Don't Panic - Chapter 6
I looked at the slip of paper that I had written his address on and knocked on the apartment's door. I heard some scurrying and the door opened. Jess ushered me in mumbling something about it being cold. His apartment was clean and surprisingly big. It wasn't a penthouse or anything but it was decent sized. I had been expecting a closet.
I dropped my bag on the floor and walked over to the couch. Without thinking I laid down and sighed. He stood in the doorway and smiled. Clearly at my very rude action. It was amusing him. Seeing me skip all my skittish apprehension.
He laughed lightly. Closing the door behind him. I was alone with Jess, really truly alone Jess. I had never been truly alone with Jess before. Luke's 10 minute policy. My mom's "casual" walking ins every 10 and half minutes. One time Jess stuck his hand up my shirt right at the 10 minute mark just to annoy her. It would have, had I not been so shocked I choked and fell off the couch. That just made Lorelai laugh.
"Well you don't waste anytime with polite formalities." He smiled leaning against the doorframe.
"Bad week." I sighed again, less dramatically this time and closed my eyes. He came over and sat at my feet.
"You didn't have to come you know." It was barely even a whisper. He didn't want to give me a reason to leave.
"Oh see, that's where you're wrong my friend." I announced dramatically. "I did." I peaked my eyes open and smiled. He needed to know that I wanted to come.
"And why may I ask is that?" He asked seriously. It was miraculous how different this was from our last meeting. It had been less then five minutes and there had yet to be an awkward silence or conversation about weather.
"A million reasons."
"Name one."
"I broke up with Logan." That wasn't what I wanted to say. I wanted to say because I finished my community service. I wanted to say because I needed to escape the knowing eyes of Stars Hollow. I wanted to say because I had no where else to go. I wanted to know if he still hated me. I wanted to know if I still loved him. I wanted to know if things could be different.
It was silent for a moment.
"I'm sorry." he said awkwardly.
"I'm not." I snapped. "It was the right thing to do."
"Well then… you're a regular Mother Teresa." He clearly had no idea what to say or how to say it.
"Do you have any idea who Mother Teresa is?" I asked him.
"Hey, I was your literate boyfriend thank you." He mumbled the word boyfriend, trying to lessen the blow of the word. Trying to avoid the topics that could be brought up. Trying to avoid the things we had to say. He changed the subject after a brief silence,
"You hungry?"
"Nope."
"You're a Gilmore. You're always hungry."
"You're right. I just don't feel like eating."
"OK." He said lamely.
We sat in silence for awhile.
"We could go get some ice cream." I said quietly. "Only if there are cones and sprinkles. Cups and hot fudge are simply unacceptable."
"Well, you're in luck, I happen to have an assortment of ice cream flavors and toppings right over there." He motioned over to the kitchenette.
"Chocolate?"
"Yes." He nodded.
"Vanilla?"
He nodded again.
"Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough?"
"Of course."
"What brand sprinkles?"
"You know them by brand?"
"As a matter of fact – I do." I crossed my arms to make the point.
"Uh, their multicolored."
"That was helpful." I scoffed.
"It was accurate."
"But not helpful."
"I'm sorry, I will get up and I will read you the label – how do you feel about that?"
"I feel like that is a solid plan of action." I stated matter of factly as I went over to the TV. "Oh my god – Almost Famous? Shouldn't you have grown out of this by now?"
"Cake-Mate? Do we approve of Cake-Mate sprinkles?"
"You're avoiding my question."
"It will only result in you mocking me so I don't see the point. Back to the sprinkles – do you like Cake-Mate sprinkles?" He said shaking the container at me.
"Why do you own so much ice cream? And sprinkles. Sprinkles aren't they kind of… I don't know… they seem a little queer eye for you." It was more of a statement then a question. I walked over to him and took the sprinkles from him.
"Your reference was crap Gilmore." He said taking the sprinkles back.
"Yes, well my banter skills are completely dependent on caffeine and sugar; I've been deprived of both today." I said, again taking the sprinkles from him.
"Poor baby." He said, and for some unknown reason we continued our battle over who had possession of the sprinkle jar. Only this time when he grabbed – I didn't let go.
"Give me the sprinkles." I giggled when he said sprinkles. Which only seemed to provoke him, he tugged a little harder. Which prompted me to hold on to it a little tighter. It was foolish and childish. But it wasn't about the sprinkles.
Because had it been about the sprinkles there would have been no explanation for why the sprinkles were on the floor of the kitchen and I was pinned beneath him on the couch. Breathing heavily. But it wasn't about the sprinkles. It was about chemistry. Love and hate and passion. It was about the things we weren't saying.
I let my body relax as Jess stood up. "Well that happened sooner then I expected." He said as he pulled the ice cream out of the freezer. My head was spinning.
"Do you still hate me?" I asked when I finally stood up. This was the difference between Adult Rory and Teenage Rory – the former had the guts to ask such a question.
He handed me an ice cream cone with sprinkles, "To be honest, I don't know." That was the difference between Adult Jess and Teenage Jess – the latter would have just shut me up with a kiss.
I hated myself for it, but right then I would have chosen the kiss over his honesty.
Oh the drama of Rory and Jess. sigh R&R I wanna know what you all think.