Rory was staring at the ground, and Logan, Colin, Finn, and Stephanie were staring at Rory. She hadn't even attempted to look up in at least five minutes and they were starting to grow concerned. Not only had she barely talked all day, not even to respond to the comments Logan sent out just to bait her, but her face seemed set in a blank expression. They were all wondering the same thing of course, whether or not she broke up with Jess, but all of them were too afraid to ask.
"Is the floor really that interesting?" Colin asked finally.
Her head shot up, "What?"
"You've been staring at the same spot on the floor for awhile there," Logan explained, "Is something exciting down there?"
"What? No."
Logan tilted his head to side the side at the sound of her clipped answer. She was in a weird mood: not coffee deprived, not even sad, just -- distracted.
"Seriously, love. Are you okay?" Finn tried.
"I'm fine."
"Rory--"
"I said I'm fine, Colin."
She turned to walk towards the exit and Logan stared at her for a few seconds, before shaking his head slightly and hurrying after her.
"Going somewhere, Ace?"
"Home."
"Forgetting something?"
"Umm?"
"You really are out of it today. Newspaper meeting in fifteen minutes, remember?"
"Crap!"
She bit her lip slightly and stared down the hallway as if trying to decide if she was actually going to go or not. Logan knew that was stupid, of course she would go. She was Rory. But what in the world was going on with her? He reached out to place a friendly hand on her arm, but she pulled back quickly, and he shot her a quizzical look in return.
"I have a boyfriend."
"I wasn't trying to feel you up, Ace. What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just -- nothing."
He clenched his jaw, "Okay."
She began walking faster, and disappeared from view before he made it back to her friends. They were all watching the door she bolted into, the same confused expression written on all their faces.
"She'd tell us if there was something seriously wrong, right?" Colin inquired slowly.
"I think so," Finn replied.
Logan spoke up next, "Do you think her and Jess broke up?"
"No," Stephanie shook her head, "She'd be crying."
"What if she broke up with him?"
"She'd still be crying. It's a girl thing."
"Girls are weird," Finn concluded, "Should we be worried?"
Colin furrowed his brow, "I am."
"Me too," Logan muttered.
In the short time Logan had known Rory, he'd already grown quite attached to her. And there was no doubt that he already cared about her. He knew something was wrong, and he was almost positive it had something to do with Jess. She'd never had a problem in the past with one of her male friends reaching out to grab her wrist, or even putting an arm around her. Why did she care now?
"Why don't we go out after this? Get some food? Try and cheer her up?" Colin suggested.
"Sounds like a plan."
"Good," Colin nodded towards Logan, "Meet us outside after your meeting. We'll find something to do."
"Make sure she comes," Stephanie commanded.
"You got it."
He turned and walked towards the newsroom, his brain working in overdrive. She was sitting in her normal spot when he slid in beside her, and she nodded slightly to acknowledge him before lowering her gaze back to the table.
"We're all going out after this. You in?"
She shrugged, "I might be hanging out with Jess."
He stared at her, unblinking, and she shifted her weight uncomfortably, "What?"
"What's going on with you, Ace?"
"Nothing is going on with me," she stated sharply, "Maybe I just want to hang out with my boyfriend."
"Okay, okay," he held his hands up slightly, "You've just seemed kind of out of it all day."
"It's just one of those days, Logan."
"If you say so."
"And who are you to judge anyway? You barely know me. Why would I tell you?" she snapped.
He flinched and she moved her eyes back to the table to avoid his shocked expression.
"Wow, sorry. I just thought..." he cut himself off, "Nevermind. Have fun with Jess."
"Logan--"
"Don't worry about it," he motioned towards the door, "Paris is here."
He would never show it, but her sharp comment hurt him. He wasn't close to a lot of people, he didn't trust a lot of people. And yet, for some reason, he almost instantly cared about her. And after they got past the initial arguing, he thought that maybe she shared the same connection with him. But after her angry outburst, he was guessing he was wrong. If she didn't want his concern, then he wasn't going to waste his time giving it to her.
Stephanie was right, she was still with Jess. But he had a feeling whatever was bothering her still had something to do with him. He shook his head slightly, he wasn't going to worry about it. She was obviously fine, and she obviously didn't want him around.
When the meeting came to end, Logan stood up quickly and grabbed his things, determined to to not even make her think she was waiting around for him. But it was her that stopped in right outside the doorway by placing a tentative hand on his elbow, and it was her who held a soft expression in her eyes now.
"I'm sorry," she told him, "You've been nothing but great to me. I didn't mean that the way it sounded."
He nodded, but his expression remained stoney, "Okay."
"Logan, please," she massaged her temples with her fingers gently, "I'm trying to figure some things out right now, for myself, and I'm not really in the mood to talk about them. I know your just concerned, and it's sweet of you, but I'm okay. Really. Look, I trust you, and I like having you around. And that's strange, because of the way we first met and the fact that I don't really have a deep friendship with that many people. But there is something there with you and I don't...I don't want to lose it, okay? So, I'm sorry. And I'm rambling. And -- Forgive me?"
Her blue eyes were growing watery now, and they found their way to the floor once more. Standing there in the empty hallway, her head lowered to the ground, she looked so pitiful, so helpless. He wanted to hug her, to tell her that it was okay and to take all the time she needed to figure things out, but he wasn't sure how she would respond after her rejection earlier. He stepped forward slowly and placed a hand on her back, watching to see if her reaction mimicked the one from earlier in the day. This time, however, she stepped forward and he tucked his other arm around her, pulling her towards his chest.
"Of course I forgive you, Ace," he murmured in her ear, "And you'll figure things out, whatever it is."
"Thank you."
"Have fun with Jess," he stepped back and placed his hands on her shoulders, "Really."
"Thank you," she repeated softly.
He turned and began walking towards the exit, turning around only once to see her standing in the exact same spot, staring blankly into space. What was going on with her?
He made his way out to the parking lot where the other three were standing around his car. They glanced up as he neared, looked behind him, and then turned back to Logan with questioning expressions.
"She couldn't come."
"Did she tell you what's going on?" Colin demanded.
"No. She seems upset though."
Colin stared back at the doors for a second, "Where is she going exactly?"
"With Jess somewhere."
"Weird."
"Why weird?"
Finn sighed, "Usually Jess works right after school."
"Oh."
"I told you she was still with him," Stephanie chimed in.
"I think whatever is wrong has something to do with him," Logan observed.
Colin rolled his eyes slightly, "Doesn't it always?"
"God, you guys are like three extremely over protective older brothers."
"Can't help it," Finn replied with a shrug.
"Are we still going somewhere?" Logan asked, stopping at his car.
"Might as well. Follow us," Colin instructed.
They were just about to leave when they heard footsteps behind them. Logan turned around first to find Rory, staring at them with a small smile playing at her lips. She looked happier, and more relaxed, then she had all day.
"Offer still stand?" she inquired.
"Of course, Ace."
She simply nodded. She didn't elaborate on what happened to her plans with Jess, or why she had been acting so strange all day. She just nodded again and turned towards her car, her smile fading as she reached for the handle. The ringing of her cellphone interrupted and she grabbed it quickly.
Logan reached for the the door of his car, listening to the one sided conversation as he pretended to toss his things in the back.
"Hey," she greeted.
"Five thirty? Um, yeah, okay. Five thirty, it is."
"I wanted to, but I'm not going to sit waiting for two hours."
"I know, I'm sorry."
"Saturday? I have plans, I told you that."
"I can't. Finn's birthday, remember?"
"Sorry."
"Okay," she paused slightly here, and sat in the car quickly, "Me too."
- - - - - - - -
"...And then I figure we can just lock ourselves in the den and nobody will ever miss us," Finn concluded.
"Excellent plan, Finn. Except for one minor detail."
"What's that, Colin?"
"Considering it's your birthday, somebody might notice you're missing."
"Doubtful. Nobody noticed last year."
"He has a point," Rory put in, "I don't even think half the people knew it was his birthday last year."
Logan grinned, happy that Rory seemed to be at least halfway back to her old self now. They'd been sitting in a nearby diner for a little over a half an hour just throwing around small talk, and being careful to avoid any topic near Rory's state of mind. They knew better than to bring that up now, especially after Logan already tried and failed.
"Can I ask you guys a question?" Rory asked suddenly, her voice shaky.
"Of course," Colin encouraged, "Shoot."
"How many times..." she paused, took a deep breath, and began again, "How many times have you told a girl that you loved her?"
Logan furrowed his brow and made eye contact with Colin, Finn, and then back again. He wasn't exactly sure how to answer that question. Actually, he wasn't exactly sure he could answer that question. He'd told a lot of girls that he loved them over the years, and he could count on one hand the number of times he'd actually meant it. For that matter, fingers weren't necessary for that number either. They knew he didn't mean it, they knew the kind of guy he was, and they were always the same kind of girls in return. But now Rory was sitting there, looking at him like that, and asking how many girls he'd said that to. How exactly did he explain himself?
"Um," Colin stuttered, "Where is this coming from?"
"Does it matter?" she asked sharply, "Can you just answer the question, please?"
"A few."
She mouthed the words silently, shook her head, and then turned to Logan, "And you?"
"I, um. Several."
"Several," she stated, "That's all you can give me? What about you, Finn?"
"None that I can remember," he grinned, "But that doesn't mean it never happened, love."
"And did you mean it? Ever?"
Her eyes were shining with tears now now, as well as sparking with anger, and Logan was kind of scared to even speak. And he wasn't really sure if she even wanted them to.
"That's what I thought," she muttered, "That's what I thought."
"Rory, what is this about? Tell us what's going on," Colin demanded, concern heavy in his voice.
"Nothing. I have to go."
"Rory," Stephanie began, but Rory held up her hand to stop her.
"I have to meet Jess. I'll see you guys."
- - - - - - - -
Logan saw Rory walk in before any other of their friends even noticed her existence. She looked gorgeous, and Logan knew he was going to have to get used to seeing her at these events. But looking the way she did, that wasn't going to be easy. She was a wearing a light green cocktail dress that danced just above her knees, and her hair was curled and bouncing lightly off her shoulders. She smiled when she saw him looking, but even from a distance, he could tell it was forced.
She'd kept acting strange all week, but she wouldn't reveal a thing to anyone. Her phone rang often. He could always tell who it was on the other end, and more often than not it was Jess. She tried to keep them in the dark when he called, either by moving away or keeping her voice low on the phone. Something was going on, something big, and yet she wouldn't utter a word. After the love conversation at the diner, she had clammed up completely.
"Hey guys," she greeted, "Happy birthday, Finn."
"Thanks, love."
She smiled and nodded, sending a quick glance around his large house, "How many of these people do you actually know?"
Finn laughed, "Four as of right now, not including immediate family."
"Only immediate family?" Stephanie raised her eyebrows.
"I couldn't tell my uncle from the guy my dad hired two seconds ago. Sue me. Drinks?"
"Thanks Finn, I'd love one," a new voice greeted.
Logan watched Rory's face pale slightly as she kept her gaze focused on the wall infront of her. It was more than obvious that Tristan DuGrey was not her favorite person in the world, and Logan actually wasn't too fond of the guy himself.
"Hey Mary, looking gorgeous as always. New dress?"
Rory rolled her eyes, "No."
"Is that all the greeting I get?" he pretended to pout, "So, how's Jess? How come he never comes with you at these things? I miss you, Mary, you've barely talked to me all week."
Logan watched Rory flinch as Tristan questioned her boyfriend, and then her expression grew icy again as the boy kept talking.
"I've barely talked to you all of my life. Get the point already."
"Come on, Mare. What's that boyfriend of yours have that I don't have?"
"Where would you like me to begin? There's--"
"Okay, Ace. Enough of that. We all know what Tristan doesn't have," Logan cutting in, sending a smirk Tristan's way at his last sentence.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Tristan asked, stepping forward, "I happen to--"
"Listen, Tristan. You were just about to get verbally owned by this girl, I did you favor. Now do me a favor and shut up. You're annoying. Walk, Ace?"
She grinned, "Yes, please."
"Tristan, if you don't stop acting like an ass we're going to stop inviting you to these things," Colin commented as Logan and Rory turned towards the bar.
Rory's face grew more and more relieved as they walked farther away from Tristan. Once they were a good distance away, Logan halted and leaned against a wall. Rory stared at him for a few seconds, before shrugging and leaning at his side. He didn't talk, and she seemed content to remain silent as well. There was something on her mind again, he could tell. Every once and awhile she would bite her bottom lip nervously or twirl the ends of her hair between her fingers. Her teeth seemed permanently clenched together. And now matter how many times he glanced down at her, she refused to meet his eye.
"Having fun?" Stephanie's voice interrupted, "Is the air cleaner over here or something?"
Rory actually smiled, "Sorry. Just avoiding Tristan."
Colin walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder, "He got hauled off by his parents for something. Are we leaving anytime soon?"
"I think I change of scenery is in order," Finn replied, "To the den?"
Logan motioned a hand with a grin, "To the den."
The group turned towards the back of Finn's house and walked quietly by the older guests into the den. Once the door was safely locked behind them, the three boys produced bottles of liquor from inside their jackets and set them on the coffee table.
"Your powers of swiping alcohol will never cease to amaze me," Rory quipped.
Colin winked, "Years of experience, Ror."
"I don't even want to know how many years."
The sat in the same familiar positions from the weekend before, and once more Colin, Finn, and Stephanie started downing drinks like there was no tomorrow. Logan sipped his casually, and watched as Rory did the same. She didn't seem as determined to get drunk tonight, which struck him as strange, because the last time she'd been upset she'd downed drinks with the best of them.
"You know," Rory said quietly, "I asked him to come tonight."
"Asked who, love?" Finn inquired, sounding oddly sober.
"Jess."
Silence. Nobody knew what to say, and she didn't continue. And so they sat there, the silence eating away at each of them, as Rory quickened her drinking pace slightly. Logan didn't understand why she would bring something like that up. It was so random, so unexpected, and so unlike her. It was unlike her to even think about asking Jess, let alone ask him and tell them about the rejection.
"I wonder how many people you hurt," Rory said, speaking quietly again.
"Excuse me?" Logan asked.
"Girls," she corrected, "How many girls you all hurt."
"How many girls we hurt when? Rory, what are you talking about?" Colin all but demanded.
"Nothing."
She turned quiet again, and Logan knew no amount of urging would get her to speak. Her cellphone interrupted the stiffling quiet, and in her haste to reach for it she nearly fell off the couch. Logan reached out to steady her, but as soon as she read her caller id she shrugged him off.
"Hello?"
Jess's voice carried Logan's ears clearly, "Are you coming home soon?"
"No."
"Why not? I want to see you."
"It's my best friend's birthday, that's why not."
"You've been there for hours."
"And I'll be here for hours more."
"Why? Don't you want to see me?"
"Of course I do. Come on, don't do this," she warned.
"Don't do what?"
"Act like this. You could be here you know."
"I don't want to be there. I want to be with you, though. I miss you."
"I just saw you yesterday."
"Doesn't mean I can't miss you. Come home."
She sighed, but smiled, "I can't. I'm sorry. I'll see you tomorrow. I promise."
"Okay."
"I have to go."
"Call me when you get home."
"It'll be late," she told him.
"I don't care."
"Fine," she kind of smiled, "Talk to you later, then."
She closed her phone, took a long drink, and refused to lift her eyes from the floor.
