Title: A Perfect, and Somewhat Dysfunctional, Family
By: bokayjunkie
Summary: Luke and Rory has always had a special father/daughter bond that no one can break. But what happens when someone comes along to ruin that bond. Set in Season 1. Luke and Lorelai are not together…YET. A little RD also.
Disclaimer: I have nothing to say.
A/N: And, this is what we've all been waiting for. I hope you enjoy.
CHAPTER 22: Swann's Way, a way to Break his Heart
Again Lorelai hadn't been to the diner. After calling the diner last night, she lost all her courage. She hasn't even asked him, nor Rory, about Emily's invitation for him to come to Friday Night Dinner. Her mother's been calling her minute after minute, she's been avoiding them successfully though. If she hasn't been able to talk to Luke before Friday, then she'll just have to tell her mother that he suffered a severe injury and that he died.
That afternoon, when Rory had came home from school, she found her mother in the kitchen, cleaning out the fridge.
"Four slices pepperoni pizza." Lorelai said, holding out the pizza box in front of her daughter to show her.
"From?"
Lorelai inspected it. "Tuesday?" she said it more as a question rather than an answer.
Rory's brows raised. "Last Tuesday?"
"The Tuesday in the not so distant past." she said sheepishly.
"Toss it." she said simply, sitting down at the table. "So you remember Paris Geller."
"Your very best friend in the whole world?" she said sarcastically.
She nodded sadly. "Her parents are getting a major divorce."
Lorelai's brows raised. "Really."
"Her dad's like this big wig at a huge pharmaceutical company and they're printing all the sordid details about it in the paper."
"Ooh how sordid?"
"Well, it's not the Rich James incident, but Hugh Grant should be feeling pretty good about himself."
"If she was anyone else in the entire universe I might feel bad for her."
"Actually I kind of do feel bad for her." thinking how sad she would feel if her mother and Luke get a divorce, that is if they ever marry. But right now, it does, somehow, feel as if they're divorced, with her mother dating someone else.
"That's because you are the nicest kid ever to walk the earth."
"It's not just that." she defended. "I don't know. With our differences, I still feel bad for her. I mean, I know somewhere, deep, deep, and I mean really deep down inside of her, she really has a heart. Did you know, during our dark day, she noticed that I was feeling a bit down and asked me if I was ok?"
Lorelai's brows raised. "Really? She did?"
"Yup. I was kind of teasing her about it too. But, she just shrugged it off."
"Wow. I guess the wicked witch really does have a heart." Lorelai commented, then she pulled out another pizza box. "Oh, hey, this is the pizza from mystery Tuesday. That one's completely fine." she said, pointing to the one she threw in the trash can. She started to reach for it when Rory stopped her.
"Don't."
"It's in the box!" she argued.
"Oscar!" she said sternly.
"Felix!" mocking the same tone.
"Forget it!"
Lorelai pouted. "Fine." then threw out the pizza box in the garbage can as well. Then started to look more food to throw out.
"Oh hey, remember about Parents day tomorrow." she reminded. Lorelai just gave her a grunt. "I already signed you and Luke up to come."
Lorelai stopped what she was doing. "Luke?"
"Yeah."
"You want Luke to go too?"
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I?"
"I don't know." she shrugged casually. "I just thought that, maybe you didn't."
"But Luke always comes to my school functions." she pointed, "Ever since I started school."
"I know." she stammered. "But, that was here, in Stars Hollow. Where people know that Luke's like a father to you. But you're going to Chilton now. It's different."
"Not really. I still want Luke to come. No matter what school I go to." she said reasonably. "And besides, I want Luke to see Chilton. I bet that would earn a good full hour of ranting."
Lorelai smiled at the thought. She do love it whenever he rants.
"Mom what's wrong?" she asked her mother.
"What do you mean?" Lorelai asked evasively, occupying herself with the fridge once again. "nothing's wrong with me."
"I mean, what's wrong with you and Luke?"
"There's nothing wrong between me and Luke either."
"That's crap." she mumbled.
"Rory!" Lorelai shrieked, not believing her daughter ha said such a thing.
"What? I am sorry, but you're clearly not giving me a straight answer here."
"Look, nothing is wrong between me and Luke ok? End of story."
"No. not end of story. I know something's up. You haven't been at the diner for two days now. That is just a long time for you to go without Luke's coffee."
"How do you know I wasn't in the diner today?"
"Because I was just there and Luke told me you didn't come in." she said. "Did you two have a fight?"
"What? No."
"Then why are you avoiding Luke?"
"I'm not avoiding Luke ok." she insisted.
"You seem to be doing a very good job at it." she said ignoring her mother's statement. "Waking up late. Having to work in late at the inn. Cleaning out the fridge."
"I'm not avoiding him."
Still, Rory ignored her. "I mean, I just want to know. I'm concerned about the two of you. If you're avoiding him for a reason, I should know about it. He is like a father to me. And a very important person in my life. So, I have the right to know if anything's wrong with the two of you-"
"Rory!" Lorelai yelled. "Will you just drop it. Ok? Luke and I are fine. We're not fighting. And I'm not avoiding him. So, drop it."
Rory stared at her mother, a bit angry that she wouldn't tell her. But dropped it, as her request. "Ok."
Lorelai sighed in relief. "Thank you." then she sat down at a chair across from Rory.
"So how's 'Swann's Way' coming." Rory said, trying to start a conversation.
"Finished." Lorelai mumbled, while chewing on frozen French fries.
Rory looked at her in shock. "You're kidding! It took me forever to read that. I had to renew it 10 times."
"The first sentence" she corrected. "I finished the first sentence."
Rory smirked. "Aha."
"Yeah - it's just - I'm so swamped right now you know, it's the totally wrong time to start reading the longest book known to man." she exaggerated. "Hey maybe you could give it back to Max for me?"
"Just bring it with you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"Parent's day?"
Lorelai realized, "Oh. Yeah. Yeah. Um…well, I may not have time to talk to him. You know." she chuckled nervously. "I mean, it would seem a bit weird if I talk to him and give him back his book with other parents looking at us. They might get suspicious and then people will know." she babbled.
"Well, you can give it back to him during lunch. He's not going anywhere you know."
"I know. I know. I just…want to be careful, is all."
Rory studied her mother. She was evasive, and seemed nervous about something. "Is something wrong between you and Mr. Medina?"
Lorelai let out an exaggerated sigh as she rolled her eyes. "What is it with you today? First with Luke, now with Max. Geez. Take a break lady."
"Well it's not my fault. You're the one not giving me anything. Luke's important to me, ok? You are too. And Mr. Medina is my teacher. I just don't want any of you to get hurt."
"We're fine ok."
"Well. Mr. Medina told me that you haven't been talking to him. Which seemed weird seeing as how you always talk to him 24/7."
Lorelai looked at her curiously. "How did you know that?"
"He wanted to know if you were going to Parent's day and then he mentioned that you guys hadn't talked lately."
"He shouldn't be asking you about me." she stood up angrily then started to rearange the fridge again.
"It was fine. Really mom. I'm much more concerned with you and him. Is everything ok? I mean, before your date, you wouldn't stop talking about him, but then somehow, you just stopped and you aren't really being giddy anymore…" how come she hadn't noticed this then. Then she realized, "Are you breaking up with him?" she breathed.
Lorelai stopped what she was doing.
"You are. You're breaking up with him." she concluded. Both feeling a bit surprised yet somewhat happy. But kept calm. "You're breaking up with him, that's why you haven't spoken to him." trying to hold her eagerness. "Why are you breaking up with him?"
"Because it's not working out." she sighed, and kept on cleaning.
Rory stayed quiet, trying not to smile. It seemed a bit selfish of her to be happy that her mom is breaking up with her teacher. Remembering how her teacher had looked when she talked to him, and how much he lit up when she told him that her mother would be coming to Parents day. She felt a bit guilty feeling happy that they'll break up. "But you seemed so happy."
"It's not right" she insisted, "that's all."
"So that's why you're breaking up with him?" she didn't need any more convincing.
"Yes." she said quietly. Rory nodded and didn't say anymore. Lorelai sighed and sat back down. "Look, I'm sorry I put you in this position. I didn't mean for it. I know how selfish it was of me to date him, knowing he's your teacher."
"No, mom. It's ok. I only want what makes you happy." she assured. "If breaking up with Mr. Medina will make you happy, then, you have to do what you have to do." she said, sincerely.
Lorelai smiled warmly at her daughter's support. How did I get so lucky to have a wonderful girl such as her? "Thanks hun."
"And you're saying she's going to break up with him?" Lane asked her best friend anxiously as they walked the Stars Hollow streets that night.
"Yes." Rory nodded. Lane was right next to her, taking in what she had just said to her, as Dean was on the other side of her, their fingers intertwine. "She told me earlier that it just wasn't right, and that she was gonna break up with him."
"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!" Lane chanted.
"Lane, calm down." Rory was amused at her best friend.
"But this is big. When they break up, we can go back to being Hayley Mills and Lindsay Lohan." Lane babbled. "I mean, I came up of a great way into getting Luke and Lorelai together. I just didn't say anything seeing as how your mother was with your teacher. But now, we can put the plan full into action."
Rory smirked. "Ok. But can I be Hayley Mills? Pre puberty or not, she's still Lindsay Lohan."
"Lindsay wasn't that bad pre puberty. She was just a girl having difficulty with the happenings of her parents. Her father being an alcoholic and going to jail and all."
"Still." Rory shrugged.
"Wow, you guys are really sad about this whole situation." Dean said sarcastically.
"What are you talking about?" Rory asked.
"I mean, you guys are already throwing a celebration party on the fact that your mother's gonna break up with her boyfriend."
"Dean, it's not like that." Rory said.
"Yeah Dean," added Lane. "it's just, Luke and Lorelai belong together. They're just in denial of their feelings. And besides, Mr. Medina is Rory's teacher. How weird is that?"
"I just kind of feel sorry for the guy, that's all." he shrugged. "don't get me wrong. I think Luke and Lorelai should be together too. They're already like parents for Rory. But, it just seemed that this guy really likes Lorelai. I just feel sad for him knowing that Lorelai's gonna break his heart."
"Oh please." Lane said roling her eyes.
"No, Lane, Dean is right." Rory said.
"What? What do you mean? do you not want Luke and Lorelai to get together anymore?"
"No I still do. Believe me. I really want mom and Luke to be together. Nothing would make me so happier than us being a real family." she assured. "It's just, I do feel bad for Mr. Medina. You should have seen him earlier today when he asked me if mom was gonna come tomorrow to Parents Day. He completely lit up when he found out mom was going. I just, I hope that he hasn't really fallen for mom that hard."
"Oh." Lane suddenly realized how bad it may be for Max. "You're kind of right."
The three continued to walk in complete, solemn, silence.
"So uh…" Dean said, trying to break the silence. "Lindsay, what's this plan you have here?"
"It better not be locking them in the room again." Rory warned. "The last time we did that, it backfired on so many levels."
Lane laughed. "Ok, well…"
Lorelai sat on the couch, watching something on TV, while eating another pint of Ben and Jerry's. Rory was out with Lane and Dean tonight, and with nothing to do, she just watched TV. She wasn't really paying attention. she's still thinking about how she was gonna tell Max she wants out. She wants this to stop. She didn't want to hurt him. She just doesn't want to be with him. Not now. Not since after what had happened with Luke.
She wants her chance with Luke. After fourteen years, she's finally going to do something about it. Hopefully, Luke will reciprocate. But after his reaction on Sunday she just doesn't. is this really worth jeopardizing their friendship. Does she really want to be with Luke that much that she's willing to take this risk?
Yes.
She's been putting it off long enough. It's time to do something about it. But first, she has to break it off with Max. it wouldn't be fare to both of them if she didn't. just as she took the last bite of her ice cream, the doorbell rang.
Lorelai sighed as she got up. Not really caring of what she looks like right now. Even if she knows she looks like crap. With her sweat pants, old shirt, and a messy pony tail. Who cares? To hell with it all.
But once she opened the door, she suddenly felt self conscious. Wanting nothing more than to go upstairs and get dressed in the most beautiful outfit she has ever owned. Because in front of her was Luke himself, looking even more handsome than she remembered. Even with his usual flannel and backwards baseball cap.
"Luke." she said, completely surprised that he even came a foot near her house.
"Hey." he smiled nervously. "Rory…uh, told me that she needed her bookshelf to be fixed."
"Oh." she blinked out of her Luke daze. "It does?"
"Apparently its starting to fall."
"Oh." well duh he's not here for you. - But does that mean he doesn't want me? Then she realized that she blocking his way. "Come in."
Luke came inside the house, trying not to glance at Lorelai. It's been two days since he'd seen her and my god was she beautiful. Specially right now, in all her natural beauty. He loved it when she was dressed up, but he loves it more when she's not in her make-up and only in her house clothes. It brings the real beauty out of her. He entered the house, went straight to the closet, took out his toolbox and went in to Rory's room, with Lorelai behind him.
Lorelai watched as he started to work on Rory's shelf. This could be my chance. She thought. Maybe we can finally talk now.
"How does it look?" her voice croaked. She cleared her throat.
"Not bad. It's just not standing straight, that's all." he answered.
"Oh." she said, then casually sat on Rory's bed. She was about to say something else when Luke suddenly stood up.
"Finished." he announced.
"Oh." she said, then quickly stood up as well. "So fast?"
"Not that hard really."
She nodded. Luke quickly put away the tools and left the room. Lorelai followed.
"I better get going." he said, once the toolbox was kept inside the closet.
"Oh." quickly, she tried to think of something to keep him from leaving. "Do you want something to drink first?"
"Nah. It's ok. I really should get going."
"But-"
"Good night though." he said, then quickly walked towards the door.
"Wait." she said. He stopped and turned around. "Luke, please stay."
Luke cleared his throat. "I really should-"
"Luke please." she pleaded. "Please stay. I really need to talk to you."
"What do you want to talk about?"
Is he honestly going to deny me now. "You know what." she said.
Luke sighed. "Lorelai-"
"We kissed." she interrupted. Then with a smile said, "Luke. We kissed."
Luke looked down at his feet, and couldn't help but smile himself. "Yeah. We did."
"And…" she continued, taking a small step forward towards him. "It was…amazing." she said quietly.
He looked up and met her eyes, he was still smiling. "Yeah, it was."
Then absently she said, "And I was awake."
"What?"
"Luke we kissed. You and I. We kissed."
"I remember." still confused from her previous statement.
"Well? Did it mean something to you?"
"What? Shouldn't I be asking you that question?"
"Well you were the one that bolted." she said. "So I assume that you didn't want to be with me. And that you didn't like it. And I just…" now feeling embarrassed for laying all this out to Luke. "You know what, just forget it. Forget I ever said anything. Let's forget it all even happened." she said frustrated, trying to keep herself calm. "I mean, obviously it didn't mean anything to you. So if you want to forget that it ever happened. We can, let's just forg-"
She was immediately cut off by his lips on hers. He wrapped his arms around her tightly. He stood there, very amused, and very bewildered by her statement. How could she not know that I want to be with her. Is she crazy. Well of course she is. But crazy enough to not know how much I want to be with her.
He just wanted her to stop saying all these things about forgetting the kiss. He didn't want to forget it. It was the best kiss he has ever experienced. And she wants to forget it? The sadness in her voice was not lost on him. And he was very amused just by the way she looked when she spoke. He just had to make her stop talking, so he kissed her.
Once his lips were on hers, all of Lorelai's thoughts just went away. She didn't even know what she was talking about just now. All she could feel is Luke's lips and hands. She was completely intoxicated by the way it felt for him to be against her. She wrapped her arms around him, exploring his back, and noted how built he was. Once the feel of his lips were on hers, she never wanted to stop.
She pulled Luke closer to her, wanting to feel more. More of him. And his lips. And his body. She felt him pulling away, so she pulled him more towards her, not wanting to let go. Then suddenly, oxygen became a problem, and immediately pulled apart, their faces still inches apart. She breathed heavily, but she kept him close to her. Not letting go of his embrace.
She looked up at him and saw his eyes sparkled. He laughed softly at her. "If I had known kissing you would shut you up, I would have done it years ago."
"Yeah." she giggled. "And I am really mad that you didn't mister."
He laughed. "Did you really think I didn't like it? That I didn't want you?" he asked, cupping her cheeks.
Lorelai look down.
"Lorelai, I'd be crazy to not want you."
She blushed. "Then why did you leave after we kissed?"
He looked down. "Because you were with Max."
"Is that it? That's why you left?"
Luke sighed. "Lorelai, I want to be with you. I have wanted to be with you for a very long time. Probably ever since we met." she wanted to cry when he said that. "And I still do. When you and Max were together It hurt me. So bad. But when you told me you were gonna break up with him, I don't know, I kind of had some kind of hope, inside me." she smiled. "And then we kissed, but it just reminded me that you were still with him, and it felt wrong. And that, you were probably just emotional. So, I left."
"You thought it didn't mean anything to me?"
"You were crying, and told me that you were gonna break up with your boyfriend. I thought you were emotional."
"He's not my boyfriend." she cleared. "And I guess it kind of seemed that was emotional. But Luke you have to understand, I want to be with you. So much. It just, it hurts me when you left that day after we kissed."
"I'm sorry I hurt you."
"No. don't be. I know. And it wasn't fair for us to kiss when, technically, I'm still with Max. but you have to believe me Luke, I want to be with you." she said, her eyes pleading.
"I believe you."
She smiled at him, relieved. "I'm gonna break up with Max tomorrow."
"So soon." he said sarcastically.
She chuckled, "The sooner the better." she joked. Then seriously said, "Tomorrow, when we go on Parents day, I'm gonna break up with him."
Luke nodded, then realized, "Wait, we?"
"Yeah. We. You, me, and Rory. Parents day. Remember?"
"I'm coming?"
"Yes. Didn't Rory tell you?"
He shurgged. "Well, I just thought since it was Chilton and all…"
"Yeah that's what I said. But she wants you there."
He smiled. "Ok." then gave her a lingering kiss.
"I love doing that." she whispered with a smile.
"Me too." he smiled as well. "But, we probably shouldn't. technically, you're still with Max."
She sighed, and let go of Luke. "You're right. So, hold off on the kissing until tomorrow."
"Yeah." he nodded in agreement.
She looked at him, then immediately smiled. He did too. She couldn't help it, and she started to kiss him again. Very fiercely. She pulled him closer to her and gave him a long kiss. Then backed away.
"Uh, I think some distance would be good." he cleared his throat.
"Yeah." she nodded. "Do you want to stay and watch TV with me?"
"Uh..." he wasn't sure if being at close proximity with Lorelai would be good right now. Seeing as how their lips are like magnets.
Lorelai, sensing his predicament, "Don't worry, totally innocent." She assured. "I just don't want to be alone." she pouted, knowing he couldn't resist.
He sighed. "sure."
Lorelai led him to the living room. He sat on one end of the couch, and she sat on the other. They stared at the screen but didn't really pay any attention. Both still reeling in the fact that they are now potentially together. Aren't they?
"So," Lorelai started, breaking the silence. "this does mean that we're together, now…right?"
"Well…not…yet." he stuttered.
"Right. After I break up with Max, we are officially together?"
"Yes." he said. Then quickly added, "If you want us to be-"
"I do." she assured him with a smile.
"Good."
"Good." she repeated.
"Um, Lorelai?"
"Hm?'
"Can we not tell Rory until we're officially together?"
"Yeah. We wont tell Rory until we're officially together."
"Ok." he said. "What if she's not gonna be ok with this?"
"Are you kidding me?" she giggled. "Rory will definitely be fine with this."
"I mean, she seemed to like that Max guy. Did you tell her that you were breaking up with him?"
"I told her. She was very supportive of me. She only wants me to be happy, and" she held out her arm, and intertwined her fingers with his, "being with you will definitely make me happy."
He smiled. "Kay." then went back to watching whatever was on TV, their fingers still laced. "Hey, what did you mean earlier?"
"What do you mean?"
"When you were talking earlier about the kiss, you said something about being awake."
Her eyes widen, seeming to remember what he was talking about. "Oh…" she averted his eyes. "Nothing. I was just…it was nothing."
"Come one. It was something. I just want to know."
"Well…"
Patiently, "Well…"
"Um…" she stalled, biting her lower lip, "Let's just say…that our kiss on Sunday, wasn't my first kiss with you." she said, trying not to look at him.
Taken back, "What?"
"When you slept over during Rory's 9th birthday," she started to explain, "we fell asleep, and somehow Rory ended up in her room and we were left in the living room."
He remembered that morning. He woke up facing Lorelai's back. Rory nowhere in sight. He remembered a bit terrified at where Rory could have been. He also remembered smelling faintly of lavender, which was Lorelai's choice of perfume for the party. And his lips tasted like coffee and chocolate, which was weird seeing as how he would never eat any of those.
"Anyways…" Lorelai continued. "I woke up before you did. And we were in a very comfortable position. And we were very close to ach other. And…I…kissed…you."
Luke's eyes widen, and a grin on his face started to form.
"And you were still asleep…" she went on. "And I just wanted to know what it was like." she said shyly. "Then I felt you kissing me back, and I thought you woke up. But you didn't. and you were about to, so I pretended to be asleep."
He raised his brows at her. "You kissed me?" she nodded shyly, still not looking at him. "No wonder I tasted coffee and chocolate when I woke up."
Lorelai rolled her eyes. "Well I just wanted to know what it would feel like." she pouted, taking her hand back and crossed her arms across her chest. He started to laugh. She narrowed her eyes at him, "So what? It's not like you've never kissed me in my sleep before." she meant it to be a joke. She didn't actually think that he did. But judging by Luke's reaction, he was quiet and went still. He looked guilty, as if he were caught. She gasped in realization. "Oh my god! You have." she said accusingly. "You've kissed me while I was asleep."
"You kissed me too." he shot back.
"But still. You, Luke Danes, actually kissed me while I was asleep. When was it?"
"I don't know." he rolled his eyes. He does know, but wouldn't admit it.
"Luke."
"Fine." he grumbled. "Every other morning when I sleep over." he mumbled. Her eyes went wide.
"You've kissed me more than once?" she started to laugh.
"It was just a peck. Usually on your forehead."
"Wow, you must have really wanted me." she kept on laughing.
He looked at her seriously, "I've always wanted you."
She stopped and looked at him. She wanted to cry. "we're really stupid aren't we."
"Yeah." he whispered hoarsely, then gave her a small kiss on her cheeks. She closed her eyes at the contact, even if it were small, it was still electrifying. Just as he pulled back, they heard the front door open and close.
"Mom, I'm home." Rory announced. She entered the living room and lit up once she saw Luke. "Luke." she exclaimed, running towards him, then sat herself next to him on the couch. "What are you doing here?" as she pulled back from her teddy bear hug.
"I fixed your book shelf."
"Really? It's not wobbly anymore?"
"Nope. Prefect as it was before."
"Thank you." and hugged him again. "Hey, did you two make up from your fight?" she asked when she pulled back. She looked back and forth between her mother and Luke.
"Fight? We were in a fight?" Luke asked.
Lorelai rolled her eyes. "Rory, I told you, we weren't fighting." Lorelai scoffed.
"Ok." she said, still not believing them. "Did you two not make up, from your not fight?"
The two of them laughed at her. "Yes. We did." Lorelai said, humoring her daughter.
"Good, cause, I don't think you would have lived another day without going to the diner." she told her mom.
Lorelai rolled her eyes at her daughter. It wasn't the lack of coffee that she would die from. It was the guy behind the coffee, and the counter.
"Oohh, That 70's Show." Rory exclaimed, hearing the familiar tune on the television. The three of them focused on the TV. The two adults occasionally giving each other glances, and secret smiles.
"Wow." Luke commented, as he parked in front of Chilton.
"Yup." Rory said. They had taken his truck, Luke at the wheel, Rory in the middle, Lorelai on the other side.
"It's…big."
"Very. Hey Luke, look, they made a statue out of you." Lorelai joked pointing to one of the gargoyles.
"All right let's get out of here before your mother makes any Hunchback of Notre Dam references." Luke said, putting the truck into park.
Lorelai and Rory giggled as they got out of the truck. Rory had started to walk ahead of them, as Luke walked with Lorelai at a normal pace.
"Hey, not so fast." Lorelai hollered, the tow adults trying to catch up with the young Lorelai.
"The bell's gonna ring." she said with a smile and jogged up the stairs.
"Before you go one more step," she said seriously, then smirked "tell me you like me?"
She rolled her eyes. "You bug me." then started to walk away from the two pair.
Lorelai turned to Luke. "I'll take that as a yes." Luke shook his head. "Hey," she said in a serious tone, "I will deal with Max. ok?" he nodded. "Really." hoping that he would know that she's telling the truth.
He smiled. "I believe you."
She smiled. "Good. Now we better go catch up with Rory, or else she'll have a fit."
He chuckled and they walked towards the direction of Rory's locker. When they rounded the corner, they saw Rory putting books away in her locker.
"Finally, I was about to send out a search party for the two of you."
"Your mother's fault." Luke said.
"Uh! So not." she said. "What's our first class?" Lorelai asked her daughter.
"Biology." she stated.
Lorelai grimace. "We're not going to dissect anything today, are we?"
"No, that's next semester. We're learning about the cell this semester."
"Ok, cells I can handle." she said. The bell rang and the three went to Rory's first class.
"God." Lorelai said exasperatedly as they walked out of math. "That was the most boring thirty-five minutes of my life."
"It wasn't that bad." Luke said.
"Easy for you to say. You're a math geek." she said. "I mean, why dot hey teach you kids these things anyway. In the years I have lived, I never needed these for my job."
"Mom, you have to do inventory and count up the supplies and bills you have at the inn." Rory reminded as they stopped in front of her locker once again.
"Yeah, but that was basic adding and subtracting stuff." she said in a duh tone. "I never need the use of the…Python…theory-'
"Pythagorean Theorem." Luke and Rory said in unison, correcting Lorelai.
"whatever." Lorelai said rooling her eyes. "I never used that theorem before, and I've lived."
"You know mom, the Pythagorean Theorem is useful to some people in their profession. And we kind of need to learn it to pass math."
"Yeah, useful for Einstein over here." she said pointing at Luke. Luke rolled his eyes at Lorelai.
"I do not use the Pythagorean Theorem."
"Well you know it." she shot back.
"Yes, because they taught it when I was at school."
"Many moons ago." she smirked. Luke just rolled his eyes and shut up knowing he wasn't gonna win this battle.
"You can't just leave now." they heard Paris' cry. The three looked across from them where they saw Paris and an older woman looking stressed.
"Paris please." the woman said in a tiring sigh.
"At least come to my lit class." Paris argued.
"This place is giving me a headache." dramatically dabbing her temple with the back of her hand.
"Mom." Paris said frustrated.
Just then, Mrs. Gellar looked at Paris' face. " Is your face breaking out?"
Paris rolled her eyes. "No."
"You have not being using that cleanser have you? Now Dr. Yanalari prescribed that cleanser for a reason - to cleanse-"
"Just lit class." Paris interrupted her mother frustrated.
"Paris with everything I have going on right now the last thing I need to do is face a bunch of bored people who are gossiping about me. I'll see you later at home. Use that cover stick I got you." then with that, Mrs. Gellar walked away.
Paris sighed and banged her locker door closed and frustrated walked into lit class.
"I bet I'm looking pretty good to you right now." Lorelai said after a moment.
"Yes you are." Rory mumbled sadly, feeling really bad for Paris.
"Poor kid." Luke said.
"Yeah." she looked at him, who stood behind her. They both sighed in sympathy for Paris. even with the trouble that she had given Rory, they still felt bad for her.
"So, what's next?" Lorelai asked her daughter.
"Well," Rory started, closing her locker door. "English lit with Mr. Medina."
Both Luke and Lorelai's face fell a bit. Lorelai reached a hand back, capturing Luke's. she gave it a reassuring squeeze, letting him know everything will be ok. He squeezed back.
"Ok." Lorelai said confidently, still keeping her hand with Luke's.
"Do you have the book?" Rory asked.
"Yeah." Lorelai responded. "It's in my purse."
"Ok good. You two ready?" she asked them they both nodded and followed Rory to English lit.
"The book?" Luke whispered in Lorelai's ears.
Lorelai closed her eyes at the feel of his warm breath on hers. "It's nothing." she moaned quietly. He nodded, not asking anymore.
"On Monday we will start a two week of creative writing exercise, but that doesn't mean we stop reading." Max went on to the class. "One of the greatest inspirations of working writers is the writing of other that they admire. Walt Whitman read Homer, Dante, Shakespeare." he took a quick glance at Lorelai's direction, and was a bit bothered at how close she and Luke was standing next to her. "And the novelist Edna O'Brien has been quoted as saying 'that every writer should read some Proust every day' Now, at this point, normally I would impress the partens by pulling out a copy of Proust's 'Swann's Way' and reading a particularly difficult passage but alas, you're all saved. I have misplaced my copy." the bell rings. "Oh that does is - parent's thanks for coming, students - papers on Whitman are due tomorrow and those of you who are just starting tonight - I'll be able to tell."
The students began to stand up and getting ready to leave.
"Now I know why I hated English so much in high school." Luke quietly said to Lorelai. "It's so boring."
Luke giggled. "Are you sure it's not because of the teacher?" she teased.
"Don't start." he said gruffly. She giggled more.
"Hey mom. Cookie?" she asked, holding out two cookies for her mother.
"Thank you honey." and took a bite of the cookies.
"Luke I'd offer you one, but I have a feeling you'll just say no and give a rant at how cookies is filled with calories and fattening sugar."
"So you have been listening to me." he said in mock surprised. "And here I thought you were ignorant to my warnings of how you wont live past 20 if you keep eating those stuff."
"Well it's really hard to ignore you." she said.
"It's true Luke." Lorelai mumbled with her mouth full of both cookies.
"Oh that's attractive." he smirked. She smacked him playfully on the arm. "So what's next."
"Well, you'll both be relieved to hear that, lunch is next."
"Thank god." Lorelai said.
"Please tell me you have real food at this fancy school of yours." he said.
"Oh we do. We have pizza. Burgers. We even have Taco Bell."
He looked at her in disbelief. "Please tell me you're kidding."
"um…" she pondered, "There's banana's."
He sighed. "That'll do."
Lorelai laughed at his reaction. The three started to walk, then Lorelai stopped.
"You coming mom?"
"Um…" she looked back at Max's direction, she saw him talking to a parent, but caught him stealing glances at her. "Yeah." she said looking at Luke and Rory. "hey, why don't the two of you go ahead. I have to talk to Mr. Medina about something."
Rory's eyes widen in realization. With all the talk of food she almost forgot about the whole situation.
"You sure." Luke asked in concern, holding her hand, giving it a squeeze.
"Yes. You two go ahead. I'll catch up with you."
"Kay." they said. Luke let go of Lorelai's hand as he and Rory started towards the door.
"Save me a taco." she called.
Lorelai took in a deep breath and turned towards Max. the parent he was talking to, fortunately, already left. Leaving the two of them alone.
"Hi." she said to him.
"Hi" he smiled, walking towards her. "it's nice to see you."
"Yeah. I've been really busy." she stammered.
"Oh sure…I assumed."
"I wanted to give this back to you." she took out the book from her purse and held it out to Max.
"Keep it." Max said.
"I really liked it." she said. "I like the first 20 pages anyway, then I got busy and I can see you really need it so…" trying to give him the book back.
"What's going on Lorelai?" Max finally asked.
"Nothing." she said, "I just don't think a book whose first sentence is 20 pages long is for me."
"I left four messages"
"I know." avoiding his eyes. "I've been meaning to call."
"What's been keeping you?"
she shrugged. "I don't know" Luke. "things."
"Uh huh." he nodded. Probably out spending her time with Luke.
"Sorry." she said quietly.
"Sorry?"
"That I didn't call."
"Ok."
"So" holding the book out to him again, "here."
"Why do you keep on trying to give me the book?"
"Because it's yours." she said in a 'duh' tone
"Is there something going on here that I don't know about?"
"Yeah, uh I hate Proust."
"Lorelai?"
"Look, um Rory and Luke is out there waiting for me so…" trying to give him the book back again.
"Wa-wait a minute...Oh my God! I cannot believe what an idiot I am."
"What?"
"You're breaking up with me aren't you?"
"I-" not even knowing how to answer to that, she just lowered her head, her arm still held out, with the book in her hand.
"Not only are you breaking up with me, you're doing it really badly."
"Am I being graded?" she asked frustrated.
"No, I'm a little disappointed. I would've expected a better dumping from you."
"Max please. Just take the book." she pleaded, trying to give him the book once again.
"why?"
"What do you mean why?"
"Why are you breaking up with me?"
"Max-"
"Cause I thought things were going great between us."
"Things aren't working between us."
"But I thought they were. We were fine before our date Saturday."
"Well they weren't." she said forceful.
"I need a reason here Lorelai. You can't just break up with me without having a reason." he said in an even tone.
"Max. It's not working for me. It's too complicated now." she said, trying to keep calm. "Please just take the book."
"Lorelai…I love you."
Lorelai sighed and closed her eyes. "Max-"
"No wait. I love you. You are amazing and I want to be with you."
"Max." finally looking at him in the eyes, "I don't love you." she said softly. Max's face fell. "I'm sorry if it seemed that I led you on. But Max, I really don't want to hurt you. I care about you."
"But you don't love me?"
She nodded her head sadly. Max took in a deep breath. He was about to speak when he saw something outside. He saw Luke who was waiting outside for Lorelai.
"I should have known." he murmured.
"What?"
He nodded his head towards Luke. Lorelai turned and saw Luke's back to the them.
"Oh Max. it's-"
"I hope you two are happy together." he said. "Good-bye Lorelai Gilmore."
Lorelai sighed and placed the book down on a desk. "Good-bye Max." she took another glance at him then turned to leave.
"Hey there stranger." she said, walking up to Luke.
"Oh hey." he said. Giving her a hug. "Everything ok?"
"Yeah." she smiled. "Everything's perfect."
"Ok." he said, placing an arm around her. Then the two walked towards the cafeteria. Lorelai rested her head on his shoulder.
"We are officially together now, right?" she asked quietly.
"Well…I don't know." her head snapped and looked at him in worry. I thought we agreed once Max and I are over, we'll be together? "I mean, you just broke up with Max. don't you think you need-" he was cut off by her lips on his.
"I'm am 100 percent sure of this."
He smiled. "Ok. We are now officially together."
She smiled widely. And kissed him again. Happy that she could now do that.
Ok, I hope that'll sustain you until the next chapter. I have no idea how long it'll be till I can update, with the hiliday's coming up and all.
REVIEWS!-yes, please leave a review. I'd just love to know what you think of this chapter/story. And any SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS, and/or, REQUESTS you'd like see, please do tell.
♠bokayjunkie♣