AN: Please R&R, it keeps me going! A lot of R/J, so enjoy.
Chapter 6- Foreign Feelings
Rory rolled over and got out of bed. Only Tuesday, this was going to be a very long week. She couldn't believe that Jess had admitted that he had cared about her. While that didn't mean his feelings went any further, Rory still couldn't help but feel a little hopeful. Even though she knew she shouldn't be, Jess saying that to her had made her really think about Dean and their relationship. He had called last night. He had started off by demanding an explanation, and after she gave him the same one she had given him on the bridge, he agreed to it, but their conversation was quite trite after. He had told her his nose was definitely broken, he had a bandage on it to keep it from going crooked. He hadn't been pleased when Rory got all excited and asked him if it was like the one Rocky had had his nose bandaged with. He had told her that his eye was a bit better too, not as swollen. That had pretty much been the extent of their conversation, not that it bothered Rory that it wasn't very long.
She sighed as she got up, surprisingly her alarm clock hadn't even gone off yet, but it would have only been a matter of minutes anyway. She made her way to her dresser and lethargically put on her uniform. After she brushed her hair and put on a bit of makeup, she went up the stairs to Lorelai's room; no surprise she was still asleep. Rory, deciding it was time for a little revenge, ripped off her sheets. Lorelai sprang up and looked around dazedly
"What the…" She asked to no one sleepily
"Morning mother dear." Rory cooed sarcastically
"Oh, good one. I guess I had that coming."
"You most certainly did." Rory responded smiling. "Hurry up, I want coffee before school."
"K," she stifled a yawn "I'll meet yha down stairs in a sec."
"Ok." Rory said. She was half way out the door before she turned back and snatched Lorelai's pillow away.
"Extra precaution." She said waving it as she scampered out the door
"Oh no fair, I definitely didn't have that coming!" Lorelai pouted at Rory's retreating back.
Lorelai flopped back down, her head lying flat. She stayed there for a minute then said out loud
"Damn." She sighed and rolled out of bed and on to the floor, bringing a few blankets with her.
Downstairs, Rory was packing her books up into her backpack. Then she remembered, today they were doing a presentation on what they felt was an inspiring book about society. Rory had planned to bring in The Fountainhead, but her hard cover copy wasn't fitting in her bag. She decided to bring it with her and trade it with Jess when she got to Luke's for the soft cover version she had lent him. But did she really want to see Jess? She did, but it would be awkward, especially considering the town meeting was tonight, she didn't know how to act around him. She sighed, she wasn't going to have much of a choice; she needed the book.
Five minutes later, Lorelai came bounding down the stairs in a cute blue skirt and a tight white top.
"Ready?" Rory asked
"That pillow thing was really uncalled for!" Lorelai said and snatched up her pillow that was lying on the kitchen counter.
"No, it was absolutely necessary to insure I don't get another tardy two days in a row." Rory eyed her mother
"You could always just tell them that I had a choking attack, or that I got hit on the head by flying concrete clumps." Lorelai smiled
"Sadly, neither sounds unlikely. Only problem is that they would just get mad at you for holding me up, and I'd still get marked late."
"Oh, I hate your fascias school." Lorelai said narrowing her eyes as she went to grab her coat
"Really? I'm starting to warm up to Mussolini, and the swastika is actually very cute as a clothes patch." Rory chimed behind her mother.
"It's a good thing we live in Stars Hollow." Lorelai sighed as they headed toward the jeep
"Oh, about that, I was wondering if Patty would let me barrow out her dance center for our weekly NYG meetings."
"If you're about to say that that is the Nazi Youth Group, I will make sure you have a very tragic coffee free day…"
"Oh, no fair,"
"unless you let me make your outfits. I think since the Nazi private militia were the Brownshirts, a shade of brown would be the most appropriate, but the hats, oh, I could make really neat hats..." Lorelai babbled grinning
"Well, I suppose we could work that out, but first I have to talk to my other designers before I make any decisions." Rory said
"Well fine then, ruin all my fun." Lorelai pretended to pout
In the car
"So, I'll come home a little early tonight, so don't go to the meeting without me." Lorelai started
"Oh, I'm not going tonight." Rory responded off handedly
"What? You have to." Lorelai responded stunned
"No I don't."
"Uh…yes, you do."
"Uh…no, I don't."
"Look, you're the one that admitted to being a witness, so you have to go." Lorelai said now a little annoyed.
"I know I did, but I shouldn't have even said a word."
"Oh, well, the 'shoulda woulda cuda' tactic never gets you anywhere. I know that from experience. Like the time I shoulda not eaten that pizza that had been in the fridge for a couple of days."
"Couple of weeks." Rory smiled at her mom
"Ok, weeks old, even better, I shoula not eaten it, but I did."
"Thanks mom, you always know how to clear things up."
"No problemo."
"I still don't want to go."
"Well, unfortunately, you lost the right do what you want. You have to go. Taylor's practically subpoenaed you."
"Figures. Why are they making such a big deal out of this anyway?"
"Oh come on, it's obvious."
"Oh is it? Care to elaborate?"
"Quite certainly. The town hates Jess, what better way to make him leave than to charge him with battery or something that they will probably make up."
"That is so unfair!" Rory stammered in disbelief
"It is? From where I stand their complaints seem quite justified." Lorelai returned
"I figured you'd say that. You don't know him, the town doesn't know him. No one even care's enough to try and get to know him, but yet they still judge him." Rory said annoyed
"Honey, the meeting doesn't start until 7. You don't need to make your case to me."
"Ha-ha." Rory said sarcastically
"Well, it looks like you've already got your mind made up."
"What do you mean?"
"Rory, maybe you should think twice about what defending Jess can lead to."
"Oh, whoa, who said I'm defending Jess!"
"Well, if you don't want to give off the wrong impression, I wouldn't recommend the
'you don't know him, but he's a real nice guy' tactic.
"Oh."
"Yha."
"Uggg, this sucks! If I go, anything I say is going to hurt someone."
"I know, you're just going to have to make up the decision who."
"Any advice?"
"Sorry babe, this is one you need to do on your own."
Rory sighed and stared out the window.
Luke's
"Rory, I've got to get to the inn a little early today, so do you mind if I take the car?" Lorelai asked
"Well, I don't know, I'm not very used to taking the bus…could lead to some trouble…" Rory said sarcastically
"Ok, ok, I just didn't want you to be late again."
"I'm fine; we're actually a little…" Rory glanced at her watch "on schedule!"
"Really?
"Yep."
"Amazing."
"I know, it's almost too hard to fathom."
The two walked in and headed towards the counter.
"Luke, I need some coffee to go." Lorelai called out as Rory took a seat at the counter
"You're early," he said looking at the clock, "why do you need it to go?" He asked, not making any step to pour her a cup
"Because I know that by the time I get you to give it to me, I won't be early anymore."
Lorelai said.
Rory sighed. Their flirting always took a while
"Sorry to interrupt, but Luke, I'll have some blueberry pancakes, and where is Jess? I need to get a book back I lent him." She added quickly as Luke and Lorelai both eyed her suspiciously
"Ok, and up stairs." He said and then turned back to Lorelai
"I'm not giving you any; I don't want to be held responsible for your death."
"But I've been good today! I've already volunteered to help Rory's Nazi Youth Group out. I'm making their uniforms!" Lorelai whined at Luke and glanced, smiling at Rory as she headed up the stairs. Rory heard Luke go on about how sickening Lorelai was until she reached the top and couldn't make out what they were saying anymore.
Upstairs
"Jess?" She knocked. No answer
"Jess!" still no answer.
Maybe he was asleep, she could just grab the book; it was probably just lying around somewhere. She tried the door, it was open. She tentatively stepped in. It was a mess, but better than before. There was a huge tarp up on the left side, where they were expanding the room. It was light inside, the blinds were open, and Jess's bed was empty.
Not seeing Jess she started to look for her book. It was odd though, there was a big pile of clothes and a half full duffle bag by his bed. He must still be unpacking she thought. Just then though, a nose across the room caught her attention
Jess opened the bathroom door and walked out only a white bath towel tied around his waste, his dark hair slick and wet, his body beaded with water. Steam issued out the door as he saw Rory looking around his books.
"Can I help you?" He asked humorously
Rory looked up. She felt her heart skip a beat, and for a second just stared at him. She had always thought he was good looking, but she had never imagined he would look this good with his shirt off. Not that she had ever imagined that, no, never, but if she had…wow. Rory felt her face turn red as she tried to stammer out that she was looking for a book. Rory couldn't seem help the trip her eyes made down the length of his body, hovering over his chest and abs. He was perfect. She shot her gaze back up to his eyes, hoping he hadn't caught her little eye excursion. Jess couldn't help but smile at her and raise his eyebrows. 'Damn, he saw me' she thought nervously. She quickly brought her eyes back down to the floor and began to 'look' for her book. She could feel how hot her face was.
"I…I…was, ah, trying to find, my uh, book." She was able to stammer out now that she wasn't looking right at him
"Which one?" He asked, thoroughly entertained by her reaction on seeing practically naked.
"Uh, the Fountainhead." She responded, not looking up
"Oh, this one?" he asked
She turned as he bent over and picked it up. Straightening, his towel slipped and he caught it with is free hand just in time. Holding his towel in one hand and sheepishly grinning, he tossed her the book with the other. Turning so he wasn't facing her, he retied his towel so he would have to hold it as Rory blushed fiercely behind him.
"What do you think your doing, taking a…a shower at a time like, like this, not to mention with the door unlocked?" Rory said frantically, embarrassed he was creating such a big effect on her. An unexplainable sensation had come over her; she wanted to touch him, to feel him. 'Oh my god, this is not good, I've have to get out of here!' She thought
"Um, Rory, its 7:30 in the morning. That's about what time normal people take showers." Jess responded smiling again as he turned back around
"Oh…yha." Rory said quietly. "Well thanks for the book, here's the hard copy if you still want to read it." She said, tossing the other book on his bed
Jess just smiled at her contently
"Stop smiling like that!" she ordered him trying to be serious
"Oh, sorry." He said laughing. "How about this?" He smiled even bigger
"It's the same only bigger!" she laughed too, but a nervous embarrassed laugh
"I do believe I am making you blush Ms. Gilmore." Jess said
"No! It…it's just really hot in here." She tried to lie
"Right, well, if it will make it so I can actually talk to you without you acting all weird…"
He paused and picked up a pair of boxers and pants. He turned again and put the boxers on with the towel still tied around his waste. Then he took that off as Rory tried hard not to watch, but it was to no avail- and then he slipped on his pants. Turning back around as he buttoned them up, he was practically showing half of his boxers anyway.
"Better?" He asked smiling again
'No' Rory thought guiltily, 'you have more on.'
"Yha, fine."
She was just grateful he still hadn't put on a shirt. 'Rory! Stop!' she said to herself. She now watched as he grabbed the towel and began to dry his hair with it.
"So, still unpacking?" Rory asked, eyeing the duffle bag, her voice still a little uneasy.
Jess paused and put down the towel. His expression grew a little hard and his smile vanished. He then grabbed a shirt much to her dismay and slipped it on over his head.
"Uh, yha, something like that." He said now not meeting her gaze, his voice a bit distant
"Something like that?" she questioned
"Um, yha." He tried to avoid answering
"Isn't that your Matalica shirt, and your vest?" She asked suspiciously looking closer at the actually items in his bag
"Oh, gee, how'd they get in there?" Jess asked sarcastically
"Jess…are, are you going somewhere?" She asked, her brow furrowed and hurt in her
voice.
"Look, right now I don't have much of a choice."
"What do you mean you don't have much of a choice? Did you get kicked out of school or something?" Rory asked, a bit worried
"Well, no, I haven't been kicked out of school, not yet anyways. But I have been by the town, it's not official yet, but it will be by tonight. Just thought I'd get a head start on packing." Jess said and stared at Rory who stood there confused
"Rory, don't you get it, they were just waiting until I did something that they could really get mad about, something they could have leverage with. No matter what you or I or anyone else says tonight at the meeting, the fact will remain that I beat the shit out of Dean, quote 'unprovoked.'" Jess said seriously.
"But that's not true Jess, and you know it." Rory said desperately
"I know I do, and I know that they all know it too, but this still gives them a good reason to finally get me out of here. I've made sure to go as close to the line as possible without crossing it in every thing else I've done, but with Dean, because of you, I, I couldn't help but cross it. I didn't mean to lose control, but I did Rory, I did, and they all know it." Jess
breathed
"What do you mean because of me? What did I do?" Rory said in disbelief
"You, you pretended like you cared." He said quietly as he looked up at her.
"When Dean exploded at you like that, I didn't care if I crossed the line anymore; you never deserved what he said to you because he never deserved you." Jess stared at her intently
Rory now felt her heart beating fast again. She didn't know that was really why he had hit Dean, she had had no idea. She also realized that he was right, that he would have to go. It wasn't because the town could physically kick him out; they could order Luke to get rid of him. Jess could stay, but Luke's business would collapse. Not only that, but if they had to they could even get the police involved, Dean could press charges, it just wasn't worth him staying; and he knew it. Rory had no idea what she was doing, but suddenly, the next moment her feet were caring her towards him
"Jess…I don't want you to go." She whispered as wrapped her arms tightly around his body.
Jess stood, taken aback, but then cradled her with his arms too. She laid her head on his shoulder, and he breathed in her sweet shampoo. He could feel her heart against his chest, it was pounding so fast. Rory felt so good in his arms, the way he held her, how good it felt just to be close to him. He felt his body tingling at her touch, upset he had decided to put his shirt back on. 'Oh god' he thought, 'why do things have to be like this!'
They stood there for a minute before Jess pulled her back.
"Rory" he said looking at her, "I don't want to go either, but I have to. You know what will happen to Luke and to his dinner if I don't. He doesn't deserve that."
"I know." She whispered
Jess sighed and looked at her seriously
"You need to support Dean tonight." He told her
"What?" Rory said, "why?'
"Because Rory, no matter what you say, it won't help, and it would be better to avoid an argument with Dean, and the town." Jess struggled to admit
"But, I don't want to!"
"God Rory, it doesn't matter!"
"But it should!"
"But it doesn't!"
Rory turned and brushed away the tear that was trying to make an appearance
"Well then, I'd better go eat, my foods probably cold now anyway." Rory turned to go
"Yha. I got to finish getting dressed." Jess replied
Rory turned and picked up her book before heading out the door. Jess stood and watched her. As she went out the door, she looked straight into his eyes once more before shutting it with a snap. Rory sighed and went down the stairs. She was so confused, the way he had made her feel, how softly he had held her; it sort of reminded her of how things had been with Dean. But still, it was different, a different feeling. It wasn't just the tingly sensation on the outside, but a feeling in the pit of her stomach, a feeling that was foreign to her completely. She paused on the steeps, finally understanding. It was the feeling of love. And now he was leaving.
More soon! Don't worry, just please Review and I'll post ASAP - Breanna
Chapter 6- Foreign Feelings
Rory rolled over and got out of bed. Only Tuesday, this was going to be a very long week. She couldn't believe that Jess had admitted that he had cared about her. While that didn't mean his feelings went any further, Rory still couldn't help but feel a little hopeful. Even though she knew she shouldn't be, Jess saying that to her had made her really think about Dean and their relationship. He had called last night. He had started off by demanding an explanation, and after she gave him the same one she had given him on the bridge, he agreed to it, but their conversation was quite trite after. He had told her his nose was definitely broken, he had a bandage on it to keep it from going crooked. He hadn't been pleased when Rory got all excited and asked him if it was like the one Rocky had had his nose bandaged with. He had told her that his eye was a bit better too, not as swollen. That had pretty much been the extent of their conversation, not that it bothered Rory that it wasn't very long.
She sighed as she got up, surprisingly her alarm clock hadn't even gone off yet, but it would have only been a matter of minutes anyway. She made her way to her dresser and lethargically put on her uniform. After she brushed her hair and put on a bit of makeup, she went up the stairs to Lorelai's room; no surprise she was still asleep. Rory, deciding it was time for a little revenge, ripped off her sheets. Lorelai sprang up and looked around dazedly
"What the…" She asked to no one sleepily
"Morning mother dear." Rory cooed sarcastically
"Oh, good one. I guess I had that coming."
"You most certainly did." Rory responded smiling. "Hurry up, I want coffee before school."
"K," she stifled a yawn "I'll meet yha down stairs in a sec."
"Ok." Rory said. She was half way out the door before she turned back and snatched Lorelai's pillow away.
"Extra precaution." She said waving it as she scampered out the door
"Oh no fair, I definitely didn't have that coming!" Lorelai pouted at Rory's retreating back.
Lorelai flopped back down, her head lying flat. She stayed there for a minute then said out loud
"Damn." She sighed and rolled out of bed and on to the floor, bringing a few blankets with her.
Downstairs, Rory was packing her books up into her backpack. Then she remembered, today they were doing a presentation on what they felt was an inspiring book about society. Rory had planned to bring in The Fountainhead, but her hard cover copy wasn't fitting in her bag. She decided to bring it with her and trade it with Jess when she got to Luke's for the soft cover version she had lent him. But did she really want to see Jess? She did, but it would be awkward, especially considering the town meeting was tonight, she didn't know how to act around him. She sighed, she wasn't going to have much of a choice; she needed the book.
Five minutes later, Lorelai came bounding down the stairs in a cute blue skirt and a tight white top.
"Ready?" Rory asked
"That pillow thing was really uncalled for!" Lorelai said and snatched up her pillow that was lying on the kitchen counter.
"No, it was absolutely necessary to insure I don't get another tardy two days in a row." Rory eyed her mother
"You could always just tell them that I had a choking attack, or that I got hit on the head by flying concrete clumps." Lorelai smiled
"Sadly, neither sounds unlikely. Only problem is that they would just get mad at you for holding me up, and I'd still get marked late."
"Oh, I hate your fascias school." Lorelai said narrowing her eyes as she went to grab her coat
"Really? I'm starting to warm up to Mussolini, and the swastika is actually very cute as a clothes patch." Rory chimed behind her mother.
"It's a good thing we live in Stars Hollow." Lorelai sighed as they headed toward the jeep
"Oh, about that, I was wondering if Patty would let me barrow out her dance center for our weekly NYG meetings."
"If you're about to say that that is the Nazi Youth Group, I will make sure you have a very tragic coffee free day…"
"Oh, no fair,"
"unless you let me make your outfits. I think since the Nazi private militia were the Brownshirts, a shade of brown would be the most appropriate, but the hats, oh, I could make really neat hats..." Lorelai babbled grinning
"Well, I suppose we could work that out, but first I have to talk to my other designers before I make any decisions." Rory said
"Well fine then, ruin all my fun." Lorelai pretended to pout
In the car
"So, I'll come home a little early tonight, so don't go to the meeting without me." Lorelai started
"Oh, I'm not going tonight." Rory responded off handedly
"What? You have to." Lorelai responded stunned
"No I don't."
"Uh…yes, you do."
"Uh…no, I don't."
"Look, you're the one that admitted to being a witness, so you have to go." Lorelai said now a little annoyed.
"I know I did, but I shouldn't have even said a word."
"Oh, well, the 'shoulda woulda cuda' tactic never gets you anywhere. I know that from experience. Like the time I shoulda not eaten that pizza that had been in the fridge for a couple of days."
"Couple of weeks." Rory smiled at her mom
"Ok, weeks old, even better, I shoula not eaten it, but I did."
"Thanks mom, you always know how to clear things up."
"No problemo."
"I still don't want to go."
"Well, unfortunately, you lost the right do what you want. You have to go. Taylor's practically subpoenaed you."
"Figures. Why are they making such a big deal out of this anyway?"
"Oh come on, it's obvious."
"Oh is it? Care to elaborate?"
"Quite certainly. The town hates Jess, what better way to make him leave than to charge him with battery or something that they will probably make up."
"That is so unfair!" Rory stammered in disbelief
"It is? From where I stand their complaints seem quite justified." Lorelai returned
"I figured you'd say that. You don't know him, the town doesn't know him. No one even care's enough to try and get to know him, but yet they still judge him." Rory said annoyed
"Honey, the meeting doesn't start until 7. You don't need to make your case to me."
"Ha-ha." Rory said sarcastically
"Well, it looks like you've already got your mind made up."
"What do you mean?"
"Rory, maybe you should think twice about what defending Jess can lead to."
"Oh, whoa, who said I'm defending Jess!"
"Well, if you don't want to give off the wrong impression, I wouldn't recommend the
'you don't know him, but he's a real nice guy' tactic.
"Oh."
"Yha."
"Uggg, this sucks! If I go, anything I say is going to hurt someone."
"I know, you're just going to have to make up the decision who."
"Any advice?"
"Sorry babe, this is one you need to do on your own."
Rory sighed and stared out the window.
Luke's
"Rory, I've got to get to the inn a little early today, so do you mind if I take the car?" Lorelai asked
"Well, I don't know, I'm not very used to taking the bus…could lead to some trouble…" Rory said sarcastically
"Ok, ok, I just didn't want you to be late again."
"I'm fine; we're actually a little…" Rory glanced at her watch "on schedule!"
"Really?
"Yep."
"Amazing."
"I know, it's almost too hard to fathom."
The two walked in and headed towards the counter.
"Luke, I need some coffee to go." Lorelai called out as Rory took a seat at the counter
"You're early," he said looking at the clock, "why do you need it to go?" He asked, not making any step to pour her a cup
"Because I know that by the time I get you to give it to me, I won't be early anymore."
Lorelai said.
Rory sighed. Their flirting always took a while
"Sorry to interrupt, but Luke, I'll have some blueberry pancakes, and where is Jess? I need to get a book back I lent him." She added quickly as Luke and Lorelai both eyed her suspiciously
"Ok, and up stairs." He said and then turned back to Lorelai
"I'm not giving you any; I don't want to be held responsible for your death."
"But I've been good today! I've already volunteered to help Rory's Nazi Youth Group out. I'm making their uniforms!" Lorelai whined at Luke and glanced, smiling at Rory as she headed up the stairs. Rory heard Luke go on about how sickening Lorelai was until she reached the top and couldn't make out what they were saying anymore.
Upstairs
"Jess?" She knocked. No answer
"Jess!" still no answer.
Maybe he was asleep, she could just grab the book; it was probably just lying around somewhere. She tried the door, it was open. She tentatively stepped in. It was a mess, but better than before. There was a huge tarp up on the left side, where they were expanding the room. It was light inside, the blinds were open, and Jess's bed was empty.
Not seeing Jess she started to look for her book. It was odd though, there was a big pile of clothes and a half full duffle bag by his bed. He must still be unpacking she thought. Just then though, a nose across the room caught her attention
Jess opened the bathroom door and walked out only a white bath towel tied around his waste, his dark hair slick and wet, his body beaded with water. Steam issued out the door as he saw Rory looking around his books.
"Can I help you?" He asked humorously
Rory looked up. She felt her heart skip a beat, and for a second just stared at him. She had always thought he was good looking, but she had never imagined he would look this good with his shirt off. Not that she had ever imagined that, no, never, but if she had…wow. Rory felt her face turn red as she tried to stammer out that she was looking for a book. Rory couldn't seem help the trip her eyes made down the length of his body, hovering over his chest and abs. He was perfect. She shot her gaze back up to his eyes, hoping he hadn't caught her little eye excursion. Jess couldn't help but smile at her and raise his eyebrows. 'Damn, he saw me' she thought nervously. She quickly brought her eyes back down to the floor and began to 'look' for her book. She could feel how hot her face was.
"I…I…was, ah, trying to find, my uh, book." She was able to stammer out now that she wasn't looking right at him
"Which one?" He asked, thoroughly entertained by her reaction on seeing practically naked.
"Uh, the Fountainhead." She responded, not looking up
"Oh, this one?" he asked
She turned as he bent over and picked it up. Straightening, his towel slipped and he caught it with is free hand just in time. Holding his towel in one hand and sheepishly grinning, he tossed her the book with the other. Turning so he wasn't facing her, he retied his towel so he would have to hold it as Rory blushed fiercely behind him.
"What do you think your doing, taking a…a shower at a time like, like this, not to mention with the door unlocked?" Rory said frantically, embarrassed he was creating such a big effect on her. An unexplainable sensation had come over her; she wanted to touch him, to feel him. 'Oh my god, this is not good, I've have to get out of here!' She thought
"Um, Rory, its 7:30 in the morning. That's about what time normal people take showers." Jess responded smiling again as he turned back around
"Oh…yha." Rory said quietly. "Well thanks for the book, here's the hard copy if you still want to read it." She said, tossing the other book on his bed
Jess just smiled at her contently
"Stop smiling like that!" she ordered him trying to be serious
"Oh, sorry." He said laughing. "How about this?" He smiled even bigger
"It's the same only bigger!" she laughed too, but a nervous embarrassed laugh
"I do believe I am making you blush Ms. Gilmore." Jess said
"No! It…it's just really hot in here." She tried to lie
"Right, well, if it will make it so I can actually talk to you without you acting all weird…"
He paused and picked up a pair of boxers and pants. He turned again and put the boxers on with the towel still tied around his waste. Then he took that off as Rory tried hard not to watch, but it was to no avail- and then he slipped on his pants. Turning back around as he buttoned them up, he was practically showing half of his boxers anyway.
"Better?" He asked smiling again
'No' Rory thought guiltily, 'you have more on.'
"Yha, fine."
She was just grateful he still hadn't put on a shirt. 'Rory! Stop!' she said to herself. She now watched as he grabbed the towel and began to dry his hair with it.
"So, still unpacking?" Rory asked, eyeing the duffle bag, her voice still a little uneasy.
Jess paused and put down the towel. His expression grew a little hard and his smile vanished. He then grabbed a shirt much to her dismay and slipped it on over his head.
"Uh, yha, something like that." He said now not meeting her gaze, his voice a bit distant
"Something like that?" she questioned
"Um, yha." He tried to avoid answering
"Isn't that your Matalica shirt, and your vest?" She asked suspiciously looking closer at the actually items in his bag
"Oh, gee, how'd they get in there?" Jess asked sarcastically
"Jess…are, are you going somewhere?" She asked, her brow furrowed and hurt in her
voice.
"Look, right now I don't have much of a choice."
"What do you mean you don't have much of a choice? Did you get kicked out of school or something?" Rory asked, a bit worried
"Well, no, I haven't been kicked out of school, not yet anyways. But I have been by the town, it's not official yet, but it will be by tonight. Just thought I'd get a head start on packing." Jess said and stared at Rory who stood there confused
"Rory, don't you get it, they were just waiting until I did something that they could really get mad about, something they could have leverage with. No matter what you or I or anyone else says tonight at the meeting, the fact will remain that I beat the shit out of Dean, quote 'unprovoked.'" Jess said seriously.
"But that's not true Jess, and you know it." Rory said desperately
"I know I do, and I know that they all know it too, but this still gives them a good reason to finally get me out of here. I've made sure to go as close to the line as possible without crossing it in every thing else I've done, but with Dean, because of you, I, I couldn't help but cross it. I didn't mean to lose control, but I did Rory, I did, and they all know it." Jess
breathed
"What do you mean because of me? What did I do?" Rory said in disbelief
"You, you pretended like you cared." He said quietly as he looked up at her.
"When Dean exploded at you like that, I didn't care if I crossed the line anymore; you never deserved what he said to you because he never deserved you." Jess stared at her intently
Rory now felt her heart beating fast again. She didn't know that was really why he had hit Dean, she had had no idea. She also realized that he was right, that he would have to go. It wasn't because the town could physically kick him out; they could order Luke to get rid of him. Jess could stay, but Luke's business would collapse. Not only that, but if they had to they could even get the police involved, Dean could press charges, it just wasn't worth him staying; and he knew it. Rory had no idea what she was doing, but suddenly, the next moment her feet were caring her towards him
"Jess…I don't want you to go." She whispered as wrapped her arms tightly around his body.
Jess stood, taken aback, but then cradled her with his arms too. She laid her head on his shoulder, and he breathed in her sweet shampoo. He could feel her heart against his chest, it was pounding so fast. Rory felt so good in his arms, the way he held her, how good it felt just to be close to him. He felt his body tingling at her touch, upset he had decided to put his shirt back on. 'Oh god' he thought, 'why do things have to be like this!'
They stood there for a minute before Jess pulled her back.
"Rory" he said looking at her, "I don't want to go either, but I have to. You know what will happen to Luke and to his dinner if I don't. He doesn't deserve that."
"I know." She whispered
Jess sighed and looked at her seriously
"You need to support Dean tonight." He told her
"What?" Rory said, "why?'
"Because Rory, no matter what you say, it won't help, and it would be better to avoid an argument with Dean, and the town." Jess struggled to admit
"But, I don't want to!"
"God Rory, it doesn't matter!"
"But it should!"
"But it doesn't!"
Rory turned and brushed away the tear that was trying to make an appearance
"Well then, I'd better go eat, my foods probably cold now anyway." Rory turned to go
"Yha. I got to finish getting dressed." Jess replied
Rory turned and picked up her book before heading out the door. Jess stood and watched her. As she went out the door, she looked straight into his eyes once more before shutting it with a snap. Rory sighed and went down the stairs. She was so confused, the way he had made her feel, how softly he had held her; it sort of reminded her of how things had been with Dean. But still, it was different, a different feeling. It wasn't just the tingly sensation on the outside, but a feeling in the pit of her stomach, a feeling that was foreign to her completely. She paused on the steeps, finally understanding. It was the feeling of love. And now he was leaving.
More soon! Don't worry, just please Review and I'll post ASAP - Breanna