Spend My Life With You

Chapter Nine

An Unexpected Friend

A/N: I haven't worked on this fan fiction in a while so sorry if it is a little hazy. This is practically just fluff, put in to fill time, but also to remind me of the personality of my characters and to further the plot slightly. So bear with me, and I hope you enjoy the chapter! Oh yeah, and thanks for all your great reviews!

You tried to sleep with Haydn in a church? Sharon repeated disbelievingly. Melody shrieked with laughter and even Rory found it hard not to chuckle.

Come on, guys, get over it. You found out about it four days ago. Laura said, blushing.

Yeah, guys, give it a break. Rory said with a grin, siding with Laura.

Okay, okay. Sharon smiled, and held her hands up in defeat.

You have to admit, it's pretty funny though. Melody said, but was quietened with a glare from Laura.

There was silence for a couple of seconds. Then

In a church! Rory exclaimed, and the three girls fell over themselves in laughter once more. Laura just fumed.

Shut up! she yelled. There was a knock at the door.

Oooh! It's probably Haydn. Melody teased, grinning. Laura got to her feet and let out a long-suffering sigh. She trod over to the door, already in a bad mood, and unlocked it, to find the least person she expected on the other side. Tristan.

What do you think you're doing here?

At Laura's icy tone, Rory turned around. Her eyes met Tristan's for a second before she tore her gaze away.

Can I come in? he asked, his voice a little husky.

Laura said stubbornly, and slammed the door in his face.

Melody protested. How rude!

He deserved it! Laura objected, shooting a glare at Melody.

You're just pissed of because it wasn't Haydn!

That's it, you're dead!

Melody shrieked as Laura started pulling her hair. Sharon jumped forward to separate the two. While the three girls in the room were appropriately occupied, Rory walked over to the door and opened it, to see if Tristan was still outside. He was, much to Rory's surprise.

You wanted something? Rory asked.

yeah, but, is it a bad time? Tristan motioned towards the Armageddon that was breaking out behind Rory, one which consisted of Melody screaming, Laura, admit it, you're in denial!, Laura beating Melody over the head with a lipstick holder, and Sharon trying to separate the two with Rory's journalism folder. Rory shrugged.

They're like that all the time, she said almost apologetically, and stared at Tristan. Tristan was surprised to find out how much she changed over the past couple of days. She was no longer the loyal, best buddy from Chilton, now she was just an acquaintance', someone who hardly remembered him. But, of course, he had made sure to squash her high hopes of becoming good friends like they once were. This is what he wanted, wasn't it? Well, wasn't it?

What was it that you wanted? Rory's quiet voice interrupted his thoughts, and Tristan thought it ironic that her words reflected what he had been thinking.

Tristan pushed his stray thoughts out of his mind and scratched the back of his fine-looking head, trying to ignore the flying hairbrushes zooming across Rory's dorm. I wanted to apologise, and ask a favour of you he said.

What favour? Rory asked a little warily.

Tristan said, wiping his palms on his shirt, a sign that he was nervous. it's just that Kristie, she doesn't have many friends besides you four, because she's new

Tristan pulled her out of the way just in time before a purple hairbrush flew over the spot her head had been a couple of moments ago. Melody called.

Tristan sighed, and Rory straightened up.

No prob. Anyway, yeah, it's Kristie's birthday soon and I was wondering if you and your friends would help me and Darrel organise a surprise party for her.

Rory could tell that Tristan just wanted to be up and out of her dorm as quick as possible, so she nodded, just to get rid of him. Sure, whatever.

Tristan's face broke into a relieved smile. Cool, thanks Rory. Um, tell your friends to meet me in front of your dorm next Saturday afternoon or something, okay?

He didn't wait to hear her reply, but instead rushed off with a hurried wave. Rory shook her head and sighed, then re-entered her dorm, looking left and right for flying objects before she crossed the threshold of course.

* * * * *

Rory wore her favourite jeans and her red, tight blouse to Saturday. She wanted to wear clothes she felt comfortable in, because she figured that if she was going to feel uncomfortable in every other way, she might as well wear comfortable clothes. Melody was wearing a purple shirt and white pants, with a bright orange ribbon in her hair- it was one of her hyper days. She was chatting on her mobile to Bonnie, which was to be expected. Laura was done up like a model, with the attitude to go with it. Sharon, though, was dressed just as casually as Rory. She eyed Laura with a disapproving glance.

That top is very, um, revealing, Laura she said, but Laura gave Sharon's hip hugger pants and blue sweater one sophisticated glance, which shut her up. Rory sighed and turned to Sharon.

Tell me why I'm doing this, again. She pleaded.

Because you wanted to get rid of Tristan, and you knew he wasn't going to leave until you accepted, and you felt you owed it to Kristie and also because you're such a kind and lovely person. Sharon supplied helpfully. Rory nodded. She could relate to all of that.

Hurry up! Tristan yelled from outside their dorm where he was waiting with Darrel. They had been waiting for at least half an hour- Laura wanted to change outfitstwice.

Okay, okay, I'm ready! Laura announced, and the four girls filed out of the dorm, Rory locking the door behind her.

As soon as they got downstairs, Tristan, complete with his attitude, spun on his heel and started walking to his shiny BMW, which was parked not far to where their dorm was. Next to it was a flashy red Ferrari.

Oooh, nice, Laura commented on the Ferrari, and Darrel grinned charmingly, as he patted the hood.

It's mine, he said, not bothering to hide his pride.

Rory blinked as she heard Darrel's voice. She didn't really notice that he was there until he spoke, but now that she did, there was something about himsomething in the way he walked and talked that reminded her of Jess. Maybe it was his easy-going nature, but whatever it was, it made Rory's heart beat faster.

said Tristan, strictly businesslike. We'll have to split up, there's not enough room in the one car.

Not wanting to be caught in a car with Tristan, and somehow feeling less lethal towards Darrel, Rory said, Okay, well I can pair up with Darrel, and Melody, Laura, and Sharon, you all can go into Tristan's car.

Darrel walked over to Rory and swung a good-natured arm around her shoulders. That could work, he said, looking pleased.

I'm sure, Tristan muttered, and gave Darrel a dark glare. Darrel was puzzled. Why was Tristan always glaring these days? Shrugging it off, he unlocked his car, and opened the door for Rory. She stepped into the car and waited patiently for him to come around the other side, while watching her friends file into Tristan's car. She almost felt sorry for him when she heard Melody exclaim, Oh no! I left my hairbrush on top of the computer!

* * * * *

The ride in Darrel's car was surprisingly fun, when Rory thought back on it.

So, where are we going, anyway? Rory asked, as soon as they were on the road. She still didn't know Darrel very well and wasn't completely sure that she trusted him.

Kristie's house, he replied shortly, and Rory vaguely remembered him answering the door when her and her friends went to apologise'.

Yeah, sorry about that whole crony thing, and the whole coercing you to let us in thing. We just wanted to apologise to Kristie. She said, feeling like she had been saying a lot of sorrys' lately.

Darrel gave her a quick glance – as quick as he could manage driving. Oh, you don't need to say sorry, it's cool. I wasn't even offended or anything. Water off a duck's back.

Rory smiled. This guy was way nicer than Tristan. So, are you good friend's with Kristie? she asked.

I've seen her around a bit. You know, with Tristan watching her like a hawk it's kind of hard to get to know her. He replied, and Rory thought, so true. How about you? Are you good friends with her?

Rory thought about it. I'm not really sure, I mean, I've only known her for a couple of weeks, at the most.

How did you guys meet? Darrel asked, and Rory was surprised that this was one member of the opposite gender that could actually carry a conversation. More than she could say for some people.

Well, I was on my way to class, and she was being verbally beaten up by these really preppy and annoying Laura-type girls, because they were jealous of her relationship with Tristan, Rory swallowed as she said it to get rid of the small lump in her throat. So I stood up for her, and yeah, after that she considered me a friend. Rory shrugged. Anyone else would've done the same.

Darrel flashed a small grin. This girl was way too modest that he wasn't even going try to take the bait. Instead of saying something like, not just anyone would do that,' he said, Well, I guess it was just luck, or fate, that you were in the right place at the right time.

Rory caught onto his thoughts and frowned, thinking this guy was a way too quick thinker. Just like Jess. Yeah, fate Rory trailed off.

Darrel, sensing that the conversation was loosing its spice', asked, So, you know Tristan for long?

Rory's head turned immediately to face Darrel. Yes, no, I don't know! Why, what did he say? Then she immediately felt stupid. Darrel, Tristan's crony, was probably going to report every little thing that she said back to Tristan, and then he'd find some offence to Kristie in it. No, just forget I said that.

Can't forget, sorry. It's against my nature. Darrel smiled encouragingly, but when this provoked no response from his passenger, he said a little quieter, I won't tell him what you don't want me to.

Rory turned away, just in time to see Kristie's house fly past the window. Hey, you missed my stop, she complained. Darrel stopped the car immediately and did a U-turn back, turning again to park in Kristie's driveway next to Tristan's BMW. Tristan and the rest must have been inside.

Is Kristie home? Rory asked, as Darrel got out and opened the door for her, like a true gentleman.

No, she's out with her parents. First Saturday of every month, she gets to see them. She gave Tristan her spare keys to her house, anyway, so it's all good.

Rory smiled, enjoying his kind talking. As they went inside Kristie's house, of which the door was unlocked, they were met by Tristan's glare. What took you so long?

Rory promptly joined her friends on the other side of the room when she realised the question was aimed more or less and Darrel. Darrel dismissed Tristan's glare with a sigh, and patted his shoulder reassuringly. Wouldn't you like to know, was all he said, and then winked at Rory. Rory gave a small smile back.

So what's going on? The question was addressed at Tristan, but Sharon answered. Melody and Laura and I are on food, and you, Tristan and Darrel are on decorations. She said, almost apologetically. Rory could hear the sympathy in her voice.

How did you work that out? she protested, and Tristan answered this time.

We picked the names out of a hat. He replied grudgingly. Look, I'm not any happier about it than you are so why don't we just get to work.

Okay, Mr. Grumpy, Laura mumbled, and she, Sharon and Melody grouped around to make a list of foods they were going to have.

Rory sighed and joined Tristan and Darrel in the centre of the room.

Okay, so where do we start