Disclaimer: Sadly, neither gilmore girls or chad michael murray belong to me. Yet.


As she stepped out of the Drama classroom, Rory guiltily did a once-over of the corridor, looking for Tristan.

He had been right- Drama was an absolute bore. Especially including the fact that the class just had to sit a major exam.

Usually at this point, Rory would be feeling relieved that the test was over- but not today. She had been responsible for Tristan missing the exam, and what made it even worse was that Mr. O'Donnell had stressed it could and would not be sat at another time. And just to top it all off- Tristan's books had not even been needed. They had not even so much as glanced at their textbooks all lesson.

She didn't like Tristan! Not even as a friend! So why was she feeling so guilty? It was just another stupid test to Tristan… wasn't it?

After a few moments of not seeing him, she pulled out her latest novel, and shut her locker, Tristan's books still in hand.

She was halfway out to her favorite reading spot in the courtyard when she heard Tristan calling out behind her. "Gilmore- Wait up!"

Rory slowed and let Tristan catch up to her. He grinned at her casually and leant against the nearest locker. "Hey there, Mary"

Rory completely avoided eye contact with Tristan but nodded back in greeting.

"So- did I miss anything remotely interesting?" He asked casually, obviously unaware of Rory's discomfort.

Rory took a deep breath. "Yeah, actually you missed something kind of important. You see-"

"Mister DuGrey." A stern voice from behind Tristan cut in.

Tristan did a 180 turn to see his, well, vertically challenged drama teacher glaring up at him.

"Mr. O'Donnell" he greeted, nodding

"Mister DuGrey," he repeated in a very dramatic tone, "Once again you have failed to bless us with your presence at my drama class. Would you care to explain why?"

Before Tristan could say answer, the teacher carried on. "AND- as it happens, today's was a very important class. This morning the students had their written examination, which cannot be sat at another time. Do you realize what this means for you?"

Tristan tried once again to answer him but he kept going, "And as you may well be aware, the examination that was sat today just happens to be 30 of your final grade for this semester. But do you know what else you are graded on?"

Tristan didn't even attempt to answer as he slumped back on to the lockers. "Attendance." Mr. O'Donnell ploughed on, "Your attendance to my class this semester accounts for another 30 of your final grade. Now, you're in a bit of a pickle, aren't you Mister DuGrey?"

Tristan had a look on his face that clearly displayed that he did not care. But Mr. O'Donnell just kept going. "Due to the fact that you have only showed up to 3 of the 9 classes so far this semester, I have no choice but to give you an F for attendance. As well as this, you have been awarded an automatic fail on your examination this morning for not turning up. Now Mister DuGrey, do you know what this means?"

Suspecting that this was once again, a rhetorical question, Tristan stood there waiting for him to rampage on again. But after a moment, he realized Mr. O'Donnell actually wanted him to answer. Tristan stood up straight and said carelessly, "No?"

This enraged Mr. O'Donnell. "Mister DuGrey, this means you are going to fail drama!!"

This panicked Tristan. "Fail?"

Mr. O'Donnell smiled slyly at the fact that he finally had Tristan's attention. "Yes. Fail." He repeated. "Unless…"

Tristan was growing impatient with this tiny man, "Yes?"

"Well there is one way you could boost your score up to scrape a pass. I have some extra-credit work in mind…"

Tristan nodded, urging the tiny man to go on.

"Chilton's annual musical is coming up later this term. Considering your natural acting ability, the cast would most likely benefit if you were a part of it. If you were to audition for this musical, and get a role, then I will pass you. That is- only if I feel that your performance is to the very highest standard."

Tristan smirked. Too easy. "Alright. You got yourself a deal, Little Man." Tristan said, shaking hands with the teacher, noting that Mr. O'Donnell looked unphased by his comment. He started to move away when he decided to ask, "But I do have one question- what musical is it?"

Mr. O'Donnell matched Tristan's smirk. "Peter Pan." He said, coolly.

"What?!" Tristan cried out, "No way." He shook his head and slumped back against the locker once again. "Tristan Janlen DuGrey does not do Peter Pan."

Mr. O'Donnell mimicked Tristan's posture and said calmly, "And does Tristan Janlen DuGrey- grandson of Margaret Delarou, I might add- fail drama?"

Tristan sighed, clearly defeated. "No, sir."

Mr. O'Donnell smiled cheerfully. "Well then Mister DuGrey, I will see you at auditions!"

Mr. O'Donnell then turned to see Rory standing behind Tristan, who looked very torn- not knowing whether she should laugh or feel guilty. "And Miss Gilmore? I suspect I'll see you at auditions also!"

Rory immediately shook herself out of her daze. "Me? Uh, no, sir. Drama isn't really my forte."

"But Miss Gilmore, surely being in a Chilton musical would look most impressive on your application to college."

"With all due respect, sir, I'd really rather not."

"Oh, but Miss Gilmore, last year Lydia Grant had the main role in the Chilton musical and she was accepted into every college she applied to- including Harvard."

Tristan smirked at her, enjoying her discomfort, "Yes, Miss Gilmore. Harvard." He piped in

Rory glared at Tristan and bit back her remark about how Lydia had only applied for Harvard and replied, "I'm sorry sir. Maybe next year."

Mr. O'Donnell shrugged. "Well then, suit yourself." He adjusted the scarf around his neck and turned back to Tristan and said, "Mr. DuGrey, I expect you to have put your name on the auditions list on the Drama notice board and taken a copy of the audition piece to memorize for your audition by the end of the day. Auditions are this Thursday at lunchtime in the auditorium. Don't be late!" With this, Mr. O'Donnell turned on his heel and walked away.

As soon as he was gone, Rory hit Tristan on the arm. "Tristan! What was that for?"

Tristan looked at Rory innocently. "What? All I did was encourage the little shit."

"Exactly!"

Suddenly, Tristan turned serious. "Well Mary, if my memory serves me correctly, the reason I missed that un-re-sittable test this morning and am now forced into doing Peter bloody Pan was because somebody needed my text books. And you can't turn up to Mr. O.D's class without your textbooks." He deadpanned.

This enraged Rory. "No one forced you to lend me your books! In fact- if my memory serves me correctly, your exact words were, 'Drama is a bore. I was planning to skip it anyway'." She mimicked, putting on a deep voice before adding, "Were they not?"

Tristan smirked. "Remembering my exact words now, Mary?"

Rory rolled her eyes and huffed. 'Talk about mood swings' "Your impossible, you know that?"

Tristan's smirk remained plastered to his face, "Impossible? Mary, Mary, Mary. How many times do I need to tell you? If you want me-just say the word."

"My name is RORY" she cried, utterly frustrated, and walked past Tristan, out to the courtyard, unaware that Tristan's books were still in her hands.

"See you at auditions!" he called after her

"I'm not auditioning!" she called back.

Tristan smiled innocently at her retreating back and walked towards the cafeteria.


AN Thanks so much for all the reviews from last chapter- I know everyone says it but they really do make a difference. So keep up the good work and I will too lol