`*~ These Are Days ~*`

Author: Genevah

Rating: R

Pairing: Rory/Jess

Disclaimer: I claim to own nothing.

Summary: Tweaked 'Teach Me Tonight' to my own likings. *Warning. Insane amounts of fluff o'nutters in this story… please read with caution* Oh… and it's definitely a Literati, anything else would be uncivilized!

A/N: I've revised some chapters… just makes me feel better. They're subtle changes, mostly in the writing, not necessarily the storyline.

`**~// Chilton: A Month Later – April 4, Thursday Morning \\~**'

Rory, along with Paris and her entourage Madeline and Louise were walking through the Chilton grounds headed towards the building that held their first morning class. Paris was ranting as usual when Louise rudely interrupted her with her latest guy-dar alert.

"Ooo hot guy at ten o'clock?" Louise purred. All three heads turned in the direction of Louise's and onto the guy seated on a bench in front of the building. He wasn't wearing a Chilton uniform.

"Mmm." Madeline hummed, also appreciating the sight of said hot guy.

"What's he doing here?" Paris asked in her regular annoyed voice. She remembered him being the reason why she did the unfathomable thing in saving Rory from Dean's jealous frenzy. She covered for her by lying to Dean about what he was doing at her house. She told him that she liked him and Rory was trying to set them up.

"Oh my god…," a pleased smile quickly emerged on Rory's face as she left the gawking trio and walked up to him.

"Jess, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in school mister?" She asked suspiciously with a smile still planted on her face.

He looked up from his book and into her cerulean blue eyes. "Why Rory, fancy meeting you here," he pretended.

She smiled at him. "Come on. What are you doing here?" She fished, excitedly awaiting his answer.

"I came to rescue you." He said simply.

"How very knightly of you… but I don't need rescuing… I like school remember?"

"A mere technicality. I wanna take you somewhere."

"What? Jess… I have to get to class… I need to learn…," she said as she motioned toward the building.

"Aw, come on Roorrry… you already know everything you need to know. One day away from learning can't hurt. Come on." He insisted, disregarding what she said. His eyes twinkled for her in a feeble attempt to get her to accept his offer.

"Has anyone ever told you that peer pressure is very becoming on you?" She loved that look he always gave her when he wanted her to do something they weren't supposed to be doing.

"Nope, can't say anyone has…," he looked as though he was in deep thought and continued, "Huh, I'll have to remember that for next time," giving her a devilish grin.

"You are a funny, funny boy." She laughed as he stood up in front of her.

"Look… I'll even make it worth your while… I'll buy you any book you want." There was no way she could resist a new book.

Her eyes widened.

"And… you can have all the coffee your big heart desires." He enticed.

She looked at him approvingly. One day away from school can't hurt. She didn't have any tests that day and she could always get notes from Paris. Her notes were more elaborate than the teacher's. "Fine," she said finally but easily giving in. "Where are you taking me?"

"Huh… that was easier that I imagined." They walked in the direction leaving the school grounds. "Okay." He casually draped his arm around her shoulder. "Follow me."

She was a little surprised by his gesture, but she didn't want to make anything of it. It was a simple gesture on his part.

Over the past month, they have grown closer as friends. Even close enough to add a best before friends. They spent many weekends hanging out and many school mornings eating breakfast together. Rory continued to tutor him or at least monitor him, making sure he was studying and doing his homework. Lorelai began to tolerate him. She even went so far as inducting him into the Gilmore movie night. She was finally beginning to see the 'good guy' qualities Rory was so adamant about. She could also see something that Rory conveniently pushed to the back of her mind… Lorelai could see that Jess liked her… really liked her.

Rory woke up from her nap to the sun's rays beaming outside the bus' window. She remembered where she was… on a bus to New York… with Jess. Her head was on his chest and she felt his arm around her waist with his hand resting on her upper thigh. His other arm was rested on the sill of the window using his hand to cushion his head, and he had one leg cocked up on the side arm of the seat in front of him. She smiled to herself as she listened to the steady beat of his heart and fell asleep again. A half hour later, Jess awoke to feeling Rory snuggled closely to him. She must have been cold because she unknowingly snuck her hands inside his jacket. The initial shock of her icy hands made him jerk a little, but soon warmed up to her touch.

As the driver announced their destination, he softly nudged her to wake her up.

She felt his warm breath in her ear along with his gentle voice coming soon after. "Rory…," he watched as she stirred, "we're here." He whispered , not missing the sweet scent of her shampoo. She slowly opened her eyes and started to stretch. He watched her so intently. She's so pretty. He must have been staring a little too hard because his thoughts were interrupted by a "what" from Rory.

"Nothin'," he said cleverly, "You ready to go?" He asked clearly trying to escape embarrassment.

"Yup." She said as she stretched one last time.

They spent most of the day in Washington Square Park and as promised Rory got the book of her choice and lots and lots of yummy coffee. He bought them lunch at a local hot dog stand where he used to eat when he lived in New York. They read for a while in the park and discussed and argued about things they read and afterwards he took her to a music store where Rory found a signed GoGo's album for her mother's graduation present. Their day had to come to an end so they wouldn't miss Lorelai's graduation.

`**~// Hartford: Lorelai's Graduation – Thursday Night \\~**'

"Lorelai Victoria Gilmore." Lorelai walked up to the stage to receive her diploma and took immense pleasure in hearing Sookie, Lane, and Rory hollering incomprehensible cheers for her. Luke and Jess slightly sank in their chairs embarrassed by the ruckus coming from the three crazy females next to them. Even Emily had joined the three. Lorelai was thoroughly delighted that her mother showed that she could be crass too. She knew she inherited that trait from her mother. Richard was quite surprised by his wife's outbursts.

As the ceremony came to a close, they all met up with their graduate, giving her their hugs, congrats, and presents.

`**~// Later at Luke's Diner \\~**`

 Luke had closed the diner early leaving himself, Jess, Lorelai, and Rory seated at a table finishing up their pie.  

"Hey Rory… I've got a new cd that you should check out. It's upstairs." Jess then looked at Lorelai. "We won't be long."

Rory looked at her mom for unneeded permission. But she felt that this was her mom's day and Rory wanted it to be all about her.

Lorelai nodded approvingly and they went upstairs to Jess' new bedroom.

"I like what you've done to you room," she taunted, as she looked around the room filled with open boxes that were still full. He smirked at her. Rory sat on his bed as Jess sifted through his stash of cds. Somehow he had misplaced what he had wanted to show her and started to search through the boxes.

Out of nowhere, Jess was standing in front of her. He gently lifted her to a standing position. Taking her completely by surprise, he slowly backed her up against the wall and placed one hand leaning on wall and the other on her hip. He inched his lips towards hers…  "Rory… Roorrrry," his voice sang. "Hey," he said waving his hand in front of her face.

"Huh…," she said a little too breathy.

"You were staring off into space… you alright?" He tried to read her but to no avail.

"O oh … yeah.  I'm fine," she stuttered looking a little flushed.

"You sure, 'cuz you're looking kinda pale?" He asked narrowing his eyes at her noting her complexion.

"Yeah, I was just thinking about all the homework I have yet to do and I just realized that I forgot to do my Lit book at school," she lied.

"Huh… well… here's that cd," he decided not to press it and handed the cd to her.

She couldn't explain these thoughts that would infest her mind at the most inopportune times. And yes, that wasn't the first time she had thought about them like that. It was wrong of her to think of her best friend that way. It was wrong. She duped herself into thinking that it was a one-sided attraction.

"You ready to go back down." He said motioning towards the door.

"Yeah." Still a little flushed.

`**~// Gilmore Home – Friday Morning \\~**'

Lorelai was at the kitchen table eating her Rice Krispies cereal with her own added marshmallows when a very sleepy Rory lazily slid towards the bathroom.

"Hun… did you not sleep well last night?" She said taking in her daughters disheveled appearance. The only response she got was a soft grunt followed by a moan.

"Hookay." She heard the shower turn on and about a half an hour later Rory joined her mom at the kitchen table. She laid her head down on the table, tilting it so she could see her mom.

"Babe. You… don't… look so good," she said scrunching her face at her. "And I mean that in a nice way."

"I didn't sleep to well."

"Hmm... tell mama what's wrong," she said lightheartedly while rubbing her back, trying to soothe her.

She couldn't possibly tell her mom the reason why she was having trouble sleeping. That she couldn't sleep because of him. Jess consumed her thoughts and dreams. And she couldn't shake it. Her feelings were so strong that they could no longer be brushed aside. They were here to stay.

"I think I must have eaten something bad last night from the restaurant that grandma and grandpa took us to," she lied. She had been lying a lot lately.

"Aw…," still rubbing her back as she kissed her on the head. "Here…," she lifted her up and helped her over to the couch in the living room. "Today you are staying home from school. You will do no homework of any kind. You will just sit here and vegg out in front of the TV, or if you want you can read a book… not related to school of course." She ordered. "I will call school and let them know that you've got some kind of contagious bug. And when I get off from work, early mind you, I'll rent a movie and we'll order pizza. How's that sound?"

"Mom?

"Huh?"

"Aren't you forgetting something?"

"No?" She said in question form, but knowing exactly what she was getting at.

"It's Friday," she hinted. Lorelai offered a confused expression pretending not to know what she was talking about. "Dinner with the grandparents?"

"Well… I'll give them a call too and explain to them that you are ill and I need to stay home and take care of you. Thus entitling us to a fun-filled night filled with junk food and movie mocking." She hesitated before she continued. "You can even call Jess to join us. That little punk is starting to grow on me." They shared a smile.

Rory thought about the whole staying home idea but decided against it. She couldn't miss school again.

"Although that sounds extremely tempting right now… I think I should go to school, but I will take you up on skipping dinner with the grandparents."

"Really... you're not just saying that to be mean to mommy are you?"

Rory nodded her head no.

"Eee! Yay! No dinner with the grandparents!" Lorelai squealed hugging her daughter and then danced around. "Have I told you that you are my favorite daughter?"

Rory wasted no time in getting home from school. She was really tired from the lack of sleep she had the night before. When she got home she called Jess and informed him of the night's proceedings then went straight to the couch and fell asleep, still in her uniform.

A little after six o'clock, Rory's sleep was disturbed by the phone ringing.

"Hello," her voice a little groggy.

"Hey sweets… did I wake you?" She asked apologetically.

"Yeah, but I needed to get up anyway." She said looking at the clock.

"So how are you feeling?"

"Better." She finally got a decent amount of sleep… Jess free.

"Good, then I won't feel so guilty about changing tonight's plans if that's alright with you."

"Why, what's going on?" She said a little disappointed.

"Well, I sort of… forgot that I… promised Sookie we'd go over her wedding stuff tonight."

"Oh… well… that's okay. I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm feeling much better. Completely refreshed."

"… is Jess keeping you company tonight?" She asked already knowing the answer. Jess would never skip out on movie night or for that matter… a chance to spend time with Rory.

"Um, yeah he said he'd come."

"Good. Well… give him a call back and tell him to rent a movie for you guys."

"Ok."

"Alright sweetie, I'll try and be home as soon as I can."

"Ok. Bye mom."

"Bye babe."

She called Jess to let him know of the change of plans. After watching the tube for a bit, Rory finally got up and freshened up for Jess' arrival. He said he'd be there around seven and it was now six forty-five. She walked into her room, blasted her radio- she loved the perks of being home alone.

As Rory was deciding on what to wear for the evening, she sang loudly along with the chorus of Ben Kweller's 'Little Pink Stars.' She even took a moment to bop around her room, unaware of the prying eyes behind her.

He could no longer conceal the huge smile over-powering his mouth, never thought to ever be seen on him. He rang the doorbell earlier and knocked on the door, but she never came. He knew they never locked the doors, so he invited himself in. He heard the loud music coming from her bedroom. And to his delightful surprise she left her bedroom door open…wide open. He saw the whole show and thoroughly enjoyed every entertaining bit of it. When the song was over, within the silent seconds before the next song played, she heard a shuffling noise coming from behind her. She quickly turned around and was mortified at seeing Jess staring at her with the biggest Cheshire grin on his face.

She turned red in a matter 0.25 seconds.

Somebody shoot me… please?