I'd Rather Be There
Chapter 8
Disclaimer: not mine. Not mine. Not mine. I don't even own the pen that I'm writing this with. lol. I kinda stole it. Or actually I borrowed it from my grandparents who stole it from the Hilton Hotel. lol. Oh well, anyways it's not mine.
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: this suckers gonna be wrapping up pretty soon…maybe 2 chapters left, if I can stretch it out that long. lol. I think I'm on a roll. I just wrote down like a page of ideas for the next few chapters. I'm in the car now, so I'll probably get some done now. Oh and I'm going to assume that my distances and times are right, but I live no where near there so I would have no idea. If it's wrong then just tell me and I'll edit it. :D
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Jess sat at the table, staring hardly at the phone. He was going to call Sammy, he had made up his mind…yet there was something that seemed to be stopping him, holding him back.
"I'm going to call," He said out-loud as more of a question than anything.
He picked up the phone and dialed the number. It rang and he fought the urge to hang up. He felt like he was betraying someone. No, I'm not betraying anyone. I'm not with anyone. He reminded himself of these things as he waited. She finally picked up.
"Hello?"
Jess cleared his throat. "Um…Sammy?"
"Yes."
"Uh…hi, this is Jess…from the grocery store yesterday," He explained, wondering if maybe she wouldn't remember him.
"Hey, what's up?" She asked.
"Uh, nothing really. I was just wondering if maybe you'd want to go out tonight?" Jess asked quickly.
She smiled on the other end of the line. "Yeah. That would be great…but…"
Shit.
"I have to work the night shift from 2:30 – 10:00," She finished.
"Oh."
"So I'd have to do a late lunch…would 1 o'clock be okay?" She asked.
"Uh…yeah."
"Okay, well I'll come by your apartment at like 10 'til?" She suggested.
"That's fine."
"Alright, I'll see you then. Bye," Sammy told him.
Jess hung up the phone and looked down at his watch. 2 hours…
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Rory climbed out of bed at 11:00 and pulled her clothes on quickly.
I'm going to call him right now. Right now…
She grabbed the phone off of her desk and dialed the number to Liz's apartment.
The phone rang and rang. There was no answer.
Well…he's probably out or something. I'll try again later… or I could…no. I can't just show up there. But I do know the bus to take and where his mom's apartment is… I've been to New York before…. I could find it.
Rory thought about this for a moment. Yeah… then I can tell him in person as opposed to over the phone where he could easily hang up on me….
Rory grabbed a piece of paper off of her notebook.
Hey Mom,
I'm going to New York. I'll be careful and safe. Call my cell when you get a chance. I'll be back sometime tonight.
Love you,
Rory
She placed this note on the kitchen tabled where she knew it would be found. She would call her, but Lorelai had told her the night before that she would be in meetings all day and wouldn't be able to even look at her phone.
Rory walked into her room and grabbed a book off her bed which she proceeded to shove into her purse along with her wallet and cell phone.
She kicked on her shoes and grabbed a light coat before heading to the front door and locking it as she stepped onto the porch.
Rory walked quickly to Luke's where she bought a coffee and donut to go.
She was now sitting on the bench waiting for the bus to come. I can't believe I'm doing this. I'm going to New York again…alone again…to chase Jess again.
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Rory sat on a bus, an hour later on her way to New York, zipping and unzipping her purse. She had tried to read, but concentrating on that was impossible. Her stomach was flip-flopping and her heart was pounding.
The bus came to a stop and Rory stood up. I could always just get on the next bus home…I don't have to see him…wait, yes I do. I have to do this, I'm here and I'm not going until I've talked to him.
She slung her purse over her shoulder and walked towards the front of the bus. "Thank you," She told the driver politely before stepping off.
Rory looked around, checking to see if she had gotten on the right bus after all, and sure enough, she had.
She pulled his address out of her purse. She had copied it out of the phone book and then had downloaded directions off the internet. His mom's apartment was only a block away.
She followed the map and found herself standing in front of a fairly shabby apartment building, only a few minutes later.
She pulled the door open, and looked at the names and apartment numbers that were listed on the wall.
Liz Mariano was in apartment 2C. Rory climbed the stairs slowly and finally arrived at the door.
Here it goes… She took a deep breath before reaching up with a shaky hand and knocking twice.
A few seconds later a blond woman, who she figured was Liz, appeared at the door.
"Can I help you?"
"Uh hi," Rory paused to swallow. "I was looking for Jess…"
"He's not here."
Rory sighed with relief. "Do you know when he'll be here?"
"Actually he isn't living here," Liz told her.
Rory's face fell. He's back in California already…
"But, I can give you directions to his apartment," Liz offered.
Rory frowned. "His apartment?"
Liz nodded. "Yeah, my boy got his own place." She smirked proudly. "It's only a few blocks away. Do you want directions?"
Rory nodded, suddenly finding herself unable to speak.
"Come on in," Liz said as she made her way into the kitchen.
Rory shut the door and followed silently.
"Are you a friend of his?" Liz questioned.
"Well…uh, yeah."
Liz scribbled a map onto a scrap of paper, also including the address and phone number, and handed it to her.
"Thanks," Rory said gripping it tightly.
Liz led her towards the door.
"I'm sorry for bothering you," Rory told her as she opened it.
"Oh it was no trouble at all…bye!"
Rory walked down the hall and exhaled. Wow. His own place…he's really changed since last year.
She looked down at the paper as she stepped off the stairs. Only three blocks away…another short walk, good. Hopefully he's home… She noticed his phone number. Maybe I should call him…
She grabbed her phone out of her purse and entered the number. Um…maybe not… She sighed. But if he's not home, then what will I do? I should call.
She pressed enter and the phone started to ring.
Jess reached over and answered the phone, wondering who could possibly be calling. "Hello?" He answered as he looked down at his watch. It was 12:50 and Sammy would be there any second.
"Jess…hi," Rory said quietly.
Jess frowned. "Rory? Why-"
"Can we talk?" She asked as she walked towards his apartment.
"Uh…no. I've gotta go," Jess answered. He was curious as to why she was calling, but he knew that if he didn't hang up, then he would be sucked into the guilt that he was feeling about going out with Sammy.
Rory furrowed her eyebrows. "What do you mean 'no'?"
"I mean no, I can't talk. Bye," Jess said before hanging up. He stared at the phone for a second before sighing heavily and resting his forehead against his hand, which was being supported by the table.
Rory's face was awe struck as she listened to the dial-tone.
Her expression changed to one of anger as she threw her phone into her purse. I come all the way to New York and he won't even talk to me? What is this about? I don't understand. He loved me 2 weeks ago and now he won't talk to me?!
Rory saw the sign for the Cedar Commons and approached the door. She threw it open and slammed it shut before stomping up the flights of stairs. She couldn't care less about the noise she was making.
She arrived at his door, all of her earlier nervousness gone, and brushed her hair behind her ear before knocking.
Jess stood up from the table and hurried to the door, thinking it was Sammy.
He swung it open and his jaw dropped as he saw Rory.
"Gee, I'd love to come in," Rory said sarcastically as she ducked under his arm and walked into the apartment.
He shut the door and watched her as she plopped into one of his chairs.
"I come all the way to New York to see you and you won't even talk to me?!" She exclaimed.
He raised an eyebrow at her and opened his mouth to speak but decided not to.
"Well, I need to talk to you!" She yelled.
"Rory-" Jess started to say something but stopped as a knock came from the other side of his door.
"This is just wonderful," He muttered under his breath as he turned around and opened it.
Rory's eyes widened as she saw Sammy. She gasped. "Oh…" She said softly.
Sammy frowned and looked at Jess, hoping he would explain.
Jess rubbed a hand down the side of his face and sighed.
Rory jumped up from the chair and quickly walked towards the door. She pushed past Sammy and ran to the stairs. He has a girlfriend. I'm too late. Why did I come? This was so stupid. I can't believe I was going to tell him… I just set myself up to get hurt again.
"Rory!" Jess called after her from his position in his doorframe.
She hurried down the stairs and felt her eyes start to sting.
She finally reached the bottom and pushed to door open.
Rory crossed her arms over her chest and ran to the nearest bench before stopping and slumping down into it, pulling her knees up and allowing the tears to flow freely.
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A/N: Please review! :D Give me feedback on my writing and my story please. I got about 2 reviews on the last chapter. If you have any opinions about this chapter then please review and tell me. I'd love to hear them! :D Thanks!