Believe Me, I'll Be There
Chapter 12 – Aftermath of something good
Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Gilmore Girls. I also don't own any book or author references.
A/N: Here's the next chapter! I think this is my longest ever. There are several more chapters coming, the story's not over just because Jess and Rory are together again! lol. To Sirius, Smile, Jctigerwolf4e, Amy, Tye, super trooper, BabyGirl4life88, LCI-02/03, IloveJess, I love it, jessandrory, and Simon-DG-Hottie-17, THANK YOU for all the reviews!! I've broken my record for number of reviews now, and this story has 7 chapters less than my other fic does. They're great, and once again, I'm really glad you like this. (This chapter has lots of Rory/Jess stuff in it.) So on with the chapter, enjoy! ~Arianna
Jess and I talked for a long time. I cried for part of it, and I think Jess almost did. We both apologized about a million times. I was so glad things were okay between us again. My mom stayed at the diner too, talking and arguing with Luke, while somehow getting him to give her coffee. Eventually, I kissed Jess and said goodbye, and Mom and I walked home.
"I take it you and Jess are back together," she said dryly.
I couldn't stop smiling. "Yeah, we are."
"Well, that's great." Mom smiled at me, but I knew her well enough to tell that she wasn't really happy.
"Are you okay?" I asked her.
"Oh, yeah, I'm fine," she replied.
"You don't look fine."
"Well, I'm great."
"Mom…" This had something to do with Jess. I knew it.
"What, Rory?"
I couldn't face an argument about Jess now. "Nothing," I answered.
"Was he nice to you?" Mom asked.
And apparently it couldn't be avoided. "Of course," I said. "He didn't do anything wrong…"
"I recall you saying that he told you that you couldn't survive in New York."
"He didn't mean it!" So things were going to be the same. My mom still hated Jess, still didn't trust him. "We both said things we didn't mean…"
"Rory—I just want to be sure…"
"Be sure of what?" I demanded. Why can't she trust him? Why can't everybody see what I see? We were back at our house by now. I followed my mom inside.
"Be sure…that you're not together again just because you missed him."
That hurt. "No! Jess is amazing and he's a great guy and he cares about me, and I care about him, and you can trust him!"
She sighed. "I know you're happy…I don't want to ruin this for you. I'm sorry."
"It's okay," I said softly. "I have to study."
"Okay."
I got my books out of my backpack, took them to the couch, and started working. I had finished my Oliver Twist paper, which was due the next day. I was excited about turning it in; twice as excited now that I could talk to Jess.
A few hours later, the phone rang. I answered it.
"Hey," Jess said.
"Hey." I smiled and took the cordless phone into my room.
"I just wanted to talk to you…"
"I'm glad."
"Rory…I really didn't mean the things I said."
"Jess, I know!"
"Yeah."
"Jess…when I went home—my mom still doesn't trust you…I'm sorry…"
"Don't be."
"She kept asking me what happened, why we were back together." I paused. "I'm glad we are."
"So am I." He was quiet for a while. "Rory, your mom will be okay with it…someday."
"Jess…"
"Rory—"
"I'm okay. Really."
"Okay…Luke's yelling at me to get downstairs."
"I guess you'd better go." I felt better, but I still wished my mom could like Jess. The way she liked Dean…in the end, I think she liked Dean as much as I did, maybe more, in a different way. What I wouldn't have done for her to think of Jess that way…
"Probably," Jess agreed. "See ya tomorrow, Ror."
"Bye, Jess." I hung up the phone and stared out the window for a couple minutes, wondering if I could do anything to convince my mom about Jess.
On Monday morning, I woke up, got ready, stuffed my books in my backpack, and Mom and I ran to Luke's.
"Are you gonna have pancakes?" she asked. "Or eggs?"
"I don't have time for breakfast," I told her. "Just coffee." I heard footsteps on the stairs and looked up, grinning.
"Oh, go ahead," Mom said, waving her hand at me. Jess appeared at the door. I walked over, and Jess leaned across the counter and kissed me. We broke apart, and Jess got me a cup of coffee.
"Thanks," I smiled.
He came around the counter, and I put my arms around him, kissing him again.
"Okay, guys, not here," my mom said from behind us. I reluctantly pulled away from Jess, slightly embarrassed.
"See you this afternoon," he said.
"Love you," I replied.
"Me too." He grinned.
I picked up my coffee and left, almost glowing.
English Lit. was my first class that day. Everyone filed into the classroom, carrying his or her books. Mr. Medina wasn't there yet, so we all began talking quietly.
Paris rushed over to my desk, waving her paper in the air. I groaned inwardly.
"Where were you yesterday?" she demanded.
"Excuse me?"
"I called you five times! No one answered. I wanted you to read my paper before I turned it in—"
"We have an answering machine, Paris," I pointed out.
"No one ever listens to messages," she said dismissively.
"Uh, we do."
"What were you doing, anyway? What is there to do in your town on Sunday?"
"I was with Jess," I replied happily. "We're back together…"
"The Dodger," Paris said shrewdly.
"How did you know?"
"I just did," she answered. I didn't get a chance to reply, because just then, Mr. Medina walked into the room.
"Sorry I'm late," he apologized. "Teachers' meeting." He looked around at all of us. "First order of business. Please pass in your papers."
We all handed the papers in. Mr. Medina stacked them neatly on his desk, then picked one up and glanced over it for a minute. I couldn't tell whose it was, but I guessed it was Paris' or something.
He went on to talk about Charles Dickens. We took notes. It was an interesting class.
The bell rang, and we got up, filing out of the classroom. Mr. Medina stopped me at the door.
"Rory, could you stop by after school?" he asked me.
"Uh, sure," I replied, wondering why. The day passed quickly. For the first time in almost two weeks I could really concentrate on what I was doing. After the Franklin meeting, I got my homework together and walked to Mr. Medina's classroom.
"Hi, Rory," he greeted me.
"Hi," I said, still confused. He went behind his desk and picked up some papers. "Um…why exactly am I here?" I said at last.
He smiled. "This morning, when I collected your papers, one of them caught my eye," he told me.
"I noticed that…"
"It was yours."
"Wow. Why?"
"Rory, I've been giving this assignment for years. I have never read any paper like this one." He held up my Oliver Twist assignment.
"Is that good?"
He grinned. "It's great! And although I was planning to give these back next Monday, I think it's only fair that you get this now." He handed it to me.
"Thanks," I said softly.
"Are you all right?" Mr. Medina asked me.
"Yes," I said, smiling. "We talked."
"Say hello to the Dodger for me."
"I will."
"So I'll see you in class tomorrow, Rory."
I nodded. "Bye!" Then I left Chilton, raced onto the bus, and flipped to the back page of my paper to read Mr. Medina's comments.
Rory—
This is incredible writing. It's not anything like what I would expect from a senior in highschool. It fits the assignment perfectly. I can see that this book means a lot to you.
He had no idea.
And I hope you can talk to "the Dodger." --MaxI turned back to the first page to see my grade: a bright red A+. And right then, I wanted everything to stay exactly as it was. It was perfect.
As soon as the bus got to Stars Hollow, I jumped off, excited. Jess wasn't there, but it wouldn't be hard to find him. I ran to the bridge as quickly as I could.
Jess was there, as I'd known he would be. He was sitting on the edge of the bridge, silently, looking out over the lake. I couldn't help thinking that he looked sad.
I walked out onto the bridge and sat next to him. I didn't want to show him my paper until I at least asked him what was wrong.
"Jess?" I said.
"Hey, Rory." He turned toward me and kissed me softly.
"Are you okay?" I asked him.
"Yeah. Why?"
"I know you, Jess," I said, staring at him. "What's wrong?"
He shrugged. "I'm okay. I was just thinking…"
"Are you still mad at me?" I said, my voice shaking.
"No!" he said fiercely, putting his arm around me. "But seriously—can you trust me?"
"Of course," I answered immediately.
"Rory…"
"I trust you, Jess! I always will. You promised, and I know you'll keep it."
"I will."
"So what is it?"
"It's weird. I hated fighting with you, I missed you…"
"I missed you too."
"And now we're back together, and it happened so fast…it feels like I should be doing something or saying something to prove I wouldn't hurt you," Jess explained.
I smiled at him. " I bet if you said that to anyone else, they wouldn't guess that it was you."
"Yeah, well."
"I know you didn't mean what you said. I told you, what I did was worse and I'm sorry," I said to Jess.
"Really. It's okay."
I kissed him. "I love you."
"I love you too."
"And I came because…" I pulled out my paper. "I got this back. You can read it now."
Jess looked at it. "A+—good job, Ror."
"Yeah," I said happily. "Thanks." I rested my head on his shoulder and he started reading.
"Wow," he said after a while.
"What?"
"I don't deserve this."
I laughed. "I say you do."
Jess finished reading and looked at Mr. Medina's comments.
"Max?"
"Mr. Medina…he's the guy my mom almost married," I explained.
"Ah." Jess read the comments again and grinned at me. "You're gonna be a great journalist."
"Thanks." It meant a lot, hearing that from him. And sitting there with Jess, I realized that I couldn't risk losing what I had right then. "Jess?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm going to Yale."
"You sure?"
"Yes. I'm sure. I don't want to lose what I have in Stars Hollow, I don't want to go to Boston, and I've heard they have a great journalism school."
"Great," Jess told me.
"You think so?"
"Yes, I do. You think I want you to go to Boston?"
I grinned. "I'm glad you don't."
We stayed there for a while, debating Hemingway. And other authors. And talking about my paper.
Now all I had to do was explain my decision to my mom. It would be interesting. And it would be worth it. Yale was a great school. And it was sounding better and better.