Here's the next chapter with Rory. I've skipped some time here, mostly because of the trip to Europe. Rory is attending Harvard at the moment. I just wanted to mention what else is different from the show.

The Independence Inn did NOT burn down, which meant the money that was originally set aside to buy the Dragonfly was used to send Rory to Harvard.

Rory did NOT go to Emily and Richard to fund her college education, mostly because they were angered by her decision. She is attending under a hefty scholarship and Lorelai is attempting to make ends meet by paying the rest. That also means she did not receive a car for graduation.

Lorelai still attends Friday Night Dinner because she is still indebted to her parents.

Everything above will eventually be touched upon eventually.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed the previous chapter: CherryWolf713, ShaolinQueen, GrlWithoutAName, DiehardJavaJunkie14, Curley-Q, gilmorefanforever, Christi, and Lynn.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore Girls or any of the places and things mentioned in this chapter, including, but not limited to: The MBTA, Harvard Square, The Harvard Coop, Oliver Twist, Spare Change News, Crazy Dough Pizza Co., and any of its products, and The Garage.

Rory in Harvard Square

The crisp Boston wind whistled outside Rory's window as she began to wake up. Sitting up, she noticed Andrea studying across the room.

"Good morning, Ror," her roommate greeted her.

"You're up early," Rory said as sat up in bed and stretched. Andrea was already dressed for the day at nine in the morning.

"Rearing to go at seven today," Andrea said, turning her attention away from the books strewn across her cluttered desk.

Yawning, Rory trudged over to her closet and flipped through the clothing. She had class in an hour and a half, but she wanted to grab breakfast in the dining hall and a coffee to go. "It looks cold today," Rory said, trying to make some conversation with her roommate.

"It's freezing," Andrea replied, shutting a textbook. "I didn't get food yet. You want to go together?" she asked.

Rory smiled. "Sure. Just let me get dressed and we can leave." Rory passed a Metallica shirt in the closet and quickly brushed it aside before she remembered who the former owner was. The shirt shouldn't have even been in her closet to begin with. Lorelai must have tucked it in while they were organizing the clothes. Hastily, Rory grabbed a pair of jeans, a long sleeved shirt, and a sweater out of the closet.

"We were thinking about heading to the city this weekend," Andrea mentioned as she looked away so Rory could get dressed.

"The city?" Rory asked, pulling on her jeans.

"Yeah. Boston. Duh. We're in Cambridge now."

"I knew that," Rory said, desperately trying to recover from her brief moment of stupidity. The sweater caused her hair to frizz, and Rory cringed. She grabbed her sequined hairbrush a la Lorelai and started working through the knots.

"Yeah. We'll take the T to Park Street and walk around. We'll grab something to eat and maybe shop," Andrea said as she brushed her own long brown hair.

"That sounds great," Rory said as she pulled the charger out of her cell phone. She wished she had seen more of Boston and even the trains. The last, and only, time she had been on a train was with Jess in New York. She was certain that the Massachusetts transportation would be different. Andrea was from originally from Arlington, which was close to Cambridge, so she knew her way around. Rory had also become friendly with a few people from her classes in passing, many of which were residents of the state. Rory felt left out, but she hadn't been willing to explore quite yet. Lorelai had tried to talk her into a Harvard square trip, but she avoided heading over.

"You ready to head downstairs? I'm starving," Andrea said, interrupting Rory's thoughts.

Rory pulled her book bag over her shoulder and grabbed a light jacket. "Let's go."

In the three weeks since she had been at Harvard, Rory had not ventured to Harvard square. The bustle of activity seemed to bother her, even though it shouldn't have. Taking a deep breath, Rory stepped outside the gates and looked across the street. She walked a moment before passing The Coop. Harvard memorabilia and books littered the inside of the windows. Rory sighed. She had heard about The Coop around campus. Most of the students bought their books at The Coop, and it looked like an inviting place.

As far as bookstores went, The Coop was definitely one of the biggest Rory had ever stepped foot in. She flipped through dozens of volumes, eying the hefty prices as she went along. When it came to books, Rory was usually never cautious about the prices. Her scholarships and financial aid covered a majority of her tuition, but the remainder left Lorelai strapped for cash. Rory didn't have much spending money, and she knew her mother was scrimping as it was. Sighing, Rory slid a twenty-dollar hardcover back into the bookcase and continued to browse. She eyed a staircase and noticed people going downstairs. Books lined every shelf, and in the middle of the floor was a used book table. As Rory sifted through the piles, she found more three to five dollar books than she had seen in a lifetime. Pausing to move a James Bond novel, Rory spotted a tattered copy of Oliver Twist marked for two dollars. She gazed at it lovingly and touched the worn cover. When Rory opened flipped the pages, she half expected his tiny and precise scrawl to coat the margins. It didn't, but she added the book to the top of her pile. After she calculated approximately twenty-five dollars in books, Rory felt her stomach rumble. Looking at her watch, she realized it was almost time for dinner.

"Is this everything?" the woman at the register asked Rory.

"That's all," Rory said as she pulled out her wallet.

"That'll be twenty-seven dollars and thirty cents." Rory tugged at the crisp bills in her wallet and handed the cashier thirty dollars. "Thanks. Have a nice day!"

Outside The Coop was a wide-open space. Turning right, Rory was bombarded with people walking in her direction and away from the many homeless people sleeping on the sidewalks. "Excuse me," a kind voice called from her left. A tall, lanky black man was holding a stack of newspapers.

"Oh, hi!" Rory said, surprised that someone was trying to get her attention.

"Would you like a paper?" he asked. "It's for the homeless that want to help themselves. Called the Spare Change News."

Rory nodded. "Sure."

"It only costs a dollar," the man continued.

"Oh definitely," Rory said, shoving her hand in her purse. She fished for a dollar bill while the man continued talking.

"There's some nice articles in there," he said. "And it helps the poor and homeless get back on their feet."

Rory dug deeper in the purse. There were a few shady looking people around, and she didn't want to count her money in front of them. "It sounds like a great cause," she said, not wanting to stand there mute.

"Do you need some change?" he asked.

"Oh, no. I have a dollar right…here!" Rory pulled the dollar free and handed it to the man. He handed her a paper.

"Make sure you read that. There's some great stuff in it. And thank you," he said. "A lot people just pass me by, but you, you look like you're going somewhere. You're focused. That's nice to see in young people."

Rory could feel her face flush. "Thanks."

"Most of the time, everyone ignores me. They don't think homeless people should stop them on the streets. Then every so often someone stops, just like you did. Where are you headed?" he asked.

Truthfully, Rory didn't know where she was going. "I'm not really sure. I'm just wandering around," she answered. "I don't really know the area."

"That's always good too. Focused doesn't always mean you have to know where you're going. Are you a Harvard student?" he asked.

"I go to Harvard, yes. I don't live in Boston, though. I'm not used to the city," Rory said, looking around at the congested traffic.

"That's nice. I hope Harvard is good to you."

"I like it. I'm a journalism major, so I can't wait to look at this paper." Rory smiled.

"That's great. Hey, spread the word. I hope you find what you're looking for," the man said. Rory turned to walk away. "Oh, and zip your bag. Wouldn't want a pretty thing like you to get robbed."

"Thanks," Rory said. "Good luck," she added, waving. Briefly, she looked at the cover of the paper. It really did look interesting, but she was starving. Rory walked around and crossed a few streets before reaching a sign that read Crazy Dough's in big, green letters. It sounded promising, and she was hungry enough to agree to anything. It was nestled in a place labeled "The Garage," and she was curious as to what else was inside.

The smell hit her as soon as she entered. Rory decided the pizza shop was what heaven would smell like. There were about seven people in line, which started as soon as the stairs brought Rory up. She couldn't believe how many types of pizza there were. As she stood in line, she scanned the menu.

"What can I get for you?" the man behind the counter asked.

Rory thought back to the menu she had just past. "A slice of nacho pizza, a slice of cheeseburger bacon pizza, and a slice of supreme, please."

"Coming right up. Just go down the end of the counter."

After Rory collected her heaping plate of slices, she scoped out a table. Her phone began to chime as she sat down.

"Hello?"

"Oh, darling daughter! Is it really you?" Lorelai asked.

"It's me," Rory said, laughing.

"I hear people. Are you at a college party?" Lorelai joked.

"No, it's only five-thirty." Rory took a giant bite of the nacho pizza. "Oh, mom, you're never going to guess what I'm eating."

"Ramen and bread?"

"No! Nacho pizza," Rory said as she bit into the slice again.

"Nacho pizza! Where has it been all my life?" Lorelai questioned. "I think I need to get down there and learn the ways of a Harvard student!"

"It's great. When you come visit, we'll have to get pizza here," Rory said.

"That's right. My baby's birthday is soon, and I'm staying the weekend." Rory could hear her mother grinning over the phone.

"I'm excited. I miss you, mom," Rory said somberly.

"Now don't cry in your delicious nacho pizza. I'll be there soon."

"Right, because this nacho pizza is delicious. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have this pizza," Rory teased.

"I see how it is. You're being a pizza tease!" Lorelai accused.

"There's no teasing here. Just a giant slice of pizza heaping with nachos, peppers, salsa, and sour cream," Rory continued.

"You're such a pizza tease! Well, two can play this game. Oh, Luke's coffee is so good. I bet you don't have a delicious, steaming mug of Luke's coffee where your pizza is." Lorelai attempted to keep a straight face, even though Luke was staring at her.

"Coffee tease," Rory mumbled as she took a bit of the cheeseburger bacon pizza. "I have cheeseburger and bacon on this slice."

Lorelai was silent.

"I win," Rory declared.

"Not for long, oh sweet child of mine."

"I'm not sure if I can deal with your childish ways right now," Rory said. "Besides, my pizza is getting cold."

"Oh, okay. Fine, abandon momma for the ooey gooey cheese-y goodness. I'll try not to cry!" Lorelai said dramatically.

"I love you, mom."

"I love you, kid."

Lorelai stuck her phone inside her purse. "Didn't I tell you to go outside?" Luke asked gruffly.

"But it's raining out." Lorelai pouted.

"What's wrong?" Luke asked as Lorelai's lower lip trembled ever so slightly.

"I'm jealous. I want nacho pizza!" she whined. "Pleaseeee Luke?"