24 HOURS

A Mid Night Encounter

Thursday, 23:05

She just couldn't sleep
It was so hot tonight..
Rory tossed ans turned in her bed for the last hour, trying to force herself to
sleep
With no success.

Lorelai is probably already fast asleep..she thought
Maybe she will try reading a book to wear her eyes untill she can fall asleep..
She grabbed a book and tried to concentrate, but to no avail.
It was too damn hot. She could feel her head beginning to pound from
frustration. Even her bed was too hot. There just couldn't have been a better
day for their air conditioner to pass away.
She looked at her window and saw the curtain shift a little. There was a light
breeze. a hot breeze but yet, it'll be better that lying here, tossing with a
headache.
Maybe she'll take a little walk to cool herself down.

Rory got up, chose one of her favorite books, just in case.. quickly changed her
Pyjamas with a light t-shirt and shorts and strolled out of the house quietly.

She started walking with no specific destination in her mind, just enjoying the
warm wind and studyin her sleeping town.
Actully, coming to think about it, she was never out by herself so late at
night. It wad kinda relaxing, she thought to herself.

Rory walked around for a good twenty minutes, and decided that she'll go to the
bridge, maybe the proximity to the water will have a better effect on chilling
her.

Meanwhile....
He couldn't sleep.
It was too goddamn hot in his room.
Well, his uncle did give him a fan but it was just not helping..
Too hot@!
He already tried taking a shower, almost a cold one, but it didn't help 'cause
fifteen minutes later he was in the same sticky condition he was in before.
He felt a light hot breeze from his window and decided that he might as well go
for a walk if he can't sleep.

A walk.
His usual night - can't sleep- walk.
He grabbed a book and his cd player and went for a walk.

23:30

Rory set by the water, she took her shoes off and her legs floated just above
the water, as she sat and started to read her favorite book under the bright
moonlight.
23:40

He strolled around town calmly, feeling himself relax and headed for his regular
spot.
The bridge.

As he approached closer, he saw someone sitting by the water.
Not just someone.
He decided that he'll approach quietly and surprise her.

"Hi" he said in a low voice.
Rory's first reaction was a slight freakish feeling in her stomach
But then, she recognized the voice and turned around with a slight smile on her
face.
"You scared me"
"Hi.."

"what are you doing here" they asked in unison and then they both smiled.
"It got too hot at my house and the air conditioner just passed away this
morning so I took a walk 'cause I couldn't sleep"
"what about you?" Rory asked
"about the same story" Jess replied.

"Hey what are you reading?"
"show me yours and I'll show you mine.." Rory just noticed the book in his hand
Again they both said at the exact same moment "Oliver twist"...
and now both of them grinned at one another.

"Can I join you?" he asked
"Sure" Rory said quickly
"But, .."
"what?" Jess looked at her
"I guess that if we're both reading the same book" she offered,
"maybe we can share"
"what did you have in mind Rory?"
"Well, maybe you can read to me and later I'll read for you" she shyly asked.

"Nobody has ever read to me before" Jess blurted
"oh"
"So I'll be your first" she said and realizing what she said, felt her face turn
hot.
Jess smirked at her and said in a low murmur
"I'd be honored"

After a few seconds of silence Jess cautiously set beside Rory, opened his book
and
Started to read to her.
They sat there while Jess read to Rory in a soft voice and Rory couldn't help
the joy she felt.
Rory always appriciated Jess' wit and his ability to have a good literati
argument. And she couldn't help what she felt. To be sitting beside him, someone
who stimulated her mind and got the better of her and someone who respected her
as a person. And, she must admit it to herself, someone who she really really
liked.
Yeah liked is a good word , she thought to herself.
After a few minutes of reading , Jess adjusted his position, lay on his back,
and continued reading.
Rory, feelind nice and comfortable, without even realizing what she was doing,
put her head over Jess' stomach and stared at the stars.

He never stopped reading, but Jess certainly realized what she did, and a hint
of a smile spread on his face.

A few more minutes passed away and Suddenly, Rory became very conscious of where
her head was.. she couldn't make herself ignore the tight muscels she felt with
every breath he took, and her face, for the second time turned in to a very deep
shade of red.
It's not that it didn't feel good, but she suddenly felt awkward that she felt
so good... so she pulled herself into a sitting position and offered that
they'll switch turnes and she'll read now.

24:05
"sure" Jess said
and handed her the opened book.

Rory spread herself on her back, took the book and started from the point Jess
had just stopped at. And so did Jess.
He put his heas against her body in the exact same way she did before.
Rory winces a little but kept on reading.

Now he had time to think. This was so nice. She felt so good. And he could smell
her all around him. He wanted this moment to last forever. He longed for this
moment for so long...

Nor really thinking on what she was doing Rory took one hand off of the book and
started to play with a stray bunch of hair on Jess' head.