15. Graduation

"My mother never gave me any idea that I couldn't do whatever I wanted to do or be whoever I wanted to be. She filled our house with love and fun and books and music, unflagging in her efforts to give me role models from Jane Austen to Eudora Welty to Patti Smith. As she guided me through these incredible eighteen years, I don't know if she ever realized that the person I most wanted to be was her." Rory was in the midst of her graduation speech when she noticed that Logan was sitting right at the corner of the seats she decided she needed to add one more thing in her speech. She wiped her tears, and continued her speech. "The one thing that I has strike me as amazing during my high school years is the unexpected friendships that you find in unexpected places that can be found in a classroom or at a social gathering. These friendships lead to helping you learn new things about yourself, and help you have new experiences that you did not think were possible. I would like to thank every new friend I have had met here, and during these past three years, she shot a pointed look at Paris, Louise, and Madeline and then finally at Logan. I would like thank all those friendships for they brought many high school moments into memories and photographs. "She smiled as she saw Logan, looking touched at what she had said in her speech.

As Rory continued her speech, she was amazed at how Logan had such a strong effect on her to inspire her to add something in her speech; and Rory was a person who went with what was planned and never added anything. However, Logan as always unwittingly made her more spontaneous. It was unbelievable the presence that Logan had on her life. The night she had first met him they had managed to have a connection that went fast from an argument to a very deep friendship. This friendship led to some strong feelings of lust, which had led to a very special kiss. It had been an amazing week or four days just being with Logan, it was not just having dinner at the Chinese restaurant or drinking coffee at this small coffee shop Logan had introduced her too. Nor even their intense make out sessions that were hard to end despite the timer ticking in the distance. It was just being next to Logan he had a presence that could make you so happy, a touch that could sooth you in a moment. He had a way of making you feel that you were the one person in the room that only you mattered. Rory kept trying to talk herself to not be too attached to Logan after all they would have to part the day after tomorrow. However, it was so damn hard because she could not remember the last time her heart had skipped beats so rapidly. Logan was not just your typical rich kid. Although, he did play up to that role, he was incredibly intelligent. Rory enjoyed sparring it was like a twisted type of foreplay for them even though they were not having sex. She had found she had a lot in common with Logan, but at the same time, not so much. That is what kept her interest. That is what kept her on her toes. She never knew what to expect. In addition, the more time she spent with him, the more she felt herself not wanting the week to end so she could continue to spend as much time with him as possible.

Approximately a half an hour later, Rory was talking to Luke and Lorelai, as she was trying to forget about her feelings about her and Logan ending whatever they had.

"How was my speech?"

"It made everyone cry, including stone cold Luke." Lorelai teased

"You old softy, Luke." Rory giggled."I will never live this down." Luke replied mortified"Not with me in your life."

"I've got to go; I got to get back to the diner." Luke said half wanting to end the typical Gilmore teasing."Thanks for coming, Luke." Rory said genuinely."Oh, sure. The buildings' amazing. So are you." Luke not being able to believe that the girl he watched come to the diner through the years was the same young woman.

Rory smiled a man of few words, yet he could sum so much. Rory then decided to give Luke and Lorelai a moment to say goodbye. When she saw Logan of her eye, she did not know what had come over her, but the next thing she knew she ran over to him and threw her arms around him.

Surprised by Rory's sudden burst of passion Logan leaned in for a passionate kiss. It was a long, hard, hungry kiss. That kept continuing not caring if graduates and their parents would be giving them dirty looks. In between kisses, Logan said, "Congratulations Ace you are now a high school graduate,"

Rory pulled away briefly, "Thanks I can't believe it myself I can't believe that the day after tomorrow I'm finally heading towards what my mom and I have been talking about ever since I was 2 years old. Going to Europe, and then to Ivy league school…"

Logan was confused how he felt a pang in his heart that she what she was excited about would involve their separation. However, he dismissed it as nonsense, he was definitely happy for her: "Good speech Ace, especially the part about meeting different people was about me right me" Logan smirked.

Rory rolled her eyes, "As always Logan you think everything is about you it wasn't it was about everyone I met during my high school career I could even put Dean and Jess to the list…" Rory justified not wanting to give Logan the satisfaction that he had inspired her speech.

"Ace you're a tease, "He kissed her softly. "So what's the plan for us later, this is our last night?" Logan tried to keep the sadness out of his voice, he had grown so used to being with her in the past week that it was hard to imagine what it would be like to not be with her. Their times when he had wondered if he had fallen for her, he dismissed that as nonsense they were only together for a week.

"Sadly Logan there are no direct plans I think my Mom has something planned at home probably a party or something." Rory kicked herself for not planning something for her and Logan that night.

'It's alright Ace, your mom wouldn't mind if I come to the party. We could keep setting the timer. Like six times five minutes makes 30 minutes right…" Logan uttered sadly he really wanted to spend more time with her.

"I love a man who knows how to do math, but no I think a lot of people will be there and she'll be understanding" Rory laughed as she kissed Logan again. They both continued to kiss trying to block out the things that they could not share with each other.

As Rory had predicted Lorelai had planned a full graduation party almost the whole town was there, Sookie had a wide assortment of food, and Luke had brought the ice and extra sandwiches. It was the typical SH party that Rory enjoyed with no kegs and fights, yet she could not figure out why Logan was not there. Logan definitely said he would come, and he loved parties. Rory really hated the sense of agitation that Logan had inflicted on her.

She smiled when she saw Dean coming up to her. "Congratulations"

"You too and to Lindsey, I mean sometimes I don't understand why this town puts so much attention on me.""Thanks I'll let Lindsey know, and hey you and your mom do help to bring this town to life." Dean reasoned.

"That's mostly my mom…" Rory giggled as she kept looking at the door to see if Logan had come.

"Waiting for someone…" Dean asked curiously

"Um… No just scanning the turnout..." Rory abruptly answered not wanting to be questioned by Dean.

"Um… Listen Lindsey's friend, you know Maria, she keeps saying that she sees you around the person she brought to Kyle's party. Now I don't like her but if it's true you should stay away from him after all if he dated her than he is a one night stand guy."

"Dean, it's not your place to tell me who I can stay away from, plus Maria is just bitter because that guy is way too good for her." With a huff Rory walked away she could not believe Dean was still jealous of who she hung out with when he had Lindsey. She walked into her room and she was surprised to see Logan there.

I know I am evil but I just could not help it. I do not know if there Rory had a big graduation party but for the sake of my story, I decided to have one. Sorry it took me a long time to update the holidays really took their toll on me. I would like to thank my new Beta Zoe.