I had been staring at my phone for the last half an hour, trying to work up the courage to tell my mother what had happened. I knew she would be mad, disappointed, and upset, and I wasn't sure about what to do. I wanted to be with Jess but at the same time, I was afraid, afraid that history would repeat itself again.

He's changed. I know he's changed. He's different. He isn't the smoking, surly, teenager he was before. He wrote a book, he owns a publishing house, he has friends. He's changed for the better.

Me, on the other hand. I don't even recognize myself anymore. If the eighteen year old me could look at myself now, she would be disgusted. This isn't me. This girl who wears expensive clothes and who spends her nights partying instead of reading.

I had a dream last night. A dream of me and my younger self. It was creepy. They were staring at each other. Not moving, not talking, just standing. Then the current me started transforming into a monster. Kind of like Michael Jackson in "Thriller." Then the monster ripped apart the old me. Until all that was left was a pile of books.

I woke up in a cold sweat, trembling. I looked at Jess and felt an odd sense of relief. He was still asleep, his mess of hair sticking up in all directions like it did when we were kids. He makes my true self come out of hiding. I remember after he left, I tried hiding myself from the world, more and more, wondering if he had left because of me.

Taking a deep breath, I pick up my phone, my fingers trembling. I quickly dialed the number I knew by heart. My mother's overly chipper voice picked up, making the knot in my stomach become bigger.

"Hello?"

"Hi Mom."

"Rory, hey. How are you? Have you made any new friends yet?"

"Well, there was a change in plans."

"What do you mean?"

I stayed silent, unsure of how to tell my mother.

"Rory, what happened?"

"I-I'm in Philadelphia."

"Philadelphia? Why, what's in…Oh my god. You didn't."

"Mom."

"You did? Oh my god. Jess, Rory..JESS! You skipped out on your job to see Jess!"

I winced. "Yeah."

"What are you thinking Rory? You can't do this. You can't skip out on a job to go see your ex-boyfriend."

"We're back together."

"I can't believe this. You're back together now? What are you thinking Rory. I know Luke said he's changed, but he hasn't. He's still the same Jess."

"No he's not. He's grown up, he's matured. Yell at me all you want, but don't go offending Jess. He is a completely different guy."

"He's not married is he? Are just 'casually dating'?"

"Mom, don't."

"You're repeating past mistakes Rory."

"No, I'm not. And if I am, it's my mistake to make."

"Fine, make the mistake. Let Jess break your heart all over again. But don't come crying to me when he leaves you again."

"Don't worry I won't." I hissed as I slammed the phone down. That could have gone better. I sat down on the bed, running my hands over the smooth fabric. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes, but I quickly rubbed my eyes. Her words were echoing in my mind, running back and forth like a merry-go-round. Maybe she was right. Maybe Jess was still the same. No, no. Jess is different. He's changed. Is he? I dropped my head in my hands, unsure of what to do. On my impulse that caused all of this, I grabbed my phone and left the building.

XXXXXXXX

I slammed the phone down on the desk. What is she thinking? She knows Jess is bad news, yet she's in Philadelphia right now, with Jess. I groaned before walking towards the kitchen, desperately needing coffee. I walked in and saw Sookie mixing something or other, lightly rubbing her engorged stomach.

When she saw me, she quickly ran over to where I was standing, excitement evident on her face and in her voice.

"Lorelai, how was your date with Luke last night? Was it great? Amazing? Come on, give me details. Guys-" she called to her kitchen staff, "Give us a minute."

The five mean in the kitchen nodded and left the room quietly. Sookie turned to Lorelai expectantly.

I smiled slightly, "It was..perfect Sookie."

Sookie noticed something was off, "Sweetie, what's wrong?"

I sighed, staring down at the coffee cup, "Rory's in Philadelphia."

"Is that her first step on the campaign trail? That's so cool. I can't believe she's going to be gone for so long though."

"No, Sookie. She's not on the campaign trail."

"What?"

"She skipped her job and went to Philadelphia."

"Why, what's in Philly?"

"Jess."

Sookie gasped, "What?"

"Jess! She skipped out on her golden opportunity and went to see Jess in Philadelphia."

"Oh my god."

"I know. She claims they're together now, but I'm convinced she'll be back within a month, broken hearted and looking to me for sympathy."

Sookie shook her head, "I just can't believe it."

"I know. How could she go back to someone who is so bad for you."

"That's not what I meant Lorelai."

"What do you mean?" I turned to look at my best friend, confused.

"I can't believe that it took her so long."

"You've got to be kidding me." I started walking towards the door, with Sookie close behind.

"Lorelai, just listen to me." I just grunted so Sookie continued, "Jess and Rory had a lot in common-"

"So?"

"Well, they were very lovey-dovey while they were going out-"

"For six months."

"They never had any closure."

"He left, isn't that good enough?"

"Rory was the happiest I've ever seen her when she was dating him."

"That's irrelevant."

"How about how they're both head over heels in love with each other?"

I stopped and looked back at my friend, "They are NOT in love with each other after four years."

"Do you know?"

"The last time she saw him, he walked up, said 'I love you' and drove away. She wouldn't have dated Dean and Logan if she was in love with him."

"You dated Christopher when you still loved Luke, you married Christopher when you still loved Luke-"

I felt my stomach knot, "That is completely different."

"Is it?" Sookie stared at me. I looked down at the floor, unsure of what to say. "I gotta get back to work Lorelai. Just…think about it." Sookie walked back towards the kitchen, leaving me alone.

I looked up and stared at the clock across the room. I watched as the seconds ticked by slowly, making me groan.

"Why does she always have to be right?" I mutter as I pull out my phone and start dialing.

Yes, I know, Kinda cliff-hangery, but not really. I won't be able to update again until spring break, since school is so busy right now. Anyway, you know the drill, Read review. I appreciate.

QOTD: What do you think will win the Oscar for best movie?

As much as I want it to be Black Swan, it'll end up being King's Speech or Social Network. Tell me what you think.