Jess sat at the bus stop, casually looking over a book and waiting for Rory to get back from school. He couldn't focus well on the book because he kept looking up every time he heard a car, hoping that it was Rory, somehow back early. Of course she was never early, and more often than not she was late. It wasn't her fault though. She had so much to do with school work, the newspaper and a million other Chilton things.
Jess had been waiting on the bench since school let out at Stars Hollow High, and was getting impatient. They had plans to see a movie tonight and then he was hoping there would be time for a quick makeout session before she had to run home to finish her homework.
Finally Jess saw the bus turn the corner and head towards the bench. He kept looking at his book though, as the bus came to a stop and Rory hopped out. He finally put the book down as she approached him. "Hey" he said. She looked troubled by something. "What's wrong?"
"Oh
nothing really, just a long day. And this guy came back to school who
used to bother me, but that was a couple years ago."
"What
guy?" asked Jess suspiciously.
"His name is Tristan. I don't think you ever would have heard of him. He was sent to military school after getting in trouble but now he is back at Chilton."
"How did he used to bother you?"
"Oh well he would always call me Mary and try to cause trouble when I was with Dean. I didn't even see him today though, so he must not be in any of my classes. I just heard that he was back."
"Oh, well he better leave you alone."
"I'm sure he will."
And with that Rory and Jess headed to the Gilmore house so that Rory could drop off her insanely heavy backpack before they went to the movie. Jess was worried though. He didn't know what had been between her and Tristan but it was obvious that she was affected by his return. He thought about the day he came back to Stars Hollow, at Sookie's wedding and how she had kissed him even though she was with Dean. 'We belong together though, and they didn't.' he reassured himself. He decided to see what information he could gather about this Tristan, and other than that just wait and see what happened. One thing was sure though, he wasn't going to let anyone mess up his relationship.
They got to the house and Jess halted. "I'll just wait out here, your mom doesn't even really like me anyway."
"Oh, okay if thats what you want. I'll be right out."
Rory was used to Jess being a recluse but wished that he got along better with her mom. It was mostly her moms fault though, because she didn't even want to try to get to know the real Jess.
"Mom, I'm home!" she called as she came through the door.
"In here!" a voice yelled from the living room. "Come quick!"
Rory rushed into the room, only to find her mom modeling a new pair of socks. Kitten socks. With big sappy eyes on them, and a tail. "This is the emergency?" Rory said, exasperated.
"Of course not. These are kitten socks. But look, oh no! They are chasing each other!"
"Okay mom." Rory had to smile in spite of herself. "I'm just dropping off my books and then I'm going to a movie."
"With Jess?" her mom finished. "Yes, with Jess." Rory confirmed.
"Oh well be home early."
"I will, it's a school night."
Rory ran upstairs to throw on other clothes, wanting to get out of her Chilton uniform. She then ran out the door to meet Jess who was still waiting by the mailbox. Lorelai waved out the window to them, or at least to Rory, as they walked down the street.
