At first they talk on the phone every week, about school and dance lessons in their respective towns. But soon the distance between calls grows. Kirk's applying to community college; Ivy's auditioning for everything in sight.
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He goes to community college in the fall, and all he can think of is how she's going to go so much farther.
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"Kirk, I got a job!" Ivy squeals into the phone from her car.
"Pull over!"
"Fine, fine. You take such good care of me." She obediently pulls over on her way home from graduation practice. "But I got a job! I'm moving to New York to be in Hairspray!"
"That's great, Ivy!"
"I'm one of the Nicest Kids in Town."
"Well, duh."
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She's only in the ensemble, but just getting cast right out of high school is unheard of. Plus, how long can she stay in the chorus, anyway?
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He can't get to New York for opening night, but he sends her flowers.
And candy.
And a stuffed bear.
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What? Ivy likes flowers and candy and bears.
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She goes on tour with the cast and can't afford long distance calls to Connecticut. Neither can he. They lose touch, each wrapped up in their careers. Her in theatre, he in odd jobs like swan salesman.
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Years go by. Ivy meets Derek. Kirk meets his brother's ex-girlfriend, Lulu. He never tells her why he's so obsessed with the Dance Marathon.
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The incident at Heaven on Earth leaves Ivy lonely when surrounded by friends. But not the friend. It finally occurs to her to, duh, look him up on Facebook.
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In Stars Hollow, there isn't really a need for Facebook when everyone you know lives within a five mile radius. But at his wife's insistence, he gets one anyway.
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"Ivy Lynn sent you a Friend Request."
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"Kirk Gleason accepted your Friend Request."
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The End
Author's Note
I hope this story finds people well, and I hope that whoever reads this enjoys it. And reviews it :) I plan to write more within this universe, so be on the lookout.