Title: I Hate And I Love

Author: ~ME~

Rating: PG 13

A/N: Here's chapter 13. As usual, thanx for all the great reviews. A reminder that I'm open to suggestions as to what should happen in this 'epic journey'. Lol. Hope you enjoy this chapter. One other thing, being an Australian I have no idea how the American education system works. So I've decided just to use our system of kindergarten to yr 12 and then university/tafe/college etc (K- 6 = primary school, 7 – 12 = High school). As I've forgotten exactly how old Rory's supposed to be, I'm gonna guess that she's 16 - therefore in yr11.

Chapter 13: Rush Hour

Rory turned off her bedside lamp, pulled back the covers and hopped into her warm, cosy bed. It had been a tiring night. Not because she'd done a lot of physical work as such, more because it was just draining. Who'd have thought that a night spent watching a movie with friends could be so draining? Rory's thoughts drifted back in time.

He made a move. He held her hand. She felt his eyes on her, checking her out. He edged closer to her and then tentativly placed an arm around her shoulder… she didn't stop him. And then when he left, he gave her a kiss on the cheek.

'That would be why', Rory thought to herself, 'that would be why.'

That night she fell asleep that night to the sound of the dripping kitshen tap and the TV that Loralei had neglected to turn off.

***************************Monday morning*************************

"Wake up honey!" Came Loralei's sing-songy voice.

Rory let out a muffled groan in reply and then pulled the sheets over her head.

"Uh-uh Rory," Loralei shook her head, "you can't go back to sleep 'cause you have to leave for school in 20 minutes."

Rory yanked the pillow out from below her head and used it as a weapon against her mother.

"Go away you evil sleep disturber." Rory commanded, at the same time hitting her Mum in the stomach with her pillow.

"No! I will not leave my prey until she is out of bed."

"I warn ye o' evil child, good shall always prevail." Rory warned, suddenly full of life again.

Mother and daughter tackled each other with a vengance in a playful game of tit for tat. Their game eventuated with both mother and daughter lying on the floor in a heap.

"I win!" Loralei squealed triumphantly.

"What do you mean?"

"You're out of bed! You were wrong. This time evil prevailed!!"

There was a short silence that was broken by an exclaimation by Rory.

"Look at the time! Damn it! I'm gong to be late for school."

Rory jumped up off the floor and ran to her cupboard. She flung the door open and rumaged around, searching desperately for her uniform.

"Honey…" came Loralei's voice.

"Not now Mum. Can't u see I'm busy looking for my uniform!"

"Honey…"

Rory turned around noisily and glared at her Mum."

"What is it now?"

Loralei pointed to Rory's closed bedroom door. There hanging on her door handle was her ironed, clean uniform. A smile spread across Rory's face and she ran over to seize her uniform. She grabbed at the coat hanger and flung the uniform onto the bed. She walked over to her Mum and gave her a hug and a kiss, then pushed her out the open door.

"Out, out, out." Rory said and then slammed the door shut once her Mum was out of the room.

Knowing that Rory would be in a rush to get to school, Loralei started making breakfast for Rory to save her some time. As can be antiscapated, the coffee maker was the first kitchen appliance to be consulted. Once 3 cups of coffee were made – one each for breakfast and one for Rory to take to school – Loralei moved on to the only other thing she could think of, namely pop tarts.

Rory stumbled out of her bedroom. Her shirt was untucked, hair a mess, shoe laces undone and her books dangerously close to falling out of her unzipped bag.

"You need a coffee." Loralei commented.

"Thanx for stating the obvious."

Loralei handed over the coffee mug and 2 pop tarts. Rory took a long sip of coffee and then looked up at her Mum with a smile on her face.

"Thanx Mum."

"Anything for my favourite daughter."

"In general I'm against favouritism but since I'm your only daughter anyway, I'll let you off the hook."

"So considerate of you."

"I know. It's all part of my pleasant nature."

"That's debatable." Loralei muttered.

"I heard that, mother."

"The time Rory, look at the time." Loralei reminded.

"Damn the time." Rory cursed.

Well, that's all for this chapter. Keep the reviews coming :)

~ME~