Jess barely glanced up when he heard the door open. He was too busy packing his stuff.
"What are you doing?" Luke asked.
"What does it look like?" Jess snapped, throwing more clothes in his bag.
"It looks like you're packing," Luke said.
"Wow Uncle Luke, you're a real genius aren't ya?" Jess snarked.
"Jess, why are you packing?" Luke questioned, ignoring the boy's attitude.
"I'm leaving, going back to New York," Jess said.
"What? No you're not. You're not just gonna leave. What about school?"
"I flunked out," Jess replied flatly.
"What?"
"Yup, apparently I need to retake the year and that's not gonna happen," Jess said, "And per your rules if I'm living here then I'm going to school. No more school not living here anymore, simple."
What- Jess, no, not simple. You're not just going to leave," Luke shook his head disbelievingly. "What about Rory?"
"She doesn't want me around anymore either which'll thrill Lorelei," Jess said, "And it's not like anyone else in this town will care if I stay or go. Not that it'll be much different in New York. Liz won't want me getting in the way of her latest fling, but at least I've got friends I can stay with."
Jess was rambling on and on, and Luke was having a hard time keeping up.
"Jess, Jess stop." He put a hand on his nephew's shoulder and Jess flinched back. Luke held his hands up, showing the teen he meant no harm.
Jess felt heat rise in his cheeks and he sunk down on his bed, not looking at his uncle. Luke sat down next to him.
"What happened with Rory?" Luke asked the boy.
"I screwed up! Just like everyone said I would," Jess said, his voice cracking. "I missed too many days at school. Didn't find out till I went to get tickets for the stupid prom. They told me to go see the principle and when I did I found out I'd have to retake the year if I want to graduate… I didn't know how to tell Rory so I just… didn't tell her. I caused a stupid fight instead so…"
"So she'd hate you and give you a reason to leave," Luke said softly. "Can I ask why you won't retake the year? So what if you graduate later than everyone else?"
"I'm not stupid," Jess said quietly. So quietly, Luke thought he'd misheard.
"I know you're not," he said.
"I just… I can't do school. Sitting in classes all day, doing tests, and letting these people judge me based on if I can do trig or not? That's BS," Jess said. "I hate it, and I'm not doing it anymore."
Luke sat quietly for a moment, thinking. Going over everything Jess had said about school and Liz and no one wanting him around.
"Alright, listen, I'm not great at this whole parenting thing and I know a lot of what we've been doing here hasn't been working." Luke said, "You're 17 so I didn't really think there was a lot I could. You're almost an adult and I know you don't m babying you. But I think things can work out here if we're both willing to try."
"Uncle Luke…"
"Just listen," Luke stopped him. "I'm not gonna make you go back to school. If it makes you that miserable, then don't do it. You want to work at Walmart? You can do that, if that's what makes you happy."
"I don't enjoy working at Walmart," Jess said, "It's just a job."
"Well, what do you enjoy doing?" Luke asked.
Jess thought for a moment, deciding if he should answer or not.
"I… I like… writing," Jess said finally, feeling his ears burn.
"I've seen your grades, English has always been your top class," Luke said, "So, what, you want to write the next great American novel?"
"I dunno," Jess shrugged, "I want to write… something."
"Okay, then write something," Luke said, "Stay living here, you don't have to go back to school, you can keep your job here and at Walmart if you want, or you can just work here and leave more tie to write. But I have two conditions."
Jess groaned, "What?"
"You get your GED," Luke said, holding up his hand to halt Jess' protests. "Now, listen – I said you don't have to go to school, but you're so smart Jess. And I get why school frustrated you so much – people judging you based on if you pass their tests or not – but you are so damn smart. Get your GED and let the world see how smart you are. Come on, even Kerouac went to college."
Jeff huffed a laugh but nodded all the same.
"Fine," he said, "I will try to get my GED, no promises. What's the second thing?"
"Tell Rory the truth."
Jess sighed.
"She loves you," Luke went on, "And you could do a lot worst than that girl. Tell her the truth and let her decide what she wants based on the truth.
Jess nodded slowly, "okay."
"Okay," Luke nodded too and stood up from the bed, "So, we're good? You're not gonna disappear in the night?"
"Where would I go?" Jess asked.
"New York, see your friends," Luke said.
"My "friends" haven't contacted me since I got here," Jess shrugged, "I don't know where I would have when I got there…"
"Look, Jess, I don't know what all went on there… with Liz… but it's different here. You're safe here and… I want you to stay," Luke told him.
Jess wouldn't look at his uncle but nodded in acknowledgement.
Luke rested a hand gently on Jess' shoulder, the teen reached up tentatively and barely grazed his uncle's hand with his own.
"I'll be downstairs if you need anything," Luke said, "Get unpacked and I'll make us some dinner."
"Thanks Uncle Luke," Jess said and Luke nodded once. They both knew he was saying thanks for more than just the offer of food.
Uncle and nephew had reached a new understand and they felt it could only go up from here.
Jess was my favourite character on Gilmore Girls and I really wish they had explored his and Luke's relationship more. Thanks for reading!
