Part 3: Paris' New Friend

Paris and Rory got through their first full week in Washington D.C. with their typical workman-like pace. By the end of the week, they were both tired of sitting in seminars that seemed to go on forever and decided to stay mostly in their rooms for the rest of the day on Friday, watching movies and reading. As Rory was reading a copy of Entertainment Weekly, Paris heard the telephone ringing and reached over to answer it.

"Hello." Paris said into the receiver.

"Hey Paris." Jenny said.

"Jenny how did you get our number?"

"I stayed in that room before. Besides i saw your room number on your key and since they haven't changed the phone number, i thought i would give you a call."

"Why would you want to call me?"

"Just to see if you and your friend, what's her name?" Jenny said.

"Rory." Paris said.

"Oh okay. Anyway i was wondering if you two are still coming to the party tomorrow."

"I don't know if we want to come."

"Why not?"

"Well we're not much for parties."

"Look Paris you promised me that you would come." Jenny said, slightly pissed off. "I know that you don't have a life, but it wouldn't kill you to come to the party."

"Well alright." Paris sighed. "What time is it starting?"

"We're probably going to start around 11:00. We'll swing by to pick you two up at 10:30. By the way Paris, could you please not wear anything nerdy and don't bring a book."

"I'll try."

"That's good enough for me." Jenny said. "Anyway i've got to go now. I'll see you and Rory here tomorrow."

"Okay bye." Paris said as she hanged up the phone.

"So we're going to the party tomorrow?" Rory asked, taking her attention from the magazine.

"Yeah i'm afraid so."

"Well it's better than just sitting here doing our usual routine."

"Alright i'll go." Paris sighed. "But the minute someone tries anything to embarrass me, i'm leaving."

"Okay." Rory said as she turned her attention back to reading her magazine.

Paris went through her bags to find an outfit to wear at the party. She didn't like going to parties, mainly because of past mistreatment of some previous parties she went to. However Paris decided that it would fitting for her and Rory to go, mainly for the possibility of them meeting someone worthwhile and interesting.

* * * * *

Paris and Rory arrived at the party with Jenny. As they went inside the large house, Paris and Rory were struck at how many people were in attendance. They immediately went to stand in a corner and watch what was going on in the party.

"Look at that guy running to the bathroom." Paris said, pointing out a random guy. "Poor guy can't even hold his alcohol."

"Must be his first party." Rory said.

"Yeah."

Paris and Rory left briefly to get some soda before they returned to the corner. As they continue to watch what was transpiring around them, Rory begin to notice a guy watching them. At first she though it was a momentary glance and ignored, but then she started to notice his staring more.

"Hey i think that guy is checking us out." Rory whispered into Paris' ear.

Paris immediately turned around to look and saw the guy quickly turning away, talking to one of his friends.

"I find this very surprising." Paris said.

"Do you think he's going to come over here?"

"I think he might since his friends are egging him on."

After some teasing from his friends, the guy begin to approach Paris and Rory. The duo quickly gathered themselves as he came closer.

"Hey." The guy said to Paris and Rory.

"Hi." Paris said.

"I take it you two aren't the partying type."

"What makes you think that?"

"Well you've been standing in this corner for much of the time and haven't talked to anyone else."

"That's some very acute observation there."

"Thanks." the guy said. "By the way my name is Jamie."

"I'm Paris." Paris said as she shook hands with Jamie. "This is my friend and classmate Rory."

"Hi Rory."

"Hey Jamie." Rory said as she shook hands with Jason.

"So what school are you two from?"

"We go to Chilton Prep in Hartford, Connecticut." Paris answered.

"That sounds like your typical stuffy private school."

"Well come to think of it, yes it is your typical stuff institute."

"You haven't told us what school you go to." Rory said.

"I go to Princeton." Jamie replied. "I'm interning here for the summer."

"Princeton eh." Paris said. "How's the academic work there?"

"It's a pretty good load. Why do you ask?"

"Oh nothing."

"Are you planning on going there?"

"No i planning on going to Harvard." Paris said. "At least they value academics over athletics."

"Hey that's an unfair stereotype there Harvard girl." Jamie said. "Just because we're so good at basketball and lacrosse, doesn't mean we can't also kick ass in the classroom. Besides your beloved Crimson won the Ivy football title last season."

"Okay i see your point there."

Rory quickly recognized that the conversation was going to be dominated exclusively by Jamie and Paris and decided to go get something to drink.

"I'm going to get something to drink." Rory said as she headed for the cooler.

As she got a can of Pepsi, Rory looked over and watched Jamie and Paris engaged in their conversation. Rory had a feeling that Paris might've found a guy she could relate to in Jamie. She felt happy that Paris was able to find a guy that could tolerate talking to her for more than a couple of minutes. As she was about to go back over to them, Rory felt someone polking her on the back. Startled by this, she quickly turned around and saw it was Jenny.

"Hi Jenny." Rory said.

"Hey there Rory." Jenny said. "So are you enjoying yourself?"

"Yeah. So far no drunken guys has tried to hit on me."

"That's good for you. I see Paris might've found herself a man. He's kinda cute."

"Yeah."

"How come you haven't talked to any guys here yet?"

"I have a boyfriend back home." Rory said.

"Oh okay." Jenny said. "Just remember that what he doesn't know won't hurt just in case you change your mind."

"I'll remember that."

Jenny's comment made Rory feel more uneasy about her kiss with Jess. Jenny saw a couple of her friends signalling for her.

"Anyway i've got to go now. Have fun Rory."

"I will."

Rory immediately went back over to Jamie and Paris, who were talking about a couple of the painting on the wall of the house. She joined in on the conversation and pretty much spent the rest of the time at the party talking with Jamie and Paris.

* * * * *

A taxi cab came to a stop in front of the hotel lobby. Paris and Rory got out of it, paid for the fare and headed upstairs to their rooms. After entering the room, they immediately changed into their pajamas and got ready for bed. Rory got into her bed and begin reading a book, while Paris flipped around the channels on the TV to see what was on.

"Paris what do you think of Jamie?" Rory asked.

"He's a nice guy." Paris replied. "Why do you asked?"

"Well you were talking to him more than i have seen you do with any guy."

"What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing. It's just i've never seen you interact with any guy like that."

"Rory Jamie isn't your typical guy that would only listen just so he can use some cheesy line in the hope of bedding me. Sure he doesn't have Tristian's stunning looks, but he's a great intelligent guy. Besides it's not like i'm automatically make him my boyfriend."

"Okay then."

Rory resumed reading her book for a couple of more minutes, while Paris turned off the TV and decided to turn in for the night. Rory turned off the lamp and decided to turn in herself. Paris begin thinking what had transpired. Sure she thought a lot of Jamie, but at the same time, she begin to feel guilty about her interacting with Jamie, because of her feelings toward Rory. Paris wanted to spend plenty of time getting closer with Rory on the trip and so far it wasn't happening. As she thought about it some more, Paris begin to feel that something was up with Rory. She didn't know exactly what it was, but decided to ask her about it.

"Rory." Paris said.

"Yeah." Rory replied.

Just as she was about to ask the question, Paris hesitated. She felt that it wasn't the time to ask it.

"Goodnight." Paris said.

"Goodnight." Rory said.

The duo both pulled up the covers on their bed. Rory stayed up briefly, thinking about her situation with Jess and Dean before she fell asleep. Paris stayed up a little longer, thinking about how things weren't going the way she planned with Rory. However she knew that there was plenty of time left and fell asleep for the rest of the night.

To be continued...