Disclaimer: Yes, it was I who made Rory turn Jess down and sleep with Dean... Eww! No, Amy S.P. can keep it! It's all hers anyways...
A/N So sorry it took me so long to update this but I rewrote this because I got an inspiring review from Knowhere that made me want to redo it. So, I didn't get a big response from the last chapter, but I got over 100 reviews! Yay for me! So thank you to those who did review, and I'm sorry I don't know who the hundreth reviewer was... I don't know where I'm going to take this story. I have some ideas in mind but I don't know if you'll like them so please give me some ideas! I don't want to be an author who gives up on their stories or takes two years to update, (no offense to those who've done that. Writer's block sucks!) and I want to be able to finish this sometime this summer or fall. Really depends on how long I make this. Please give up some ideas and take the time to review. So on with the story!
Rory, Lane and Jess were walking through town. Rory and Lane hadn't been together as much because of school, boyfriends, work and bible study but did call each other as often as they could. It worked out great since Mrs. Kim started going to a new bible study group from eight to ten which left the house empty and the phone line free.
Lane could talk to Jess and didn't feel like third wheel when she was with both of them. She was definitely impressed that he could hold his own in a conversation about music. They disagreed on certain things but she had alot of fun discusing it with him since she and Rory liked all the same music. But they weren't so close that they'd be considered great friends. In school they'd wave or at least acknowledge the other. Lane could really see how compatible Rory and Jess were. From books to music to movies she knew that Rory could see more in Jess than she could ever see in Dean. Lane hadn't hated Dean and they were nice to each other but Rory and Dean didn't clik. Dean was the nice all American boyfriend which most mothers would love but they didn't have anything in common. And Dean was so... boring. Just two dementional, good guy to jealous prick and back. She knew that Jess had layers which made him interesting but his good looks and bad ass attitude made him irresistable. Lane had decided to give him the stamp of approval.
Jess could stand Lane. She was one of the more real people in this town. When he first met her he thought she was just some extremely peppy girl but as he hung out with her and Rory more she seemed different. Perfect for this town but if need be she could be fierce. He thought it weird when he found that she was hiding her real persona from her mom but once he met Mrs. Kim, that was all the reasoning he needed. But he still envied her, not that he'd tell anyone that. At least her mom cared about her enough to make up what seem like stupid rules to most to keep her safe. Lizzie had never done that. Once he had fallen into the bad crowd and she'd found out about it, you could only imagine her reaction.
He noticed that Lane and Rory were like each other in alot of ways but he saw the differences and why they could be as close as they were. He hadn't really ever had real friends. The ones that wouldn't bail on you when something went wrong or you got caught doin' something. He didn't want to be part of the reason that Rory lost someone like that so he didn't mind hangin with Lane once in a while.
"I'd better go before Mama sees me hangin with Jess." Lane told them stopping in front of the diner.
"Because she loves me so much." Jess said sarcastically.
"She hates all American boys that talk to me. And it's not like you made such a great first impresion."
"One, I'm part Italian so that's gotta count for something and two, sarcasm is a foreign language to your mother." Jess defended.
"You told her that us doing homework was just a cover for us to makeout." Lane said pointedly.
"Jess! Now she'll hate me even more for dating you! Thankyou." Rory said hitting his arm playfully. Mrs. Kim never came out right and said she hated her but she could feel it in the way she looked at Rory.
"At least you're not alone in being hated by Mrs. Kim." Jess said wrpping his arms around Rory.
"I have a feeling your going to get really sickening so I'll see you later." She waved at them and turned to go home.
"I like Lane." Jess told Rory.
"In a way I should be worried or as friends."
"I'm sorry Rory, but my true feelings are for Lane." Jess said, sarcasm dripping from the sentence. "No, really. She's one of the more real people in this town. And not bad taste in music."
"Well, I'm glad. that you guys get along so well. It'd suck if you guys hated each other'cause then it'd be hard to hang out with both of you at the same time." Rory said just a Luke opened the door.
"Are you guys going to come in and help me or stay out here talking?"
"Stay."
"Then you lose your pay for today and you can't go out Saturday. And no coffee for you, Rory."
Rory gasped. "You wouldn't."
"Wouldn't I?"
"Come on Jess. If I don't get my coffee I won't be happy and if I'm not happy, neither are you." Rory told him. Luke smirked and went back inside with Rory and Jess in tow. Rory walked behind the counter to get the coffee pot and looked around to see if anyone needed a refill and her eyes landed on Dean who was reading a book with a pen in hand. She had to bite her tounge to keep herself from laughing. She beckoned Jess over who was standing at the register waiting for a customer to finish. He walked over to her and looked to where she pointed and a smirk formed on his face. He was about to go over there but Rory motioned that she would go instead. She walked over to his table refilled his coffee tried to read the cover of the book but couldn't see. "What book is that?" She wanted to know which book he was reading and whether or not he would really read the book or he wanted to impress her.
"Anna Karenina." He knew that was one of her favorite books, he was trying to impress her.
"Huh." She was trying to see if she could annoy him by speaking like Jess.
"Why?" He was hoping that his plan was working, if she'd forgive him and realize that they had things in common. Even if he had to read every damn book he could get his hands on to prove that.
"No reason. And the pencil is for?" She knew he was trying to be like Jess and write notes in the margins but he wasn't smart enough to have the insight that could even compare to that of Jess.
"Notes." He said as if it was obvious.
"Huh. School?"
"No reason. Just felt like reading something." He shrugged and she nodded and went to refill someone else's coffee before she pointed out that he hated reading and if he did read it was comic books, with lots of pictures.
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"Dean was reading a book?" Lane asked Rory over the phone. They were telling each other about their days after Lane went home. And talking about boy problems.
"Anna Karenina. And he was writing notes in the margins." Rory said as if it was one of the most bizzar things. Whenever Rory wanted Dean read a book he complained. He hated reading anything if it wasn't for school or a comic book. He didn't even want to read Lord of the Rings books. They were too long for him. He never wanted to do something of interest to both of them. Which was another reason they hadn't worked out. They were too different to be perfect for each other as everyone else put it.
"If you ask me, he's trying to be more like Jess so you'll go back to him. He wants to impress you, cause let's face it, he's not over you."
"I know, and I feel bad that he's trying so hard. I mean, I may never forgive him for what he said but this is just getting out of hand. Do you think I should talk to him?"
"Yeah, you need to talk to him. Explain why you can't work out and why you don't want to try. Maybe you can still be friends?"
"I don't think so Lane. We were friends before and it'll just be the same. I think it's best if we go our seperate ways and go on with our own lives." Beat. "Enough about my love life, I wana hear about yours." Lane hadn't shared much with Rory so she was really interested.
"Well I don't know. I mean Henry is nice and smart and fun, but there's something missing you know? Like we don't clik. And I thought haing a boyfriend would be great." Lane said sadly. She and Henry had gone out a couple times and went through that sickening faze of 'you hang up first' 'no you' and 'you're the best' 'no you are' but she hadn't really felt anything. Some butterflies but thoses went away after the second date and they couldn't really relate. She was the punk princess in disguse and he was the future big shot doctor. Two different people who didn't have the chemistry to be more.
Rory felt bad for Lane. She was so happy that she and Henry could date without sneeking around but now she sounded like Rory had at the end of the DeanandRory era as Lorelai had put it. But maybe it was the prospect that Henry was a part of Lane's life that she didn't have to hide. "Lane, your first boyfriend isn't always going to be great. It's not the title of 'fisrt boyfriend' that makes the realtionship great, it's the people in the relationship. You're going to date some peoplemaybe once or twice and realize he's not the guy for you. And eventualy you'll find the guy you want to spend the rest of your life with."
"How will I know he''s the guy for me though?"
"You'll just know. The butterflies won't go away and your heart will always race faster. His kisses will make your blood freeze. He'll make you feel like no one else ever could if they tried and he'll make you feel safe when you're in his arms."
"You love Jess!" Lane squeeled momentarily forgetting about her love problems. "When are you going to tell him?"
"I'm not. At least not yet. It's too soon. We've only been together for a little less than three months Lane... And what if he doesn't feel the same? I know it'd be hard for him to say it, but what if it's not that he can't, it's that he doesn't want to?"
"That boy is crazy about you. The way he looks at you and how he holds you. You've found something most people go throughout their lives looking for. Hold onto him." That's when Lane decided that she wasn't going to lead Henry on, she was going to break up with him.
"You really think so?"
"I really do." Lane said confidently.
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It was Friday again so Rory and Lorelai were standing outside arguing over who should ring the door bell yet again. "I rang it last week, mom!"
"So? Ring it again." Lorelai persisted adding a pout and puppy dog eyes.
"I'll keep the coffee away from you at Luke's." Rory said unfazed by the face her mother had on.
"Evil child. You've been spending too much time with Luke." Lorelai said as Emily answered the door.
"What are you two doing out here? Come inside. Dinner is ready." Emily said tiredly. The new cook had prepared dinner early and now it was getting cold. She was getting sick of having new maids and cooks in and out of her house, mansion, every week. More so everyone teasing her about not being able to keep them longer than a month.
"Hello to you too, mom. We're doing fine how 'bout yourself?" Lorelai said sarcastically as they took off their coats and made their way into the dining room.
"Hi, grandma. Where's grandpa?"
"Still in his study. Richard! The girls are here!" Richard had been in his study all day only coming out to eat and use the restroom the back to the study and frankly Emily hated it. She wanted to see her husband more than at meals.
Richard came into the room a few minutes later and sat down at the head of the table. "Hello, Rory. Lorelai." He said politely before filling his plate.
"So Rory, how's school?" Emily asked
"School is fine. I got an A on my math test yesterday."
"That's wonderful. Most people have problems with math now'a days. But not the Gilmores. Or some." Rochard started proudly then looked pointedly at Lorelai briefly.
"Math is hard. I don't like math. It's actually evil, one day math is going to turn against us all and lead to the distruction of the Earth. Besides, not all people are geniouses like Rory, here." Lorelai said.
"One, math is not evil and two, I'm not a genious." Rory said. Emily and RIchard knew Lorelai enough to stop questioning her theories because they often led to headaches.
"How's the inn Lorelai?" Richard asked changing the subject."
"Fine."
"And how is Jess Rory? We're still sorry we didn't get the chance to meet him."
"He's fine." Rory said with a slight smile. Just hearing his name made the butterflies move a little.
"So why have you been spending so much time with Luke?" Emily had heard Lorelai comment on that earlier and now she was curious.
"Huh?" Rory asked somewhat confused. Emily and Richard didn't know that she worked in the diner. SHe hadn't wanted to get into an argument and that was going fine until just a second ago.
"Your mother said you were spending alot of time with Luke. I'm just inquiring as to why." Emily said simply. Why would Rory be hanging around the guy who was in love with her mother? There had to be a logical explaination.
"I, um, I'm working in the diner now." Rory said nervously. She was anticipating an eruption any moment.
"You're what!" Emily asked clearly outraged. Why would her granddaughter be working, in a diner no less?
"I'm working in the diner after school and weekends."
"But why?" Rory really didn't feel like telling her grandparents it was the only way Jess would escort her. That wouldn't be a great first impression. "If it's the money we can help isn't that right Richard?"
"We don't need the money. I'm just learning, um, work ethic and making some extra money for books. It makes me, um, feel like I've earned what I enjoy." Rory told her grandparents. Emily still had a look of distaste and Richard a sense of pride. His granddaughter was learning something important that most people didn't learn until out of college.
"Well good for you, Rory. I'm glad you've decided to work for the things you want. It's a mean world out there and things aren't going to be handed to you on a silver platter unless you work for them." Right then a maid brought in the desserts on a silver platter. "Not including food, that is." Richard said with a small smile.
"Rory, if you wanted a job you could have come to your grandfather, he could have given you some position." Emily pushed.
"But I don't want to come to you for every little thing. You're already paying for Chilton, I didn't feel it was that important. Besides, it's in Stars Hollow and I go there after school anyway. I also get to spend more time with Jess and Mom since she always comes for coffee." Rory said a smile forming on her lips as she thought of reading with Jess.
"Well, I for one am proud of Rory. She's been working hard, attending to my every need. And the diner patrons." Lorelai said.
"Like I don't do that at home." Rory scoffed playfully. She shared a knowing look with Lorelai.
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"Hi Dean." Rory said nervously over the phone. She called Dean so that she could explain once and for all why she didnt want to be with him.
"Rory?" He said slightly confused. Maybe his plan was working and she was calling to tell him she broke up with Jess for him? Or bad news like she was dying from something caused by all that coffe she drinks? He really hoped it wasn't the latter...
"Um, yeah. Can you meet me at. um, the basketball courts at the high school?" She wanted to talk to him where he wouldn't be able to make a scene but not one of her and Jess' spots like the bridge.
She had talked to her mom and Jess and they both agreed that she should clear the air with Dean. Jess said he was getting sick of Dean staring at him, it was starting to get a bit creepy. But truly he was sick of the effect this was having on Rory. She didn't like confrentaion or have anyone n the town hate her since she would run into them alot, fate didn't always agree with her. Jess insisted she be somewhere he could keep an eye on Dean, so he would just happen to be practicing his basketball that day.
"Sure. Be there in ten minutes." Dean smiled.'My plan is working. Rory and I will finally be together...' Dean thought to himself.
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Rory was sitting on the bleachers watching Jess shooting hoops and making every one. He wasn't one for team sports and wasn't going to be trying out for the team, but it was a way getting his mind off things anddoing something at the same time. He had been playing since he was ten. When he wanted to leave the apartment and it was too dark to read, he'd play at the playgrounds, anything to escape Liz's boyfriends.
As Dean approached the basketball courts he saw Rory sitting on the bleachers watching someone play, he couldn't tell who it was. But as he got closer he realised that it was Jess. 'WHat is he doing here? Maybe Rory is going to break up with him right now and then leave with me... yeah, that's. Why else would she want me to meet her?' He had no clue of what was really going to happen. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.
"Hey Rory." He said as he walked up to her from behind.
"Oh. Dean. Hi." Rory didn't notice him. She was too deep in her thoughts about what to say to him. That and watching Jess play. She was kind of worried at first about what would happen and what his reaction would be, but felt a bit better when she saw that Jess was there as promised. "Uh, you might want to sit down." Dean did as she said. "Please don't interupt me because if you do I don't know if I'll be able to start again." She saw him nod slightly. "Okay first off, I know you've been trying to prove to me that we do have things in common. But we don't. You hate to read and I'm tired of trying to make you understand why I love it so much. We can't mock really bad movies together or listen to the same music. You love sports and mechanics and I find that dull and boring. We don't click anymore. Opposites attract, but in some cases that just isn't true. We can't do something together and both be happy about it. We fight and then kiss and make up but that doesn't work anymore.
"That's another thing. The passion is gone. Or maybe there never was any. Just chemistry, but that faded after awhile. My blood doesn't rush when our hands brush against each other. I don't get butterflies and my heart doesn't race when I see you or hear your name. My blood doesn't freeze when you kiss me and you don't make me want or need more.
"This may seem harsh to you, but sometimes the truth hurts. And I need you to understand that we don't fit. I'm sorry but we don't belong together and we won't be together." She finished a bit sadly. She would always care for Dean and now, she was finishing that chapter of her life, starting from her first kiss until now. But she was looking forward to the next chapter of her life with Jess.
"And you fit so well with Jess!" He asked angrily. This was not how it was supposed to be. They were spposed to be together.
"As a matter of fact, yeah, we do." Her voice rising a bit. She was sick of this. Why couldn't he just accept it and try to move on?
"He's a sarcastic, smart ass, no good jackass Rory! He'll never be man you deserve."
"You're not even half the man he is so don't be talking! I love him so move on with your life. I'm sick of this. You being jealous for no reason, we are not together! Why can't you just accept that?" Rory hated yelling but right now she was beyond upset.
"Because I love you!"
"Yeah well, sometimes you gotta let the ones you love go and move on with your life." Rory said her voice lower. She gave him one last look before walking towards Jess who was already making his way over. She met him half way and allowed him to envelope her into his arms while she silently cried, hopefully for the last time, because of Dean.
A/N I am sooooooooooooo sorry about the long wait but I had no idea what to write. Writer's block sucks! I don't know where the last part came from and I'm not sure if it's any good so please tell me. I need to know if you guys want a rewrite of this chapter. Alot of this was written pretty late at night so sorry for grammar mistakes. And as it is now 12:30 am right now I'm sure that there will be mistakes that I miss. Please drop a line to let me know what you think. And be specific so I know what should stay and what I should change. Once again I am soooooooo sorry about taking three weeks to update. I'll try to do better next time. REVIEW please!