AN: Thanks for all the reviews and support! You guys are awesome, as always. Warning: There will be some Lit-ish stuff in this chapter, but I promise it won't be around much longer. And I also promise it has a very good point. Um, the action is going to be picking up very soon in this story, so be patients. And please leave me a review! I love them. :)
"So, I insulted Logan yesterday," Rory informed Colin and Finn the next afternoon, grateful for Logan's absensce thus far.
"How did you manage that? Huntz isn't easily insulted," Colin informed her.
"I told him how lucky he was to have Mitchum Huntzberger as a father and--"
The two interrupted her with a burst of laughter.
"You did what?" Finn questioned, "Do you have any idea how much of an asshole that man is?"
"Logan got me started," she paused, biting her bottom lip, "What's so bad about him?"
Colin stared at her for a moment, "Why don't we name what isn't so bad about him? The list would be much shorter."
"He's a newspaper god!" Rory argued.
"Who forgets he has a family, especially children," Colin continued, "Logan's sister, Honor, was in a car accident awhile back. She was in serious condition for a bit. Logan and her are extremely close, and he was scared out of his mind. Mitchum was a few hours away and didn't think it was worth his time to show up. His mother was there long enough to talk to the doctors, get the facts, and leave."
"And then there are all the times Mitchum forgets their birthdays, or Christmas. He decided Logan's entire life for him, he has no say whatsoever. So no, love, he's not very lucky to have Mitchum Huntzberger as a father," Finn added.
Rory exhaled, "I apologized."
"Don't worry, Logan won't hold a grudge."
"I don't care if he holds a grudge, Colin. I don't even like him."
Finn grinned, "You'll warm up to him."
"Don't count on it."
"Don't count on what, Ace?" Logan's voice said from behind her.
She turned around to face him, barely noticing the blonde girl at his side, "Me ever liking you. Ever. At all."
"Now, that's not very nice," he commented, his face breaking into a grin.
"What did you do to the poor girl, Huntzberger?" the blonde questioned, speaking for the first time.
"I think I existed," he replied.
"That about covers it," Rory added, she turned to the girl, "You look familar."
She smiled, "Stephanie Vanderbuilt. I moved here at the beginning of the school year."
"Oh, yeah," Colin began, "You hang out with--"
"Please," Stephanie held up her hand, "Don't remind me."
"I met Steph at a school in Europe. She's a friend of mine."
"Well, any friend of Logan's is a friend of ours," Finn stated.
"Corny, Finn," Rory announced.
The group began making their way out of the school, with Rory trying to avoid being next to Logan in any way possible. She had to admit she felt bad for bugging him about this life, but that was where any good feelings towards him ended. Besides the coffee he gave her at the newspaper meeting, he had done nothing to change her feelings towards him. He was still cocky, lazy, and by the number of girls surrounding him constantly, a playboy.
He seemed to like her though, or maybe he just liked annoying her. She was putting her money on the second option. She sighed slightly as she sent him a sideways glance. He was talking to Stephanie, who had a smile plastered on her face as she sent a comment back. How did he get all these people to like him? Maybe she was just immune to his charm.
"So, what do you say, Ror?"
Rory snapped out of her thoughts and turned her head towards Colin, confused, "What do I say to what?"
"Me and Finn are dying for some Luke's burgers," he explained, "And Logan and Stephanie have never been there. So..."
"So you want me to take you to Luke's," she finished.
"Please?" Finn begged, batting his eyelashes.
"Fine. But stop looking at me like that," she exhaled, "And you know the rules. No touching me when Jess is around. Don't even--"
"Dirty!" Finn announced, before she could finish.
"You've been spending way too much time with my mother."
"That's because Lorelai actually lets me touch her."
"Dirty!" Rory protested, "Don't make me tell my father on you."
"Seriously, Finn. He hates you already," Colin told him.
"Why?"
"Gee, I don't know. Maybe it's because you always touch my mother's ass infront of him, but that's just a guess."
Finn wiggled his eyebrows, "What can I say, love? She did give you your genes afterall."
"Wow," Stephanie laughed, "I like you guys so much more than my other friends."
Logan turned to her, "Those girls are your friends?"
She shrugged, "For lack of a better term."
Rory laughed slightly, liking the new girl already. She was surprised she hadn't met her before, but Stephanie was a senior and Rory did tend to limit her social circles. Besides that, the girls Stephanie hung out with weren't exactly outstanding Chilton citizens. Rory shrugged, at least there was another girl in the group now, and she seemed to distract Logan a little bit.
"Okay, so, Luke's?" Logan said, steering them back to the original subject.
Rory nodded, "Follow my car."
--------
Rory steered the line of cars into her driveway, thinking it wise to park there and then walk to Luke's. Her mother was standing on the porch, grinning, and Rory was glad she remembered to call her mother and say that her friends were coming in for dinner, or somewhere in between dinner and lunch. Rory shook her head, only her mother would leave work early to eat with her daughter's friends.
"Where's the Australian?" Lorelai demanded, placing her hands on her hips.
"Lorelai, love, looking gorgeous as always!"
Lorelai smiled and walked over to Finn, wrapping her arm around his waist, "I always wanted to have an affair with a foreign man."
"I'm ready and I'm willing."
"Okay, stop!" Rory commanded, placing her hands over her ears, "Where's dad?"
"He had a half day today and he's meeting us there. So let's -- hang on," Lorelai paused and walked over to Logan and Stephanie, "You're new."
Logan smiled, and Rory watched as he turned on his charm, "Logan Huntzberger. You're Rory's mother, I assume."
"You assume correctly, Blondie."
She shook Logan's hand, then turned around to Rory, eyes wide, and mouthed 'Cute!'. Rory rolled her eyes. What was this power he had over people?
"And you are?" Lorelai asked, turning her attention to Stephanie.
"Stephanie Vanderbuilt."
"Boyfriend?" Lorelai inquired, motioning towards Logan.
Stephanie laughed, "Logan doesn't do girlfriends. But no, we're just friends."
Lorelai turned back to Logan, "So, you're gay?"
Logan's mouth dropped open, but he quickly recovered, "No, I like girls very, very much."
Colin spoke up, "Logan just has commitment issues."
"But I'm starving, so can we save going all Dr. Phil on me?" Logan pleaded.
"I suppose," Lorelai relented, "Let's go."
Logan walked up next to Rory, and she bit back a groan, "Yes?"
"Your mom is a lot like you."
"So I've been told."
"She seems to like me."
Rory turned to him with a fake smile, "I guess we aren't exactly alike then."
"You are stubburn, I'll give you that," he paused, bringing his lips close to her ear, "But so am I."
"Then I guess we're in for quite the battle, Blondie."
"That's Master and Commander to you."
He smirked, a deep, amused smirk that she couldn't tear her eyes away from, no matter how much she wanted to. And then, just as quickly as he appeared by her side, he moved up next to Colin and began chatting away. She held back slightly, watching his confident swagger as they strolled along the Stars Hollow sidewalk. And then she felt something she wasn't expecting, a wave of sadness at his absensce from her side. She shook her head slightly. No. She hated him. He was annoying, and cocky, and stubburn. There was nothing about him she even remotely liked. Slowly, the feeling was forced down and she followed the group into the diner. A momentary lapse of judgement, that was all. She wasn't losing her mind or anything. Right?
"Hey kiddo," a man's voice greeted her, "I see you brought the posse today."
Rory walked into the open arms of her father, hugging him tightly before sitting down between him and Colin, "They were insisting."
"Luke!" Lorelai yelled, "Food!"
Luke appeared from behind the counter, glaring at Lorelai as he walked over, "You bellowed?"
"Burgers, fries, and sodas all around. And coffee for me and the mini-me."
"I figured as much," Luke all but grunted.
"Hey Luke, is Jess here?" Rory asked.
"Upstairs."
"Thanks," Rory glanced around the table, "I'll be back."
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Colin teased as Rory pushed her chair back.
Rory rolled her eyes and padded up the stairs to Luke's apartment. She was hoping Jess would come down and join, but she knew that was doubtful. It would probably only end in a Colin, Finn, and Jess argument anyway. And with Logan added to the mix? It was most likely a good idea to keep him as far away as possible.
She barely had to knock on the door before Jess pulled it open. He smiled as she stepped over to him, melting as he pressed his lips to hers.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" he asked, wrapping his arm around her waist and guiding her inside.
"The friends wanted a Luke's run."
His face fell slighly, "I see."
"But I wanted to come up here and beg you to join us."
"I'd rather not."
She sighed as he kissed her again, "I figured."
"But why don't I come get you in a half hour?"
"I have homework," she began, but he cut her off with a hard kiss.
"Just an hour with me," he requested, his voice soft.
"Okay, an hour," she stepped back slightly, "I should get back down there."
"Okay."
She turned to leave, but he grabbed her wrist and planted another kiss on her lips, "Eat fast."
"As fast I can. See you soon."
She walked back downstairs and slid into her seat, where a cup of coffee was waiting.
"What? No Diner Boy?" Finn inquired.
"That really is a shame," Colin added sarcastically.
"Cut it out!" Rory warned, "His uncle is like five feet away."
"Easy, Ace," Logan soothed, a grin playing at his lips, "He's in the kitchen somewhere."
"Don't easy me! That's my boyfriend he's talking about."
"Drink your coffee, Rory," Lorelai ordered, "And Colin and Finn?"
"Yes, love?"
"Shut up," Lorelai requested sweetly.
"And for your information," Rory informed them, "He's coming to get me in about a half hour."
"So, I get to meet the boyfriend, huh?"
"I don't think so, Logan."
"Can't I even say hi?"
"No."
"Wave?"
"No."
"Look in his general direction?"
"Maybe," Rory replied, offering him a smirk that mirrored his own.
"What do you think I'm going to do? Trip him?"
Rory shrugged, "You never know."
Stephanie laughed, "Huntz, if I were her I wouldn't trust you either."
Rory smiled, "I'm liking you more and more every second."
Luke arrived with their food a few minutes later, and Rory ate as fast as she could while trying to advoid being noticed. After what seemed like hours, she heard footsteps coming down the stairs and soon Jess's hands were on her shoulders.
"Ready to go?" he asked, focusing on only her.
"Mhmm."
She could feel the eyes of her friends on her as she stood up from the table, and finally Jess seemed to notice the two new additions to the group.
He nodded towards Logan and Stephanie, "Who are they?"
Logan grinned, and Rory bit back a sigh as he reached over the table and offered his hand to Jess. Her boyfriend looked confused for a second, before accepting the outstretched hand.
"Logan Huntzberger. And this is Stephanie Vanderbuilt. You must be Jess?"
"Yeah," Jess answered shortly.
"Nice to meet you."
Rory was staring at Logan in amazement as he nodded his head and returned to his seat. No rude, offhanded comments, no sarcastic remarks. The last thing she expected from Logan was a polite introduction. Maybe, just maybe, there was more to Logan Huntzberger than met the eye.
--------
"Who are the news ones?" Lorelai asked almost as soon as Rory walked through the door in the early evening.
"I thought you got their names."
Lorelai rolled her eyes, "You know what I mean."
"Logan is an old friend of Colin and Finn's who used to go to Chilton and just moved back. Stephanie knew Logan when he was in boarding school in Europe and she just moved here at the beginning of the year."
"Logan's cute."
"Logan's cocky, lazy, and annoying," Rory informed her as she sat down on the couch between her parents.
"He was nice to Jess though," Christopher pointed out, 'That's more than can be said for Colin and Finn."
"Well, he gets one point then, which adds to his total of zero."
"I thought he was cute."
"Lor!" Christopher protested, "Must you?"
"What? He was cute! If I was seventeen, I'd think he was hot. At least I said cute."
"I sense girl talk. I have to leave early tomorrow anyway. Good night, ladies."
"Good night, dad."
"So, how was your date with Jess?" Lorelai asked once Christopher was gone.
"Great."
"Mhmm. So, explain to me exactly why you hate Logan so much?"
"I thought I already did."
"I know, I know. Cocky, lazy, annoying. But also funny, and rather mature towards Jess, might I add."
"Why are you defending him?" Rory demanded, "You hated Colin and Finn for almost two months just because they had money. And yet your instantly ready to run off with Logan or something. What's the deal?"
"I got over the money issue, Rory, you know that. And Logan just seems -- nice."
"Oh, yeah. He's near Pope status in that category."
"Okay, Okay," Lorelai held up her hands slightly, "Sorry I brought it up."
"It's okay. I have homework to do."
"Alright, kid. Call if you need anything."
As soon as Rory reached her bedroom, she all but collasped onto her bed with a sigh. What was with everyone's Logan obsession? She just didn't see it. And her mother of all people! Lorelai wanted her to have nothing to do with Colin and Finn for the longest time, simply because they didn't fit into her idea of what Rory's life should be. And yet Logan, who was more self confident and probably rich than both of them combined, was being welcomed with opened arms.
Sure, she appreciated his actions towards Jess earlier, but that was all. And as for her feelings during the walk to Luke's? She contributed them to hunger. Her brain didn't work properly when she was hungry and coffee deprived. Just the thought of him made his blood boil. He thought he was God's gift to Chilton, no, probably to the world. She let her eyes wonder to a picture of her and Jess hanging on her bedroom wall. She smiled. At least she had him, she would always have him.
--------
Logan walked into school the next morning looking slightly upset. He leaned heavily against the wall near Colin's locker and realeased his breath slowly. The stares of Rory, Colin, Finn, and Stephanie were trained on him as he closed his eyes and then opened them again.
"Something wrong?" Stephanie inquired.
"My parents are having a party."
"Point?"
"They want me to invite my friends."
Finn groaned, "Logan, your parent's parties suck."
"Don't I know it, but if don't come I might die of bordom. Seriously. I would be the first recorded case of death by no interest whatsoever. And as much as that would probably thrill Ace here, I'd like to think the rest of you would consider saving my life."
Colin rolled his eyes, "You can be so dramatic sometimes."
"Do you want me to leave you alone at one of your parent's parties?" Logan threatened, "Because I will. And I'll make them come with me."
"Fine. I'll go."
"Is there alcohol?" Finn questioned.
"Yes."
"I'm in."
Stephanie sighed, "I guess I'll go, Huntz. I know how shitty those parties can be."
His chocolate brown eyes turned to Rory, "You?"
"You seriously want me to go to a society party? Not only a society party, but your society party?"
"C'mon, Ace. With all of us there it won't be that bad. That's what subparties are for."
He smiled, and she smiled back before she even knew what she was doing, "Fine."
"You owe us, Huntzberger," Colin reminded him.
"I know," he paused for a moment, "I'll buy you a drink, Colin."
"Deal."
Rory made eye contact with Logan for a moment, and she laughed, actually truly laughed at his words.
"Uh, Colin?"
"Yeah, Rory?"
She glanced at Logan again, who was holding back his own laughter now, and she knew she was on the right track.
"Drinks are free," she informed him, "And you're a moron sometimes."
Colin glared at her for a second as the first period bell sounded through the school. Rory adjusted her bag on her shoulder and began walking down the hallway.
"Warming up to me, Ace?" Logan voice asked as he appeared beside her.
"About as much as a iceburg in Antarctica."
"Well, with global warming I guess I have a pretty good chance."
"Logan, the world would have to be on fire for this iceburg to melt."
"You're killing me, Ace."
"That's the point. See you, Logan."
She walked away from him quickly, but she couldn't help the smile forming on her face. As much as his sly remarks and cocky attitude got on his nerves, she had to admit their arguments were growing kind of enjoyable. He could keep up with her, that was for sure. Usually it was her and her mother going back and forth, and occasionally Christopher would enter the conversation, but that was about the limit for witty banter. Jess was usually more downright sinister than spur of the moment amusing. So, for as annoying as Logan was, at least he kept her entertained.
And of course her mother was right, he was cute.