Is There More?
Author: Knowhere
Chapter 12: In the Making
Rating: Pg-13
Disclaimer: Nothing but miscellaneous characters sporadically thrown in to further the story.
AN: I'm glad that so many of you keep with this story even though for about eleven grueling chapters, I had Rory and Jess's potential relationship hang in the balance. I just wanted the reader to see their foundation of friendship before their leap into a romantic relationship. To answer the question of how many chapters there'll be—I do not have a set amount. As long as I see that the chapters fit into these AU characters, then I'll keep them coming. However, don't expect this to turn out into like fifty chapters or something, because the other day I had another idea for a story and I would like to explore that plot line also. But, as long as I can keep this going, I'll keep writing to this story. I cannot fully expressed my gratitude for the time you've taken out of your day to sit down and read this; it means a lot to me and it makes this writing process a whole lot more rewarding.
FYI: I won't be home starting April 12-20, so there will no additional chapters added in that period of time. Please don't expect to see chapter 13 until mid-20'ish because I still have my SAT classes and I've got a speech coming up on Kurt Vonnegut. However, you never know; if I get really inspired I might be able to write something really fast and I'll get it out as soon as I can. Thanks; and I'm sorry for the short sabbatical of this story.
Summary: AU. College life is a journey of ups and downs; are Rory and Jess ready to take on what life is about to throw at them including a prospect of a new relationship, or will they choose the path of friendship like they did years ago? Literati.
Have you ever been in bed and it was just so freaking comfy that you never wanted it to get up? You know what I'm talking about; that feeling that you get when you wake up and the blankets are curled around you just right and you feel so refreshed. Well, even without the bed, this old couch feels like that to me now. It's five in the morning and I've been staring at Jess for the last twenty or so minutes. His face is so cute; he has this look of pure contentment mixed in with a small furrow of his brow. After we made out last night—I still can't grasp that idea—we fell asleep on the couch with his arms wrapped around me. I don't think I've ever been this happy. He shifts slightly on the cushions but his arms are still tight around my waist as if he's afraid I'll fall off the couch. Without getting too sappy for this earlier hour, let's just say that it's cute of him to want to protect me even in his sleep.
He stirs slightly and slowly cracks an eye open to look down at me. Smiling lazily he mumbles, "So this is what it feels like, huh?"
"What?" I scoot up so that I can rest my head more comfortably on his chest.
"What it feels like to wake up next to you but then to be able to do this…" He bends down and drops a light kiss on my lips. He barely even touched me but it felt great.
I'm about to reply with a grin but the ringing of the phone breaks the moment. He lifts an eyebrow in question for the early call as he asks, "Expecting a call?"
"I don't think so." I reach for the phone and as I sit back on the couch to ask who it is Jess has pushed himself into an upright position behind me. "Hello?"
"Rory; what happened? I thought you would call; I've been worried sick about you." It's Mom and I can tell that she assumed the worst when I didn't call her back like I would usually do.
"Oh, Mom I'm so sorry. I just totally forgot to call you; but I'm okay, everything's fine." I try to explain myself for the panic that I can hear radiating from Mom's voice as Jess pulls me back so that I'm sitting in between his legs. I try to contain my giggle but it's hard since he has his arms around me and is now kissing my neck from behind.
"That's alright Rory I was just worried about what happened. So, everything's alright huh? How alright?" I can hear her raised eyebrow and smirk even over the telephone. Mom's just dying to get some juicy gossip.
"Hold on, let me go to my room. Don't hang up." I want to tell Mom all the girl details in the privacy of my own room. Not that I don't love Jess, I just don't want to be spilling out all the mushy stuff with him right next to me.
Turning around I smile apologetically at him and whisper, "I'm sorry, but I've got to fill my Mom in on everything or she'll keep calling every five minutes." I kiss him briefly and I throw the blanket aside as I get up and walk across the floor.
As I almost reach my door I hear him yell out, "You better make it up to me."
Smiling, I turn around and see that he has a cocky smirk in place and I nod at him. Finally in the comfort of my bed, I climb in and begin all the luscious details with Mom.
-----------------------------------------------
"So does this mean that you two are together now?" Gwen, my study partner has become a great friend whenever I've been down at school. She always has her extended notes from class and sometimes she reminds me of Paris, without the abrasive character. Gwen's really focused on her academics and she's still fun to hang around. As I got into my Politics class this morning, she bombarded me with questions of the goofy smile I had on my face. She's hung out with me and Jess on occasion and she used to tease me about how I couldn't see that Jess and I were meant to be together. Gwen had a slight crush on Jess when she first met him, but then banished the thought when she felt that Jess and I were soul mates. At the time I adamantly denied it and I even set her and Jess up on a date; but it didn't go any further than that one date. However, even after that, we all still remained friends.
"I don't know. We didn't really get the chance to really talk about it, you know?"
"Yeah, I guess…since you two were probably too busy doing other things with your mouth." She grins up at me and I'm in shock that a relatively reserved girl like her would say such a thing. We laugh and proceed to walk out of the history building. As I push the door open to go out into the freezing cold of winter, I pull my coat closer to my body; but before I could take another step on the stairs, I notice a familiar face on the stoop leaning there with a smile.
"Jess! What are you going here?" Without a second thought I launch myself into his arms and give him a fierce hug.
He pulls back slightly with a smile and uttered, "I came to pick you up. We didn't really get the chance to talk much and I was wondering if you would want to go to lunch with me." Reaching for my hand he realizes that I'm not alone. Turning slightly he inquired, "Gwen, do you want to join us?"
Without hesitation she replied, "Nah, I don't want to be the third wheel. Maybe some other time though. I'll see you two later."
"Bye." Although I wouldn't have minded if she came along, I'm thankful for her thoughtfulness to let Jess and I have some time alone.
Tugging gently on my hand he pulls me out of my thoughts and we silently walk to the café across the street from the campus. I eaten there so many times it feels like a second home to me.
The little bell jingles on top of the door signifying our entrance and it almost feels like I'm stepping into Luke's instead. I love that little bell at his diner and I wish that we were back in Stars Hallow right now. Jess chooses our regular table—off to the side, secluded and yet we can still see everything that's happening around us.
I feel a little nervous right now and I can't say exactly why but it feels like our first date. Even though we've eaten here for years, I still can't get over the recent fact that we're not just best friends. Noticing that my thoughts are cloudy, Jess ducks down to look at my eyes from across the table to ask, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing; this just feels a little weird to me. It's not that I don't want to be here, I'm just not really sure how to act now." I hope he doesn't think that I regret this whole relationship—thing.
"Let's just take it one step at a time, okay? We'll be like, friends, with benefits." Laughing, the somber mood is broken and I'm glad when we move onto topics such as how our day has been.
After thirty minutes and two burgers later, we just sit back with a mug of coffee in our hands. Silence has fallen upon our conversation but it's comforting, nothing awkward
---------------------------------------------
Today has been long and by the time we step into our apartment, I'm dead tired. We head towards the couch to watch some TV but then I think about the dilemma that will come up shortly. Since we're together now and we still live together, how will the arrangement of sleeping factor in? I mean, we just got together last night and even though I love him, I don't think I'm ready to have sex with Jess just yet. Not that I don't want it to happen, it's just that I want to get to know him better first. I hope that he won't feel like I'm trying to push him away or something to that degree.
Knowing that there's no way to be sure but to ask him, I timidly question, "Uh…Jess, can we talk for a second?"
Putting the TV on mute, he shifts on the couch to look at me and to give me his attention. "Yeah sure, what is it?"
I tuck my hair behind my ear and I think he can tell that I'm nervous. It's a habit that I can't seem to shake, just like how I blink a lot when I lie. "I was just thinking…you know, since this whole relationship thing is new, I don't want there to be hidden expectations. What I'm trying to say, I guess, is that I'm not ready to, you know…with you just yet."
Smirking, he gestures with his hand as if asking where I'm going with this conversation. When I don't reply except for the lifting of my eyebrows, he verified with, "You mean you're not quite ready for sex?"
"Yeah that's what I was trying to say. It's not that I don't want to, it's just too soon, I think." I'm blushing wildly now but I don't want to just gloss over the situation. "I just meant, that with our current living situation, I don't want there to be confusion."
"Don't worry Rory we won't do anything that you're not ready for."
With a breath of relief, I'm glad that our conversation has come to an agreement. I lean back into his arms and just as the red tint on my cheeks is disappearing, he suddenly teases me. "But I am glad that you're not in denial about wanting to jump my bones."
I give him a slap on his chest for such a remark and after his low laughter has subsided, we just enjoy each other's company in the silence of the TV.
AN: I hope that I've answered some questions here especially with the physical aspect of their relationship. Like I mentioned before, they are adults and the will deal with whatever comes with a more mature relationship—i.e. sex; I've wrote Rory's feelings on it for now, but obviously, she'll change her feelings as she and Jess grow closer. As for Jill…I'm not done with her yet, I plan on having her make an appearance some time soon. I didn't exactly make it crystal clear from the last chapter, but when Jess left briefly, his character would have most likely gone to break up with her off camera. I was limited by my choice of Rory's point of view and because of that the reader was not able to 'see' the breakup. Thanks for reading. Let me know what you think…I always appreciate reading another's thoughts or feelings.