PLAY BALL
NOTE: I don't own these Gilmore Girls characters but I do love the show so much.
A/N: This takes place six years after season three of Gilmore Girls. I felt badly that Jess's spin-off series got cancelled so I decided to give him one. I hope you enjoy.
CHAPTER 2
Jess awoke the following morning, the bitter taste of morning breath in his mouth. He took his time showering in the cramped bathroom, changing into a pair of jeans and what he hoped was a "professional, stiff neck" type shirt.
When Jess prepared his small breakfast he noted how the kitchen seemed to be the best part of the apartment, considering how large it was, much better than the bathroom. It was ironic since Jess had hated to prepare food back at Luke's diner.
After what Jess hoped would be a very, very long ride he parked his car in front of a small school, reading above the double doors the following: Linwood Elementary School for Young Ladies.
With a large sigh, Jess headed towards the double doors before immediately stopping in his tracks. He turned to leave, anxiety rushing through him, then turned back, but started to leave again. Jess's debate of whether to go in or not was soon interrupted by a janitor opening one of the double doors, a garbage bag in his hand.
"You looking for somebody?" the janitor asked Jess.
"Uh, no. I'm-I'm good," the twenty-four-year-old replied before finally going into the building.
Jess glanced down the halls of the first floor, school related banners and bulletin boards hung everywhere. When Jess passed the library to get to the office his stomach turned a little at the sight of a long paper book worm wearing glasses above the library's entrance.
In the office Jess walked up to the principal, Donald Harris, who was talking to what looked like a gym teacher from the whistle around his neck and the clipboard in his hand.
"Hey, excuse me?" Jess greeted.
"Mr. Mariano," Principal Harris smiled, quickly recognizing the young man. "Hi. It's good to see you again."
"You, too," Jess said softly, trying to be sincere. "So can we just jump right into it? I want to start work."
"Oh, of course." Harris turned to the gym teacher he was talking to. "Coach Stone, why don't you introduce Mr. Mariano to his class?"
"Sure." Coach Stone looked at Jess. "Follow me."
Jess just shrugged and followed the coach into the largest gym of the school where a gathering of girls, no older than seven years old, all sat on the bleachers, most looking bored to tears.
The coach, followed by Jess walked up to them. "Hi, girls," Stone greeted with a warm smile.
"Hi, Coach Stone," all girls returned the greeting simultaneously.
The coach gestured towards Jess. "Say hello to your new gym coach, Mr. Mariano." As Jess paled a little the older coach patted his shoulder. "They're all yours." With that Coach Stone handed Jess his attendance book, which had been lying on the gym floor. "Oh, and here." He handed Jess a whistle tied on a string. "You'll need it. Trust me." The coach left the gym after that.
Jess, turned back to his what was apparently his class, and slipped on the whistle, resisting the urge to sigh. He looked the girls over, all ten of them; half were kindergarten, the other half first grade.
"All right," Jess started. "First off, as you heard, my name's Mr. Mariano." All of the girls stared at him blankly. "You know what? Forget that. I'm Coach Jess."
"Hi, Coach Jess," they all greeted, most cheerfully.
"OK," Jess said to himself before mumbling, "That's a start." He turned to his attendance book, opening it. "When I call your name just say here or something." He started with, "Annie."
A small "Here," was heard.
"Melony," Jess started reciting the names, getting a here from all of them. "Melony, Susan, Dorothy, Ruth, Kathy—"
"I'm here!" a little blonde girl with blue eyes said, raising her hand.
"That's good," Jess nodded, amusing the child then went back to his attendance. "Ellen—"
A red haired girl cried out out, "I'm right here!"
Jess held his ear a little at the loud tone. "Gotcha." Jess finished off the names with, "Amy, Rosa..." There was no reply from the name Rose. "Rosa? Hello! Rosa?"
All of the girls who had been called turned to look at a short girl with long brown hair, who sat in the middle of all of them, the only one who hadn't said a word. When she noticed all of the eyes on her, she buried her nose deeper into her book.
"Rose?" Jess asked towards the girl. She nodded, still staring down at her book. "OK. Next time I call your name say here or raise your hand or something like that. All right?" Rosa nodded her reply, still hiding her face.
After attendance Jess went over a few things for the class; like saying what different activities they would be doing but, more than anything, baseball. He also went over a few rules and how he would be pretty easy going about everything. Little did the girls know that Coach Jess had pretty much written a speech especially for that day, which was the reason he had not collapsed from not knowing what to do.
A/N: Fair warning is that I know very little about baseball so you guys will just have to bare with me. Also if any of you know anything about baseball or whatever please share your knowledge with me. I need it. Please review!