Ch 23 Young Americans
Rory, Jess, Lane, Dave, Paris and Jamie got off the bus in New York and stretched. It had been a very long few hours. They looked around the bus station, half expecting to find Riz, or someone waiting for them. There was nothing. Standing in silence a few seconds the hoisted their backpacks onto their backs and walked out of the bus station. Six young Americans on their own in a big city looking for one person out of thousands on the bustling streets of New York City. The three boys walked ahead a little none of them speaking. Jess, seemed to be slightly ahead of the other two and more dominant and hopeful. It was him, after all who knew these streets best.
The three girls on the other hand were slightly quieter, if possible. There seemed to be something in the air that made them feel very awkward. They were looking for a girl of fifteen, who happened to be pregnant and they were spending a night in New York with their boyfriends. Maybe it was the idea that this could happen to them. Their futures put on hold. Their lives after all would be affected more than those of the men. They would have to bear the child for nine months and then that child would be dependant on them for the rest of their lives. Did they want that? Did they want to be with the ones they had fallen in love with when there was such a high cost to having sex? To them it didn't seem worth it. A new life would be brought into the world, yes. A life that would be so precious and beautiful but at the same time their life would be altered in an unchangeable way and their dreams would never come true.
After a while Rory began to grow weary. Her legs already felt like rubber from the bus ride. She couldn't help but want a cup of coffee. She glanced over at Lane and Paris and could see that they felt the same. Rory reached out and patted Jess on the back who turned around as the two other boys stopped. "Hey, think we could get some coffee?" Rory asked. Jess nodded and motioned for them to follow, without a word they did. Soon they arrived at a small diner type place that was covered in graffiti in a tiny alleyway. Jess pulled the door open and entered, the others following.
Jess took in the air of the small diner, if it could even be called that. There were four or five tables scattered around and a counter. The place was more of a meeting place for fellow New York teens. This was the place to get coffee and ask about Riz. The others were giving him quizzical looks about the place but Jess shrugged them off and approached the counter looking for someone who should be working. Ringing the tiny bell on the counter Jess noticed a girl with bright red hair emerging from the back. When she saw Jess and huge grin spread across her face. "Well, well look who decided to show up," she stalked over, "Carl, Camille, come out here. You'll never guess who just showed up." A boy and girl exited from the back room.
"If it isn't Jess Mariano," the girl, Camille drawled, "I though you were banished to Stars Hollow."
"Yeah," the first girl nodded.
"I was," Jess replied, "I'm here for the weekend. Have you guys seen Riz?"
"Not for a while. She disappeared right after you left that second time," Camille replied. Her stare faltered over to the group standing behind Jess. "Since Jess seems to have no intention of introducing I'm Camille, that's Carl and the red head is Julia."
"I'm Rory," Rory nodded stepping up, "The Korean girl is Lane Kim, the boy next to her is Dave, and the blonde girl is Paris and that's Jamie."
"Pleasure to meet you," Julie nodded sarcastically, "What're you all doing in here anyway?"
"Well, Rory needed coffee and we're looking for Riz," Jess replied, "We figured you might've seen her." Julia nodded and turned to her coffee maker.
"Anyone else want anything?" she asked. Everyone else contemplated for a second and then agreed that they wanted coffee as well. Carl and Camille seemed to back off a bit and entered the back to finish "working". Jess motioned for them to take a place at one of the few table.
"They're some people I used to hang with," Jess explained once they sat, "Julia is Carl's little sister. Carl and Camille have been dating on and off. They have their fair share of problems. I met them through Julia. I've known her since High School. She got involved with the same gang as I did. We've never been that close though." The gang nodded. Rory was slightly surprised by Jess' not-so-brief explanation. It was somewhat un-Jess like.
"Coffees all around," Julia placed six cups on the table and glanced briefly at Jess before heading back behind the counter. Rory found this somewhat strange but let it go. She realized then watching Carl and Camille coming back out to talk to Julia that while she was here in New York looking for Riz she might learn a lot more about Jess and his past.
Lane looked around the table and realized how different they were yet they were all tied together in some way. Now, here they were looking for someone in a big city. Lane didn't know much about Jess, Riz, Paris, Jamie and even Dave. She had a feeling this trip would somehow make them friends by just more than association. The day and a half they were here scrambling around the streets of New York would probably test their relationships more than they thought. Lane felt it. This was no simple search for Riz. This was also going to be a search of another sort. Lane couldn't quite figure out how to put it into words. She just felt it. "Jess," Julia interrupted their silence, "Can I ask why exactly you're looking for the squirt?"
"She came and found me Ju," Jess replied, "She said stuff about trouble here." Rory couldn't help but notice Jess was speaking in full sentences with Julia.
"Trouble," Julia scoffed, "What would she know about trouble?"
"Julia lay off," Carl warned.
"NO!" Julia exclaimed, "Carl trouble isn't even a word to describe this and you know it!"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Jess stood up.
"What? Riz didn't tell you about anything more than trouble?" Julia spat, "Jess, Jess, Jess you've grown naive in that small town."
"Damn it Julia if you know something you better spit it out!" Jess shouted, "I need to find Riz. I know you and I have our differences so if you have anything I can use tell me so I can get out of your way!"
"Hell, differences that's rich Jess," Julia slammed the cup she had been drying down and stormed out. Rory had a feeling that Jess had been less elaborate than she'd thought. Camille left following Julie but Carl remained in the diner with them.
"Don't mind her Jess," Carl sighed, "Look, truth I haven't heard much of Riz. I didn't know she even came back. So, you should be on your way." Jess nodded. Paris jumped to pay the coffee quickly so they could get out faster.
Once outside they all looked at Jess curiously but they knew he wasn't going to tell them much. Rory wrapped her arms around Jess neck and he placed is head on hers. Looking up into his eyes she could tell that he didn't want her to know what that was about. Rory felt hurt that he thought he couldn't share it with her but let it slide, for now. "Let's go okay?" She whispered kissing him lightly on the lips.
"Call you mom," he offered handing her a quarter, "They'll want to know we made it." Rory nodded and approached a pay phone as the others waited up for her. Slipping the quarter in the slot she dialled the well-known cell number. It was off. Sighing she hung up the phone and returned to her friends.
When Rory returned Jess slipped his arm around her waist and they walked, together. Glancing in the window of the diner once more he saw Julia had returned and was watching him and Rory walk. He couldn't quite identify what he saw in her eyes. Jess knew that someday he would have to tell Rory the whole story, but not today. There was too much going on today. Finally he tore his eyes away from the window and walked on. This trip, Jess knew, was going to be his closure with his past. After this, maybe he could tell Rory the whole story, or maybe that could wait a while. Jess knew though if she asked he would tell her, she was too precious to lose over something stupid like that. "Where are we going next?" Jamie wondered his voice had tones of amusement. Paris hit him lightly and Lane laughed.
"I don't know," Jess shrugged.
"How about her parent's place?" Dave offered.
"God, I hope not," Jess muttered. Rory squeezed his shoulder reassuringly.
"It would be worth a try," Rory agreed, "I know it's the last place she would want to go to, but it may have been her only choice. How did you mother like Riz anyway?"
"Not much," Jess replied. Rory shrugged.
Paris felt odd and slightly out of place. She and Jamie held hands as they walked. He was sweet and she really enjoyed being with him. She smiled slightly; it was also nice to be around other couples for a change. Paris was certainly glad that Rory and Jess had allowed her to be a part of this. Not many people liked her. When Rory started at Chilton Paris wouldn't have dreamed she would become friends with her worst enemy and competition. It turns out Rory became a true friend. Madeline and Louise were her friends but they were a bit ditzy. Paris kind of enjoyed Rory's company although she never would admit it to anyone, especially Rory.
Reaching the apartment building where Riz and Jess used to live made Rory feel a bit strange and honoured. She felt special that Jess had allowed her to come and let her into his life a bit. He must've known that when searching for Riz he would bump into people he knew. The building was at least eight stories high and a bit battered up. Rory couldn't imagine what it looked like inside. Jess grabbed onto a branch of a tree that stood nearby the building and began to climb up quickly the others just watched in awe. When he reached a window three floors up he stepped onto the ledge and pulled the window open, bending down onto one knee he opened the protection screen and looked around before sliding in.
Once inside the house Jess searched for any sign of Riz. There was nothing. No clothes, furniture, garbage. It was empty. The apartment had been completely cleared out. He turned around to exit and saw Lane entering. He was slightly surprised. "What do you expect?" she shrugged, "How else am I going to sneak out of the house? Rory's on her way up and I think Paris, Jamie and Dave are taking the stairs."
"Why didn't you all?" Jess inquired.
"We're not all geniuses," Rory replied sliding in, "Well all that sneaking into Lane's house really paid off."
"Tell me about it," Lane agreed, "So we meet the other in the hall?" Jess and Rory nodded.
"What happened in this place anyway?" Rory questioned.
"They're gone," Jess replied.
"Obviously," Lane rolled her eyes and pulled the door open, "Wonder where they went."
"We're going up," Jess informed the three others as they joined them. They looked at Jess exasperated as they returned to the stairs.
"Why?" Rory wondered.
"My mother," Jess replied.
"Why?" Rory repeated but Jess was already gone around the next set of stairs. They five followed him, as they had been doing most of the time they arrived here.
Jess swung open the door of his mother's apartment and stepped in. Rory and the others right behind him. The apartment seemed empty except for the mess of clothes, dishes and the noise of the televisions. They all ventured further in closing the door behind them. Jess knew his mother probably wouldn't know anything about Riz but it was worth a shot. Plus, he felt a need to prove he wasn't worthless. "Well back again are we," Liz entered the room. Jess turned to his mother. Her brown hair let lose and wore jeans and a halter top.
"Liz," Jess greeted sourly. Rory looked between mother and son. She hoped her mother and Luke were having better luck with the search or at least revealing their feelings for each other.
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A/N: Alright, I've changed Mark to Dave since I found out what his name is. I I'm going for the whole P/Jamie, R/J, L/D, L/L atmosphere. Anyway, while they're in New York I'm going to try and uncover more of Jess' past. Julia, Camille, and Carl aren't becoming any type of important character I'm just trying to fit them it so we learn more about Jess. So, I hope everyone liked this chapter. Is anyone still reading this anyway? Please review any feedback is wanted. Thank you for reading.
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Rory, Jess, Lane, Dave, Paris and Jamie got off the bus in New York and stretched. It had been a very long few hours. They looked around the bus station, half expecting to find Riz, or someone waiting for them. There was nothing. Standing in silence a few seconds the hoisted their backpacks onto their backs and walked out of the bus station. Six young Americans on their own in a big city looking for one person out of thousands on the bustling streets of New York City. The three boys walked ahead a little none of them speaking. Jess, seemed to be slightly ahead of the other two and more dominant and hopeful. It was him, after all who knew these streets best.
The three girls on the other hand were slightly quieter, if possible. There seemed to be something in the air that made them feel very awkward. They were looking for a girl of fifteen, who happened to be pregnant and they were spending a night in New York with their boyfriends. Maybe it was the idea that this could happen to them. Their futures put on hold. Their lives after all would be affected more than those of the men. They would have to bear the child for nine months and then that child would be dependant on them for the rest of their lives. Did they want that? Did they want to be with the ones they had fallen in love with when there was such a high cost to having sex? To them it didn't seem worth it. A new life would be brought into the world, yes. A life that would be so precious and beautiful but at the same time their life would be altered in an unchangeable way and their dreams would never come true.
After a while Rory began to grow weary. Her legs already felt like rubber from the bus ride. She couldn't help but want a cup of coffee. She glanced over at Lane and Paris and could see that they felt the same. Rory reached out and patted Jess on the back who turned around as the two other boys stopped. "Hey, think we could get some coffee?" Rory asked. Jess nodded and motioned for them to follow, without a word they did. Soon they arrived at a small diner type place that was covered in graffiti in a tiny alleyway. Jess pulled the door open and entered, the others following.
Jess took in the air of the small diner, if it could even be called that. There were four or five tables scattered around and a counter. The place was more of a meeting place for fellow New York teens. This was the place to get coffee and ask about Riz. The others were giving him quizzical looks about the place but Jess shrugged them off and approached the counter looking for someone who should be working. Ringing the tiny bell on the counter Jess noticed a girl with bright red hair emerging from the back. When she saw Jess and huge grin spread across her face. "Well, well look who decided to show up," she stalked over, "Carl, Camille, come out here. You'll never guess who just showed up." A boy and girl exited from the back room.
"If it isn't Jess Mariano," the girl, Camille drawled, "I though you were banished to Stars Hollow."
"Yeah," the first girl nodded.
"I was," Jess replied, "I'm here for the weekend. Have you guys seen Riz?"
"Not for a while. She disappeared right after you left that second time," Camille replied. Her stare faltered over to the group standing behind Jess. "Since Jess seems to have no intention of introducing I'm Camille, that's Carl and the red head is Julia."
"I'm Rory," Rory nodded stepping up, "The Korean girl is Lane Kim, the boy next to her is Dave, and the blonde girl is Paris and that's Jamie."
"Pleasure to meet you," Julie nodded sarcastically, "What're you all doing in here anyway?"
"Well, Rory needed coffee and we're looking for Riz," Jess replied, "We figured you might've seen her." Julia nodded and turned to her coffee maker.
"Anyone else want anything?" she asked. Everyone else contemplated for a second and then agreed that they wanted coffee as well. Carl and Camille seemed to back off a bit and entered the back to finish "working". Jess motioned for them to take a place at one of the few table.
"They're some people I used to hang with," Jess explained once they sat, "Julia is Carl's little sister. Carl and Camille have been dating on and off. They have their fair share of problems. I met them through Julia. I've known her since High School. She got involved with the same gang as I did. We've never been that close though." The gang nodded. Rory was slightly surprised by Jess' not-so-brief explanation. It was somewhat un-Jess like.
"Coffees all around," Julia placed six cups on the table and glanced briefly at Jess before heading back behind the counter. Rory found this somewhat strange but let it go. She realized then watching Carl and Camille coming back out to talk to Julia that while she was here in New York looking for Riz she might learn a lot more about Jess and his past.
Lane looked around the table and realized how different they were yet they were all tied together in some way. Now, here they were looking for someone in a big city. Lane didn't know much about Jess, Riz, Paris, Jamie and even Dave. She had a feeling this trip would somehow make them friends by just more than association. The day and a half they were here scrambling around the streets of New York would probably test their relationships more than they thought. Lane felt it. This was no simple search for Riz. This was also going to be a search of another sort. Lane couldn't quite figure out how to put it into words. She just felt it. "Jess," Julia interrupted their silence, "Can I ask why exactly you're looking for the squirt?"
"She came and found me Ju," Jess replied, "She said stuff about trouble here." Rory couldn't help but notice Jess was speaking in full sentences with Julia.
"Trouble," Julia scoffed, "What would she know about trouble?"
"Julia lay off," Carl warned.
"NO!" Julia exclaimed, "Carl trouble isn't even a word to describe this and you know it!"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Jess stood up.
"What? Riz didn't tell you about anything more than trouble?" Julia spat, "Jess, Jess, Jess you've grown naive in that small town."
"Damn it Julia if you know something you better spit it out!" Jess shouted, "I need to find Riz. I know you and I have our differences so if you have anything I can use tell me so I can get out of your way!"
"Hell, differences that's rich Jess," Julia slammed the cup she had been drying down and stormed out. Rory had a feeling that Jess had been less elaborate than she'd thought. Camille left following Julie but Carl remained in the diner with them.
"Don't mind her Jess," Carl sighed, "Look, truth I haven't heard much of Riz. I didn't know she even came back. So, you should be on your way." Jess nodded. Paris jumped to pay the coffee quickly so they could get out faster.
Once outside they all looked at Jess curiously but they knew he wasn't going to tell them much. Rory wrapped her arms around Jess neck and he placed is head on hers. Looking up into his eyes she could tell that he didn't want her to know what that was about. Rory felt hurt that he thought he couldn't share it with her but let it slide, for now. "Let's go okay?" She whispered kissing him lightly on the lips.
"Call you mom," he offered handing her a quarter, "They'll want to know we made it." Rory nodded and approached a pay phone as the others waited up for her. Slipping the quarter in the slot she dialled the well-known cell number. It was off. Sighing she hung up the phone and returned to her friends.
When Rory returned Jess slipped his arm around her waist and they walked, together. Glancing in the window of the diner once more he saw Julia had returned and was watching him and Rory walk. He couldn't quite identify what he saw in her eyes. Jess knew that someday he would have to tell Rory the whole story, but not today. There was too much going on today. Finally he tore his eyes away from the window and walked on. This trip, Jess knew, was going to be his closure with his past. After this, maybe he could tell Rory the whole story, or maybe that could wait a while. Jess knew though if she asked he would tell her, she was too precious to lose over something stupid like that. "Where are we going next?" Jamie wondered his voice had tones of amusement. Paris hit him lightly and Lane laughed.
"I don't know," Jess shrugged.
"How about her parent's place?" Dave offered.
"God, I hope not," Jess muttered. Rory squeezed his shoulder reassuringly.
"It would be worth a try," Rory agreed, "I know it's the last place she would want to go to, but it may have been her only choice. How did you mother like Riz anyway?"
"Not much," Jess replied. Rory shrugged.
Paris felt odd and slightly out of place. She and Jamie held hands as they walked. He was sweet and she really enjoyed being with him. She smiled slightly; it was also nice to be around other couples for a change. Paris was certainly glad that Rory and Jess had allowed her to be a part of this. Not many people liked her. When Rory started at Chilton Paris wouldn't have dreamed she would become friends with her worst enemy and competition. It turns out Rory became a true friend. Madeline and Louise were her friends but they were a bit ditzy. Paris kind of enjoyed Rory's company although she never would admit it to anyone, especially Rory.
Reaching the apartment building where Riz and Jess used to live made Rory feel a bit strange and honoured. She felt special that Jess had allowed her to come and let her into his life a bit. He must've known that when searching for Riz he would bump into people he knew. The building was at least eight stories high and a bit battered up. Rory couldn't imagine what it looked like inside. Jess grabbed onto a branch of a tree that stood nearby the building and began to climb up quickly the others just watched in awe. When he reached a window three floors up he stepped onto the ledge and pulled the window open, bending down onto one knee he opened the protection screen and looked around before sliding in.
Once inside the house Jess searched for any sign of Riz. There was nothing. No clothes, furniture, garbage. It was empty. The apartment had been completely cleared out. He turned around to exit and saw Lane entering. He was slightly surprised. "What do you expect?" she shrugged, "How else am I going to sneak out of the house? Rory's on her way up and I think Paris, Jamie and Dave are taking the stairs."
"Why didn't you all?" Jess inquired.
"We're not all geniuses," Rory replied sliding in, "Well all that sneaking into Lane's house really paid off."
"Tell me about it," Lane agreed, "So we meet the other in the hall?" Jess and Rory nodded.
"What happened in this place anyway?" Rory questioned.
"They're gone," Jess replied.
"Obviously," Lane rolled her eyes and pulled the door open, "Wonder where they went."
"We're going up," Jess informed the three others as they joined them. They looked at Jess exasperated as they returned to the stairs.
"Why?" Rory wondered.
"My mother," Jess replied.
"Why?" Rory repeated but Jess was already gone around the next set of stairs. They five followed him, as they had been doing most of the time they arrived here.
Jess swung open the door of his mother's apartment and stepped in. Rory and the others right behind him. The apartment seemed empty except for the mess of clothes, dishes and the noise of the televisions. They all ventured further in closing the door behind them. Jess knew his mother probably wouldn't know anything about Riz but it was worth a shot. Plus, he felt a need to prove he wasn't worthless. "Well back again are we," Liz entered the room. Jess turned to his mother. Her brown hair let lose and wore jeans and a halter top.
"Liz," Jess greeted sourly. Rory looked between mother and son. She hoped her mother and Luke were having better luck with the search or at least revealing their feelings for each other.
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A/N: Alright, I've changed Mark to Dave since I found out what his name is. I I'm going for the whole P/Jamie, R/J, L/D, L/L atmosphere. Anyway, while they're in New York I'm going to try and uncover more of Jess' past. Julia, Camille, and Carl aren't becoming any type of important character I'm just trying to fit them it so we learn more about Jess. So, I hope everyone liked this chapter. Is anyone still reading this anyway? Please review any feedback is wanted. Thank you for reading.
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