Better in cones
Chapter Three
'Rory! Please tell me this isn't my smart, responsible daughter getting in after midnight for the second night in a row. No call, nothing. I didn't even know where you were headed this morning! I knew Jess would have a bad influence on you and just look at it, two nights in a row Rory.' Lorelai yelled, half angry and half panicked after the absence of her daughter.
'Sorry mum. I would have told you where we were going but I didn't know myself and I truly meant to call you but I got distracted...I was having such a good time at the book store and then in New York, and I love spending time with Jess because he gets me, and I get him and it's so easy to just be me around him. I'm sorry I didn't call and I promise that I won't disappear like that again, but if you want me to apologise for going then I won't. It was possibly one of the most fun days I have ever had, but I am sorry I didn't keep in contact, it's just when I'm with Jess I forget everything else, it's like there is me and him, the books we read and places we go and that's it. Everything else is separate from us.' Rory rambled on, unable to stop the torrent of words spilling out, mainly because they were all true, and she was trying to make sense of the effect Jess had on her. He made her want to be brave, and do things she'd never usually do, like going to New York without telling anyone.
She breathed in deeply and looked at her mum, who was still trying to process the information just given. Both of them stood by the car, shivering because the warm day had cooled off some hours ago and left the night cold. Rory's thoughts drifted to the fast approaching summer, Dean would be going away for three weeks of it to visit his grandparents, and there was a chance she would be going to Washington, but now a summer hanging out with Jess seemed more appealing. She smiled at the thought of exploring book stores together, having lunch and a debate down at the bridge, reading together on the bridge. Finally her mothers voice pulled her out of her daydream.
'I don't know how to react to that Rory, you say you love Dean and yet here you are going off with Jess all day, and half the night.' Lorelai shook her head.
'I do love Dean! Why can't I love Dean and still be friends with Jess?' Rory walked off into the house dumping her shopping onto her bedroom floor, in front of her wardrobe. Lorelai followed her into the house, not willing to accept that the conversation had ended.
'It isn't ok because of the way you act around Jess, I think you have to admit that for some unidentified reason you may like Jess as more than a friend.' Lorelai said despite herself, it was the last thing she wanted for her daughter to fall for Jess, but it was becoming evident that it was happening.
'No way! Mum I love Dean, he's my boyfriend and I want to be with him. This thing with Jess is friendship, we have a lot in common and I like spending time with him, it doesn't mean that I love him. You need to trust me.' Rory said calmer now, trying to reassure her mum. Lorelai studied her face finally agreeing to accept Rory's excuse.
'Fine, I'll back off on the Jess thing, just don't stay out late again ok, not without a phone call and even then I would prefer if you got in sooner.' Lorelai kissed her daughter on the head and left her to sleep.
*
'Wake up sleepy head.' Lorelai said poking Rory as she slept. Rory pulled the covers up over her head and mumbled something incoherent into her pillow. 'Come on we need to get to Luke's for breakfast, because mummy has to get to the inn and I don't want to eat alone, so come on.' Lorelai pulled the covers back.
'Early.' Rory grumbled forcing herself to sit upright, before getting out of bed. The room was hot and stuffy, so Rory decided it must be warm outside and picked out a summer dress to wear, still half asleep.
'It's ten.' Lorelai said knowing that it wasn't particularly early.
'Sunday.' Rory yawned, heading to the bathroom to wash and change from her sheep pyjamas to the dress.
'As soon as we get to Luke's we get coffee.' Lorelai answered Rory's statement.
'In a bucket?' Rory called through the door.
'Sure, that ought to be fun asking Luke for that, it'll set me up for the whole day.' Lorelai said excitably.
Upon entering the diner, after a walk there which consisted of Lorelai planning how to wind Luke up, they found not Luke behind the counter, but Jess who was effectively ignoring Luke by reading one of the books he'd bought the day before.
'Jess! Are you going to take our order or is the diner self service today?' Lorelai demanded after standing at the counter for two minutes. At hearing her voice he glanced up, meeting Rory's gaze rather than Lorelai who had spoken.
'What can I get you?' Jess asked in a bored tone. Placing his book on the counter, where Rory picked it up to read the back.
'Pancakes, with a side of bacon. Coffee and keep it coming, Rory?' Lorelai replied stonily.
'French toast, and a plate of scrambled eggs with bacon. Coffee in a vat and the loan of this book when you're done.' Rory replied, placing the book back where she'd got it from.
'Coming right up. As for the book I'll swap it for the dickens you got yesterday.' Jess replied. Rory nodded her agreement.
'So where's Luke? Upstairs?' Lorelai asked, reminding the two of her presence in the room.
'Out of town.' Jess replied, heading to the kitchen. Lorelai and Rory sat at the counter, as the diner was busy.
'I can't believe Luke left Jess and Caesar here alone, especially at the weekend. It must be important whatever it is. Odd he didn't mention it though. Ask Jess where he's gone.' Lorelai turned to Rory who was sipping at the coffee Jess had poured.
'Why don't you?' Rory asked.
'He won't tell me, you on the other hand he actually communicates with.' Lorelai begged.
'Fine, I'll go ask.' Rory sighed hopping off her seat and walking out to the kitchen.
a/n- Next chapter will be Jess and Rory's conversation in the kitchen and more... Reviews are always encouraged, as I love feedback, it motivates me to write more (Not that I'm trying to bribe you into reviewing) hehe.