A/N: First off, I apologize for taking so long to update. I've been extremely busy with school and I hit major writer's block for this because I had my timing and plot all wrong. But I think it's fixed, and I think I'm correct with the timing now. Rory is 16 and in the 10th grade in the last chapter and in this one (if I'm wrong, someone please tell me!). Now that I've fixed my original plot, the story can continue :) For those of yall who have been asking, Dean will not be around very much longer. I'm thinking 3 more chapters, 4 tops. I think the wheels have been put into motion with this chapter. That being said, I think this chapter is also a bit rushed for this story, but I'm ready to move. I think it's OOC too but it's hard to write in character because of all of the gilmorisms and referenecs in the original show, but I'm working on it and I want to add more of the towns folk in it soon. They've all been witnesses to the history of Rory/Jess so I'm sure they all have something to say very soon. Now, on with the chapter. Leave comments and suggestions please :)

Rory wrapped her arms around Dean's neck and leaned in towards him. She kissed him passionately. They finally parted, leaving Dean with a surprised expression on his face at Rory's ferocious kiss. "I love you Rory Gilmore," he managed to say instead of continuing to stare at her.

"I love you too," Rory said as she tightened her grip around Dean's neck. It was true. It had been a few months since their anniversary and since Dean had told Rory he loved her. Although Rory could not say it back to him immediately, she eventually began to realize that she truly cared about Dean, which she had assumed could only mean that she loved him. She didn't want to date anyone else and she didn't want Dean to date anyone else, so she eventually gave in and said she loved him too.

Dean smiled at Rory and pulled her closer to him and lightly kissed her. "Ugh gag me," Jess mumbled as he walked by.

Rory pulled away giggling at Jess while Dean's jaw clenched. He glared at Jess out of the corner of his eye. "Dean, he's only joking," Rory assured him after Jess had passed by.

Dean pursed his lips and nodded his head. He didn't like how Jess was always so protective of Rory and how he always put down their relationship. "Yea."

"Dean," Rory pleaded as she grabbed Dean's hand and pulled him towards Stars Hollow High.

Dean bent down and kissed Rory on the cheek. "I gotta go," he said as he walked towards his locker.

Rory walked towards Jess' locker. He was leaning against it with his hands in his pockets waiting for her. "Jess!"

"Rory."

"Jess, come on. You don't have to be so rude."

"Yea I do."

"Look, I know you don't like him because what happened on our anniversary, but really, give him a chance. He's a nice guy and I really like him."

"Like him or love him?"

Rory bit her bottom lip, unsure whether she was fully prepared to answer that question. Because if she said yes, she would be lying to herself and if she said no, she would be lying to Jess. "Jess," she said a little more firmly to indicate that she was tired of having to answer his questions concerning Dean.

Jess sighed. "Sorry if I'm not too thrilled over seeing some guy shove his tongue down my best friend's throat," Jess replied sarcastically.

Rory sighed and let her eyes fall towards the ground slightly. She didn't know how to respond to that. How was she supposed to react to that? How was she supposed to tell her best friend that she enjoyed kissing her boyfriend? "Jess, I…"

"No, it's fine. I'll see you later," Jess replied as he walked away.

Rory sighed and opened her locker to get her first period books. There was no need to chase after Jess, especially when she had first period with him anyway. She would just catch up with him during first period or after. Something was up with him. She knew that he didn't like Dean very much but Jess wasn't acting like himself. He was being increasingly distant towards her, and it was bothering her greatly.

Rory walked into the classroom and took a seat towards the back. She preferred to sit in the front of the classroom, but Jess preferred to sit to the back. She craned her neck to see around the jocks standing in front her. She was waiting for Jess to walk into the room, so she could beckon him towards her. Two minutes passed by and no Jess. Rory sighed, figuring he was just running late and he would get a tardy. No biggie, she would talk to him later.

"Rory Gilmore?"

"Present."

Rory opened her notebook, ignoring the teacher as she scribbled the date at the top of her notebook.

"Jess Mariano?" the teacher called. Rory looked up and around the room, only to find out that Jess wasn't in class. "Jess Mariano?" she called again.

"Um, I don't think Jess was feeling well. I think he was going to see the school nurse and then go home."

"Fine," the teacher announced disinterested. Rory bit her bottom lip, tapped her pencil nervously and turned her attention to her teacher as class started.

"Hey!" Dean shouted as he wrapped his arms around Rory's waist Tuesday morning.

Rory spun around and hugged Dean. "I don't have time to talk," she said as she kissed him on the cheek.

"What's wrong?"

Rory glanced over her shoulder and saw Jess headed towards the parking lot. "I need to talk to Jess."

"Rory?"

"I'll talk to you later," she stated before she pecked Dean on the cheek.

Rory walked towards Jess, who stopped when he saw here. "Hey, I missed you yesterday. Where were you?"

Jess shrugged.

"What's wrong?"

Jess shrugged. He walked past Rory towards the parking lot.

"Jess, this isn't you."

"What's not like me?"

"Skipping school. You love school."

"Not really. School's your thing. Not mine."

"Since when is skipping school your thing?"

"You know, it's not like it really makes a difference what I do. You haven't been around lately." Jess turned his back on Rory and started walking away.

Rory stared at Jess as he walked away. She was confused and had no idea what he was talking about. As Jess successfully made it twenty feet away, Rory glanced over her shoulder. The court yard in front of the school was empty except for a few stragglers. Rory inhaled deeply and walked quickly to catch up to Jess. She knew with his "I don't care" attitude and slow gait that she would be by his side in a matter of no time.

"Jess, will you stop and talk to me?"

"What do you want me to say?"

"I don't know. Maybe you can tell me why you're acting like this."

Jess sighed. "Just, go back to school Rory. Homeroom will be starting soon."

"I don't care about homeroom."

Jess clenched his mouth shut as he stared at her. "We've been through this Rory. School's your thing. You've never skipped a day in your life. You felt guilty for missing two days in the second grade when you had the chicken pox."

Rory smiled a little at the memory. "Yea, well I tried to give them to you but it didn't work."

Jess smirked slightly. "Rory, it's ok. Go back to class, go back to Dean. We'll talk to later. I understand. It's not your thing."

Rory stepped closer to Jess. She swallowed hard, trying to find the courage to admit that she wanted to skip school. "I'm coming with you."

"Rory…"

"No, listen to me Jess. If it's your thing, it's my thing."

Jess nodded his head. He grabbed Rory's hand as he led her through the trees that provided shade to the teacher's parking lot. Once they were through the trees, Jess became aware that his fingers were tightly intertwined with Rory's. He let go of her hand quickly and shoved his in the pockets of his leather jacket.

Rory furrowed her eyebrows at Jess and wondered why Jess was acting as strange as he was. She shook her head though. "Where are we going?" she asked in a light hearted tone to change the mood of their previous conversations.

"Somewhere."

"Do I know where this somewhere is?"

"You've been there before."

"Where?" Rory asked eagerly. As much as she hated skipping, she was thriving off the thrill of it.

"You'll see when we get there."

Rory bit her bottom lip. She hated the suspense but she was glad that Jess was at least talking to her. She didn't know what was up with Jess, but she wanted things to change and today was good as a day as any.

Jess led Rory around another grove of trees and down a sloping hill before they reached his destination. Rory's mouth gaped open when she realized where they were. "Jess! Why didn't you tell me you were bringing me to this bridge?" Rory jogged onto the bridge and jumped around to face Jess who standing on the other side.

"I wanted it to be a surprise."

"Do you remember when we would come here as kids?" Rory asked energetically with a renewed spirit.

"Yea."

"I remember when we were nine, you got so mad at Luke that you decided to run away. So, you came here."

"I remember that you came with me and we got into serious trouble when Luke and Lorelai found us," Jess replied.

Rory chuckled. "It wasn't serious trouble."

"Luke grounded me. I couldn't see you for a week."

Rory smiled sweetly. "Oh and do you remember that time we came looking for Kirk's cat down. It was only a few years ago. We were twelve….I think? And…"

"I remember you pushed me in."

"Well, you deserved it."

"For what?"

Rory placed on hands on her hips. "You looked up my skirt!" she exclaimed as if it had only happened the day before and that it was a great injustice to her.

Jess smiled to himself as he shrugged, ignoring the rage that Rory was fuming. "You bent over in front me. What was I supposed to do?"

"Maybe the chivalrous thing to do was bend over and help me pick up whatever I was bending over for."

Jess took his hands out of his pocket as exclaimed, "It was a penny!"

Rory giggled. "See a penny, pick it up, all day long you'll have good luck." Jess stared at Rory, waiting to see what memory she would conjure up next. Rory's voice suddenly took a serious tone as she stared back at Jess with a serious look on her face. "We haven't been here since…"

"Since you started dating Dean," Jess answered for her.

"You never told me that you still came here."

"Like I said, you're not around much."

"Jess…" Rory protested in her pleading tone.

"No. Listen Rory. I understand you that you love Dean. I get that. And as long as you're happy, I'm happy. And I realize that you're not going to be spending as much time with me while you're with him. But Rory, you're becoming one of those girls."

Rory's mouth gaped open as she listened to Jess. She instinctly crossed her arms defensively. "One of what girls Jess?"

"One of those girls who easily and madly falls in love with the first guy that she meets. One of those girls who drops all of her friends to be with so-called love of her life. One of those girls that we used to make fun of all the time."

"Jess, I'm not like that," Rory protested.

"Rory, he's a jerk and if you don't see that, well that's fine. But the guy broke up with you because you were being honest with him and I was left to pick up the pieces."

"That's not true."

"Rory, have you noticed that lately all of our conversations have revolved around Dean?" Jess paused a moment. "What should I wear on my date with Dean? What should I get Dean for our anniversary? It's bullshit Rory. I'm losing you as a best friend."

"You're not losing me. I told you when I met Lane…"

"No," Jess said interrupting Rory. "You told me that I would never be replaced. I'm not being replaced. I'm losing you. I gave up New York with my mom for you Rory. I mean I have Luke and all, but it's not the same. You're the reason why I'm still in Stars Hollow. You're the reason why I go to that damn school every day." Jess paused as he looked into her eyes to make sure she was paying attention. "It's your thing Rory, so it's my thing," he repeated.

Rory looked at Jess. She bit her bottom lip and stared at Jess contemplating what to say next. "You should've told me sooner."

"But you're happy with him."

"But I'm not as happy with him as I am with you. Jess, you're my best friend. You're always going to be in my life. No matter who comes into my life, you're going to be the one constant. You'll always be there."

Jess shrugged. Rory sighed heavily as she stepped closer to Jess. "I'm serious Jess. You're not going to lose me and if you ever think that you are, all you have to do is tell me." Jess looked at Rory grimly. He wanted to believe her, but he had doubts. Rory smile at Jess weakly and took another step closer to Jess. She grabbed his hands and held them tightly in her hands. "Jess, I promise."

Jess nodded in understandment. "Ok."

"We should do something tomorrow…just the two of us," Rory said optimistically hoping that it would help ease the tension between her and Jess.

"What about Dean?"

Rory shook her head. "I can go out with him some other time. Let's see…" Rory paused as she contemplated what the two of could do. "We could go get Indian food and watch movies at my house."

"Why would you want to get Indian? You know we'll have to burn our clothes after eating it."

Rory gave Jess a once over as she dropped his hands. "I think it's time you get a new jacket anyways." Rory giggled to herself.

"What's wrong with my jacket?"

"It's just a little…mundane." Rory smiled teasingly at Jess as she turned around and walked back across the bridge.

"Mundane? Eating Indian and watching movies is mundane," Jess teased back.

Rory turned around and looked at Jess. "Well, what do you propose?"

Jess walked over to Rory. "Japanese," he stated. "Japanese is definitely out of the ordinary," he said sarcastically.

Rory rolled her eyes and looked down. She noticed her shoe was untied and she bent over to re-tie it. She quickly jolted upright as remembered the conversation she had with Jess earlier. She glanced at him accusingly.

Jess glared back at Rory. "What?"

"I'm just keeping an eye on you."

"Yea, that's all I was doing."

Rory's mouth gaped open in surprise as Jess slightly smirked at her. She lightly shoved him and took off jogging to the other end of the bridge, laughing the entire way. Jess shook his head as he jogged after her.