There's more! There's more! And I've already written a few chapters ahead just need editing. So for now, I hope you enjoy and come back for more!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 12 – *The Story of Us
I used to think one day we'd tell the story of us
How we met and the sparks flew instantly
People would say, "they're the lucky ones"
I used to know my place was a spot next to you
Now I'm searching the room for an empty seat
'Cause lately I don't even know what page you're on
Sam waits outside the lecture hall for his girlfriend. She and he both had decided to sign up for this limited lecture, this semester. He graduates this year, and doesn't really need this credit, he really only needs two classes, but this is a reason to be close to her, so he's ok with it.
She turns up, almost late, carrying a rather large personalize travel mug of coffee. He's disappointed. Morning coffee before class is his thing.
"Hi, babe" he says
"I'm sorry I'm late. I was up late last night talking to Lacey about her and Adam's break up. Thankfully Logan made me this before I got up. " She notices his extra cup. "For me?" He nods yes. "Oh thank you!" She opens the lid on her now almost empty mug and pours his coffee into the "Logan mug."
Sam has kept his mouth shut for so long. He told her once how he felt and she still chooses to with this guy. So he made sure he's around more often then not. Spending as many nights as he can at the house, but it's the final semester of schooling and he wants to spend some time being involved at the university and with his other friends too.
His other friends he's reminded again that other then Adam and Lacey she doesn't really know them. It's not been missed by him that she's not really made an effort to get to know them. They've been together since the end of last year, all summer and the entire first semester. He wants to start imagining a life outside of school and away from Logan, but he's starting to wonder if that's even an option for them.
She tosses away the empty paper cup and takes his hand. "Lets get a good seat. I want to sit as close as possible."
As everyone gathers his or her things to leave he watches her talk personally with the lecturer. She's never fully let him in, or come into his world. Her mother was suppose to come month ago, but changed her plans and should be here this weekend. He's hoping this will be the time she lets him in. If not, he's not sure where to go with this.
"You ready?" she asks as she grabs her bag. "I have to stop by the paper before going to work and see if I've got any assignments."
"I thought you told them you were busy this weekend."
"The paper, or work?"
"Both." he follows her out of the hall.
"I told the paper I was, but I'm not exactly on the breaking news beat, so that's not really an issue with giving me an assignment and as for work, I have the weekend off. I can't believe my mom is going to be here in a few hours."
"Me either. I'm excited to meet her."
She stops and looks at him. "I'm sorry, not tonight. Tonight it's the mother and daughter reunion of all reunions. There's going to be Lifetime, and food and it's not something you want to witness." She teases.
"So when do I get to meet her?"
Still walking toward The Stanford Daily, she says "I don't know. I know she definitely wants to do some California sight seeing. So we are going to the boardwalk, and the Monterey bay aquarium not to mention the tour of the university."
"All of which I'm assuming I'm not invited to." He says bitterly.
"Are you mad?" she stops right outside the Stanford newsroom.
"No, of course not." He says but it's clear he is.
"You are."
"Of course I am Rory. We've been together for like 8 month and I'm no more involved in your life then I was on day one."
"Yes you are."
"No, I'm not. In face in many ways I'm less. It's like Logan showed up and he's immediately given priority over me."
"He's my best friend, Sam."
"I thought I was your boyfriend. And this Gilmore Girls reunion night, that will undoubtedly be at your house, where your mom is staying, so that means Logan will be involved, and most likely when he hears about your plans he's going to offer you a car, or some other shit, which means he's involved in that too and I get "I don't know Sam." Rory I love you, but what is this relationship to you?"
"It's, fun and easy or it's usually easy, and I really enjoy spending time with you." She says, frustrated.
"Rory, I love you. I graduate in a few months and I want to start looking forward and for me, at lest, I want you in that future but no matter how often I say I Love you, you never say it back."
"Do you want me to say it back only because you've said it to me?"
NO, after 8 months, I want you to mean it."
There's silence. From the window to the newsroom Rory sees her editor motion for her to come in.
"Sam…"
He too has noticed this, "Right, your editor needs to see you. One more person that takes priority over me."
"It's not like that."
"It is. And you know I've always thought that when you really love someone you fight for him or her. I always thought you don't just let someone go. You stay and you fight for them, but I'm at a point where maybe I finally understand. I love you, but you don't love me and I'm not really down with fighting for someone that doesn't love me back."
"So what are you saying?" She asks as her editor knocks on the window to grab her attention.
"I'm saying… your editor needs you and Logan needs you and your mom and Lacey and your job they all need you. I don't. Not anymore Rory. I love you and I want you, but I don't need you and you certainly don't need or love me. So I guess I'm saying… goodbye."
He kisses her on the cheek and walks away. She so confused. What the hell just happened here? She woke up this morning and thought, how could this day get any better. Sure she'll have to finally tell her mom she lives with Logan, but she has Lacey, she's back on friend terms with Paris whose finally forgiven her for leaving Yale, Logan made her a massive coffee and she was going to meet her boyfriend for her only class today. Now she's standing here, alone and her boyfriend just broke up with her.
Suddenly she's very aware of how glad she is her mom's coming today. She really wants nothing more then ice cream and tacos and her moms shoulder.
After seeing her assignment she heads back to the apartment to change for work. She's scheduled a short day so day so she can pick up her mom at the airport and then she's taken the weekend off. First one off even at the job since she'd started.
She walks into the house and dumps all her things on the floor happy to be the Oscar to Logan's Felix.
"Oscar." Logan says as he enters the room and sees her book bag on the floor.
"Felix." She answers as he moves the bags a little out of the way. "You forget to tell me something, Ace?" he says.
"Huh?" she responds.
"Oh, loin fruit…" she hears coming from her bedroom.
"Logan my mom is coming for a visit this weekend, I haven't' told her that I've been living with you, but she's going to stay in my room, with me for the duration and I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner." She says in a panicked rush.
Logan has to laugh at her panic. "It ok Ace. And she doesn't need to sleep in your room we have other rooms here."
"You still love me?" she questions sweetly
"Always. I'll set up one of the other room for her. It looks like you have some 'splaining to do." He says imitating Ricky Ricardo.
She heads toward the sound of her mother's voice, but turns around, "Hey, thank you Logan."
She watches as he waves over his shoulder and goes to put sheets on the bed in the only other downstairs bedroom. Turning she braces herself for the storm.
"Hi mom." She runs at her mom for a hug and of course gets a HUGE one in return.
"Let me see my little girl." She pushes her out arms length and looks her up and down then insists she do a twirl before being satisfied that her daughter is ok.
"Ok, so you're alive, looking wonderful, I've seen your grades so you're doing wonderful, you're halfway through your sophomore year, with a cute boyfriend that I must meet, and yet, even though I know all of this the one thing you failed to mention, neigh, they one thing you, dare I say purposely left out of all your emails and texts and late night chats, is that you have been living with Logan Huntzberger. Wanna fill in some blanks for me here?" Lorelai says as she takes a seat on her daughter's bed and crosses her legs.
Rory, having spent too much time with Lacey sits on the floor across from her mom. "Not a lot to tell. I was having trouble finding an apartment to rent for the summer and he showed up and offered a room here, and then it worked out so well I just stayed."
"With Logan."
"Yep."
"You've been living with Logan Huntzberger."
"That's his name."
"You've been sharing a house, with Logan."
"You've said that."
"I'm just having a little trouble wrapping my head around this."
"Why?"
"It's Logan."
"So why does that make it hard to understand?"
"I know my love life hasn't exactly set a perfect example of how to have successful relationships but…"
"You think? You dated and basically left my high school English teacher at the alter."
"Let's not go there."
"You started it. But seriously we're just roommates."
"Like you were just friends."
Rory shakes her head. Not the day to have this conversation.
"Yep."
"What does Sam think about this?"
"You're worried about the feelings of some guy that you've never met?"
"I'm concerned about how my daughter's boyfriend feels about her living with another man."
"Doesn't matter anymore. He broke up with me today."
"What?" Lorelai exclaims.
"Yep, but all this will have to wait a few hours because you decided to change you're flight without telling me and I still have to go into work a few hours."
"No you don't." Logan chimes in from the doorway. "As the VP of the company that owns it, I pulled a few strings."
"Really?!" Rory says excitedly.
"Yep, and Lorelai I've fixed up the room next to Rory's here so you can have your own space. The bathroom is right next door so you two will have to share that, but somehow I don't see that being a problem."
"Thank you Logan." Lorelai says cordially. She's just never seen in him what her daughter does.
"Hey you ready for dinner." Lacey says from behind Logan.
"Did I forget we had plans?!" Rory says.
"Not you silly. This one here. I'm setting hungry, like really Rory Gilmore hungry."
Logan laughs, "Ok, ok, I'm ready. Let's go." He turns back to Rory and Lorelai, "I hope you guys have a great night whatever you have planned. I'll see you when I get home."
"Don't wait up.." Lacey calls seductively over her shoulder.
Both Rory and her mother say their goodbyes to Logan and his "date". Rory has effectively hidden her surprise at Logan and Lacey from her mother but it's eating at her. When? Where? Why? How? She wants answers.
Rory and her mom set up their plans for the weekend. Tomorrow they will tour the school, and do some shopping and lunch at Santana Row and then spend the rest of the afternoon and evening at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Sam took her there for the first time and she absolutely fell in love with the rides, the games, the FOOD. Its summertime so she's pretty sure there will be live music and the lights and the breeze from the water are the best way to end any day. Sunday they are going to go visit the Winchester Mystery House, because her mom heard about it some Ghost chasing show and has decided the whole visit will be a bust if she can't walk that house and the aquarium.
For tonight the only plan is takeout, tacos, ice cream, red vines and the few pop tarts her mom had in her purse. Instead of movies Lorelai decided she wants to watch episodes of Diff'rent Strokes. She feels a need to see Dana Plato before all the adult videos, for whatever reason. Rory has learned not to ask.
But as she watches and hears every "What you talkin bout Willis?" she can't get the fact that Logan is out with Lacey out of her mind. She feels like just the other day Lacey was all crying on the phone about Adam, and how it can't be over and blah blah blah and then like out of nowhere she's going out with Logan. LOGAN. As she's stuck in her mind, the front door opens and in walks Logan… followed by Lacey.
They have both clearly been drinking. Neither one is sloppy, but they are extra hands on and a little louder for them both. They've had a good time out all night and now both sit down to join the two girls in the living room. Logan sits down next to Rory on the sofa and Lacey sits on the floor and leans back against his legs. Lorelai sits in the recliner with her legs up.
Suddenly it feels very uncomfortable for Rory. Why? It shouldn't be. This is her home and her mom and her friends. The group watches a couple of episodes and laughs at the nostalgia, at lest for Lorelai, and when the jet lag finally sets in and Lorelai is asleep in her chair it's just herself, Logan and Lacey. Rory wakes her mom up and suggest she goes to bed and as Lorelai excuses herself as do Logan who Lacey follows into his bedroom.
Standing alone is the living room to clean up the Gilmore disaster she keeps looking towards Logan's door, which remains closed. She tries to ignore her thoughts about what's going on behind that door and cleans up the mess and turns off the TV and goes to bed.
Oh, a simple complication
Miscommunications lead to fall out
So many things that I wish you knew
So many walls up I can't break through
Now I'm standing alone In a crowded room
And we're not speaking and I'm dying to know
Is it killing you like it's killing me yeah
I don't know what to say since the twist of fate
When it all broke down and the story of us
Looks a lot like a tragedy now next chapter
Rory awakes to sounds of people talking in the kitchen and the smell of coffee and she pulls on her slipper and robe and goes to grab a cup from what she assumes is her mother.
"Rory! So glad you're awake. I was wondering if I could tag along on the shopping spree today with your mom. I absolutely L.O.V.E. her. She's so cool."
Rory stops. Lacey, in a pair of Logan's sweat pans and t-shirt is standing next to Logan in the kitchen.
"Coffee?" Logan offers.
"No thanks." She responds. Both Logan and her friend look like she's grown a third head. "Only came out cause I thought I heard my mom."
"Nope, so far that awesome mom of your is still sleeping."
"Ok, well I'm just gonna go back to my room."
"Without coffee?" Logan asks again.
"Yep." She turns and heads back to her room.
Logan however steps in front of her right as she reaches her door.
"You ok, Ace?"
"I'm fine."
"You just turned down fresh brewed coffee."
"I just…" she can't' even think of a lie quickly.
"You just what?" he presses.
"Lacey?" she questions, finally.
"Ahhh, I know she's your friend and I guess I should have checked with you first. It just kind of happened. She's fun."
"Is that all that is, fun?"
"I don't know what is it. It's just started. She's fun, and she's funny and she laughs easily and she's smart and I just generally enjoy being around her. Is that ok with you."
"Clearly it doesn't matter if it's ok with me since it's apparently been going on behind my back."
"Whoa," he takes a step back and puts his hands up, "Last night was the first time. Nothing has happened behind your back."
"So you're telling me last night was the first time and yet she's already spending the night."
"Didn't know you were so puritanical. You were after all the one trying to proposition me with a no strings attached agreement." he teases.
She however is not laughing. "It doesn't matter Logan. I'm just in a bad mood. Sorry to take it out on you."
"Everything ok over here?" Lacey steps in.
"Yeah, I just didn't' sleep well and I'm being a bitch. I would love to have you come with us."
"Yay! Girls day. Think we could talk Lorelai into getting a mani/pedi?"
"I'm pretty sure she'd love that."
"Yes! Ok so I'm gonna run home and change, I can't exactly wear your clothes all day, Sir. And I'll be back here in about an hour?"
"Sound perfect." Rory responds.
Lacey babbles on for a minute but Logan can't take his eyes off Rory. She's clearly, very clearly, not ok with Lacey and him seeing each other. But why? Does she not think he's good enough for her friend? She and Lacey have become very close. Of course he's been boneheaded in not talking to her about it first but he never imagine that she'd think he shouldn't date her friend. He's worried. He doesn't want to lose his friend.
Before he can actually say anything else, Lacey kisses him goodbye and Rory closes her door to get dressed. He's standing there looking like an idiot when Lorelai opens her door and he's got the cup of coffee he had intended on giving to Rory still in his hands and she takes it as she lets herself into her daughters room.
He decides for now, he has to curb this issue and get dressed for his day. He's got one conference call and then plans on actually lying around and doing nothing today. With all the women out of the house it will be quiet enough for him to sit and read.
How'd we end up this way?
See me nervously pulling at my clothes
And trying to look busy
And you're doing your best to avoid me
I'm starting to think one day I'll tell the story of us
How I was losing my mind when I saw you here
But you held your pride like you should have held me
Oh, I'm scared to see the ending
Why are we pretending this is nothing?
I'd tell you I miss you but I don't know how
I've never heard silence quite this loud
Now I'm standing alone in a crowded room
And we're not speaking and I'm dying to know
Is it killing you like it's killing me yeah
I don't know what to say since the twist of fate
When it all broke down and the story of us
Looks a lot like a tragedy now
The morning and afternoon are a hit with Lorelai, but the girls are all exhausted and decide to take a few hours off and take a nap and change before their night on the boardwalk.
Rory is glad that she and her mom are still close. She does however know that her mom doesn't feel like they are as close as they use to be. That's because she's right. They were practically one person before. It was great growing up with that, but as far as Rory is concerned going her own way has been what's been best for her.
And really Lorelai can't argue that they are still closer then most mothers and daughters.
Logan's is sitting on the couch in his sweats. "Hey girls. How was your day?"
"I didn't know there was place that wanted you to shop, and die from the heat at the same time. I thought stores wanted repeat business."
"Little hot out there today." He says.
"Not really, 90 maybe." Rory says. She's looking cute with her lightly tanned skin and short.
Lorelai, however has jeans and raglan shirt on. Being from the New England area she's clearly not packed for Sothern California. However the amount of bags she drops on the floor say that has been corrected.
"You did some shopping, I see. Where's you're bags Ace?"
"In my purse."
He tilts his heads and she pulls a small bottle of Hollister perfume and a of course a book out.
He laughs. "I hope you're haul is better." He turns to her mother.
"I'm going to be here for another day or so, so I think the 15 pairs of shorts I bought and the tank tops are a bit of a an overkill, but I think what happened was my daughter tricked me. I'm not going to take all this home with me, I'll never wear shorts again, so she knows I'm going to leave it all here which means I've just added to her wardrobe and I didn't even realize it till now." She turns to face her daughter.
Rory in turn just smiles in triumph.
Well, my deceptive daughter I am going to go to my room and take a nap. Wake me so I have enough time to figure out how many of the shorts I can wear tonight in order to make this purchase valid."
"I never knew you're name was Rory "high stakes deception" Gilmore."
"There are things about me you don't know."
"I think I know you pretty well."
"Is that right." She turns to walk to her room.
"I know something's wrong and you won't tell me what it is."
"Nothings wrong, Logan. I'm taking a nap." She closes her door and leaves him still concerned but unable to make her talk to him.
Rory wakes up and goes into the hall to wake up her mom she doesn't see Logan anywhere in sight. It's a relief and she doesn't like that feeling.
Back in her room she changes her clothes and gets ready for the night with her mom. A knock on the front door grabs her attention and she opens it find Lacey in front.
"I can NOT wait to go to the boardwalk. It is seriously my favorite place. It's just so chill and so fun. This is what Nor Cal is really about. I think if my mom and dad would ever come here and see the boardwalk they would finally see why I love it here. Where's Lorelai? Is she ready?"
"I didn't know you were coming tonight?" Rory says confused as her friend is now sitting on the living room sofa.
"Oh, I'm sorry, did you want some alone time with your mom? She suggested I come tonight and I just had so much fun today that I wanted tag along again. Is that ok?"
"No, it's fine I just didn't know." Rory says but is interrupted by Lacey
"BABE!" she says excitedly as she see Logan coming out of his room.
"Did I forget we had plans?" he looks confused because apparently he too took a nap, as the pillow creases on his face show.
"Nope." she kissed him but he looks stiff. "We are going to the boardwalk. Gotta show Lorelai the beach."
He looks at Rory surprised. She says nothing.
"Sounds fun." He adds.
"OMG Logan you should totally come. Clearly you're not busy." Lacey teases. "But it would be so fun. We could totally ride the pirates ship!" she says excitedly.
"It does sound fun." He says looking at Rory. "Is it ok if I come with you?"
"OMG you're totally Rory's best friend, of course you're welcome."
"Of course." Rory says.
Behind them all Lorelai comes out, "Ok party peeps lets gets this party bus on the road. By the way, Rory, you're father say to tell you he loves you."
"You talked to dad?" she asks.
"Yes."
"What do you mean yes?"
"Did I miss something, is there now some new pop culture meaning to the word yes?"
"No, it's way you say it."
"It's the way I say, yes."
"Yes."
"You just said yes, why is mine so in question?"
"OMG…"
"What! What!" Lorelai looks around
"Are you dating dad?!"
"What?" she says as if confused but Rory can see her mother fake bravado.
"You are! You're dating dad! Oh my God, mom how could you do this. You know dad has always wanted more with you, you're just going to break his heart."
"I plan on breaking no ones heart and whose to say that this time I don't want more."
"Do you want more?" she questing. Logan has excused himself to get dressed but Lacey is watching the exchange with full attention.
"I think I do."
"Is this all because of Luke?"
"Luke and I are over. It's been over, for him apparently longer then me because I didn't lie about having a child for month on end after lecturing my fiancé about the importance of honestly."
"That doesn't sound like you're over Luke."
"You don't get to judge my love life child. I'm your mother."
"Not judging, just, it's dad, mom."
"OK, well I'm dressed and ready to go." Logan interrupts in hopes of changing the subject.
"Do you ever not look good Logan?" Lacey says.
"Yes, Logan, please looks less good when you're out with us." Lorelai teases. She's taken to Logan on this visit. He's been sweet, smart, hardworking and he treats Rory with respect. Not what she expected of him. She's been pleasantly surprised.
This is looking like a contest
Of who can act like they care less
But I liked it better when you were on my side
The battle's in your hands now
But I would lay my armor down
If you'd say you'd rather love than fight
So many things that you wish I knew
But the story of us might be ending soon
The night has waned and 1am is nearing. It's getting extra cold and Lorelai has had one too many of the frozen margarita's she discovered at a stand. Rory watches as Lacey leads Logan off to look at a game because she's sure the girl wants him to win her a stuffed animal. She ushers her mom to a table and sets a Funnel Cake in front of her. She's lucky to have gotten the last one before the stand closes for the night.
"This is good." Her mother says as she puts another fork full in her mouth. Choco ate is dripping out of the corner of her mouth so she hands her mom a napkin as Logan sits down next to her.
"Hey, Ace." He smiles at her.
"Did you win her that stuffed animal?" she asks trying to keep it light.
"Nah. I don't really like games of chance. You know me, I make a bet when I know I have the best option of winning. You look cold Ace."
She forgot her sweater at home and truth be told she's freezing now.
"Here." He says not really waiting for an answer and takes off his sweat shirt and hand it to her.
"I'm ok."
"Liar." He teases. "I'll pretend to be a big manly man and act like I don't get cold." He again teases her.
"NO thank you. I'm ok." She assures him just seconds before Lacey puts her arms around his neck. Rory has barely said two words to him or Lacey. Lacey of course if oblivious and has been running the gambit of the boardwalk with Lorelai. But Logan had clearly noticed that Rory has been a bit distant.
He puts his sweatshirt back on, not wanting to push it any further.
They all usher Lorelai to Rory's car and since her car is on the small side he and Lacey have come in his car. Once Lorelai is safely in her car they leave Rory to take care of her.
He takes Lacey back to her dorm room, he's not really in the mood for anything with her tonight and when he gets home he find he's pulling in right beside Rory who had had to stop and get her mom some munchies.
Once inside Lorelai wastes no time in taking her munchies and going to her room. She's exhausted.
"Thank you letting me come along tonight." He says as Rory makes herself a coffee to take to her room.
She says nothing in return.
"Come on, Ace, I'm not stupid what's going on."
"Nothing." She says again trying to take her coffee with her.
He stands at the kitchen opening to force her to talk to him. "Please don't lie to me. I really like what we have and I'm not sure what I did wrong that's causing this friction. It is dating Lacey?"
"It would have been nice to get a heads up on that."
"I'm sorry about that, but I didn't think it would bother you."
"It doesn't bother me."
"Then what's the problem here, Ace? You dated my friend."
She frustrated and her words come out in a ramble. "The problem is that it bothers me, but it shouldn't bother me. You have your own life and I mean, you should be able to date whoever you want without me being jealous and bitchy."
"You're jealous?" he says incredulously
"To quote you, for a smart guy you can be really stupid sometimes."
"Why are you jealous?"
"I just, I don't know. I just…when I see her with your arm around her…" she stutters
"You want to be the one my arm is around?"
She looks at him directly in his eyes, but she can't make the words come out of her mouth.
He sees her look at him and he knows he shouldn't, he knows she's suppose to be off limits, but the way she's looking at him reminds of that night. The night she said, "Aren't you every going to ask me out?" and he doesn't want this to be another night he lets pass him by. He steps forward and put his hands on her face.
"I'm going to kiss you."
"Logan…" she says but doesn't back away.
"You can't tell me that and then look at me that way and expect me not to kiss you. So if you don't want me to kiss you, you're gong to have to stop me, ok." He says quickly and softly and then he leans in, but she never back away. Their lip meet and he kisses her with the yearning of the last few years and she kisses him back. She does and he's amazed and his heart feels like it might burst in his chest and as quickly as it started it stops.
Her eyes are still closed and he looks at her, unsure what to do next. He wants to take her in arms and hold her and never let her go, but he knows he's walking a tight rope here with her so he waits for her to speak. Finally she opens her eyes and looks at him. He waits expectantly for her to say something, anything.
Finally she does, "Finn…"
Logan turns abruptly to find his best friend standing in the opening to the home office where he has apparently been working, waiting to surprise his friend with a visit.
"Hello, Love." He says.
The silence and tension in the room could power a nuclear weapon and Logan feels like he has nowhere to run, and really he's not sure if he even wants to run. Part of him wants to look at it like, Finn had his chance and he blew it, and he finally has his chance. The other part of him realizes that this is his best friend and one of the most important relationships in his entire life.
No one says anything and Logan can't help but think that there has never been a louder silence.
Now I'm standing alone in a crowded room
And we're not speaking and I'm dying to know
Is it killing you like it's killing me yeah
I don't know what to say since the twist of fate
When it all broke down and the story of us
Looks a lot like a tragedy now, the end
*Lyrics are The Story of Us by Taylor Swift
