AN: Yayy another chapter. Don't worry Jess is going soon. Just wanted to start the drama up. This was a fun chapter to write because of the drama. Speaking of drama, check out my blog for a little Gossip Girl-esque blog I'm starting up about actual drama that occurs to a clique in my school, no worries because the names are all changed so they won't know. Also, my blog will have updates about my stories along wiht little teasers to make you guys want the next chapter more! hehe so keep checking up on that. Thanks to Ace-not-Mary for commenting my blogs and reading them and also nemo123489 for giving me that great dram idea i will be using.. just not yet!

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He now he stood right next to her, still not looking up until he found his voice and said her name quietly, yet still registering in her ears. He flinched as her head shot up to show him her blazing blue eyes that seemed to hold a mix of emotions. He felt a stab at his heart as soon as she spoke his name with anger leaking off every letter.

"Jess."

What was he doing here? The last Rory heard about him was that he was in California visiting his dad that abandoned him. At first, all Rory did was blame her self for his leaving, thinking she had done something wrong. But then after a while she came to realize that it was all on him. He was the one who needed find himself, he was the lost little boy not knowing where his life was headed and he had left to figure himself out.

Rory had loved him, and she wasn't going to deny that she ever did. She put herself on the line, took the chance in trusting the town's bad boy James Dean look alike, and for a long moment it had paid off. However, he then did the one thing that made her totally change her opinion of him, he ran away scared.

Now the same brown eyes stared back at her, and she felt nothing anymore. She had moved on, she was with Logan and she loved him. Maybe if he had come around sooner, she may have given him another chance to explain himself, but seeing him standing there acting like no gap had ever been formed between the two, was just absurd in her opinion. She didn't even try to hide the distaste she had in her mouth when uttering his name and almost triumphed inwardly when she saw him wince at her tone.

"What brings you to New York?" he asked trying to push aside the aggravation he felt at the way she said his name.

"Don't Jess. Don't," she replied slamming her book shut and standing up.

"Rory please, just let me explain," he started immediately regretting the way he approached her. Rory still kept on her hardened features but motioned for him to continue.

"I had to sort some things out. I just felt like I was going day by day without going anywhere in my life. I just needed to figure some things out and I couldn't tell you because I knew that you would convince me not to go," Jess said quickly, trying to have her hear him out, unfortunately Rory's frown only deepened and Jess found himself grasping for words that would change her mind.

"I still loved you, and I still do love you and there wasn't a day I didn't think about you," he added, hoping they were the magic words. Wrong.

Rory scoffed and shook her head, not believing he had the nerve to say those words to her. A bitter laugh escaped her lips, "You loved me, that's why you ran away right? That's why you never bothered to call me, you never bothered to send letters, even send a carrier pigeon!" Rory yelled happy that it looked like the perimeter they were in was mostly empty.

Jess opened his mouth and closed it again with a scowl.

"That's what I thought," Rory said shaking her head. "You know I used to have some hope that you would come back to me, or come back to town and we would be able to start from scratch. Build up that friendship again and maybe even develop something more again."

"It isn't too late," Jess mumbled with his last ounce of hope at stake. Rory's mind echoed song lyrics that went perfectly with the moment.

I'm so done
And there's nothing you can do
I'm better off without you
There will be no second chances
Taking you back
Cause I'm over that. So done
Nothing you say can change my mind
Don't even waste your time
Truth is you took me for granted
You know I really had it.
I'm so done

"Yes it is Jess. I don't care for those hopes anymore. I've moved on and I think you should too," she said finally and as if on queue, Colin came sauntering down the aisle her and Jess had previously had all to them selves.

"Hayden let's go Finn's getting antsy and started hitting on the waitress just because she had on a red apron. Apparently with no red heads he'll settle for red attire," Colin said coming up next to Rory and throwing a casual arm around her. He looked at her smiling and saw that her dark gaze was on the James Dean look a like standing across from her. Colin immediately knew something was up, and decided to be the pompous ass that he was so good at being.

"Well hello there, I'm Colin McRae. I'm sorry but this place only has a Starbucks, the Planet Hollywood is down a couple avenues. I heard about the James Dean showcase, we should see it tonight Ror," Colin said with his arrogant smirk that Rory was suddenly enjoying in place.

"Shut up a get back into your J. Crew catalog," Jess shot back glaring at him. Before Colin could answer back a loud Australian laced voice boomed down the aisle.

"Rory love! My savior, my ever guiding light in the darkness of this horrible store lacking red heads!" Finn yelled running over to her and pushing Colin out of the way so he could wrap his arms around her waist and kiss her cheek.

Jess grimaced further. At first he had though that the brunette were her boyfriend, but now there was yet another guy treating Rory as if they were in a relationship. The old Rory never let guys she didn't know touch her like that, but then again from what he had seen, she wasn't the old Rory.

"Sorry Finny. I got caught up with something," Rory replied patting his head before nodding towards Jess.

"Well hello there mate, I'm Finnegan Rothschild the 3rd," Finn said detaching one arm from Rory's and extending it to Jess. "You are?"

Jess looked at his hand with disgust. "Jess Mariano," he answered not even bothering to be polite about it.

"Oy Jess eh?" Finn asked racking his mind for when he had heard that name before, of course this was the perfect time for Tristan and the girls to make their entrance.

"Ha we stuck Logan with the check," Madeline said happily making her way over to the group that had serious looks on their faces. She noticed one that she didn't know particularly unhappy and tilted her head. "You're a stranger!" she stated. Tristan, Steph, and Louise all caught up with her and looked at what she was tilting her head at.

"Mariano," Tristan said low and voice leaking with revulsion.

"Dugrey," he answered back just as menacingly.

"Vanderbilt!" Madeline exclaimed pointing to Stephanie. Stephanie shook her head, "No sweetheart this isn't a game, that's Jess," Stephanie whispered remembering his last name. Madeline and Louise gasped and their eye immediately set into glared.

Well this was an uncomfortable position if Jess had ever seen one. There stood 7 people, 5 of which he didn't even know glaring at him menacingly and drilling holes into his head. If looks could kill, he would have died 7 times already. Just when he thought it couldn't get any worse, another blonde came walking down the aisle with a tabloid magazine in his hand.

"Hey Ace, it's about time they found you. According to this I'm here in New York to buy an engagement ring," he said not even looking up from the magazine. He looked up to find his friends quickly glance at him and then turn back to something that was being blocked by Finn's arms around his girlfriend. Again.

"Finn hands off my girlfriend," Logan said half joking half serious. Finn turn around and grinned sheepishly. "Such a lovely kitten and there weren't and red heads mate, what's an Aussie to do?"

The group shook their head and chuckled as Logan took Finn's position and gave Rory a kiss on her cheek. She turned her head to face him and gave him a tense smile, kissing him on the lips. Jess watched on with both envy and confusion. This group of friends Rory had was different than her old ones minus Tristan. When he saw the obviously blonde rich boy walk in and call Rory a pet name and his girlfriend he had to stop himself from gagging. His eyes darkened even more when he saw Rory give him a firm kiss on the lips before whispering something in his ear.

The blonde's eyes widened and his arms snaked tighter around her waist as he turned to face Jess. "Hi there, Logan Huntzberger."

Logan Huntzberger? That means he's the son of that newspaper mogul. "Jess Mariano," Jess replied bitterly.

"Well I hate to break up this oh so pleasant reunion but we should get going Ace, want to get to that jewelry store to get that ring before they run out of the pretty diamonds," Logan said to Rory with a teasing tone.

"Now we wouldn't want that would we?" Rory asked with a chuckle. "Goodbye, Jess," she said walking turning around and walking away with her hand in Logan's.

Logan nodded and handed the magazine to Tristan who held it, still staring at Jess. Finn and Colin mock saluted Jess and walked backwards with a final wave before turning around to follow Rory and Logan. The girls just gave him another deathly glare before also following suit leaving Tristan with Jess.

"You screwed up," Tristan said as soon as his friends were out of ear shot.

"Shut up," Jess spat trying to recover from his several blows that were taken towards his ego.

"You missed a lot. She's not the same Rory any more and she never will be. She's even better now, she stands her ground and she's not as sheltered. So don't wait around because she's not coming back," Tristan said throwing the tabloid on the stool Rory was sitting on prior to the blow out. "Bye, Mariano," Tristan said with a smirk before running off to catch up with the others.

Jess watched Tristan's retreating figure, not really understanding the whole rant until he looked down at the tabloid her boyfriend was looking at. His eyes widened at the sight of the cover that had a Picture of Rory and Logan kissing and the headline 'Huntzberger Heir Hunts for Ring for Hollenzallen Princess in the Big Apple'. On the sidelines of the picture, were more pictures of Rory with Tristan, and their group that he had just met with different outlandish stories corresponding to each one. He slammed the magazine down in confusion and went on his way, heading home to try and find some facts about Rory's new life.

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"So that was Jess," Stephanie started looking at Rory concerned when she plopped down on her leather couch once they arrived back in the apartment.

"That was Jess," Rory affirmed with a frown.

"Are you alright Ace?" Logan asked wrapping a protective arm around her. The movement seemed to knock her out of her distant thoughts and she looked up at Logan with a small smile.

"Sorry, yeah I'm fine. It was just unexpected that's all," Rory reassured them. Tristan looked longer at her, trying to make sure she wasn't just putting on a mask and was happy to see that she really meant what she said.

"So… what now?" Louise asked idly flipping open and closed her cell phone. Stephanie looked at the time display on her cell phone. "There's still about 5 hours before anything even starts to assemble for the countdown on time square, but honestly I don't want to be packed together like a bunch of sardines with people I don't even know watching for a giant ball to drop," Stephanie said.

Rory nodded her head, "Now that you talk about it like that it doesn't sound very enjoyable does it?"

"No it doesn't" Tristan said with his nose scrunched up.

"Why don't we just head to Marquee then?" Madeline asked, making a very intelligent proposal.

"Maddy that place is going to be packed. Especially tonight, I heard you have to make a reservation almost 5 months before New Years to get in," Colin reasoned trying to steer her away from the unstructured idea.

"Not when your last names hold more power than the President," Louise said suggestively looking between Tristan and Rory. Rory and Tristan looked at each other and nodded, understanding what they were being asked to do.

"You sure Ace? I know you don't like using your last name for bribery," Logan asked not wanting to push her to do something she didn't want to do.

"All in the name of fun," Rory said with a shrug going over to get the cordless phone.

"That's right love!" Finn exclaimed tipping his silver flask held firmly in his hands.

"How we going to do this Pinky? Powerful and mighty or innocent and sweet?" Tristan asked running through the different approaches they usually used when trying to convince people of something.

"Why don't you take powerful and mighty and I take innocent and sweet," Rory suggested writing down the number information was reciting to her. Tristan nodded while the rest of the group leaned it wanting to see how the two handled it. It was after all already 4 months ago when the group had last seen Rory and Tristan manipulate their way out of letting their last names out to all of Chilton.

Tristan nodded and took the number that she had written down from her before dialing the number on the phone and putting it on speaker so both he and Rory could talk into it.

"Hello, this is the Marquee Night Club reservation office, this is Whitney speaking how may I help you?" a voice said over the line.

"Hi," Rory said in a soft sweet voice, "I was just wondering if we can get a last minute reservation for tonight?"

The woman on the line scoffed. "Sweetheart it's New Year's Eve, unless you're some kind of celebrity, which I doubt you are, the place is booked up. I can however get you a table for next New Year's Eve."

"I'd like to speak to your boss this instant," Tristan said powerfully trying to hold back his chuckles. He loved playing the mighty role; it was so out of character which made it more fun.

Whitney noticeably yawned before transferring them over, but not before hearing Rory's voice say, "Wow what a bitch."

"Hello this is Marcus Dreier, coordinator of Marquee Night club, is there a problem?" a man's voice said over the phone. Rory giggled, "Marcus, Marquee very cute." The other girls laughed along with her while Tristan nudged her and cleared his through.

"I am outraged by the attitude that your employee used on me!" Tristan said seriously.

"I'm sorry sir but I was able to hear the conversation and she is right, we are completely booked to the brim for tonight and there is no way that we can admit anyone unless under special circumstances," he said almost apologetically with noticeable pompousness.

"Told you," mumbled Colin before promptly being shut up by Stephanie.

"Special circumstances? What if you're a Hollenzallen heiress sitting in her penthouse apartment ever so sad that she has no where to go for New Years?" Rory asked with a pout playing in her tone.

"Those would be considered special circumstances ma'am, but unfortunately I highly doubt those circumstances apply to you," the manager said. Rory rolled her eyes at how arrogant the man was being and how much he was talking down to the two.

"Do you have any idea who I am?" Tristan said threateningly.

"A wanna be celebrity?" the man asked with a chuckle and a leer evident in his voice.

Rory shook her head her head and held her nose. "Mr. Dugrey, Miss Hayden I called Mars 2120 and there apparently is an opening for the VIP section after all."

"Thank you Rose, save us from going to our second choice," Rory said with a smirk knowing that was all it took to convince this man to change his man.

"Looks like us wanna be celebrities won't need a table there after all," Tristan said loving how Rory set it up.

The group covered their mouth trying not to laugh when they heard the man uttering sounds but no words on the line. "I'm extremely sorry Mr. Dugrey, Miss Hayden. We would be happy to give you free drinks tonight as well as free hor'devours and a prime table. Please reconsider your decision," the man quickly spit out as he wiped sweat from his forehead.

"I don't know," Rory said pretending that she was pondering the choice. Finn was not on the floor tugging at her leg nodding his head up and down after hearing the free drinks part but Rory simply patted his head with a smile.

"Please Miss Hayden, please reconsider. I assure you that you Mr. Dugrey and anyone else you come with will be treated with the utmost respect and attention that you deserve," the man babbled.

"Alright…" Rory replied feigning hesitance.

"Thank you, both of you. It will be a night to remember!" he exclaimed.

"You're welcome, and it better be," Tristan replied as he moved to turn off the phone, hearing Marcus yell, "Whitney you're fired!" before the call was lost.

Once Tristan put the phone back on the dock, he high-fived Rory with a big smile.

"That was fun," Rory said plopping down into Logan's lap and snuggling up to him. "You're a manipulative evil Sheila," Finn said taking a seat on the floor in front of them, "Marry me."

The group laughed before Stephanie, Louise and Madeline all squeaked something about going to try on their new clothes.

"What about you Ace, are you going to show off all the pretty little things you spent my money on?" Logan asked with a smirk.

"Actually I used most of my Victoria Secret gift card today on our way to meet you guys at Starbucks," Rory said with a similar smirk. Logan's eyebrows perked up and he got up with Rory still in his arms giggling as he led her into the bedroom where he had deposited all of her shopping bags.

As the door was slammed shut and locked, Tristan and Colin exchanged disgusted faces while Finn snuck over trying to put his ear on the door. Unfortunately, he was only rewarded with a Logan's groan causing him to mimic Tristan and Colin. "Sex crazed animals, lucky Logan," Finn mumbled before following the girls into the room so he too could try on his clothes.

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"Right this way Miss Hayden." The hostess said leading the well dressed socialite group through the dark and crowded club. The group certainly stood out against several of the scantily dressed cheap looking patrons that were already half way intoxicated on the dance floor grinding and groping.

Rory couldn't help but laugh at how horrible the people looked. Although they were older than her most likely since she was only 17, she felt more mature than them. She wasn't trying to be egotistical or anything like that, but here she was with a serious boyfriend and close friends being escorted to a private table in her high heels and body covering outfit.

Meanwhile, those 18-20 year olds were on the dance floor in clothes that looked 3 sizes too small, sweating and feeling for sensitive body parts with their shoes thrown haphazardly around the dance floor and their eyes glazed with intoxicated lust.

"Do me and Rory look like that when we dance?" Tristan asked motioning to the dance floor.

Louise shook her head. "No, but Rory and Logan is a different story." Rory playfully glared at her as they took their seats in the booth that the club had provided for them. As soon as they sat a middle aged man dressed in all black with a walkie-talkie hanging from his belt loops came and stood in front of their table with a big grin.

"I'm glad you chose Marquee Miss Hayden and Mister Dugrey," the man said with a big grin on his face.

"Marcus I presume?" Tristan asked recognizing his voice.

"Yes sir," the replied trying not to look nervous.

"Nice to meet you," Rory said with a kind smile. She almost felt guilty for the things she said to him and couldn't help but be nice to him. "Thank you for this, we all really appreciate it," she added.

"It's not any problem Miss Hayden. I've already alerted the bar tenders and wait service about our deal so there's no need to worry about that. I hope you enjoy your night at the Marquee and you remember it forever," he said before nodding and walking off to tend to another table.

"Let's get this party started!" Madeline exclaimed running over to the dance floor with Louise being pulled behind her.

Rory and Stephanie looked at each other and shared a mischievous wink. "Did you see that sexy brunette when we walked in?" Steph asked loud enough so everyone at the table could hear.

Colin looked at her with a raised eyebrow and shot Logan a look. Logan just shrugged.

"No I was too busy watching that hot blonde boy," Rory replied pretending to scan the club for him. "He looked like Chad Michael Murray."

"You know a lot of people say I look like him," Tristan said with a cocky smirk. Finn looked at him and tilted his head to the side while rubbing his chin. "No mate, I don't really see it."

Rory and Stephanie rolled their eyes and got back to the conversation at hand with their boyfriends exchanging skeptical looks. "The brunette winked at me," Steph bragged twirling a curl around her finger with a sly smile causing Colin to look around the club for him while Logan smirked at his friend's worry.

"Blondie gave me the bedroom eyes," Rory countered prompting Logan's smirk to wipe off his face and for him to scowl. "Don't be jealous boyfriend, don't be jealous boyfriend," he said to himself as he took a long swig of his scotch.

"Let's go find them," Steph said standing up while Colin protested.

"Fun!" Rory yelled linking arms with her and walking away leaving their boyfriends sulking.

"Sit," Finn said. Colin and Logan looked at him confused while still scowling. "Stay," Finn said causing Tristan to chuckle.

"Good mates, now if you'll excuse me there's a Madeline and Louise sandwich calling my name," Finn said laughing and winking before walking into the crowd of the dance floor. Tristan couldn't hold on his laughter any longer. Seeing Logan's and Colin's faces was just too priceless not to laugh at. He was well aware that Steph and Rory were just kidding but apparently their boy friends didn't.

"You two know they were pulling your legs right?" Tristan asked with a smirk. Logan and Colin both stopped grimacing and straightened. "Oh yeah, of course," Colin lied trying to cover up his gullibility.

Logan nodded in agreement and Tristan just shook his head. "Alright if you say so, now if you'll excuse me, there's a brunette on the dance floor calling my name," he said as he got up and practically ran to the dance floor to meet the girl that was calling him out with her eyes.

"We are whipped man," Colin said.

"Speak for yourself!" Logan replied trying to have some kind of pride.

"Right so it doesn't bother you that Rory is grinding with Finn right now?" Colin asked mirroring his smirk. Logan's head quickly whipped around to the dance floor and did in fact see Rory dancing with Finn. She still stood out against the more raunchy people thought because even when she danced more provocatively, she still had and air of class and grace to her that the other girls lacked.

"No," Logan said being almost honest. It did bother him a little, but at least she was with Finn and not some drunken guy… well at least he wasn't a random drunken guy.

"Mhm," Colin said laughing before getting up and making his way over to Steph leaving Logan alone at the table.

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Logan had been sitting for almost an hour, meaning it was only 2 minutes until midnight, until the New Year. He wasn't really in the mood to dance, so he only kept an eye on Rory from afar. Lucky for him, his friends had warded of any guys by switching off dancing with her and Stephanie.

Logan smiled from the bar as he watched his girlfriend being twirled around by Colin while Steph dancing with Finn. He loved the way she was so carefree when she was on the dance floor, with her body glistening from a sheer layer of perspiration that blanketed her skin. Her sparkling halter top clung closely to her body from the moisture and accentuated her curves as her hips swayed to the beat of the music.

However, his view was obstructed by a scantily dressed upper body that was practically pushed into his face. He lifted his eyes from the sight that didn't interest him much and dragged them up lazily to the girl's eyes, met by green eyes the contrasted against the dark room; familiar green eyes.

"Hello Logan," the girl's voice purred. Logan hated that voice. "Hello Marissa."

AN: I would end it here but… I'll go on a little more haha.

"What are you doing here in New York?" she asked leaning closer to Logan so that she was practically straddling him as he sat in his bar stool.

"With my friends and my girlfriend staying in her penthouse," Logan replied stressing the world girlfriend. He was so intent on trying to get her away that he didn't even notice the 1 minute mark blinking on the TV screens in the club and everyone starting to partner up for their New Year's kiss.

"Still with her huh? Logan, I'll take you back," Marissa said seductively.

"Marissa I don't want you back. I love Rory," Logan replied coldly glaring at her and trying to get out of the trap she made with her arms against the bar so that he could go find Rory. 20…19...18…17…16…15…14.

"Do you?" She asked bringing her lips closer to his. 13…12…11…10…9…8

"I do," he said without skipping a beat now too focused on getting her away. 7…6…5…4

3…2…1 Happy New Year! "Prove it," she whispered before leaning forward and connecting her lips with his. Logan hands immediately went to her hips to try and push her off as her lips suctioned on to his. He didn't want to be there, he wanted to be with Rory.

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The 20 second countdown lit up on the screen and Rory began searching for Logan back at the table, leaving the rest of the group on the dancefloor. 20…19...18…17…16…15…14.

Confused, Rory quickly ran back to the dance floor looking around more for him. "Have you seen Logan?" Rory asked Colin worried. Colin shook his head apologetically while sliding his arm around Stephanie. Before the two could ask any questions Rory ran to the bar hoping her search wouldn't be fruitless. She wanted to be with Logan for the traditional New Year kiss. 13…12…11…10…9…8…7…6…5…4

By the time Rory had maneuvered her way through the groups of people at the bar with shots line up wait for the New Year, it was about time for the final seconds. She spotted the back of Logan's head, not noticing Marissa with her arms on each side of him. She ran happily over to his side of the bad just in time to witness 3…2…1 Happy New Year! … Marissa attach her lips with Logan's and Logan's hands immediately move to her waist.

Rory didn't hear the loud piping of paper horns the erupted in the bar, or the cheers of everyone around, or the sound of champagne glasses clinking and meaningless kisses being exchange. She was deaf to the world as she watched the love of her life exchange saliva with his ex-girlfriend for the New Year. She didn't even bother to wipe her tears that immediately fell as she turned around to get out of the place, passing people in celebration.

"Happy New Year Logan," she whimpered not wanting to look back at what she had just witnessed.

If she had only looked back, she would have seen the look of disgust on Logan's face as he pried Marissa off of him and him furiously wiping off his lips. If only.

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AN: Eeeeeppppss! hahah if you think that's the end of the drama then you're in for a ride! Update soon, review and read my blog!