A/N: I know many people would rather have an update for LITM right now, but I have more inspiration for this story at the moment. However, I have started the next chapter for LITM, and I will try to get it finished ASAP.
Thank You to everyone who read the last chapter! I was so happy at the amount of reviews I got from the first one, so thank you so much for anyone who did, and anyone who added me to their alerts/favourites.
Like I mentioned before, this story is based on a book by Sophie Kinsella (If you haven't read it I really recommend you do if you have chance, it is one of my favourite all time books), and although this story will become very different to the original, the firs few chapters will be very similar.
Anyway, this is chapter 1, and I hope you enjoy it.
Recap:
Even as my foot skidded I wasn't sure what was happening. Then, as I was falling , I felt disbelief fill me. I had slipped on my stupid, too small, shiny-soled boots. I'm tumbling right over, down the steps like three year old. I try to stop myself, the paving painfully scratching my skin and wrenching my hand, grabbing for anything. But I can't stop myself-
Oh Shit.
The grounds coming straight towards me, there is nothing I can do.
This is really, really going to hurt.
What happened? Is it morning yet?
I feel so rough, what did I do last night? This is a hangover from Hell. Oh God, I'm never drinking again…ever.
I feel so woozy. I can't even think let alone…
Oww. How long have I been awake? What day is it?
There was a rhythmic pounding in my head and my throat is really dry. I was definitely never drinking again. I must have alcohol poisoning or something, I feel so terrible.
I'm trying to remember last night, but just random flashes of memories are shooting through my head.
Sunflowers swaying in the breeze on a summers day…
A cup of steaming hot coffee in a warm and cozy library…
My dad sat across the room from me in an awkward silence…
Trekking through Washington in the rain…
Hang on…rain? I know something about rain…
I stopped desperately trying to retrieve the memory and it all came flooding back to me. That awful rain, all that alcohol in the club. What the hell did they put in the cocktails? I can't even open my eyes, and my body feels like a dead weight, all old and tired.
I moved my hand and groaned slightly as sharp pain shot down my fingers. As I did so, they came into contact with luxurious cotton sheets, and I found I was wearing some sort of soft baggy shirt that I didn't recognise. Where an earth am I?
I didn't pull did I? Did I cheat on Loser Dean? Is that where I am? Am I wearing some hot guys oversized shirt after we had passionate sex all night, and that why I feel all bruised?
No. I've never been unfaithful in my life. I probably stayed over at one of the girls.
I groaned as I opened my eyes, glancing blearily around the small room that I was in. It was very bright and white, and I blinked at the harsh lights that gleamed down at me from above my head.
As I tried to lift my head, a sudden pain like a sledgehammer ramming into it shot through my skull. Gasping aloud in pain, a short red headed women appeared in the doorway.
"What are you doing awake?" she said sounding concerned, though I got the distinct feeling that she was talking at me, not to me. "The doctor said you shouldn't be up yet!"
The woman hurried to the side of my bed, and I heard the 'bleep' 'bleep' of something, whilst feeling something start to flow into my arm.
"No…" I started to say to her, but my brain became groggy again. My vision was becoming hazy, and the world started spinning around me.
"Wha…" I tried again, trying to lift my head through the pain, but before I could get anymore words out, another thud crashed through my skull, along with a numbness that was suddenly spreading through my body, and I felt the world go black before my head hit the soft pillow.
I felt the world flood back to me some time later, and could hear more than one voice in the room. As I fluttered my eyes open, I saw that I was in the same room as before, but this time there were two women stood near to the end of the bed.
"I know," a petite blonde woman said, facing the red headed women that I saw before "I thought they were perfect."
"They just have to get back together," said the red head, nodding enthusiastically to her friend. They were both wearing pale green, what looked like the scrubs that doctors wore on TV.
I frowned, drowning out the next part of their conversation. Why would I be in hospital? Apart from the faint throbbing that was still going through my skull, it felt like there was nothing wrong with me.
Then it hit me. The taxi and rain. Running…
Oh shit. I thought to myself. Only I could manage to fall down and end up in hospital. I must have hit my head really hard to end up here like this. What a night it was, all before…
Oh no. Dad's funeral, had I missed it? I couldn't leave Mom there with Grandma and the Hayden's.
The blonde women, or nurse I guess, finally noticed that I was awake and smiled brightly. "Oh," she said, "You're finally awake; we wondered when you would finally re surface. After you woke up with Natalie you've been out for a whole day."
A day! How could I have been out for a whole day! I had definitely missed Dad's funeral. I groaned, and lay back on the pillow again. How could this have happened? My one last chance to say goodbye to my father, and it was gone.
"Are you alright?" the red headed women, who must have been Natalie, asked "You looked worried."
"It's nothing." I said slowly "I just can't believe this happened, I must be so stupid."
"It happens to lots of people, it's perfectly normal." The blonde nurse said, looking sympathetic."
Yeah, I thought. Loads of people manage to slip over fresh air the day before their Dad's funeral.
"Could I call my Mum?" I asked, looking at them both slowly.
"Your mum is here." Natalie said, "she's just gone to get coffee."
I frowned, had I made mum miss Dad's funeral? Or had it been more than a few days since I blacked out.
But I guess it didn't really matter in the end. I've still missed it. My boyfriend stood me up last night, my bonus didn't come in, and right now I was alone in a hospital bed.
Where was my Mum? Before when I was sick she would sit by my bed day and night, not spend her time in the cafeteria. What about my friends? When Madeline had a problem with her toe, we all camped out on the floor and brought magazines and Starbucks. That was just for a toe! I had been unconscious with a drip on my arm, and I was totally alone. Obviously no one cared.
A tear slid down my cheek and Natalie looked at me in alarm.
"What's wrong?" she asked hurriedly, "are you in pain? Shall I call the doctor?"
"No, I 'm not in pain." I stammered "It's my life. Its total rubbish from start to finish."
"I'm sure it's not that bad." The blonde nurse said, looking concerned.
"It is." I said "My so-called career is going no where, and my boyfriend stood me up last night, and I haven't got any money. My sink keeps leaking rancid brown water in to the flat below, so my neighbours are probably going to sue me, and my dad just died."
"Oh dear…" said Natalie "That does sound rather tricky. But I'm sure it will all work out in the end."
"That's what Paris and Louise said." I added, nodding. "And now I'm in hospital! How is that working out? I wish my life would just magically fall into place."
"Well, we can always hope can't we?" Natalie said looking unsure. "And we have your bag here; it might make you feel better." She held up a carrier towards me.
As I reached to take it I noticed my nails. They were perfectly manicures and painted a smooth pink colour. What? How did that happen?
"We'll let you have some time." The blonde nurse said, who I still didn't know the name of.
I watched them go confusedly, and then looked down at the bag. At least I have this; I can send a few texts.
I reach in and pull out a smart Louis Vuitton tote with calfskin handles, all glossy and expensive looking.
Great. I sigh in disappointment. This isn't my bag. They've gotten me mixed up with someone else. Like I, Rory Gilmore, would possess a Louis Vuitton bag.
I stared at it wistfully for a second, wondering who it belonged to. Some rich girl down the corridor I guess. At last, I drop it down, flop back on to the pillows, and close my eyes.
It was a while later when I opened my eyes again. The pounding in my head had lessened slightly, and I felt physically slightly stronger. A familiar figure was sat by my bad and I felt happiness and relief fill me at the sight of her.
"Mom!" I said, sitting up slightly, and reaching out my hand to her, hoping for a hug or some comfort.
"Careful, don't strain yourself Rory." She said, her tone neutral, and somehow unemotional. I looked at my mother's usual bubbly face and sparkling blue eyes and frowned. She was different, the way she was looking at me was a way that she never had before. Reserved.
"Mom?" I asked, "Is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine." Lorelai replied, smiling in a somewhat strained way. She looked older somehow, there were lines on her face that I didn't remember seeing last weekend. Was she tired? "You're the one lying in the hospital bed. Are you feeling better?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." I answered still watching her expression. Something was so wrong. Usually she would be more worried about me, cracking jokes and bringing me coffee. It was like looking at a stranger.
"Well that's a relief." She said, flipping her glossy hair over her shoulder, in a way that I still hadn't managed to master, and her hair had retained the chocolate colour that mine lost a long time ago. "I can't stay long though, I have to go and take Taylor for a check up."
Taylor was her newer dog, the same breed as Paul Anka. She had named him to annoy the town's busybody mayor, and it had worked alright.
"Oh." I said slowly, trying to mask my hurt. Why would she be more worried about her dog than me? And where was Luke? He should have been here too. Were they that angry at me for missing the funeral? For going out drinking the night before? I guess it was stupid now, after what had happened, but I never thought that they would blame me for it.
"Is he okay?" I asked, hoping to try to talk her in to coming around.
"Oh yes, it's nothing to important." She replied, "I was more worried about Kirk."
"Kirk?" I asked, somewhat alarmed. "As in human Kirk?"
"No, silly." Lorelai said, looking at her exasperatedly "You know Kirk, he's one of Taylor's pups. "She was looking at me with annoyance and I was even more confused. Since when did they have a dog called Kirk, and since when did Taylor have puppies?
"Mom, what are you talking about?" I asked, but she just looked at me with that same look.
"I have a card here for you, from Carl and Deborah"
"Who?"
"Our neighbours!" she said, shaking her head as if it was obvious.
Okay. I know our neighbours, and I know they're names are Babette and Morey.
"Mom-"
"Anyway, they send there love. And Carl wants to ask your advice on skiing."
Skiing? I don't know how to ski!
"Mom…" I started again, but was cut off by Natalie coming into the room.
"Oh, you're awake now then." She said smiling brightly at me, "I'll just go and get the doctor and he can come and check you over. I'm sure you'll be fine in no time." I shook my head slightly, how did I mange to cause so much damage by falling and hitting my head on a girls night out?
"I better be going now too Hun." Mom said, standing up and picking up her purse "I've left the car on some ridiculously expensive parking meter, so I have to run." I stared at her, since when did she care so much about money on parking at a hospital?
"I'll see you later then?" I said, but it sounded like a question.
She smiled stiffly again, and bent down to kiss my head lightly. Before she would have given me a hug. Before she wouldn't have even left me alone here.
"I'll be back later with Luke and Tristan." She said, turning to walk out the door.
Tristan? She must call her dogs some really weird names. I watched her go; even more confused than when she came in. That was when it hit me. The way she was looking at me was familiar in one way.
She was looking at me the way that she looked and Grandma and Granddad, and the Hayden's. She was looking at me the way she looks at people in society.
"Hello Rory." A voice said as the door was pushed open a few minutes later. Natalie and the blonde nurse were there, along with a tall man with greying hair and glasses. "My names Dr. Jenkins, one of the neurologists at this hospital. This is Natalie and Lilah, two of our specialist nurses. How are you feeling today?"
"Much better." I said truthfully, "Though my hand still feels a bit weird." I held it up to show him and once again noticed my perfect manicure.
"Right, well we'll take a look at that, you may need some physio on it later. But first, I'm going to ask you a series of questions. This is standard procedure, and I'm sorry if some of them seem blindingly obvious." He flashed a professional smile and looked down at his note pad.
"Can you tell me your name?"
"Rory Gilmore." I answered promptly, and he nodded and marked something down.
"And when were you born?"
"1984."
"Very good." He said, nodding and making another note. "Now, Rory, when you crashed your car, you bumped your head against the windscreen. There was a small amount of swelling to your brain but it looks as though you have been very lucky. I still need to do a few checks though." He started to pick up his pen again but I cat him off.
"Excuse me!" I said, holding up my hand in a traffic light 'stop' motion. "You've mixed me up with someone else. I didn't crash any car, I don't even have one. I sold it ages ago."
"It says here that the patient was involved in a road traffic accident…" he looked around the room for confirmation.
"Yes." Lilah said, nodding "I was there when they brought her in."
"That can't be right." I repeated "What happened was that I was out clubbing with some friends and I fell and hit my head whilst running for a taxi. That's all, I don't have a car."
"So you haven't got…" Dr Jenkins looked back at his notes "A Mercedes convertible?"
"A Mercedes!" I snort with laughter "Are you serious? I really don't mean to be rude here, but you have the wrong girl. How would a tiny columnist for the Hartford Magazine be able to afford a car like that?"
Dr Jenkins just looked at me for a minute, his gaze washing over me with a slight frown as he turned to look at Natalie and Lilah. Something was passing between them, I could see it. Like the looks they all gave each other on Grey's Anatomy, when there was bad news that they couldn't talk about in front of the patient.
"Is something wrong with me?" I asked, my voice rising in pitch as panic began to run through me.
Dr Jenkins pursed his lips and then nodded. "Right Rory, I'm going to ask you one more question okay?" I nodded in response "Can you tell me what year it is?"
"What year?" I repeated in surprise "It's 2009."
My answer was met with a deathly silence and I felt a wave spread through the room, as Natalie and Lilah looked at each other.
Dr Jenkins carried on looking at me, his face worried in some way. Nodding, as if to himself, he continued looking me in the eye and spoke.
"Rory, today is September 6th, 2012."
I stared back at him for a minute, just watching him. What was he talking about?
"Ha ha." I said, rolling my eyes "Very funny. Did Mom put you up to this? Is that why she was acting so weird?" That's so something she would do."
"No Rory, this has absolutely nothing to do with your mother. I am deadly serious. We are in 2012."
I looked around the room but everyone's faces held the same expression as Dr Jenkins. Serious, with worry, and pity.
"But…" I started, but couldn't finish my sentence. How could this be happening?
"What is the last thing you remember?" Natalie asked me, her expression becoming more sympathetic.
"I was out clubbing with my friends like I said. It was Friday night after work, its was my Dad's funeral on the Saturday. Dean was supposed to meet me but never did. It was May 2009 then, I know it was."
"I'm sure it was Rory." Lilah said, "But all of that happened over 3 years ago."
"This is today's paper." Natalie said, handing it to me and I saw the date. September 6th 2012.
The headlines were different too. William and Kate's first year of marriage. London Olympic highlights. Had I missed the Olympics? Had Prince William got married? What had happened? The familiar people who I saw on the paper everyday looked older. Just like Mom. That thought sent a cold shiver down my spine.
"Are you trying to tell me that I have lost 3 years of my memories?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady and keep it together.
Dr Jenkins paused. "It's hard to pinpoint the exact time, but it looks that way, yes."
I couldn't believe it. Three years have gone by and I have no idea what happened in them. It really is 2012.
Oh God…I'm 27. I'm old.
"Has anything big happened in the last three years?" I asked Natalie an hour later, as I flipped through a magazine.
"About the usual I guess." Natalie replied shrugging slightly, and she handed me another cup of tea. That was my third one. Evidently that could cure amnesia, a nice cup of tea.
My eyes fell on the bag that was lying on the table next to me.
"Is that mine?" I asked Natalie, as nonchalantly as I could, gesturing to the Louis Vuitton bag.
"It should be." She said, reaching into the bag and pulling out a leather purse. "Yep, its yours." She said, flipping it round to show me a platinum credit card with the name Rory Gilmore printed on it.
I stared at it for a second. That was my platinum credit card, in my Louis Vuitton bag.
"This is insane." I said, shaking my head. "How can I afford this bag." I gingerly stroked one of the handles and Natalie laughed "How could I be driving a Mercedes?"
"Relax." She said "Its yours." She pushed the bag further towards me and I nodded in awe.
I reached in to the bag again and the first thing my hand came into contact with was a small swarovski crystal compact mirror. I flipped it open, and leaned closer to get a better look.
I felt relief wash through me as I looked into my own eyes. They were the same blue as before, and although there was some cuts and bruising, it didn't look to major. I tilted the mirror downwards to look at the lower part of my face and frowned slightly at my lips. They were somehow swollen, like I had been making out for hours. I had just opened my mouth to say something when I noticed my teeth. My pearly white, ultra straight, teeth.
"Hey, are you okay?" Natalie asked, looking concerned "I know it looks alarming now, but the cuts will heal."
"Could I see a proper mirror please?" I asked, my voice coming out slightly strangled.
"Of course." She replied, "There's one in the bathroom, I'll help you there." She helped my climb out of bed and head towards one of the doors. When it was pushed open to reveal a floor length mirror I stopped and stared. Was that me?
Everything was completely different. I closed my eyes and pictured the old me. Frizzy, mouse-coloured hair, blue eyes, a nice but not remarkable face, slightly fatter than I would like to be. This combined with simple eyeliner and low brand lipstick, the Rory Gilmore look.
I opened my eyes again and started at the person in the mirror. My hair, although slightly tangled, is a bright and unfamiliar chestnut colour, and all smooth and sleek, not an ounce of frizz. My finger and toenails and perfectly polished and painted a pretty pink, whilst my legs are leaner and had a golden tan that was never there before.
"What's changed?" Natalie asked, looking amused at my reaction.
"Everything." I replied, "I look all...sheeny."
"Sheeny?" Natalie laughed.
"Yeah, the hair, the perfect teeth – they must have cost a fortune." I stared at myself again, my face was different, maybe slightly thinner, my eyebrows were perfectly groomed, and my lips seemed fuller somehow…I leaned closer. Have I had work done?
Who had I turned in to?
I walked back to the bed quickly, Natalie following hurriedly behind me. Grabbing the bag and sitting back down, I emptied the contents on to my lap. Look at all this stuff…
A tiffany key chain, a pair of Prada sunglasses, a Chanel purse and lipstick. There was a small diary in there, but it was all written in code and note form that I couldn't understand.
A small card fell out of the side suddenly, and I picked it up. That was when I stopped breathing.
There was the name, printed on the front, in neatly typed a black letters, forming a business card.
Rory Gilmore
Chief Editor, Hartford Magazine
It felt like the floor was dropping out from beneath me, and there was nothing I could do about it.
"Is something wrong?" Natalie asked. She had been standing watching me for the last few minutes.
"Look at this." I said, showing her the card, "Its says 'Chief Editor'. I've only been with the magazine for less than a year; I didn't even get a bonus."
"Well you must have done something right." She said, watching me as I found a small phone by my knee.
It was a newer model that the one I had before, but I managed to use it easily enough. I had one new message;
Running late, I'll call when I can.
T
Who was T? I went back into my saved messages, and there was another one from this T? Then I came across another one. It was from an unknown number, and it looked like it had never text or called the phone before. I clicked on the message read through that one too.
See you Friday.
L Xxx
Who was L? Before I could ponder the two names anymore, the door opened and Lilah came in.
"I have the things you were wearing the day of your accident, and the jewellery that had to come off for the scans." She handed me a bag and I reached inside, my fingers coming in to contact with denim.
I pulled out a pair of jeans and Lilah whistled. "Wow, Armani jeans, I'd kill to get a pair of those."
I shook my head as I folded them and set them down beside me. I then pulled out soft, light brown leather, very expensive looking, Mark Jacobs jacket. Since when did I buy this stuff?
Deciding to leave the clothes for the time being, I pulled out a smaller bag and tipped that out too. A tangle of gold and silver fell on to my lap, and at a closer look revealed a very expensive looking watch and a matching bracelet and necklace. There were also a pair of diamond chandelier earrings, but they weren't what everyone in the room was looking at.
Natalie gasped and I just sat and stared. Lying in the middle of my lap was a huge, shiny, diamond, solitaire ring. The type you only ever see in movies, or in jewellers windows surrounded by blue satin and no price tag. I tore my gaze away from the ring to stare at the two nurses.
"Oh my God." Lilah muttered, as she stared at the ring on my lap.
"You must be married!" Natalie said suddenly, pointing to a gold band that I hadn't seen before.
"No!" I said, shaking my head "I can't be! I would have remembered that! I would have!"
I couldn't have forgotten my own wedding right? Surely not?
"Oh no..." I said, somehting dawning on me "I didn't marry Loser Dean did I?"
"Look, the rings engraved." Lilah said, pointing to it, and I picked it up, turning it to see the inside. She was right; the band was engraved right the way around.
"L.G and T.D, 3rd June 2010." I read it out loud, as the truth sunk in.
"I'm married." I breathed, still staring at the ring. "L.G, that's me, for my full name, Lorelai. I have no idea who T.D is." They definitley weren't Dean's initials though, so that was a relief.
The T from my phone, I suddenly realise. That was my husband texting me. My husband.
"I think I need some cold water." I said, as I ran past them and back into the bathroom. I splashed some cold water on to my face and stared into the mirror.
I'm 27, I have perfect white teeth, a Louis Vuitton bag, a card saying 'Chief Editor', and a husband.
How the hell did that happen?
A/N: Okay, so that was chapter 1, I really hope you liked it. I know some people will be wondering where Logan is up until now, and I promise that this is a Rogan, but there needs to be a few chapters to set the scene. He will appear soon.
Please review! I really appreciate it, and it encourages me to write more. If I can, I will send either an excerpt of this story when it is written, or an excerpt of Live in the Moment, it depends, to anyone who does review. So please let me know what you think, and if you have any questions please ask.
Thanks for reading!
