I'd Rather Be There
Chapter 6
Disclaimer: I don't own it! But I do, of course, own Jess. wink, wink
Pairing: This will be a lit eventually
Rating: PG – 13
Summary: This is the sequel to I'd Rather Be Anywhere But Here. Jess was in California. Rory was at Yale. Jess came back to Stars Hollow leaving Rory with a heavy burden to carry. If you don't know what I'm talking about then go and read the above mentioned fic.
A/N: I'm outta school now! Yay. :D And well, I've actually been out for a week…but haven't had time to write. But now I do, so I'm writing. lol. And I would like to thank everyone and anyone who has reviewed this fic. I was going to look up all the names, but I'm far too lazy. lol.
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"Luke!" Kirk yelled from his table at the other end of the Diner.
Luke walked over to Kirk slowly, knowing that something would end up being 'wrong' with something.
"I believe I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich," Kirk said, looking up at Luke.
Luke sighed. "Yes Kirk, that's what it is."
"No," Kirk said shaking his head.
"Kirk," Luke said rolling his eyes. "You've got the bread, and you've got the cheese. Therefore it's a grilled cheese sandwich."
Kirk pulled the two pieces of bread apart. "Look at that," He said pointing to a tiny speck on the bread.
Luke leaned in to look. "What about it?" He asked.
"It's not supposed to be there! It's contaminating my bread!" Kirk exclaimed.
"It's a piece of grain…that's what wheat bread is made of."
"Is it?" Kirk asked.
"Yes," Luke said nodding.
"Well I don't like it," Kirk said setting the bread back down onto his plate.
"Do you want me to make you another one?' Luke asked getting annoyed.
"White bread?" Kirk questioned.
"Fine," Luke answered and grabbed the plate. He dumped it in the trash and called the order out for Ceaser.
He was wiping off a table when the phone started to ring.
"Luke's Diner," He answered.
"Hey Uncle Luke."
"Jess? Hi…are you getting ready to head back to California?" Luke asked, amazed that his nephew had called after all.
"Uh, no…." Jess answered. "Actually, I've decided to stay."
"Jess…" Luke sighed. "You're 19 years old, you should not be living with your mother! And what about school-"
Jess cut him off. "Will you just let me talk for one second?"
Luke didn't answer.
"I'm not going to be living with my mom…" Jess told him. "I got my own apartment and I've got enough credits to graduate without needing to go back to California."
"You're renting an apartment and you're graduating from high school?" Luke questioned.
"I think that's what I said," Jess answered.
"Do you need any money?" Luke asked.
"No, I've already paid the down payment and I got a job at the Wal-mart here."
"Huh…well good," Luke said proudly. "Good for you."
"Uh huh…so I was just calling to tell you…"
"Thanks," Luke said. "Do you have an address and phone number?"
"Uh…I'm not sure about what either is," Jess answered.
"Okay, well let me know when you get it."
"Whatever…well, I've gotta go," Jess told him.
"Alright, bye Jess," Luke said.
"Bye."
Luke hung up the phone smiling. He's graduating from high school and got his own apartment. He's really changed a lot this year.
Luke!" A voice yelled, interrupting his thoughts.
"What is it now Kirk?" Luke yelled, annoyed.
"I don't think this is right….."
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A few minutes later Brian pulled up in front of the diner and parked his car.
He pushed on the Diner door and laughed when he realized that you were supposed to 'pull.'
He finally got the door open and made his way over to Luke.
Luke saw him and recognized him as the kid who was with Rory the other night. "Hi…what can I do for you?"
"Uh, well…." Brian blushed. "I can't remember how to get to Rory's house…I was hoping to surprise her…"
"Oh, you need directions. Okay you go straight down that road," Luke said pointing, "And then you turn right, and then left."
Brian nodded. "I though you went left and then right…well thank you," Brian told him and turned towards the door.
Luke watched him as he began walking. "Wait," He told him.
Brian turned around.
Luke reached for a cup, filled it with coffee, placed a lid on it and motioned for Brian to come over to the counter.
"You should take it to Rory," Luke said offering him the cup.
Brian took it. "Thanks a lot," He said before walking out the door, without evening offering to pay for it.
Brian looked at his car and decided to walk to her house.
He quickly made his way down the street, turning right and then left, just like Luke had said.
Her house came into view and he approached it. He walked briskly up the steps and rang the doorbell.
He waited for a few minutes before ringing it again and knocking.
No one answered.
He looked around and saw her car in the driveway. She's gotta be here.
He knocked and rang the doorbell. Still there was no answer.
He tried the doorknob and it twisted open. He stepped cautiously into the house. "Rory!" He yelled. "Rory are you home?!"
There was no response.
He walked into the living room and then towards the kitchen. He stopped when he saw a light coming from under her door.
He knocked on it. "Rory!" He yelled.
Rory sat on her bed with her headphones on. She was listening the White Stripes.
"I'm going to Witchita," She mouthed, and bobbed her head along to the beat.
Brian knocked again. "Rory, are you in there?"
Rory stopped dancing and lowered her music. Am I going crazy? I swear I just heard my name…
"Hello?" She yelled.
"Rory?"
Rory shut off her CD player and jumped off her bed. She wasn't sure who it was….she couldn't quite hear his voice. Could it be…?
Rory opened her door quickly. She was surprised to see who it was.
"Hey Rory," Brian said, kissing her quickly on the lips. "I brought you some coffee." He held the cup up.
"You drove to Stars Hollow to bring me…" She looked at the cup. "Coffee from Luke's?"
Brian shrugged. "I was just in the area, so I thought I'd stop by and see how you're doing…I haven't heard form you for a few days."
Rory smiled. He's so sweet. But it really isn't fair to him…I still have feelings for Jess…I can't just pretend to like Brian.
"So how have you been?" He asked.
"Pretty good," She answered and set the coffee on her desk.
"Oh…." He started to say something, but stopped.
"What?" She asked as she moved her CD player and sat down onto her bed.
"Well, I was just wondering why you haven't returned my calls," He said.
Rory frowned. "You called?"
Brian nodded. "At least 3 or 4 times on your cell."
Rory's eyes widened. "Oh my gosh, I've had it turned off since Monday…no wonder I didn't get them. I'm sorry," She said as she pulled her phone out of her purse and turned it on.
She held it up so he could see it. "I've got 5 new voice messages," She told him.
"Oh, well that explains it….I thought that maybe you were breaking up with me or something," He joked.
I have to do it….I have to. Rory didn't say anything, instead she patted the spot next to her on the bed.
"What is it?" He asked as he sat down.
"Brian…" She started but stopped and furrowed her eyebrows. I don't know how to do this…I've never broken up with anyone before. This is horrible. "Brian…" She tried again, "I, I…You've been really great," She stuttered.
His face fell. "But-?" He asked.
She took his hand. "And I really don't know how to do this," She continued.
"Then don't," He suggested.
She looked up at him. "I have too…"
"Oh."
"I have to break up with you…" Rory told him.
"Will you at least tell me why?"
Rory sighed. "I…uh…"
"It can't be that hard," He said slightly bitterly. "Is there someone else?"
"Well…in a sense yes, but did I cheat on you? No, I did not," Rory clarified.
"Will you tell me the whole story…please?" He requested.
"I…I guess so," She said slowly.
"Okay."
Rory sighed again. "Well…about a year ago, my boyfriend left town without a word to me and moved to California and then he showed up here about a week or so ago and I thought I was over him…but apparently I'm not, and I feel so horrible about doing this to you and I don't even know what's going to happen…but I can't lead you on anymore," Rory babbled.
"The Hemingway guy?" Brain asked.
Rory nodded.
"I understand."
"I would like to stay friends with you," Rory said.
"Yeah…maybe I'll see you around school."
"Okay," Rory said nodding.
He stood up and she let go of his hand. "Well, I better go."
Rory reached up and hugged him. "I'm really sorry."
"I'll show myself out," He told her.
"All right…bye."
"Bye," He said and closed her door.
He walked slowly towards the front door and just as he opened it Lorelai came walking up the porch.
"Hey!" She said.
"Hello," He said as he walked out onto the porch.
"Where are ya off to?" She asked.
"Home," He answered.
"Did she kick you out?" Lorelai joked. "You can stay for dinner," She offered.
"No thanks."
"What's wrong?" Lorelai asked. "I'm not going to pull a Frankenstein on you."
Brian smirked. "Oh, no, it's not you…it's just uh…she broke up with me."
"She did?" Lorelai exclaimed.
He nodded.
"Well, this is awkward."
"Yeah, well I'll just be going now," He told her.
"Well…have a nice life," She said smiling.
He laughed. "I'll do that," He said and turned and walked down the road.
Lorelai opened the door. "Rory!" She yelled and walked to her room. She opened the door to her bedroom and walked in. "You broke up with Brian?" She asked.
Rory looked at her, surprised. "Yes."
"Why?"
"It wasn't working," Rory answered.
"Do you still have feelings for Jess?"
Rory didn't answer.
"Rory?" Lorelai persisted.
"Yes, okay! Yes, I still have feelings for Jess!" Rory exclaimed.
Lorelai looked at her and struggled to keep from exploding.
Rory exhaled as she waited for her mom to say something, anything…the silence was making her nervous.
"Why…did you get with Brian then?" Lorelai finally asked.
Rory sighed. "I didn't know…" She couldn't find the words to explain it. "I just didn't know."
Lorelai understood this and nodded.
Rory waited again, wondering what negative thing her mother would say about Jess…or about her.
"Well, then I guess it's good that you broke up with him when you did," Lorelai said.
Rory's jaw dropped. "It is?" She asked.
Lorelai nodded and Rory raised an eyebrow at her.
Lorelai sat down next to her daughter in the spot that Brian had previously occupied. "Babe, as much as I hate to say it…and I really hate to say it…you've got to follow your heart. We don't pick who we love or who we don't love…"
Rory instinctively put her hand to her chest when Lorelai said 'love.' "So…if I have feelings for Jess, then what do I do?"
Lorelai though about this before answering, "I don't know…I can't tell you what to do, you've got to decide for yourself."
Rory sighed.
Lorelai glanced at her watch and hopped off the bed. "I've gotta run!" She told her. "I have an appointment at the inn in like…5 minutes. I just came by to grab some papers." Lorelai hugged her quickly. "I'll see ya later hun," She said and then hurried out the door.
Rory lay back onto her bed and shut her eyes. Well that went fairly well…but now what am I going to do?
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Jess threw the last box onto the floor with a heave. He did only have 3 boxes though, so it wasn't much work…and two of them were full of books.
He had just gotten off of the phone with his dad and requested that he send his stuff over. Jimmy had agreed to do so, and Jess could tell that he was glad to have that responsibility lifted from his shoulders. Lily, on the other hand had whined and begged for him to come back, and he promised her that he'd call and come back and visit some time.
Jess stepped back and viewed the apartment, a look of satisfaction spread across his face.
The apartment was of a good size and came with a few items. It consisted of a bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen. It wasn't much…but it was all that he needed.
Although he wouldn't ever admit it to anyone, he was proud of his little apartment. It was his first place…he paid for it with his own money.
I own that bed…and that table…and those chairs…that telephone…and that fridge. He walked over to the refrigerator and opened the door. He looked around and made a face. I even own that nasty, brown, moldy stuff.
Seeing the leftover food reminded him that he hadn't gone to the grocery store yet. He shoved his wallet into his back pocket, grabbed his keys and locked the door, before heading towards the stairs.
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A/N: I hope you'll review this. Tell me what you think…is it in character? Can you picture it actually happening? Thanks in advance. :D