"Rory, can I talk to you?" Rory heard Paris's voice behind her and cringed. She was having problems at home with Dean and Jess. She didn't need Paris bothering her at school. Rory sighed before she turned around. She felt her plaid skirt swish across her knees.
"What Paris?" She asked with an irritated tone. Rory held her books up against her chest, as a shield in a way.
"Can I ride with you to Stars Hollow?"
"You want to go to Stars Hollow with me?"
"Yes, is that hard to believe?"
"Yes." Rory replied and Paris sighed.
"Come on, I need to have a reason to be there and you live there."
"Is this still the thing with Jess? Dean believed you Paris," she paused, "thank you." Paris nodded.
"You're welcome, but this is about Jess."
"What?" Rory asked looking at her. They walked through the halls of Chilton together.
"You what?" Rory asked on the bus.
"Have you been listening to me at all? I just said I like Jess."
"You really do like JESS? Stars Hollow Jess?" Paris rolled her eyes.
"Yes Jess from Stars Hollow."
"I thought you liked Tristan." Paris shrugged.
"I'll never get him to notice me," she paused, "besides Jess and I are more alike."
"How?" Rory questioned, "he's from the city and traveled where you haven't really been anywhere." Rory mumbled.
"I've traveled! My parents have been all over the world," she paused, "but Jess is well read and intelligent like I am. He grew up in a large area as an outsider. Both of us have divorced parents," Paris stopped and looked at her shoes.
"What's wrong Paris?" She looked up at Rory solemnly.
"We both know how it feels to be unwanted."
"Paris-"
"Don't tell me Jess is in Stars Hollow because the diner owner wants him here. He was forced here by a parent. My mother can't wait for me to leave for college so she can have her life back." She scoffed. "Not that my parents cared about me after they hired Nanny."
"Paris-"
"I'm used to it Rory. It's just what happens."
"But it shouldn't be."
"Not everybody gets Lorelai Gilmore as their mom." With that, the bus stopped and the girls got off in Stars Hollow. Paris stopped walking to turn to Rory. "You better not tell anybody what I told you." Rory nodded.
"I won't."
"Thank you." They walked over to Luke's. He came over to the table.
"Hey Rory," he paused looking at Paris.
"Paris."
"Paris." He responded.
"We'll have two cheeseburgers and coffee."
"Coming up." Luke walked away and Jess walked over to the table.
"Hey Rory, Paris."
"Jess." Rory rolled her eyes.
"Hi Jess." Just then, the door opened. Rory sighed when she looked over and saw Dean walk in.
"Hey Rory," he kissed her. "Jess." He said with a voice full of irritation. Jess was blocking Paris, so Dean wasn't able to see her.
"Well, I have to get back to work." When he walked away from the table, Dean sat next to Rory and across from Paris.
"Oh hey Paris."
"Dean." She responded.
"What are you guys doing here?"
"Just sitting here. Luke's making burgers." She replied and Dean stood up.
"Well, I have to get over to Doose's. Just wanted to say hi." He kissed Rory quickly before rushing out of the diner. Rory looked at Paris and exhaled. She was ready to get out of Luke's and send Paris back to Hartford.