13 - Cruelty of the Unintentional Variety
"Well, tonight's been really fun, my earlier lightheadedness not withstanding, of course," Rory said, keeping in step with the taller Marty on their way towards her apartment building, the two of them deciding to get out and walk about four blocks from Rory's neighborhood. "So, thanks for allowing me to act as your escort, Marty."
"It's no problem, I'm just glad that you started feeling better and had some fun," he returned, then wryly added with a smirk. "Though next time, I'd take it easy on the hooch, you lightweight."
"Jerk," she laughed while playfully pushing him, mentally reminding herself not to get carried away like back at the ball. Rory still felt like an idiot for momentarily forgetting the fact that Marty was in a relationship, and internally cringed at the memory of her clinging to him while dancing. If Marty hadn't mentioned his girlfriend when he had, Rory was worried that she might have done something stupid, like kissing him for example. I'm just glad that he fell for my champagne excuse, or I'd have made an even bigger fool of myself than I already had!
"Seriously, though," Marty said, bringing her attention back from the short reverie. "I'm the one who should be thanking you, Rory."
"In that case, you're very welcome," Rory replied sincerely, smiling sidelong at him.
The pair continued on without saying anything for about a block, enjoying the familiar amiable quiet before Marty broke it with a question.
"What do you think of Andy?"
To say that Rory was caught off guard was an understatement. "What?"
"What do you think of Andy?" Marty repeated.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, do you like her?"
"Yeah, Andy's great," Rory nodded, unable to bring herself to lie.
"Cool," he nodded, letting out a relieved breath.
Another quiet passed between them, but this one felt more awkward than friendly for Rory, who chose to break it with a question of her own.
"Why'd you ask me if I liked Andy?"
"No reason," he answered evasively.
Rory considered pressing him further, but decided against it after noticing his thoughtful expression.
"I'm thinking of proposing to her when she gets back," Marty declared suddenly a moment later, causing Rory to stop dead in her tracks. He had once again managed to catch her completely off balance. It was becoming a habit as of late.
"Oh," she whispered, unable to form a more coherent answer than that.
"You think it's a bad idea," he sighed.
"I...I'm just a little thrown, is all," she denied, shaking her head. "I just need a little time to digest this, okay?"
"Oh, okay," he nodded, the two of them continuing down the street.
While Rory walked beside him, she felt something in her break a just little bit. Despite this though, she couldn't bring herself to tell him not to since Rory was determined to show Marty what a good friend she could be. I can't believe I'm about to say this...
"Do it," Rory told him, hoping that this was the right decision on her part.
"Do what?" Marty asked, it being his turn to be taken off guard.
"Propose to her," she reminded, while at the same time reminding herself that Marty wasn't intentionally being cruel. Of course, this fact made it that much worse for some reason. "If Andy makes you happy, then you should do it."
Marty brightened at that, smiling wider than Rory could ever remember him doing so in the past. "Yeah?"
"Yeah," Rory nodded before realizing that they'd arrived at her apartment building. "And it looks like I'm home."
"Then I must bid you g'night once again, Rory," he said, preparing to leave like he always did at the end of their get togethers.
"Good night, Marty," Rory replied, her voice sounding unexpectedly strained.
"You okay?" Marty asked, concerned.
"I'm fine," she lied, quickly adding at his skeptical expression. "I'm just happy for you."
"Well, don't be too happy, because there's always a chance that Andy will say no," he joked.
"If she does, Andy's an idiot," Rory stated with all honesty.
"Thanks for that," Marty smiled.
"You're welcome," Rory replied, returning the smile with as much effort as she could muster. "And good night."
"Good night," he nodded, then walked off down the street.
When she lost sight of him, Rory entered her building and mechanically made her way up the stairs and into her apartment. She sat down on her couch, grabbing her cordless along the way, and checked her messages, not really listening to any of them until her mother's voice reached her ears. Rory pressed the first button on her speed dial at the reminder to call the elder Lorelai, despite the fact that it would nearly be midnight in Connecticut.
"Hello," Lorelai's groggy sounding voice rasped.
"Mom," Rory whimpered, feeling tears slide down her cheeks.
Next chapter needs a lot of tweeking, so this might be a while. Feel free to put your feet up, relax, and leave a review.