Rory entered the diner. She looked around. The place was crowded, which
made her feel a whole lot better. She didn't see Jess. Luke was standing
behind the counter. He noticed her. She walked towards the counter.
R: "Luke, have you seen Jess anywhere?"
Luke: "I think he's upstairs. Are you okay?"
R: "I'm fine. Is it okay if I go upstairs?"
Luke: "Sure"
Rory turned around and looked at the door. She expected Dan to come in any second. Then she walked upstairs. She knocked on the door.
J: "Come in"
Rory went inside and closed the door behind her. Jess was sitting on his bed, reading. He looked up when he saw her coming in and closed the book.
J: "Rory"
R: "Jess, I think I have a problem"
Jess wasn't sure how to react to this.
J: "Are you okay?"
R: "Not sure"
Jess got up from his bed and walked towards her. Suddenly Rory did something he never expected her to do. She started to cry. She did a step forwards and Jess put her arms around her. She leaned her head against his chest. Jess stroke her hair. They stood like this for a little while. He listened to her crying and felt so desperate. What could have happened that upset her like this? Finally after what seemed like forever to him she let go of him and sat down on his bed. She wiped away her tears to hide the fact that she had been crying, like Jess had no idea, but her red eyes showed the truth. He hesitated for a moment, then he sat down next to her.
J: "You wanna talk about it?"
She nodded.
R: "I think Dan went a little crazy..........literally"
J: "In what way?"
R: "He thinks he loves me"
Well, that isn't that crazy, he thought, but of course he didn't say it out loud.
R: "And he sends me flowers.....He says we belong together. He wants me to break up with Dean......And I think he's watching my every move"
J: "What do you mean?"
R: "I don't know exactly. Dean came by and the minute he left, Dan called and asked me if I broke up with him"
J: "And you didn't"
R: "Of course not. Look, I know this probably sounds pretty silly, but he's really scaring me and I told him to leave me alone, more than once, but I don't think he'll listen. I don't know what to do"
Jess had to admit, he was getting a bit worried himself, but he didn't wanna show it. She was already enough upset. He thought for a minute, but he couldn't really think of something to say right now.
J: "What did your mom say?"
R: "I haven't told her yet. You think I should?"
J: "I don't know. I'm not really an expert on this area either"
A silence fell. They both weren't really sure what to say.
J: "I take it you didn't tell Dean either?"
R: "You think I would still have this problem if I had? I mean, except for the fact I would have a killer for a boyfriend"
Jess was about to say: "well, I'm kinda in the killingmood myself", but he figured that probably wasn't the right thing to say right now. Then again, he wasn't exactly good at saying the right thing at the right time. He did know that if he would run into that Dan-guy one of these days, he wasn't sure if he would be able to control himself.
J: "You know where he is now?"
R: "No. And I don't think I wanna know"
J: "Maybe you should tell your mom. Just in case."
R: "So you agree on the fact that I have a problem?"
J: "Well, I can't deny it. This guy sure doesn't know when a girl is not interested"
Rory tried to smile, but she was still worried. She was glad she told someone though.
R: "I don't think I wanna tell my mom"
J: "Why not?"
R: "Because. I don't want her to worry about this. It's probably nothing."
J: "You don't know for sure"
R: "No. So, I'm gonna try once more to make him understand that I don't want him"
J: "You're gonna talk to him?"
She nodded.
J: "Alone?"
R: "Don't know yet"
J: "Well, I do. You call him and ask him to meet you here. In the diner, where me and Luke can keep an eye on you"
R: "That's sweet"
Another silence fell. Jess looked at Rory. He really felt bad for her. That this had to happen to her. Her of all people. She was the nicest and sweetest girl he had ever met. She didn't deserve this. She didn't deserve to be worried about something like this.
J: "Are you feeling a little better?"
R: "A little. I'm glad I talked to you. I think I'd better go home"
J: "You want me to walk you?"
R: "You wanna do that?"
J: "Sure"
R: "Doesn't Luke need you downstairs? It's pretty busy"
J: "I think this is a little more important"
She smiled. A real smile this time. And she meant it. He was sweet. She could see he was really worried about her and somehow that made her feel better. Not much, but enough to make a smile appear on her face.
J: "Come on. Let's go"
He got up from the bed and held out his hand. She put her hand in his and he pulled her up. They walked downstairs. They got in the diner and Rory saw how Luke looked at her. She tried to give him a comforting smile, but she wasn't sure if it worked. She and Jess walked to the door.
Luke: "Am I being really rude if I ask you where you're going, Jess?"
J: "Out"
Luke: "And that's the best answer I'm gonna get?"
J: "Yep"
Luke: "Okay"
She and Jess left the diner in the direction of Rory's house. They walked in silence, but they both didn't mind. Rory couldn't help herself, she kept looking around, expecting to see Dan. Jess noticed.
J: "Don't worry. He won't hurt you"
R: "I know. It's just the idea that he might be looking at me right now....."
J: "Well, I'm sure the fact that I'm walking next to you kinda spoils the fun for him"
R: "Yeah, it kinda ruins the moment, don't you think? I mean, there's me. The gorgeous, beautiful young woman, and there's you. The......."
J: "You're sure you wanna finish that sentence?"
R: "No, cos I'm too afraid that I'll insult you and you're not gonna walk me home anymore"
J: "And that with the crazy Psycho walking around....."
R: "Exactly my point. But I might finish that sentence when this is all over....."
J: "Can't wait"
Rory laughed. Jess looked at her again. It was good to hear her laugh. He didn't like it to see her cry or to see her unhappy. When she laughed she always had this spark in her eyes. It was hard to explain, but he loved that spark. He loved to see her laugh and smile. It always made him want to kiss her. If he didn't look out he might really kiss her one of these days. He smirked. That would be something.
R: "What?"
He realized he was still staring at her.
J: "Nothing"
R: "No, you have a 'something' face"
J: "A 'something' face?"
R: "Yeah"
J: "And what does a 'something' face look like?"
R: "Pretty much like yours"
J: "Well, sorry to dissapoint you, but my face is obviously a 'nothing' face"
R: "Are you in a position to judge that?"
J: "Well, it's my face, so I would say yes"
R: "You're not the one looking at it"
J: "Good point"
She smiled again. They had almost reached the house.
R: "Thanks for walking me home"
J: "You're not gonna invite the guy with the 'something' face in?"
R: "If the guy with the 'something' face wants to come in, then I'm not stopping him"
They walked to the house and Rory had to admit she was already happy that there were no flowers in front of the door. She opened the door and they went in.
R: "Make yourself at home"
J: "I will"
R: "Can I get you anything?"
J: "No, I'm fine"
They went into the livingroom. Rory threw her keys on the table. She took the phone from the couch and wanted to put it back in the standard. Then she noticed the flickering light on the answering machine. She stared at it for a second.
J: "Everything okay?"
She nodded. She hesitated for a moment, then she carefully pressed the button of the answering machine. She held her breath.
You have two new messages:
Hey Ror, it's me. Dan. Missed me? I just hope you're having a good time with your good friend Jess. You looked scared. Is that because of me? Well, don't worry, I won't hurt you. I'll call you back later, when I know for sure you're home. Don't forget that I'll always love you......
Rory immediately deleted the message, then she turned around so she faced Jess. They stared at each other for a moment.
J: "I thought you had 2 messages"
Rory turned back and presses the button again.
Hey hon, I just wanted to let you know that I have to work late tonight, but you're not home. God bless the answering machine. Just imagine what we would do without it......You would panic and think something horrible happened to me. Maybe you would think I got abducted by aliens and we don't want that to happen, do we? Anyway, I left some money on the refrigerator, so you can buy yourself some nice dinner at Luke's and don't drive him crazy......I'm the only one allowed to do that. I actually signed a contract for that. Bye, hon.
Rory turned around and walked to the couch. She sat down next to Jess.
J: "Are you okay?"
R: "Do you think I am okay?"
J: "You think I would ask you if you're okay when I already know the answer?"
She shrugged.
J: "You still haven't answered my question"
R: "What do you wanna hear? That I'm prefectly fine? That I don't care there's some crazy jerk out there watching me? That I'm not scared to death? That I don't care I'll be home alone tonight? Well, sorry to dissapoint you, Jess, but I can't answer any of those questions with yes"
J: "Touchy...."
Rory sighed.
R: "Sorry. I didn't mean to take this out on you"
J: "I know. It doesn't matter"
R: "Good"
Jess wasn't sure what to say now. Should he ask her if she wanted him to stay or would that be weird? Or was that exactly what she wanted?
J: " You know, if you want to I could stay a little longer.....to keep you company"
Rory thought about it for a second.
R: "No. You don't have to. You've done enough for now. I don't know how to thank you"
J: "You don't have to thank me."
R: "I really appreciate the offer, but I think it's best if I stay home alone tonight. You're right, Dan would never hurt me. Not if he 'loves' me like I says he does."
Jess nodded. He knew Rory didn't really want to be alone, she just said so, because she wanted to look tough. And he liked that about her. That didn't stop him from worrying about her though.
J: "Okay. Just promise me you'll call if anything's wrong"
R: "Don't worry I will."
J: "Good"
R: "That doesn't mean you're gonna be sitting next to the phone the whole night, right? Cos I don't want you to do that."
J: "Well, I wasn't planning to"
R: "Good, cos I've done it once. I sat next to the phone for the whole night. I expected a call from a guy I really liked and let me tell you, it's no fun."
J: "Did he call?"
R: "Who?"
J: "The guy you really liked"
R: "No. Turned out he didn't like me as much as I thought"
J: "Sorry"
R: "Are you kidding? That was years ago. I'm over that"
J: "Are you sure? Cos I've been there"
R: "You? You liked a girl and she didn't like you?"
J: "Hard to believe?"
R: "No. But I would like to find out more about this girl.......Why don't you stay for dinner?"
J: "I'm not saying no to that"
R: "I take it you've seen enough of Luke's food for the rest of your life, since you work there and all......How about pizza?"
J: "I've never worked at a place where they sold pizzas, so......."
R: "Good. I'll order some pizzas"
Jess nodded. Rory had surprised him again. Not so long ago she had seemed so desperate and sad....but now. The spark was back. He really had to look out. Otherwise he would really do something he was probably gonna regret later. She didn't think about him that way and even if she did, then this wasn't the best time......Well, he could wait.
R: "Luke, have you seen Jess anywhere?"
Luke: "I think he's upstairs. Are you okay?"
R: "I'm fine. Is it okay if I go upstairs?"
Luke: "Sure"
Rory turned around and looked at the door. She expected Dan to come in any second. Then she walked upstairs. She knocked on the door.
J: "Come in"
Rory went inside and closed the door behind her. Jess was sitting on his bed, reading. He looked up when he saw her coming in and closed the book.
J: "Rory"
R: "Jess, I think I have a problem"
Jess wasn't sure how to react to this.
J: "Are you okay?"
R: "Not sure"
Jess got up from his bed and walked towards her. Suddenly Rory did something he never expected her to do. She started to cry. She did a step forwards and Jess put her arms around her. She leaned her head against his chest. Jess stroke her hair. They stood like this for a little while. He listened to her crying and felt so desperate. What could have happened that upset her like this? Finally after what seemed like forever to him she let go of him and sat down on his bed. She wiped away her tears to hide the fact that she had been crying, like Jess had no idea, but her red eyes showed the truth. He hesitated for a moment, then he sat down next to her.
J: "You wanna talk about it?"
She nodded.
R: "I think Dan went a little crazy..........literally"
J: "In what way?"
R: "He thinks he loves me"
Well, that isn't that crazy, he thought, but of course he didn't say it out loud.
R: "And he sends me flowers.....He says we belong together. He wants me to break up with Dean......And I think he's watching my every move"
J: "What do you mean?"
R: "I don't know exactly. Dean came by and the minute he left, Dan called and asked me if I broke up with him"
J: "And you didn't"
R: "Of course not. Look, I know this probably sounds pretty silly, but he's really scaring me and I told him to leave me alone, more than once, but I don't think he'll listen. I don't know what to do"
Jess had to admit, he was getting a bit worried himself, but he didn't wanna show it. She was already enough upset. He thought for a minute, but he couldn't really think of something to say right now.
J: "What did your mom say?"
R: "I haven't told her yet. You think I should?"
J: "I don't know. I'm not really an expert on this area either"
A silence fell. They both weren't really sure what to say.
J: "I take it you didn't tell Dean either?"
R: "You think I would still have this problem if I had? I mean, except for the fact I would have a killer for a boyfriend"
Jess was about to say: "well, I'm kinda in the killingmood myself", but he figured that probably wasn't the right thing to say right now. Then again, he wasn't exactly good at saying the right thing at the right time. He did know that if he would run into that Dan-guy one of these days, he wasn't sure if he would be able to control himself.
J: "You know where he is now?"
R: "No. And I don't think I wanna know"
J: "Maybe you should tell your mom. Just in case."
R: "So you agree on the fact that I have a problem?"
J: "Well, I can't deny it. This guy sure doesn't know when a girl is not interested"
Rory tried to smile, but she was still worried. She was glad she told someone though.
R: "I don't think I wanna tell my mom"
J: "Why not?"
R: "Because. I don't want her to worry about this. It's probably nothing."
J: "You don't know for sure"
R: "No. So, I'm gonna try once more to make him understand that I don't want him"
J: "You're gonna talk to him?"
She nodded.
J: "Alone?"
R: "Don't know yet"
J: "Well, I do. You call him and ask him to meet you here. In the diner, where me and Luke can keep an eye on you"
R: "That's sweet"
Another silence fell. Jess looked at Rory. He really felt bad for her. That this had to happen to her. Her of all people. She was the nicest and sweetest girl he had ever met. She didn't deserve this. She didn't deserve to be worried about something like this.
J: "Are you feeling a little better?"
R: "A little. I'm glad I talked to you. I think I'd better go home"
J: "You want me to walk you?"
R: "You wanna do that?"
J: "Sure"
R: "Doesn't Luke need you downstairs? It's pretty busy"
J: "I think this is a little more important"
She smiled. A real smile this time. And she meant it. He was sweet. She could see he was really worried about her and somehow that made her feel better. Not much, but enough to make a smile appear on her face.
J: "Come on. Let's go"
He got up from the bed and held out his hand. She put her hand in his and he pulled her up. They walked downstairs. They got in the diner and Rory saw how Luke looked at her. She tried to give him a comforting smile, but she wasn't sure if it worked. She and Jess walked to the door.
Luke: "Am I being really rude if I ask you where you're going, Jess?"
J: "Out"
Luke: "And that's the best answer I'm gonna get?"
J: "Yep"
Luke: "Okay"
She and Jess left the diner in the direction of Rory's house. They walked in silence, but they both didn't mind. Rory couldn't help herself, she kept looking around, expecting to see Dan. Jess noticed.
J: "Don't worry. He won't hurt you"
R: "I know. It's just the idea that he might be looking at me right now....."
J: "Well, I'm sure the fact that I'm walking next to you kinda spoils the fun for him"
R: "Yeah, it kinda ruins the moment, don't you think? I mean, there's me. The gorgeous, beautiful young woman, and there's you. The......."
J: "You're sure you wanna finish that sentence?"
R: "No, cos I'm too afraid that I'll insult you and you're not gonna walk me home anymore"
J: "And that with the crazy Psycho walking around....."
R: "Exactly my point. But I might finish that sentence when this is all over....."
J: "Can't wait"
Rory laughed. Jess looked at her again. It was good to hear her laugh. He didn't like it to see her cry or to see her unhappy. When she laughed she always had this spark in her eyes. It was hard to explain, but he loved that spark. He loved to see her laugh and smile. It always made him want to kiss her. If he didn't look out he might really kiss her one of these days. He smirked. That would be something.
R: "What?"
He realized he was still staring at her.
J: "Nothing"
R: "No, you have a 'something' face"
J: "A 'something' face?"
R: "Yeah"
J: "And what does a 'something' face look like?"
R: "Pretty much like yours"
J: "Well, sorry to dissapoint you, but my face is obviously a 'nothing' face"
R: "Are you in a position to judge that?"
J: "Well, it's my face, so I would say yes"
R: "You're not the one looking at it"
J: "Good point"
She smiled again. They had almost reached the house.
R: "Thanks for walking me home"
J: "You're not gonna invite the guy with the 'something' face in?"
R: "If the guy with the 'something' face wants to come in, then I'm not stopping him"
They walked to the house and Rory had to admit she was already happy that there were no flowers in front of the door. She opened the door and they went in.
R: "Make yourself at home"
J: "I will"
R: "Can I get you anything?"
J: "No, I'm fine"
They went into the livingroom. Rory threw her keys on the table. She took the phone from the couch and wanted to put it back in the standard. Then she noticed the flickering light on the answering machine. She stared at it for a second.
J: "Everything okay?"
She nodded. She hesitated for a moment, then she carefully pressed the button of the answering machine. She held her breath.
You have two new messages:
Hey Ror, it's me. Dan. Missed me? I just hope you're having a good time with your good friend Jess. You looked scared. Is that because of me? Well, don't worry, I won't hurt you. I'll call you back later, when I know for sure you're home. Don't forget that I'll always love you......
Rory immediately deleted the message, then she turned around so she faced Jess. They stared at each other for a moment.
J: "I thought you had 2 messages"
Rory turned back and presses the button again.
Hey hon, I just wanted to let you know that I have to work late tonight, but you're not home. God bless the answering machine. Just imagine what we would do without it......You would panic and think something horrible happened to me. Maybe you would think I got abducted by aliens and we don't want that to happen, do we? Anyway, I left some money on the refrigerator, so you can buy yourself some nice dinner at Luke's and don't drive him crazy......I'm the only one allowed to do that. I actually signed a contract for that. Bye, hon.
Rory turned around and walked to the couch. She sat down next to Jess.
J: "Are you okay?"
R: "Do you think I am okay?"
J: "You think I would ask you if you're okay when I already know the answer?"
She shrugged.
J: "You still haven't answered my question"
R: "What do you wanna hear? That I'm prefectly fine? That I don't care there's some crazy jerk out there watching me? That I'm not scared to death? That I don't care I'll be home alone tonight? Well, sorry to dissapoint you, Jess, but I can't answer any of those questions with yes"
J: "Touchy...."
Rory sighed.
R: "Sorry. I didn't mean to take this out on you"
J: "I know. It doesn't matter"
R: "Good"
Jess wasn't sure what to say now. Should he ask her if she wanted him to stay or would that be weird? Or was that exactly what she wanted?
J: " You know, if you want to I could stay a little longer.....to keep you company"
Rory thought about it for a second.
R: "No. You don't have to. You've done enough for now. I don't know how to thank you"
J: "You don't have to thank me."
R: "I really appreciate the offer, but I think it's best if I stay home alone tonight. You're right, Dan would never hurt me. Not if he 'loves' me like I says he does."
Jess nodded. He knew Rory didn't really want to be alone, she just said so, because she wanted to look tough. And he liked that about her. That didn't stop him from worrying about her though.
J: "Okay. Just promise me you'll call if anything's wrong"
R: "Don't worry I will."
J: "Good"
R: "That doesn't mean you're gonna be sitting next to the phone the whole night, right? Cos I don't want you to do that."
J: "Well, I wasn't planning to"
R: "Good, cos I've done it once. I sat next to the phone for the whole night. I expected a call from a guy I really liked and let me tell you, it's no fun."
J: "Did he call?"
R: "Who?"
J: "The guy you really liked"
R: "No. Turned out he didn't like me as much as I thought"
J: "Sorry"
R: "Are you kidding? That was years ago. I'm over that"
J: "Are you sure? Cos I've been there"
R: "You? You liked a girl and she didn't like you?"
J: "Hard to believe?"
R: "No. But I would like to find out more about this girl.......Why don't you stay for dinner?"
J: "I'm not saying no to that"
R: "I take it you've seen enough of Luke's food for the rest of your life, since you work there and all......How about pizza?"
J: "I've never worked at a place where they sold pizzas, so......."
R: "Good. I'll order some pizzas"
Jess nodded. Rory had surprised him again. Not so long ago she had seemed so desperate and sad....but now. The spark was back. He really had to look out. Otherwise he would really do something he was probably gonna regret later. She didn't think about him that way and even if she did, then this wasn't the best time......Well, he could wait.
