Disclaimers: Instead of repeating myself every chapter, this goes for the whole story.  I don't own anything; if I did, CMM would still be on the show.

Author's note 2004/05/07: This story is set during senior year.  Everything that has happened up to the season two final happened.

Author's note 2004/05/18: A special thank you to Mai-Anh who took some of her precious time betaing this chapter instead of studying.

The Thin Line Between Love And Hate
Chapter 1: Summer Always Comes To An End

Watching intensely Chilton's courtyard brightly illuminated by the sun, Rory Gilmore wishes she could be outside, enjoying the last days of summer instead of being held up in a classroom.  First day of senior year, her last year of high school, she feels the pressure of all the tasks lying in front of her.  Still looking out the window, she imagines herself sitting under a tree, reading one of the three books she carries with her.

"Miss. Gilmore!  Even though I could agree with you that looking out the window is quite interesting, I would suggest that you concentrate on today's lesson."

Blushing furiously, Rory looks at her blank notebook, muttering apologies.  Trying to focus on proving a mathematical equation, she can't keep her mind from wandering off.  Finally, the bell rings signalling the end of the morning classes.  Rory storms out of the class, directing herself to her locker. "Gilmore!"

Rory stops instantly to wait for the person calling her to join her, "What do you want Paris?"

Paris starts to walk at the same speed as Rory.  "Well, we have to start planning our first student council meeting, then we have to discuss the Franklin, we also have to organise an orientation day for the freshmen, and finally we have to set up the conference on the best way to fill an application form to the college of our dreams."

Rory stops in front of her locker, not even bothering to respond, knowing that Paris will asks for her opinion when she's finished.  Opening her locker and hiding Paris from her view at the same time, Rory hears Paris, "I was thinking that since tonight is Friday, we could meet tomorrow and brainstorm on all of these subjects. What do you think of noon at your place?"

Placing her books inside her locker, Rory closes her locker and finally looks into Paris's eyes, "Have you ever wondered why they make us attend school for the first day of the year on a Friday?  I'm telling you, it's a waste of time."

Getting annoyed, Paris replies in a tone she would use to speak to Madeline, "It's quite simple; they want us to have our holidays completely out of our head by Monday, when we don't have to pick up schedules and take ID pictures.  Monday is the real day back to school, see today as a get used to go back to school."

"And I suppose that by the end of the day, I'll have so much homework to do that I won't even be able to drink a coffee or two."

"It's not that bad.  So tomorrow, is that all right?"

"Can't we just do that next week?"

"Fine, meet me at the library Monday after school."

Slowly walking away, Rory mutters, "Fine."

Sitting on a hidden bench in the courtyard, Rory is intensely reading her book while listening to her Discman when Louise and Madeline join her uninvited.  While playing with the button of her shirt to bring out the sexiest look she can in her uniform, Louise asks, "So Rory, you never returned my call.  Are you coming to my little 'Back to school' beach party or not?"

Rory closes her book, "I don't know, it's Friday and I'm bound to have dinner with my grandparents on Friday.  And I'm not a party girl."

Madeline's eyebrows rise, giving her a confused look, "But you came to one of my parties and you had fun."

As Rory opens her mouth to speak, Louise decides it's her turn to speak, "Well, now Rory you don't have a choice in the matter.  You went to one of Maddy's parties; you have to come to one of mine."

"But I have to be at dinner tonight, I really can't."

Louise takes a bored attitude and declares while standing up, "Don't worry about your grandparents, Rory; I'll make sure that you're excused from going tonight."

Madeline stands up smiling at Rory, "Bye Rory."

Rory watches her two 'friends' leave and mutters under her breath, "Freaky!  How can I get myself out of this one?"

Entering Doose's market, Rory searches for Dean.  As she finds him stacking cans of peas on the shelf, she slowly walk up to him.  "Hey Dean."

Bending down to kiss her cheek, Dean smiles lovingly at Rory, "Hey, how was your day?"

Taking a couple of cans to help Dean out, Rory answers, "Kind of weird.  Louise insisted that I go to her party tonight."

"But it's Friday."

"I know and I told her that but she said that she will take care of it."

"How?"

"I don't know but I'm not the one who's going to call my grandma and ask her."

"What are you going to do?"

"If my grandmother doesn't call me, I'm not going to the party."

"And if she calls?"

"I suppose I'll have to attend the party.  Would you come with me?"

"I would love to but Taylor insisted that I work 'till to midnight to help him do the fruit inventory.  Miss Patty has tasted more of it this week than previously agreed and Taylor wants to know how much he should charge her for busting her ratio."

"Oh.  I'm so sorry, it's probably be a long night for you, counting apples and grapes."

"I know.  I just hope that Taylor doesn't have the exact count on how many raisins are attached to each grape."

Rory laughs softly, "He probably knows. Well, I have to get home before I meet my mom.  Call me tomorrow?"

"Sure."  Rory kisses Dean on the lips quickly walking toward the exit.  As she nears it, Dean asks, "About tonight, why don't you ask Lane?"

Rory turns to look at her dear boyfriend a bright smile covering her lips, "I might just do that."

Fidgeting with her keys to enter her house, Rory finally opens the door.  Kicking her shoes off and dropping her school bag in the foyer, she enters the living room witnessing that the answering machine's light is blinking. On her way to her room to change her clothes, she presses the 'play' button.  "Lorelai, when will you learn to make a professional welcome message? This one is unprofessional, I would've expected more from you.  Rory, I got this strange call today, Mrs.Grant who is a member on the board of the country club announced to me that her daughter invited you to a reception she is holding tonight and that you decline attending to have dinner with us.  Nonesense Rory; go have fun at this reception.  You need to socialise more if you want to have a good standing in society.  Lorelai we're still expecting you at seven sharp, don't be late."  BEEP.

Entering Kim Antique, Rory calls out for Lane.  Surprisingly, over the summer the antique shop became less messy and more inviting. "Lane?"

Lane appears in front of Rory, motioning Rory to be silent before going up the stairs followed by Rory.  The second they are securely confined in Lane's room, "Rory!  You have to get me out of here tonight.  I can't stand it, Mama decided to hold the church meetings, the prayer meetings, and the religious meetings here from now on.  It has been like this all summer long and since you were away, I had to suffer the torture but now that you are back…  Can I go with you to your grandparents?  Better yet, can I just hang out at your house?  I'll tell Mama that you're tutoring me in chemistry."

"I think we'll have to rework your whole breathing therapy Lane if you don't want to suffocate while speaking. And I can't tutor you yet since you haven't even started school yet, lucky you."

"You're right, I can't say that, but I need to get out of here."

"How about you're coming to a Chilton party with me and sleep over at my house?"

"And I could simply tell her that we need to catch up since you were away all summer.  Okay, she hasn't seen you come in, just leave by the window and I'll meet you at Luke's in an hour."

"Things I do in the name of friendship." Rory climbs out the roof to go meet her mother at Luke's.

Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed the first chapter.
Siaram