Jess's Graduation
Chapter 10
The week flew by and it was soon Jess's graduation. Rory's was luckily next Saturday. Jess still had one week of school left, but for some reason, his graduation was that Friday. Jess had dressed up a little and now donned his red gown. He had sworn to Rory he wouldn't play any jokes, at least major ones, all through the ceremony. He had had some great ideas, but had reluctantly given them up. He finished putting the duct tape on his hat. It read LOVE RORY. He couldn't help but smile. That pretty much summed it up. He couldn't believe he had done something that cheesy, but he had to do it. Rory came to the back room, where all the students were being held. She was wearing a black speghettie strap dress that had ruffles on the front. She looked gorgeous. She held two gifts in her hand, one for Jess and one for Lane. She found him, Lane not far behind him. She hugged them both. "I can't believe you guys are graduating. I"m so proud of you." Jess beamed. "That's all I've ever wanted. " Rory smiled brightly at him. Lane and Rory embraced, both remeniscing about their lives together. They had been friends since they could babble practically, and now they were graduating high school and about to go off to college. Jess heard a familiar voice call, "Jess? Jess Mariano?!" The three looked up in search of the voice. Jess found Lizzie looking for him. "Liz?" "Oh, Gosh, there were hundreds of you teenagers. I couldn't find you." "You came." "Yeah, well, I felt guilty after we got off the phone. Joe said I should come here, so here I am. Wow, that is a disgustingly red gown." "Yeah." Liz, noticing Rory for the first time, asked, "Who's Miss Perfect?" Jess shut his eyes and took a deep breath. "Mom, this is Rory M...Gilmore. Rory, this is my mom, Lizzie Danes." Rory smiled warmly and held out her hand. "I've heard so much about you." Liz grasped it. "I've heard nothing about you." Rory shrugged. "Um, I'm going to go find the Jess Mariano cheering seat. I'll see you right after the ceremony, K, Dodger?" "Great." Rory kissed him quickly. She whispered, "You did it, Jess. Don't let her get you down." With that, she left mother and son behind.
"Dodger?" Liz questioned. "My nickname. She gave it to me when I moved here. It's from Oliver Twist." Liz shrugged and gave him a blank stare. "So, who is she?" "Rory is my..." An announcement was made for all the students to line up. "I'll tell you later. Go take a seat." "I hope you aren't thinking of having a relationship with her, Jess. I've always told you that relationships are crap. No good. She's a tramp. She'll cheat on you." Jess shook his head. "Don't call her a tramp. She's not. And she would never cheat on me. Don't try to push off your experiences into mine. I'm sorry Dad cheated on you. I'm sorry Dad left. I'm sorry you're idiotic boyfriends cheated on you. Get over it, Liz." Liz opened her mouth, than shut it. "I came all the way down here to be told off by an 18-year-old?" "No, you came to see me graduate, which if I don't get in line, I won't get my diploma. I'll see you after the ceremony, okay, Lizzie?" "Fine." She left in a huff. Jess sighed, attached his ridiculous cap to his head, and took his place in line.
Pomp and Circumstance played by the Stars Hollow Band accompanied the students as they made their way into the gymnasium. Taylor was the speaker. Jess rolled his eyes. Only Stars Hollow would be lame enough to have the market owner as the special guest speaker. Jess smiled to himself, 'On second thought, Taylor and the Stars Hollow Graduation Committee probably nominated himself, because he is after all the only member of the Stars Hollow Graduation Committee.' His eyes scanned the crowd. He found Luke and Rory sitting together, and Liz was sitting across the gym. Jess waved slightly at Rory. She blew him a kiss. Taylor continued to babble. Finally, it was time for the diplomas to be given out. Jess saw Ms. Quintry walk to the podium. She began, "I know in the programs it says it is time to give out diplomas, but I had a last minute session with the principal about an award I'd like to present. It's an award that has never been presented before, but I'm starting the tradition. This young man deserves this recognition more than anyone else I know. For the last two years, he did nothing but slack off or cut class. It was not that he wasn't intelligent. He's actually quite brilliant, but he just wasn't interested in school. But he changed. He started to attend his classes and do his work, instead of sitting in the back of the room, reading a classic book. Most would say he did it for fear of not graduating, but I think he did it for someone. So I want him to be honored tonight with this award. The brand new Most Improved Senior, Jess Mariano." The gym fell into a totally stunned silence. Jess sat there for a moment, just staring and then he slowly stood up. He sauntered to the front. Rory began to clap and cheer loudly, Luke joining in. Jess accepted the award and went back to his seat, slightly embarrassed. The ceremony continued as scheduled; the diplomas were handed out and soon the students were tossing their caps in the air. Jess rushed to find Rory. Rory saw him and ran to him, jumping on him. She kissed him intensely. "I can't believe you got that award, Jess. You are so awesome!" "Thanks." Luke had seen Liz and they were talking, nervously. Rory announced, "Let's go out to eat. I'm paying. Lukey, Mrs. Danes, I'd be honored if you'd come, too." "Sure, Rory." "I guess." Liz pulled Luke aside. "Why is she calling you Lukey? This girl has an obsession with nicknames." Luke shook his head. "I've known Rory since she was a very little girl. I'm close to her mom, too. She's a great kid. You lay off of her, Liz, or I swear." Liz sighed. They piled into Luke's truck and headed for a Hartford restaraunt.
Jess decided that it was time to tell Liz. "Rory is my wife, Liz. We've been married for a month now." Liz was shocked. "I told you not to get some cheap slut pregnant. I told you..." "I didn't get her pregnant, Liz. I married her because I wanted to." "What?! WHY WOULD YOU GET MARRIED? MARRIAGE IS A DISASTER. I'VE TOLD YOU THAT YOU SHOULDN'T GET MARRIED! NOW YOU'VE TRAPPED YOURSELF IN SOME IDIOTIC MESS. YOU NEVER LISTEN TO ME! PREGNANCY IS BARELY A REASON TO GET MARRIED. WHY WOULD YOU JUST RANDOMLY MARRY? I DIDN'T WANT TO MARRY YOUR DAD, BUT I DID. AND THEN YOU CAME ALONG. IT WAS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE!" Jess took a deep breath and continued to defend his marriage. "I know I'm your huge mistake. I know you marrying was a huge mistake. But Rory and I got married because we love each other." "You are so naive, Jess. There is no such thing as love." "In your world. Until Rory, my world, too." "Jess!" Rory could feel herself getting angry. Liz turned to Rory, "You witch, you put some kind of spell on him. You and Jess won't be married for long. I guarantee it!" Rory growled out, "How dare you ruin Jess's graduation like this. From day one, he's wanted you to love him, but all you tell him is that he's a mistake. A big burden. I for one am glad you had him, because now I have him. Can we please get along, just for tonight!" Liz shut up. Luke sighed tensely. Rory squeezed Jess's knee under the table. He caught her hand and squeezed it back. The meal was filled with an akward silence. Finally, Luke decided to break the silence by giving Jess his graduation present. He began, "I'm proud of you, Jess. I'm glad you came to Stars Hollow." He cleared his throat. Luke was obviously uncomfortable with the display of emotion. Jess opened the box and found a key, just like they had with Paris's wedding gift. Jess tilted his head. "It's to a car. I figured you're married and leaving Stars Hollow, it was a time for a car." "Thanks, Uncle Luke." Luke grunted. Rory sighed. "Mine pales in comparison." She handed him the tiny box. He opened it to find a silver band with an engraving on it. It read family now, Love forever R. "Since I didn't have a real ring at the wedding, other than my sparkly thumb ring, I thought you might like it." "It's amazing, Angel. Although, I must say, I've grown kind of attached to your thumb ring." "Oh, yeah? Well, I want it back." "Really?" Jess cocked his eyebrow, "What'll you do to get it back?" Rory burst into laughter. "Naw, you can wear it with your other one if you want to. I just wanted to you to have a real wedding ring. I mean, you gave me one." Jess captured her lips in a long, mind-numbing kiss. Rory grinned as they rubbed noses. Liz and Luke both cleared their throats. Liz stood. "I've got to get back. Bye Jess." "Thanks for coming, Lizzie." He hugged her briefly before she belted. Jess sank back down into his chair. He mimicked, "I'm so proud of you, son. I'm glad you're my son." Rory kissed his knuckles. "Well, you're the greatest husband. I'm glad you're my husband." "And I'm glad you're my nephew." Luke said quickly. Jess smiled a little. "Thanks." Rory paid and then they started for home.
The week flew by and it was soon Jess's graduation. Rory's was luckily next Saturday. Jess still had one week of school left, but for some reason, his graduation was that Friday. Jess had dressed up a little and now donned his red gown. He had sworn to Rory he wouldn't play any jokes, at least major ones, all through the ceremony. He had had some great ideas, but had reluctantly given them up. He finished putting the duct tape on his hat. It read LOVE RORY. He couldn't help but smile. That pretty much summed it up. He couldn't believe he had done something that cheesy, but he had to do it. Rory came to the back room, where all the students were being held. She was wearing a black speghettie strap dress that had ruffles on the front. She looked gorgeous. She held two gifts in her hand, one for Jess and one for Lane. She found him, Lane not far behind him. She hugged them both. "I can't believe you guys are graduating. I"m so proud of you." Jess beamed. "That's all I've ever wanted. " Rory smiled brightly at him. Lane and Rory embraced, both remeniscing about their lives together. They had been friends since they could babble practically, and now they were graduating high school and about to go off to college. Jess heard a familiar voice call, "Jess? Jess Mariano?!" The three looked up in search of the voice. Jess found Lizzie looking for him. "Liz?" "Oh, Gosh, there were hundreds of you teenagers. I couldn't find you." "You came." "Yeah, well, I felt guilty after we got off the phone. Joe said I should come here, so here I am. Wow, that is a disgustingly red gown." "Yeah." Liz, noticing Rory for the first time, asked, "Who's Miss Perfect?" Jess shut his eyes and took a deep breath. "Mom, this is Rory M...Gilmore. Rory, this is my mom, Lizzie Danes." Rory smiled warmly and held out her hand. "I've heard so much about you." Liz grasped it. "I've heard nothing about you." Rory shrugged. "Um, I'm going to go find the Jess Mariano cheering seat. I'll see you right after the ceremony, K, Dodger?" "Great." Rory kissed him quickly. She whispered, "You did it, Jess. Don't let her get you down." With that, she left mother and son behind.
"Dodger?" Liz questioned. "My nickname. She gave it to me when I moved here. It's from Oliver Twist." Liz shrugged and gave him a blank stare. "So, who is she?" "Rory is my..." An announcement was made for all the students to line up. "I'll tell you later. Go take a seat." "I hope you aren't thinking of having a relationship with her, Jess. I've always told you that relationships are crap. No good. She's a tramp. She'll cheat on you." Jess shook his head. "Don't call her a tramp. She's not. And she would never cheat on me. Don't try to push off your experiences into mine. I'm sorry Dad cheated on you. I'm sorry Dad left. I'm sorry you're idiotic boyfriends cheated on you. Get over it, Liz." Liz opened her mouth, than shut it. "I came all the way down here to be told off by an 18-year-old?" "No, you came to see me graduate, which if I don't get in line, I won't get my diploma. I'll see you after the ceremony, okay, Lizzie?" "Fine." She left in a huff. Jess sighed, attached his ridiculous cap to his head, and took his place in line.
Pomp and Circumstance played by the Stars Hollow Band accompanied the students as they made their way into the gymnasium. Taylor was the speaker. Jess rolled his eyes. Only Stars Hollow would be lame enough to have the market owner as the special guest speaker. Jess smiled to himself, 'On second thought, Taylor and the Stars Hollow Graduation Committee probably nominated himself, because he is after all the only member of the Stars Hollow Graduation Committee.' His eyes scanned the crowd. He found Luke and Rory sitting together, and Liz was sitting across the gym. Jess waved slightly at Rory. She blew him a kiss. Taylor continued to babble. Finally, it was time for the diplomas to be given out. Jess saw Ms. Quintry walk to the podium. She began, "I know in the programs it says it is time to give out diplomas, but I had a last minute session with the principal about an award I'd like to present. It's an award that has never been presented before, but I'm starting the tradition. This young man deserves this recognition more than anyone else I know. For the last two years, he did nothing but slack off or cut class. It was not that he wasn't intelligent. He's actually quite brilliant, but he just wasn't interested in school. But he changed. He started to attend his classes and do his work, instead of sitting in the back of the room, reading a classic book. Most would say he did it for fear of not graduating, but I think he did it for someone. So I want him to be honored tonight with this award. The brand new Most Improved Senior, Jess Mariano." The gym fell into a totally stunned silence. Jess sat there for a moment, just staring and then he slowly stood up. He sauntered to the front. Rory began to clap and cheer loudly, Luke joining in. Jess accepted the award and went back to his seat, slightly embarrassed. The ceremony continued as scheduled; the diplomas were handed out and soon the students were tossing their caps in the air. Jess rushed to find Rory. Rory saw him and ran to him, jumping on him. She kissed him intensely. "I can't believe you got that award, Jess. You are so awesome!" "Thanks." Luke had seen Liz and they were talking, nervously. Rory announced, "Let's go out to eat. I'm paying. Lukey, Mrs. Danes, I'd be honored if you'd come, too." "Sure, Rory." "I guess." Liz pulled Luke aside. "Why is she calling you Lukey? This girl has an obsession with nicknames." Luke shook his head. "I've known Rory since she was a very little girl. I'm close to her mom, too. She's a great kid. You lay off of her, Liz, or I swear." Liz sighed. They piled into Luke's truck and headed for a Hartford restaraunt.
Jess decided that it was time to tell Liz. "Rory is my wife, Liz. We've been married for a month now." Liz was shocked. "I told you not to get some cheap slut pregnant. I told you..." "I didn't get her pregnant, Liz. I married her because I wanted to." "What?! WHY WOULD YOU GET MARRIED? MARRIAGE IS A DISASTER. I'VE TOLD YOU THAT YOU SHOULDN'T GET MARRIED! NOW YOU'VE TRAPPED YOURSELF IN SOME IDIOTIC MESS. YOU NEVER LISTEN TO ME! PREGNANCY IS BARELY A REASON TO GET MARRIED. WHY WOULD YOU JUST RANDOMLY MARRY? I DIDN'T WANT TO MARRY YOUR DAD, BUT I DID. AND THEN YOU CAME ALONG. IT WAS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE!" Jess took a deep breath and continued to defend his marriage. "I know I'm your huge mistake. I know you marrying was a huge mistake. But Rory and I got married because we love each other." "You are so naive, Jess. There is no such thing as love." "In your world. Until Rory, my world, too." "Jess!" Rory could feel herself getting angry. Liz turned to Rory, "You witch, you put some kind of spell on him. You and Jess won't be married for long. I guarantee it!" Rory growled out, "How dare you ruin Jess's graduation like this. From day one, he's wanted you to love him, but all you tell him is that he's a mistake. A big burden. I for one am glad you had him, because now I have him. Can we please get along, just for tonight!" Liz shut up. Luke sighed tensely. Rory squeezed Jess's knee under the table. He caught her hand and squeezed it back. The meal was filled with an akward silence. Finally, Luke decided to break the silence by giving Jess his graduation present. He began, "I'm proud of you, Jess. I'm glad you came to Stars Hollow." He cleared his throat. Luke was obviously uncomfortable with the display of emotion. Jess opened the box and found a key, just like they had with Paris's wedding gift. Jess tilted his head. "It's to a car. I figured you're married and leaving Stars Hollow, it was a time for a car." "Thanks, Uncle Luke." Luke grunted. Rory sighed. "Mine pales in comparison." She handed him the tiny box. He opened it to find a silver band with an engraving on it. It read family now, Love forever R. "Since I didn't have a real ring at the wedding, other than my sparkly thumb ring, I thought you might like it." "It's amazing, Angel. Although, I must say, I've grown kind of attached to your thumb ring." "Oh, yeah? Well, I want it back." "Really?" Jess cocked his eyebrow, "What'll you do to get it back?" Rory burst into laughter. "Naw, you can wear it with your other one if you want to. I just wanted to you to have a real wedding ring. I mean, you gave me one." Jess captured her lips in a long, mind-numbing kiss. Rory grinned as they rubbed noses. Liz and Luke both cleared their throats. Liz stood. "I've got to get back. Bye Jess." "Thanks for coming, Lizzie." He hugged her briefly before she belted. Jess sank back down into his chair. He mimicked, "I'm so proud of you, son. I'm glad you're my son." Rory kissed his knuckles. "Well, you're the greatest husband. I'm glad you're my husband." "And I'm glad you're my nephew." Luke said quickly. Jess smiled a little. "Thanks." Rory paid and then they started for home.