Author's Note: Nothing to say except that I really hope you review, it's down at the bottom so read your way through…

Chapter 6

"Hey Mary." Rory sighed and slammed her locker shut to reveal Tristan leaning against the row of lockers.

"Tristan," she said curtly. With that she turned around and made her way to the first period of the day. ~At least I know I'm not dreaming this time~ she thought silently to herself.

"Where are you off to in such a hurry?" he asked falling in step beside her.

"Gee, I haven't the faintest idea, class maybe? Seems logical since first period starts in five minutes." she answered not slowing down a bit.

"So when are we working on the lab, it's due Friday you know?"

"Yes, Tristan, I know." she replied clearly irritated.

"I'm thinking we have to work on it after school every day this week." he said in a tone that clearly said he enjoyed the torment he was giving her.

"Ugh…" she moaned. "Fine, whatever."

Tristan just smirked as he opened the door to their first period English class and followed after her. As he sat down in his seat behind her she could just feel that this was going to be a LONG day.

By the last period of the day she was going to rip her hair out. Not only did the teachers assign the standard Chilton homework load but she had to deal with Paris and her groupies giving her a hard time. All she wanted to do was go home and chug a gallon or two of coffee but no such luck.

"Hey Mare, ready for our date?" Tristan asked slightly leaning against the door of her locker.

"It's not a date Tristan, it's two hours in hell." she replied angrily as she roughly zipped up her backpack and slightly pushed Tristan away so she could slam her locker.

"Whoa, bad day?" he asked in sincerity.

Rory was about to turn to him and hit him with a biting insult but instead softened her expression at the hint of concern in his voice. "Yeah, I guess you could say that." she replied biting her lip and looking down.

Tristan cleared his throat nervously, "Um…so let's go."

With that they walked to the parking lot and hopped in his car. Neither said anything during the drive. Rory just sat staring out her window, but every now and then she could sense Tristan's gaze on her. When they arrived and entered the house there was a bustle of people walking around.

"Mom!" Tristan called out, seconds later his mother came out of the kitchen talking to a woman in a peach business suit. "What's going on? Who are these people?"

"Oh, Tristan dear! Meet Sheila, she's our party consultant for your father's business party this Saturday."

Tristan didn't even acknowledge Sheila but continued to stare at his mother.

"Saturday?"

"Yes, it's the party that the firm holds every year, it's our turn to host it, why do you ask?" she inquired.

"Saturday's my birthday. How could you forget?" he asked with a trace of sadness.

"Oh, well, I'm sorry honey but I can't reschedule the party, the invitations went out a month ago!" she said hurriedly.

"A month! You've been planning for a month and in that time you didn't remember my birthday?" Tristan asked in shock.

Rory stood a little off to the side. ~How could they forget his birthday? She doesn't even seem sorry~ she thought to herself. At the moment her heart softened toward Tristan a little more.

"Well, I don't know what to say Tristan! There's nothing…"

"Excuse me ma'am?" one of the attendants interrupted. "There seems to be a rather large…erm…object taking up space in the living room. We were wondering what you wanted us to do with it."

"What object?!" Tristan's mother asked in curiosity.

"It's our biology project." Rory said, speaking up for the first time since their arrival. "A bio dome, our assignment is about genetics. We cross- pollinated a few plants to make hybrids and observe the traits they picked up. I'm surprised you haven't seen it, kind of hard to miss in your own house." she said adding the last part as a joke.

"Yes, well Tristan's father and I just got back from a trip to Italy, I'm afraid I haven't seen it yet. Tristan be so kind as to remove it, so we can start setting up for the party, I'm going to need a full four days to get everything prepared. Oh, and I'm sorry but who are you?" she asked Rory.

"Oh, um, Rory Gilmore. It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. DuGrey." she said extending her hand towards the woman.

"Yes, I'm sure." she said and quickly turned around to make further party arrangements.

Rory pulled back her hand embarrassed. Tristan dropped his shoulders slightly and his face softened into pain.

"Sorry you had to see that." he said quietly. "Why don't you go up to my room, they won't bother us there."

With a slight nod Rory made her way to his room with much difficulty considering she had only been there once before to help him search for the seeds for the bio dome when they first started the project. In the minutes she had to wait she thought about how when he suggested they work in his room there was no witty remark with it. She scrunched her face into a frown. She turned around quickly at the sound of his footsteps.

"I'm sorry my mom was rude to you." he said softly as he set the bio dome on the floor.

"It's okay." she responded just as softly. "I'm sorry she forgot your birthday."

"Not the first time."

Rory's mouth dropped open in shock. How could they forget his birthday more than once?

Seeing this action Tristan responded by saying, "My parents have forgotten my birthday pretty much every other year since I was five. You would think I was used to it by now. Guess it's different for you."

"No one's ever forgotten my birthday. There's a whole list of everyone's birthday in the town posted on the community bulletin board. Kind of helpful in the sense you always know when someone's birthday is but is kinda a curse considering you have to invite the whole town to the party cuz they know about it. Oh and don't even get me started on the torture you receive if for some reason you do forget…I'm sorry I'm babbling." she said noticing the somewhat amused look on Tristan's face.

"No, it's okay. Must be nice, living in a place where you know you're loved and no one cares about your social status." he mused quietly, suddenly interested in their science project. "So, let's get started on this thing."

Rory just nodded her head. The rest of the night they barely talked. By the time six rolled around both were tired of observing the plants and decided to call it a night. On the ride home small conversation about the music lightened the mood.

"Do you realize this is the first time since we've met that we've had a genuine conversation? One where there were no insults thrown and where we just acted like…"

Rory started but stopped to search for an appropriate word.

"Friends?" Tristan finished.

"Yeah." she said thoughtfully. "It's nice."

Tristan just nodded slightly and went back to focusing on the road. In a few minutes they pulled up to her house.

"So," Rory began gently, "since your mom is preparing for the party, did you wanna work here, at my house, for the rest of the week?" she asked biting her lip in anticipation.

"Yeah, I guess."

"Okay, see you tomorrow."

With that she got out of the car and waited till he was out of sight until she sprinted into the house.

"Mom! Mom!" she called out as she took off her jacket and shoes.

"In the living room, babe!" Lorelai called back.

Rory ran into the living room to find Lorelai and Luke sitting on the couch watching a movie.

"Good your both here." she said turning off the TV.

"Hey, we were watching that!" Lorelai whined but Rory silenced her by holding up her hand and opening her mouth to speak.

"No time, we have a party to plan."

Thank you so all who reviewed! Keep reviewing and I'll post the next chapter, which in case you're wondering, is already written and ready for uploading. Just review and I'll press the magic little button that provides you with more L/L and T/R goodness!