It was it. The last day of school. It was finally here. All I had was one more year and I had to admit that I was slightly nervous. I still wanted Harvard and journalism so I still had to work hard and put up with Paris and all of her crap. All I had today was finals. I took my tests and ignored Paris when she gossiped nearby with Madeline and Louise. I ignored Tristan when he flirted and hinted at getting together over the summer. And soon enough, I was on the bus ready for a summer of change and freedom.
Dean was waiting on the bench by the bus stop when I got off and I paused slightly. In all of my thoughs I hadn't thought of Dean. How could I not think of Dean? I knew for a fact that he didn't make me happy anymore. He hasn't for a while now. He thinks everything between us is fine, perfect. It's not. It's all fake happiness and I can't do this anymore. To either of us. I stepped towards him.
"Rory! Hey! How was school?"He tried to kiss me but I turned slightly and sat on the bench.
"Dean, can we talk?"
His face turned slightly pale and he sat back down, "What's wrong, Rory? Is everything okay?"
"Dean, I don't think we should be together anymore."
"What? Why?"He looked ready to cry. I felt horrible.
"I just don't love you anymore. I did, Dean. I know I did. But not anymore. And I can't pretend to because that won't help either of us in the end. I'm so sorry."
He looked a little pissed then and I knew what was coming, "This is about Jess isn't it?"
I shook my head adamantly, "It's really not, Dean. I swear it. I mean he did say something to make me think about my happiness but really I'm not planning to date Jess."
"Happiness? Rory, I'm happy. We're perfect together."
"Dean, nothing is perfect. Everyone thinks so but it's not. We had our problems but now we're just at a dry spot. We're not going anywhere, Dean. And I think we should break up. I'm not trying to hurt you but I think we'll both be happier apart. Eventually, anyways."
He frowned and ducked his head to hide his slightly watery eyes, "Okay. Well, thanks. Have a nice life. Hope you're happy."
"Dean!"I stood up as he walked away. He hurried down the street towards his house and I sank back down to the bench.
Great. I still wanted to be friends with Dean. He was an amazing guy after all. Just not the guy for me. Hands covered my eyes and I yelped loudly. I heard a low laughing as Jess removed his hands and took the spot beside me.
"Everything okay? Bagboy left pretty fast there."
I shrugged, "We broke up."
"You or him?"
"Me."
"Rory, I want to tell you something."
"Oh god."I sighed and turned towards him.
He smacked my arm, "Don't be like that. I just figure I owe it to you."
"What?"
"I'm leaving."
What? Leaving? "What?"I exclaimed.
"For the summer, maybe longer. I'm going back to New York. Gonna stay with a couple friends. I already mailed off my boxes. Luke knows. He wants me to come back in the fall and maybe I will. But I won't know till then. Depends how things go."
I bit my lip.
"Rory?"
"Jess, can I come?"
"Rory,"He was already shaking his head no.
"Jess, please. I just want a change. I want to be able to start over and be anyone that I want to be."
"Lorelai."Was all he could say. I could tell he really wanted me to come with him. As bad as I wanted to go.
"I'll explain to her. And if she doesn't understand I'll just leave. Jess, please."
He shook his head again, "She hates me already. If you take off with me for the summer she'll have a warrant out for my death."
I gave him my best sad eyes and he sighed heavily, "Please. Just let me try, Jess. Please."
He rolled his eyes, "Put those damn begging eyes away and come get some coffee."
I laughed knowing he would let me come if I could convince mom. I followed him to the diner and we sat down at a table to talk about New York, careful not to let Luke hear. If he heard he would tell mom before I could.
Mom bounced into the diner than and flirted her way into coffee to go. She turned and grinned at me while Luke filled the styrofoam cup."Hey sweets. How'd finals go? Ready to celebrate?"
"Good. Okay, um, let's go home."
"Okay."Mom held the door open.
"Call."Jess whispered as I passed and I flicked his shoulder with my middle finger. He jumped. I guess it was harder than I thought.
"So, I was thinking, we can make a huge movie night. Call for pizza, Chinese, Mexican, and even that Indian food you like so much. We can hit Doose's for a ton of ice cream and sundae toppings, lots and lots of candy, marshmallows that I've been craving for days and Luke's for burgers, fries, and coffee. We can watch the Godfather 2, Willy Wonka, The Shining, and Never Been Kissed. Because I like that part with the bananas and the condoms. It's funny. And if we want to get really crazy and pull an all nighter, we can add National Treasure and Clueless because nothing is better than a dumb blonde. Clueless blonde actually but close enough. Good?"
"Um. Sure."I wasn't really listening to mom's rambling.
"Ror? Everything okay?"We were at the house now and mom was sitting at the kitchen table writing down everything we'd need so we wouldn't forget anything.
"Yeah."
"Hey wanna go crazy and throw in Grease? We need a good musical."
"Okay. Hey, mom. Can I talk to you?"
"Sure hon."Mom set down the pen and looked at me.
"I want to go away this summer."
"What?"she looked confused."Go where?"
"New York."
"Who? What? Jess."Mom drew out his name and hissed it quietly, sounding pissed.
"No. Well sort of."
"Rory, no."
"Mom, please hear me out?"
Mom sighed loudly and I knew she'd listen.
"I'm getting tired of just being me. I don't even know who I am. I'm so afraid of conflict or not being perfect that I barely ever speak up or do anything wrong. But I realized that perfect isn't possible."
"Rory-"
"Let me finish, please."I added the please so I wouldn't make her even more mad.
"Fine."
"I want to get away this summer. Go somewhere new where I can start over and be whoever I want to be. And maybe I won't like who I choose to be. Maybe I'll like the old me better and then at least I'll know what makes me happy."
"You aren't happy?"
"Not really. I broke up with Dean."
"What? Why?"Mom looked shocked.
"I don't love him. I haven't for a while. I just wanted to stay with him because everyone was so happy about it and they like Dean. And well, I didn't want to hurt him. But I guess sometimes you have to hurt people to be happy."
"Rory,"Mom squirmed, "Get to the point."
I nodded, "So today, Jess told me that he's going to New York for the summer. He'll be back in time for school and so would I."I lied about Jess but I figured mom didn't need to know that."And I told him I wanted to go."
"What?"
"He didn't want me to at first because he knew you probably wouldn't like it. But I said that you were the best mom ever and you would understand that I wanted to test some new waters."
"But-"
"Mom, you grew up a certain way and you hated it. When you were sixteen, you had your chance to escape and try out a new life and it turns out you like it better than your first. I don't exactly hate my life but I just want the chance that you had. To try a new life. A new personality."
Mom shifted in her seat. She was thinking. I knew bringing up her past would get me somewhere.
"I don't like this. I really don't."
"Mom, please."I was tempted to bring out the puppy eyes but I knew those would get me in trouble right now.
Her hand went to her forehead and she let out a shaky sigh, "Will you call me everyday?"
"Swear!"I was getting excited. Was she going to say yes?
"Here's the deal, Rory. You leave, you behave. You call everyday. You don't have sex, smoke, drink, do drugs. You will go on the pill, just in case. I know I said no sex but that doesn't mean you won't listen and I want you to be safe. You tell me everything. You come back by the end of July and we spend August together."
I squealed and leapt up to hug her, "Thanks so much, Mommy. I love you!"
"Now, we're going to tell Grandma and Grandpa and Chris that you're at some sort of summer camp. I'll figure it out when the time comes. When are you guys leaving?"
I was in so much shock that she'd agreed that I almost didn't answer.
"Ror?"
"Oh, uh, tomorrow afternoon. Sorry."
Mom sighed, "So before movie night, we pack. We cut it down to Grease, Clueless, and Willy Wonka. The menu stays the same."
"Thanks mom."
"There's luggage in the front closet. I'm going to Doose's and Luke's and the video store. Get packing so we can get movie watching."
"Thanks."I repeated.
Mom smiled weakly, "Hey, fairs fair. You are definitely my kid, bringing up my past like that. You're right, Ror. You deserve a chance. You're a good kid. I trust you."
"So um?"
"Right, pill."Mom knew what I meant, "I'll schedule an appointment with your doctor for tomorrow morning. Now, scoot."
I grinned and grabbed some bags and the cordless phone while mom left.
"Hello?"
"Jess?"
"Rory."I could hear Jess sit up.
"What's up?"I asked.
"Nothing. You?"
"I can go."
"What?"he sounded shocked.
"I talked to mom and I can go till the end of July."
"You...wow."
"I know. Tomorrow afternoon, right?"
"There's a bus that leaves at 2."he answered.
"How much stuff do I need?"
"Clothes, necessities. Whatever. If you want you can mail some stuff. I'll get the address to you."
"Jess, we will be staying together right? I don't want to be alone."
"No. I'll call my friends and make sure they have room but I would sleep on the floor to keep you with me. I won't abandon you in New York City."
I sighed in relief, "Good. I'm gonna pack."
"You do that."He sounded happy.
"Jess?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for letting me come. I hope I'm not ruining your summer plans."
"You're not. Bye."Jess hung up before I could reply but I knew he meant it.
I was so excited. But in the meantime I had to pack.
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A/N: So, what did you think? Also, I can't decide what to do with this story so I want you guys to vote! Here's the options!
A: Should Rory end up with Jess making the story a literati?
B: Should Rory end up with Finn, making it a PDLD?
I know what I would do in either situation but I can't decide what situation to use. It's up to you. Either way, she will be involved in a relationship with each one but it is up to you which one she stays with in the end of the fic.
Also, if the votes are too close, by the suggestion of my friend who can't decide either, I will write two versions of the story. One a lit and the other a PDLD. The beginnings will be the same but once it hits the middle of the story it will begin to change!
So I guess doing 2 different versions is option C!
Let me know guys! Sorry for the ramble! I won't do it again I hope!
