I just want to be part of your symphony
By blackbirdfree
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Rory felt uneasy about her date with Logan, then, the date with Jess right after that one. She knew that it was time for her to figure out who she truly wanted to date in an official capacity. However, she had feelings for both boys.
Logan was unruly, cavalier, and aloof. Jess was smart, intense, and was a great banter-partner. Rory considered whether or not she should write a "pro and cons" list detailing the best and worst qualities of both boys. In the end, she decided against it. That was something the old her would have done. Anyway, she didn't need to write down every little detail that she felt and thought about both boys. Her mind told her that she needed to do was to go with her gut instinct instead.
Rory made sure that she had plenty of time ahead of her to get ready for the Christmas party at Logan's family home. She took a long, hot shower. She took her time drying, then, curling her long brown locks. She had her outfit picked out already. It was a red gown that touched the floor. It was strapless.
Rory usually wouldn't feel comfortable wearing a strapless gown but she wanted to try something different that evening. She wanted her look to be special.
Rory took her time putting on her make-up. She was going for something minimal and fresh… however, in the end she decided to go bold and to put on a dark red lipstick.
"Rory, are you ready? We're going to your grandparents' first. Then, we'll drop off the car. We can all take one car to the Huntzbergers' place."
"I'm ready," said Rory. She walked out of her room and adjusted the strap on her matching red purse that fell across her shoulder.
Lorelai was in the foyer. She scowled when she saw Rory.
"Rory, where did you get that dress?"
"I bought it when I was out with Lane at the mall," she answered.
Lorelai still did not look pleased. "Isn't that a little revealing?"
Rory rolled her eyes. "Mom, it's just a strapless dress. It's nothing that everyone hasn't seen before."
Lorelai shook her head. "It's strapless and bright red. What type of message are you trying to send to Logan?"
Rory scowled in return. "Lorelai, it's fine. This dress is a full-length gown. No one will care that it's strapless. Come on. We have to leave now or we'll be late to the party. Grandma and Grandpa might leave home without us."
Lorelai didn't answer. However, she dropped the subject and the two walked out into the night.
Rory was breathless when she walked into Logan's stately home… or, rather, his stately mansion. There were tall ceilings, paintings, and a grand staircase in the foyer. It was beautiful.
Rory was ushered into the sitting room by a man dressed in a penguin suit. There were people milling around with glasses of champagne in his or her hands. It only took a moment for Rory to spy Logan.
Logan was talking to his two friends named Finn and Colin. They were laughing and drinking amber liquid from their champagne flutes.
"I'm going to go and say 'hi' to Logan," said Rory to her grandparents and to Lorelai.
"All right. We will have to see Mr. and Mrs. Huntzberger to thank them for inviting us this evening. You go on ahead," said Emily.
Rory nodded.
She approached Logan, Finn, and Colin but stopped for a second to pick up a glass of something. She wondered if it was alcoholic.
"Hi, Logan," said Rory to the guy-in-question. She nodded 'hello' to Finn and to Colin.
"Rory!" said Logan cheerfully. "I'm glad you're here. These two knuckleheads are one stooge short of a Three Stooges revival."
"You wound me," said Finn as he pressed his hand against the location of his heart. "Anyway, what's stopping you from filling in?"
"Ha, ha. I don't think so."
Rory smiled. "So it seems like you men are all in good spirits. Is it the Christmas cheer getting to you or something else?"
Finn winked. "The something else… definitely. Or at least 'definitely' later… if you know what I mean."
Rory rolled her eyes. "I'm assuming that you have ulterior motives in mind for this evening?"
Colin smirked. "There's a pool house out back by the pool. We always retire there once all the greetings and forced small-talk is over."
"Now that you mention it…" said Logan. He reached over and grabbed a bottle of champagne from the hands of a server. "I think it's time to start the festivities."
"The pool house?" questioned Rory.
"The pool house."
