Some of you were close and others were right on with what's going to happen in this chapter. I hope you all like it!
Thank you to Lourenda for getting this back so quickly.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Sighing, Rory mentally prepared herself for her heart to shatter "Fine."
She let Eric lead her to the gym and as she walked in her eyes widened, "What the hell?!"
"That was not the reaction was aiming for…Try again?"
"What…what's all this?"
"I think it's time to get you back to college, my dear. I figured it'd be pretty self explanatory."
"But this! It's…" Rory trailed off speechlessly.
"All for you." Tristan said wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Why?"
"Why not? You've never had one; I've never had one so I figured why not. Plus, I figured after my recent behavior I owed you a big gesture."
"Big gesture?"
"Yeah…you know, a big gesture that says you are right, I'm wrong. I should have known better. All that kind of stuff."
"Most boyfriend just buy flowers as an apology."
Tristan scoffed.
"That is so mediocre."
"This is far from mediocre." Rory commented.
"Well, thank you, but I can't allow you to join in the fun."
"Why not? I thought this was for me."
"In case you forgot, proms are usually formal attire. You're wearing shorts and a t-shirt."
"In case you forgot, I didn't know this was what you had up your sleeve. I don't have dress."
Tristan leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips. "It's taken care of. Follow Sammie."
Before she could respond Sammie grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the gym and back to the camp office where Stephanie, Rosemary and a brand new dress was waiting for her.
"I'm so sorry." Rory said turning to Sammie as they entered the office.
"For?"
"For even considering the idea that you would mess around with Tristan."
"If I were you I would have thought the same thing, neither of us are very good at lying to you."
"I should have known better."
"Shower now, apologize later. You've got a room full of people waiting for you to get the party started so lets get this show on the road." Stephanie said pushing Rory into the camp office's bathroom.
"Do you even know when the last time this shower was used?" Rory called from the bathroom. She didn't even think it worked.
"It works." Sammie assured her. Opening the shower stall, Rory found all the shower supplies she would need. She couldn't believe Tristan had set this all up for her.
"I don't hear water!" Rosemary yelled through the door.
Laughing, Rory got into the shower and began to prepare for her prom.
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"You went through an awful lot of trouble to do this." Logan said as he approached Tristan, who was making sure that everything was set up at the snack table.
"You helped."
"After you had it all planned out."
"She deserves it."
"She does but this was above and beyond." Tristan sighed, unsure if he should tell Rory's ex-boyfriend his recent realization. "I love her."
"Good, I'd hate to think she's wasting her time with you because she's completely in love."
"She told me."
"Really?" Logan said raising an eyebrow.
"I didn't say it back…I rattled off some lame excuse about how I'd told lots of girls I loved them but didn't mean it and that I wouldn't do that to her."
"Yeah that is pretty lame." Logan laughed, but then realized Tristan was obviously torn up about not saying it back. "She knows you care about her. I don't think I ever told her how much I liked her when we were dating, but she knew and never held it against me because I didn't know how to say it. She knows you love her. Now let's stop talking like school girls and spike the punch."
"What is a prom without spiked punch?"
Logan poured himself a cup of the red punch and took a sip. "Someone already did it."
"Really?"
"I'm betting it was Finn, he's done it at every gathering that has a punch bowl since we were thirteen."
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Rory stepped out of the office bathroom wrapped in the pink bathrobe that was provided for her. "Ok, what now?"
"Hair and makeup."
"Of course."
"I can't believe Tristan planned all this." Rory said as Stephanie and Rosemary began to work on her hair.
"He's head over heels in love with you." Sammie smiled, "It's so cute."
"As much as I love Logan, you are so much better with Tristan."
"Logan and I are better as friends. He's like my big brother."
Rosemary cringed. "A brother you've slept with."
"I said like a big brother!" Rory laughed.
"Head up." Stephanie reprimanded.
"Sorry. Who else is here? I didn't get a chance to look around before I was whisked away."
"All in good time." Sammie told her, "Want to see your dress?" Hoping it would distract Rory from asking more questions.
"Yeah." Rory nodded.
"Stop moving!"
"Sorry!"
"Here it is." Sammie said showing her the midnight blue, floor length halter-top dress.
"No." Was all Rory said as she looked at the dress. She didn't go to prom and hadn't ever had a prom dress but she did know that if she had it would not have been that revealing.
"It's a gorgeous dress!" Rosemary told her.
"It is…for someone else."
"What's wrong with it?"
"It's so…revealing."
"Cause Tristan's never seen you naked." Sammie scoffed.
"Or Logan."
"Or Finn."
"Finn seeing me naked was an accident!"
"Tristan hasn't seen the dress, he wanted to be surprised." Sammie explained. In fact he'd been rather adamant about not knowing what the dress looked like. The only instructions he gave were 'I want the dress to make my jaw drop.' and it would.
"I won't look as great as you guys do in your dresses." Rory said self-consciously.
"Rory," Rosemary said sitting in front of her while Stephanie continued to do her hair.
"I know you aren't really into the whole society circle, but DuGrey and Huntzberger are pretty big names. Both of those men have the opportunity to be with any girl. Models, actresses, porn stars, but they both chose you. You are something special, Logan saw that and Tristan has been seeing that for what, the past four years. You will look fabulous in that dress, better than all of us."
Rory was silent for a few moments. She could either be intimidated by the fact that Tristan could have a model or she could be flatter that he chose her. For the sake of having a good time tonight she chose to be flattered. "Thank you."
"Now, you have a very eager boyfriend waiting and an Aussie who is very anxious to spike the punch. So go get changed so the night can begin."
Rory stood up and took the dress, walking into the bathroom again to quickly change.
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Tristan was talking to Eric when he heard the doors to the gym open, turning he saw Sammie, Rosemary and Stephanie walk in. Walking over to them and smiled. "How does she look?"
"Perfect." Sammie smiled, "She wants to see you outside."
He gave a quick thanks to the three girls before walking outside and taking in the sight of his girlfriend. "You looked absolutely stunning."
"Thank you." She said shyly.
"Not just for the compliment either, for everything. I'm so sorry I jumped to conclusions. If I was suspicious I should have come to you and talk to you about-" Rory rambled, but was cut off by his lips covering hers.
"You talk too much."
"I was apologizing."
"As much as I love to hear you say you were wrong because I know it rarely happens I'd rather show you the rest of your surprise."
"There's more?"
"Much more."
"Then let's go!" She said tugging on the sleeve of his suit jacket and pulling him in the direction of the door.
Tristan laughed and intertwined their hands together. "Let's go."
Opening his door with his free hand he ushered her in. Rory walked into the gym and was greeted by the sight by all their friends. The camp staff was there as well as Logan, Colin, Finn, Stephanie and Rosemary. Tristan hadn't stopped there though he had invited Lane who had brought Zach and Brian. Upon further gaze she was shocked, she saw Paris, Louise, Madeline and Brad.
"Oh my god." Rory stammered shocked.
"I made a few calls." Tristan said in her ear.
Rory was stunned speechless, she had expected their friends and coworkers but she hadn't guessed that he'd bring in people from Chilton. He had put a lot of work into this; he wanted it to be just like a real prom for her. "You are amazing."
"Thank you." He smirked before grabbing her hand and leading her to a table.
"Now, I know it's customary for the girl to get the boutonniere, but since you didn't know I got my own because what is a prom without the picture of you attempting to put it on me."
"You never had a prom. How do you know all this?"
"My sister had one, Sammie went to hers, and Logan went to his. They all helped me with the prom clichés."
"And why does it have to be documented with a picture?"
"Once I told the idea to your mother, the only way to prevent her from coming here to take pictures and embarass you was if I promised to have someone else do it."
"I see." She nodded as he handed her the pin and the boutonniere to pin onto his lapel.
"I could potentially endanger your health by doing this."
"That's what I said, but no one seems to care."
"So much faith in me." Rory smiled and leaned closer to his chest in an attempt to see what she was doing.
Six attempts and two pin sticks later, Rory had finally managed to get the flower onto his suit. "It's a good thing I'm wearing layers or this could have been fatal."
"Shut up!" Rory whined.
"Ok, I'll stop. Give me your hand." Rory brought her hand up and Tristan slid the corsage onto her tiny wrist as Sammie snapped a picture.
"It's beautiful." She said smiling down and the traditional white rose corsage.
"I trust that you have your garter on."
"I do." Rory confirmed as a bright blush appeared on her cheeks.
"Good, you are now properly dressed to attend a prom."
"You think of everything."
"No he didn't!" Sammie interjected. "He was so clueless it was actually kind of cute. It's like he'd never even seen a movie or TV show with a prom in it. When I asked him if he wanted you to have a garter his eyes lit up like surprised five year old on Christmas."
"I thought we decided we weren't going discuss how the prom was planned."
"I want credit where credit is due."
"I helped."
"Your wallet helped."
"I picked out the colors!" Tristan defended.
"Which were your third choices because Logan and I vetoed your first two."
Rory watched as Sammie and Tristan bickered back and forth, she knew Tristan was probably a little unsure as to how a prom was supposed to go and she thought it was sweet that he had asked for help in order to do this for her. "I don't care that you go help, Tris. Just the fact that you thought of this to begin with is awesome."
"You're not just saying that to be nice?" He asked childishly.
"I promise."
"Good. Now, let's go say hello to the other prom goers."
Rory nodded and grabbed his hand as they made their way over to Madeline and Louise. "You two look amazing."
"Thank you!" Madeline smiled brightly and pulled Rory into a hug.
"I knew you'd end up with Tristan and one point or another." Was the first thing out of Louise's mouth. "Juliet found her Romeo once again."
"You were right, I was wrong. Happy?" Rory laughed.
"Very. You look amazing." Louise told her then her eyes traveled over Tristan. "And so do you."
"Thanks."
"Are you seriously hitting on my boyfriend?"
"Sorry. Old habits die hard."
"What have you guys been up to?"
"Tulane is still our base school but we still travel for the parties. We're home for the summer, partying."
"Of course!" Rory laughed.
"I'm glad you guys could come before you leave. Give me your numbers so we can keep in touch."
"Definitely." Louise nodded. "So…Are you still a Mary?"
"And that's our cue to go mingle." Rory laughed.
"I want details, Gilmore!"
"Maybe later."
Tristan laughed and led her away from the girls. "It's good to see that some things don't change." He told her wrapping his arm around her waist. Leaning her head slightly on his shoulder, careful not to mess up her hair.
"But it's good to see something's do."
"That was cheesy."
"It's prom. It's supposed to be."
"Well, as long as you have that frame of mind let's go get our prom pictures taken."
"You're joking."
"Who jokes about prom pictures?"
"You seriously hired a photographer?"
"Yes."
"You must really like me."
This was the perfect moment. The moment he could tell her how he truly felt. "I-I-I really do." He stuttered. 'I really do? Idiot..' He thought to himself.
"Let's go get the picture taken before my hair and makeup get messed up. I want to dance."
"I don't dance."
"What do you mean you don't dance? You danced with me the other day."
"That's because I needed an excuse for you to talk to me."
"Tristan, I may not be the best dancer, but I have improved since my debutante days and I want to dance!"
Tristan knew that he was going to end up dancing; there was no way to argue with her and win. He'd tried and failed numerous times, but at the very least he could postpone it. "Let's go get our pictures taken, Mare." He said while grabbing her hand and walking towards the back of the gym where there was a photographer set up with a backdrop and everything.
Rory let out a loud laugh when she saw Logan, Colin and Finn posing Charlie's Angel's style for a photo. "You are seriously making this guy waste his time on pictures like these?"
"For what he's getting paid he will do it and with a giant smile on his face." He told her then walked towards the backdrop.
"You guys can finish your photo op later. Other people want pictures."
"We were just hitting our pose groove!" Finn whined. "Next was the Spice Girls girl power pose."
"Then I think we interrupted right in the nick of time." Rory smiled.
The three guys walked away discussing more poses they could come do while Rory stood there looking at them in disbelief.
"They are your friends." Tristan reminded.
"Times like this I wonder why."
The photographer brought them out of their conversation by motioning for them to stand in front of the backdrop. "You can do this traditional or you can do whatever you want." He told them, "Just let me know when to shoot."
"What do you want?" Rory questioned.
"Can we take two?" He asked, hoping she'd say yes. He had a plan, a good plan. A plan that would backfire if she only wanted one picture.
"Uh, sure."
"I'll go tell the photographer." Tristan walked over to the photographer and gave him instructions on what to do. He walked back and turned Rory so her back was up against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist, her hands resting on his. "We're doing the traditional first," he whispered in her ear.
Rory nodded and leaned into him slightly and smiled brightly as the flash of the camera went off. When the first one was over, Tristan spun her around so their chests were pushed against each other's. Their lips mere inches away from each other's. "I take it this is the non-traditional one." she smiled.
"Uh huh." Tristan said wrapping his arms around her waist and rubbing his hand up and down her bare back. "Rory?"
Rory's eyes, which were looking over his shoulder at the rest of the people in the gym, shot to his at the mention of her real name. "Yeah?"
"I love you." He whispered in her ear, wanting only her to hear it. Rory was staring at him her mouth gaping open. The look in her face was shocked mixed with love and admiration. A small smile appeared on her face.
"You love me, do you?"
"Yes…"
Rory rested her head on his shoulder and took in a deep breath of a scent that was strictly Tristan. "Usually when guys say that on prom it's to get laid afterwards…"
"Whether I am sixteen or twenty I still want to get laid." Tristan interjected.
"But you already knew you'd get laid afterwards so that must not be why you said it."
"I said it because it's true. I love you…I love you for who you are right now, not who I knew you as in the past. You are still my Mary and always will be but you changed so much into a women that I adore even more, one that I can't imagine being without."
"But…" Rory hesitated, she didn't want him to think she didn't believe him but at the same time she had her concerns. "You just told me the other day that you didn't love me…yet."
"I lied…I do love you and as pathetic as this is I loved you in the tenth grade when you hated me. Feeling it is one thing, saying it is another. I've never had many people I could trust in my life, you know that. My grandfather, Eric and Breelynn were pretty much it until you. I love you, Rory. Please believe that."
"I never hated you…"
"Rory-" He cut her off, this conversation was become more serious than he wished it to. "Another time."
Nodding, Rory wrapped her arms around his neck and brought his lips to hers for a kiss. "I love you too." She whispered when they broke away.
Tristan pulled away slightly and grabbed her hand, "I owe you a dance."
"What about our non-traditional picture?" She asked motioning over to the photographer.
"Already taken."
"But-"
"Last chance to dance. Going once, going twice…"
"Ok, ok…Let's go!" Tristan allowed Rory to drag him out to the dance floor where Madeline, Louise, Steph, Sammie, Rosemary and Finn were already dancing.
She felt Tristan's hands on her waist as he began to dance with her to the quick beat of the music. Rory leaned back against his chest and smiled. She was on top of the world. She was in love with her incredibly hot boyfriend, who loved her back. She had amazing friends who would do anything for her and her family was great.
Suddenly a feeling crept into her stomach, it was all great now but what about in a week or two. It was all going to change. Tristan was going to leave, her friends would be back at school and she was going nowhere. Shaking off the thought she decided to figure that out later. Right now she was going to enjoy the prom her boyfriend had planned for her.
I have a bad habit of not being able to follow my own timelines. I apologize now if the timing of everything seems a little off. I hope you all liked this chapter!