Previously in "I am the Tower Around Which You Orbited"

As the girls gabbed while I worked, I ran through the exchange between Aerin and I. I had kissed her of my own free will, not simply for closure, but to root my own thoughts about her. I knew that I didn't have any real feelings for Aerin, and I never would, and kissing her let her know that. I wasn't intending to hurt Rory, and I knew Aerin wouldn't talk, but I just needed to solidify everything I had said to her. I needed to show her that I couldn't feel the way I felt about Rory with her instead.

And I knew, from the way she had looked at me, that she got the message.

Chapter Twenty-Six: I wish I was special

Over the past two days, I had had time to think about everything. Time to think about Rory and graduation and the scary monster that they call college. I wasn't particularly looking forward to a summer without Rory that would end with the beginning of freshman year, but I was damn happy to be graduating.

The gowns were dark blue, so there was just this mass of dark blue for about twelve rows and then several rows of multicoloured people. It was like a beach. But, as they slowly called up everyone to get their diplomas, I could feel my stomach tightening. I was eighteen, and I was graduating high school. My entire life had been about this moment – the moment where I was no longer held by the straps of expectation. I could really do whatever I wanted, essentially.

"Jess Mariano," called the speaker. I stepped up onto the platform-stage-thing (not sure what to call it) and shook the principal's hand. He smiled at me forcedly, clearly a façade. I took my diploma, moved my string on my hat and almost leapt off the stage-thing.

The ceremony lasted about another hour, and when it was finished, Luke and I had some time for a celebratory lunch before going off to Chilton.

"So, you're no longer a high school student. How does it feel, Mr. Mariano?" Luke asked me playfully.

"It feels like I have this amazing weight lifted off my chest."

"That's how I felt when I graduated. Its kind of refreshing, right?"

"Yeah. Its like I've been bathed in sweat for the past eighteen years of my life and for the first time I feel clean. It's really, really weird."

"Sounds about right."

"I'm kind of lost and confused, like, I have no idea what's going on right now."

"Well, coffee and fried food will help with that."

"It'd better."

I went upstairs to change and when I came down, there were several recent graduates in the diner with their families, ready to order. Luke sat me down at the counter and gave me this gigantic burger, a mountain of fries, and a steaming cup of coffee.

"Congratulations, Jess."

"Thanks, Luke." He went off to work as I ate and listened to the hysterical parents talking about their kids being 'all grown up.' Thank god Luke didn't do that.

The bell on the door jingled and I heard a familiar voice say, "Jess! You're all grown up!"

"Liz, what the hell are you doing here?" asked Luke.

"I came to see my son graduate. You did tell me the time and place, and here I am. Jess, how are you?"

"Fine, Mom." I stood up to face her and she gave me a huge bear hug.

"Wow. You've graduated from high school. And I got pictures!" she added happily. She pulled out her camera and took another picture of me. "Too bad you've already taken off your gown."

"Yeah, well I have to go to my girlfriend's graduation soon."

"Oh?"

"She goes to private school in Hartford and we have to leave soon, okay?"

"Okay then, Jess. Well, I still can't believe you have graduated from high school. It seems like only yesterday you were crawling around in diapers."

"Liz, don't do this."

"Okay, fine. You go to your girlfriend's graduation."

Luke pulled me over and quickly apologized to Liz for borrowing me for a second. "That's your mother, you know."

"Yes, I know the woman who gave birth to me and raised me."

"Jess, Rory said it would be okay to run a little late, right? So, I'll go now and save you a seat and you can stay and talk to your mom for a little while."

"Luke, I really don't want to do that."

"You can drive to Hartford yourself."

"I know, but…"

"That woman standing over there is your mother. She hasn't seen you in a little over a year, not since the accident last year. Now she suddenly shows up to see you graduate and you're just going to give her the slip? I don't think so.'

"Like you said, she's my mother, and I have every right to give her the slip. I think that the fact that she dumped me on you for two years constitutes as a reason to give her the slip."

"Jess… just stay with your mother for a while. Caesar, you're in charge, I have another graduation to go to. And make sure Jess talks to his mom a little bit." I rolled my eyes and Luke glared at me, pushing me over to where my mother now sat, eating my celebratory fries.

"I'm going to go to Rory's graduation, okay Liz? Jess will stay here for twenty minutes or so and talk to his mother, and then he can drive to Hartford to see his girlfriend graduate, okay? Bye."

Luke went out the door and left me to my mother. "C'mon, Jess, sit down. Relax. Talk."

"Fine." I sat down next to her and pulled my plate over to me to pick at my food.

"How have you been?"

"Really good, Liz. I have been, good."

"Me too, actually. I met a new guy."

"And he's different than all the others?"

"Yes, Jess, he is. I think he may be the one."

"Liz, you say that every time."

"I didn't come her to be berated by my son."

"Then why did you come? You just dumped me on Luke for two years, so you deserve to be berated by your son."

"Jess, I'm sorry. But, I'm here now, aren't I? I came all the way here to see you graduate from high school. And I want you to be happy for yourself, even if you do hate me."

"I don't hate you."

"Right. I know you probably want to go to your girlfriend's graduation, right?"

"I can stay. Just… stay." Her face burst with happiness and she took another fry from my plate. "Just… don't eat my food."

"Sorry." We sat in silence for a few seconds, and then Liz said, "So, your girlfriend? What's her name, Lori?"

"Rory."

"And she goes to private school in Hartford?"

"Chilton."

"So, its not your usual girlfriend, huh?"

"Nope. Rory can read, write, do math. She's valedictorian."

"Wow. That's quite an accomplishment."

"Yeah, it really is. I tried to help her on her speech, but she said it had to be a surprise."

"Aw, that's sweet."

"Yeah, well, Rory's a sweet girl. I love her."

"Now that is a strange turnaround. I have never heard you say you love anything, except maybe that stuffed elephant you got for your third birthday."

"Its not that surprising."

"Yes, it is."

"Okay, so maybe it is, but this place has changed me. Maybe even for the better."

"That's always good."

"Yeah, it really is."

"Jess, you are my son, and I love you, but I really do worry about you a lot. And I'm worried about you and this Rory - worried that maybe you will hurt her, considering her apparent perfection and your - imperfection."

"Mom, you never listened to me when I was worried about any of your boyfriends, so I don't really need to listen to you."

"You just called me mom." Liz seemed extremely surprised at this. "It's been what, twelve years, since you called me mom."

"Stop, okay. You can't just randomly appear in my life whenever you want to and then tell me to be on my toes about my girlfriend of seven months."

"Seven months? That's a record."

"Yeah. I'm really getting like, a personality makeover and when I'm with Rory, I feel like I actually matter to someone, like I have a place in the universe, and you have no right. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a graduation to go to."

I picked up my sports jacket and pulled out my car keys, ready to storm through the door, but Liz spoke up before I could leave. "You looked good today Jess. And you look good now – for your girlfriend." She had a sad undertone in her voice. As the door shut behind me, I looked at the suitesque item of clothing I was wearing. I did look good, just for Rory.

I hopped in my car and started to drive, but as I passed the diner, I took one last glance at my mother.

THE END of chapter twnety-six

Adding in Jess's mother was a spur-of-the-moment thing. I was actually expecting this to be Jess and Rory's graduation all in one chapter, but I decided to pan it out to keep the story going a little longer.