I just want to be part of your symphony

By blackbirdfree


Chapter Forty-One

The end of winter break crept up sooner than Rory anticipated. She spent most of her time talking to Francie and Madeline on the phone. Her mother and her were still at odds so she knew that it would be best to stay at home for most of her vacation from school.

Rory remembered when things finally got to a-head. Lorelai brought up the party at Logan's home the day after New Year's Eve. Rory was in her room. She was trying to catch-up on some recreational reading.

Lorelai entered Rory's room in an abrupt way. Rory was startled by her mother's presence.

"Mom!" said Rory. She put her book down with a "snap." "Don't scare me like that!"

Lorelai didn't pay attention to Rory's words. She scowled.

"Rory, we have to talk," said her mother in a brusque way.

Rory sighed. She anticipated this. "About what?"

"I don't appreciate the situation that you put me through at Logan's family Christmas party."

Rory looked down at her hands. "What do you mean?"

"Rory, you knew that I wouldn't want you to stay at your boyfriend's house. But you asked anyway… and in front of Emily and Richard! Of course Shira Huntzberger was okay with it, too! Logan sounds like the type of kid who gets away with anything that he wants!"

"First of all, Mom, Logan is not my boyfriend," stated Rory in a flat tone-of-voice.

Lorelai rolled her eyes.

"And second, I just asked a question… and you agreed to it."

"Well, Richard and Emily didn't seem to mind. I didn't want to make a big scene at that party. What do you expect me to do?"

Rory sighed. "Mom, look, nothing bad happened, okay? I got home safe and sound. I don't think it's a big deal."

Lorelai didn't seem moved. "Rory, I never thought this would happen but you're turning out to be a lot like me when I was your age."

Rory couldn't stop herself. "The difference is I won't end-up pregnant at sixteen."

"Rory!" snapped Lorelai.

Rory shrugged. "Sorry, Mom," she grumbled under-her-breath. "I just meant—"

"I know what you meant," Lorelai answered. "And, God help me, I hope so."

The conversation fizzled off into nothing after that.


Rory hated that her mom and her were still in a fight. But she was not the same girl that she was before Chilton. She needed to make her own decisions. She needed to have her own life. She knew that Lorelai didn't understand now that her mother was in Emily's shoes for once.

Rory didn't know how to explain all of this to her mom. She wondered if Lorelai would care if she even did.

There was a New Year's Eve party at Francie's house later on in the week. Naturally, Rory was invited. However, she declined the invitation. She wanted things between her and her mom to calm down… and she knew that things would get better if she acted more like her old self. She would try it... at least for a little while.

So instead, Rory asked Lorelai if she could have Lane over on New Year's Eve. She knew that Mrs. Kim may say "no" but she hoped that her friend's stern Asian mother with capitulate if Lane explained that the two girls rarely saw each other now that Rory went to school at Chilton.

Miraculously, Mrs. Kim said she could stay at Rory's home until twelve-fifteen in the evening. Lorelai would have to drive Lane back as soon as they the ball dropped on the television.

However, bad news happened the night of New Year's Eve. Lorelai needed to go into work at the Independence Inn.

"I can just walk home with Lane," said Rory to Lorelai. "It's not too far. I'll be home as soon as I'm done."

Lorelai reluctantly agreed.

Rory's decision to stay home more did lead to a better relationship between Rory and Lorelai. Admittedly, it was nice not to have a strained silence surrounding her all day and all night.


Rory and Lane ate pop-corn and drank soda as they watched the ball drop in Times Square on television that New Year's Eve. Lane told Rory all about school. Lane even confided to Rory that she considered the idea that she might like to try-out for the Stars Hollow High cheer squad.

"I helped them to make a few new cheers," said Lane to Rory. "They really seemed to want me on the squad."

Rory was surprised. But not in a bad way. She smiled. "That sounds great," she told Rory. "I hope you get in."

True to her word, Rory and Lane began to walk home to the Kim residence as soon as the clock struck twelve midnight on New Year's Eve. The walk was brisk but Rory and Lane managed to reach the two's destination in time. Mrs. Kim seemed pleased.

Rory walked back to her home slowly. The stars twinkled merrily at her. The town felt still and silent on her walk. It was so secluded that Rory was surprised when she saw someone out in the darkness.

It was Jess. He was sitting on a bench with a book in his hand.

"Jess," said Rory. "What are you doing out here?"

Jess looked up. He put down the book. "Obviously, I'm waiting for my fairy godmother to show up. I guess I didn't get a grandmother but got an upgrade to a princess instead."