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Chapter 6

Olivia glanced across at Rory as they spent another surreal evening at the Gilmore Mansion. She hadn't said much to her since the revelation. She thought back to their conversation on the day of Cinnamon's wake.

"I need to talk to you. About Jess..." Olivia said.

"What about Jess?" Rory frowned.

"Come on." Olivia sighed leading her back to the Crap Shack.

They say down on the couch in the living room.

"So?" Rory said.

"Jess...he..uh..he told me something a few weeks back. Do you remember when he was acting weird when we were starting at Chilton?" She said.

"Yeah, he was just upset that he was going to lose us." Rory nodded. "What's this got to do with anything?"

Olivia sighed. She glanced at her sister nervously. "That's not all he admitted to me."

"Well, what else?" She said confused.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier but I didn't want things to change and I...well, I freaked out." Olivia said.

"What are you talking about? What else did he say?" Rory exclaimed.

"He likes you." Olivia finally said.

"Well, yeah, I like him too." She said.

"No, I mean he likes you. He has feelings for you." She said.

"What?" Rory's eyes widened.

"It's true. He...he admitted it to me. I..uh..I begged him not to do anything, not to tell you. But...I realise that was wrong now. I...well, I was just freaked out but I know it was wrong and I realised you deserved to know." Olivia said.

"But...but...I've been talking to Dean! This is going to be so awkward now! Jess is like a brother to me, to us! How am I going to act normal around him now?" She exclaimed.

"I'm sorry. I just thought you deserved to know..." Olivia said.

"Well I wish I didn't!" Rory exclaimed.

"So what do we think of this?" Rory said bringing Olivia out of her daze.

Olivia looked at the fancy, huge vase and smiled slightly. "Where would we put it?" She said.

"I don't know." She shrugged but smiled slightly. "This is the strangest evening I've ever spent here."

"Same here." Olivia laughed. She sighed and glanced at her. "I'm sorry." She said. "You were right. I...I shouldn't have sprung it on you like I did. It wasn't fair."

Rory sighed. "No, you were only doing what you thought was best. I just...Jess liking me. It's..I guess it's just taking a bit of time to get my head round."

Olivia nodded. "Yeah..."

Olivia was at her locker at school when she felt a presence next to her. She looked and saw Tristan standing there. "Hi..."

"Happy Birthday." He said.

"What? It's not my birthday." She said.

"No, but it will be." He said taking out a piece of paper and starting to read. "On Friday at 4:03 in the morning, Lorelai Leigh Gilmore and Olivia Victoria Gilmore..."

"What is that?" Olivia said snatching it from her. "Oh my god! Who else got these?"

"I don't know. Everyone in our class, I think." He said.

"Great!" She mumbled.

"I guess I'll see you Friday, birthday girl." Tristan said.

"Why? Why do you keep doing this? This isn't even our actual party! You'd rather come to some fancy party our grandparents are putting on for us even though we don't want it? Probably because you know you'd never be invited to our actual one! Ok, yes, we kissed but it didn't mean anything! Why do you have to keep harassing me?" She exclaimed.

He frowned. "You really feel like that? You really believe it meant nothing?"

"I said it didn't I?" She said. She could have sworn she saw some hurt in his face. "I have to go." She mumbled before rushing off.

"Hey, did you see these?" Rory asked rushing up to her.

"Oh yeah, I saw them." Olivia sighed.

"Wow, nice faces you got on there." Lorelai said as the two of them entered Luke's and sat down with her.

"Coffee." Rory said.

"Bad day?" Lorelai asked.

"We've now used the word sucks so much that it's lost all meaning to us." Olivia said.

"Well maybe this will cheer you both up." She grinned.

"What?" Olivia said.

"You'll see." She grinned unzipping the garment bag and pulling out two dresses.

"What are those?" Rory grimaced.

"These are your party dresses." Lorelai said.

"So it's a Halloween party?" Olivia raised her eyebrows.

"Listen, you. So I'm shopping today with your grandmother and it's a whole three hours of 'Who are you buying that for, Mom? Have you met Rory and Olivia?' and then finally I talked and she listened and she wound up getting you both something I think you're really going to like." She smiled.

"Really?" Rory asked surprised, exchanging a glance with Olivia.

"Yes, really. And of course she insisted on buying us these dresses but I think I can do something with them to make them better." Lorelai said.

"Wow. I've never seen you so cheery after spending time with Grandma." Olivia said, glancing at Rory.

"Well it's been a long time since we got together and didn't end up fighting. It was refreshing. It wasn't exactly fun but I didn't get that shooting pain in my eye like I usually do." Lorelai said.

"Wow. That's great." Rory said.

"Yeah." Lorelai smiled.

"So I hear you're having a party Saturday." Luke said bringing coffee up to their table.

"Yeah. Mom's famous for her blowouts." Olivia grinned.

"The best one was their eighth birthday." Lorelai nodded.

"Oh, yeah, that was good." Rory nodded.

"The cops shut us down." Lorelai grinned.

"The cops shut down an eight year old's birthday party?" Luke asked.

"Yeah, remember, you were there!" Lorelai said.

"Oh..right..They arrested someone." He said.

"The clown." Olivia grinned.

"I don't want to hear any more of this." He shook his head, walking off.

"So, now tell me, why Miss Lemonheads today?" Lorelai asked.

"Oh nothing. I just got an A- on a French test that I should have gotten an A on." Rory said.

"And I'm just being grumpy." Olivia said.

"Hey Jess, you're coming to our party right?" Rory called.

Olivia glanced over to see that Jess had appeared from upstairs.

He glanced at her and then at Rory. "Uh..sure." He nodded.

"I'll be right back." Rory told her sister and their mom.

"Ok hon." Lorelai smiled.

Olivia watched her walk over to Jess and then disappear upstairs.

"Everything ok?" Jess asked as he glanced at Rory as they entered the apartment.

"I know." She said quietly.

"What?" He said.

"I know, Jess. About...your feelings." She said.

"What?" He said surprised.

"Liv..uh..Liv told me the other day." Rory said, glancing at him.

"Oh." Jess said glancing at the floor.

"Jess, I..."

"It's ok. I knew nothing could come of it. So don't worry about it ok?" He said embarrassed.

"Jess, that's not what I..." Rory said.

"It's fine. We're friends right? We're always going to be friends." He said.

"Oh..uh..right." Rory said glancing at him. "I...I guess I should get back downstairs."

"Sure." He nodded.

"You will come to our party though, won't you?" She said. "It won't be the same without you there."

He smiled slightly. "I'll be there." He said.

"Good." Rory smiled. "I'll...uh..I'll leave you to it then." She said before heading back downstairs.

"Happy Birthday, you two." Lorelai smiled softly as she snuck into their bedroom.

Olivia smiled and joined them on Rory's bed. "Hey." She said.

"I can't believe how fast you're growing up." Lorelai said.

"Really? Feels slow." Rory said.

"Trust me, it's fast. What do you think of your life so far?" She said.

"I think it's pretty good." Rory smiled.

"Any complaints?"

"I'd like that whole humidity thing to go away." Olivia said.

"Alright. I'll work on that." Lorelai smiled.

"So do we look older?" Rory asked.

"Oh, yeah. You walk into Denny's before 5, you've got yourself a discount." She joked.

"Good deal." Olivia said.

"So you know what I think?"

"What?"

"I think you're great, cool kids and the best friends a girl could have." Lorelai smiled softly.

"Right back at ya." Rory smiled.

"And it's so hard to believe that at exactly this time many moons ago, I was lying in exactly the same position." Lorelai said.

"Oh, boy. Here we go." Olivia smirked.

"Only I had a huge, fat stomach and big fat ankles and I was swearing like a sailor..."

"On leave." Rory sighed.

"On leave, right! And there I was..."

"In labour." Olivia said.

"And while some have called it the most meaningful experience of your life, to me it was something more akin to doing the splits on a crate of dynamite."

"I wonder if the Waltons ever did this." Rory joked.

"And I was screaming and swearing and being surrounded as I was by a hundred prominent doctors, I just assumed there was an actual use for the cup of ice chips they gave me." Lorelai said.

"There wasn't." Rory said.

"But pelting the nurses sure was fun."

"We love you, mom." Olivia smiled softly.

"Shh! I'm getting to the part where he sees your heads. So there I was..." She grinned.

"You should not have to go to school today." Lane said as they entered Luke's the following morning.

"Have to. Latin test." Rory said as they went up to the counter and sat down.

"Geez. Every day you have a test. When do you have time to learn anything to be tested on?" Lane said.

"Hey, wrong table." Luke said.

"Since when is there a right table?" Rory asked.

"Since the coffee cake I baked for you both and the stupid balloons I blew up are at that table, over there." Luke said gesturing to one of the tables.

"You blew up balloons for us?" Rory asked.

"Yep."

"Oh, Luke, you old softie." She grinned.

"He does it every year. Why are we always surprised?" Olivia grinned.

"I count to three, it's gone." Luke said smirking slightly.

"Thank you." Rory said quickly before the three of them went to sit down.

Olivia saw Jess appear from upstairs. She gave him a small smile but he just nodded in return. She saw his expression change though and she followed his gzae to where Dean had just come in. She watched as Dean glanced over at Rory and smiled at her, mouthing 'Happy Birthday' at her. She was surprised when Rory just gave him a small smile in return and then looked away. She watched as Dean looked somewhat confused but grabbed a coffee and then left.

"Hey Jess, come join us!" Rory smiled over at us.

Jess glanced at Olivia hesitantly before slowly walking over. "Happy birthday." He said.

"Thanks." Rory smiled.

"You want to sit down?" Olivia asked.

"Oh..uh..no, it's ok. I've got to get to school. I'll see you later." He said before heading out.

"That was weird." Lane said.

"What's going on between you and Jess?" Rory asked Olivia. "Is everything ok?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't it be?" Olivia said.

"Ok, sorry." Rory said.

Olivia sighed. "No, I'm sorry. I guess I'm just dreading the party at Grandma and Grandpa's." She said.

Rory sighed. "Yeah, me too. At least we have our proper party tomorrow to look forward to." She said. "You're still coming right?"

"Of course." Lane smiled. "I can't wait."

"Well some party this is." Olivia sighed as she stood with Rory at the side. "Noone even wants to be here."

"I know. It's so embarrassing." Rory said.

"I'm just going to go to the toilet. I'll meet you back by the food." She said.

"Sure." Rory nodded.

Olivia headed out through the foyer but stopped when she saw Tristan coming inside. "Tristan..." She said surprised. "What...what are you doing here?"

"I was invited." He said. "Or did you conveniently forget that?"

Olivia sighed. "Look, I'm sorry ok? I shouldn't have said what I did. I was just...well, you know..." She said.

"It's cool." Tristan shrugged. "Not like we're friends anyway so it shouldn't matter what you say to me."

"Tristan..." She said quietly.

"Guess I'll see you in there." He said going to walk out but stopped when they heard some raised voices and then Rory rushing out and heading upstairs.

"I...I better go after her." Olivia told Tristan.

"Sure." He nodded.

"We're having a party tomorrow at ours. You're...uh..you're welcome to come if you like." She said quietly.

"Maybe. Will have to see what I'm doing first." He said.

Olivia glanced at Tristan. "Right." She sighed. "I am sorry." She said quietly before following Rory.

Olivia sat on the couch the following evening, smiling at how many people had come to their party. It was always a good turnout. She smirked as she saw Michel sat in the corner, looking bored. "Enjoying the party, Michel?" She grinned.

"Oh yes, it's a hoot." He said dryly.

"Well, we're glad you could make it this time." She grinned.

"Hmm...your mom's not very good with no." He said.

Olivia smirked. "No, she's not." She said. "I'm going to get a drink, you want one?" She said.

"No, I'm fine." He said.

Olivia grinned before getting up and heading towards the kitchen. She stopped when she heard voices in their bedroom. She peeked in and saw Rory and Jess in there. So he had showed up then. She sighed. So much for coming to say hi, she thought. She stood at the door and listened to them.

"I'm glad you came." Rory smiled. "We both are."

"Well I couldn't miss it. It's your special day." Jess smirked slightly.

"And Liv's." Rory said.

"Right." He said.

Rory glanced at him. "What's going on between you two?" She said.

"Nothing." He said.

"Right, and pigs can fly." She said. "I thought you'd be happy that she told me..." She said hesitantly.

"I am...it's just...it's awkward..." Jess said.

"What do you mean?" Rory said confused. "Why would it be awkward between you and Liv?"

"No reason." He sighed.

"Ok..." She said.

"So..uh..I haven't seen Dean yet? When is he arriving?" Jess asked.

"He's not." Rory said.

"What?" He said surprised.

"I..uh..I couldn't do that to you." Rory shrugged.

"Do what?" Jess said.

"It didn't feel right now I know about...well, you know." She said.

"You didn't have to do that." Jess said but he felt touched.

Rory glanced at him. "Why didn't you just tell me?" She said quietly.

"Liv freaked out and then...well, you were already talking to Dean." He said.

"Well Liv obviously has changed her mind seeing as she told me about it." Rory pointed out. "Jess, I really care about you..." She said softly.

"Ror, it's fine. You don't have to..." Jess said.

"I just...I don't want our friendship ruined. I don't want to rush into things and then everything gets ruined. I value our friendship too much." She said honestly.

"I can get that." Jess sighed.

"Thanks for coming." Rory smiled softly.

"I wouldn't have missed it." He said.

Rory glanced at him for a moment and she felt herself starting to lean in when they heard a noise at the door. They both glanced over to see Olivia standing there awkwardly.

"Sorry." She said sheepishly. "I'll..uh..I'll leave you to it." She said before disappearing.

Rory glanced at Jess. "Go after her." She said.

"What?"

"Whatever's gone on between you, surely you can make things right." Rory said. "As we've both said, good friendships is hard to come by." She said. "Come on, Jess. It's our birthday." She said.

Jess sighed but nodded. "I'll..uh..We'll talk later?" He said.

"Definitely." Rory smiled softly.

Jess smiled before getting up and heading out of the room. He found Olivia in the kitchen. "Hey..." He said.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I was coming to get a drink and then I heard voices in there..." She said.

"It's ok." He said.

Olivia just nodded and grabbed a drink. "Well...I'll leave you to it." She said heading out.

"Liv, wait!" Jess said going after her.

"What?" She said.

"Can we talk?" He asked hesitantly.

Olivia glanced at him. "Sure." She said. "Come on." She said leading out to the front of the house and sat down on the porch swing.

Jess sat down next to her. He glanced at her. "I'm sorry." He said gruffly.

"You have nothing to be sorry for." Olivia sighed. "You were right. It was selfish of me to tell you how I felt. Especially...well, especially because I knew you didn't feel the same..." She said.

"It's not that I don't...I really care about you, Liv. You know that. I..." He sighed.

Olivia smiled softly. "I know." She said. "It's ok. I...I just want you to be happy." She said.

"I know." He said.

"If you and Rory...well, if that makes you both happy, then I'm happy for you." She said.

"Really?" Jess asked glancing at her.

"Of course." She smiled softly. "I'm..well, I'm just going to have to try and put my feelings aside." She said. She glanced at him. "I can't say it's going to be easy but I don't want to lose you, Jess. I don't want things to be awkward between us."

"You're never going to lose me." He smiled softly, putting his arm round her. "I promise."

Olivia smiled softly and leant her head on his shoulder. "Good." She said. "Because I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Here." He said handing her a bag.

"What's this?" She asked.

"Birthday present." He said.

Olivia opened the bag and unwrapped the present. "Jess..." She said stunned.

"Figured it was time you had one." He said.

"An ipod...But...how did you afford this?" She said surprised.

"I saved up my wages." Jess said.

"I can't believe you got this for me..." Olivia said softly. She looked at him. "Thank you."

"You deserve the best." He smiled.

"I really don't know what I'd do without you." She smiled, giving him a hug.

"Oh I think you'd manage." Jess smirked. "But hey, you might have someone in your corner..." He said.

"What?"

"Look.." He gestured over to someone who had just arrived.

"Tristan..." Olivia said surprised as she saw him walking towards them. "You came..." She said.

"You invited me." Tristan said. He glanced between them. "Am I interrupting something?" He asked.

"Oh..uh.." Olivia said glancing at Jess.

"No. Nothing." Jess said, getting up. "See you in there?" He smiled at her.

"Yeah, see you in there." She smiled softly. "And thanks. Again."

"Don't mention it." He said.

Olivia glanced at Tristan. "Hey..." She smiled. "I'm..uh..I'm glad you could come."

"You are?" Tristan asked.

Olivia sighed. "Look, I'm sorry. I've been going through some stuff and I shouldn't have taken it out on you. But..uh..it's been sorted now. Well...I think it has. But I am sorry." She said sincerely.

"Ah don't worry." He said. "Can't say I've been innocent in all of this anyway. I shouldn't have pushed you so much. The kiss...I shouldn't have pushed you to talk about it. I mean, it meant nothing so what's there to talk about?"

She sighed. "I shouldn't have said that either." She said, sitting back down. She watched as Tristan hesitantly sat down next to her. "It obviously meant something because kisses don't normally mean nothing. But...it...it shouldn't have happened when it did. I was...well I didn't realise at the time but I was going through some stuff. Wrestling with my feelings, let's say." She admitted.

"About what?" He asked.

"About...uh..." She said glancing towards the house. "It doesn't matter."

Tristan noticed her glance. "Oh." He said understanding. "You like him, don't you?" He said.

"Who?"

"That guy you were just with." He said.

Olivia glanced at him. "Yeah." She admitted. "But nothing's ever going to happen."

"No?" Tristan questioned.

"He doesn't feel the same and he likes...someone else." Olivia said.

"Sorry." Tristan said awkwardly.

"No, it's fine. Jess...we've known him since we were five. It's just...weird. But it's sorted now." She said. "We're really good friends. But that's all we're going to be."

"Really?" He asked.

"Yeah." She said.

"And you're...ok with that?" Tristan asked.

Olivia smiled softly at him. "I'd rather keep him as a friend than lose him completely." She said.

Tristan nodded. "So..the kiss..."

Olivia laughed slightly. "You don't give up, do you?"

"Oh come on, admit it. Your life would be dull without me." He smirked.

Olivia smirked slightly. "Well that bit's true." She said.

"Liv? Oh there you are! Come on, mom's bringing out the cake!" Rory grinned at her.

"Coming!" Olivia grinned. She glanced at Tristan. "Coming in?" She asked.

"Would that be ok?" He asked.

She smiled. "Come on." She said. "You can be on my side in the food fight!" She grinned.

"Food fight?" He raised her eyebrows.

"Oh yes!" She grinned. "I guess there's some things you still don't know about me."

"I guess so." Tristan smirked. "Well, lead the way." He said.

So I hope you liked it! Please keep the reviews coming as I love reading what you all think! Thanks again for all your support! :)