Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

Author's Note: Now, I know nothing about Lily' character. There wasn't much about her on the show. This is from her POV.

Disclaimer: The author of this story (me) does not own the respective characters. She intends no copyright infringement.

There are many, many heartaches when you're up against the wall
And all the love you give won't come back at all
And no matter what you do it really hurts to know the truth
Love is unequal sometimes.

-Crosby, Stills, and Nash "Unequal Love"

Lily's Veteran's Day starts with her parents' arrival. She is still asleep so Jess is the first person they talk to. He comes to wake her at eight-thirty so she won't miss the parade. And, she knows, so he won't have to spend any more time with Jimmy.

Jess likes her mom: he only tolerates his father. When she finally makes it downstairs the parade has started. Jess is outside beside Rory and April. Jimmy and Mom are on his other side. Liz and her family are across the street and Lily can't tell if Liz has spied Jimmy yet. They were lovers once upon a time. TJ is as oblivious as ever. Doula screeches as Taylor drives past, tossing out candy.

"Mom, Jimmy," she announces her presence. She can feel Jess and April behind her, her own protectors. Rory has moved to intercept Liz. Both her parents glare at her. She knows she disappoints them daily. She is not by any means the perfect little girl they want. She's mostly silent, and they are both talkative. She runs from her problems and they stay and fight. That's why she's here in Stars Hollow in the first place, running from a bad breakup.

Jess breaks the silence, "Why don't we go upstairs to talk?" He leads the way.

Upstairs he waits for everyone to enter before locking them in. He positions himself in front of the door to keep any of them from running. "How could you just leave, Lily?" her mom starts.

Lily shakes her head and shrugs her shoulders.

"Why did you leave, Lil?" Jess's voice behind her is soft, comforting.

Jimmy answers for her, "She and her girlfriend broke up. Lily can't handle confrontation. She needs to grow up."

Lily shakes her head. She wants to run to the closet and hide. To make them stop fighting. To go back to Lorelai's house and fill out invitations all night long…anything to get her away from this.

Jess senses her reluctance to be in the room. Still, he keeps her locked in. "Why did you break up, Lily?" The fact that she's gay doesn't seem to bother him; but, then, maybe he didn't catch that. No, Jess would never miss something like that.

"She decided she's straight."

"Okay," this doesn't seem to answer his question. Maybe he created a new question. "Why did you fight with Sasha and Jimmy?"

Lily wants to get out of this conversation, she would back toward the door, but that would only put her closer to Jess. Slowly, she moves toward the bedroom. Jess notes her move; his eyes track her as she inches in that direction. "Lily!" this statement is more forceful and comes from her mother. She notices the movement too.

"We fought because Jimmy and I don't approve of the girl Lily likes," she tells Jess. Her eyes won't leave Lily either. "I don't know why she felt she had to run away." She's sad; she really doesn't understand why the smothering and pretend acceptance bothers her only daughter. Lily starts moving again. "Lilian, stay in this room!"

Lily blurts out exactly what she is thinking at the moment, "I want to live with Jess."

Jess jumps, his eyes move away from her. She inches toward the bathroom. Jimmy seems to consider the idea as does her mom. Their eyes lock on Jess; Lily bolts into the bathroom slamming the door shut. "Lily!" this shout is their combined anger.

"Maybe," Sasha sounds sadder now.

"Guys," Jess is nervous.

"Would you, Jess? Just until the end of this school year?" Jimmy is bargaining.

Sasha adds to the deal, "We'd do all the paperwork and send money for food and clothes. Please, Jess?"

"You don't have to pay me," he now sounds offended. "If you really want me to I'll watch Lily until this summer."

They move onto working out the details. Jess is moving to Stars Hollow. Yes, they should enroll her in Stars Hollow High. No, he won't always live above the diner. Yes, he has a job. No, it's not as a diner boy. They promise to ship some of her things out.

After everyone leaves, Lily finally ventures from the safety of the bathroom. The apartment is quiet. She walks to the window. Jess is talking to April in the square. He gestures toward the diner and Lily ducks. She peeks again and Jess is beside Rory, at a much closer proximity than the "just friends" vibe they try to project.

The door behind her slams open and she scrambles away. "Sorry, sorry," it's April. "I didn't mean to scare you, Lil. Jess told me you're moving here for the rest of the year. Why? Is everything okay at home?"

Lily shrugs. She doesn't want to lose her only friend because she's gay. April slides to the floor beside her. Her arms wrap around Lily and the older girl gives her a hug. Lily lets herself melt into the hug, her own long arms looping around April.

A/N: A short chapter so I can switch to Rory's POV. And, Congratulations to lillitgirlx2 for guessing Lily's secret.

ladybug1115