"My life is over." Rory banged her head against the table. It was three o'clock the next day and the first time she'd come out of her room. She'd spent to morning wallowing and going through the 'Dean box.'
Loralei rubbed her hand up and down Rory's back. "No, honey, it's not…"
"I messed up with Dean and then last night Jess was all snarky and then I ran out and then I ran into Dean and he was all nice to me but then I was all snarky at him and it was bad… and I've ruined everything."
Loralei put her arms around her daughter and hugged her tightly. "You haven't ruined anything. Dean just needs time to deal with these things… he loves you, hon, and believe it or not, he will forgive you…"
Rory sniffed, brushing tears off her face. "Why would he?"
Loralei leaned her head against Rory's and kissed her head, smoothing her hair back. "Because he loves you." She held on for a few more minutes before letting go and grabbing her jacket. "Alright. Let's get out of this funk. Let's go to Luke's, grab a coffee, ignore Jess, and go grocery shopping."
Rory nodded, sniffing. "Okay, just let me get ready."
Loralei watched her go to her room and sighed. She hated seeing Rory sad. She was reminding Loralei of herself more and more. Dumping Dean for Jess was a totally Loralei thing to do. But realizing that she'd screwed up with Dean and wanting him back was a totally Christopher thing to do. At least she'd realized it before it was too late. She sipped her coffee.
"Okay, ready to go."
Loralei jumped, almost spilling the remains of her coffee all over herself. "Dear god, child! What are you trying to do? Give me a heart attack so you can inherit all my fantastic outfits and makeup?" She looked up. Rory was fresh-faced and dressed to go out and brave the fall weather complete with hat and mittens. "Alright. Let's go."
They left the house, locking it, and walked towards Luke's, waving at Ms. Patty.
"I hear you're having man troubles, Rory?" she said, in her usual nosy voice. "Two men fighting for your heart?"
"Well, we were hoping for an even dozen but the rest had the week off," Loralei replied loftily.
"Well, I know for a fact that your young man has been checking out the window every few minutes for you ever since he started work this morning…" she said pointedly.
Rory turned and looked at the empty windows at Luke's then as a movement caught her eye, she saw Dean's face disappearing from the Market's window. Minutes later, he came out with a jacket overtop of his apron, his hands deep in his pockets, a serious look on his face.
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Jess frowned. Rory had been avoiding him today. Usually they got over these stupid little fights in no time. Usually she called to apologize. She should have called this morning. The whole thing was her fault, after all. Maybe he should have gone after her last night. He shrugged. No big deal. She'd come around eventually. He went downstairs to see Luke. He actually hated it here and the only reason why he even liked it at all was Rory. She was the only good thing here worth his time.
Luke wasn't down in the diner, and the closed sign was still on the door.
Unlocking it, he flipped the sign to open then happened to glance out the window and stiffened. Wait. What the hell was she doing talking to him? He shook his head and blinking, thinking he was imagining it. Nope. There they were… Stars Hollow's favourite couple, Rory and Dean, sitting on a bench together, talking.
He moved back behind the counter as he watched Loralei start towards the diner. He pretended to clean the countertop in an effort to look casual and nonchalant, as if he didn't notice the two of them. Except he couldn't not look at them.
She came in and leaned on the counter. "Two coffees to go please."
He got her two coffees without taking his eyes off the two teenagers.
She followed his gaze and smiled quickly before taking a sip of her coffee.
"This was your doing, wasn't it?" Jess accused.
Loralei shook her head, leaning across the counter to look him in the eye. "Actually, it was yours."
"What?" he asked.
She calmly took another sip of coffee. "Last night."
He also leaned forward, anger written on his face. "What about it?"
"You fought."
"So?"
"She ran."
"Yeah."
"And you didn't follow."
"So?"
"But her knight in shining armour did." They were inches apart. She grinned, enjoying the frustrated/confused look on his face.
Jess frowned. "Who?"
Loralei sighed. The kid just didn't learn. To keep something you had to be nice to it. She sat back and said, waiting for the reaction, "Dean."
He almost choked on the word. "Dean?"
"Dean followed her."
"I thought he hated her."
"Well, he doesn't."
"Well, he should."
"Well, he doesn't. End of story. And now you've thrown her right back at him and given him just the reason to get back into her life." She stood up. "Have a good day, Jess. And thanks for the coffee." She pulled out two dollars and plunked them on the table counter before leaving the diner.
He watched as she sauntered off down the street, waving to Ms. Patty who was leaning out of the dance studio to watch Dean and Rory, straining to catch their conversation.
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"So," Rory said, kicking at leaves on the ground.
"So," Dean replied.
They stood awkwardly together before Dean broke the silence,
"You want to sit down?"
"Yes," she replied, relieved to be able to do something to distract her.
He clenched his jaw a few times before actually being able to talk. "So I talked to my sister this morning and she told me to get over myself, swallow my pride and act like a true friend because you were hurting and I was a jerk last night."
She shook her head. "No, Dean. It was totally deserved. I've been a jerk to you and you didn't deserve it because you were the best boyfriend a girl could ever have, especially as a first boyfriend." She gulped back tears. "And I'm really sorry. Very sorry. Completely and truly sorry. There aren't enough sorries in the world for how sorry I am. Even if I say I'm sorry for the rest of eternity it still wouldn't be enough sorries for how sorry I am."
He smiled. That was the Rory he missed. "But we were friends before we started dating. And I threw that out the window because you started liking another guy. Which completely justifies me freaking out on you but I know that I have to let go and get over it. Especially if I want you as a friend."
She nodded. "And I want you as a friend. And I'm breaking up with Jess."
He wanted to jump for joy. He wanted to run around the streets cheering. A parade wouldn't justify the joy he felt right now. "Well, that's a good decision if you aren't happy with him."
"It is," she agreed. "But it isn't just because I'm not happy with him."
"It isn't.?" He felt like he did at their first meeting. Anxious and afraid of what she was going to say. He moved towards her.
"Yeah-" She moved towards him and their faces came closer and closer together.
They were interrupted as Taylor came out. "Mr. Forrester I am not paying you to come out here and socialize with girls. I am paying you to stock shelves and the shelves inside are not stocked!" he bellowed.
"Alright I'm coming." Standing up, he turned back to Rory. "Continue this tonight?"
She nodded. "I'll come by the market when you're done work."
He nodded back, moving towards the market. At the door, he looked back. She was watching him and as their eyes met, she smiled. He couldn't help but smile back. He went inside and started to restock the shelves under the angry glares of Taylor. But even that couldn't faze him. Rory was breaking up with Jess…