Rory and Tristen walked over to his car and climbed in. Before he could start the car, she said
"What if we didn't go to the party?"
"Do you not want to go to the party?"
"I…I…It doesn't matter."
"Rory what's wrong?" he asked, turning to her.
"Nothing."
"We're not leaving until you talk to me."
"I don't want to see James and Amanda Carson."
"What is James doing with Amanda?"
"He broke up with me to be with her." She said, her voice starting to break "They've been seeing each other for over a month."
Tristen slid across the seat, wrapping his arm around her. Slowly he pulled her towards him. She rested her head on his shoulder.
"Rory, don't let him get to you." Tristen whispered, stroking her back, "He's not good enough for you."
Slowly she pulled her head back and he looked at her. Carefully he brushed the tears off her cheeks.
"Feel better?" he asked She's beautiful.
She nodded, not speaking.
"Do you want to skip the party?"
She shook her head and slowly slid across the seat.
"I'm gonna have to see him sometime."
"All right." He said, starting the car again.
He backed down the driveway and pulled onto the street. As he drove towards Madeline's house, a plan formed in his head.
"Rory?"
"Yeah."
"What if you had a date tonight for the party?"
"But I don't."
"But what if you did?"
"I don't know Tristen. I guess it would be a good thing." She said, "But seeing as I don't have one, it doesn't really matter now does it."
"What I am going to suggest might sound strange but hear me out." Please don't laugh.
"All right."
"What if we went to the party together." Please don't laugh.
"We are going together."
"What I mean is, what if everyone thought we were together…on a date." She's gonna laugh.
"I don't think so Tristen."
"Why not?" Can't you see how I feel about you.
"Because I'm not…you're not…we're not…"
"Rory, hear me out." He said, "We got to the party, hold hands, maybe a dance or 2. Just enough so people think we're together." Please say yes.
Rory thought for a moment.
"Why would you want to do this?"
"Because you my friend and I hate to see you sad." And I love you.
"All right."
"Really?" A date with Rory!
"Yeah, I mean its pretend right."
"Right" just pretend.
A few minutes later he pulled into the driveway leading to Madeline's house. He parked the car and they climbed out. Slowly they made their was towards the house.
"Give me your hand." He whispered
"What?"
"Your hand."
Rory slipped her hand in his and felt his fingers entwine in hers. A shiver ran through her body."
"Are you all right?"
"fine."
He rang the bell and they waited until the door opened. Madeline smiled at them.
"Rory, Tristen you're here."
Hey Madeline." Rory said
"Come on in. Everyone's in the backyard."
They walked in and headed towards the backyard. Madeline watched them, noticing they were holding hands. She smiled to herself as she followed them. When they walked into the backyard, Rory looked around uneasily. Tristen squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"Its all right Rory." He whispered
"Thanks."
"What do you want to do first?" he asked
"Doesn't matter."
He looked around, spotting some people dancing.
"Wanna dance?"
"Maybe later?"
"Want me to get you something to drink?"
"All right."
"Do you want soda, water, beer?"
"Water, please."
"I'll be right back."
"Okay."
Tristen took off across the lawn towards the table. Rory looked around, hoping to not see James or Amanda. A few minutes later, Madeline and Louise made their way over.
"Not wasting time are you?" Louise asked
"What?"
"You and Tristen." She said, "How long have you two been together?"
"He asked me if I wanted to go to the party tonight." She said, "He's so nice and sweet. Nothing like James was."
A few minutes later, Tristen returned with a bottle.
"Hey guys." He said, "Here you go Rory."
He handed her a bottle of water.
"Thanks."
"Great party Madeline." He said
"Thanks."
"Rory, would you like to dance."
"All right."
Rory stepped away from them and started across the lawn with Tristen. As they walked, Tristen slipped his arm over her shoulder.
She set her bottle on the table and they headed towards were the others were dancing. As they approached, a slow song started to play. They looked at each other for a minute then Tristen took her hand a placed it on his shoulder. Taking her other hand in his, he said
"Relax, its just me."
When she nodded, they slowly moved in time with the music. Tristen looked down at Rory. He loved to see a smile on her face. Slowly he noticed the smile begin to fade. Glancing over his shoulder, he said James and Amanda. They were wrapped up in each other. Turing back to Rory, he noticed tears in her eyes.
"Look at me Rory." He whispered
She looked up
"Do you trust me Rory?"
She nodded. Tristen waited for a minute, then slowly leaned forward. Rory's breath caught in her chest as he whispered
"Follow my lead."
When he felt her nod, he pulled back, looking into her eyes. Slowly he pulled her towards him, wrapping his arms around her waist. Her arms wrapped around his neck slowly. She rested her head on his shoulder as they moved slowly in time with the music.
When Tristen stopped moving, Rory pulled back. She looked up and saw him staring into her eyes. Slowly he leaned down until his lips were inches from hers. Rory started to pull back but Tristen's arms tightened around her waist. His lips slowly pressed against hers.
Rory felt an instant tingling sensation as Tristen's lips moved against her. Before she knew it, she was kissing him back. Her fingers slowly entwined themselves in his hair. Tristen's lips moved away from hers and he kissed her cheek, moving slowly towards her neck.
"Rory, I love you." He whispered
Rory's eyes opened. She pushed his away.
"What did you say?"
"I love you Rory."
"I…I…"
Before she could finish the sentence, she turned and ran away.
"Rory!" he said running after her
He caught up to her in the front yard. Grabbing her arm, he pulled her to a stop.
"Rory what happened."
"We can't do this Tristen." She whispered
"Why not?"
"You're my friend Tristen.."
"I know."
"Which is why this can't happen."
"Why not me Rory? Why can't I love you? Why can't you love me? Just give me one good reason why this can't happen."
"Because I don't want to lose you and what we have. You've been my friend since I was little"
"Rory no matter what happens I will always be your friend."
"Let it go Tristen." She whispered
She saw Henry coming down the path.
"Henry!" she shouted
He walked over to them.
"Hey guys. Great party."
"Are you leaving Henry?" Rory asked
"Yeah."
"Do you think I could get a ride."
"Sure." He said, looking between Rory and Tristen, "My car's over there."
"Thanks."
Tristen watched as Rory walked away with Henry.
"Trust in me Rory, trust in us."
He started to turn back towards the party but stopped. After staring at the house for a few minutes, he turned and walked away from the house.