Since I got a few good reviews… thank you for that… I will write one more chapter before I leave on vacation. (ok now I've read it again and found some errors that are corrected now.)

Chapter 3: boy makes girl laugh.

Rory's alarm went off, it was time to get up and get ready for the next campaign-meeting. She was relieved to find out that she only had to work in the morning. She had the whole afternoon and evening off. She was already wondering what she might do with all that spare time: read in one of her books, eat obviously, maybe walk around the town a bit, hoping she wouldn't get lost… plans for later, there's still time to figure that out after work.

Looking in the mirror, she wondered whether Matt was going to be there too. The first morning Jess wasn't the first thought of the day, she was making progress. Then it dawned on her… Jess, why was it so hard to let go of him? He wasn't her first boyfriend or anything, still his face haunted almost every dream she had lately. Jess meant a lot to her, he was smart, funny, he even understood most of the references she or her mother made… and that is saying something.

Since the day Logan proposed to her he has been popping up, his timing has always been off.

A few examples: he turned up in Stars Hollow right when she thought he was gone forever and then he said he loved her, which is special because he has never said it to anyone else. The next time he comes to see her she was about to get back together with Dean. Then he turned up at her grandmother's house – just when things were good between her and Logan – he brought his book, dedicated to her. The last time was when he kissed her, she couldn't give in because of Logan.

For a brief moment she felt that last kiss, burning on her lips like it was yesterday.

"Come on, Rory, forget him."

She said to her reflection. He didn't try to contact her after that kiss, he left her the first time, and why would the second time be any different. She hasn't discussed this with her mom, that would be too weird. Lorelai didn't like jess, she never liked Jess… and now she's back together with Luke… expecting Luke's baby, which would be Jess' cousin… it's just not the right time to tell her about this. Still, Rory needs to tell someone or she'll go crazy. Who else was available… Lane? No, she's too busy with her twins and touring with the band… Paris? She's not an expert when it comes to emotions… She'll just have to keep it to herself for a while longer.

"Shoot!"

Rory had lost the track of time, so she had thirty minutes to get some breakfast and coffee before the meeting. That meant no more time for make-up, just go natural. She rushes downstairs, almost forgetting to put her shoes on. Like I said, even the thought about Jess has a very bad timing.

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She came into the lobby after a very small breakfast and only one little cup of coffee, just in time to sneak into the conference room.

"Phew, good, no one noticed."

Some woman of the campaign committee gave a short introduction, somewhat boring. The woman was small, had short curly hair. Rory guessed she was in her late fifties, black hair with a lot of grey in it, a small moustache growing on her upper-lip. Her wardrobe was definitely dated and out of fashion fifty years ago. She was wearing a suit-like flashy turquoise blazer, with a matching skirt in the same hideous colour. You would have to wear sunglasses to keep looking at her. Anyway, she introduced Barack Obama, who received a big wave of applause or maybe the people in this room were just happy that woman stopped talking and applauded her stepping down from the stage.

Obama gave his speech, full of hopes and promises just like every other one. Rory made a few notes and didn't have time to think about Jess anymore. Barack Obama ended his speech with his campaing-shout

"Yes, we can!"

Suddenly, Rory felt her cell-phone buzzing in her purse. Good thing she remembered to turn her sound off before entering this room. She opened her inbox, it was a text message from Matt.

"Hey, just letting you know I'm standing three feet to your right, glad to see there is no coffee that I can knock over *wink*"

Rory was a bit surprised, with a smile she turned her head to her right and saw Matt, he was looking perky with a smirk on his face. She messaged to him that it was safe to come near, slowly, without any sudden movements.

Matt made his way through the crowd until he stood next to her.

"Hey, 'just Rory', nice to see you again", he whispered in her ear.

"Hey Matt, yeah… well, I'm still a bit tired from working late last night and I've only had one fourth of my normal amount of coffee."

"This speech won't be so long…"

"Really? 'cause when I heard that woman introducing him… I thought it would take forever!"

"You're talking about that flashy, out of date woman? Yeah, I know… and to think she's only forty-five years old."

"What? Nooo, she's at least fifty-five…"

"Judging on her appearance, yes she looks ten years older. In real life she's forty-five. Theresa is my neighbour."

"Poor you… does her whole wardrobe belong to the forties?"

"Yep, and there is one ugly woollen jumper with snow-men in there too."

"Yikes. It's kind of mean, laughing at her like this… maybe we should stop…"

"Yeah, maybe…but, Rory, you have to admit it is difficult to look at that suit without sunglasses"

Matt looked dead serious when he said that, it was a funny sight. Rory grinned

"Ok I can't say you're wrong."

Rory thought to herself -- I can still laugh and have fun… Do I need Jess? --

"So, do you have to work all day?"

"As a matter of fact I don't… I have the afternoon and the evening off. I can write my report on this tomorrow morning."

"Right, what are you going to do with all that time?"

"First get something to eat, then I thought of walking around the town a bit, hoping not to get lost..."

"You can't really get lost around here… if you want I can show you around. I know a few good places to eat some lunch."

"I would like that."

Rory again thinking to herself… -- There is no harm in going out to lunch, is there? Matt could become a friend. She liked talking to him, besides, he knows the town. --

Please Review I value all the feedback I can get

I know it is moving a bit slowly, but I have every reason for it. I already have a lot of ideas for the next chapter. The next update will be in two or three weeks.