Rory was being half dragged across the street by a hyperactive and way too chirpy Lorelei. It was 10 minutes to 6 in the morning and Rory was lifeless, mumbling irrationally in a cranky "it's way too early" morning voice. However, Lorelei had had a substantial supply of coffee already, and was completely psyched for the dancing to begin!
"Why are you so heartless…you bloodsucking fiend!" Babbled Rory, as she leant on her mom's shoulder as they walked across the road.
"Hey, I'm no bloodsucker! You're the one wincing from the sunrise!"
"Mom, there is no sunrise yet, it's completely dark… it's practically the middle of the night…"
" You know sweetie, you're incredibly lucky that I'm choosing to ignore your negative and thus hurtful remarks, and am putting it down to extreme caffeine withdrawal."
"Oh mom, I need coffee!" Rory wailed.
"I know Hon," Lorelei replied, patting Rory on the head.
When they entered the gymnasium they found that the majority of the dancers were already there, bustling about noisily, as the band were tuning up.
"No!" Cried Lorelei, and then she turned to her daughter, "This is your fault, you…you…late thing…this is a catastrophe… I mean, I had it all planned…so we would get the best dancing spot…right next to the toilets and the coffee stall…but now…"
Rory had already run off in search of some coffee and Lorelei was left crying out in despair to herself, when Kirk waltzed over to her (literally) with his partner.
"Lorelei, just out of pure curiosity, why do you drag yourself back here, year after year after year, to lose again, and again and again…"
"Poor, simple minded, unfortunate Kirk…you have absolutely no idea who you are dealing with…"
"Mom!" Rory whined, "The annoying lady won't serve me coffee because she says it's "improper" for young girls, and I can't find Luke and his illegal supply anywhere!"
Lorelei ignored Rory, but grabbed her arm and held it up in the air, triumphantly pronouncing, "For the next 24 hours Kirk, you fall prey to the Gilmore Girls!"
"Stay away from me woman," Rory responded irritably as she pulled away and scampered away, eagerly looking for another coffee stall.
Jess' POV
Please God, why am I here?
This atmosphere is draining and Luke doesn't have any right to tell me what to do…
Screw this I'm getting out of here…
Jess prised his head from off his table and looked around. So far his sullen glares and scowling had deflected any possible customers from going near him. The only person he'd had hassling him, was Luke, and that wasn't for coffee. Luke claimed to be mad with him for being hostile, but Jess knew that there were other things on Luke's mind…
He was actually nervous about dancing with Lorelei! It is so pathetic to see a grown man too scared to just admit how he feels about someone…hey wait a minute…Jess thought, as he got up to walk out.
But something had caught Jess' eye, and he was briefly thoughtless, as he slowly sank back into his chair.
Jess' POV
There she is…
Her passion red dress only thinly coats her, like a chocolate encased in a golden wrapper, revealing her lithe body beneath it. Her slight and delicate figure is emphasised, her curves noticeable, and yet some things have been left to the imagination…my imagination.
I can't seem to draw my eyes away, as the skirt flutters about her, exposing her thighs.
Suddenly staying here doesn't seem to be such a boring and pointless thing…as long as I can watch her…
Oh God!
I can't move…
I can't breathe…
She's seen me, and she's coming over…
What can I say to her without finding myself giving in to her…taking over where I'm not wanted?
Rory walked steadily up to where Jess was sat. The lump in her throat was rising, as well as the drumming in her chest…
Jess tried to control his expression to one of calm and indifference, and he shivered as he fought back his unrelenting desire to pour out all his feelings for her.
Rory found herself sweating slightly, and her eyes watered with the intensity that had trapped her. Had he trapped her? Or was she trapping him?
Jess breathed slowly in and out, suppressing the memories of last night as they came flooding back. Why? I mean, we only held hands…how could that one physical act, cause all these emotions and frustrations.
They were both completely blown away, by the sheer power and aggression of their feelings for each other. It was two much for them to handle…it was burning away at them, as the sudden realisation of guilt hit them, as they became aware of what they wanted to do…and why shouldn't do it.
Jess' POV
Look at her, with her wide unknowing blue eyes, you can't do this to her…and you know it.
Rory was right there now… standing right in front of Jess, staring at him, imploring him with her eyes.
And Jess tormented himself with what to say to this beautiful girl…with her swept chestnut brown hair framing a piquant and angelic face…this girl that he loved. He had admitted it to himself. Love.
Rory's POV
Why won't he say anything?
He always has to make things hard and messed up.
I can tell by his face that he's fighting himself…everything he feels…he doesn't want to feel…and that hurts so much because I feel so much… for God's sake I love him.
And still, life goes on around us, completely unaware of our restraint and furious battles of conscious.
I can't deal with this…he doesn't want to love me…
It is so much easier for us to argue…to make things worse…to be mean…
"What's your problem?" Rory demanded, her voice raised angrily.
"My problem!" Jess yelled, "You're the one running around like a complete psycho, shooting dagger eyes at me!"
"You don't have any right to just turn up here, unwanted, and sit there intimidating people!"
"Hey I'm just minding my own business, trying to do Luke a favour…
"No you're not! You're here to harass me, to make me feel paranoid…to mess me about…to use Shane to get to me…"
Jess couldn't believe what he was hearing. It was like Rory was stabbing him with threats and accusations that he couldn't defend in any way, because they were all partly true. He was vulnerable…and that helplessness made him incensed with rage…
"Oh how modest of you to think that everything that I do in my life is about you! Listen here Rory, stay out of my life and my relationships…oh, and while you're at it, sort out your own love life as well…because from where I'm standng, it seems to need some attention!"
"For your information, me and Dean are extremely "sorted out" and he will be coming here later to support me, because that is the kind of loving and caring person he is!"
"You know Rory, words just can't describe how happy I am for you!" Jess spat, dripping with sarcasm.
"Good."
"Great."
They were both panting now and they looked away from each other. A bitter and regretful silence spread between the two, like a sorrowful battleground after a blood soaked war.
"Coffee?" Jess asked expressionlessly.
"Yep."
Jess handed a paper cup of coffee to Rory.
"Thanks." Rory turned and walked away.
Rory's POV
Way to go Rory…now you've completely…
Jess' POV
…screwed things up.