Title: Visions of You – Chapter Two: "Everything's Changing"

Author: Alexis Leigh Mariano

Rating: G

Spoilers: Season 2, leading to "Can't get started". Nothing here is based on actual spoilers.

Disclaimer: Most characters, places and shindigs belong to Amy Sherman-Palladino.

Summary: When Rory and Jess talk about the kiss they shared, Rory tells Jess it didn't mean anything to her. Two months later, as she comes back from Washington and sees Jess with another girl, she realizes she was wrong.

"Everything's Changing"

Six weeks and 2 days had passed. Not that I've been counting, of course.

I haven't spoke to him since. I haven't even told him that I was going to Washington. He had probably heard it from mom or Luke.

Mom and me talked on the phone about everyday since I left, but she hasn't mentioned Luke. I didn't ask her. I just felt like getting away from anything related to Stars Hollow. I needed some peace of mind.

I talked to Dean a few times. He called me about once a week. I haven't told him about the kiss, but he knows Jess is back. He's not very happy. He shouldn't be.

I acted surprised when he told me. He doesn't know that I know that he's back. He doesn't know that I had the chance to welcome him back.

Every time I seem to think about… Anything, my mind seems to drift. Everything ends with me thinking about this kiss. I still regret it and it still doesn't mean anything to me, but I still think about it, all the time. I can still see Jess in my mind. I can see how much I hurt him. It hurts to know I did that to a person. It hurts to know I did that to Jess.

The bus stopped. "Stars Hollow!" the driver called. I snapped out of the trance I was in and started gathering my stuff. Stepping out of the bus, I saw my mom running towards me. I smiled.

"Rory!!" she called. I dropped my bags as soon as mom came near me. We hugged each other.

"Hey, mom!" I said, happy. Mom just hugged me. I'm not used to seeing her getting emotional. "Mom?" I said, quietly. "Hmm?" She responded, still holding me tight. "Let go, mom." I said, laughing. She didn't let go. She just 'Mmm'ed. "Your black lace T-shirt is in my suitcase, mom. My suitcase is still in the bus". Mom finally let go – Quickly. "Hurry!" She called, laughing. I dragged my suitcase out of the bus's trunk. God, it was heavy. Mom has no idea how many things in there are for her.

Mom picked up my book-bag and started carrying it over to the car, with me following her. "Jeez, woman! I never knew you could carry something that heavy!" I just giggled. She kept mentioning how much she missed me and how she can't believe she managed to survive the Friday night dinners without me.

"So… How's it been?" Mom asked, excited, on our way home. "Well, we've talked on the phone every day in the last 6 weeks. You know about everything there is to know." I glanced at my mom and smiled. "I know," she replied, sending me a quick glance.

Quiet.

"So… How's it been?" she asked again, a smirk spreading on her lips.

"Mom?" I asked. "What?" Mom replied, casually. "What are you doing?" I asked. An obvious question to ask when your mom takes the wrong turn on the way home. "Going to Luke's?" Mom said in a questioning tone. "Luke's?"

I know I'd have to face Jess again someday, but I don't think I can handle facing him today.

"Yeah, Luke's. You know, house of coffee?" Mom said.

I missed Luke's. I missed Luke. But I just couldn't go in there… Not right now. "Don't we have coffee at home?" I asked, a bit nervously. Mom looked at me with her fake-shock glare. "How dare you compare Luke's heavenly coffee with our own? Don't make me disown you, child!" I laughed. "Besides, all the good coffee in the house is gone." I looked at her. "Remind me to stop at Doose's on the way back". I smiled at the thought. Dean works at Doose's market. He's there right now. He tried to ask Taylor to let him leave early, but Taylor refused. He wanted to greet me. I guess I'll just greet him instead.

Mom parked the car outside from Luke's. "Still keeping distance from the hoodlum?" She asked. I nodded. "For now," I replied. Mom half-smiled and unfastened her seatbelt. "Want me to get you anything?" I looked up at mom as she asked. "Just coffee. Thanks." I smiled and leaned my head backwards. I wasn't really hungry or anything.

Mom got out of the car and closed the door behind her. I turned the radio on, searching for a song to keep me entertained. Music is always helpful when I'm bored.

I looked out the window, watching my mom going in. I was curious if she and Luke are still giving each other the except-asking-for-coffee silent treatment. I narrowed my eyes, trying to get clues from the way they act, but instead of seeing them, I saw him. I got nervous. I hoped he wouldn't notice I'm out here. He was smiling. Seeing him smiling made me smile. He walked behind the counter. He was laughing. I got curious. Why is he laughing? There was a female costumer sitting on a stool near the counter. She laughed as well. Before I even managed to connect the dots, she kissed him. My smile faded. I was surprised. Stunned, even. I was kinda shocked. I was… Jealous? No. No way. Why would I be jealous? He's just a friend.

The door opened, cutting my trail of thoughts. Mom got in the car, placing two cups of coffee in my hands. "I tell you, he can't get quicker than that," She said. I didn't really pay attention to her words, though. She tried following my gaze. When she realized I was staring at Jess, she cleared her throat. I turned to her, a bit jumpy. "Oh, mom, hi." I said, trying to avoid looking in his direction again. "Hi" mom replied, starting the car. "Luke said 'Welcome home'" She said, slightly smiling. "Oh." I said. I couldn't think about anything. I only had him in my mind. Who is that girl? Why was she kissing him?

"You wanna go to Doose's?" Mom asked. I nodded. I wanted to go to Doose's. I needed coffee. Lots of it. Somehow, I really didn't care that Dean worked there. Dean just somehow slipped my mind.

Home, sweet home. How I've missed it. I went straight to my room, throwing my bags on the floor. Mom was at the kitchen, making more coffee.

We didn't see Dean at Doose's. In any other time, I would've wondered why. But I just didn't give a damn about anything. I jumped on my bed, folding my legs against my chest. I rested my chin on my knees, frustrated. I kept seeing them in my mind. Jess and that girl.

What have changed since I left? A lot, apparently.