A/n: Thanks to the reviewers! Especially Jessalyn-Laine for the advice. Actually, I had the first chapter already done, but once I wrote the prologue, I had to rewrite the first chapter. It was just easier to post something short first, rather than nothing at all. Anyway, here's the next chapter. )

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Rory sat at her laptop, fingers poised at the keyboard. She had been trying to come up with a good transition for her history paper for nearly ten minutes, and she had yet to do so. Not to mention, the mouthwatering scents coming from the kitchen weren't helping her concentration. Whatever Sookie was cooking, it was going to be delicious.

Trying to focus on her work, Rory tucked a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear and began sifting through the papers on her desk, looking for anything to help her with her assignment. But, fortunately, her mother's voice interrupted her.

"Rory, they're here," she heard Lorelai call.

"Coming," Rory replied.

Taking one last look at her incomplete paper, she felt rather than heard someone come into her room. When she turned around to see who it was, she—

Whoa.

Standing in her doorway, was one of the most – perhaps the most gorgeous person she'd ever seen. One glance at his dark eyes, gelled hair, and casual clothes told Rory he didn't give a damn about anyone he was meeting that night. In face, he probably wouldn't remember her name by the time he left.

"Hey," she said cheerfully, flashing a friendly smile.

"Hey."

"I'm Rory."

"Yeah, I figured." Wait, he figured? How could he already know about her? Well, of course, this was Stars Hollow. Rory could have smacked herself for being so dumb. Instead, she tried to keep the conversation going.

"Nice to meet you."

Silence. Great. He definitely wasn't what Rory was hoping for. Well, she wasn't hoping for anything, of course. She had Dean. She was just – imagining someone more…talkative.

"Wow, aren't we hooked on phonics?"

"Oh, I read a lot. Do you read?" Rory asked hopefully.

"Not much."

Strike two.

Rory watched as he ran his finger along the different volumes, and finally selected…Howl? Why would he pick something as advanced as Howl? She was almost positive she had The Cat in the Hat wedged between two Jane Austen novels; he should've picked up that.

"I could loan you that if you want. It's great." Rory made a mental note to slap herself again, later. He just said he didn't read much. Jess shook his head and placed the book on her desk.

"No, thanks."

She left the offer up in the air, although she knew full well he wouldn't change his mind.

When Rory was interrupted again by Lorelai, this time to announce a relocation of dinner, Jess moved towards the window, already thinking up an escape plan.

"So, do these open?" he asked, after Lorelai had gone.

Completely unaware of what Jess was thinking, Rory responded, "Oh yeah, you just have to unlatch them and then push."

"Great. Shall we?"

"Shall we what?"

"Bail."

Strike three.

Rory couldn't believe him. After all everybody went through to make him feel welcome, he just wanted to leave. And he even caused a fight between Lorelai and Luke. Rory didn't hear all of it, but she did catch phrases like "Breakfast Club audition", "condescending", and "beer". The last thing Rory needed was her mom and Luke to be arguing. As if the split with Max wasn't bad enough.

"$3.97," the cashier said, bringing Rory out of her thoughts. She handed the woman a five dollar bill, collected her change and her bag, and headed outside.

"Hey," she heard a familiar voice call. She looked up.

Oh. Great.

She tried to be nice.

"Hey yourself." She certainly hoped he would interpret that as, "Go away, you ignorant pig," but she didn't think that was likely.

"What are you doing out here?"

What do you care?

"I needed something for school. What about you?"

Oh wait, let me guess. You were getting the same thing, right?

"Oh yeah, same thing."

Uh-huh.

"Uh-huh. So, that was quite a disappearing act you pulled the other night."

"Potlucks and Tupperware parties aren't really my thing."

And what is your thing, Jess?...Actually, never mind, I don't want to know.

"Too cool for school, huh?"

"Yes, that is me."

"What are you doing?"

"Oh, this? Nothing…Just another little disappearing act."

Please, God, don't pull that out of my ear…I should probably tell you that.

"Little tip?"

"Yeah?"

"If you ever want to speak to me again, don't pull that out of my ear."

"So, I assume the nose is off limits, too?"

Gee, you sure catch on fast.

"Any place you wouldn't naturally find a coin, let's leave it that way."

And never try to saw my body in half, either.

"So, what are you doing now?"

"I have some homework to finish."

"Okay. Then I'll leave you this last little trick."

A book? Howl? Hello, I told you I'd give mine to you.

"You bought a copy? I told you I'd lend you mine."

"It is yours."

"You stole my book."

And that's a statement, not a question.

"Nope, borrowed it."

Ugh! You stealing, lying—you stole my book!

"Okay, that's not called a trick, that's called a felony."

"I just wanted to put some notes in the margins for you."

What?

"What?"

Oh my God…you read. You read

"You've read this before."

"About forty times."

Forty! You can count that high?

"I thought you said you didn't read much."

"Well, what is much?"

Holy crap. You…you…

"Good night, Rory."

"Good night, Dodger."

Ha! Bet you don't know that one!

"Dodger?"

"Figure it out."

Okay, good. Now walk away, before he—

"Oliver Twist."

Huh.

A/N: Well, that's about it for this chapter! A few more points I want to make: everything up to Nick & Nora/Sid & Nancy is going to be the same, but after that, everything is different. Just wanted to let you know I'm not going to be copying dialogue from every episode. And also, I'm probably only going to put A/N's at the end of each chapter. I feel like notes at the beginning ruin the flow of the story. So, that's it! Reviews are love )