Disclaimer: See prologue page.
Chapter 3: Coming Out Right
Rory had come home that night, smiling, but wouldn't spill to Shelly until the next morning as they sat at the table eating ice cream for breakfast.
Rory took Shelly through every step of the night. She left out the parts Shelly already knew about Dean, and added in the details about Tristan. After she'd finished, though, Shelly was shocked.
"Wow," Shelly stated, putting her spoon into the ice cream carton. "That sounds so much like how Jordan and I got together."
Rory smiled triumphantly. "I was so proud of myself for not running away."
"Or thanking him," Shelly added.
Rory nearly choked on her ice cream as she started laughing. "Shelly!"
"Sorry," Shelly responded. "That was so weird that you thanked him."
Rory smiled back to her first kiss with Dean. Although so much bad had happened with him, so many memories were made with him, too.
"So," Shelly began.
"So," Rory mocked.
"Funny," Shelly deadpanned.
"I know," Rory replied. "Back to your first subject, though."
"What would you say if I told you someone came to visit?" Shelly asked.
Rory eyed her sister cautiously. "Who's here?"
"His name rhymes with Tess," she replied, putting her spoon in the sink and the ice cream in the freezer. "He may be standing in the driveway."
Rory looked at her sister. "Jess?"
She ran out the front door before Shelly could respond.
Jess was standing in the driveway when he saw Rory running out the front door to him.
"Jess!" she squealed, jumping into his arms. "Best friend!"
Jess pulled Rory into a tight hug. "Hey, pal."
Rory smiled. "What in God's holy name are you doing here?"
"I heard you were here for the summer sans your father," he replied. "I figured I'd drop in to see you."
Rory backed up from him, examining his face. "You don't look different."
"You cut your hair," he said.
"It was just a trim," Rory replied. "Does it look bad?"
Jess pretended to contemplate her question, then grinned. "It looks good."
"How's home?" Rory asked. "Does everyone miss me?"
"Yes," Jess stated. "Luke really does. He actually told me the other day he wished you and Lorelai would come in and bug him for coffee."
Rory smiled. "Aw… how cute. Lukie and Jessie miss us."
"Call me Jessie again and you won't like me," Jess mumbled.
Rory put her arm around Jess, leading him into the house. "Jessie Wessie."
Jess sighed. "Only God knows why you and I are friends."
"I'm an irresistible staple of your life," Rory said. "I give you stability and innocence in a world of chaos and corruption."
"Thank you, Dr. Phil," Jess responded, putting his arm around Rory as they walked into the house.
"So, what do you want to do first?" Rory asked. "There's not a lot to do around here, but there's some."
Jess shrugged. "I don't know."
Rory looked out the window as she curled herself into a ball. "There's a pool here."
"I want to meet Tristan," Jess stated.
"Random," Rory said.
"I have to approve of him first," Jess responded.
"I like him," Rory offered. "Does that count?"
"You also like Ayn Rand," Jess replied. "Nut case."
"You like Hemingway," Rory retorted. "Womanizer."
"I want to meet Tristan," Jess repeated.
"You can meet him when he gets here for lunch," Rory said. "I think you'll like him."
"Is he good to you?" Jess asked.
"We just kissed last night," Rory responded. "We just met yesterday."
"Is he polite?" Jess asked.
"Yes," Rory stated firmly. "Very polite."
Jess nodded, sitting up against the window. "Good."
Tristan and Jordan walked up the driveway, preparing themselves for lunch. Tristan had told Jordan about the events that had taken place the night before and Jordan had smiled as though he'd known this would happen.
Tristan saw Rory sitting on the porch with some guy and his heart dropped. He'd hoped that their kiss had made them a couple, but that obviously was a fallacy.
Rory stood up and smiled as she walked over to Tristan. He was confused. He didn't know what was going on.
Rory hugged Tristan. "Hey."
He hugged her back. "Hey."
"There's someone I want you to meet," she said.
"Who?" Tristan asked, following Rory.
"Jess," Rory responded.
Tristan felt the weight drop off of his heart. Their kiss had meant something. He knew it had because she had his hand.
What she didn't know was that she had his heart, too.
A/N: Yes, I know, it was short, but I wanted to get something. Next chapter will be longer and we'll get to see the meeting of Tristan and Jess (which is going to be interesting). Okay, until next time!