Talent show
"Does anyone, besides Luke and I, know that you are back in town?" Lane asks excitedly.
"No, Lane." Jess says with a small smile on his face. "I just got in last night and I plan on staying up here out of sight."
The two of them continued to catch up with each other. This was the first time Jess had set a foot in Stars Hollow since the accident with Rory. After Rory skipped school to visit him in New York, Jess made a life changing decision to stop hiding his intelligence from the world. He figured that the best way to get away from the life he had when living with his mother was to build a brand new one for himself.
"So Luke says you can stay here again? It got so boring here without someone to talk to." Lane says in a dramatic tone of voice.
"You still have Rory to-"
"Yeah but she's always with Dean." She cuts him off with a sneer. "I can't believe I used to think he was so good for her. He does nothing but complain and hold her back."
"It's her choice Lane. You can't make her fall out of love with him." Jess says as he walks over to the fridge."
"But you can!" Lane exclaims as she jumps off the couch. "She's already in love with you! Just make her stop denying it and she'll leave him!"
Jess shakes his head at the small Asian girl as she bounced around the room.
"And how do you suppose I do that?" Jess says in an amused voice.
Lane stops bouncing and turns to him with a sweet smile on her face. Jess instantly becomes weary of that look and backs up away from her.
"Whatever it is that you are thinking, I won't do it."
"Oh yes you will." Lane says in a sickly sweet voice before she hurtles out of the room.
"I just know that I am going to regret this." Jess says as he takes out a book from his back pocket and sits down to read.
"Welcome one and all, to the Stars Hollow Annual Singing Competition!" Taylor exclaims through the microphone.
"Why are we here again?" Dean asks in a disgruntle voice.
Both Gilmore girls look at him with shock written all over their faces.
"Dean!" Lorelai shouts dramatically. "Why, this is tradition! We have to go to every single on of the Hollow's events."
"You just want to see what weird thing Kirk will do next." Dean responds with a roll of his eyes.
"Of course we do. That's the very reason why we are here." Rory says in an obvious voice.
"Both of you silent. Its starting." Lorelai says excitedly.
Up on stage they can see Lane and her new band start setting up their instruments. Taylor once again steps up to the mic.
"And now, introducing Stars Holow's newest band," Talyor glances at the card in his hand in confusion, "urm, Lane Kim and friends."
Rory and Lorelai giggle at Lane's face of despair as she walks towards the mic.
"Hi everyone. Today, with the help of a good friend we will be playing a karaoke favourite." Lane says as the band waits for the signal to start. "As a special request, by my friend through me because he is too shy to say it himself, this performance is dedicated to one Rory Gilmore."
Everyone turns their heads to look for Rory. Rory on the other hand is looking around in confusion for who Lane might be talking about. As far as she knew, Lane didn't have that many friends other than her and the band. The band starts playing a soft tune, totally different from what Lorelai and Rory are used to hearing from their garage.
A figure walks on stage much to the shock of the entire crowd. He faces the crowd and shifts around in place, clearly uncomfortable with being stared at. Rory is the first to recognize who it is. Her mouth opens in disbelief as she locks eyes with the figure on stage.
"I'm back." Jess says in a soft voice.
If there's any justice in the world,
I would be your man,
You would be my girl,
If I'd found you first you know its true,
He would be alone,
I would be with you.
The Hollow is stunned into silence by the voice Jess sings with. The soft and beautiful tone a stark contrast to the hard closed off exterior he shows to everyone but Rory and occasionally Lane. Lorelai ooks between her daughter and Jess with fear in her expression.
When you decide, don't let me down,
Coz there's nothing to be certain in my life,
And you've seen a thousand times
There's not much justice in the world
Jess closes his eyes as he grabs the mic, pouring an amount of emotion into his voice that many believe he was incapable of having.
If there's any justice in your heart,
You love really changed,
Ease it into heart,
Why don't you remember how it feels,
Not to give a damn,
For anyone but me
The beat slowly picks up as Jess takes the mic and jumps off stage. He slowly walks towards Rory, ignoring everyone around him.
I cant believe you'd be decieved,
Changing memories from truth to fantasy,
Where there's nothing left but tears,
there's not much justice in the world
Rory breaks eye contact, too ashamed to look at the boy she has come to love more than anyone. Both knew what he was singing about. Jess was doing what no one else ever dared to do, hold her acountable for how she hurt him.
Just because he's wrapped around your finger,
Don't fool yourself with dreams that might appear,
Everytime you'll stop and trust your feelings,
The truth is out there somewhere
It's just blowing in the wind
She snaps her head up in shock, not wanting but at the same time believing that he would call her out like that in public, right in front of her boyfriend and mother. She watches with tears sliding down her cheeks as he turns back and makes his way to the stage.
If there's any justice in the world,
I would be your man,
You would be my girl,
If I'd found you first you know its true,
He would be alone,
I would be with you,
Jess throws his arms out wide, all the emotions she brings up in him bursting forth. He voice reaches everyone, all succumb to this display of love and despair before their eyes.
When you decide, don't let me down,
Coz there's nothing to be certain in my life,
And you've seen a thousand times
There's not much justice in the world
He lowers his voice until everyone has to straing to hear him. A small sad smile on his face as he holds eye contact with Rory, an understanding passing between them that no one else can understand.
If I should lose you girl you know,
That there's not much justice in the world
Jess steps away from the mic, sending one last smile towards Rory. He walks to Lane and gives her a gentle hug before walking off stage. Everyone watches as he walks in the opposite direction of the Diner, only Rory knowing where he will go.
Rory blocks out everything around her. She ignores Dean when he tries to hold her back. She ignores her mother calling out her name to gain her attention.
"Go get him, Sugar." She glances to her left and sees Babette smiling gently at her, tears shining in her eyes.
"He loves you, that much has been made quite clear today." Ms Patty says next to Babette. "Don't you worry, we'll keep old Deano here while you go fight for you man."
Rory sends them a grateful smile and makes her way towards the bridge. Her minds finally made up.
"No more hiding."