After school, Rory waited outside near the main doors. Lane and Eric had already left. Lane lived closer to school than Rory, so Eric walked her home every afternoon. Sheena came walking out with her hands full of books.
"Wow, looks like you have a lot of homework tonight." Rory noted.
"Yes," Sheena answered. "I have, how do you say, catching up to do."
"Here, let me help." Rory took a couple of books from the stack.
Rory noticed all the books Sheena had were from the eleventh grade.
"Sheena, are you a junior?" Rory asked.
"No, I am a sophomore."
"Then how come you have all these higher level books?"
"I am taking the higher level classes." Sheena replied. "Well, I am taking higher classes in Math, Science, and Spanish. My other classes are tenth grade."
"I guess Belgium is more advanced than I initially thought." Rory answered.
They stepped onto the bus and into a seat. Rory, who was feeling more and more comfortable at asking the new girl questions, continued on.
"So, do you have the internet?" Rory asked.
"Yes." Sheena replied.
"Oh, what messenger do you have?"
"Messenger?" Sheena asked not understanding.
"Yeah, you know. It's a way of talking to people across the internet.
"I do not have one." Sheena concluded.
"You could download one." Suggested Rory. "It wouldn't take long. And it's free."
"I don't know how. I don't know if Sheila would allow me to, it is her computer."
"She probably won't mind. There's no harm in it, and you can talk to people without closing the phone lines."
Sheena thought for a moment about the idea. "Here." Sheena grabbed Rory's hand. She scribbled a number onto Rory's skin with her pen. "Call me this evening. If it's okay with Sheila you can tell me how to get a messenger."
Rory smiled. "Okay."
Rory glanced up and realized her stop was nearing.
"Well, I got to go, I'll call you later."
Rory hurried down the tiny bus hallway and to the front of the bus. She turned around right as the bus doors opened and glanced back at Sheena. She waved goodbye and stepped off the bus. Rory walked across the yard and was expecting her mother at any moment. When Lorelai didn't appear, Rory began to wonder where she could be. Trying to not become alarmed, Rory walked inside and closed the door.
"Mom?" Rory called throughout the house. "Are you home?"
After not receiving an answer, Rory went into her bedroom and turned on her computer. She was about to take off her jacket when she gasped.
"Oh, no!" She shouted as she placed her hands to the sides of her head. "I forgot to meet Mom!"
Rory quickly ran out of her room and out of the house. Five minutes later she was standing by Daisy's Department Store, panting. She opened the door and walked inside.
"Rory…" Lorelai said relieved. "Where have you been? You're 20 minutes late."
"I'm so sorry. I forgot." Rory replied breathlessly. "I ran over here as quickly I as could."
"Daisy has been waiting all this time to get your measurements."
"I know. I'm sorry." Rory repeated. "I'm sorry Daisy."
"It's okay sweetie." Daisy smiled. "Just come on back here and let's get you measured for that Chilton uniform.
(Luke's Diner)
"She's never late for anything."
"So, she forgot. It's not a big deal." Luke replied passing Lorelai a slice of pie.
"She never forgets either. She's more reliable than a calendar." Lorelai took a bite of the pie.
"She messed up one time." Luke stressed. "She's only human."
Lorelai took a sip of coffee. "She's been acting strange the last few days, Luke. Last night she was on the phone for an hour and a half."
Luke smirked. "She's sixteen."
"She wasn't talking to Lane." Lorelai added.
Luke raised an eyebrow. "Okay, now it is strange. Who was she talking to?"
Lorelai shrugged. "She didn't say."
"You don't think it's a boy, do you?"
"A boy?" Lorelai repeated in awe. "Wow, Luke, I don't know. I mean Rory's never dated anyone."
"Did she laugh and giggle a lot?" Luke asked.
"How would I know, I didn't sneak and listen to her conversation the whole time."
"So, a laugh or giggle every five minutes?"
"I'd say closer to every three minutes." Lorelai disputed.
"Yep, sounds like a guy." Luke said inhaling deeply.
"I don't know if I'm ready for a guy." Lorelai frowned. "I kind of never thought there would be a guy."
"She's getting older, now Lorelai."
"So, why hasn't she told me? I mean, we tell each other everything. Every breath we take every fart we make."
Luke's nose scrunched "That's too much info. All I know is he better not be some punk kid."
"I wouldn't let her go out with him if he's a punk." Lorelai replied.
"If he's a punk, there'll be no him to go out with by the time I get done."
"Calm it down, mister." Lorelai playfully scolded. "You're way too protective."
"Well, I like to look out for her" Luke protested. "And this may sound funny, but ever since you and I started dating a couple of months ago, I kind of feel like her dad, you know?"
"I know." Lorelai smiled. "You'd make a good father." She received a smile in return. "Well, I'd better get going. I'll see you later tonight." She leaned over the counter and gently kissed Luke. "Bye."
"See ya." Luke smiled.