Author's note: Okay, so I got a few comments about Louise and Rory. In this story, they are not really the best of friends. Actually I'm kind of making Louise, Paris and Madeleine "the evil stepsisters". But don't worry. I'll try to not make Louise seem so evil.... As for the other things that some people asked/commented on, just wait and see how the story unfolds. All I can say is that it won't be long till some major discoveries are revealed..... Thanks again for all the reviews, you guys!! Keep them coming....

Summary: A school newspaper. Two different opinions. A book. Mixed in with some confusion, misguidance and attraction. A perfect recipe for a good old fashioned fairy tale story, so to speak. (Trory)

Askepott

Chapter twelve

Saturday afternoon, Gilmore house

It was a fine Saturday afternoon and Tristan was standing on a stool, while Lorelai was stitching up his costume.

"Au!"

"Hold still, pretty boy!"

Tristan straightened up for the hundreth time and was starting to get fed up with standing still for the most parts of the day.

"Who came up with this anyways?"

"Luke."

"And that would be?"

"The best coffee supplier ever."

"Again, and that would be?"

"The best coffee supplier ever.", Lorelai said deadpanned.

Tristan looked at her suspiciously. "Are you doing this to annoy me?"

"Why, is it working?"

"Yes."

"Good, then you know how my daughter feels whenever you're within ten mile radius!"

"Well, that's different." He stuttered.

Lorelai knowingly furrowed her brows. "Oh, yeah? How so?"

"It just is."

Not really buying Tristan's meek reply, Lorelai blatantly asked. "So, tell me, are your kindergarten tactics of teasing and taunting Rory your way of telling her that you really like her?"

"No!!"

"Gee, you answered that a little too quickly."

"Because it's the truth.", Tristan tried to argue.

"Look, kid. I might be a bit distant and aloof from time to time, possibly even sustaining nutcase tendencies, but I can see that something is going on between the two of you. Hell, even Stevie Wonder can see it!"

He shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't pull the dumb jock routine on me! I might not know you that well yet, but I certainly know that it doesn't suit you."

"Look, Lorelai, Rory and I are just..."

"friends? Yeah, okay, whatever you say.", Lorelai snorted. "Let me ask you this. How many people do you know of who still remained 'just friends' after uttering those exact same words?"

And for once Tristan didn't know what to say.

"Mom!!", Rory's voice cried out from downstairs. "Are you guys almost done?"

"Yeah, just a few more adjustments!", Lorelai hollered back. She glanced at Tristan, who seemed like he was contemplating something, before going back to work. The two remained quiet till Lorelai had finished.

"Man, I could kill Luke for this!", Rory blurted out when she was standing on the very stool Tristan had been doing before he left a mere ten minutes ago.

"Take it easy, hon."

Narrowing her eyes, she looked at her mom. "Or actually I could kill you for this!"

"Hey, it's not my fault that Luke's favourite story as a child happens to be Cinderella!"

"But you were the one who came up with the brilliant plan of letting Luke decide what Tristan and I are going as!"

"How was I suppose to know he was going to say Cinderella?!", Lorelai reasoned. "Besides, now that you think about it, it's actually quite fitting, don't you think?"

"Not following you here, mom."

"Oh, come on, Rory, you as the dashing young maiden turned princess, and Tristan as the handsome, yet humble, Prince Charming."

Rory grunted. "Oh, you must mean Prince Arrogant!"

"Don't be so hard on the guy, Ror. Underneath that cocky attitude I'm sure he's really a nice guy once you get to know him."

"Mom, I've known him for a year and half now and not once has he said anything remotely nice to me that didn't have a double meaning."

"Not once?"

"Not once."

"Well, call me stupid and slap me silly, but he seemed like an okay guy at your grandparents' house. He actually attempted on striking up a conversation with you several times that evening, if memory serves me right, but you turned him down each and every time.", Lorelai pointed out.

"I just didn't feel like talking, that's all."

Lorelai looked at her daughter wide eyed. "That's a first in Gilmore history!!"

She ignored her mother's comment and continued. "Besides he was probably just like that because there were other people around."

"You know, always expecting the worst in people is truly unbecoming.", Lorelai warned.

"I'm just telling the truth."

"Okay, so how about this? Granted that your grandmother had everything to do with this little arrangement of yours, don't you find it funny that Tristan hasn't broken it off yet?", Lorelai wanted to know. "I mean, if he really is the terrible guy that you say that he is, he could've just dumped you in school and taken somebody else."

Seeming slightly offended Rory argued. "Hey, why is he the only one who could've called this whole thing off?! I could've easily done the same thing myself, did you ever think of that?!"

"Ah! But you didn't, which I'm guessing is for the same reason that Tristan hasn't either."

Rory rolled her eyes and braced herself for whatever idiotic notion her mother had cooked up in her head. "What are you trying to say, Dr. Phil?"

"That maybe you're kind of excited of going together?", Lorelai carefully suggested.

"Why would I do that? We're talking about my sworn enemy here!"

"Well, I might be going out on a limb here, but I'm willing to bet my Donna Reed tea set with matching napkins, that you subconsciously like each other."

"What?" Rory exclaimed and abruptly turned to face her mother, who in turn missed her aim and accidentally stuck the needle somewhere else on her daughter's dress. "Have you completely lost it!!??"

Lorelai waved her hand in front of her daughter's eyes to prove her statement "Nope, still here."

"I don't know what's going on in that crazy head of yours, but Tristan and I..."

"are just friends. Yeah, yeah, so I've heard.", she sighed tiredly, not wanting a repeat.

"We are! And I can honestly say that I am not subconsciously harbouring any feelings for Tristan at all."

"Fine, honey.", Lorelai surrendered. "Can you just promise me one thing?"

"What?"

"That you at least try to have a good time at the ball. You are after all 'just friends', and last time I checked that still qualifies for some good old fashioned fun."

Rory eyed her mom. If making the promise was the only way of getting her mom off her back, she'd happily accept. "I promise."