So, this was just a little thing I thought up after seeing a .GIF from 'Nick and Nora, Sid and Nancy'. Enjoy! :)
Disclaimer: I own nothing, all belongs to Amy Sherman-Palladino and the WB, etc.
Jess ran his hand along her books, fingertips delicately caressing their spines. His eyes flickered over each title in perusal. Suddenly he stopped and pulled one from its place.
"Can I borrow this?" he asked, turning to face Rory. She glanced up to see the object he was referring to.
"Sure," she smiled and began to turn back to the book she was reading when a thought occurred to her. "Don't you already have a copy?" He stared into her eyes and shrugged.
"Thanks for loan," he responded evasively, and waving the novel in her direction he turned leave.
"No, hang on a minute," Rory said, shutting her book and getting up to block his exit, "you dohave a copy. I remember, because you were reading it a little while ago and wouldn't let me read it until you'd finished, so I had to buy my own." Jess' lips turned up in a cocky grin and he crossed his arms, leaning against the wall.
"Well you kept leaning over my shoulder to read. I was worried about what the town would think if they saw you sitting to so…" his voice dropped, "close to me." Her cheeks flushed red and she looked away.
"I did not! It was just a really good book and you kept telling me all these things about it and I may have looked at a couple of sentences a few times but that's it and…" she stopped for a moment to take a breath, recollecting her thoughts. "But – hah! You just admitted you didhave a copy. So there, mister!" The grin dropped from his face. "What happened to the book, Jess?"
She was prying more than usual – her curiosity had peaked when he refused to tell her what happened.
"Don't have it anymore," he returned, shrugging.
"Why not?"
"Would you just look at the time? Luke will be worried about me. S'posed to work a shift and all."
"Jess."
"Well, I'd better be going. Don't want to be late."
"Jess."
"Rory."
"What happened to the book?" He sighed in resignation and Rory grinned, pleased with herself.
"It… it got… wet," he let out slowly, studying her face for any sign of reaction. There was none.
Instead came,
"Why?" Realising she would never be satisfied with only half of the story – and he'd already let slip a part of it – he decided to tell her the rest.
"Luke," he began slowly, still unsure of whether or not to tell the truth. He took a deep breath before continuing. "…pushed me into the lake."
A giggle erupted from her lips, encouraged by the stony look on his face.
"Luke pushed you into the lake?" she managed to get out between laughs. "What for?"
The embarrassment he'd felt at telling the story, while still lingering, was slowly being overcome by the sound of her laugh. He felt a surge of elation at his ability to make her happy.
"I dunno – it's Luke. He'd probably gone to the store and they'd sold out of flannel or something," he said dismissively. Then, realising he needed to get out of there before she realised he hadn't really answered her at all and began to question further, he began his exit. "Is that all, Reporter Gilmore, 'cause, you know, I have to get back to the diner for a shift." Not entirely a lie – truthfully, he was meant to be there now.
When she replied, her voice was filled with mocking concern.
"Well better get to the diner then. I wouldn't want my book ruined if Luke decides to push you into the deep fryer."