Disclaimer: I'm not stealing the characters, but if you are as good looking as Milo, feel free to search me for them.
Chapter 8 – Regretting the Future Already?
"So I think that's it!" Lorelai said excitedly, throwing down one last bag on the floor.
"Yup."
"We've got backpacks, t-shirts, khaki pants, long sleeve shirts, sweaters, sandals, comfortable shoes." Lorelai stated.
"Earplugs." Rory added.
"A flashlight." Lorelai took a flashlight out of her bag and shined it on her face. "Did you ever hear the story of the Euro traveler?" she said spookily.
"No." Rory said intrigued.
"Well… one night, an innocent American was walking along the streets of France. And then…"
"Yes…"
"Somebody grabbed him! And he was never seen again." Lorelai stated anxiously.
"You better not tell me bad stories like that on the trip." Rory commented.
"I do not tell bad stories." Lorelai defended.
"The Turtle and the Rabbit-like-creature." Rory replied.
"You were young! You didn't understand what a hare was!"
"Okay, I think all we need to pack now is some duct tape."
"And…"
"What?! We did not forget anything else."
"The most essential thing you need when backpacking! The essential of the essentials. The essence of…"
Rory's glare interrupted her mother's ranting.
"A sense of humor."
"Nice build up." Rory remarked.
"Humor. Just remember the humor."
Then the phone rang.
"I'll get it, and maybe you can work on your Euro ghost stories."
"Hush, child." Lorelai reacted.
"Hello?" Rory said as she walked into her room with the portable.
"Rory." Jess stated.
Rory paused. This was it.
"Rory?" Jess said again.
"Yeah… uh… Jess?"
"Rory." Jess repeated.
"Hi." Rory answered nervously.
"Hey." Jess said. Then there was another pause.
"Uh… where are you?"
"I'm… in California with my dad."
"Wow. That's… far."
"You're telling me…" Jess responded. Another pause. "It's been a while."
"Why didn't you call?"
"I'm calling now." Jess retorted.
"Why didn't you call sooner? I mean, it shouldn't take over two weeks to get to California."
"I was just… settling in…" Jess said lacking confidence.
"You could have called. You should have called! You should have called to tell your girlfriend…" and then Rory paused. She held her breath.
"I… I know. I'm sorry." Jess responded hesitantly.
"When can I see you?" Rory asked.
Jess didn't know what to say. Was Jess going to be able to afford another ride back across country? Would Rory come all that way to see him? Nothing made sense anymore. It was all planned out. What happened to them?
"I don't know."
"I'll come to see you." Rory stated.
"You would… you will?"
"Yes. I mean… how long can this go on?"
"This?"
"This. This… not being able to see each other, awkward, not talking thing. I… I don't like it."
"Neither do I."
"I want to see you." Rory looked at the floor.
"Likewise."
"I miss you."
"Likewise, again." Jess replied.
"We still have some things to work out." Rory said hesitantly.
"I know." Jess said guiltily.
"I miss you." Rory felt her eyes water.
"I miss you too. Come as soon as you can."
"I… want to." Rory said. "I've got to go."
"Okay, well, this number is 310-396-7045. I know it's long distance but…"
"I'll talk to you on Saturday. I get free weekend minutes on my cell phone."
"That sounds…"
"Oh shoot!" Rory muttered.
"What?"
"I'm leaving for Europe on Thursday."
"For how long?"
"Till the end of August." Rory frowned.
"Oh." Jess replied disappointed.
"I… I don't… I can't…" Rory couldn't get out the words. This trip had been in the making since before Rory could talk. She'd been looking forward to this all of her high school years. She wanted to see it all. The Louvre. The Eiffel Tower. Big Ben. She was going to be an overseas correspondent! How could she do that without seeing the world. Her world. But at that moment, her entire world seemed to revolve around him. Him, the only boy who had made her feel whole. Him, the only person who had figured her out and make her weak. Him, the boy she thought she loved.
"Don't do anything you'll regret, Rory."
"I've got to go." she said quickly. She hung up the phone and then buried her head into her hands. Crap.