Author's note: I am so sorry for the late update.... hope no one's forgotten this story..... so anyways, hope you like this chapter and please let me know what you think, okay? Thanks again for all the reviews from the previous chapter.

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 thirteen

Monday morning, Chilton

Reader's review, sent in by 'Anonymous':

"....'The Lord of the Flies' represents the loss of innocence and William Golding illustrates this by stranding a group of school boys on a remote island. Even though they all got there the same way, their departure from the island was a different one. As the story progresses the boys eventually get divided into two groups and looking at it in a different perspective, this simply signifies the division between the savaged and the civilized. Good versus evil

So who wins in the end? The good side, of course. And the bad side? Well, they get to spend the rest of their waking hours trapped on that island. Sometimes I wonder if that could also happen in real life. If all the bad persons on this world could just be left off somewhere, and the good people get to live their lives as perfect as possible. What a Hallmark moment, right?

However, we all know that that doesn't happen in real life. Good and bad live together, maybe not in harmony at all times, but they still co-exist. And in my opinion, that's what makes the world go round. Call me cynical, or perhaps even naïve, but think about it. If you didn't have those small run-ins with misfortune or unpleasant situations in your daily life, how would your day seem? Empty. Like something was missing. Like everything you did or accomplished that day seemed too easy.

So the next time your teacher gives you a bad grade on a paper, or if the school jock keeps giving you a hard time, don't take it personally. They have their reasons for doing what they do. You never know. Maybe they have a different motive behind their actions that might just give you the biggest surprise of your life."

Rory was walking down the hall on her way to class. She read the review sent in by 'Anonymous', and for the first time she didn't feel like strangling someone. Actually the review got her thinking about something. Maybe this person did have a point. Perhaps all the times that Luke refused to give coffee to her and mom, or every time that her grandmother would nag on her mom, or even the very point of having Paris Gellar in her life were all small things that were suppose to challenge her. A way to test her endurance. Kind of like a survival of the fittest.

She entered her English class and took a seat in the second row. Today was the day she was going to give her book presentation and she was quite certain that Paris would be sitting front row centre, giving her looks that she was sure could kill. Gathering her materials and getting them ready, Mrs. Caldecott's voice filled the room.

"Okay, students. Take your seats. Today we'll begin with the presentations for your book project." Moments later the bell rang, signalling the official start of class. "Good, so are there any volunteers?"

"Yeah, I think Rory would like to go first.", Paris snickered from the front row, Madeline and Louise giggling as well.

Missing Paris' hidden meaning, Mrs. Caldecott cast her glance towards Rory and smiled. "Ah, how nice of you, Miss Gilmore. The stage is all yours.", she said and gestured to the space in front of the class.

Picking up her stuff, Rory gave Paris an annoyed look as she walked past her and mentally reminded herself that at least by going first she'll be over and done with it already. However, her inner devil couldn't help but plot several ways of how to torture the dark blonde haired girl and her two sidekicks. Rory faced the class and began her introduction.

"The book I read was written by a Norwegian author named Erlend Loe. It was written in 1996 and was considered to have been the book that launched his career. He had written a novel before, but it didn't get the same recognition as this one."

She held up the book for everyone to see before continuing. "Initially I was drawn to this book because of its title, 'Naive.Super.'........." Before Rory could finish her sentence a loud thud interrupted her presentation and all eyes were cast at the back of the class room. Lying on the floor was a flabbergasted looking Tristan, fumbling to get back on his feet.

"As much as the janitors would appreciate that you mop the floor with your Chilton uniform, Mr. Dugray, I'd suggest you get back in your seat and pay attention.", Mrs. Caldecott said sternly, suspecting that the boys sitting at the back were as usual up to no good.

"Yes, ma'm.". He noticed that some people were giving him funny looks and others having a hard time suppressing their laughs. He straightened himself and sat down, finding it extremely difficult not to feel embarrassed. "Sorry for disrupting."

Turning her attention back at Rory, Mrs. Caldecott urged her to proceed. "Go on, Miss Gilmore." Rory did as she was told and cleared her throat before moving on.

"Yes, as I was saying it was the title that captured my attention at first.", she said as she looked at the class. The blonde haired guy at the back caught her attention for a brief moment, as he suddenly seemed more interested in her presentation and was looking at her attentively. Not letting it get to her, Rory inwardly brushed it off and continued with her presentation.

"Hey Rory!", Tristan hollered as he caught up with her in the hallway.

"Hey."

"Nice presentation."

"Considering that you stole most of the limelight with your acrobatic stunt back there, thanks, I guess.", she smiled.

Feeling slightly uncomfortable at the mention of one of his not so fine moments, Tristan gave a sheepish grin. "Yeah, uhm, sorry about that."

"What happened to you anyways?", she wanted to know.

"Uhm, I don't know. Some of the guys were just playing around, you know.", he fibbed.

"Oh well, it didn't really surprise me.", Rory sighed. "You always did have to have everybody's attention, Mr. 'Centre of the Universe'!!", she joked.

"Hey, I can't help it that people find me fascinating.", he broke out into a smile, happy that Rory just let it go.

"Like a lab experiment!", she argued.

"Ah, but a nice looking lab experiment.", he pointed out.

"And delusional."

Tristan let out a laugh and shrugged. "So how are the costumes coming along?"

"They're done actually. My mom and I had a movie night on Saturday which meant a sugar and caffeine overload. So she stayed up till 5 am finishing them."

"Huh, you're mom is weird."

"Then she went on to mow the lawn, clean out her closet and vacuum the living room.", Rory continued.

"And, again I stand by my last statement."

"Well, no one's perfect."

"Actually...", Tristan started, but seeing the look Rory was giving him he opted to just change the subject. "So, anyways, I'll pick you up at 7 on Saturday."

"Sure, that's fine."

"And I'll stop by your house sometime this week to pick up my costume.", he informed, rather than asking if it was okay if he did so.

"Okay."

"Gee, Mary, do try not to pee your pants in excitement at the mention of this joyous occasion!", Tristan commented sarcastically.

Turning towards him, Rory plastered on a fake smile. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Tristan! Of course I'm looking forward to going with you to the ball. I mean, it's the biggest social event ever!! I really can't wait!!", she exclaimed playfully and was practically jumping up and down. Seeing the funny looks fellow classmates were giving her, Rory regained her former composure and she calmly asked. "Was that better?"

"Much! Are you sure you shouldn't be in the cheerleading squad or something?!", Tristan grinned. The ring of the bell announced the start of their next class and both of them still hadn't reached their designated rooms. "Hey, I got to go. I have biology now."

"And I have maths."

"So I guess I'll see you later then."

"Yeah, sure.", Rory replied as she started walking off.

"Oh, and Rory!", Tristan called out, causing her to turn and look back at him. "For what it's worth, I'll try not to make Saturday night suck that much. We might even end up having a good time.", he said genuinely.

Noticing that he wasn't joking and seemed quite sincere, Rory smiled. "Don't worry, I'm sure we will."

Tristan returned her grin and for some reason suddenly felt like he needed to be close to her and didn't feel like leaving. But swiftly remembering that they both had classes to go to, he let go of the feeling and said. "So I really have to go."

"Yeah, me too.", she replied.

"Later.", he simply said before hurrying off to class.

Rory stood there for a few moments, contemplating about what just happened. Perhaps going to this ball won't be so bad after all, she thought, as butterflies and other tingly feelings momentarily filled her stomach.