AN: Hello all! Thank you to your lovely reviews I really appreciate every single word. Thanks to Problem Child for noticing that little mistake I made getting the name mixed up. The thing was that Diana was going to be on the team but then I changed for Nathan to make things easier and probably forgot to change in one of the lines, so sorry and it's been fixed. ;) And for those who are very impatient as to when Finn and Rory will get together, here's the plan: meditation. You know, work on your Dalai Lama lol. Just kidding. I'm taking this slow. Anyway, here's the new part, hope you like it! Byee!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Chapter 10: A Long Way to Perfection
"Ok, so how long will I have to wait till you tell me why so many people are interested in watching Grease this particular weekend?" Lorelai asked as soon as they got home from Friday Night Dinner.
"It's an LDB thing, you may have guessed."
"I'm very smart, yes."
"Well, they have this thing, a re-enactment thing, a luck game really. There are a few themes and this year's theme is Musicals, hence the reason for Grease."
"Your team got Grease?"
"Yes, we have to re-enact as perfect as we can the scene for 'You're the one that I want'."
"You're joking, right?" Lorelai asked highly amused and slightly laughing.
"I wish that I was. Guess who'll be playing Sandy?"
"No! Now you're joking! Be serious Rory! It can't be! You! You'll be playing Sandy! You'll be singing and dancing in a black leather jumpsuit?" Lorelai asked teasing her daughter.
"I'm unlucky, so yes," Rory answered not so thrilled.
"Please tell mommy she can watch it."
"Not a chance in hell."
Lorelai looked disappointed. "Will they at least film it?"
"I really don't know. I hope not."
"Then what's the fun if no one outside the secret society will get to see it?"
"I'm told we get a prize."
"Ooh, prizes are fun! What's the prize?" she asked interested.
"It's only announced after the winner is. Last year they went to New Zealand."
"Oh! Then it's a good prize!"
"I hope so. After all the embarrassment we deserve a good prize."
"Oh this is fun! Never thought you being a part of a secret society would be so interesting. Jumping off buildings, re-enacting musicals. Very interesting indeed," Lorelai added grinning. "Now pray tell me, who will be playing the part of Danny Zucko?"
"Finn is."
Lorelai smirked, "of course he is."
"Apparently he's very good at this game and takes it very seriously."
"I'm sure he does. It's just the kind of thing I'd see Finn doing. And it's just such a coincidence that you'll guys will be playing love interests."
"I really don't know what you're talking about," Rory said innocently.
"Oh, don't act so innocent, daughter of mine. Don't think I missed the romantic dance you shared at the engagement party."
"That was just a promise I made him. It was nothing, we're friends."
"I'm sure you are," Lorelai said giving Rory a knowing smirk.
"Mom, come on, drop it," Rory begged a little embarrassed. "Now tell me, what is it about the wedding you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Right, right. Well, you know I'm getting married, right?"
"It's reached my ears."
"Well, you see, I'll be needing bridesmaids as well as a maid of honor."
"It's usual."
"And I totally wanted you to be said maid of honor, but I think it'll look a little weird Sookie standing next to Lane as a bridesmaid, don't you?"
"I think you might be right."
"So, would you be really mad if I asked Sookie to be my Maid of Honor and you to be a bridesmaid?"
"Mom! Of course not!"
"Really?"
"Yes! I mean, Sookie's your best friend. It's only natural."
"But you're... you know, you."
"I'm aware, mom, but it's ok, really, don't worry. I'll be honored to be a bridesmaid."
Lorelai pulled Rory into a hug. "I'll tell Luke that, he was really scared you would go all ballistic and stuff."
Rory just laughed. "You can tell Luke he can sleep sound tonight."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Logan and Finn arrived at Rory's house at 10:30 on Saturday. Finn wanted to go earlier so they could watch the movie more times, but Logan convinced him that'd be invading just a little of the girl's privacy.
"You're here early," Lorelai said after opening the door. Logan glanced at Finn who just looked the other way.
"I apologize, Lorelai, but we've got work to do," Finn said as she invited them in.
"Well, aren't you Mr. All-business-and-no-play," Lorelai joked. "Wait here, I'll go get Rory," she said and left them in the living room.
"Logan and Finn are here," she said going into Rory's room. "Where are the other three?"
"They were gonna watch the movie at Yale or somewhere else, I don't know."
"Well, quite the set-up then!"
"Mom!"
"Sorry, just a joke. Well, I have to talk to Sookie now, you know, about the wedding and stuff, I'll leave you guys to your thing, I'll be back with lunch, ok?" she said and kissed Rory's forehead as she left her bedroom.
"Food, where is it?" Rory asked as she walked into the living room.
"It's all here, cookies, marshmallows, gummy worms, plain M&M's, peanut M&M's, all kinds of candy and chocolate available at a convenience store," Logan answered as he took each item from the paper bags he was carrying.
"Logan?" Rory asked seriously.
"Yes?"
"Where's the coffee?" Her eyebrows were raised and her arms crossed around her chest. She was not happy.
Finn looked at Logan who gave him his best 'oops, I forgot' look.
"No problem, I'll go get some. It'll only be five minutes. Luke's is the place, right?" Logan asked almost out the door.
Rory had time to just yell 'yes' before Logan shut the door behind him.
"Well, aside from the food, we'll also be needing some paper and pencils, love."
"Oh? What for?"
"What do you mean 'what for'? To take notes obviously. You're gonna have to write down every single thing Sandy does in this scene. Every single thing. Logan and I will be doing the same, except that we'll have to write down our lines as well. We've already settled with the guys the other roles. Laura will be --- of course, she's the only girl left. Logan will be Doody, Richard Putzie and Nathan, Sonny."
"Oh, ok then."
"You don't have any lines to memorize, lucky you."
"Yeah, I've only got the singing and dancing."
"Hey, that's the easy part!"
"For you maybe it is, Finn, but not for me."
"We'll see. I still can't believe you're that bad."
"Yeah, we'll definitely see."
Finn helped Rory set the food on the coffee table while they waited for Logan. But thirty minutes passed and he still hadn't returned.
"Your coffee is delaying my schedule, Gilmore," Finn complained.
"Hey, Luke's is just around the corner, ok? I don't know what's taking Logan so long."
"I'm gonna call him," Finn resolved taking his cell phone from his pocket. He had the phone to his ear when there was a knock on the front door.
"Can you get that Finn? I've got my hands full," Rory asked when she walked into the room with a bowl of popcorn in her hands.
"How you can eat this much junk and not weigh 500 pounds is beyond me," Finn said with a playful grin. She just stuck out her tongue to him.
"Oh, bugger," was Finn's comment when he opened the door and found Jess standing outside. "Rory, it's for you," he called allowing room for him to pass.
"Who is," she didn't finish as she saw him. "Jess? Hi! What are you doing here?"
"You said you'd be home this weekend and that I could see you," he said observing the living room. "But I see you already made plans."
"Oh, yeah, well, this kind of came up during the week. I'd invite you to stay if it were just a movie, but it's for school," she said a little embarrassed. Finn decided to watch their intercourse instead of calling Logan and stood behind the couch silent.
"Hey, it's fine, I understand. You don't have to make up bad excuses to throw me out. I'll let you get back to your date. You can call me if you want, cause I'm giving up," he said and started to leave giving Finn a glance. Jess didn't appreciate the smirk he had stamped on his face.
"Jess, come on, don't go like that. I'm serious, it's not a date. Logan's here too, he just went to get us some coffee."
But Jess paid no attention to her. "What are you smirking about, jackass?" he asked walking towards Finn.
"Hey man, I haven't said or done anything to justify the offense."
"Jess come, don't act like that. I'm being honest here. I'd love to hang out with you today but I can't. Maybe next weekend, what do you say?" she asked hopeful he wouldn't give up on her.
He was going to say something but Finn interrupted. "Hey, love, sorry to say this, but don't forget we'll be doing nothing but practicing for the next 44 days."
"I'll talk to you later, Rory," Jess said and stormed out before she could answer him.
"Thanks for making the situation worse, Finn. You didn't have to say that. I would have talked to him over the week, he would've understood."
"Hey, it's not like you have to explain anything to him, you're not his girlfriend. Besides, we're not doing anything wrong."
"And this coming from the guy who blew out at me when I told him I had slept with Jess."
"That was different."
"And different how? I'm not your girlfriend, I don't have to explain anything to you."
"But you slept with the guy! That's not right""
"Why not? I can sleep with whoever I want! Why did it bother you so much?"
"He was you boyfriend, I was afraid you'd get back together with him."
"And so what if I did? Still it doesn't justify your reaction."
"I was jealous ok?" Finn said and walked out the same time Logan walked in.
"Did I interrupted anything?" Logan asked a stunned Rory, but she pushed him aside and went after Finn.
"Finn! Wait!" she called. He was standing next to Logan's car considering a ride back to Yale after his confession when Rory reached him.
"What is it with you guys? Throwing these bombs on me and then walking away before I can respond."
"Sorry, didn't mean to."
"That's ok, I was just joking."
"Well, I wasn't. I really was jealous, Rory," he said looking into her eyes.
"Of what Finn?"
"Of Jess! Of you and Jess! I was afraid I'd lose you. These past few weeks we've been building this really great friendship and I just don't want to lose it. I mean, if you got back together with Mr. I'm-an-ass-so-just-bite-me we would never be able to spend a weekend together watching movies, would we?"
"I guess not," she said. "But don't worry, that's not going to happen. You'll never lose my friendship. Or me."
Finn smiled and hugged her.
"That was the only reason?" she asked him.
He hesitated.
"I don't mean to interrupt, Lord knows how much everybody wants you guys to work your whole thing out, but I really am looking forward to winning the prize, so we should start watching the movie!" Logan called from the porch.
"Logan's right," Finn said.
"Yeah," she answered and started to walk back to the house.
"It wasn't the only reason," Finn said before they reached the house. Rory looked at him and he smiled at her. "Now, come on, love, Rydell High waits for us," he said taking her hand and pulling her inside the house.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
She tried but just could not make herself focus on the movie. It was close to the scene they were going to do and yet all she could think about was Finn's confession. What he meant by 'it wasn't the only reason' was all that occupied her mind. Her notepad and her pen were in her hands but she wrote nothing during the whole scene.
"I know you're smart and got a great brain inside that head of yours, but I don't think you can get a whole scene inside your head without taking any notes, Ace," Logan pointed out when the movie was over.
"Oh, yeah, well, I thought I could take the notes the second time around. This time I thought I'd just pay attention to the movie," she lied.
"And did you?"
"Of course I did, Logan."
"Ok, so what's the color of the strap on Sandy's shoes?" he asked as a challenge.
"What kind of question is that, Logan?" she asked trying to buy some time while she tried to remember the shoe.
"It's the kind of question it'd be easy to answer if you had paid attention to the scene. There's a close up on her shoe when she kicks Danny. What's the color, Finn?"
"Red," Finn answered with a grin.
"I knew that," Rory said and stood up, "I'm hungry, I want to go to Luke's."
"Your mom said she'd be back with lunch," Logan said. "Besides we can't waist any time if you're gonna be thinking about life instead on focusing on the assignment."
"Well, I can't work on an empty stomach," she said in a stubborn way, grabbing her coat.
"There's plenty of food here, Rory, we really should stay and watch the movie again," Finn said showing her the coffee table full of the things they had brought.
"I want a burger and if you don't want to come, don't. Wait for my mom to come back," she said opening the door and leaving.
"Do we go after her?" Finn asked.
"Well, I think you're the one she wants to talk to, so maybe you should go. I'll just stay here and eat the rest of this junk."
"Are you sure, mate?"
"It's your chance, man, go for it."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Ladies should never eat alone," Finn said as he sat next to Rory at Luke's Diner.
"Well, I just didn't feel like staying there listening to Logan's lecture about how I'm not focusing on this stupid LDB thing."
"Logan's an ass," he started with a smile. "Besides, I think he was only teasing you."
"I don't like to be teased."
"No one does, love."
There was a moment of silence in which Finn just watched Rory eat.
"Aren't you going to order?" she asked him.
"I'm not hungry."
"What are you doing here, then? Why are you not home watching the stupid movie again?"
"I like you," he said looking into her eyes.
Rory almost choked on her burger she was so surprised. Of course she knew he was there to talk about his earlier confession, she wasn't that dumb, but she sure didn't think he'd be this direct. "Finn," she started but he interrupted her. "I do, for a while now. Of course I don't expect anything from you. I mean, you know me, right? You know my fame." She smiled and looked down blushing. "But I just thought you should know that I have feelings for you," he finished trying to capture her gaze.
"Finn, look," she started unsure of what to say, "it's got nothing to do with your fame, as you put it, it's just that I don't think it'd be a good idea for us to have something more than friendship. At least not now. Now, with Jess back into my life, it's all very confusing, I'm still trying to build a solid relationship with him and I don't think us going out would help. Plus, I really like you and I love our friendship. You're like one of those people I'm never sick to be around, you know? You're fun, entertaining, understanding, smart..."
"You forget deadly gorgeous," he said smirking.
"Oh, yes, of course, sorry. And deadly gorgeous." She smiled, she was glad he was taking this so well. If it had been any other guy like Dean, or even Jess, they'd be yelling and throwing things at her face or begging for her to at least consider the possibility. It was definitely nice to be talking to a mature grown-up, she thought. "My point is," she continued, "I'd like to remain friends with you for now. Let's not spoil this great thing we got going now."
"Well, darling, I respect your decision, I think it's wise," he said capturing the uncertainty in her speech. "Well, not really, you don't know what you're missing, but I am trying to score some points with you." She laughed. "My consolation is that 'now' is over pretty soon," he said wiggling his eyebrows and smiling in a wicked way.
"You're hopeless," she said laughing.
"Thank you. Now you go on and finish this monstrous burger you're eating cause we need to get back to the house. You've got some notes to take."
"Do I really have to?"
"Hey! I don't need the loser attitude! You better start getting your eye on the prize or I'll find a way to kick you out of the team and you'll never know the pleasures of going on a trip to an exotic place with an exotic man like myself."
"Oh, sure, of course not, sorry sir," she said taking the last bite of her burger.
"Let's go now. It's a long way to perfection," he finished and took her hand. They walked back to the house hand in hand.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Come on Rory! More attitude!" Finn demanded, stopping the scene one more time.
They had been rehearsing for a month now, today was their first rehearsal at the nearly finished set. Rory was in awe when she first entered the set. It looked exactly like the Carnival on Grease and she wondered how they ever got that Ferris wheel working there. There was sand and rides and cotton candy stalls, everything was there.
"Don't these people have work to do, or class just stops for the Life and Death Brigade?" she asked as soon as she saw the set.
"They manage. We're all very good at doing many things at the same time," Finn answered. "Now let's get to it," he said starting that day's rehearsal.So far they had gotten about 95 of the scene right. It was hard at first, specially for Rory. Their first dancing rehearsal was a disaster. Not that Rory sucked that much, she was actually quite good at moving around, but it was all too close. She felt weird dancing like that with Finn, and singing that song too. It was personal and romantic, it just didn't feel right. Finn noticed she was uncomfortable and pulled her aside to talk.
"Ok, now look love, you gotta let go of your life, ok? You are no longer Rory, you're Sandy, and I'm no longer Finn, I'm Danny. The secret is that, you know, you have to really be the character, you have to understand what is happening to it. You, Sandy, feel like you need to change your way to get what you want, to make me, Danny, like you. So you get all dressed up in a sexy outfit, pretend to smoke, puts your hair up, wears make-up and high heels, all that to make me fall for you. Me, Danny, not Finn. This has nothing to do with Finn and Rory, we don't exist ok? You have to try that, ok?"
"But it's hard Finn! I can't just ignore the fact that I'm singing 'you're the one that I want' to you!"
"But you're not, you see? You're singing it to Danny."
"Well, you see, I'm looking but all I see is Finn."
"You really need to work on your abstracting skills, doll, or this will never work."
"I told you this would never work."
"Ok, no more negativity from you. Look at me," he said taking her face in his hands. "Now repeat after me: I am Sandy."
Rory looked at him in a stupid manner.
"Do it, damn it!"
She rolled her eyes, "I am Sandy."
"Say it like you mean it!"
"I am Sandy!"
"I am a goody-goody."
"I am a goody-goody!"
"I've never done a bad thing in my life."
She repeated after him, really getting into the spirit of things.
"But I've fallen for Danny, a bad guy!" Finn continued, summarizing the whole movie into sentences for Rory to repeat. By the time Finn said the last sentence Rory had tears falling from her eyes from all the laughter, but she was really into it now. Finn had convinced her she was Sandy and she was ready to burst into singing and dancing to win her Danny back.
After that first rehearsal things got better. Of course till their first singing one. Finn decided it'd be better if it were just the two of them, so she'd feel more comfortable with the song and they could just sing it together. He felt like crying when he heard her first notes.
"Ok, so as a singer, you'll make a wonderful reporter one day, dear," he joked.
"Well, that's encouraging. Are they looking for a replacement for Simon on American Idol?"
"Sorry, ok, let's try again. You don't really have to reach Olivia's notes, just do what your voice allows you to, it'll seem less forced and more natural."
She tried again and it sounded less dreadful, but still horrific.
"Ok, love, so singing lessons are a number one priority on your to do list, ok."
"Really, Finn, are you trying to help?"
He laughed at her. "Let's just try to not sing out of tune, ok?"
"I'm outta here," she said and stood up.
"Ok, ok, ok, sorry for the harshness," he said pulling her back down.
"Not everyone's got a musical theater background, Finn! What the hell did you use to do in Australia?" she asked half joking.
He laughed. "Ok, so here's a tip to get the song right: mean it."
"Mean it?" she asked with her brows raised.
"Yes, sing it like you mean it. I suppose that won't be that hard to do seeing how desperately you want me," he joked.
She gave an ironic laugh. "In your dreams, Aussie."
"Every night, actually."
"You're disgusting!" she said slapping him on the arm.
"That hurt," he said rubbing his arm. "But I'll forgive you if you get the song right."
"Fine, let's try again."
They practiced for hours, until she had most of the notes, well, audible. Rory's throat ached by the end of the day, but it was worth it, she could feel that with a few more days practicing she could nail the song.
With the singing and the dancing down, all Rory had to work on now was her acting. She just didn't have the right attitude and every time she said her only line 'tell me about it, stud' she'd start laughing. When Finn stopped the scene this last time she could really see he was getting irritated. And she understood. The event was two weeks away and she hadn't gotten the opening right. But he had to understand also, not everyone had acting as a natural gift and 45 days was not enough to learn it.
"You have to be patient, Finn, she's working hard," Logan said to Finn when they were alone by the table where they kept the drinks.
"Well, obviously not hard enough. She has just one line, Logan, one line!"
"But look at all the progress she's made, she's actually singing well! And the dancing? You gotta love the dancing, it's the cutest thing ever! And you helped her get there! So you just have to cut her some slack and instead of yelling, help her."
Finn sighed. "You're right, I was stupid and rude," he said and walked towards her to apologize. "I'm an ass."
"Apology accepted... Ass," she said with a smile. "I know this means a lot to you, Finn, and I really am trying my best to help us win this. I think we have a pretty good shot, but you can't just get mad at me every time I mess up. To err is human," she said sounding philosophical.
"And to persist on the error is stupid," he finished teasing her. She accepted the joke and laughed.
"So I see you're not just an ass. You're a smart ass."
"And you're a sucky actress."
"Aren't we all glad that's not my career choice?""Hollywood is."
"Ok, enough with the insults, let's get back to work, shall we?"xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
AN2: Hey, longest chapter to date! How much do you love me? I gotta tell you I had fun writing this chapter, specially the rehearsal parts. Hope you liked reading! I have a confession to make: it's no secret how I've always hated Jess, but after seeing the episode this season with the book and the whole putting the sense back into Rory's life, I could say I'm warming up to him lol Anyway, that's it for today, and you know what to do! Yes, you got it! Review please! Thanks! Byee! Adriana.
