AN: I thought it was about time Rory and Jess encountered a small hiccup in their relationship. Just because I on occasion enjoy being evil. Enjoy.
"The school year is almost over! Why do they keep letting all these new students in?" Paris demanded as she marched over to her usual table in the cafeteria. She threw a glance towards Jess before sitting down. "They just screw everything up." She added as Madeline and Louise shrugged and sat as well.
"Someone new is coming?" Jess asked, turning away from the three girls and back to Tristan.
"You haven't heard? That's a little surprising, since Paris has been going on about it since…" he checked his watch "I want to say eight, but I'm thinking it's closer to four."
"Four? As is in, four am? In the morning? You really think she's been up that long, complaining about a new student?" Jess asked, incredulous.
"You've met her right?"
"I see your point. So, new kid, you gonna dump me and take him under your wing?"
"That all depends on how pretty he is. I suppose we could go ask Paris for a peek at the admin file she swiped, check him out."
"She stole a- Why am I surprised? Did she do the same thing when I started here?"
"Yep. Anytime we get an addition to our class, she goes on high-alert, to suss out the competition."
"At least I wasn't left out. She's so lovely." Jess remarked sarcastically.
"Don't I know it; we've had all the same classes since- Hello!" Jess looked up from his lunch to see who had caught his friends' attention. From the look on Tristan's face, he had a very strong feeling that it was a she. "I think I just spotted our new classmate."
"And? Am I going to friendless and alone, looking for a new lunch table tomorrow?"
"No, no. I doubt we'll spend much time in the cafeteria at all. And I'll still see you occasionally, in a class or two, maybe. But if you'll excuse me for a moment, I'm going to go and make her feel welcome."
Jess watched Tristan get up and walk across the room towards a blonde girl who looked a little lost. Shaking his head, he pulled a book out of his bag and resumed reading while picking at his food.
"Here he is, my friend, Jess Mariano," Tristan announced a few moments later and Jess looked up at the two. "And for just three easy payments of forty-nine ninety-five he can also be your friend. For a limited time only, we'll also throw in a charming snow globe with your purchase."
"A hundred and fifty bucks?" Jess queried, closing his book. "That's all that my friendship is worth to you?"
"One hundred and forty-nine eighty-five, actually." The girl pointed out.
"And the snow globe!" Tristan volunteered. "Don't forget about the snow globe."
"How could I? Hi, I'm Jess, and I'm sorry about my friend. He hasn't been diagnosed yet, but we're pretty sure it's ADHD."
"Amy. And that's alright; at least I'll have you around to protect me, right?"
"Well, I-"
"Oh, you're reading Oliver Twist? I love this book! It's on my top five list,"
"You- yeah. It's one of my favorites too."
"Dickens was a genius. Same as Hemingway and Karouac,"
"You know, I like Karouac myself," Tristan piped up. "I'd love to just hop into the car, and drive, all around the country,"
"Yeah, that'd be great. So, Jess, tell me, what have you got in fifth period?"
"Uh, study hall. I was going to try and get some stuff together to take into the Franklin office, as a sort of audition, see if they'll let me join."
"The Franklin?"
"School paper,"
"Oh, cool. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to do that alone. Maybe I'll join you."
"You don't have a class?"
"Nope. This has been a great first day; first I spend an hour in the principal's office, waiting for him to see me, then I have three kick-ass easy classes. Two cute boys talk to me at lunch and after my free period I get to cut out early because my dad's picking me up to take me to the dentist."
"So, you can come with me, great. That'll be great."
"Yeah, do you think we could go now? Maybe you could show me around a little first, so I don't look so hopelessly lost tomorrow."
"I guess so, if you're done with your lunch."
"Great, let's go." As she gathered her things, Jess shrugged at Tristan, who just glared in return.
"I am almost an official Franklin reporter." Jess informed Rory as he dropped onto a stool at the counter and she handed him a coffee that afternoon.
"Almost official? How'd you land that gig?"
"I spoke to Paris today,"
"That awful girl from your school who came to my sad excuse for a birthday party?"
"The very same, she wasn't in the best mood, because there's a new kid at school, and I have just learnt that Paris hates new students disrupting her life."
"Hmm, you'd be at the top her best bud list then wouldn't you?"
"Well it turns out that I've been lowered on the hit list, now that I am no longer the most recent addition to the class of 2003. And also, I think being friends with Tristan has helped me."
"How?"
"She likes him, I think."
"She does?" Rory asked, "Not that I'm judging, the girl can like who she likes, and I guess she could do worse."
"Anyway I went to her, asked about joining and she gave me an assignment."
"That's great!" Rory cheered, dropping the cloth she was 'wiping' the counter with while talking, and throwing her arms around Jess' neck.
"It's due in three days, and I've got to work on it with the new kid, but it's a start."
"It's a start." Rory echoed. "So what is the assignment?"
"Oh, well that's the best part;" he replied, sarcastically. "Interviewing the janitorial staff,"
"Bummer," Jess took a sip of coffee and shook his head.
"But I'll show her. We'll write the best interview ever: Jaime and Joachim will look like Brad and Jen when this is done."
"I'm glad you can find something positive in it."
"Well, what choice do I have? Am I going to let Paris' evil ways destroy my hopes to enjoy this extra-curricular activity?"
"No, you're not. In that case, I'll let you get on with composing your questions in peace."
"Hang on a second, what's this?" he asked, still holding the cup.
"That's a coffee."
"But I didn't ask for it."
"No, you didn't. But I thought you might like it, what with the big day you had."
"I'm not an addict like you."
"Yet," Rory pointed out. "But I'm confident I can convert you."
"What if I don't want you to?"
"You only think that because you aren't aware of how wonderful it is over on my side. Once the process is complete you will thank me."
"Did I hear something about being left in peace? I think I remember-"
"I'm going! See how you like it when I'm paying more attention to everyone else in the room." Rory threatened, before beginning to walk away. Jess caught her arm and pulled her towards him.
"Thank you."
"For?"
"The coffee, the ego boost? The fact that you haven't broken down and threatened to kill Luke in his sleep because he's being so crazy towards us? Take your pick." He replied, putting his arms around her.
"Well, actually, I think he's starting to go back to normal."
"He is?"
"Yeah, today, there were actual words spoken in the apartment. And, I mean, it was six am and he's still Luke, so it wasn't on the scale of 'I have a dream' or anything, but,"
"Words are good."
"That they are. Just in case he bumped his head or something and momentarily forgot, I'm going to get back to work now, try and stay on his good side. Which means you have to let go of me,"
"But that's the worst offer I've gotten all day." Jess complained, shaking his head.
"Too bad." Rory put her hands over his and lifted them off of herself. "I have customers and you have an interview to prepare for."
"Alright, fine. Can I get a burger and fries to go? I'll do my work at home, since; it appears that I'm not wanted here."
"I'll get right on that." Rory grinned and headed into the kitchen.
"This is payback, isn't it?" Tristan asked. "For that whole, kissing Rory thing,"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Jess replied slowly, looking at him, confused.
"You're punishing me for perfecting your love life, by distracting a girl who could very possibly be my soul mate."
"I'm sorry, I- I see your lips moving, there's sound coming out, and yet-"
"Amy! Come on dude!"
"Dude?"
"Jess," Tristan replied, threateningly.
"Tristan," Jess returned, trying to be serious. "I really have no idea what's going on."
"You didn't notice, yesterday, for real? The flirting?"
"I swear I didn't notice anything. Are you sure you-"
"I can't believe you're just standing there, lying to me like this."
"First off; I'm walking. Second; I'm not lying. In case you haven't noticed, I have a girlfriend who I'm pretty happy with. I'm dating Rory, I like Rory, not Amy. I don't even know anything about her and it's not my fault Paris put us on the same piece."
"It is your fault that she's falling madly in love with you, so stop-"
"You're crazy, you know that? Completely wacko. We aren't continuing this stupid conversation. Do you understand me Norman Bates? We're done here." Jess continued walking, shaking his head.
As Rory neared the diner that afternoon she spotted Jess through the window. "Hey!" she practically bounced to his side; she'd had a really good day.
"Hi, were you out on..."
"Deliveries, yep. That uncle of yours sure is a slave driver, huh?" she finally noticed the girl smiling expectantly at Jess. "Who's this?"
"Oh, this is Amy. From school, we're doing that article. Amy, this is Rory, she's my-"
"Girlfriend?"
"Yes."
"Hmm, you never mentioned that you had a girlfriend."
"I didn't?"
"Nope."
"Oh, well, I'm sure I meant to." Jess replied hesitantly.
"Right..."
"Um, ok. Well, I'm going to go. Homework, lots of stuff to do, you know. So, have fun and... I'll see ya." Rory nodded to herself before heading up to the apartment.
"Oh great you're back." Luke turned from the small safe where he was swapping money over. "I was just about to run to the bank for a minute, do you think you-"
"I've got to study," Rory cut him off before stalking into her room and slamming the door.
--
When Jess let himself into the apartment he found it empty. But Rory's door was slightly ajar and he could hear The Ramones.
"So, mom and TJ are out for the night," he began, standing on the threshold. Rory sat on her bed, reading. "And I know this is a Lorelai night, but I thought maybe... we could catch a m-movie, maybe grab a- are you mad at me?"
"Why would you think that?" Rory snapped, dropping her book and getting up to turn off the music.
"Let's see, there's the lack of eye contact, the fact that I haven't seen you downstairs in over an hour, and also Luke told me that-"
"The only reason you came up here was because Luke told you to? That's just great."
"No, not the only reason. What did I do?"
""I wouldn't want you to keep your friend waiting."
"Amy's gone. We finished what we had to- are you upset with me because of her?"
"She's pretty."
"Is she?"
"Come on! Like you didn't notice,"
"I didn't. Because I'm seeing someone. She's smart, funny and beautiful, the whole package."
"Don't let me keep you."
"What the hell Rory?" Jess demanded, and Rory finally stopped moving around the room, rearranging things. "What did I do?"
"You didn't tell her about me."
"What?"
"She had no idea that you had a girlfriend, so, correct me if I'm wrong, but that might suggest that maybe you're really not-"
"I really hate when people open a conversation with 'stay back, I'm taken!' Because it's just talking, you know. I didn't think it was necessary."
"If you'd noticed the way she was looking at you, would you have mentioned it then?"
"How was she looking at me?"
"Like you were Leonardo DiCaprio in Romeo and Juliet and she was Claire Danes."
"Are you serious? I've gotta-"
"Jerk!"
"I'm kidding. Yes, if I had noticed that, I definitely would have said something. To reiterate what I was saying to Tristan this morning, I have no interest in Amy, my only interest is you, ok?"
"Well, could you maybe just mention that to people? It'd make me feel a whole lot better."
"If you want, sure. From now on, every time I meet a new person, I will say to them 'you should know I have a girlfriend.' Even if I meet Elle Macphaerson, I'll say to her, 'sory Elle, but-'"
"Oh no. If you meet her you can say what you want. This is mainly for the little people."
"Good to know."
"Jer-"
"Kidding! Again, geez. Are we ok now? Or should I grovel?"
"As partial as I am to a good grovel, I think we can move on now."
"Good." Jess leaned over to kiss Rory quickly then pulled back. "So, movie? Food? Somewhere that Luke isn't likely to be hiding out, ready to bite our heads off?"
"Sounds like a plan, let's go?" Rory took Jess' hand and they left the room together.
AN: See, just a little one, and now everything is tied up with a neat little bow, just the way we like it. Hmm, this chapter was sort of just... well, yeah, not all that important, but I hope you liked it anyway.