You got that James Dean daydream look in your eye
And I got that red lip classic thing that you like
And when we go crashing down, we come back every time.
Cause we never go out of style.
We never go out of style.

I opened the car door and unfolded myself from the seat, snatching my crossbody. I leaned my head back into the open window. "Thanks for making me go out tonight."

"Blame end of finals week and my inherent need for margaritas," Paris replied. "We're so close to graduating that I can taste it."

"Amen," I replied. I stepped back from the door and waved. "See you at graduation?"

"I'll be the one in the cap and gown, Gilmore," Paris laughed and put the car in drive, cruising down the street.

I smiled to myself and crossed the road to mom's driveway. Paris and I had already moved out the day before. Now to wait another week and a half for graduation. Assuming we passed our exams, that is.

I noticed a dark Trans Am halfway up the street, partially covered by an overhanging tree. A car decal on the back window had The Clash scrawled on it. That brought back some memories.

I walked into the house and flipped some lights on. I heard footsteps squeak upstairs and walked to the staircase. Mom's head poked over the railing, her eyes sleepy and her hair a rat's nest. "Hello darling daughter."

"Hi Sleeping Beauty. Sorry for waking you up."

"I heard Paris' car drive off. How was karaoke night?" She slumped down on the top step and let her head fall against the wall.

"Off key and sloppy," I laughed. "Go to bed. We'll go to Luke's for pancakes tomorrow."

Her eyes were half lidded and she nodded, getting back up. "Ok. Your heels are cute."

"That's because they're your heels."

She raised her arm in acknowledgement as she turned the corner. "Night!"

I had missed her. Living here after graduation again would be weird but familiar, like slipping back into a pleasant dream night after night.

I tiptoed through the kitchen and grabbed a Pop-Tart from the box on the counter, leftover from this morning's quick dash out the door to get back to campus for my final. I stretched my arms out above my head with a yawn, happy to be free of worry for awhile. I debated dragging my ass to the bathroom to scrub the eyeliner and red lipstick off but was so exhausted that my bed just sounded too magical.

Pushing through the cracked doorway to my dark room, I threw my purse on the bed and leaned against the end of it to take my heels off. I noticed the open window and the seductive curl of cigarette smoke before I noticed the slight form perched in the armchair across the way. Dark hair, dark eyes, and a dark leather jacket stood in contrast to the light streaming from the kitchen.

My heart stopped. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

Jess smirked. "Hi Rory."