Rory awoke and opened her eyes blearily, praying it wasn't a school day. She looked around, confused by her surroundings. Why am I on the couch? What day was it? What time was it? Why was there a blonde boy sleeping on the floor next to me? All are very good questions. She decided before turning over and falling back asleep. She woke up again soon after determined to ponder these questions anew. She looked around searching for answers to her questions and found that the blonde boy, (who she realized was Tristan) no longer was sleeping on the floor. As she sat up and stretched it came back to her. Right, she thought, movie night, Tristan, Princess Bride. I must have fallen asleep on the couch. Now satisfied she decided to go in search of some breakfast. She found Tristan making coffee in the kitchen. However, after trying it they both decided that going to Luke's would be a much better idea.

"So," Tristan asked as they walked to Luke's "What do you want to do today?"

"Well call me crazy," Rory began

"I usually do" Tristan interrupted.

"Ha ha, you're the epitome of hilarious, ANYWAY, call me crazy but I was considering getting started on the load of homework we've been assigned for the weekend."

"Oh that."

"Yeah, I thought it might be a good idea not to fail out of Chilton."

"Ah, highschool's overrated." Tristan stated.

"Yes, absolutely." Rory replied with mock sincerity, as they walked laughing into Luke's. "Really not useful at all" After ordering, they sat down at the counter enjoying companiable silence when suddenly Rory exclaimed, "SHIT"

"Mary, Mary such lang-"

"Tristan shut up. What time is it."

"Umm 9 oclock"

"We need to go NOW!"

"What why?"

"Because I plan on living a long and happy life now MOVE!" Rory ordered while dragging him out the door and back to her house.

"Mary stop being cryptic, what the hell is going on."

"We have to be there in half and hour, if we don't leave now we're gonna be late."

"We have to be where?"

"Chilton! I can't believe we forgot."

"Fuck! Paris is going to kill us." Tristan exclaimed now breaking into a full run.

"Yeah no kidding." They finally reached Rory's house. Tristan started the car while Rory ran into the house to get her notes for the project then jumped into Tristan's BMW and they sped off toward's Chilton. Rory finally started to breath normally when they hit no traffic getting onto the highway. They might actually make it in time. She started to giggle to himself.

Tristan looked over at her with amusement "What's so funny?" he asked staring at her with ill-concealed wonder.

"Nothing," She replied. "I just wonder what Paris would have done if we'd forgotten."

Tristan suddenly started to laugh as well and looked back at Rory who was now doubled over in laughter. Through her laughter she managed to choke out "It really isn't" more laughter "Funny. She would've killed us. Really she would have." Tristan didn't reply. He just watched his companion with amazement wondering how he got so lucky that he was friends with someone like her. How did it happen that she no longer hated his guts. He ceased his pondering as the pulled into the Chilton parking lot. He checked his watch which read 9:31.

"Hey Gilmore, we made good time. We're just one minute late. Let's go"

She got out of the car and broke into a run towards the building. He paused to lock his car before following.

They burst into the room breathless. Paris stopped mid sentence to look at them.

"You're late." She stated.

Rory opened her mouth to explain but Tristan beat her to it.

"Only one-now two minutes Paris, it's not a big deal. But we're terribly sorry, please forgive us?" He asked, trying his best to look ashamed.

"Yeah yeah all right, let's get started."

The day wore on, but by the end of the work session most of the project was finished. Rory and Tristan got up to leave and were halfway out the door when Paris interrupted them.

"Hey Rory, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Um okay" Rory replied, shooting a dubious look at Tristan then motioning him to wait outside while she talked to Paris.

"So Gilmore, how are you?"

"I'm fine, Paris, how about you" Rory asked, wondering what the hell this conversation was about.

"I'm fine. Just wondering why the two of you ran in here, late, and you know together."

"Oh, well I told you we were having a movie night last night." Rory decided to be honest, she was gonna find out eventually "and we fell asleep so he stayed over, then we came here together. Very simple story."

"Right, and are you guys together."

"No, we're just friends, I swear." Rory replied glad Paris wasn't having a meltdown, however, when she told her they were friends she felt a tiny twinge of regret. It's not like I wanna be more, right? I mean Paris would get angry for starters, and we're just starting to be friends. Plus I don't like Tristan like that, Right? Paris interrupted her inner monologue by saying

"Ok, but you know, if you were more than friends that would be okay."

Rory froze. Am I hallucinating? She thought. No way did Paris just say that. Thousands of thoughts sped through her head at that moment. Has Paris gone insane? Have I gone insane? Is the world ending? But all she managed to choke out was "Really?"

"Yeah really, I mean I realized that when he did flirt with me, it was just to make you jealous so I'm over him. Finally."

Rory smiled at her. "That's great Paris."

"Plus," Paris continued. "You need someone."

Suddenly Rory was indignant. "I need someone."

"Sure, to help you get over that neanderthal Dean."

Rory didn't really know how to respond to that so she just said. "Ok Paris, sure. But Tristan and I are just friends."

"Right," Paris said. "Friends, I believe that." and walked out of the room leaving Rory alone to contemplate what she had said.