Chapter eight

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Searching

Rory just sat there, drowning in awkward silence. Of course, she had no idea what was doing there, he'd just come in and sat in broody silence for ten minutes. Rory knew the look on his face. She had come to hate that look. It had been the same expression he'd had on in Kyle's party and God knows how that turned our. She knew he wouldn't want to talk but he'd have to, he can't just barge in, no explanation and just sit in silence. Then again, she admitted silently, Jess could do anything to her.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm not sure."

"Oh."

Well, that was very helpful.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Okay."

Another long pause.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Well, this wasn't getting her anywhere.

"Are you hungry?"

"Nope."

This was starting to get frustrating.

"Jess, why are you here?"

"I told you."

"You're going to have to do better than that."

Jess remained silent.

"Did you get my call?"

"Yup."

"Is that why you came?"

"Maybe."

"We're not getting very far."

"Huh."

"Jess, say something."

"Ayn Rand sucks."

"Oh, real mature."

"You told me to say something, I did."

"Yes, well, what you said isn't much coming from someone who worships Hemmingway."

"Is that supposed to be an insult?"

"Something like that."

"Well, I'd expect more than that from a Yale student."

"Give me a chance, it's ten thirty and I haven't had coffee since noon."

"Wow, is that some kind of record?"

"Might be."

"Well, looks like you're in luck," he said getting up and starting to brew another cup.

"Ah, my knight in shining armour has arrived."

"Good thing the suit isn't rusty yet."

The conversation was interrupted by Jess' cell phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Jess." said Karen.

"Hey."

"Listen, I'm sorry for earlier, I just-"

"Hey! Coffee boy, who d'you think you're dealing with, are you putting all that water in intentionally, r do you think it looks pretty there?" Rory said, gesturing towards her coffee mug.

"Who was that?"

"No one."

"You are unbelievable, Jess."

"Karen, listen-"

"You don't just go running back to your ex after a little fight!"

"Karen-"

"You know, I don't need this, I've got enough money now for an apartment, I'll get my stuff tomorrow."

"Karen, don't-"

"Oh, and Jess, remember to use protection, the world is bad enough without another one of you running around."

"Wait-" but she had already hung up. He looked up to see Rory staring at him, sheepishly.

"Did I inadvertently do something wrong?"

"Kinda, that was Karen."

"The girlfriend?"

"Not anymore."

"Oh, Jess, I'm so sorry!"

"Don't be. Can I crash here tonight? I don't feel like driving right now."

"Sure, anything."

"Shall I take the couch?"

"No, I don't feel like being woken up by Paris when her and Doyle get in and see you."

"Okay, so…"

"So, you can share the bed."

"What?"

"Yeah, I don't really care and it's much comfier than the couch."

"You sure?"

"Of course, come on."

Ggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg

Karen finished her eighth drink.

She was sick of Jess, she couldn't deal with him anymore, even though she loved (yes, loved) him, she knew she'd never be the number one woman in his life. She'd first known there was another girl when she saw the message scribbled in the front of a book, for a girl called Rory. And then her picture popped up now and then, a few of Jess' bookmarks, the photo album at the back of his closet, etc, etc.

She was tired of being second best, she couldn't take it anymore.

Suddenly, she wasn't alone, a guy with blonde hair and brown eyes had appeared next to her.

"Hey." He said.

"Hi."

"You okay?"

"No."

"Well, how about that."

"You okay?"

"No."

"Oh."

"How about we drown our sorrows in another drink?"

"Sounds good."

"Logan Huntzberger, by the way."

"Karen Bates." She said, smiling. Maybe tonight wouldn't be so bad after all.

Ggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg

Rory woke up closer to Jess than she remembered but, then again, her memory never was that good in the morning.

She didn't know whether it was the proximity to Jess or the fact that it was before seven that made her mind go all hazy. She settle for an even split.

His eyelids gently fluttered open and she averted her gaze.

"Morning." He greeted, groggily.

"Morning."

There was about an inch in between their faces and, like before, she found herself leaning in. But this time, when their lips touched, he didn't pull away.