Author's note: This story is kind of inspired by Chad Micheal Murray's new movie, 'A Cinderella Story', but I wouldn't quite say that it's the exact identical thing. Somehow I sort of make it fit into the characters of the show so it wouldn't be totally off base and therefore has a slightly different twist to it. In my opinion this story is a lot better than the other stories I've written and I've definitely put more work into it. I hope you guys will like it, and I have the entire story lined up so I definitely know where this going. I just hope you can bear with me. Updates will be weekly so stay tuned! Thanks! And remember to review since your opinion means the world to me... hint, hint...

As for my other story 'The Reunion', I'm not sure when I'm going to update cause I'm pretty busy with writing this story. Just wanted to let you know in case anybody was wondering,

Setting: It's Rory's junior year in Chilton, right after Christmas and New Year's, and she's still not making a lot of friends. Her relationship with Paris (Madeleine & Louise) is still the same, and has gotten a bit worse now that Paris is editor of the school newspaper. Tristan is yet again taunting and teasing Rory, which everyone knows about. However, there is one thing Tristan is keeping from the whole school, something they would never have thought the King of Chilton would be into. So this is basically the information that's needed to follow the story. The rest you'll have to read on your own... Oh, yeah, and by the way, there is NO DEAN or JESS at all. It's like they never existed!

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 one

Monday morning, Chilton.

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

"This month's book choice kind of took me by surprise. Why you ask? Because it wasn't written by an all time American writer, like the editor of this newspaper selectively chooses every month. Not that I don't appreciate overseas talent, but it was more about the theme of the story that stood out.

'A Doll's House' by Henrik Ibsen is a fairly well known book and it's been known to be one of his greatest stories. Note my surprise when I say that, because it was published in the early days when the view on women was a bit........., well let's just say that compared to the 'early days' I don't see why the female population of today's world wine and complain as much as they do, that the book actually became quite popular. Perhaps not exactly something you could call a hit, but people knew about the story.

I believe that the main character, Nora, displayed the typical woman of that age, or frankly in each and every age since the dawn of civilisation. She was compelled by her emotions and she let that rule her life. As I can imagine how the audience back in the day reacted to the final scene, when Nora abruptly decides to leave her husband and children, I bet the same type of reaction would have conjured up in today's modern people. Even though we have come a long way with same sex marriages, abortion and 'Sex and the City', I still think the average family would find it appalling to see a mother walk out and leave her family.

So what is the theme of this book that I mentioned stood out? The mere point of letting women know that they have the power. Oh, yes, no doubt about it! The power to abandon their so called loved ones and ruin their lives. Maybe Ibsen should have called it 'A Crazy Doll's House??"

Rory Gilmore was standing in front of her locker reading the fresh edition of The Franklin. With her back pack casually slung over her right shoulder, she held the paper with one hand and the other with a steaming hot cup of coffee. A perfect way to start her morning, especially the one after spending three glorious weeks at home and taking part in the holiday celebrations. Three weeks spent not missing Chilton a single second. She had cursed the evil Gods for making this day come all too soon, but seeing as there was no way around it, she just had to settle for some coffee and the school newspaper to somehow ease the suffering. However, those thoughts soon became distant as she finished reading the review sent in by the notorious 'Anonymous'. Every week she would read a scathing comment, as a part of the 'Critic's Corner' column on the school newspaper, from this so called 'Anonymous'. This person seemed to have the ability to make Rory's blood boil and make her want to cause bodily harm. Not particularly something a good hearted person, such as her, is known for.

Lost in her own world, she failed to notice the person slowly approaching her. With the well known smirk painted across his face, a hand in his left pocket and ruffled blonde hair, Tristan DuGray leaned against the locker next to Rory's. Not looking up from what she was reading, he decided to finally make his presence known.

"Happy New Year, Mary! Hope you enjoyed the holidays.", he said.

Speaking of boiling of blood and causing bodily harm, the mere sound of his voice and not to mention his whole utter existence were also contributors to bringing about such tendencies in her. Mentally preparing herself for another unnecessary banter ahead of her, she looked into a pair ocean blue eyes. "What do you want, Tristan?", she asked in an annoyed tone.

"I just wanted to see how my girl is doing on the first day back from Christmas break. And from the looks of it you're about to get ready to kill someone. Lose the holiday spirit already, Mary?", Tristan answered teasingly.

"Yeah, I've decided to follow my 'killer instincts' instead.", Rory countered. "And lucky me cause I just found my first victim.", she continued, eyeing him up and down.

Not letting her comment get to him, he merely shrugged it off and let out a small laugh. Leaning into her ear, Tristan seductively whispered. "Well, just remember that I like it nice and slow." God, he could do this forever!

"Get your head out of the gutter, Tristan!", Rory said and pushed him away. Tristan was about to say something back when a voice broke the two from their verbal battle.

"And can you two please get out of my way!", Paris scowled, followed by Madeline and Louise.

"Why hello there, sunshine!", Tristan smiled. If there was something he knew Paris hated the most was defying her bad mood with super good humour. And that was what he was doing. "Did Santa leave any treats under the tree for you?"

"Cut the crap, DuGray! I need to get to my locker!"

"Guess the weather outside isn't the only thing that's cold around here.", Tristan said in a low voice to Madeline and Louise and moved out of the way.

"Isn't she always?", Louise said back.

"I heard that!", Paris said without looking back at the trio standing behind her, and continued with taking out the books she needed. Rolling his eyes, Tristan didn't even bother with a come back. "Well, on that note, I guess I'll just see you guys in class.", he said before turning around and walked down the hall towards their first class of the day.

"See you later, Tristan!", Madeline said in a flirtatious manner.

"Madeleine, don't even bother! He's not worth it!", Paris snapped.

"Oh, yes, he is. That's one fine male specimen!", Louise pointed out dreamingly.

"And hot as hell!", Madeline added. "I would do anything to get a date with him."

"Will the two you snap out of it?", Paris interjected. "We have class."

"With Tristan.", Madeline and Louise said simultaneously and smiled.

"I give up!", Paris sighed. Looking at Rory for the first time the whole morning, she finally acknowledged her presence. "I see you've caught the new edition of the school newspaper. My paper.", she emphasized.

"Yeah, I did.", Rory replied lamely, not being able to look at Paris. She just knew how to push Rory's buttons. Ever since they both tried out for the editor position towards the end of sophomore year, the tension between them had quadrupled. There were other applicants, but eventually it was only down to the two remaining finalists, Rory and Paris. After an excruciating last round of extensive essay writing, more interviews and enduring death glares from Paris, the verdict was finally in. Rory had lost and Paris was going to be the next editor of The Franklin. Since then Paris took every chance to rub it in Rory's face.

"Admiring something you'll never have, Gilmore? I never thought you were the self-tortured type.", Paris eyed her competition and sauntered off, her followers close behind.

Rory let a frustrated sigh and leaned her forehead against the cool exterior of her locker. Taking a deep breath, she picked up her bag and clutched her binder to her chest, along with The Franklin. Walking off to class, she dismissed all thoughts of Paris and looked instead at the review written by 'Anonymous', being reminded at the task in front of her. She couldn't wait to get home and start writing.