Disclaimer: I do not own any of the character of Gilmore Girls, or the song How Long by Dream. If I did, this would be an episode, now wouldn't it?
This is going to be the last chapter of this story. But...
This is senior prom, right? Well, that means senior year is almost over, right?
And what happens after Senior year?
That's right! COLLEGE. Which college will Rory go to? Is Jess going to college? What about Dean?
When will I stop asking questions?
Now would probably be best.
Ch - 8
"A limo? Rory, he got you a limo!" Mom yelled from downstairs as she stared out the window. How embarrassing... "You get a limo for Prom? Why didn't I get one? Man! Man, its big!"
"What color is it?"
"White! He got you a white limo, Ror! I like it. I wonder if we can keep it!" I came downstairs.
"Why would you want to keep a limo?"
"Because it would be so cool! Did you know I hate black limos? They look like hearses. Like the car they carry your dead body in. Ew! If he had gotten you a black limo I would've had to ask if he made sure if it had been used as a hearse before. Man, I wish he'd have gotten you a black one!"
"Why? You just said you hated them."
"But I would've loved to see his face when I asked." She smiled at me. "Rory, you look beautiful. I'm so glad you're going to Prom with Dean. You guys get a whole night together, and you don't have do deal with Jess bothering Dean."
I looked down and fixed my shoes as a cover. "Why wouldn't Jess be going? It's his school too."
"Yeah, but I really don't think Jess would really be into Prom is all." I stood up and turned my back to the mirror to check my corset strings.
"There he is!" My mom said at Dean's knock. She went to the door and opened it. I turned away from the mirror.
"Dean."
"Rory, you look...you look amazing."
"Thank you. You look great." He put my corsage around my wrist and I pinned his boutonnière to his jacket.
"Aw, you both look so great! Oh! I'll go get my camera! Hold on!" She ran off to find it, which would undoubtedly take another hour.
"Let's go while she's distracted. She'll forgive us." I really didn't want any pictures of tonight...
:::::
We walked into the ballroom at the hotel in Hartford. It was decorated like Venice, Italy. It had gondolas up against the walls, paintings of the Venice skyline, vendors 'selling' food and elaborate masks. Everyone danced in masks. Dean had bought ours. His was simple black, mine had ornate silver bead designs.
We walked onto the floor and a yearbook photographer snapped a picture. So much for no pictures.
We crossed the floor and started to dance. About halfway through the fourth song Dean scowled. I turned and saw that Jess had walked in. He didn't have a mask on, but his vest matced the red of my dress. Aw, he even dressed up. How sweet. I smiled without thinking.
"Are you smiling at him?" Dean said. "Why are you smiling? Did you invite Jess?"
"No, Dean, I didn't invite him. I'm smiling because he's my friend. Dean, we're just friends."
"Are you sure? Because I don't think that's all he's got in mind, Rory."
Jess nodded my way and went over to the food.
:::::
Jess drifted by the food for another hour or so, glancing our way every once in a while, then disappeared. I worried he had left.
:::::
There's a place in my heart
That I go when I dream
A place that nobody can see
Every night I see love
I see someone who's waiting
Waiting for someone like me
"Why do you keep looking around like that?" Dean asked, about an hour before the end of the dance. "You're not looking for Jess are you?"
"Of course not. Why would I be looking for Jess?"
"I don't know. Maybe I'm just paranoid."
"Hey, mind if I cut in?" I turned to see Jess.
He must be out there
Somewhere
Someone for me
"Yeah, I do mind."
"I wasn't asking you, Dean. I was asking Rory. Don't you think it should be up to her if she wants to dance with a friend?" He looked at me. "Mind if I cut in?" He smiled and held out a hand.
"Dean, it's okay, alright? I'll meet you at the drink table after this song." I kissed him on the cheek. "It's okay."
"Fine." He glared at Jess, then walked away.
Tell me how long
Till I'm not just dreaming
How long till somebody cares
How long till I meet an angel
And give him my heart
When can I start?
How long till I fall in love
"Jess, what are you doing?" I asked as he slipped his arms around my waist.
"What does it look like I'm doing? I asked you to dance, and now I'm dancing. You gonna join or what?"
"You know what I mean." Still, I cupped my hands behind his neck. "Why did you ask me to dance in the first place?"
"I wanted to." He shrugged. "Are you breaking up with Dean?"
"I...yes. Yes, I am." He nodded. "Don't say anything to anyone. I don't want him to know."
"You don't want him to know you're breaking up with him? Don't you think he should probably know you guys are over before he sees you with me?"
"Why do you have to be so difficult, Jess? You know I mean I don't want him to know before I tell him."
"I know, I know. Loosen up a little, Rory. It's Prom. Heave a little fun." We danced.
I sit every night by my window just wishing
And searching for one perfect star
Can anyone hear me?
O Lord, if you're listening
Please send him right here to my arms.
He must be out there
Somewhere
Waiting for me
Tell me, just how long will it be?
Tell me how long
Till I'm not just dreaming?
How long till somebody cares?
How long till I meet an angel
And give him my heart?
When can I start?
How long till I fall in love?
I've always believed
That my dreams would come true
That one of these nights he'd appear
He'd be here in my arms
I see it all so clearly
How it could be
I wish he was kissing me now
"When?"
"When what?"
"When are you going to break up with Dean?"
"Oh. I don't know yet."
"Now would probably be best."
"Jess! I can't break up with him tonight. It's Prom. Do you know how horribly mean that would be?"
"Well you're only leading him on by staying with him."
"I know, but its only one more night, Jess. Just, wait, okay?"
"Okay."
Then Jess walked away. I stood there for a moment. He was right.
Tell me how long (How long?)
Till I'm not just dreaming?
How long till somebody cares?
How long till I meet my angel
And give him my heart?
When can I start?
How long till I fall in love?
(In love)
How long till I fall in love?
(How long till I fall in love?)
(How long till I fall in love?)
How long till I fall in love?
:::::
I met Dean at the drinks table. He handed me a Sprite.
We sat in some chairs that were lined up against the wall.
There was no sign of Jess.
"Why do you keep looking around like that? You're looking for Jess aren't you?"
"Dean, no." He looked at me like he knew something I didn't. "Why are you always so suspicious? What do you think I did?"
"Who said I thought you did something?" He looked at me. "Did you do something? What did you do?"
"Who says I did anything?"
"You just did, Rory."
"No, I didn't! I asked what you thought I did!" I yelled, standing up.
He stood up. "Which makes it sound like you're guilty! What did you do that makes you sound that way?"
"I am so tired of this, Dean. You're always suspicious, even when I tell you that nothing is going on with me and Jess! Well, you know what, you don't have to be suspicious anymore, okay? It's over." I walked away.
"Rory, wait!"
"No!" I kept walking. I pulled out my cell phone and started to dial my mom's number, then saw Jess leaning against the corner of the building.
"Leaving?"
"I-I broke up with Dean." I closed the phone.
"Do you need a ride?"
"Rory! Wait, Rory." Dean walked out, saw me with Jess. "I thought you said there was nothing going on."
"There wasn't." Jess said. "We were friends. Are friends."
""Then what's all this? Why did you come to the Prom then? You hate this school."
"So?"
"Dean, it doesn't matter why he came to Prom. The fact is, he came. Neither of us have to tell you why. I don't have to tell you anything anymore. I told you, it's over. Just drop it. Come on, Jess. I want to leave now."
We walked to his car, leaving Dean behind. Jess put his arm around my shoulders.
:::::
We sat in silence as Jess drove to the park. We walked to the bridge and sat down.
"You okay?" He asked.
"I will be." He looked at me. "I'm just a little shaken is all. I'm fine, really."
"Do you want to talk?"
"Not really."
"Okay." He put his arm around my shoulders and I leaned against him.
Somewhere in the distance, Prom ended. I had to get home before my mom got suspicious.
"Jess, can you drive me home?"
"Yeah."
We sat in the car in silence. Jess pulled into my driveway.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. What did I do?"
"You came to Prom."
"I told you I would if you asked, and you did. What else was I going to do? Leave you all alone?" He looked at me. "Besides, like I really wanted to miss the show."
"What?"
"I knew you would end up breaking up with him tonight, Rory. I couldn't have missed it. And besides, if I hadn't come, how would you have gotten home? I couldn't leave you stuck there"
"Well, thanks for coming."
"We're here."
I looked up. We were at my house.
"Oh, okay. Bye, Jess. Thanks again."
"You're welcome, Rory."
Well, there you have it. The last chapter of Trying Hard to Keep My Balance.
But wait, there's more! Tell them what they've won, Bob!
The sequel!
Any guesses on what its called?
Drum roll please...
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The title of the sequel is...
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opens envelope
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What Are We Gonna Do About Us?
Applause
It's coming soon to a screen near you! Stay tuned!
Love always,
Jessi