Title: I Hate And I Love

Author: ~ME~

Rating: PG-13

A/N: Hmmm… what do I have to say today… nothing really, ooh except the usual 'thanx for the reviews!' message.

Chapter 14: Dinner?

"You're late Miss Gilmore!" Mrs Malone Boomed.

"Sorry Miss." Rory apolagised.

Mrs Malone stared at Rory expectantly.

"Well?" Mrs Malone questioned. "Aren't you going to give me an explanation?"

"Um… no?"

"SIT DOWN MISS GILMORE!" Mrs Malone barked.

Rory quietly sat down in her seat, never once making eyecontact with her frightening Physics teacher. Rory went through the lesson as quietly as possible, wishing that she were invisable.

"You're not invisable Mary," Tristan whispered in her ear, "you still look kissable when you're that lovely shade of pink…"

"Shut up," Rory hissed, "You have no idea how annoying it is having you sit behind me!"

"Now isn't someone catty today!" Tristan whispered.

"Would you like to share with the class what you were just telling Miss Gilmore?" Mrs Malone questioned Tristan.

"No Miss."

"Well then I suggest that you and Miss Gilmore there, stop gas bagging and get on with your work." Mrs Malone said in a 'no nonsense' tone of voice.

Tristan just rolled his eyes and Rory turned an even deeper shade of pink/red.

"Well then class, let us begin…" Mrs Malone began to drone on into another elaborate lesson to which no one payed any attention.

***************************Recess break***************************

Rory took out her last few books needed and closed her locker door. She let out a shocked gasp then placed a hand over her mouth. Behind her locker door (on the next locker door down) Tristan had propped himself up against the cold metal, leaning on his arm and shoulder for support. As usual his face was plastered with his signiature smirk/self satisfied smile.

"What are you doing standing there trying to frighten me?" Rory demanded.

"Waiting for my sweet heart to kiss me and walk with me to the make out corner of the school."

This time it was Rory's turn to roll her eyes.

"Are you really that bored?" Rory asked. "Are really so bored that you must come ask for the company of your arch enemy? Did all your followers desert you?"

"No."

"Then why are you here bothering me?"

Tristan shrugged his shoulders. "Cause it's fun."

Rory raised a questioning eyebrow.

"You look so adorable when your flustered Mary. Like just before when I gave you a 'fright'." A full-fledged grin spread across his face.

Rory gave Tristan her best 'uninterested' and 'unimpressed' facial expression and then walked off down the hallway. She was met halfway to the caffeteria by Paris who was looking quite upset and depressed.

"Rory, it happened." Paris announced dramacticly.

"What happened?"

*sigh* "I knew it was coming eventually, I knew it was coming. I thought I could just forget about it and then it wouldn't happen - but I was wrong." Paris stared wistfully out the open window, a tear travelling slowly down her left chhek.

"What are you talking about Paris?" Rory asked again.

"I got an A-!" Paris broke down in tears right in the middle of one of Chilton's hallways.

Rory led a weeping Paris to a quiet bench outside in the school-yard. Rory dug through her bag and finally found a packet of tissues. She handed Paris a much needed tissue. Rory placed a supportive arm around Paris's shoulders. Paris continued to sob quietly, dabbing at her eyes with her tissue.

"Calm down Paris," Rory comforted, "everything's gonna be ok."

*more sobbing*

"Come on Paris, stop crying."

"I can't help it. *sniffles* It's just that I've, I've, I've never gotten anything lower than an A before."

"It can't be that bad can it."

"Oh yes it can! You have no idea…"

"Yes, I'm afraid I have no idea. I'm quite used to getting lower than an A."

"What are my parents going to s-"

Rory cut cut her off abruptly and turned Paris's attention to the figure walking alone down the hallway.

"Shut up. Tristan's coming."

"Since when did you care?"

"He might have info about Dave for you."

"Oh." Paris decided to shut up and put on a smile (Which of course was fake).

Tristan gave the pair a nod of aknowledgement.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" Rory questioned, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Why your pleasantries undoubtedly." Tristan played along.

"Oh for goodness sakes the two of you! Just tell us whatever you came here to tell us and get out of here Tristan." Paris said annoyedly (my made up word).

Tristan and Rory were both taken aback by Paris's comment and the feeling was quite evident on their faces.

"Well, I just came to invite both of you to a little social gathering at a buffet restaurant tonight. Nothing fancy though. Oh, Dave'll be there as well."

"Who else is going…?" Rory asked caustiously.

"James and his sister are coming as well."

Rory turned to face Paris.

"Do you want to go?"

"Ahh, I think I could squeaze it into my bust schedule." Paris said casually.

"Well, I'll see you both tonight then." Tristan walked off.

"Goody. Dinner with Tristan." Rory's face turned to a scowl.

"Don't make that face. It looks awful."

YAY! Another chapter finished. Please review, please review, I need reviews, I like reviews!

~ME~