Disclaimer: It's a fanfictions… for obvious reason as a "fan" I can not claim this as my own. BUT! The idea is mine – and that's the basis of what you're reading… SO ENJOY!

A/N: Sum41 person - if your still interested you can beta for me... I'm not sure you're stories follow the same narrative - but i'd love the extra help. Send me an e-mail!

Chapter 2: Against the World

"I've prepared a schedule, you know, for what needs to be done, and by when. We're going to have to brainstorm some ideas, delegate people for decorations, catering, and location. We need to set up a list for student volunteers, help them get enough service hours to pass this year." Paris rattled off. "Well, what are you waiting for?" Paris demanded, staring at everyone holding their handouts. "Let's get going!"

Everyone shuffled quickly, trying to look busy, while glancing at Paris walking around the room.

Rory looked up; she could see that Paris was at breaking point. Deciding to try and make things better she pulled out her notebook and broke the tension of the room. "Why don't we start by brainstorming some ideas for the theme?"

"Hawaii!" Louise shouted.

"Louise this is prom, do you really want your dress to be beach wear?" Rory tried to explain.

"I guess not."

"Good. Any other ideas?" Rory asked

"We could do a historical couple theme." Someone suggested.

"That's cool, okay, I'll use that to start our –"

"Mary," A voice echoed from the doorway.

"Tristan, you're late." Paris answered. "Sit down and try to do something useful."

Looking around, Tristan grinned seeing that the only seat unoccupied was the one right next to Rory. He assumed it had been where Paris was seated, before she started pacing. Smirking, he took his time walking over, trying to imagine what Rory was thinking. Dropping his school bag, he spun the chair in front of him, so that he could lean forward onto the back support.

"So Mary," Tristan whispered into her ear. "What are we discussing?"

Rory shivered, feeling Tristan's breath on her ear. If she didn't have a boyfriend, and didn't hate Tristan so much, it might have been romantic, even pleasurable. But this was Tristan, the guy who teased her, called her Mary, and made out beside her locker with a different girl every week.

"We're picking a theme for the dance." Rory said coolly, while leaning down to pick up her pen, which she so conveniently dropped, when Tristan leaned too close; An action which, despite all her efforts did not go unnoticed by Tristan.

"What have we got?" Tristan asked, glancing at her notebook.

"Hawaii and historical couples."

"Wow, prom's going to suck this year."

"Paris," said Madeline. "I went to Paris last summer, I went to this outlet where I bought this fabulous blue dress, and these really cute shoes to go with it."

"Right, Paris." Rory said, jotting it down.

"We couldn't have Paris as a theme." Tristan said, leaning forward on his chair. "I mean, Paris running the committee for the Paris themed prom is just too cliché."

"He's right you know." Paris said, stopping her pacing. "These ideas all suck!" She said slamming her hands down on the desk. "We are all generally smart kids. Some smarter than other, but all reasonable smart – or at least smart enough to get someone else to do their work for them." Paris rambled. "Why is it that you can't seem to come up with one single good idea!"

"Wow." Tristan whispered into Rory's ear. "She's really passionate about this dance. Who would have thought?"

"Tristan," Paris warned. "Stop flirting with Gilmore. She'll never have you, so just give up, and make yourself useful."

Rory turned beet red, and looked down while Tristan smirked. "I've got one."

"Yea? Is it better than Hawaii?"

"I'm a little biased, but I'd say so."

"Are you going to tell us?"

"That depends?" Tristan said, holding onto the chair as he leaned back a little. "If you use my idea, what's it worth to me?"

"You can flirt with Gilmore whenever you want." Paris said, without a blink.

"Paris!" Rory hissed, trying to disappear into her chair.

"Not that I need your permission…" Tristan continued.

"Just tell me the stupid idea." Paris said, annoyed.

Glancing at Rory, Tristan's smirk grew. "Improbable couples."

"What?" Paris asked, clearly confused.

"You know, couples in general that you wouldn't expect to be together."

"That might work," Paris said, recommencing her pacing.

"Paris!" Rory demanded.

"What? It's a good idea. Much better than Hawaii and Paris. We want this to be original; don't we?"

"I guess," Rory said, not having much other option.

"Good. So I guess that settles it. Our theme is going to be Improbable couples. I'll need to get it approved by the headmaster, but I'm sure it will be fine."

Rory and Tristan simultaneously cringed, at the thought of Paris convincing Headmaster Charlton to pass the theme of Improbable couples. The thought of Paris in an argument of any form would make any sane person cringe.

"In the meantime," Paris said. "Start thinking of locations, and decorations we could use. We'll meet again next Friday at three."

As everyone packed up their stuff to leave, Tristan who didn't have anything to pack up, grabbed his bag from the floor, and started to saunter out.

"Tristan," Summer cooed. "That was a great idea."

"Thanks."

"So do you think you might want to go with me?" She asked, leaning forward with her chest, trying to pass a message which was most certainly received by Tristan.

"I dunno Summer," Tristan replied honestly, with a glance back at Rory, who was furiously stuffing her books into her bag. "We're not really improbable."

"Well, I could be myself, and you could toss on some glasses and put a calculator in you back pocket."

"We'll see."

"Fine," Summer pouted, swaying her hips as she left the room.

Grumbling, Rory listened to the conversation going on behind her. She silently chuckled at the idea of Tristan in glasses, before stuffing the last book into her bag and moving to leave.

She was almost out of the door when she heard a voice behind her. "Hey Mary, wait up!"