*It's The next Saturday: Jess' Graduation. Rory's is tomorrow.
"Now, Go fourth and make your mark in this world.....Congratulations class of 2002!" The snide speaker exclaims causing a sea of students to stand and throw their caps in the air.
*20 minutes later: Lorelai, Luke, Rory and Robert are standing off to the side waiting for Jess. Jess approaches them; a smirk placed firmly on his lips Rory grins walking towards him. Jess wraps his arms tightly around Rory.
"You did it." She hugs him tighter.
Jess makes a gasping noise, "Ugh I know this is a big day and everything but I'd like to live to see tomorrow."
Rory loosens her grip, blushing, "Sorry."
Jess kisses her softly, "Don't be."
"I'm so proud of you."
Jess kisses Rory again.
"Ok, break up the love fest, you're making some of us sick." Lorelai whines.
Jess rolls his eyes.
Robert walks forward, "Congratulations, Jess."
Jess nods.
"Well come on celebratory milk shakes back at the diner." Luke announces.
Lorelai and Rory grin, "Are you going to partake in the fatty drinks as well oh anal one?"
Luke gives Lorelai a lethal stare.
Lorelai raises an eyebrow at him.
"Maybe, just this once, the kid did graduate."
"Yay!" Lorelai screeches.
The group begins walking towards the diner. Rory walks ahead with her mom and Luke as Robert and Jess fall behind.
"So milkshakes? That's your celebration?" Robert says skeptically.
"Uh yeah." Jess replies curtly.
Robert smirks, "Can I assume this means you'll be MIA as of 9pm."
Jess frowns, "No......I don't do that anymore."
"Huh." Robert says. "You're serious?"
"As a heart attack."
"Man, this place has gotten to you.
Jess scoffs "Tell me about it."
"So given any thought to my offer?"
"Yeah...." Jess says warily.
"And?"
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Because this place has gotten to me."
Robert rolls his eyes, "Come on Jess what's community college going to do for you....do you want to be working for Luke the rest of your life."
"No....... but for now it's not so bad, I don't want my, and I use this term lightly, my dad to pay my way into a good college when I've already been excepted to a good community college here on my own merits."
"That's bullshit Jess, yeah I'll be getting you in but if your grades slip below a b you're out, same treatment as every other student there."
"Look, I've known you a week, I'm not moving across country just to have you get tired of me in a month.........here I've done just about everything possible to get myself kicked out of here but they're still keeping me here."
"I keep telling you I'm not who I used to be...." Robert says bitterly.
Jess sighs, "I know, I'm just not ready to make that decision."
"I understand.......look the school said they'll hold your place until August 1st, do you think you can maybe reevaluate your decision by then?"
"Maybe...." Jess replies, looking down at his feet.
"Jess!" Rory calls.
Jess perks up, "Coming." Jess runs up and takes Rory's hand. "Hey."
"Hey." Rory replies smiling. "I'm getting chocolate so you get strawberry and we can share."
Jess grins, "Ok."
"Yay." Rory exclaims.
Jess stares at her, "You're next."
Rory rolls her eyes, "Don't remind me.......hey you're still coming to my graduation party right?"
"You mean the big stuffy one being thrown at the inn by your grandma?" Jess smirks.
"Hey at least mom and grandma met half way."
Jess laughs, "Yeah, he is what's his face coming?"
"Oh, Alex.......things haven't been going so well for him and mom, I don't think so." Rory says quietly.
Jess nods, "Luke's bringing Nicole."
"Oh."
Jess rubs Rory's hand, "Don't worry they'll figure it out eventually.....those two are just really dense."
Rory giggles.
*The next day: Rory's graduation party.
Rory and Lane are standing in the corner laughing; Dave and Jess approach them.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing." Rory replies blushing.
Jess inhales the summer air, Rory looks exceptionally beautiful today and Jess can't help but reach out and touch her.
"Ow!" Rory says rubbing her arm. "Why'd you pinch me." Rory pouts.
"Had to see if you were real." Jess whispers.
Rory blushes.
Lane and Dave laugh, "So Lane you seem awfully calm for a girl who's not supposed to be within 3 feet of a non-Korean male." Dave grins.
"Yeah well mom's at bible study.....till 6."
Dave grins leaning in to kiss Lane.
"Awww." Jess and Rory tease.
The four teens break out into laughter.
*The other side of the room.
"I can't believe she's still gallivanting around with that punk." Emily says agitatedly.
Lorelai sighs, "She likes him mom."
"Still you should have put your foot down three months ago."
Lorelai laughs hollowly, "It wouldn't have done any good.....you know that better than I do......besides, Rory's good for him."
"She's going to end up pregnant."
"Eventually yes, but now definitely not."
"Oh, and how can you be so sure?"
"Uh, because I talked to Rory." "Wait a minute they're not...."
"Geez mom, I can't believe I'm having this conversation with you, but no they're not."
Emily smiles triumphantly, "Well at least she has some smarts."
Lorelai shakes her head, "It was a mutual decision."
Emily scoffs, "Yeah right."
Lorelai's face contorts, "Eerily enough it was....."
"Hmmm." Is all Emily can manage to say. Looking out towards the dance floor Emily smiles, "Isn't that your food supplier?"
Lorelai's eyes follow Emily's pointer finger to where Luke and Nicole are dancing awkwardly.
Lorelai grimaces, "Yeah."
Emily grins, "So where is this new man Rory told me about......Alex?"
"Oh, well things didn't really work out too well with that, who would have thought that an owner for a coffee shop wouldn't be the man of my dreams?"
Emily nods, "Well at least you didn't wait until you hit the alter this time to decide that.....so who is the man of your dreams?" Emily asks already knowing the answer.
Lorelai watches Luke step on Nicole's foot, "I don't know..."
*3 weeks later:
Rory is lying on her bed reading, the phone rings.
"Hello?"
"I can see Dave!" Lane screams.
Rory pulls the phone away from her ear, "What?"
"I talked to my mom."
"The same mom who grounded you for two years after seeing you hold hands with said boy?"
"Well yes.......but when we got home we talked it out and she told me if I really felt the need to date him I could."
"That's great! So you're off punishment."
"Oh, no not for another two weeks, but hey weeks is better than years."
'True."
"Well I better, phone time is just about up."
Rory laughs, "Ok."
*There's a tap at the window. Rory looks up to see Jess peering in.
She opens the window shaking her head disapprovingly at him.
"What?" Jess asks climbing in.
"My mom's been really good about us lately....I don't think you should tempt her, she'll be more than happy to board up these windows.
Jess grins, "Come on it's 5pm, I don't think it's so scandalous, besides she saw walk over here, she's in the front talking to Miss patty about how tragic it is that your neighbor moved away."
"Yep, the Oasis is gone." Rory shakes her head playfully.
"So..."
"So." Rory smirks.
"Feel like an adventure?"
Rory eyes Jess, "What do you have in mind?"
"New bookstore/ coffee house in Hartford."
Rory grins, "I'll get changed."
"Don't bother, let's just go."
Rory nods, "Ok."
*An hour later: Rory and Jess enter quaint coffee house and are greeted by a tall beatnikesque host.
"Good evening, cats how can I help you."
"Two please."
"Reading or non-reading section, man."
Jess smirks, "Reading."
*5 minutes later: Rory and Jess are seated in the back of the establishment surrounded by intelligent-looking people submerged in literal debate.
Rory laughs, "This place is great."
"Yeah." Jess muses.
"Can I get you something to drink?" The waiter asks.
"Columbian blend with milk, a shot of caramel and sugar." Rory says sheepishly.
"Good choice." The waiter says.
"Regular, black 3 sugars." Jess replies.
The waiter walks away.
"Feel brave are we?" Jess smirks.
"Shut up....I've had it before."
"Huh. Something you want to tell me, Rory?"
"What?"
"Are you drinking coffee with someone else?"
Rory grins, "Only you."
"Good."
"I'm glad we went out tonight."
"Me too."
"I mean pretty soon we won't be able to go out all the time."
Jess frowns, "What?"
"Well I mean a month from now school starts up......and Yale is pretty tough I'm going to have to study a lot."
"I know, but that doesn't mean we'll never see each other." Jess says defensively.
"That's not what I said." Rory replies.
"Well that's how it sounded."
*The waiter returns with their drinks.
"Jess, why are you getting so upset."
Jess runs a hand through his hair, "I don't know........I just feel like you're leaving me behind."
"What? Jess I'm staying home, I'm going to commute an hour every day to go to school....I'll be home at the same time you are every day."
"Yeah, but you're going make all these big shot friends who have equal intelligence and then you'll come home every night and wonder what your doing still playing with a mediocre bus boy."
"You really think that's how I'm going to feel?"
"Yeah." Jess mumbles.
"Well, you're wrong., Jess you're on the same level as me just because I'm going to Yale and your going to Hartford community-"
"UCLA" Jess replies.
"What?" Rory asks.
"UCLA."
"As in California." Rory replies, finding it hard to breath.
"Jess nods."
"W-why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't know." Jess replies.
"what do you mean you didn't know."
"I just decided."
"Now? You just decided right now?" Rory exclaims.
"I'm sorry Rory."
Tears stream down Rory's face, "I have to get out of here." Rory runs out of the restaurant. Jess calmly throws money on the table and follows her out.
*5 minutes later: Jess finds Rory leaning on the hood of his car.
"I'm sorry." Jess says sadly.
"Why jess?"
"I have nothing here." He replies.
"How can you say that.....what about Luke, what about your jobs what about me?"
"You're better off with out me."
Rory hits her hand hard against the car, "You've got to be kidding me you are not breaking up with me tonight........wow when you said we were going on an adventure I didn't realize you meant crushing my heart over coffee." Rory says bitterly.
"This isn't how it was supposed to go." Jess says.
"that makes me feel better." Rory spits.
"God Rory don't you see I have to do this?!" Jess screams.
Rory cowers, "Do what?"
"How can we be together if you go off and get your Yale degree and I'm sitting here with my bachelors."
"You don't have to go to community college Jess, go for two years and transfer."
"If I go now I'll be done faster and I can come back to you."
Rory sniffles, "You won't come back."
"I came back before didn't I?"
"It's not the same Jess.......California is so far away."
"I know, but look at it this way now you have a reason to go on spring break."
Rory laughs through her tears "Stop it."
Jess approaches Rory, "I'm sorry.......this is just something I have to do."
Rory nods leaning against Jess, "Couldn't you just go visit for a month?"
"You're always talking about how I have the potential to do something great, I'll never realize my potential working evenings at my Uncle's diner while attending college with the underachievers from Stars Hollow."
"You're right............but I don't want you to go."
"I don't want to go either, but I have to.........I have to get to know Robert before I miss my chance, I need to know why I'm so screwed up..........I can't be the man I want to be for you until I know what I have to let go of." Jess replies tears welding up in his eyes.
Rory sighs, "Well I guess I can't stop you from going............promise me this isn't the end though."
"It's not." Jess replies cradling Rory. "There's no way I'm ever going to let you go......"
*Midnight. Rory walks quietly into the house, careful not to make a sound.
"Home late." Lorelai says from the couch.
Rory jumps.
Lorelai sits up, "Something you'd like to tell me?"
Rory nods excessively.
Lorelai grips the couch preparing for the news of her daughter's lost virginity.
"Jess is moving to California!" Rory sobs.
Lorelai jumps off of the couch and wraps her arms around her daughter, who upon touch collapses in her arms. "I'm so sorry, babe."
A/N that's the end for now, no more till Friday of next week most likely b/c I'm back at school and the only day I have off is Friday's but if they don't call me in to work on Wednesday or Monday I could have another chapter out. We'll see. R&R please.
"Now, Go fourth and make your mark in this world.....Congratulations class of 2002!" The snide speaker exclaims causing a sea of students to stand and throw their caps in the air.
*20 minutes later: Lorelai, Luke, Rory and Robert are standing off to the side waiting for Jess. Jess approaches them; a smirk placed firmly on his lips Rory grins walking towards him. Jess wraps his arms tightly around Rory.
"You did it." She hugs him tighter.
Jess makes a gasping noise, "Ugh I know this is a big day and everything but I'd like to live to see tomorrow."
Rory loosens her grip, blushing, "Sorry."
Jess kisses her softly, "Don't be."
"I'm so proud of you."
Jess kisses Rory again.
"Ok, break up the love fest, you're making some of us sick." Lorelai whines.
Jess rolls his eyes.
Robert walks forward, "Congratulations, Jess."
Jess nods.
"Well come on celebratory milk shakes back at the diner." Luke announces.
Lorelai and Rory grin, "Are you going to partake in the fatty drinks as well oh anal one?"
Luke gives Lorelai a lethal stare.
Lorelai raises an eyebrow at him.
"Maybe, just this once, the kid did graduate."
"Yay!" Lorelai screeches.
The group begins walking towards the diner. Rory walks ahead with her mom and Luke as Robert and Jess fall behind.
"So milkshakes? That's your celebration?" Robert says skeptically.
"Uh yeah." Jess replies curtly.
Robert smirks, "Can I assume this means you'll be MIA as of 9pm."
Jess frowns, "No......I don't do that anymore."
"Huh." Robert says. "You're serious?"
"As a heart attack."
"Man, this place has gotten to you.
Jess scoffs "Tell me about it."
"So given any thought to my offer?"
"Yeah...." Jess says warily.
"And?"
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Because this place has gotten to me."
Robert rolls his eyes, "Come on Jess what's community college going to do for you....do you want to be working for Luke the rest of your life."
"No....... but for now it's not so bad, I don't want my, and I use this term lightly, my dad to pay my way into a good college when I've already been excepted to a good community college here on my own merits."
"That's bullshit Jess, yeah I'll be getting you in but if your grades slip below a b you're out, same treatment as every other student there."
"Look, I've known you a week, I'm not moving across country just to have you get tired of me in a month.........here I've done just about everything possible to get myself kicked out of here but they're still keeping me here."
"I keep telling you I'm not who I used to be...." Robert says bitterly.
Jess sighs, "I know, I'm just not ready to make that decision."
"I understand.......look the school said they'll hold your place until August 1st, do you think you can maybe reevaluate your decision by then?"
"Maybe...." Jess replies, looking down at his feet.
"Jess!" Rory calls.
Jess perks up, "Coming." Jess runs up and takes Rory's hand. "Hey."
"Hey." Rory replies smiling. "I'm getting chocolate so you get strawberry and we can share."
Jess grins, "Ok."
"Yay." Rory exclaims.
Jess stares at her, "You're next."
Rory rolls her eyes, "Don't remind me.......hey you're still coming to my graduation party right?"
"You mean the big stuffy one being thrown at the inn by your grandma?" Jess smirks.
"Hey at least mom and grandma met half way."
Jess laughs, "Yeah, he is what's his face coming?"
"Oh, Alex.......things haven't been going so well for him and mom, I don't think so." Rory says quietly.
Jess nods, "Luke's bringing Nicole."
"Oh."
Jess rubs Rory's hand, "Don't worry they'll figure it out eventually.....those two are just really dense."
Rory giggles.
*The next day: Rory's graduation party.
Rory and Lane are standing in the corner laughing; Dave and Jess approach them.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing." Rory replies blushing.
Jess inhales the summer air, Rory looks exceptionally beautiful today and Jess can't help but reach out and touch her.
"Ow!" Rory says rubbing her arm. "Why'd you pinch me." Rory pouts.
"Had to see if you were real." Jess whispers.
Rory blushes.
Lane and Dave laugh, "So Lane you seem awfully calm for a girl who's not supposed to be within 3 feet of a non-Korean male." Dave grins.
"Yeah well mom's at bible study.....till 6."
Dave grins leaning in to kiss Lane.
"Awww." Jess and Rory tease.
The four teens break out into laughter.
*The other side of the room.
"I can't believe she's still gallivanting around with that punk." Emily says agitatedly.
Lorelai sighs, "She likes him mom."
"Still you should have put your foot down three months ago."
Lorelai laughs hollowly, "It wouldn't have done any good.....you know that better than I do......besides, Rory's good for him."
"She's going to end up pregnant."
"Eventually yes, but now definitely not."
"Oh, and how can you be so sure?"
"Uh, because I talked to Rory." "Wait a minute they're not...."
"Geez mom, I can't believe I'm having this conversation with you, but no they're not."
Emily smiles triumphantly, "Well at least she has some smarts."
Lorelai shakes her head, "It was a mutual decision."
Emily scoffs, "Yeah right."
Lorelai's face contorts, "Eerily enough it was....."
"Hmmm." Is all Emily can manage to say. Looking out towards the dance floor Emily smiles, "Isn't that your food supplier?"
Lorelai's eyes follow Emily's pointer finger to where Luke and Nicole are dancing awkwardly.
Lorelai grimaces, "Yeah."
Emily grins, "So where is this new man Rory told me about......Alex?"
"Oh, well things didn't really work out too well with that, who would have thought that an owner for a coffee shop wouldn't be the man of my dreams?"
Emily nods, "Well at least you didn't wait until you hit the alter this time to decide that.....so who is the man of your dreams?" Emily asks already knowing the answer.
Lorelai watches Luke step on Nicole's foot, "I don't know..."
*3 weeks later:
Rory is lying on her bed reading, the phone rings.
"Hello?"
"I can see Dave!" Lane screams.
Rory pulls the phone away from her ear, "What?"
"I talked to my mom."
"The same mom who grounded you for two years after seeing you hold hands with said boy?"
"Well yes.......but when we got home we talked it out and she told me if I really felt the need to date him I could."
"That's great! So you're off punishment."
"Oh, no not for another two weeks, but hey weeks is better than years."
'True."
"Well I better, phone time is just about up."
Rory laughs, "Ok."
*There's a tap at the window. Rory looks up to see Jess peering in.
She opens the window shaking her head disapprovingly at him.
"What?" Jess asks climbing in.
"My mom's been really good about us lately....I don't think you should tempt her, she'll be more than happy to board up these windows.
Jess grins, "Come on it's 5pm, I don't think it's so scandalous, besides she saw walk over here, she's in the front talking to Miss patty about how tragic it is that your neighbor moved away."
"Yep, the Oasis is gone." Rory shakes her head playfully.
"So..."
"So." Rory smirks.
"Feel like an adventure?"
Rory eyes Jess, "What do you have in mind?"
"New bookstore/ coffee house in Hartford."
Rory grins, "I'll get changed."
"Don't bother, let's just go."
Rory nods, "Ok."
*An hour later: Rory and Jess enter quaint coffee house and are greeted by a tall beatnikesque host.
"Good evening, cats how can I help you."
"Two please."
"Reading or non-reading section, man."
Jess smirks, "Reading."
*5 minutes later: Rory and Jess are seated in the back of the establishment surrounded by intelligent-looking people submerged in literal debate.
Rory laughs, "This place is great."
"Yeah." Jess muses.
"Can I get you something to drink?" The waiter asks.
"Columbian blend with milk, a shot of caramel and sugar." Rory says sheepishly.
"Good choice." The waiter says.
"Regular, black 3 sugars." Jess replies.
The waiter walks away.
"Feel brave are we?" Jess smirks.
"Shut up....I've had it before."
"Huh. Something you want to tell me, Rory?"
"What?"
"Are you drinking coffee with someone else?"
Rory grins, "Only you."
"Good."
"I'm glad we went out tonight."
"Me too."
"I mean pretty soon we won't be able to go out all the time."
Jess frowns, "What?"
"Well I mean a month from now school starts up......and Yale is pretty tough I'm going to have to study a lot."
"I know, but that doesn't mean we'll never see each other." Jess says defensively.
"That's not what I said." Rory replies.
"Well that's how it sounded."
*The waiter returns with their drinks.
"Jess, why are you getting so upset."
Jess runs a hand through his hair, "I don't know........I just feel like you're leaving me behind."
"What? Jess I'm staying home, I'm going to commute an hour every day to go to school....I'll be home at the same time you are every day."
"Yeah, but you're going make all these big shot friends who have equal intelligence and then you'll come home every night and wonder what your doing still playing with a mediocre bus boy."
"You really think that's how I'm going to feel?"
"Yeah." Jess mumbles.
"Well, you're wrong., Jess you're on the same level as me just because I'm going to Yale and your going to Hartford community-"
"UCLA" Jess replies.
"What?" Rory asks.
"UCLA."
"As in California." Rory replies, finding it hard to breath.
"Jess nods."
"W-why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't know." Jess replies.
"what do you mean you didn't know."
"I just decided."
"Now? You just decided right now?" Rory exclaims.
"I'm sorry Rory."
Tears stream down Rory's face, "I have to get out of here." Rory runs out of the restaurant. Jess calmly throws money on the table and follows her out.
*5 minutes later: Jess finds Rory leaning on the hood of his car.
"I'm sorry." Jess says sadly.
"Why jess?"
"I have nothing here." He replies.
"How can you say that.....what about Luke, what about your jobs what about me?"
"You're better off with out me."
Rory hits her hand hard against the car, "You've got to be kidding me you are not breaking up with me tonight........wow when you said we were going on an adventure I didn't realize you meant crushing my heart over coffee." Rory says bitterly.
"This isn't how it was supposed to go." Jess says.
"that makes me feel better." Rory spits.
"God Rory don't you see I have to do this?!" Jess screams.
Rory cowers, "Do what?"
"How can we be together if you go off and get your Yale degree and I'm sitting here with my bachelors."
"You don't have to go to community college Jess, go for two years and transfer."
"If I go now I'll be done faster and I can come back to you."
Rory sniffles, "You won't come back."
"I came back before didn't I?"
"It's not the same Jess.......California is so far away."
"I know, but look at it this way now you have a reason to go on spring break."
Rory laughs through her tears "Stop it."
Jess approaches Rory, "I'm sorry.......this is just something I have to do."
Rory nods leaning against Jess, "Couldn't you just go visit for a month?"
"You're always talking about how I have the potential to do something great, I'll never realize my potential working evenings at my Uncle's diner while attending college with the underachievers from Stars Hollow."
"You're right............but I don't want you to go."
"I don't want to go either, but I have to.........I have to get to know Robert before I miss my chance, I need to know why I'm so screwed up..........I can't be the man I want to be for you until I know what I have to let go of." Jess replies tears welding up in his eyes.
Rory sighs, "Well I guess I can't stop you from going............promise me this isn't the end though."
"It's not." Jess replies cradling Rory. "There's no way I'm ever going to let you go......"
*Midnight. Rory walks quietly into the house, careful not to make a sound.
"Home late." Lorelai says from the couch.
Rory jumps.
Lorelai sits up, "Something you'd like to tell me?"
Rory nods excessively.
Lorelai grips the couch preparing for the news of her daughter's lost virginity.
"Jess is moving to California!" Rory sobs.
Lorelai jumps off of the couch and wraps her arms around her daughter, who upon touch collapses in her arms. "I'm so sorry, babe."
A/N that's the end for now, no more till Friday of next week most likely b/c I'm back at school and the only day I have off is Friday's but if they don't call me in to work on Wednesday or Monday I could have another chapter out. We'll see. R&R please.