The words of a Clash song were blaring from my stereo as I headed towards Stars Hollow. I couldn't stand being in my empty apartment anymore, so I decided to spend the week with mom. My classes ended a week ago, so I could just relax and get some reading done with my mom. Maybe I'd even throw in a Shoe sale or two. Jess had been gone for six months, and it just seemed to get longer. He had tried to come home for Christmas, but an emergency came up and he couldn't leave. I kept busy, but everyday seemed to get longer without him. He called every night, and I sent packages to him once in a while. However, our conversations were getting shorter, and shorter. It wasn't that we were running out of things to say, but it just go harder and harder to hang up the phone, so I would usually cut it short before I got too emotional.

As I pulled into Stars Hollow, I noticed my mom's jeep at Luke's. I pulled into a spot and got out with a smile on my face. This place was always welcoming to me. As I walked in, the bell jingled, and my mother's smile was a mile wide as she jumped up, and wrapped me in a hug.

"Oh, my baby is home! Luke! Come out here, and bring another cup with you!" I laughed as mom ran to the counter and started yelling for him more.

"Geez, Lorelai, could you not yell in here, you're scaring the customers!"

"Oh please, like you never yell at anyone."

"Well, when I yell I don't look like a lunatic," he retorted. I sat in the seat next to my mom as he poured me a cup of coffee.

"Oh, I beg to differ." She shut up after Luke gave her coffee.

"So, Rory, it's nice to have you back in town. How is everything?"

"Oh, well I guess things are good. I mean, they've been better, but I'm getting through it." Mom rubbed my back, and smiled at me sympathetically.

"Hey, why don't we have a movie night, just you and me? You don't mind, do you Luke?"

"Oh no, that's fine. I've gotta stay here anyway because of shipment tomorrow."

"Thanks Lukey," my mom cooed, batting her eyelashes.

"Oh god, please don't do that while I'm working."

"Fine you're no fun, let's go Rory." After kissing Luke goodbye, my mom and I picked up Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and bought enough junk food to feed a small nation.

"Are you sure we're going to eat this much?" she looked at me questioningly.

"Rory, don't tell me that you've lost your championship ways."

"Your right, who am I kidding, of course I could eat this much."

"Geez you scared me for a minute there, kid." Mom hugged my shoulders as we both walked home, leaving our vehicles at Luke's.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

"Oompa Loompas!" I laughed into the throw pillow I was holding as my crazy mom went nuts for the Oompa Loompas.

"Mom, aren't you a little old to have fantasies about little men?"

"Hello? I'm sorry, I can't here you, I'm too busy being a happy person!"

"Thanks mom. Does Luke know about your little fantasy?"

"Of course, he totally understands."

"Oh yea, I'm sure." She throws a handful of Skittles at me, and as I dodge them, I hear my phone ring. Mom gives me a knowing look as I run to reach my phone.

"Hello?" I say, almost out of breath.

"Hey, baby you sound like you've just ran a marathon."

"Well, we were watching Willy Wonka, and I couldn't find my phone so I had to start a frantic search."

"Wow, sounds deadly. So how is it at your moms?"

"It's surprisingly happy."

"Happy?"

"Yeah, I feel good being here, it makes it easier to deal with you being there."

"I'm glad; just don't totally forget to miss me."

"Oh trust me, that's not possible. At night, it's hard to sleep without you."

"Ugh, Rory, you're killing me." I giggle girlishly at how right now he's probably squirming. It makes me more confident.

"Did I happen to mention what I was wearing?" I bit my lip.

"No, and I don't think I could take it if you told me." We both laugh.

"A pair of shorts and your shirt."

"Damn you for being this evil." The line goes silent for a minute, and I wonder if this is about to go into dangerous territory. Surprisingly, I end up being the one to bring it there.

"Jess, I miss you, a lot." I'm quiet, and I feel the tears welling at the corners of my eyes even before he responds.

"I miss you too, Rory, and it makes my heart break that it's been so long since I've seen you." His voice makes me whimper, and I duck my head down to try and compose myself. I have t go now or I'll get hysterical again, and I really can't deal with that right now.

"My mom is calling me, I'll talk to you later…I love you." I'm glad he understands, he knows when I get to emotional to stay on the phone, and it makes me feel like he knows more about me than I thought.

"Okay, goodnight. I'll see you soon." I smile at this. "I love you too." With that, we hang up, and I take a few deep breaths before going back into the living room.

"Is he okay?" mom asks when I return.

"Yeah, he's great. We talked about how I like being here, and he told me not to forget about missing him."

"Aw, you've made Jess grow soft, remind me to tease him when he comes back." I snuggle into her sides.

"Have you ever felt like you've just gotten hit by a bus, but you were one of those people who just happen to live in the most miserable way?" She gives me a confused look.

"Like, you were so close to dying, but you still have to live."

"I guess, I mean I've felt like my heart was being hit by a bus over and over when Luke and I broke up."

"Well that's how I feel everyday I have to wake up without him, every morning I'm hit with a bus that can't quite kill me, just make me miserable. I hate it. It really makes me realize how much I need him in my life." Mom looks at me.

"Rory, what are you getting at?"

"When Jess comes home, I'm going to propose to him." I say it with confidence, knowing that I'm doing the right thing.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive."

"Okay, as long as you're sure. I think you should get some sleep, you look tired."

"You're right, I'm going to bed." She kisses the top of my head.

"Love ya, kid. Don't drive yourself crazy, kay?" I smile at her.

"Promise."

As I walk into my room, I find the photo album that I made for Jess for our three year anniversary. It has pictures from when we were friends up until the night before when I got a picture of him covered in flour trying to bake a cake. I brought it with me with no intentions for it, but now that I'm looking through it, it makes me feel better that a part of him is with me now. I get to the end where I had written a short note, and close it, putting it back in my bag. I crawl into bed, and fall asleep with tear-stained cheeks.