It had only been a few days since her graduation from Yale. Only a few days since he walked away. Only a few days since she had broken his heart and hers as well. It had only been a few days, but that was enough, more than enough for Rory to realize the mistake she had made.
Her mother didn't understand how heartbroken she was. How she wanted to break down and cry for days. How looking at things that reminded her of him took her breath away. How she had lost a part of herself.
She wanted to call him. To send him a text or email. Something, anything to make herself feel better. She didn't know if hearing his voice would make her cry immediately or if she could restrain herself and cry afterwards. That's when she decided she had to talk to him, before he left for California.
She shakenly picked up her phone and called him. The phone rang once, twice, three times before it connected.
"Rory," was the one word he said.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it. Well, I did mean it. I don't want to get married right now. But that doesn't mean I don't want to marry you. When I said no, I didn't mean no forever," Rory said quickly.
"How else am I supposed to hear it as?" He asked sharply.
"I don't know! I don't know. I just know that ever since you walked away, I've been miserable. I love you. I miss you. I don't want to lose you, but it's too late for that," she said dejectedly.
"Rory, I love you too. If I didn't love you, I wouldn't have asked you to marry me. I don't want to lose you either, but I can't do long distance again. It almost killed me the first time," he said.
"I know," she said quietly. "I'll move to California with you, if that's what it takes. I'll say yes, if that's what it takes, and we can have a long engagement. Please. I'll do whatever it takes for us to be together."
"Rory, you don't have to do that. If what you want is on the East Coast, I'll do long distance again. I can manage it for a little while longer. I just want you. I just want to be with you," he said.
"No. I'm going to do this for me. I can work at The Chronicle. I can move across the country. It's easier that way," she said.
"What about your friends? Your family?" He asked.
"I have a phone and a computer. It doesn't take much. I'll be able to handle it. If you'll have me still, I'll go with you. I want to go with you," she said.
"Of course I still want you to come. We'd have to leave Sunday. I start Monday morning," he said.
"That's okay. I'll tell my mom. It'll be okay. I want to see you before Sunday though," she said.
"I think that can be arranged, Ace," he laughed.
"I missed hearing that," she sighed.
"I missed saying that," he agreed. "I'll come pick you up tonight at seven. We can have dinner or something."
"I'd like that. So are we good?" She asked tentatively.
"We're more than good, Ace. I'll see you soon. I love you," he said.
"I love you too, Logan," she said before hanging up.
Rory hugged her phone to her chest, smiling, as she fell back onto her bed. Suddenly, the day seemed to get a million times better.