Chapter 13 – I meant it and I'm glad you said it

Jess' POV

Disclaimer: Once again, I own nothing to do with Gilmore Girls, nor do I own any book or author references. I do own the titles of this chapter and the next four, because I'm making them up.

A/N: This chapter may not be my best, but I liked writing it (I like writing all of this), and I hope you all like it. Review and tell me what you think! Thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far, and if you haven't, please do! (Finally, I'm not writing a really long A/N. lol) And the part at the very end of this: I know it's not really in character, but I wanted to write it, and I thought it was kind of funny. Besides, it's important for the story. So on with the chapter!       ~Arianna

That talk with Luke was not exactly what I'd been hoping for. Okay, I admit it—I'd wanted to go up to the apartment and kiss Rory. If she wanted me to.

I know Luke did that and said that stuff because he was worried about Rory. Because he didn't want me to hurt her. Because…he didn't want me to try anything.

Rory was right in saying that I would never do that. She knows me better than anyone does. I'll take care of her. I'll do anything for her. Including applying to Ivy League schools.

She even knew me well enough to hear that in my voice when I said it. I wanted what she had. People who cared about me. Great grades I knew I could get…confidence in my ability to get into a good college. At least now I had Rory, and really, to me, for now, that was enough. Telling her what had happened, why I'd cried, actually did make me feel better.

Rory and I started spending more time together. I loved it. I mean, I used to force myself through every day. Now I actually looked forward to things. And pretty soon it was official. Rory was my girlfriend; I was her boyfriend.

We went to the bookstore this one day that summer. We walked in. Rory was laughing; so was I. Miss Patty was in the store, looking for new dance books. I saw her glance at us, a worried look on her face. Oh no, I thought.

"What's wrong, Jess?" Rory said to me.

"Oh, nothing," I replied. She followed my glance to Miss Patty, who was still staring at us. Rory smiled at me and we went over to the literature section together.

That night, I left Luke's and went to the bridge to think. I did think it was nice that everyone in Stars Hollow cared about Rory. I could understand that. But all of them, except Luke and Lorelai, who Rory had managed to convince, thought I was going to hurt her. Wanted to protect her from me. Rory was the smartest person I knew. And she wouldn't want me to be her boyfriend if I were the kind of person who did stuff like that. But I could see it, what everyone thought of us being together.

Then I heard a soft voice say, "Hey, Jess."

"Hey, Ror," I answered. She came over to sit with me.

"Jess, tell me what's wrong. Since the bookstore…"

"I don't wanna talk about it."

"You tell me everything!" Her voice got quieter. "I didn't mean you have to tell me everything. Just tell me what's wrong…I know it's about me."

"Aw, Rory, don't think that."

"Jess."

"Okay…you aren't going to give up, are you?" I asked her.

"No."

"Rory…you've seen everybody looking at us."

"Yeah," she admitted.

"Everybody here likes you. That's great, and I can understand it. But—"

"But they all hate you. And they think you're gonna hurt me, they think you're gonna break my heart. I know. I'm sorry. I didn't think…it must be hard."

"It's not that. It's hard for you too, Rory, I know that. And if…" I looked at her, and I knew she knew what I meant. "I couldn't take it," I finally said.

"I couldn't either." I was relieved to hear that. "Yeah, it's hard sometimes," Rory continued, "but it's worth it." She moved closer to me.

"I love you, Rory," I said softly.

She put her arms around me and kissed me. "I love you, Jess." That was the best feeling in the world. I held Rory tightly and started kissing her. After a while, she pulled away, but we stayed close together. A cool breeze was coming across the lake; you could see the moon, a crescent, reflected on the water.

"It's magical," Rory whispered.

"Yeah," I agreed.

"Thank you for saying that."

"I meant it," I said seriously.

"So did I."

"You know that literacy dinner next week?" I said. Rory nodded. "Well…will you go with me?" I asked.

Her face lit up. "I'd love to."

I grinned. "Good." We sat there for a long time, silently. Then I realized how late it was. "Hey, I'll walk you home," I said.

"Okay." We both got up. "The dinner's gonna be great," she said.

"It's the best idea this town has ever come up with," I agreed.

"Oh, you weren't here for the Doose's Market opening ceremony," she teased. I laughed.

We got to her house. I leaned in and kissed her quickly. "See ya tomorrow."

"See ya, Jess!" she called. Luke stared at me as I walked into the diner.

"Jess. You're smiling."

I couldn't stop. I decided to tell Luke. Not something I'd normally do, but I was on too much of a natural high to care. "Rory told me she loved me."

Luke actually grinned. "That's great, Jess." He looked at me questioningly.

"I told her I loved her, too," I said.

"She's really changed you."

"Maybe."

"I never thought I'd see Jess Mariano even think about an Ivy League school."

"Yeah, well."

"We all ought to thank her."

"I have."

"She really does, you know," Luke told me.

"Really does what?"

"She really loves you. Anyone can see it." Again, I couldn't help grinning.

"I'm glad."

"Hey, Jess?"

I turned around. "Yeah?"

"I'm sorry I didn't trust you about Rory. I know…you care about her."

"I understand," I replied. "Hey, do you know a place where you can get charms?"

Luke started to laugh. "You're asking me?"

I laughed too. "Right. Bad idea."