Authors Note: This is a bit on the usual side because this story already has 71 chapters finished in script format (https://juana39ca.tripod.com/index.html), but I have had serious writers block trying to continue it in that format and so have switched to try and carry it on as fans of the story have been requesting. Enjoy.

Where was the magic genie with the three wishes when you needed him? It had close to three months of hell for Tristan and there seemed to be no ending in sight for the agony and heartache that being around Rory was putting him through.

It seemed like it was just yesterday that he had left Rory sitting on that bench, his confession hanging in the air, to chase after Amy, so he could keep it all from falling apart right before his eyes.

He hadn’t wanted Anders to know about him and Paris, because he hadn’t wanted Paris to know that he had gone against her wishes and told Rory the truth, and in his haste to make everything right, he had turned left at the crossroad when he should have turned right.

He had foolishly believed by reigning in Amy he would be buying himself some time to get to Paris and let her know what he had done.

It had been a serious miscalculation on his part as the bell had rung signaling the end of class and the hallway had filled with people.

It had taken him a few minutes to single Amy out of the crowd and she was already making a bee line for Anders.

Knowing it was over and the damage was about to be done he had turned to go back outside to Rory only to witness her across the hall already standing face to face with Paris.

He couldn’t hear what they were saying, or what was being said between Amy and Anders either but he was clearly in the middle of a hurricane about to happen either way.

The resounding slap across Paris’ face was the first indication that his noble gesture of truth telling had turned to crap, but the next moment was the one that left no reason to believe he was going to come out of this unscathed.

He would have much preferred a slap across the face then what had happened next, because even now reliving it in his mind – it still felt raw and painful.

After giving Paris’ a piece of her mind and the back of her hand Rory had walked purposefully over to him.

She hadn’t looked at him as much as through him as she reached out for his hand and deliberately dropped the silver tiffany bracelet that he had given her into it.

“This was a gift.” Tristan said in reminder to Rory as if she had somehow forgotten.

It hurt so much to be doing this but she knew she had to…because she was done. Done with all the lies and deception – it was just too hard to hang on now knowing that he had been so close to Paris.

“I don’t want it.” Rory said the tears threatening to fall. “You can give it to your next girlfriend.”

“Is that supposed to be funny?” Tristan said the hurt in his voice tinged with anger now.

Rory recognized the need to hurt him now and backed down from it. She needed to end it but she didn’t need to humiliate him in the process…no matter how much his actions had humiliated her.

“No…it’s not. Its intent is to relay to you that…it’s over – we’re over.” Rory said letting out a deep sigh.

Even though he heard the words that he had dreaded were coming, he didn’t have it in him to lose so he reached out for her holding her by both arms.

“You are not thinking this through – you’re emotional about the situation right now…maybe just give it some time to digest before you go making any rash decisions.” Tristan suggested trying hard not to sound as desperate as he felt.

“I don’t need time to think about this – time would only make this worse. I’ve had the last mental image I want of you and Paris having sex!” Rory said a tad too loud, but what did it matter now it wasn’t as if this piece of juicy Chilton gossip wasn’t going to be all over school by end of day.

“We weren’t together Rory – you and I were not together yet.” Tristan added feeling the need to defend himself now.

“ It’s always going to be something – we weren’t together, I didn’t sleep with her, I was going to tell you the truth…but you never did…did you.” Rory said stating what she knew to be fact now.

And she’d been right, for all the love and loyalty he had given her he had matched pound for pound with deception and sins of omission.

“I’m sorry Rory.” Tristan said his sincerity beyond evident at this point but it was weak and it was way, way too late.

He’d given his apology and she had refused it.

Now several months later her life and his were as separate as any two could be and the steps they had taken away from each other had been painful to watch.

He was glad it was the last day of school and that he wouldn’t have to see her again until after summer break, she had ruined his life and shattered his heart into a million tiny pieces and he needed to get as far away from her as he could – he knew that would help.

He had just gotten back from taking a two week hiatus from school at his father’s bequest that he join him on a father/ son trip, a trip which had been odd and uncomfortable but at least had afforded him a few Rory-free days.

Days which had helped him heal at least a little.

His dad had been given a real scare with a benign tumor in his prostate and it had turned him into father of the year or at least his idea of it.

Tristan knew that sooner or later the fear from his close call would soon fade and he’d go back to being the selfish, greedy prick that he was, so he carefully maintained a fair distance from the cheerful pod person that was living in the body of his father.

He’d only come back for the last day of school to get the 411 on the end of school beach bash, because he was back to the old Tristan now. Inside he was still changed – a little softer, but by all outside appearances he was bad-ass Tristan out looking for trouble and a good time.

However what he learned with in minutes of arriving on school grounds was that a lot can happen in two weeks.

Paris had been pacing back and forth outside waiting for him to show up. She knew Tristan well enough to know that he would come back for the last day of school to cement his place in the hall of popularity – he needed a fun summer waiting for him.

And he didn’t disappoint. He had taken to driving his dad’s Porsche to school doing everything he could to regain the image he had left behind when he had fallen for Rory.

Paris spotted him the minute he pulled into a front parking space, his blond hair a tousled mess and his blue eyes piercing the people around him.

Tristan no longer charmed girls; he targeted them and went in for the kill. No questions asked, no conversation allowed and under no circumstances did he do second dates.

Seeing him zone in on Tabitha Winston, who had been bold enough to smile at him, she cut him off before contact.

“We need to talk Tristan so listen up…” Paris began.

Immediately Tristan centered his attention on the only true friend he still had left. For whatever reason she alone had forgiven him even though he had cost her Anders.

“This better be good.” He said still eyeing the Tabitha who was now pouting at Paris’ interception.

“I’m just going to give it to you straight – Rory is dating someone.” Paris said doing nothing to lessen the blow.

“I’ve only been gone two weeks.” Tristan said letting the shock show for a second before quickly bringing his wall back up.

“Yes, but you’ve been separated for going on three months now – three months in which you have managed to bed  every woman in your little black book.” Paris reminded him her disapproval clear.

“And your point is?” Tristan said keeping an arrogant tone.

“My point is you had to expect her to move on eventually.” Paris said making her point.

“I don’t care what she does.” Tristan said the lie eating at him like acid.

“Right…then am I to assume you don’t care who she does either?” Paris questioned spitefully.

She might still be his friend but she was also still full of venom when she wanted to be – he liked that about her she didn’t try and bullshit him.

“You’re a heartless bitch” Tristan said taking a shot at her.

‘Ouch…that really hurts coming from a Man-whore” Paris countered skillfully.

“Touché. Fine…drop the bomb how much worse could my life possibly get anyway?” Tristan said seeking sympathy – clearly from the wrong source.

“The new official Chilton couple is…” Paris paused as if waiting for a drum roll.

A pause which cost her the moment of reveal as Tristan was subjected to the visual version.

Every emotion he had came rushing to the surface at that moment…anger, frustration, pent up love and longing that he had thought he had buried deep – apparently not deep enough though to not make the scene before him nothing short of emotional homicide.

“Damn…I’m sorry. I really did mean to tell you before you found out.” Paris said after following his shocked look to the source.

Leaning against a tree her silken brunette hair falling around her face in the places her pony tail couldn’t keep it in, was Rory.

And in front of her leaning into her much as Tristan used to do was his ex-best friend…Anders.

Tristan wanted to turn away, but it was like a train wreck waiting to happen in his brain, if he didn’t see the collision he would be okay.

It would be okay.

But six seconds later he knew it was never going to be okay again as he watched the love of his life returning the kiss that Anders had bestowed on her…and returning it with an accepted sigh of enjoyment.

He wanted to die…to turn around and get in his dad’s car and just disappear from the life he was being forced to endure now.

“She’s just doing this to hurt me.” Tristan said barely above a whisper and a mere split second before the ice blue of his eyes turned into a cold blue steel hardening his look and his resolve at the same time.

“Are you going to be okay?” Paris asked concerned at the hard edge she now saw evolving in her friend’s demeanor.

“I’m better than okay – I’m free.” Tristan said focusing his attention once again on Tabitha who had not taken her gaze from him and had remained transparent in her lust for him.

“See ya.” Tristan told Paris before turning to head toward his next conquest.

They were all stupid girls thought Paris, because they still thought that was the way into his life – sleeping with Tristan however only guaranteed you a night, maybe two if he was enjoying himself.

Paris knew that Rory was the only one who had captured his heart and that now no one probably ever would again.

Rory had wanted to be the one to tell Tristan about Anders but it was all over school by the time he got back and he had not returned a single text message she had sent him, messages she knew now that he had never gotten after overhearing Amy and Presley talking about how he had accidentally left his phone in an airport lounge during his recent vacation.

It was weird being part of a world where she had to regularly occupy space with Amy and Presley – two girls who clearly hated her guts.

It was even more bizarre and surreal to be dating Anders – a guy who hated Tristan’s guts.

Her first instinct had been to shy a way from him at Louise’s party when he had extended the hand of friendship but he had painfully reminded her that they both shared a common bond – Tristan and Paris’ deception.

She hadn’t even intended to go to the party but her mom had convinced her that she needed to get out and she knew that Tristan was out of town so it had seemed safe enough.

Once she had gotten to the party though she had become a wall flower while Ethan and Lane, her “dates” for the evening had gone off to dance the night away.

It was sitting in that dark corner, feeling sorry for herself, that Anders had found her.

“Can I sit?” Anders said motioning to the empty stair beside her.

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” Rory said giving him the brush-off.

“Afraid your boyfriend will find out?” Anders said hitting where it hurt now.

“Good point – sit.” Rory said moving over a little to allow him space now.

“So…party’s are suppose to be fun you know.” Anders said a bit sarcastically.

“I guess I’m the original party pooper then – they’re not really my thing.” Rory admitted.

“That’s a shame.” Anders said softly.

“Why’s that?” Rory asked.

“Well…it’s just that you are a beautiful addition to this room.” Anders said pouring on the charm now.

Normally Rory would have shot any guy down with a line as corny as that but something about the sincerity in his tone and the way he was looking at her made her smile instead.

“You’re pretty full of it.” Rory told him pulling no punches.

“I am actually a truthful and honest man…bullshit is not my thing.” Anders promised her.

And for some odd reason she believed him.

It had been the start of a tentative friendship and they had gone out and discussed ad nauseam that first week her relationship with Tristan.

There was absolutely nothing Anders did not know now about their tumultuous relationship as he became her sounding board in her quest to understand what made Tristan tick.

In a very short space of time Anders had become extremely important to Rory and she thought truthfully that she had found a male friend that she could talk to about anything – and then the kiss happened.

It wasn’t a calculated set up or a pre-planned mission it was simply a game of truth or dare at Jeremy’s house that had gone unexpectedly sideways.

She’d used up her truth and so had to take the dare and had already prepared herself for the worst having had to fend off Jeremy’s lecherous advances all night, but too many rejections had made him bitter and in need of payback.

“Rory…I dare you to French kiss for five minutes…” Rory held her breath as she waited for him to add his name and complete that nauseating thought.

“Anders.” Jeremy finished gleefully. Anders was Tristan’s most hated enemy and when word got back to him it would surely cause Ms. High and Mighty some grief.

Expecting pretty much the same as Rory had Anders looked visibly shocked at what Jeremy had just said.

“Don’t be stupid Jeremy.” Anders said trying to help Rory out.

“Why, are you afraid Tristan will kick your ass?” Jeremy said his over indulgence in alcohol making him a bit too brave.

Although Rory had been clearly hesitating before, Jeremy’s words riled her up.

Annoyed by the thought that Jeremy was doing this not only to get back at her but to stick it to Tristan she refused to back down and let him see that he had gotten to her.

With a boldness that belied her true feelings Rory went to stand directly in front of Anders.

“You don’t have to do this.” Anders spoke softly so only she could hear.

“Yes…I do. Now shut up and enjoy it because its’ the last time it’s going to happen.” Rory said before placing her hands on either side of his face and beginning to softly kiss him.

“I said French kiss.” Jeremy reminded them annoyed.

“Just start the damn timer.” Rory ordered as she once again took the lead and began to draw Anders closer to her, her lips claiming his.

Tristan’s friend Gib started the timer on his watch at Rory’s request hoping that the five minutes would be over before it was too late – before Rory had a chance to actually enjoy her punishment.

It had always been Rory’s way to melt into a kiss rather than attack it and only in extremely passion filled moments between her and Tristan had they skipped the slow burn to go directly for the full on fire.

Which in hindsight might have been the safer route, because attacking the kiss and just doing it wouldn’t have afforded Rory the luxury of  realizing how much she enjoyed the feel of Anders’ lips under hers or how incredibly sexy he smelled and how expertly he kissed.

The intimate contact only lasted the proposed five minutes but the damage was done.

Before where there had been a friendly vibe it was now charged with sexual tension having awakened the chemistry between them.

They had left Jeremy’s gathering that night hardly able to look at each other both realizing that something had changed irreversibly, that a decision loomed in their future because they would never be able to go back to being just friends.

As they had reached his car and he had started to open the door for her she had found herself stopping him and leaning up against the car with him standing directly in front of her his hand still on the handle of the car door.

“Anders…” Rory began.

“Yea.” He said his breath a little ragged at the close proximity of her.

He hoped she had felt equally as connected in their shared kiss as he had but his instincts told him different.

“About the kiss…” Rory said trying to fill in the disturbing blanks in her mind. “I’m sorry Jeremy forced you into it.”

Anders felt his pride take a little ding at her words but he was never one to back down from saying what he truly felt no matter how embarrassing.

“I’m not. I think Jeremy did me a huge favor and if I never get to kiss you again – well that will be my loss.” He told her gazing into her eyes now.

It was not what she had expected him to say, and it took her by surprise that she actually breathed a sigh of relief at his confession.

She knew this was a bad idea – being with Anders.

She knew that it would wound Tristan deeper than she ever wanted to, but she also knew that she couldn’t stop it as she accepted that he was going to kiss her again this time of his own volition and for as long as he wanted.

Tristan and Anders were as different as night and day but both had that undeniable pull for her. Rory knew that she could be happy with Anders if she could manage to let go of Tristan.

It had been a lot easier to believe she could let go of Tristan in the remaining week that he had been gone, but now standing across the courtyard of the school watching him put his moves on Tabitha Winston she felt torn.

Things were amazing with Anders; he was gorgeous and thoughtful and kept her on her toes with the chemistry that they shared.

Tristan on the other hand was back to being a rake who used women at every turn to satisfy his needs – it should have been easy to get over him.

It should have been a slam dunk to choose being happy with Anders over torturing herself with the memory of Tristan.

It would have been if he hadn’t chosen that moment to press himself up against Tabitha and begin kissing her while staring at Rory, sending her a silent message that she knew to be true.

He would never be over her and she would never be over him.

Others would come between them as they were now but the connection would always be there torturing their souls.

Finally Tristan closed his eyes and sank into the kiss but the image of Rory and how sad she had looked as she had watched him and Tabitha, was burned into his brain.

For now she was Anders but in time she would again be his again – he was sure of it.

He didn’t have the genie but he did have the three wishes – to have Rory back, for Anders to fall off a cliff and for this hell of a day to be over.