Title: The Green-Eyed Monster Bites Back
Disclaimer: If I controlled the universe, I would not stop at owning the show. I would have a button on my remote that could pop Luke out of the TV and into my living room.
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Stepping off the bus into the Chilton courtyard, Rory Gilmore wonders for the millionth time whether on not it is really worth the aggravation. After all, who says she wouldn't have gotten into Harvard if she had stayed at Stars Hollow High with Lane? Luckily, the voice of reason is loud enough to propel her into the building. She trudges to her locker. Three more months, three more months…
Madeline appears by the lockers.
Madeline: Hey, Rory.
Rory: I thought you weren't allowed to talk to me.
Madeline: I'm not, but Paris won't be in school until third period today.
Rory is shocked. Paris is missing school?
Rory: Really? Why?
Madeline: She had to give a deposition, something about her dad finding a less expensive way to divorce her mom.
Rory: Oh.
Madeline: (awkwardly) Yeah.
They stand in an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes until the bell rings. They move towards the stairs.
Rory: So how long is she going to freeze me out this time?
Madeline: I don't know. She doesn't really talk about it.
Rory: (sadly) Oh. Well, tell her I say hi, ok?
Madeline: Sure. Hey, can I borrow your history notes? I was focusing on a different part of the room yesterday.
Rory: Of course.
Rory pauses, sets her backpack down, and pulls the notebook out. She hands it to Madeline, who smiles.
Madeline: It's nice to get the notes without a lecture. Thanks.
Rory: You're welcome.
Rory has gotten so used to the silence at school that this morning's conversation seems an oddity. Shrugging, she slings her backpack across her shoulders and heads off to class. Maybe today won't be such a horrible day after all.
***
Third period English is as uneventful as usual, except for the brief interruption when Paris arrives late, hands the teachers her note and takes her seat.
Rory glances over and sees the expression of pain on her friend's face. When class lets out, she quickly walks over to Paris' desk.
Rory: I know you're not talking to me, but if you need someone to listen, I'm still here.
She walks away before Paris can reply, so she misses the shock that slowly melts into a tentative smile.
***
At the end of the day, all Rory can think about is getting home. There are no Franklin or student council meetings today, just the bus ride to Stars Hollow. She is tired, wrinkled, crabby…
A door opens and a familiar head pops out.
Max: Rory, could you come in here for a moment?
Rory: Uh, sure.
Max Medina opens his classroom door wider to let Rory through.
Interaction between Rory and her teacher is significantly less tense now than it was last year, during the aftermath of the broken engagement. They converse in the halls with affection, if not always with visible warmth. Still, Rory wonders every time they talk whether Max is about to ask after her mother. Lorelai is still a touchy subject, and they avoid it.
Max: Thank you for stopping in. I wanted to discuss something with you.
Max sits down in his chair and pulls a few papers out of a file.
Max: As you know, awards for the spring fiction competition were posted last Tuesday.
Rory: (jumping in) I never expected to win.
Rory is relieved. This is a school thing. She sits down across from her teacher and visibly relaxes. Max smiles.
Max: Will you let me finish, or at least get halfway there?
Rory: Of course. Sorry.
Max: The process is a collaborative one. The entire English department in involved.
Rory: I know.
Max: So what one teacher may consider the best piece doesn't always win.
Rory shifts nervously in her chair.
Rory: Are you saying what I think you're saying?
Max waves his hand to gesture, 'let me continue, please.'
Max: Although Natalie's story was technically superior…
Rory tenses and raises her eyebrows.
Max: There were a few grammatical decisions that could have been made differently. But as I was saying, although Natalie's was the technically superior story, I thought yours had real emotion.
Rory: You liked it?
Max: I did. I liked it very much; your characters had real identities.
Rory blushes slightly.
Rory: Wow. Thanks. I worked really hard on it and…
Max: It shows. I asked you in here because I wanted your permission to send your story to a friend of mine in Boston.
Rory sits straight up.
Rory: What?
Max: A friend of mine edits a fiction serial based out of Boston. I thought you might submit your piece for publication.
Rory: Are you serious?
Max: It needs a bit of work first; refine the grammar a bit, check the casing…
Rory: Yes. Absolutely. Of course.
Max: I don't want you to get your hopes up prematurely. My recommendation is no guarantee that they will accept your story.
Rory: I know.
Max: I know your time is at a premium these days, but if you could take a look at the notes I've made on this copy…
He hands her the folder.
Max: And give me a revised version by the end of next week, I'll send it in.
Rory: Of course. Thank you so much, Mr. Medina.
Max: It's my pleasure, Rory.
They stand up, and walk awkwardly towards the door. What the hell, Rory thinks. She hugs Max impulsively.
Rory: Thank you.
After a moment of hesitation, Max returns the hug, though cognizant of rules and regulations, makes sure it is for no longer than a few seconds.
Max: You're welcome.
Rory reaches for the door handle and turns, but is interrupted before she opens it.
Max: (clearing his throat) I was also wondering if you might deliver this to your mother for me.
Max reaches into his pocket for a silver bracelet. It is actually Rory's, not Lorelai's, but she doesn't tell him that.
Max: I found it lying around, and it certainly isn't mine.
Rory: I'll give it to her.
Max: Thanks.
Rory leaves Max's classroom in silence. Lorelai is going to get a lecture on personal property tonight.
Max watches Rory walk down the hall, wishing once again that he had been allowed to become part of that family. They were amazing, those Gilmores, two of a kind, out of the ordinary, and damned if they didn't let you know it at every turn.
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A/N: I am taking it as a personal shout out that this week's episode featured Max. I started this chapter Tuesday morning, and then, voila, Max is back. Please don't be put off by his reappearance (in my story. I don't care how you feel about the show itself). Like the summary says, the story took off and I'm just following it. I know generally where it will end up, but I have no idea how I'm getting there.
My chapters seem to be much shorter than those of other stories I've read on this site. I think that's just because I tend to write scenes down as they come to me – at work, at home, sitting the waiting room while someone who speaks very little English tinkers with my car, etc. I hope this doesn't bother anyone.
Responses to specific reviews:
stacie – The forum I referred to is a set of forums on televisionwithoutpity.com, which recaps and holds forums for a variety of current and cancelled shows. Check it out, but beware – it will suck hours out of your day.
gluglug – Yay! I got a plug! And though I have vivid dreams as well, Luke's coffee fantasies are all his own.