Disclaimer: I don't own anyone you may recognize.
A/N: This is a sequel to a previous story called Jessie; constructive criticism is always welcome.
Thanks to Linz for everything, including keeping me from throwing out a good portion of this chapter.
xoxoxo
Chapter Eight
The brilliant red leaves gusted briskly down the street. Jess stood for a moment and watched, wishing she could be a leaf: no cares, no worries, just picked up and carried through life on the back of the wind. Like riding a horse.
There was a new chill to the air and she shivered involuntarily. The cold brick against her side was unforgiving but she huddled closer out of instinct. School had let out a little early that day and she didn't have to be at the diner for another thirty minutes. It was mid-November and she pulled her winter coat around her shoulders a little tighter.
Jess was watching the students walking home, tossing footballs and chatting. Sam had gotten detention in their English class that afternoon so she didn't have anyone to hang out with just then. With a wistful little sigh, she curved her lithe body closer to the brick wall of Stars Hollow High and wished again that she was just a little leaf, blowing around town.
Suddenly, from behind her came a voice dark and sweet like chocolate that murmured. "Hey, Red."
Stiffening, Jess prepared to spin around and give him a piece of her mind but before she could even take a breath he continued: "I haven't been able to think about any other girl since we saw you at the mall that day."
She couldn't breath, she couldn't turn around and she couldn't speak. Gripping her backpack's shoulder straps tighter and with wide eyes, she opened her mouth but found that there was nothing she could say. How do you respond when someone sneaks up behind you and tells you he can't think of anyone but you?
Tim. Zachary. Her mind reeled and she felt herself falling backwards. Too late she realized that it was Tim pulling gently on the arm of her coat, pressing her back against the cold brick wall, and then pressing himself against her.
His lips were cold at first but they grew warmer the longer they touched hers. One of his hands moved into the knot of hair at the base of her neck and the other took one of her hands and squeezed.
Just as Jess regained her equilibrium and started to kiss him back he pulled away and grinned at her. "Don't tell anyone!" he whispered before turning and leaving her in such a rush that she had to take several deep breaths before being able to push off from the wall and start walking toward the diner.
xoxox
The secret of Tim Zachary stayed with Jess all through her shift at the diner. She was so distracted that at one point, without thinking she stopped at Kirk's table and said, "What'll it be?"
When an answer didn't come she looked over her pad and met Kirk's gaze. "Things are gonna change, missy," he said. "You and me? It's gonna be different."
"You can't still be mad that I punched you. It was like eight years ago!"
"Don't tell me what I feel!" Kirk hissed. "I saw you today. Kissing!"
Jess's head snapped up and her eyes threw darts into his. "What did you say?" she hissed back.
"You heard me! So things are going to change. I want a little respect!"
"I would have given you respect years ago if you hadn't let me beat you up when I was only eight!"
"Luke! She's threatening me again!" Kirk called, terror in his voice.
Hooking a hand through her elbow, Luke calmly led her away and once in the kitchen asked, "Where the hell is your head today? You know I always handle Kirk's table when he's in."
"I know, I'm sorry – I wasn't thinking."
"Well start thinking or it's gonna to be a long night for both of us."
Jess nodded and hung her head, knowing he was right.
Deciding then and there to get it together and not give Tim Zachary or his wonderful lips another thought, she squared her shoulders and marched through the swinging doors to her customers.
xoxox
An hour later, Jess was delivering an armload of plates to a table of tourists when the familiar bells jingled and she heard Luke say, "By the window, guys." She looked up just in time to see Tim Zachary and three other boys head right for the empty four top near the windows to the right of the door. Something, perhaps her guilty conscience made her look at Kirk who was already staring at her with a look filled with significance.
Sending him a look of her own, eyes narrowed, impatience and ire fairly oozing out of her pores Jess passed Kirk's table and stood before Tim and his friends. She offered him a shy smile, hoping to convey her open adoration and complete forgiveness for his asking her to keep their kiss a secret. Tim was easily the most popular guy in school. Of course he wouldn't want undo attention, especially for her. He must know how badly she wanted to stay out of the limelight. What a dear, sweet boy he was to guess her feelings about wanting their secret love to stay a secret.
"Hey, Red," said Jackass, who's name was really Jack. Jess couldn't think of a single time when he'd been called Jack by anyone other than teachers or parents. Everyone knew him as Jackass. He was a Linebacker for the Stars Hollow football team and just as dumb as the stereotype required him to be.
Jess curled her lip at Jackass and said, "What can I get you," in a tone of voice that said, "God, you make me sick."
"We'll have a panty – oops! I mean a plate of fries," said Aaron, Tim's best friend.
"Is that all?"
The fourth boy at the table, another football player called Preston, said, "I'll have a shake your booty. Vanilla."
The look of disgust Jess gave them was coupled with the remark, "You guys are so pathetic."
Out of the corner of her eye she could see Kirk sending her intense, meaningful glances so she took a deep breath and said dismissively, "Is that it? Fries and a vanilla shake?"
"That's it," said Tim looking at her with those big blue eyes of his. Jess melted into a puddle on the ground before gathering herself together and saying, "Okay, then," as she walked away to put the order in.
Mrs. Tim Zachary. Mrs. Jess Zachary. Mrs. Jess Danes Zachary. Mrs. Jessica Elizabeth Danes Zachary. Perhaps life wasn't so bad after all.