Tuesday came and it was pretty normal. I thought my shiner looked pretty tough though. And I got a little beef about it too, but only from some other guys who thought they were better than everyone else. We had our first snow fall too. People in class were yelling and pointing out the window. To me it was annoying that there was so much excitement. It's literally just water drops that didn't melt after dropping from the clouds.

The same kid that punched me tried fighting me again. Let's just say it didn't play out the way he expected. I punched him once and then walked away after dodging his few swings.

After getting home Luke made me write the specials down on the specials board. I saw Rory walk by the diner. I swear I saw her look at me and smile. She was with Lane, who had no care for me. In fact I'm pretty sure she wiped her hair at me and just looked ahead into the street.

But right before completely passing the diner Rory stopped. She said something to Lane and then rushed in. She ran up to the counter and slammed her books down.

"Why hello, you look like you're in a rush." I said straightening my jacket.

"Yeah, Yeah" She said. "I need to get two donuts please."

"As you wish." I smirked.

"Wait no! Make that three." She corrected quickly.

I pulled up the sleeves of my jacket and long sleeve shirt. "Anything else?"

"Nope, that's all."

"Alrighty then." I said, then walked over to the donut jar. I took out three. For each one I took out I looked at her and rapped it carefully. "All done. Enjoy the sugar covered dough." I said handing her the bag of rapped donuts.

She smiled and me. She payed quick, then hurried out the door and walked out of sight. She was standing beside Lane while leaving. Then I saw her and Lane looking at the drum set in a shop window which made me think.

Now that the first snow had fallen, Christmas things had been hung up. And stores are now starting to prepare for the holidays. Christmas was never great for me, but it wasn't horrible either. Luke didn't care for it much either.

But this year seemed different, I don't know why or how. It just did. The next snow was on Friday. And there was much more left behind this time. I tried being extra nice to customers, but Kurt and Taylor made it really hard. Rory had caught on to my act after coming in constantly in the mornings.

After serving people for the morning on Saturday I headed out. I walked past Rory and Lorelai sitting at a table by the door. I smiled at her over my shoulder when opening the door. Her mom caught my glance too. I didn't care too much for that though.

Once I was outside I saw Dean waiting next to the window. I was so tempted to say something, but that little voice in my head said not to. Screw that voice. I'm saying something. I walked behind him next to the glass.

"Are you stalking your girlfriend?" I asked suddenly after watching him. "Because you seem pretty interested in what she's eating."

"I can't take your crap right now." He said trying to walk away.

"Excuse me? I feel so offended, is everything I say and do threaten you that much?" I sarcastically said putting my hand on my chest.

"You so need to just shut up." He said with back still turned.

"Sorry. Can't really understand what your saying with your back turned, and your mouth so high in the clouds."

He turned around real quick and glared at me. He had to look down at me slightly since he was like 18 feet tall. "Just shut up, Jess!"

Rory walked out of the diner at, it seemed like perfect timing. "What's going on?" She asked while walking almost between us.

"Nothing." I answered sourly. "Oh yeah, that's my queue."

Dean seemed really upset. More than usual. Oh no, did he see me smile at Rory? Nah he couldn't have, even if he did, nothing happened. It was just a smile. Nothing more. Then again he is her boyfriend, and he's super protective of her.

I nodded my head "as you were." I said and then walked off.

I wandered around town for a while and then down to the bridge over the lake. I sat there to eat lunch. I saw a swan swimming at the surface. It looked at me like it was angry with me for some reason. Just to be safe I scooted down the boardwalk away from the swan. After finishing lunch I went to Walmart to do my shifts.

Putting on a smile and being peaceful with the customers was not easy. I hate stores during the holidays. They're so crowded. Lucky for me I work in the back with the shelves and as a fork lift driver.

While walking home in the dark after a "fun" filled day, I saw a shadow of a person ahead. They were very slow and walking towards me. I started walking faster until I saw who the person was. It was Rory. She had her arms filled with bags. I couldn't see her face, which meant she probably couldn't see mine.

"Need any help, ma'am?" I said a bit too confident.

She seemed grateful when she spoke "If you don't mind helping." She then removed a bag that was covering her face and held it out. She then saw my face. "Oh it's you."

"What? Unhappy to see me?" I said taking a couple bags from her.

"Dean, told me." She said after a short silence.

I tilted my head slightly. "You got my interest, do tell."

"The fight." She asserted

"You already knew about that." I said seriously.

"Not that one" she said getting tense.

"Ooh, stern face" I joked smirking.

"The one with, Dean, outside the diner." She said lightly

"That was more of a quarrel between me and him." I mocked staring into her face. "Besides, he has to learn that's he's not the king of this town anymore."

I stared at the ground and lifted my gaze without lifting my head. "Look, if it makes you feel any better, I didn't mean to mess with you by getting on, Golden boy's, nerves."

She slowly let a smile streak across her face. "never again, got it?"

"No promises." I replied dryly.

We walked with the bags and talked until I asked a question that sorta stumped her. "What do you and, Dean, talk about?"

"Nothing of your concern." She answered.

"No really, I'm curious." I asked still smiling.

"Stuff" She said.

"Ya but what kind of stuff?"

"Stop" she beamed.

"Fine, I like mystery's." I sighed. "Cause then I can be the detective."

It was silent. "Why are you so.." She started. "Why are you so nice to me, after screwing everyone else?"

I looked around thinking of what to say to answer her question. "Because at the moment, your the only one who gets me."

She looked at me as I was looking ahead of us on the path. "So, Mr. bad boy, has a soft spot?"

"Looks like your house is coming up." I said trying to distract her.

"You aren't going to say anything else are you?" She said annoyed.

"I guess I should head back to Luke's." I said pointing backward.

"Fine. Just give me the bags, Jess." She gestured to my bags. I gave them to her so they were covering her face again. "Bye."

"Until next time." I waved and then walked down the street to Luke's.