out who my secret admirer is." The arrived at Rory's locker and when she opened it, she saw the cutest teddy bear in the world sitting on top of her books. This time, there was no card attached, but the words 'I love you' were embroidered on his stomach in a bright red. Rory, being the bright person that she is concludes that this is from the same person as the necklace, and also that this person could very well be her soulmate. Whoever it was knew her so very well. "Oh, how adorable!" exclaimed Paris, "This guy is a keeper, whoever he is." "I couldn't agree more." Rory replied, but she said it so softly that Paris didn't ever realize that she had spoken. Rory rubbed her cheek against the silky, smooth white fur and sighed softly. Whoever this guy was, he certainly knew how to melt her heart. She carried the bear around all day. Everyone "ooh'd and ah'd" over it. Everyone except Tristin that is. For some reason he seemed a bit standoffish that day, but Rory ignored it, dismissing it as nothing more than a sour mood-which was exactly what it was. His parents had had a huge fight the night before, and had put him in the middle of it all. Suddenly she saw a slow smile creep into his face. She wondered what he was thinking of that made him smile like that, but she turned her thoughts back to class as the teacher started to lecture. She didn't give it another thought. Had she known what Tristin had been thinking, she would have wished she had thought to ask him about it. *She might not have a clue that it's me,* he thought, *but I'll make her crazy in love with me before the week ends and the moment of truth really came* ~Gilmore house~ Rory walked in with a huge smile on her face. "Mom, I'm home!" " Good, I was beginning to think the evil gargoyles of Chilton had carried you away to an old castle with an hour glass and you were screaming 'Auntie Em!' to no avail. But, no such luck I guess. I was hoping to throw water on the evil witch and watch her melt, but oh well. How was your day?" "Great. Look at what my admirer left me today." She pulled out the bear and held him up. "Aw..he's so cute and he even has a tattoo! Rory, so tell me, have you decided whether or not this guy is your future husband? Because any guy with this much taste and sweetness is a keeper even if he looks like the hunchback of Notre Dame." "Well, I think he probably will be, but I think I would like to meet him before I pick out a dress. You know how picky those ogre's can be." Rory said with a smile. "Yeah, that might be a good idea, huh?" "Yeah, it might!" "Well, I wish you luck." "Thanks. And by the way, I'm going to the library to study for a test we're having tomorrow. I won' t be back until late, so don't wait up for me." "All right sweetie, see you later." ~Wednesday February 12, 2003~ Rory rushed up to her locker after first period. She was in such a hurry to open it up that she messed up the combination twice. Finally she got it open, only to find nothing save a note on top of her books. She opened it and read: No gift for you today just yet But it will come, so do not fret. And when you travel home today Tell the driver-'the password is Clay' *Now this is getting really weird* she thought *he even knows which bus I take* ~Chilton cafe~ "Hey Rory." Tristin said, trying to snap her attention out of her latest book. "Rory�..hello�.Earth to Rory!" "Oh, hi Tristin." Rory placed her bookmark on her page so that she didn't lose her place, and she set the book aside. " Can I help you?" "No, I was just wondering what the mystery man left you today." "Nothing, just a note." "Well, he's slacking off I see. Knew he couldn't be as good as he sounded." Tristin just looked at her with his trademark smirk. "Actually, it was a note telling me where to get my gift after school." Rory said with a look that said 'so there, beat that'. "Oh, well I hope he turns out to be your dream guy." With that he turned away. "Oh, I'm sure he will be!" Rory said after he was out of earshot. She found herself watching Tristin walk across the cafe, and hoping against hope that it would be him. He had changed so much lately, instead of being jerky, he was friendly and almost brotherly. Rory couldn't help but notice the changes; she found herself being very attracted to him. However, if this mystery man turned out to be half the man he had proven himself to be so far, she would choose him over Tristin any day. ~After School at the Bus Stop~ As Rory got on the bus, she felt a little nervous and weird about asking the bus driver for her gift, but when she arrived at the drivers seat, the driver simply said , "What's the word?" "Clay?" Rory said rather uncertainly. The driver said nothing, he just handed her a Starbuck's bag and turned to the next passenger. Rory rushed to a seat nearby, and opened the bag. Inside was a bag of French Vanilla coffee beans and a box of Swiss Milk Chocolate. Rory was absolutely speechless. There were only five people n earth who knew how much she loved those two things: Luke, her mom, Sookie, Dean, and��.Tristin. That Tristin might actually be the person sending her this stuff blew her mind. She immediately pushed it aside as impossible. Like Tristin could know that much about her�could he?! ~Thursday, February 12, 2003~ ~ Chilton~ As Rory walked into her first period class, all eyes turned to her. On her desk was a single white roes in a tiny vase with a card attached. Rory walked over, picked up the card and silently she read what was written inside: "White to symbolize the purity of my love for you. In your locker is Gift #2" "Wow." Was all Rory could think or say. She barely heard a word that the teacher said all period, but took out of pure habit. After the bell, Rory rushed to her locker. From a distance, Tristin watched her. Her anticipation made him smile, made his hands tingle, made his stomach flop, and his heart skip a beat. It was working- his plan was finally working! Meanwhile, Rory opened her locker to find a red rose this time. Again, there was a note attached. This one read: "Red is for the fire you make burn in me. In the library is gift #3." Rory broke into a run so she would be able to pick up the gift and still make it to second period on time. Tristin saw her run past her. He yelled 'hello' after, but she was so engrossed in her own thoughts that she didn't even hear him. He started laughing as she turned the corner and nearly knocked over a fellow student with about 6 books in his hands. He shook his head-still chuckling- and headed to class. ~Library~ As soon as she walked in, she saw it. It was sitting on her favorite table- where she always sat. this time, it was a yellow rose. The card attached read: "Yellow for a friendship like I've never had before. Wait, and soon you'll find #4." Rory rushed off to her next class, which flew by because she wasn't paying attention. She was wondering what color the next rose would be, and what kind of sweet note would be attached. 3rd period came, and as she walked in, there was once again a rose on her desk. Only this time, it was a champagne rose and it was surrounded by baby's breath. The note attached read; "Champagne to celebrate that you are alive, go to the office for rose #5." Rory looked at Mr. Median hopefully~he just shook his head and said, "Go." She sprinted down to the office and when she neared, she saw it through the glass. It was purple. Never had she seen a purple rose before. Tears started to well up in her eyes as she read: " A unique Purple rose made especially for the most Unique person in the mix. On the way home, you'll receive #6." Rory slowly walked back to class, but the rest of the day was a blur. No one had ever seen a purple rose before, and everyone asked her where she had gotten it. When she told them, they just looked at her like she was the most lucky person on the earth. The only thing she remembered was that when she saw that pink rose on the bench at the bus stop, she burst into tears, laughing hysterically until she read what the card said: "A pale pink rose is my final gift to you today. Rory, I love you~" Rory became extremely quiet, and went to bed as soon as she got home, leaving the roses and the cards on the table for her mom to see when she got home. ~Friday, February 14, 2003 ~Valentine's Day~ "Hey sweetie," Lorelai said to Rory the next morning, "Happy Valentine's Day." "Thanks, Mom," Rory said a little uncertainly. "What's wrong Rory?" "Nothing really, I'm just a little nervous about what might happen today, I mean what if I can't stand him? Or if I feel no attraction to him after I meet him?" "I wouldn't worry about it honey, I'm sure everything will work out fine." "Yeah , I guess you're right." Little did Rory know that Tristin had called her mom at the Inn and asked if he could come to dinner at the grandparent's house if everything went well. Lorelai told him he could, and she was positive that everything would work out just fine. "Bye Mom, I'll see you tonight!" "Bye Rory, I love you." "I love you too, mom" ~Chilton~ Rory walked down the hall, searching in the sea of faces for the one who might be her admirer. She stopped at her locker, and was mildly surprised when there was nothing in it. Down the hall, she saw Tristin and Paris talking- whispering actually. Rory was very surprised when she felt a huge surge of jealousy against Paris. *Chill out Gilmore. He's not yours* she thought to herself. She was a little dejected as she walked into first period. However, that feeling disintegrated as she saw her desk; There was another bag of coffee beans, a 2lb. Bag of cookies and cream nuggets, and a hardback collection of Jane Austen's work. At this , she almost lost it. The teacher could see her emotional state, and said, "You should probably get that stuff in your locker before someone eats it all." She smiled kindly at Rory. "Thanks." Rory said in a small voice. She was still in shock. She gave her a huge grin in return as she left to put her gifts away. As she opened her locker, though, out popped six balloons, one of every color of the roses she had received the day before. On one of the balloons was a note that read : "For the love of my life, the most beautiful girl in school." "Oh, Good Lord!" Rory said. She went to the bathroom to collect her thoughts and emotions then went back to class. This time, She made sure that she paid good attention in order to make the time pass. ~End of the day~ During last period, there was knock on the door. It was the headmaster, he said he needed Rory to get something in the office. There was a buzz in the room until the teacher cleared his throat. "Go ahead, Rory," he said with a smile. As she followed the headmaster down the hallway, Rory tried to figure out just what this gift could possibly be. When they turned the corner to the office. Rory came to a dead halt and gasped; Sitting on the front desk was the biggest bouquet of roses that she had ever seen. There were 6 lilac, 6 deep purple, 6 yellow, and 6 orange roses. "Obviously someone thinks you're pretty special," said the headmaster with a smile. " I guess so," Rory said very quietly. "Wow." Slowly, never taking her eyes off the flowers, Rory opened the card that had come with them. She looked down and read: 'My love: No one else colors my world the way you do. Meet me at 3:00 at the fountain in the center of the courtyard.' Rory smiled to herself as she walked back to class. She couldn't wait. Besides, it was already 2:45. She only had to wait 15 minutes. ~15 minutes later~ As Rory slowly walked towards the courtyard, she thought about who it might be. She had someone she wanted it to be, but she didn't want to set herself up for disappointment. She hadn't even seen Tristin in the past couple of days, except in the classes they had shared and even then he hadn't even talked to her or even acknowledged her presence in the room. It was as if he was avoiding her for some reason. She reached the courtyard, and began to walk towards the fountain in the center. Through a break in the crowd, she saw him. He was sitting on the edge of the fountain, the sun reflecting off of his blonde hair. Rory felt her eyes fill with tears as she realized that he was waiting for her. She could recognize those shoulders, that hair, that confidence anywhere. She walked up next to him, sat her books on the edge of the fountain, then said his name. "Tristin? I can't believe it!" "Rory, listen, I realize that you think I'm a jerk and all, but-" "Stop." Rory said with a soft smile. "I don't think you're a jerk. I realize now that you were just uncomfortable with how you were feeling, and upset that I didn't reciprocate your feelings." "But Rory, don't forgive me too easily." "Hey, it's my decision if I want to forgive you, and you Mr DuGrey have redeemed yourself with chocolate and caffeine." "Does that mean that you'll go out with me? "Yup, that's what it means." Rory laughed as Tristin picked her up and spun her around. " You're gonna make me sick!" she laughed when he put her down, she sighed softly and stared into those intense blue eyes. *how can this be happening?* Rory thought to herself. *how come I never saw him this way before?* *I can't believe this is happening!* Tristin thought to himself *I'm actually here, going out with Rory Gilmore* "So, what do you say? Will you be my Valentine Rory Gilmore?" "Absolutely Tristin DuGrey." It was then that Tristin leaned in and kissed her softly. "Wow!" he said. "Yeah, wow." Tristin bent his head to kiss her again, only this time, he pulled hjer against him, dragging his hands through her silky hair and tangling them there. He parted her lips gently with his toungue, then dove in showing her with his kiss how much he needed her, how much he needed her. Rory couldn't think, couldn't move, could barely breathe. As Tristin pulled away she stared at him, breathless and dazed. "I can't believe that this is happening. I never in my wildest dreams dreamt that I could feel the way I do right now for you." She sighed and laid her forehead on Tristin's. The intensity of her feelings shocked and scared her, but at the same time it felt so right, so good, that she knew it had to be right. Even with Dean, the first love of her life, her feelings had not been this strong, this firmly rooted in her soul. That was yet another sign that this was right, a sign that I couldn't be wrong. Tristin looked at her amazedly and said, "I'm glad you do Rory, because I don't think I could handle it if you rejected me again. I've been holding myself back for more than two years now." "Oh, Tristin, I'm so sorry it took me so long to realize it." "That's alright, it was worth the wait." Now, what do you say we get home? I'm going with you to your grandparents tonight." "How do you know about that?" "I called your mother last night to ask her if I could come over for dinner at your house tonight permitting that everything went well. She said I could come with you since it was the night for dinner at your grandparents." "You, Mr. DuGrey are amazing." "Thank you Miss Gilmore, I was hoping you'd think so. Shall we go?" He held out his hand to her and wove his last two fingers between her first two as they started towards the car. "Oh, and one last thing, would you do me the honor of being my date for the Valentine's Party tomorrow night?" "I'd love to." Rory said as she smiled and got in the car. |
| THE LOVE OF HER LIFE |