CHERRY. [JESS MARIANO]

In A While Crocodile

Watching my classmates perform Shakespeare from the Palaeolithic Era wasn't exactly how I wanted to spend my evenings. But me being the nice person I am, I decided to accompany Lorelai, Sookie, Dean and Lane to Rorys play. Despite being in the same grade as Rory, I -thankfully- didn't have to do that play.

"Are you sure this is Shakespeare?" Sookie asked warily. All of us were watching the current act with a look of confusion.

Dean looks at us with furrowed brows. "What's with all the grunting?"

"I wish Luke were here, he could translate for us." Lorelai sighs as Lane and I nod in agreement.

Suddenly, Rory appears dressed in her Juliet costume for the play. "Hey," she greets catching everyone's attention.

"Oh honey, look at you. You look like a princess." Sookie gushes while Rory smiles at the compliment. "Doesn't she look like a Princess?" She asks looking towards us.

Dean looks at Rory with what can only be described as pure love on his face. They make me sick. "Yeah, she looks beautiful." His eyes still on Rory.

"You guys make me want to throw up," I remark.

Lane leans in towards me. "You and me both."

"Mom made the dress," Rory says ignoring me and Lane.

Lorelai grins at her daughter. "Not to mention the girl inside it."

"Hello, gross." I joke, walking towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Lorelai asks.

"I need to go to the bathroom," I explain. "I don't wanna go during Rory's act."

As I pass the door I bump into Paris on the way out. "Have you seen Tristan?" She asks me, her blonde hair swishing as she speed walks.

"No, I haven't seen him since I've got here."

Paris sighs angrily before tugging at the ends of her hair. "He's not here! He's supposed to be here! We go on in twenty minutes, if we don't have a Romeo we're gonna fail!"

"Have you tried calling him?" I suggest, hoping to be of some help to the frazzled girl before me.

Paris looks at me with a glare. "No, I haven't thought of that." She says, sarcasm dripping from every word. "He went missing and I didn't think to call his cellphone! Let's just put it this way, whatever your thinking of, I've done it!"

I place my hands on her shoulder to help steady her erratic breathing. "Paris, calm down." I instruct her. "Maybe he just went for a smoke."

Paris nods her head rapidly. "Yeah, okay. You check the east men's room, I'll check the left."

Before she could turn away I grab onto her shoulder. "Rory's in there," I nod in the direction of the room I just came out of. "She can help check with you." She just nods her head at me before storming off.

Running towards the men's bathroom was a lot more work than I thought. Stopping in front of the men's bathroom I braced myself for whatever I might see in there.

I rushed inside without looking to see if anyone was coming out. Not exactly my best idea. I ran straight into something tall and hard that made me land flat on the floor.

"I'm gonna pretend I didn't just see you run towards the men's room," I heard Tristan say from above me.

I push myself off the floor and give him a punch on the shoulder. "Why aren't you changed?" I asked as I took in his casual wear. "Paris is going crazy!"

"I'm not in the play."

I took in his solemn expression that told me that something wasn't right. His head hung low as if he got caught doing something that he wasn't supposed to do. Which knowing Tristan, was definitely a possibility.

"What do you mean you're not in the play?" I exclaim. "You're on in ten minutes!"

Tristan sighs before looking at me with a desperate look. "I mean I can't cause my dad pulled me out of school."

"What do you mean you got pulled out of school?" I ask, not believing him.

"Nothing, just ticked the old man off."

"Bullshit. What did you do?" I press on.

Tristan rubs the back of his neck. "I got in some trouble with Duncan and Bowman."

"Involving?"

His eyes flick upwards as if regretting his decision. No doubt he did. "Involving Bowman's dad's safe."

I shake my head at him. "I told you they were no good," I chide disappointingly. I began to list off multiple ways that he could get out of this.

"Cassie," he stops me. "It's no use, the authorities let my parents handle this. And that means military school." He explains defeatedly.

"Why would you do this?"

Tristan shrugs. "I'll ponder all about that in military school."

I let out a sigh, deciding that there was nothing I could do for my friend. "I'll miss you."

As I began to walk back towards the hall Tristan followed me and slung his arm around his shoulder. For once, I didn't push him away.

"Where have you been? We go on in five minutes!" Paris shouts as Tristan and I approach her.

"I can't be in the play," Tristan says not looking into Paris' eyes.

Paris looks at him with a glare on her face. If looks could kill, Tristan wouldn't have to worry about military school anymore.

"You're not in the-" Paris stops herself short. "You know what? Never mind! Cassie, come with me." Paris doesn't check to see if I'm following as she stalks off.

"Well," I start looking at Tristan sadly. "See you later, alligator."

"In a while, crocodile."

I gave him one final smile before following after Paris.