Hey, guys, sorry it took so long to write Chapter Seven. I have been incredibly busy, and I've had author's block for a while. Thanks for the feedback on the two Chapter Sixes, and I will try to update again soon!

Please note the ballet review part is from episode 4.08 "Die, Jerk."

I have decided to choose Chapter Six A, so this chapter will take place after that.

Okay. I promise this is the last note: Julian Pierce is my invention.

Chapter Seven

"Rory, pass the potatoes, please," Emily Gilmore called down the table. Rory obeyed. "So, how is Yale, Rory?" Richard Gilmore asked, cutting up his chicken. Rory took a swig of water. "It's great, Grandpa. I've been assigned to review a ballet performance in the Yale Daily News." Richard looked interested. "Oh? That will be interesting. You should be very opinionated. Reviews are all about strong opinions." Lorelai agreed. "Yes. And we all know Dad has some very strong opinions." She twirled her fork around innocently. Richard frowned at her; Rory coughed into her napkin.

"I met a very nice woman at the DAR yesterday," Emily said after a short silence. Lorelai raised her eyebrows in mock-surprise. "Mom, remember that you are taken by Richard Gilmore!" Emily scowled at her. "Lorelai, I do not appreciate your sarcastic comments." Wiping her mouth on her napkin, she continued, "She has a son your age, Rory. His name is Julian Pierce. He is in pre-med at Yale, I believe, and very handsome." Rory nearly choked. "Grandma, I don't really like being set up," she said as politely as she could. Emily shrugged, trying to be offhand but failing. "I am just mentioning a very nice young man who is currently single. I know you have finally broken up with that other young man you have dated for four years."

Rory stared at Lorelai. She shook her head violently as if to say, "Don't look at me." Rory put down her fork. "Who told you that, Grandma?" Emily scooped some beans onto her plate. "Oh, I was down at Stars Hollow a few days ago, and I visited that antique shop. I heard some tidbits of conversation there." Rory turned back to her food.

"Oh."

"Speaking of the DAR," Emily continued mildly. "There is a ball coming up. A Christmas ball. It will be very nice, let me tell you." Rory froze. She gave Lorelai a horrified look. "The people who attend will be invitees from the members of the DAR, and they will bring their escorts." Now Lorelai looked equally terrified. "Um, Mom? What are you trying to say?" Emily gave an innocent look. "Oh, I thought that Rory would want to attend a Christmas ball. I would love to show off my beautiful granddaugh-" Rory's fork fell from her fingers with a clatter. "Fan dancing? Big, puffy white dress? Looking like a cotton ball?" She choked. Emily looked shocked. "Rory! What are you ranting about?" Lorelai came to her rescue. "Oh, Mom, you can't make Rory go to another coming-out ball. The first one was bad enough." Emily sniffed. "It's not a coming-out ball. This one is simply a Christmas ball." Lorelai and Rory exchanged nervous glances.

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"So, I am apparently going to a Christmas ball with Julian Pierce," Rory said between classes on her cell phone. Lorelai was on the other end, making reservations in the Dragonfly. "Yep. The handsome pre-med that goes to Yale. I wonder if he really is a hunk…" Lorelai wondered aloud. Rory groaned. "Mom! I have just broken up with my boyfriend. I am not about to go out with another guy." Then she remembered the kiss with Jess, but did not mention this to Lorelai. "I have to go study now. Finals in a week!" she exclaimed, hiding her discomfort. Lorelai yelled, "Michel! Chin-Chin and Paw-Paw cannot come in!" Holding the phone away from her ear in alarm, Rory turned the key for her dorm room and pushed the door open with her foot. "Oh, sorry, baby. Michel, you know. Anyway, don't study too hard! You will wrinkle that baby skin of yours." Rory grinned, then after saying goodbye, she hung up.

Rory pulled out her books from her bag and set them on her desk. She stared at them. Her head was buzzing; there was so much to do and…think about. Who was this Julian Pierce, and why did Emily Gilmore think she had the right to set her up with him? And then, there was Jess…Jess. She hadn't talked with him since the day she had kissed him. And she really wanted to. She missed him, she had to admit. Rory sighed, and began her War and Peace essay.

Just then, her door opened with a bang. "Jeez!" Rory turned to the source of the noise. "Paris! What's-" Paris was looking panicked and started pacing around the room. "Rory, I need- oh my gosh! Jamie! Asher!" One word caught Rory's attention. "Jamie? He's here?" Paris nodded frantically. "And I don't know what to do! He saw me with Asher, and… he asked if he was my grandfather. I was so embarrassed! And Asher! Asher was furious! He just stomped off!"

Rory looked at her. "Okay. First, why did Jamie come? And second, you can't blame Jamie for thinking Asher was your grandfather, because he looks-"

"Gilmore!" Paris exploded. "Are you trying to make me feel better about this or not? Because right now you aren't really acting very supportive. Jamie had no right to come back after I told him I wanted to finish. I told him very clearly-"

"Yes, you told him very clearly, but the way you told him was completely cruel and unfair. I still can't believe you treated Jamie like that, like trash for a guy that's old enough to be your GRANDFATHER. You're acting like a-" Rory stopped. Paris's eyes were blazing, and she looked like she would like to hit Rory. "A what?" Paris asked quite calmly. "What am I acting like?" Rory took a deep breath and turned. "Never mind. Just keep Jamie away from Asher."

I'm sorry there's not much Jess in this chapter. But I thought I needed to clear the Asher/Paris issue once and for all.