The next day at school
Rory's trying to open her locker but it's not working, so a strong arm reaches over and opens it for her
TRISTAN: Mary, Mary, Mary, you really must learn how to open a locker yourself, i won't be around all the time to help you with it
RORY: oh but why ever not Tristan? (putting on her best helpless act)
TRISTAN: well you are going to have to go out into the world one day
RORY: that's ok, I won't be alone
She said tossing aside the act like stale bread
TRISTAN: oh is that so?
RORY: yes it is
TRISTAN: well then, who is going with you?
RORY: well, mom for one
TRISTAN: well of course your mother, you two are insepretable
RORY: yeah, then there's my bestfriend and my boyfriend
TRISTAN: boyfriend? didn't you guys just break up?
Tristan was confused now
RORY: oh yeah, Jess is my boyfriend
TRISTAN: oh, well I got to get going
He said sounding with a touch of disappointment in his voice
RORY: but school doesn't even start for another ten minutes
It was now Rorys turn to be confused
TRISTAN: yeah but i got to do something
RORY: ok...well i'll see you later then?
TRISTAN: maybe
Then he walked away. 'That was strange' Rory thought but was cut off when paris walked over
PARIS: hey
RORY: hey Paris
PARIS: so are you ok?
RORY: yeah, i'm fine, why?
PARIS: well, i heard about what hapened, you know between you and Dean
RORY: oh, that, I'm over it
PARIS: you are?
RORY: yup
PARIS: but it just happened yesturday
RORY: I know
PARIS: Rory, you don't have to hide your feelings, I'm your friend
RORY: I know, I'm really fine with it
PARIS: Rory
RORY: hey, I'll even prove it to you, I have a new boyfriend
PARIS: wow, who?
RORY: Jess
PARIS: Jess? Diner Jess? Jess as in Luke's nephew Jess?
RORY: (she started laughing) the one and only
PARIS: wow, well I always knew he had a thing for you and I kinda thought you liked him but..wow
RORY: yeah, well, we finally went for it
PARIS: well I'm glad your happy
RORY: me too
PARIS: so how did Tristan react?
RORY: what do you mean?
PARIS: I mean how did Tristan take the news that you and Jess are together?
RORY: fine, why wouldn't he?
Rory had definitely had enough confusion for one day
PARIS: no reason
RORY: though he did walk away right after I said it
PARIS: oh
RORY: oh what? why wouldn't he be ok with it?
PARIS: I don't know
RORY: Paris
PARIS: Rory
RORY: I always know when your not telling me something
PARIS: well I can't tell you, it's not my place
RORY: fine, let's just get to class
They walked into class...after school was over Rory went to her locker where Tristan was
RORY: hey
TRISTAN: hi
RORY: ...did you think that Paris was acting a little weird today?
TRISTAN: no, why?
RORY: nevermind
TRISTAN: ok...
RORY: so what's going on?
TRISTAN: nothing really, how about you?
They were walking outside
RORY: yeah same here
TRISTAN: so what are you doing today?
RORY: I don't really have anything planned
TRISTAN: oh, well I was wondering...
Tristan turned to see Jess standing in the parking lot. Rory, seeing Tristan staring at something, turns and see's Jess standing there and runs over to him.
RORY: Jess, what are you doing here?
JESS: well i thought I'd pick you up
RORY: wow, that's so sweet
JESS: stop it or I'll leave
RORY: aww, your just a big old softy
JESS: Rory
He said warningly and Rory just laughed. She had totally forgotten tristan was standing not far away from them
RORY: (turning to Tristan) oh yeah, you were wondering something?
TRISTAN: oh, no, um...I'll just see you tomorrow
He started walking away not happy about the interruption
RORY: yeah, ok, bye Tristan
And she and Jess got into his car
JESS: who is that guy anyway?
RORY: oh, Tristan? he's just a friend
JESS: oh
RORY: oh what? what's wrong Jess?
JESS: nothing
RORY: Jess
JESS: it's just...
RORY: just..?
JESS: it seems like he likes you
RORY: why do you say that? (laughing)
JESS: well i heard him defending you from Dean at Luke's
RORY: so, you always defended me
JESS: yeah, and you see how that turned out
RORY: ok...bad example
JESS: it's just...Rory, you tend to try and get along with everyone, and don't get me wrong, that's not a bad thing because if you didn't we wouldn't be together, but
RORY: awww, Jess is jealous
JESS: Rory
RORY: your jealous
JESS: stop
RORY: jealous
JESS: I mean it
RORY: your so cute when your jealous
JESS: fine! I'm jealous! But don't I have every right to be, after all, that is the way you and I got together!
Rory looked almost scared at the sudden outburst
JESS: I-I'm sorry rory...it's just i know how much I liked you and I wasn't going to give up on trying to get you and I don't think he will either, I'm just scared that your going to do the same thing to me as you did to Dean
RORY: that's not fair Jess! (starting to really get serious)
JESS: well that is what happened to Dean
RORY: I can't believe that you think I would do that to you!
JESS: Rory, I want to believe you won't but your beautiful and intelligent and witty and I'm just scared that at some point your going to relize that your better then me and want to break up
RORY: that's not going to happen Jess, and while i thank you for all the complaments, I'm not better then you
JESS: yeah you are
RORY: Jess stop
JESS: fine, I'll leave that until the time comes
RORY: whatever
They rode the rest of the way in silence
JESS: are you mad at me?
no answer
JESS: Rory please
RORY: if we're going to be together then I can't have you thinking that I'm going to dump you
JESS: I know, I'm sorry
no answer
JESS: Rory...I'm sorry, I know you'd never do that to me ok?
RORY: ok...lets go get some coffee then
JESS: (laughing) I see nothing effects your love of coffee
RORY: of course not
JESS: then let's go
They walked into the diner and took a seat at a table
LUKE: what'll it be?
RORY: coffee
LUKE: no
RORY: Luke
LUKE: Rory
RORY: Luke, I've done enough arguing for one day
LUKE: who did you argue with?
JESS: that would be me
LUKE: what?
RORY: little thing, no biggy, ha that sounded funny
LUKE: Rory, did he do something to you?
RORY: no Luke, it was just a stupid little thing
LUKE: ok, fine, coffee it is (and he walks away)
RORY: oooooo, maybe i should say we got into a fight more often
JESS: no, please don't
RORY: why? it gets me coffee
JESS: and it gets me a lecture
RORY: oh...ok, no made up fights
JESS: thank you
RORY: your welcome
The bell above the door rings and in walks Dean
DEAN: TWO coffees to go Luke (stresses the word two)
LUKE: OK dean (stresses the word ok to make fun of him)
DEAN: Rory
RORY: Dean
Luke brings deans TWO coffees over
DEAN: well I'd love to stay and chat but I have someone waiting for me
RORY: bye then
DEAN: ya know, a GIRLFRIEND
RORY: that's nice Dean
DEAN: yeah Lindsey and she wouldn't cheat on me
RORY: uh huh Dean
DEAN: ya know, like SOME people
RORY: ok, what's that's suppose to mean?
She had been trying to ignore Dean but he was really starting to annoy her
DEAN: you know what I mean Rory
RORY: no, I don't, why don't you clarify for me
DEAN: I mean you
RORY: huh, really? me?
DEAN: yes you, you cheated on me and then you were with Tristan and now your with...Jess, I always knew he had a thing for you
RORY: ok first of all, I never cheated on you, second, I was never WITH Tristan, and third, it's none of your damn business who I'm with anyway
She exclaimed suddenly very perturbed at the things Dean was saying to her, it WAS none of his damn business
DEAN: but, Jess..come on, I thought you had better taste then THAT
RORY: just leave
DEAN: I don't have to, it's not your diner
JESS: no, but it's MY uncles diner and he's very fond of Rory so I think you better leave
DEAN: it's your uncles diner, not yours
LUKE: Dean, get the hell out of my diner
Dean looks shocked while Rory and Jess try to hold in a laugh. After a minute Dean turns around and walks out and Rory and Jess burst out laughing
RORY: anyway, what were we talking about before HE came in here?
JESS: you making up fights to get coffee
RORY: oh yeah...I still think it's a good idea
JESS: don't even
RORY: ya know, no having to argue with Luke
JESS: Rory
RORY: he just sets the coffee right in front of me
JESS: stop
RORY: he's never done that
JESS: your mean
RORY: I know, aren't I though
Jess just smiles...they got their food and then once they were finished eating Rory had to get home.