Chapter Text
Rory
“Maybe it’s not so much swearing off all girls, but swearing off a certain kind of girl,” I said.
“Meaning?” Tristin asked.
“Meaning next time maybe you should pick a girl with a little more substance. You know, a girl who’s smart, and is driven. And has ambition. You know like-
“You.” My eyes widened at his interruption.
“No, not me. I was going to say-
“You think very highly of yourself, don’t you?” He smirked. “Smart, driven, ambitious.” I rolled my eyes and stood up. His blue eyes followed me as I straightened.
He’s impossible.
Why did I think this was a conversation worth having?
“Forget it,” I muttered. I had to get to the library. He rose and continued at my side and I gave him a look. “What are you doing?”
“I like your idea,” he chirped, clasping his hands behind his back.
So, maybe I had gotten through to him?
“What are you doing Saturday night?” I blinked at the question.
“Studying. Why?”
“You can’t study all night.” I gave him a look that told him I absolutely could, and he would benefit from doing the same for a change, but he was staring at my…mouth.
“Tristin,” I said.
“I’ve never dated anyone like you before,” he remarked. “And you just said it yourself. I should date someone with substance.”
“I wasn’t talking about me!”
What have I done?
“Why not? I’m single and you’re single.”
“Because we can’t,” I said.
“You’ve never dated anyone like me before either,” he grinned. “This could be good for both of us.”
“Someone like you?” I said, fighting not to scoff.
“Someone with my amazing looks, who knows how to have a good time.” He winked and I really did scoff. He made good time sound so…dirty as mum would say and I shuddered as I quickened my pace. Regretting my decision to meddle immediately. “Come on, Mary. Are you really going to deny the attraction between us?”
What did that mean?
“What are you talking about?” I hissed, afraid of being overheard as other kids streamed by us down the hallway. Glances were already being shot our way, because it was enough to just be seen with Tristin in this school. Not that he was so bad, I just really didn’t care for being at the centre of anymore rumours.
“We’ve already kissed,” he said matter of factly.
“Tristin! Lower your voice.”
“You’re the one that’s shouting,” he chuckled. I pressed my lips into a thin line.
“Just forget I said anything, okay?” I said quickly.
“What for? Are you seriously saying no to me?”
“I think the answer to that is pretty obvious,” I retorted dryly.
“What if I dare you?” He said, stepping into my path as we approached the library doors. I had to pull up before I walked straight into him, he wasn’t as tall as Dean but I still had to look up at him even from this distance. But my expression was not one of amusement.
“Move out of the way, Tristin.”
“What’s wrong, Mary? Are you afraid you’ll fall in love with me after one date?”
The ego!
“It’s astounding doorways don’t have to be widened to accomodate that big head of yours,” I muttered, clutching my books tighter as I shouldered past him. I didn’t believe for a second that he would follow me any further, he cared too much for his reputation to be seen in the hushed, hallowed sanctuary beyond the double doors. The scent of books made me feel less agitated after a single inhale.
Home.
So I didn’t even bother glancing behind me as I moved into Chilton’s library. It was so different from Stars Hollow High’s, for one it was lavish. Like the rest of the school. Not that I discriminated when it came to libraries, or any place that housed books. I made my way down one aisle, my eyes scanning spine after spine, shelf after shelf, careful to keep my footsteps respectful and quiet. How was it that there were people traversing this earth that did not care for reading? What with all the stories that existed for one to immerse themselves in, fictional or historical, true or embellished, shocking or informative. And the knowledge beyond each cover? I could never get enough, such was my desire to learn and discover and understand. But that wasn’t where my desires ended. I wanted to contribute to the dialogue in a meaningful way as well. I was deep in thought as I pivoted to the next shelf, pushing onto my toes when I spied the title I was after. But an arm reached past me, beating me to it.
“You smile at musty, old books the way most girls smile at new purses,” Tristin said as I frowned over my shoulder at him. How long had he been standing there? He turned the volume over in his hands, his expression bemused.
“What are you doing in here, Tristin?”
“Looking for a book, obviously.” I shot him a wry look.
“What book?”
“This one,” he said, turning on his heel and walking down the aisle.
“Stop messing around,” I murmured. That was the only copy and I actually needed it.
“You can have it when I’m done with it,” he said airily.
To clobber you with.
“Tristin, give it back.” He turned around, and proceeded to walk backwards as I reluctantly trailed after him.
“And what do I get in return?” He grinned.
“Don’t you have anything else better to do?”
“I have all the time in the world for you, Mary.” I did not like the sound of that, but it didn’t matter that I threw him a particularly irked look. His self-assurance spanned generations, it was bred into people like him. So I stopped and folded my arms, refusing to indulge him a moment longer.
“The sentiment isn’t mutual.” I turned around this time, walking back in the opposite direction. It might have been the only copy in this library, but I could track it down somewhere else, and I would.
“Agree to go out with me tomorrow night and I’ll hand it over right now,” Tristin called, eliciting a chorus of shhhhhhss.
Dares. Goading. Bargaining. Was this how he charmed every girl he went out with?
Oh, please.
“Keep it,” I said, glancing over my shoulder at him. “I’m not dating you, Tristin.” His smile was wide and arrogant as he passed by me.
“You will.”