Title: Love to Hate You

Author: Lannah

Summary: Students at Chilton head to Eagle Mountain for a ski trip, during the course of the winter holidays. Rory and Tristan meet under slightly different circumstances.

Pairing: R/T.

Disclaimer: I am in no way, shape or form, affiliated with Gilmore Girls. I have about $2 to my name so if anyone wants to sue me, they won't be getting a whole lot.

...simplify the following and take the derivative...

Rory groaned and dropped her head on her calculus textbook. She had been staring at the same question for the past ten minutes.

Like the dedicated student she was, Rory had decided to make use of her spare period and study for her upcoming calculus test. Three weeks into school and they already had a test. Only her plan was not working out as she had hoped for she was plagued by thoughts other than limits and derivatives.

Tristan had moved on quite quickly but she was not the least bit surprised. She expected it from a guy like him. And it was a good thing, she reasoned because now she knew that his so called "attraction" towards her was simply a mere side effect from endless snow and ice as was her response to the kiss.

Finally coming to terms with her thoughts, Rory re-focused on her calculus text only to let out another groan. It was soon interrupted by the voice of her least favourite person in the whole world although, Summer had become extremely close to knocking Tristan off of that top spot.

"Gilmore, every time I see you, you're studying."

Rory looked up at him. "Then maybe you should stop paying so much attention to me."

Tristan smirked. "Don't flatter yourself."

Rory raised her eyebrows at him. "You know, I'm surprised you even know where the library is."

"You are so funny," he replied mock sarcastically.

"Where's Summer?"

A curious but almost knowing smile overtook his features. "Why do you ask?"

"You two are practically attached at the hip. I'm just surprised she's not around you for once."

The smile remained on his face.

"I'm not jealous," Rory said quickly, "…so get that look off of your face."

Tristan grinned. "I never said you were."

"Yes but, you implied it," Rory replied.

"How?"

Rory did not get a chance to reply and for the first time, she was glad to hear the annoyingly, high-pitch Summer's voice took on whenever she called out Tristan's name, for it saved her from trying to come up with some sort of explanation.

"Tristan! There you are!"

Barely, acknowledging Rory's presence, Summer turned back to Tristan.

"I was thinking," she said softly, running a finger down the front of his blazer, "…you should come over tonight. My parents are going to a benefit dinner and we will have the house all to ourselves…" she finished, pausing for good measure.

Rory suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable. She gazed down intently at her calculus book again.

"Mr. DuGrey," the school librarian suddenly said, seemingly out of nowhere.

Tristan turned and flashed her a smile. "Ms. Rodriguez."

"If you and Miss Sheffield are just going to stand here and chat all day and disturb the other hardworking students, then I suggest you leave."

Tristan nodded and took Summer's hand as he turned to leave. "Later, Gilmore."

Rory did not reply nor look up until after he had left the library.

She sighed.

She was definitely not getting any calculus studying done that period.

"Roooooorrrryyyyyy," the way too chirpy for a Saturday morning voice of Lorelai sang out.

Rory groaned as she felt a huge lump jump onto her bed and start bouncing up and down.

"Go away," she moaned.

"Come on, get up! I need some of Luke's coffee before we head to the mall and I'm not going in there by myself if Kirk's there. I need some backup," Lorelai said, jumping off the bed and headed over to the window to draw open the curtains.

"Mom, stop!" Rory groaned as the bright morning sunshine entered the previously dark bedroom. "I'm trying to sleep!"

Rory buried her head underneath her covers trying to return to a particularly enjoyable dream in which she had suddenly gained magical powers, gone off to Hogwarts and transfigured an unsuspecting Summer into a goat.

Well, one could always wish, couldn't they?

"You're awake now," Lorelai pointed out.

"Unfortunately," Rory grumbled.

She finally managed to haul herself out of bed before Lorelai became even more hyperactive and tried other methods to get her out of bed, namely, a bucket full of ice-cold water.

A few, not-so-quiet minutes later, Rory had managed to gain some semblance of awareness as she followed Lorelai into Luke's diner.

"Luke," Lorelai sang out sitting down at the counter. "Rustle me up some grub!"

Luke briefly glanced up from his notepad to give her a confused look.

Noticing this, Lorelai added, "…it's my diner talk."

Luke looked at Rory questioningly.

"Don't ask," she muttered, shaking her head.

"Wasn't going to," Luke replied.

As they were waiting for Luke to bring them their breakfast, Lorelai had spent her time making the salt and pepper shakers actors in a rather dramatic soap opera scene.

"Pepper, how could you do this to me? I'll never forgive you!"

"Your mother is nuts," Luke said to Rory, cutting off Lorelai's voice as he brought over two large stacks of waffles and refilled Lorelai's already finished coffee. "She's scaring my customers."

"I love you too, Luke," Lorelai answered.

Rory tried to stop the smile twitching at the corner of her lips as she noticed the faintest hint of a blush on Luke's cheeks.

"You're not getting anymore coffee," he answered gruffly, walking away.

"What? This is an outrage!" Lorelai shrieked after him. She turned back to Rory grumbling, "No more coffee...who does he think he is?"

"So why are we going to the Hartford mall again?" Rory asked, taking a bite of her waffles.

"I feel the need for some Jimmy Choos," Lorelai replied, turning around to look out the window. "Oh shoot, there's Kirk. We need to leave. Take this to go," she said, indicating their food.

"Why?" Rory asked confused.

"Because he's trying to sell me stuff for the inn and he does not take no for an answer."

One hour later, Lorelai and Rory had reached the Hartford mall and were currently wandering through a department store.

"I always wondered why these rich, old socialites get all dressed up to come to the mall," Lorelai mused, not-so-subtly staring at a woman walking past them.

"I know. You would think they would be sitting at home, ordering people to do their shopping for them," Rory quipped.

Stopping to look at a pair of earrings on display, Rory asked, "I thought you hated this store?"

"I do but unfortunately, this is the only way of getting my Choos," Lorelai answered glancing around the store nervously as if hoping to avoid someone.

Noticing this, Rory smiled in amusement. "What are you doing?"

"I'm hoping I won't run into my mother," Lorelai answered. "Then I'd have to deal with...'Lorelai, couldn't have at least fixed your hair before you came out in public'."

She shuddered.

At that moment, they were interrupted by an all-too familiar voice calling out their names.

"Lorelai! Rory!"

Lorelai groaned and looked up at the ceiling. "You really hate me don't you?" she muttered.

"Hi Mom," she answered, turning around to face Emily Gilmore.

"My, what a surprise," Emily exclaimed. "You girls, should have told me you were coming to the mall. We could have carpooled."

"Good thing we didn't..."

The sarcasm was either lost on Emily, or she simply chose to ignore it.

"Hello Rory, dear," Emily said, giving Rory a hug.

"Hi grandma."

Emily looked at the shoe Lorelai was holding in her hands. "Lorelai, do you like that?"

"Uh..."

Emily took the shoe from her and hailed over a hovering sales clerk. "Would you get this in her size?"

Turning back to Lorelai, she assumed a disgusted face. "Lorelai, couldn't you have at least fixed your hair?"

"I couldn't find a comb."

"Honestly Lorelai," Emily huffed and then brightened up. "You know it is a good thing I ran into you two. You can help me look for some new tablecloths."

Lorelai groaned under her breath. "Mom, you have enough tablecloths to last you into your next life. Why do you need more?"

"I was thinking we needed something special for your father's birthday dinner this Friday," Emily answered.

"So, why not just jump out of a cake?"

"You're not funny, Lorelai."

Trying to keep the smile off of her face, Rory turned to her grandmother. "Grandma, do you mind if I head over to the bookstore?"

"Oh, of course not dear. Go ahead. You mother and I will meet up with you later."

"What? Why doesn't she have to look for tablecloths?" Lorelai whined.

"Oh honestly, Lorelai," Emily huffed again, walking away.

"You owe me," Lorelai muttered to Rory and followed Emily towards the linen department.

Aside from the fact that she was completely tone deaf and had no musically vocal sensibility whatsoever, Rory found herself humming as she thumbed through the pages of a book. Strange as it may be, the bookstore or library always put her at ease. It was a very stress-relieving pastime.

After deciding on something to read she headed for cozy couch in a corner of the store only to find herself walking into what seemed like a rock hard wall.

Only it was not a wall, she realized after putting out a hand to steady herself and looked up to find herself staring into a pair of piercing blue eyes.

Was the universe suddenly against her? She was always finding herself somewhere in the vicinity of Tristan.

"Gilmore, you should really watch where you're going."

"Sorry," she mumbled.

"I know that you think I'm so hot and everything," Tristan said bending down to pick up her fallen book, "…but you really don't have to go out of your way to find ways to touch me," he continued, blue eyes twinkling in amusement.

A blush crept up her cheeks as Rory realized she was still holding onto him.

So that was why they were unnaturally close to each other.

Immediately, she pulled her hands away and grabbed the book he held out to her.

Then she realized something. Tristan DuGrey was in a bookstore.

Why was he in a bookstore? He had trouble even finding the school library.

Unfortunately, she realized her previous thought actually turned out to be voiced out loud as she found him grinning at her.

"Well Mary, contrary to popular belief, I do find my way in here sometimes because I do read a book once in a while...willingly."

At her raised eyebrows, he continued on grinning wickedly, "…but, there are other times when I notice pretty girls in here so I take that as my opportunity to come in and talk to them."

Rory rolled her eyes, trying to ignore the sudden onset of butterflies in her stomach.

"Don't you have a girlfriend?" she asked, grumpily.

"And?"

"Shouldn't you not be flirting with other girls?"

"Who said I was flirting?"

Rory rolled her eyes again. He was so annoying.

Tristan smiled at her expression. "And I wouldn't exactly call Summer my girlfriend…"

His voice trailed off.

Thankfully though, she was saved from having to give a response.

"Rory! There you are."

She had never ever in her life, been so happy to hear her grandmother's voice.

"Hi grandma," Rory answered, trying to ignore the inquisitive looks Lorelai was shooting at her as her gaze flew back and forth between Tristan and Rory.

"We found the most perfect tablecloths," Emily said happily, waving a shopping bag around.

"At the expense of almost killing myself..." Lorelai added.

Emily ignored her once again, her smile widening as she finally seemed to notice Tristan standing beside Rory.

"And who is this dashing young man?"

Dashing? Tristan DuGrey was not dashing.

"This is my…friend," and Rory used that term extremely loosely,"…Tristan DuGrey. He goes to Chilton as well."

"I thought you looked familiar!" Emily exclaimed. "You're Janlen's grandson."

Tristan smiled (the charming smile that was sure to get even the oldest of women to fall for anything he said).

"Nice to meet you," he said, shaking Emily's hand.

Just by the look on her grandmother's face, Rory knew Emily was beginning to fall for the DuGrey charm.

That smile was lethal. She would know.

"Emily Gilmore," she said introducing herself. "I'm Rory's grandmother."

The smile arrived again.

"Really?" Tristan asked. "I never would have guessed you had a granddaughter. You look way too young."

Emily giggled. It was too late. She had been sucked into the Tristan vortex. Rory swore she almost saw her swoon.

"Oh, stop it. You're too kind."

At Lorelai's cough, she hastily added, "…and this is my daughter, Lorelai. She is Rory's mother."

"…and please don't attempt to sweet-talk me," Lorelai added as she shook Tristan's hand.

"Lorelai, please!" Emily exclaimed.

Turning back to Tristan, Emily asked: "So how is your grandfather, dear?"

Lorelai nudged Rory.

"Can you believe this?" she whispered, indicating the two who began chatting away as if they were long-time friends.

"She giggled. She actually giggled like some school girl. I think she has boy crush," Lorelai continued, smiling wickedly.

"Yeah, Tristan does do that to you," Rory commented, eyes still focused on Tristan and Emily. Upon noticing the look Lorelai turned on her, she added: "…not that I would know or anything…"

Lorelai nodded knowingly then turned back to Emily and Tristan. "I wonder what Dad would have to say about this," she mused.

Rory could not help but laugh. Her laughter soon stopped though when she heard some very unwanted words coming from her grandmother's mouth.

"...Janlen is coming to Richard's birthday dinner on Friday. Tristan, you should come as well."

"Well, I would not want to impose," Tristan said, his gaze focusing upon Rory.

Like hell he would not want to impose. Rory knew that expression on his face all too well.

"Nonsense," said Emily. "You would not be imposing at all. You would actually be helping because Rory will have someone her own age there."

"I'd be perfectly fine by myself, Grandma..."

Emily ignored her. "It is settled. You will come to dinner on Friday. I will talk to your grandfather about it."

Tristan nodded then bid them goodbye as Emily made to head out of the store.

"Bye Mary," he added in an undertone, as she walked past him.

Rory sighed heavily as she walked away. She could feel his eyes burning into the back of her head. This week's Friday night dinner was going to be nothing short of interesting.

AN: If only I could think of something interesting…any suggestions?

I got bored and decided to post another chapter although I was kind of lazy with the proofreading so I apologize for any mistakes.

All the editing of existing chapters are finally finished, now comes the hard part – thinking of new things to write. That should be fun (note the sarcasm lol).

Anyway, thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I appreciate the fact that you actually do review and all your comments!

Now I have to go watch me some of The Office. I love that show. It's high-larious (as Mark from Ugly Betty would say haha).