Title: I Hate and I Love

Author: ~ME~

Rating: PG 13

Disclaimer: "Any society that needs disclaimers has too many lawyers." - Erik Pepke. That's all I have to say.

A/N: Since I can't remember all the details about Rory's school I'm gonna try and remember what I can and fill in the gaps with what things are like at my school.

Chapter 18: The dance, Rory. The dance!

Rory dumped her books down on the cafeteria table and sat down tiredly. It had been a long day and it was tiring her both physicaly and psycalogicaly. She scrounged around her messy bag and dug out her take-away container of pasta and disposable fork. After opening up her pasta and taking the wrapper off her fork, she stabbed at her pasta half-heartedly. She was too tired to pay any attention to her lunch. Her eyes were closing involuntarily and her thoughts began to cloud over. And then came that awful sound to break her reverie.

*Loud laughing coming from entrance to cafeteria*

Rory looked up slowly and saw Sarah and Tristan walking towards her, laughing together at some joke that was apparently hilarious. Oh no. Just what I need. Rory had forgotten all about meeting up with Sarah and 'what's his name' who had turned out to be the one and only Tristan Dugrey. Joy of joys!

"You don't look very happy to see us!?!" Sarah sounded puzzled.

"No, no. I'm very happy to see you. Just a little tired. Nothing much…"

"There, there Mary. We'll have you woken up in no time." Tristan assured.

Sarah had pulled out her ever-present manuscript and was peering intently at the papers before her, with a pencil and rubber in hand.

"What's that?" Rory quieried.

"Just some music I wrote." Sarah replied.

"Can I see?" Rory questioned.

Sarah handed over the manuscript paper for Rory to see. She was quite impressed at Sarah's abilities.

"Not bad!" Rory commented.

"Na, it's not that good. I think it needs a lot more work. What do you think would be a good name for the piece?"

"I have no idea to be honest."

"I think I'll send a survey around and ask people what they think would be a good name…"

"You're not serious are you??"

"Yeah, why not?"

"Am I hearing correctly?" Tristan asked.

"Why, don't you do that sorta thing here?"

"No!" Rory and Tristan said in unison.

"Oh… can you have a look at it Tristan? I want as many reviews of it as possible."

"Ok…" Tristan took the manuscript in his hands and sung the tune in his head. Not toooo bad. Could be better and it does need some work…

"So, what do you think?"

"Wonderful. Perfect."

"Really? You think that?"

"Of course!" Tristan exclaimed, Sarah obviously not noticing his sarcasm.

"Great! I'm gonna ask some of my other friends as well."

"What friends?" Tristan muttered.

Sarah was off in a flash and Tristan and Rory were suddenly left in an awkward position, in which they were both uncomfortable.

"Eh, so..…" Rory tried to fill in the uncomfortable silence.

"Don't bother. There's nothing to talk about anyway."

"Yeah, thanx." Rory smiled appreciatively.

"You want a coffee?"

"Why do you bother asking?"

"That'd be a yes then." Tristan got up and wandered over to the coffee vending machine. As he left, Rory was joined by Paris & Co. who seemed to be everywhere.

"So has he asked you?" Louise looked at a confused Rory.

"What are you talking about?"

"The dance, Rory. The dance! Has Tristan asked you to go yet?"

"Why would he ask me to go with him?!?! He already has a girlfriend doesn't he?"

"Had a girlfriend."

"Would you stop talking about him like he isn't here?" Paris said agitatedly.

"Agreed." Tristan commented.

"I'm so not going to the dance with Jess." Rory stressed the word Jess, possibly a little too much.

"Here." Tristan handed Rory her coffee.

"Thanx."

"So what were you guys talking about?" Tristan questioned the group.

"The dance." Paris informed, for which she received multiple kicks in the shin and cold stares.

"I see. So who's going with who?"

"Well the fact that Paris isn't going is a given." Madeline piped up.

"Excuse me but I am going."

There was silence.

"What did you just say?" Madeline asked slowly.

"I said I was going."

"With who?" Louise asked.

"With Dave. Is that such a bad thing?"

"No, it's just that it came as somewhat as a shock." Rory explained.

"Ok, so who else?" Tristan asked.

"Rory's not going with anyone." Louise commented eagerly.

"And I don't intend to either."

"That's not what you told me."

"Well then I must have told you the wrong thing." Rory glared at Louise.

"Oh, but I was sure you sai-"

"So who are you going with?" Rory cut-in with a question directed at Tristan.

"No one."

"OK, so what about you Madeline?"

"You're not going with anyone?" Madeline sounded shell shocked.

"Either is Rory, remember!" Louise reminded cheerfully.

"Oh, close it would you?" Paris hissed. "I'm sure Tristan's perfectly aware by now."

"Bite me." Louise mouthed behind Paris' back.

"We should start talking about something else now." Madeline said decisively.

"You sure you didn't say you wanted to go the dance? Because I swear I thought I heard you mention this morning and during chemistry." Louise questioned.

"Yes Louise. I am sure!"

"Then I suppose that means you don't want to go to the dance with me then…" Tristan commented, his dissapointment known only to him.

Rory didn't answer.

A/N: So what do ppl think? It might be nice if ppl would review ;) It kinda helps with the motivation thing… I'm not a big fan of begging ppl 4 reviews cause I noe it can b annoying but unfortunately I must, due to my dissapointing lack of reviews. PLEASE?!?!?

~ME~