I Can't Fly
Jess' POV
I woke up and once again I'm covered in a cold sweat. I'd been having strange dreams for the past week. I wouldn't call them nightmares, as there was nothing scary about them, but they felt so real. Like I was there, it was getting harder to tell if I was awake or asleep anymore.
I glanced at the clock and noticed it was 6:30am. I decided I wasn't going to get anymore sleep today, so I sat up and rubbed my eyes. I swung my feet over the edge of the bed. I sat there for a few seconds, wondering if I really did want to get up, it was Saturday after all.
I gave in and stood up. I was on an angle, or was I? Maybe my brain wasn't awake yet or maybe I was still dreaming. I rubbed my eyes and looked down at the floor. What the hell? My right foot was hovering three inches off the ground. No way, this can't be happening. I closed my eyes tightly and opened them quickly, glancing down at my foot, it wasn't hovering anymore it was on the ground. Maybe it was a dream, it had to be.
I ignored it, what else could I do? Hi my name's Jess Mariano and my foot can hover. I doubt they had support groups for this kind of thing. I'm sure supernatural abilities weren't common outside of TV and movies. I shook my head quickly, trying to shake the thoughts out of my head. I think this town is rubbing off on me, I'm definitely going crazy.
I got dressed quickly and went straight downstairs to start filling the salt and pepper shakers, much to Luke's surprise.
"What are you doing up?" Luke asked me confused. "It's Saturday."
"So," I replied uninterested.
"Well, as long as you're here, take some orders," Luke huffed as he walked back into the kitchen.
I glanced outside, looking for her, but I knew she wouldn't be up this early, especially on a Saturday. I sighed. Although Rory Gilmore and I aren't together I know she's the only person who can make me forget these absurd thoughts. But she wasn't here, so I decided to let my mind wander until she showed up.
My foot hovered, right? Let's say it did, is that even possible? Yeah, maybe outside the realm of reality. Why me? I'm not special. It had to be a dream. I groaned, nothing made sense.
"Umm, Jess?" Luke asked me cautiously.
"What?" I snapped.
"The salt," Luke said as he motioned toward the now overflowing salt shaker.
"Damn," I muttered.
"You gonna clean that up?" Luke asked me.
"No," I replied sarcastically. "I think I'll leave it for the ants."
"Ants like sugar," Luke replied confused.
"Wow, nothing gets past you, Uncle Luke."
Luke wasn't always the brightest crayon in the box. Of course ants like sugar. Salt and ants equals the salt staying on the counter forever, there was no point explaining it to Luke though. I cleaned up the salt; I couldn't exactly wait for the ants now. After I cleaned the mess I focused solely on filling the rest of the salt shakers, making sure I didn't spill any this time.
But yet again, my thoughts wandered, as I watched as each grain of salt fall into the shaker. One lone grain of salt fell outside and onto the counter. I stopped pouring and looked, dazed, at that one grain of salt. It was all by itself, alone. It was seemingly normal, yet somehow different from the others. This one grain of salt never made it into the shaker with his brotherhood.
"Jess," Rory said, breaking me out of my thoughts, thankfully.
I sighed happily, taking my eyes away from the grain and quickly sweeping it onto the floor. I was glad she was here. I felt like I was losing my grip on reality, but I know Rory will convince me that I'm not.
"Hey," I said as I quickly finished off the salt shakers.
"What were you thinking about?" Rory asked me curiously. "I thought you were going to burn a hole in the counter."
Burn a hole in the counter, sure thing, that's probably just as common as flying. Flying as in hovering, maybe I can burn holes through things. I wouldn't put it past me at this point.
"Jess," Rory said clearing her throat.
I decided to play a trick on her, wanting to keep my mind off my stray thoughts.
"Hey," I replied mimicking my previous response. "What happened to the salt?" I asked her innocently glancing around for it.
"You finished it and put it away," Rory said confused. "Are you feeling alright?"
Yeah, sure, try freaking out. Freaking out that I'm going crazy, or freaking out that I have some bizarre powers that no one is supposed to possess.
"Jess," Rory said again.
Time for round two.
"Hey," I replied once again.
"Jess, you're scaring me," Rory said, visibly shaken.
"Sorry," I apologized sincerely. "I just have a lot on my mind."
"Care to share," Rory said and I tried to hold back a laugh at her comment.
"Its fine," I lied, but she saw right through me. "I can deal with it by myself."
"Come on, Jess," Rory pleaded me.
"It's Saturday," I replied. "Go out and have fun, enjoy your young life."
I enjoyed talking to her. It was easy not to let my mind wander when Rory held it completely with her presence.
"We're the same age," Rory argued. "We should be living our life together."
"Really?" I baited Rory. "Together?"
I could definitely go for her innocent stammering and blushing right about now.
"That's not what I mean… I meant that… Jeez," Rory said defeated. "Why do you do that to me? You always know what I mean."
"Do I?" I asked her innocently.
"Always," Rory replied smiling.
I smiled back, only Rory could get me to forget my worries. But the smile faded when I saw who came into the diner.
"Hey," Dean said as he kissed Rory.
I moved slowly to the other end of the counter, not wanting to come between them. But then again, I wanted nothing more than to come in between the two of them. I was waiting though, waiting for Rory to realize her feelings towards me. It would be better that way. She wouldn't think I forced her decision. I could wait, well for a while at least.
"So I was thinking we could go and see Lord of the Rings again," Dean said to Rory and I smirked at her obvious disappointment.
I knew Rory didn't want to see Lord of the Rings for the hundredth time, especially with the same company. I always wondered what drew Dean to the movie. I guessed it was the hobbits. Deep down I really think that Dean wishes he was short. All my tall jokes must be impacting him more than I'd previously thought.
"Actually," Rory said. "I was spending the day with Jess, he needs me."
I didn't look up at them. I didn't want Dean to know I was listening in to his 'private' conversation.
"He looks fine," Dean replied bitterly. "Spend the day with me, I'm your boyfriend."
"Dean, have a look at him," Rory hissed. "He's not his usual self, something's on his mind."
I tried to look sad, but it probably wasn't working. I'd do anything to spend the day with Rory.
"He looks the same," Dean replied annoyed. "He's just sulking, as usual, trying to get your attention."
"I'm not doing this," Rory huffed frustrated. "He needs me and that's that."
"Come on, Rory," Dean pleaded. "I'm more fun then he'll ever be."
"Dean just leave," Rory said calmly.
"I'm not leaving," Dean said sternly.
"Fine," Rory replied as she got up. "Jess," she said as she headed to the door.
I followed her immediately and shot Dean a smug grin as I let Rory lead me out of the diner. We subconsciously headed to the bridge and sat down in the middle, so close that our sides were touching. It sent an electric shock right through my body. I was shocked at the feeling. I'd never felt something with this ferocity before. I glanced at Rory, she had her head down and I could tell she felt the same thing.
I ignored it and fell deep into my thoughts again.
Wait, the dream I had about three nights ago. I was flying, flying around New York City. So, I was dreaming about flying and then my foot hovers, this can't be right. What I dreamed came true? No, it had to be a coincidence.
It's impossible, no one can fly. I can't fly. But maybe I can, my foot did hover this morning. I didn't think I was imaging it, but then again I wouldn't put it past me. I was so confused, what happened to my simple life? A life with no complications. My only worry before all this was trying not to get kicked out of Stars Hollow. Now my life was complicated and I had a feeling this was only the start.
I wanted to tell someone this secret, even though it was relatively new, it was eating away at me. The only person I wanted to tell was Rory. I wasn't going to go up to Miss Patty and bare my heart. But how would Rory take this? Probably not well, she'd definitely think I was crazy.
'Hey, Rory, I can fly'
'Oh really, like superman?'
'Yeah, just like superman.'
'Huh? That's so cool. Can you fly me somewhere?'
'Anywhere.'
And then she would kissed me.
Yeah, if the universe was working for me then I'm sure the conversation would go exactly like that.
"But I can't fly, it's not possible," I muttered accidentally out loud.
"What was that?" Rory asked from beside me and I immediately tensed up.
I'd just decided I wasn't going to tell her, because she'd think I was crazy, but there I go and practically yell it to the world.
"Nothing," I replied calmly, trying to convince her she'd heard nothing. "Just thinking about a song I heard," I said.
"Okay," Rory relented. "So, what's going on?"
"Not much," I said.
"Maybe I should go back and see Dean," Rory suggested as she stood up.
I instinctively grabbed her hand and pulled her back down. She was sitting even closer to me now, if that's even possible. I hesitantly laced our fingers together and rested our joined hands on my left leg. I waited for Rory to let go of my hand and apologize, but she never moved an inch. I began rubbing my thumb soothingly across the back of her knuckles. Rory sighed and rested her head on my shoulder. I welcomed it.
"Are you going to tell me?" Rory asked cautiously. It seemed like she wanted me to open up, but she also didn't want to anger me. I let out a sigh.
"This is something you can't go around telling people," I explained. "People will think I'm crazy."
"I won't," Rory promised and I laughed. "I promise I won't."
"You shouldn't promise something you can't keep," I scolded Rory.
"I'll try not to laugh," Rory said, already trying to suppress a laugh.
"No," I said, at the first sign of her laughter. "You're laughing now," I stated.
"Okay," Rory said, composing herself. "Hit me."
"I think this is something I should deal with on my own," I lied and once again she saw right through me.
"How's that going?" Rory asked me.
Telling her was now my only option. I couldn't lie to her, she'd know immediately.
"It was going great until this morning," I replied truthfully, yet not letting anything slip.
"What happened this morning?" Rory asked me curiously.
"I woke up," I explained to her, once again being truthful.
"Yeah," Rory agreed. "That usually happens when you go to sleep."
"I've been having these dreams lately, weird dreams," I said. "Realistic, yet unrealistic at the same time."
"I'm going to need more information," Rory said confused.
"It didn't feel like I was dreaming," I explained, trying to get it out right. "It felt as real as now," I said, looking down at our entwined fingers, smiling. "Yet I'm pretty sure I can count right now as a dream as well."
"It's not a dream," Rory said.
"How do you know?" I asked her. "For all we know everything could be a dream."
"Dean was in the diner this morning, right?" Rory asked me.
"Yeah," I agreed, confused at where she was taking this. "So?"
"So, do you usually dream about Dean?" Rory asked me amused.
"No," I replied. "I guess this isn't a dream then. Feels like one of my dreams though."
"You dream of me often?" Rory teased and I was surprised at her openness, usually she'd shy away from confronting conversations, so I took advantage of her new found courage.
"Every night," I replied. "I dream of nothing, but you."
Rory lifted her head off my shoulder and stared deeply into my eyes. My breath catches in my throat and I decide to do something I probably shouldn't, but when was I going to get a chance like this again? I acted without thinking about it. I leaned forward slowly, making sure I gave Rory more than enough time to pull away if that's what she wanted, but she never did. So, I continued on my journey. Our lips met gently and it was a nice soft and loving first kiss. I pulled away before either one of us could deepen it.
I glanced deeply into Rory's eyes, they were darker than usual and it sent shocks through my body. I untwined our fingers quickly and Rory pouted. I put my arm around her and pulled her closer. I moved my other arm across my body to entwine our fingers once again.
"This is nice," I said to Rory as I ran my fingers lovingly through her hair.
"Yeah," Rory agreed, resting her head against my shoulder. "But it would be better if you told me what was going on."
"How about you tell me why we're doing this… while you're still with Dean," I countered her.
"Dean," Rory said, suddenly tensing. She tried to pull away from me, but I held her against me.
"We're friends, right?" I asked her.
"Yeah," she replied, relaxing into me again.
"Well, some close friends," I explained to Rory. "Hug each other and hold them close."
"Do they kiss too?" she asked me smartly.
"Some," I replied. "It's usually the southerners though."
"So, us?" she asked confused.
"We're the exception," I explained. "I'm sure two friends can enjoy a friendly kiss if they want to."
"Okay," Rory relented. "I'm changing subject before this gets anymore weird."
"Change away," I said still playing with her hair.
"So, what are the chances of you telling me what's going on in that head of yours?" Rory asked me hopefully.
"I don't know," I replied. "I'd say slim to likely."
"What's that on a scale of one to ten?" Rory asked me confused.
"I'd say about 6.9," I replied earnestly.
"Not a seven?" Rory asked me disappointed and she pouted.
"Okay," I relented. "That pout just put you up to 7.3."
"0.4 points for a pout," Rory replied stunned. "What can I do it make that 7.3 an 8?"
"0.6 points," I said, thinking about it. "It has to be better than a pout," I said thinking out loud. "How about a kiss on the cheek," I suggested.
"Okay," she replied excitedly as she kissed my cheek long and lovingly. It was almost as better than our first kiss and it was only on the cheek. "This is too easy," she said as she smirked.
"Wow," I replied. "That was some kiss. I'm going to give you a whole point for that."
"Very generous of you," Rory replied as she blushed.
"Blushing," I said, glancing at her face. "That takes you from an 8.3 to a 9."
"And how close does one have to get to ten before you tell them?" Rory asked getting excited.
"I think nine's pretty close," I answered. "Well, for a rough overview."
"Go ahead, then," Rory said as she moved slightly away so she was facing me, our hands still entwined, our knees now touching.
"Okay," I replied, taking a deep breath. I just hoped she wouldn't lose it and call me crazy. With this new found closeness I wondered if I should even tell her, maybe I could lie. I decided against it, if this was real, I couldn't keep it from Rory forever. Rory squeezed my hand reassuringly.
"Go ahead," she said softly and I looked into her eyes, finding some courage.
"So, the dreams I was having," I explained to Rory. "They felt so real. Sometimes I'm falling, sometimes I'm flying. And every time it was in New York." I stopped and looked at Rory. Her face was questioning, but her eyes were encouraging me to go on, so I continued. "And this morning, when I got out of bed, my foot hovered before it hit the ground, hovered. For a split second, like I was floating. I'm telling you, I think I can fly."
Okay, so I got a little carried away there. I was avoiding Rory's glance, but I decided to meet her gaze.
"Really?" she questioned me, not believing one word of it.
I nod my head, I was too shocked to form any words.
"I can't believe you, Jess," Rory ranted as she got up from the bridge. I didn't stop her this time. "I trusted you, I played your little games and you couldn't even tell me the truth."
"Rory…" I said, but she interrupted me.
"No, Jess," Rory said angrily. "I'm sick of this." She was so angry, and the next thing I know, she pushes me off of the bridge. "Jess, I'm so sorry," Rory apologized.
I didn't respond. Here I was, an inch above the water, just hovering.
"Jess?" Rory questioned in disbelief, obviously not believing her eyes, yeah join the club.
I turned my head to look towards Rory to give her my 'I told you so' smirk, but as soon as my eyes left the water I fell in. I must've lost concentration or something. I resurfaced slowly and Rory was kneeling on the bridge, her hand outstretched for me. I grabbed it willingly and she helped me onto the bridge.
I collapsed back onto the bridge. Completely shocked and completely soaked. Rory sat down next to me, her mouth hanging open in shock. I began to shiver from the cold.
"Believe me now," I said smugly through chattering teeth.
She didn't reply. I'm pretty sure she was still in shock, hell I was in shock. She bent down and rested her head on my chest, facing me.
"Can you do other things?" Rory asked me. "Or is it strictly flying only?"
"No idea," I replied nervously. "Will you be here for me?"
"Of course," Rory reassured me.
"Rory," I said softly. I really didn't want to disturb her or lose the closeness we were sharing right now, but I was freezing my ass off.
"Mmm," she said tiredly.
"I'm about to catch hypothermia," I said, my whole body shivering.
"Fine," Rory relented as she pulled her head off my chest and stood up. She reached out and pulled me up with her. I wrapped my arm around her and we headed back towards the diner. "Maybe you're immune to sickness now," Rory said to me.
I let out a groan, but pulled her closer to my freezing body desperate for her warmth.
"At least I didn't laugh," Rory stated proudly.
"You pushed me in the lake," I retorted, pulling her even closer. I really needed to warm up and soon. "Just think of what Luke's going to say when I come into the diner completely soaked."