Title: Spend My Life With You

Chapter: seven

Disclaimer: umI own the characters you've never seen before, you know, like Sharon, Laura, Darrel etc. yeah, and that's about it! ^_^

A/N: Sorry about the hastiness' of the previous chapterI know it looked kind of rushed un-formatted, but I realised I hadn't posted anything for that fic for a long time so I went straight to work to get the chapter up ASAP so that it wouldn't dwindle into non-existence . I'll try to make up for it in this chapter tho.. R/r thank you for your reviews!!! ^_^

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Spend My Life With You

Chapter Seven

There was a brisk knock on the door. Rory swallowed, and stood up to get it. Brushing her brown hair back behind her shoulders, her gaze fell on Laura, who was sitting on her purple beanbag looking extremely guilty. Ever since she found out how things really happened at the coffee shop, she hadn't uttered a word, besides a feeble sorry'. Melody had seemed very quiet too. She was reading Rory's notes on journalism silently, which was very strange considering Melody hardly ever studied in front of people. It was hard to believe that Melody actually studied at all, but Rory knew her friend better than that. Melody's grades were too high for her to get through without studying. Just where she found the time though, between bouncing up and down, shopping with Bonnie, and going to class, Rory was at a loss.

Rory, do you want me to get the door? Sharon offered, watching Rory sympathetically. Rory shot her friend a grateful glance. Sharon was the only one out of the four who still was acting reasonably normal. Sharon could always be counted on to be practical and levelheaded.

No, thanks for offering. Rory smiled back at Sharon, even though her insides were tied in knots. I have to face him sooner or later. Might as well be sooner.

Rory crossed the lounge room in a couple of steps, and unlocked the door. Turning the knob, she opened the door. Laura sat up with interest, Melody looked up from Rory's notes and Sharon simply watched. Rory gazed up into the stormy blue-green eyes of who the four girl's prophesised it would be; Tristan Dugrey.

Tristan, do you want to come inside? Rory asked uneasily.

Tristan nodded coldly. Yeah, okay, he said, keeping his voice neutral.

Rory opened the door wider and motioned for him to come in. Tristan walked in, his shoulders stiff and his muscles tense. He levelled his eyes with Laura's sternly as he passed her, and she looked away, picking up the nearest thing to her and pretending to be interested in it. It was her key ring. She toyed with it, pretending that she was fascinated with its intricate patterns. Sharon swivelled around in the computer chair and turned to the computer, and promptly started typing. Melody was still reading Rory's notes, but Rory could tell that she was really listening to what was going on; Melody was still on the first page after half an hour. Rory stood and stared at Tristan expectantly. The atmosphere in the room was very tense.

Okay, you guys can just stop the charade. Tristan finally said. What do you think I am, stupid? If you want to hear what I'm saying at least be honest about it.

Melody looked up and instantly defended herself. But I really am studying! she frowned, and flipped to the next page of Rory's notes. Tristan strode over to Melody and plucked Rory's notes out of her hands. Melody frowned and glared at Tristan.

If you want to study he paused momentarily, glancing at the notes. 'The Fundamental Laws of Journalism', go to your room or something. My voice would probably just hinder your learning, as if it isn't already hindered enough.

Melody glared, stood up and snatched the notes of Tristan, marching off to her room. She slammed the door. Rory blinked, and swallowed. There was silence again. Then Sharon spoke up.

What gives you the right to come in here and tell as all what we should do, where we should study, and all that. We pay the rent here, not you, it's our place so respect that. She said, facing Tristan defiantly.

Your girlfriend isn't the one who's thinking about leaving Harvard to go to Boston. Tristan retorted, his eyes set coldly on Sharon.

Then maybe you should be the one standing by her side and comforting her, instead of coming here and harassing Rory and her friends. Sharon shot back.

You don't know what you're talking about. Tristan snarled.

So sue me, was Sharon's reply, and then acting like nothing had happened, swivelled around in her chair and continued typing. Laura whistled, but cut herself short when Tristan turned on her.

And you, why did you treat Kristie so badly? What did she ever do to you? He almost shouted. She didn't do a damn thing, and you turned on her like she caused the apocalypse or something.

There was a pause, and Rory knew Laura was considering whether or not to say something. Finally she spoke. Rory didn't do anything to you, was her quiet reply. Why do you treat her so bad? She's been nothing but friendly, and you've ignored her like she's nothing, or so I've heard.

Well that's different.

I'm sure.

Rory gave Laura a warning glance. It's okay, it doesn't matter Laura. She almost whispered, her voice shaking, but Laura was still glaring at Tristan.

She said, and looked away. Tristan seemed to explode.

Get out of here! he yelled in her face, and grabbing her beanbag with his hands, he dragged it from out under her and threw it at the computer. Sharon cried in protest as the screen went blank.

My thesis! she said, distraught. You idiot! I didn't save it!

Just get out of here. Tristan snarled, now facing Sharon. Leave me to talk to Rory, alone.

Sharon and Laura nervously exited, staring at Rory nervously. Rory could hear them outside the dorm talking to each other.

What do you want, Tristan? Rory asked.

I want a bit more respect from you. Kristie didn't do anything, and you know it.

Well what do you want me to do? Rory said, exasperated. Do you want me to go over to Kristie on my knees begging her forgiveness? Because as far as I remember I didn't do anything wrong.

You walked out on her at that coffee shop. Tristan declared angrily.

Walked out on her?! What am I, her husband? I just met her today, okay? So excuse me if she's not the most important person in my life. Rory shouted back.

She's the most important person in my life. Tristan said harshly, and Rory winced slightly, her heart skipping a beat. Breathing in and out calmly, she waited until her heart was working at the usual pace, and then spoke.

Well, you've dropped way down on my list of important people. Rory said slowly. So I don't really care what you think of her.

Are you sure about that? Tristan said slyly.

What do you mean? Rory asked, confused. She pushed some stray strands of hair behind her ear.

Let me rephrase that. You did tell your friends that you loved me, didn't you? Well, according to Kristie, Tristan said.

Rory was at a loss for words. Not sure of what to say, she decided that there was nothing to say; nothing except the truth.

I did love you, Tristan. As a friend, maybe more, I don't know. Maybe it wasn't even love, maybe it was jealously or desperation. But the important thing is that I don't love you anymore. I love Jess. He voice wavered as she said it, but she felt a satisfaction deep inside because she knew it was the truth and nothing Tristan could say could twist it around.

Jess? You're boyfriend?

Something flickered in Tristan's eyes. It could have been regret, but Rory couldn't be sure. You love him?

Rory exhaled slowly. she breathed.

Tristan stared at Rory for another moment and then took off, out the door, slamming it behind him. The moment he was gone Melody rushed out of her room and ran to Rory.

Rory are you okay? Gosh, he was so mean. What did he say? Melody watched Rory, wife-eyed. You are going to tell me, aren't you?

If I tell you, are you going to tell Bonnie?

Melody paused, and thought to herself. Well, if you don't want me to, I wont. She smiled a little. I guess there are some things you can't even tell your best friend. Melody admitted. Rory smiled at Melody, just as Sharon and Laura burst into the room.

Rory! He left here in a huge huff and are you okay and what happened? Laura exclaimed. Sharon walked over to Rory.

You okay? she asked. Rory nodded.

So what happened? Melody asked impatiently.

Rory began. Before I tell you, you have to promise that anything I say wont go out of this room. I don't want to be the next victim of campus gossip.

I promise. Sharon said immediately.

Me too, declared Melody. I wont even tell Bonnie.

Everyone looked at Laura. Laura sighed, and rolled her eyes.

Okay, okay, I promise too. I'm serious! she added, quailing under Sharon's glare.

So, he started off by saying Rory continued.

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And then he left. There was silence when Rory finished speaking. Laura shifted uncomfortably.

Do you know what, you guys? she said, staring very hard at the carpeted floor.

Melody immediately said.

I feel really bad about what I said to Kristie.

Yeah, I feel a little guilty myself, Rory admitted.

I think we all owe her an apology. Sharon spoke for Melody as well as herself.

Rory nodded. Let's apologise right now. Rory said firmly.

What? Now! Melody exclaimed. Melody could always be counted on for an enthusiastic response.

I don't know about saying sorry so soon Laura said.

No time like the present. Come on Laura, it'll make you feel better. Rory smiled at her rich friend. We'll all go. Together.

We all have something to apologise for, anyway. Might as well get it over and done with. Sharon shrugged.

But first we have to find her, before we can apologise to her. Melody pointed out.

I'm sure not asking Tristan for her address, Rory said, shuddering.

Well, I might have her address. Maybe.

Okay, I have her address. My mother gave it to me. Her dad is and mine are business partners and all that. Laura explained, in an answer to Sharon's stare.

Are you going to use it? Rory asked quietly.

There was a pause. Even Melody was silent. Then

Let's go! Melody called out, and bounced up and sped out the door.

Melody wait! You don't even know where you're going! Laura called out, and dashed out the door to try and catch up with Melody.

Sharon laughed, shaking her head, and obligingly followed. Rory stood alone in the lounge room for a second, and collected herself.

Rory! Hurry up! she could hear Sharon' voice from the window.

I'm coming! Rory called back, and grinned, feeling lucky to have such close friends. Then she walked out of the door, being careful to make sure it was locked before she left.

So the four friends walked together in the fast-disappearing daylight. With each other, they felt that they could do anything, including apologising to Kristie. As Laura led them to Kristie's house, Rory felt only a slight sensation of butterflies in her stomach. Rory laughed at Melody's enthusiasm, shook their heads at Laura's snobbishness and felt relieved at Sharon's firm-mindedness. This was all she needed; her friends. Rory's pager beeped, and she dug it out of her pocket. It was from Jess. Rory grinned. She had herself, her friends, and Jess, she was living out her dream in Harvard, and she had a mother and a town waiting for her to come home. What more could she want? Not even Tristan could take what she had away from her