Their apartment wasn't extravagant. In fact, it was just the opposite. It was tiny, minuscule even. The Soho place was just 1.5 rooms and a bathroom. And it seemed even smaller when what seemed like over one-hundred people piled inside. When Jess had returned from Hartford, he found Rob and his other two best friends, Ana Merriman and Carter Smith, hauling grocery sacks and a keg into his and Rory's apartment. Now, the party was up and running. Jess was sitting on the worn and ripped sofa, his nose in a paperback, with a buxom blonde making advances at him.
She put her hand on his thigh; her manicured nails digging into the denim of his jeans. Her perfume cheap and her breathe smelled of stale cigarette smoke. Menthols he'd guess. Her long blonde curls were frizzed and lip stick smeared off on the cup of beer she held in her hand. Suddenly, he felt a strong hand grip his arm and jerk him away. It was Carter.
"Dude, what is wrong with you? She was totally coming on to you!" The Jersey native exclaimed.
Jess just let out a heavy sigh. Pleased in himself that he had no plans of cheating on Rory whatsoever. "You realize that I have a girlfriend that lives here, right?"
Carter rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "That's never stopped you before. Plus, I haven't met her yet; she hasn't gotten the Carter Smith Seal-of-Approval."
He shrugged. That was true, but Rory was different. "Yeah, but this one's different, Man!"
"That's what they all say!" Carter slurred before chugging from the drink in his hand. Jess assumed he probably had no clue what was in it. Carter was a big drinker and ever the ladies man. From Rory's description, Jess thought that Carter would be a lot like Tristan Dugrey with an Eastern Jersey vibe.
He then went back to his seat on the sofa to pick up where he left off in The Picture of Dorian Grey. The cheap blonde was still sitting there, as if waiting for him to succumb to her wiles.
Jess turned to her, the blue eyes only reminding him of Rory. "I have a very serious girlfriend ," who smells much nicer than you, he wanted to finish, "And I love her very much."
She took her index finger and brought it to his chin, the fake nail scratching his stubble. "I don't mind." Her voice was low and seductive. She then felt a tap on her shoulder. The blonde turned around to a spunky redhead, and Jess grinned.
"Hi, Love," Ana greeted in her heavy Birmingham brogue. She had always bragged about being from the same city as Ozzy Osbourne, "Muffy, is it?" She queried, jokingly yet harsh.
The blonde sneered and followed her with her eyes. "Well, Muffy, I want you to lay off my man Jess here because he is just that, Love. My Man!" Ana added the last part as she straddled him on the couch, putting her arms around his neck.
When the pseudo-prostitute took the hint and scampered away, Jess snickered. "Ana, as much as I love you, get off me! You don't date dudes!"
"I figured you needed a rescue, Joel Goodsen."
He smiled. The two had dated each other off and on through junior high and there first years of high school. Ana had once commented that Jess was almost un-dateable and turned her off men — and that was partially true. Only a few months before he moved to Stars Hollow, Ana decided to become a lesbian. Ever since, the two had a Will & Grace-type relationship, including her fiery locks.
"I don't listen to Bob Seger, and Rebecca De Mornay was so much hotter than her, even though Carter wanted me to go for it."
"Figures, but remember: Carter has always had that, 'Sometimes you just gotta say what the fuck.' attitude."
He laughed. "This is true, and I definitely owe you." Jess replied as they made their way over to the keg.
She grinned widely. "Yes, you do."
Rory sat quietly in Luke's. She had not gotten much sleep during the night due to the catastrophe at Friday Night Dinner, and that Jess wasn't beside her. He had called her with a garish sound coming from the background, and for a moment, thought there might have been a party but brushed it off quickly. She had apologized to him an abundance of times, but he quieted her, telling her that it wasn't her fault that her grandparents were arrogant snobs. Now, She was, before driving to New York, eating Luke's famous chocolate chip pancakes and received a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to her tall ex-boyfriend.
"Word on the street is that you're moving to New York." Dean replied, obviously nervous.
She looked down at her plate, watching the golden syrup make sticky pools. "Yeah." She feared looking into his eyes.
Despite it all, Dean was still smiling. "You seem glib. What's wrong? Did Jess do some . . ."
This was typical. "No, Dean. Jess didn't do anything," She smiled, "Jess is wonderful. How's Lindsey?"
He looked slightly indifferent. "Okay, I guess." He paused. Things were terrible. "Actually, we fight all the time. Yesterday, we fought because I was listening to The Smiths in the car."
Rory giggled, despite herself. "Yeah, well, she's a Michelle Branch fan. Can't see her liking Meat Is Murder too much."
She then caught herself looking down at the sticky pools while Dean spoke. "Rory, what do you see in him? What did you see in him then? I mean, he was a complete jerk!"
She suddenly felt flustered and nervous. He was a jerk, but that was Jess. Jess didn't let too many people in. For those people, he was a jerk. For those whom he opened up, he did in fact have a softer side, but you had to dig deep for it, and Rory didn't mind grabbing a shovel. She didn't want to broadcast to Dean and the whole world why felt the way she did about Jess but couldn't help it. "Interesting conversation about books, music, everything. Spontaneity. Warmth. Passion. We practically read each other's minds. It's crazy! I feel and felt totally free with him. It isn't daunting. I can love him or think about him without questioning myself."
"I wish you and I had had that." He responded, still rattled from her answer. Rory realized that he wasn't quite ready for her answer, even though he had asked the question anyway.
"I really loved you, Dean. I know it seems like I tossed you to the side so very quickly, but he came to town and left me quizzical after every conversation. He challenged me as a person. He gave me this unadulterated sentience I'd never felt before. It was all so fresh and new, and we weren't fresh anymore. We were stuck in a rut. I'm so sorry," She pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear and looked at her feet, "I'm so, so sorry, Dean."
"We could have moved passed that rut, Rory! All couples go through rough patches."
"Of course they do, but we were way passed the fixing point. I'm really sorry, but it had to end. It was going to with or without Jess."
"And he makes you happy?"
She just smiled and nodded.
Lorelai hugged her tightly as they stood by the bus stop. When mother and daughter parted, both had tears running down their faces.
"You're my favorite daughter. I love you very much. You know that. I just wish you wouldn't do this; It kinda screws up a good thing, Babes."
Rory knew this was her mother's last attempt at sanity, to get her to stay, even though she knew her attempts were obsolete. She wiped her mother's tears with her thumb and spoke. "Mom, I know you only want the best for me, but please, before I leave, could you be my best friend for a minute?"
The elder Gilmore smiled. "Of course, Thelma!"
"Wait, I thought I was Louise!" Rory questioned.
"Of course not, Silly Girl. As your mother, I'm obliged to say don't talk to strangers or run with scissors or don't move in with your bad-ass boyfriend, but as your friend, I want you to live life to the fullest. So, while you're in New York, have fun, enjoy your really expensive Ivy League education and your boyfriend, and most importantly, don't get pregnant!"
She smiled. Lorelai had actually referred to him as her boyfriend, and that alone was progress. "Pinky promise. So, I guess this is it." She saw the bus rounding the corner. "I'll call. Everyday. Three or four times a day. I'll visit all the time because Jess is bound to get on my nerves at one point or another. I love you, Mommy!" The hugged tightly again.
"You're moving in with a boy!" Lorelai exclaimed randomly.
"I know, and I don't think I can borrow his shoes!"
Both Gilmore girls laughed through flowing tears. Then, as Rory walked towards the bus, Lorelai yelled, "Don't forget to hang with bikers and lowlifes! Don't get drunk without me, and if you throw any wild ragers, I'm always up for a rave in NYC!"
"I love you too, Mom." And she did. Mostly, she was missing her already, jokes and all.
She dragged herself up the three flights of stairs of the building considering the elevator, according to Jess, had not run in three years. She put her key in the door and smiled — this felt like home, and she had never been more scared. She suddenly felt like William Miller in Jess' favorite movie. Like she was stuck on a tour bus singing Tiny Dancer with hung over rock star friends on the way to Cleveland from a random house in Topeka, Kansas, and all she wanted to do was go home, but Penny Lane leaned over to her and claimed that she was, in fact, home. And yes, she could hear her mother saying, "Jess Mariano has kidnaped my daughter!"
When she opened the door, the familiar sounds of Julie's Been Working for the Drug Squad hit her square in the face. She raised an eyebrow as she studied the room. She had been right. There was a party. Empty beer bottles and cups were laying everywhere. The empty keg had been turned over. She thought, no wonder he had to show them how to tap a keg that night at Kyle's. The couch had been turned over. Cigarette buts were stubbed everywhere, as if ashtrays did not exist, and this was only the beginning. She walked around the upside-down sofa and found not one warm body but four. Two she recognized as Jess and Rob. But two she didn't — one was a blonde guy and the other a redheaded girl, and they were sprawled on top of each other.
She got down on her knees and crawled to Jess, placing one arm on either side of him. She spoke ever so slightly. "Jess." She nudged his leg with her knee, and he didn't move. "Jess." This time she blew in his ear. He curled up into a tighter ball than he was already in. "Jess!" She spoke much louder. This time, she leaned over and started kissing his neck.
He then mumbled. "Go away. Girlfriend."
She smiled widely at this. "Jess, it's me. Rory."
He cracked his eye and plastered a soft grin on his face. "You're back." He finally whispered.
"Yeah," She paused a moment just to look at his rumpled clothes and tired features. "Some party, huh?"
"What party?" He was joking.
And she caught on. "I hate you."
He laughed. "Love you, too. It wasn't my idea. I came home to this last night."
She cocked her head and crossed her arms. "Uh-huh. Right. So, who are the two corpses in our floor, other than Rob?"
"Carter Smith." "Ana Merriman." Neither of them had realized that the other three had risen from the dead.
"So, this is the girlfriend?" Carter asked, obviously checking her out. He stopped and nodded positively. "She's hot."
"I think so." Jess stated. Rory rolled her eyes.
"Don't listen to him, Love. He's a total pig. It's lovely to meet you." Rory almost jumped when she heard the proper British accent come out of this gorgeous, flame-headed woman.
"Well, it's lovely to meet you both. Rob and I have already met."
He nodded to her presence and turned to Carter. "Dude, I told you she was hot."
"Yes, we've established that fact you idiots! She's not a Playboy centerfold you can just ogle." Ana exclaimed, ever the feminist.
Rob laughed and rolled his eyes. You could tell he had a juicy comeback. "You wish you had a Playboy centerfold to ogle!"
Carter knocked knuckles with him. "Nice!" Then he saw Rory looking puzzled and clarified. "She's gay."
Ana smiled when she saw Rory's eyebrows quirk. "Wha'! I'm not going to hit on you or anything!"
"That's debatable." Jess muttered, loudly just so she could hear.
"Fuck you!" As she yelled and cocked her hip, Rory realized she wasn't exactly the epitome of proper British culture.
"Been there, done that, and I wasn't woman enough for you!"
The guys erupted into deep laughter, and Rory just looked on curious. It seemed like an inside joke that everyone got except her, and Jess didn't want her to feel like a stranger.
"Rory, meet my ex-girlfriend! Ana was my first everything. Girlfriend, date, kiss. Not to mention the drunken evening when she took my virginity."
"And you act like it was such a bad thing! Most people wish they were drunk their first time."
After hearing the statement, Rory finally spoke, "I don't. Not in the slightest. In my dorm room and it was raining cats and dogs. It was very nice." She smirked and Jess caught it, matching it.
"And on that note," He began, trying to usher his three friends out of their apartment, "Get out!"
"But, Jess, we were just getting to know . . .," Carter whined before pausing and turning to Rory to get her name. When she stated her first and last names, he and Ana went wide-eyed. "No, freakin' way!" The two exclaimed simultaneously.
Rory smiled. Not only had Jess told Rob about her but the two of them as well. It was obvious to her that these three people were his best friends, and most likely some of the only few he trusted. She then thought back when Jess first came to Stars Hollow. She had no clue what or who he left behind in New York. Now, she had a slight glimpse.
Ana shook her head. "You are the Rory. Not as slutty as I expected, but hey, you read Ayn Rand so I'll give you kudos for that."
"That and the tartan kilt!" Rob joked.
She gave Jess the deer-in-headlights glare. "You told them about that?"
He nodded. "Well, you told them about my Chilton uniform. So, I can tell them about Luke pushing you into the lake or the swa . . ."
"You wouldn't dare!" He interrupted
"'Beaked' was the word wasn't it? You're just a regular Dylan Thomas."
Jess raised his eyebrows, forgetting the swan incident and focusing on her reference to the poet.
"Dirty." Rory chuckled. He had been around Lorelai way too long.
Rob, too, raised his eyebrows, "Dude, your Uncle pushed you into a lake?"
Jess nodded. "A long story. Quite boring. It involves money for a bridge and Pierpont."
"What the hell's a Pierpont?" Carter inquired.
Rory laughed out loud. "Trust me, you do not want to know!"
"Exactly. It's a long story that I don't have time to tell because the three of you are getting the hell out!" Jess plastered a sleazy grin on his face.
"But we wanted to show Rory around the city. You know, the local hot-spots!" Ana exclaimed, channeling Jess' reason for kicking them out and wanting to annoy him by just staying longer.
"Get out!"
The three of them looked at him with faux-anguish. Rory knew that Jess couldn't tolerate anyone who could not put up with or didn't a have little sarcasm. And watching him with these people, she knew that they were real. Jess would never open up that way around people in Stars Hollow. No, what she saw between the four of them was not toleration but a life-long bond.
"You can take me on a tour of the Big Apple tomorrow."
She saw Rob grimace. "Rory, first rule of the locals, never call it the Big Apple."
Rory's mind fell to the past once more. The day that she skipped school to visit him. They ate lunch at a hot dog stand. Took the subway to a underground record store where she found a signed copy of the Bangles' original album for her mother's perfect graduation present. And no matter how many times she apologized to her mother for screwing up and missing her graduation, inwardly, she regretted nothing. All the while, Jess just continued to glare at his friends.
"Fine," Carter threw his hands up in the air, "we can take a hint!"
With good-bye, the three left, planning to meet the couple the next day for lunch and a tour. Jess then smiled as he closed the door behind them. "We haven't been alone in over 24 hours."
She grinned back. "I know. You wanna do something about it?"
"First, how were Richard and Emily when I left?"
"You sure know how to ruin a moment don't you?'
"Just a simple question, Ror." He
"They aren't going to pay for anything anymore. They are officially cutting me off financially."
"Well, that just sucks." He replied, worried that his tone might sound too sarcastic and that she would take it harshly.
She didn't. "Yeah, you wanna help me forget about it for awhile?"
He just smiled and nodded.