Phew, another chapter up! I have some mock exams coming up; so I'm not sure when I'll update. I haven't exactly written the next chapter, so any ideas would be great!

Thank you so much: Diana, lexi.m.88, hannah, some1, meeeee!!, lauren, Heather, kyenda, ckl2005, MaryATroryFan, Jade, swim6516, jesslover, starbelly, Kim, twinkletoes, Melissa Larkin, Sarah V, Marie, ren, farah k., Gilmore, Alex, dodgerluv, janine, BC, RoxXy, ann, Phoebe, justaggirl and Luke Rules.

Daniel says 'Hi' back!!! He says he's the captain of the soccer team, (He really is, but that's not the point) and he can teach you some 'moves'. He's an IDIOT, so don't encourage him!!!!! LOL

Chapter 7: I'm not perfect

"Willy Wonka it is!" shouted Lorelai triumphantly after Luke broke the eye staring contest. (AN: Y'know, the person who blinks first loses)

Luke sighed. "Lorelai, that is unfair."

"Hey mister, I won fair and square."

"It's childish," complained Luke.

Lorelai stuck out her tongue. "But you forgot, I am childish. Besides, loosen up a little."

"Whatever."

Lorelai jumped up, and dragged him over to the couch. Then, she went to browse for the Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Limited Edition CD that she had recently bought. She was proud of it. She took it out, handling it as if it was the most precious thing on Earth. Then, once she had set it in the VCD player, she sat back on the couch next to Luke, who was holding a bowl of popcorn, three coffees (for Lorelai), some M&Ms and water (for himself).

She smiled at Luke as the movie was starting. "This is going to be great."

Luke groaned. "Whenever you say that, I have the feeling that something bad is going to happen."

~***~

Rory sighed for the umpteenth time. Normally, turning the pages of a book lulled her to dreamland. But, today… something had changed inside of her. She couldn't sleep. Maybe it was because she couldn't stop thinking about the guy next 'room'. He is perfect. Maybe it was the fact that she was worrying about the interview with the guy next 'room'. It is due in next week. Maybe she was an insomniac. Hmm…

She walked to the balcony, opened the door, and sat there, feeling the cool breeze ruffle her hair. She breathed the fresh air, and felt as if the whole world was at her feet. It was dark, and she felt as if she was alone in the world. But she wasn't. She felt somebody sit down next to her, and without even glancing, she knew she had no reason to be scared. It was Jess. He held her hand, and told her without words, that he was here for her.

They both stared off into the night comforted by the fact that the other was there. And, finally… Rory felt herself nodding off to sleep. Jess picked her up carefully, and placed her in her bed. Then he pulled the blanket up to her chin, noting that she looked so angelic. He kissed her forehead, and then went to bed.

~***~

"That was great, wasn't it?" asked Lorelai excitedly as the movie screened its creditors.

Luke muttered, "Peachy."

"Wow, you are so enthusiastic," chirped Lorelai sarcastically.

Luke scowled at her. "What do you want me to do, throw a party?"

Lorelai nodded enthusiastically. "Yea, but then the only creatures who would come to a party you throw are the ants. Even you wouldn't be there."

"You would," pointed out Luke

Lorelai frowned. "I'd only be there for the food."

"But you'd still be there."

"Details, details…"

A silence overcame there, and Luke sat staring at Lorelai with an inquisitive glance on his face. She is his best friend. He's known her since forever, loved her since forever minus a minute. Telling her so would ruin their relationship. Or would it...?

Lorelai could feel that tingling sensation, thus she knew that Luke was staring at her. She turned to face him, noticing that he ha a glazed look in his eyes.

She waved her hands in front of his face, effectively putting him out of dreamland.

"Wassup?" she asked.

Luke was quiet; his heart and his mind were in the middle of having an internal battle. His heart said to just do it. His mind told him not to say it as it would ruin everything they have together. And it looked like his mind was winning… again.

Luke shrugged. "Nothing." He glanced at his watch. "It's late, I better be going now."

He stood up, and Lorelai stood along with him, following him to the front door. They stood there on the porch, together.

"So, uh… I had a great time," said Luke.

Lorelai nodded, and grinned. "Me too."

Luke turned around to leave, but before he could, Lorelai gave him a hug. He hugged her back gently, wishing that he could tell her that he loved her. But that would be impractical. And if there was one thing he isn't, it is impractical. She released him, and watched him walk away from her, and turn to head to the diner, out of her sight.

She was troubled, she'd always thought that Luke held a special space in her heart. But she didn't know how special a place it was until tonight. She walked in the house, and closed the door.

~***~

Rory woke up early the next morning with a mission. She needed to get an interview out of Jess. She took a quick shower, and made a cup of coffee. Sitting down at the kitchen table, she observed that Jess was out on his regular Saturday morning jog. Health freak. She took her notebook out, and wrote 'goes out jogging every other day.'

She waited for him to come home, passing the time by picking up a book to read. An hour later, she heard the door open, and Jess walked in, covered in sweat. She wrinkled her nose as he swept her up in a gigantic hug.

"Hi Ror," said Jess.

Rory smiled up at him. "Hey. Listen, take a shower, and I need to ask you something after that."

Jess nodded, but didn't question anything further. He figured that she had something important to ask. He took a shower, and changed into shorts and a top. Then, he walked out and sat next to Rory.

Rory glanced at him, and dived headlong. "I have to interview you."

~***~

Jess looked at her, shocked. He couldn't believe the words that had just come out of her mouth. She should know that he… well maybe she didn't know.

"I don't do interviews," said Jess.

One of Rory's eyebrows raised. "Why not?"

"They're silly, superficial, and because of them, fans will follow your every footstep till the day you die."

"No, they're not. At least then you'll know that you have fans, anyway," said Rory, knowing instinctively that there was a deeper reason that he had objected to doing any interviews.

Jess took a careful look at her, and nodded. He could tell that she could tell that there was something else. He owed it to her.

"Look, Rory," he started. "The reason I write books is to share my talent with the whole world. Interviews will have reporters searching into my past, finding out that I was a good-for-nothing delinquent who got wasted every day on booze and crack."

A silence overcame the pair as she realized what he thought fame would do.

"I would never expose you like that," whispered Rory finally.

Jess knew that. He knew that he had been too perfect so far; an enigma to the public. He also knew that there were reporters out there, just waiting to draw his blood. "I know you wouldn't, but someone else might."

"They're not interested in your past. Only in what you do now."

"Exposing my past will kill my career."

"No it wouldn't," protested Rory.

Jess was silent.

"Jess, please. I really need to do this."

After a long pause, Jess finally said, "Whatever you will gain, I will lose twice the amount. I'm not proud of my past, and I never will be."

"Hiding it from the world will not make it any less painful," uttered Rory, her words ringing loud and true.

"Just because you're my girlfriend doesn't mean that you get special privileges. You're using me for your own good," said Jess, the words more painful and effective than a slap could ever be.

~***~

Rory realized then that there was parts of his life that Jess had hidden from her; dark, deep sections that perhaps she didn't even want to know about. Before she knew it, she had stood up from her sitting position, and was out of the apartment.

Jess watched the only person whom he thought could understand him walk out the door. She had closed the door softly, almost lovingly. He thought it would have been better if she had just slammed the door. At least then he would know how hurt she is, instead she had kept her feelings at bay, hiding them away from him.

It was torture.

To be continued…

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