Chapter 4

Rory folded arms around herself and shivered as she walked to school the next morning. She was still wearing her clothes from the night before and she felt grubby and more than anything she wanted just an hour or two more in bed.

"You can't go on like this." Lane told her as they walked together.

"It'll be fine, I just need enough for an apartment. By the time I am 18 I'll be able to support myself and mom can live her life."

"I don't think Lorelai feels that way about you Rory, You guys always get on so well."

"It not about how she feels, it' about what is in her best interests. That's what Ryan cares about. I've been selfish." Her words trailed off as she was deep thinking again.

"Who's Ryan?" Lane asked.

"Never mind, I'm going to head in here for a coffee before school are you coming."

"No thanks, if my mother smells coffee on my clothes she'll send me to a reform school for wayward girls. I'll see you at school."

Rory went in and took a table in the corner. The warm smell of coffee beans and freshly baked muffins was comforting.

Luke sauntered over, notebook in hand.

"Don't often see you in here, what can I get you?" He asked.

"Hello Mr. Danes, can I get a coffee and a raisin roll."

"Coming right up," he moved to behind the counter just as his 13 year old nephew appeared through the door.

"Can I take 3 dollars for candy after school."

"Candy not cigarettes, you smoke again and your mother will send you off to military school."

Jess swaggered over and took the money from the till. "She can't afford military school."

"Well maybe I could help her out with that."

Jess wasn't listening. He had caught sight of Rory practically sleeping at her table.

"What's wrong with her. She looks wrecked." He asked.

"That the Gilmore girl, she studies. You should try it some time."

"I won't if it makes me look like that."

Jess took his heavy back pack and slung it over his shoulder and headed out just as Taylor was coming in.

"Luke, how glad I am to catch you, I very much hope you'll be attending the meeting on Friday night."

Luke put the coffee and pastry down for Rory as he spoke.

"Taylor I'm a captive audience. It's me and this sleeping kid. What do you want."

"These young children coming home from school squabbling over those Pokémon cards. I was fit to call the police. It was nearly coming to blows over what they deemed a special card."

"Goodbye Taylor," Luke went and held the door open for him.

"Friday at 8.00pm. Don't be late. We must catch this before they start to grow in numbers and it becomes rival Pokémon gangs."

"Goodbye Taylor."

Luke closed the door and turned back to look at Rory. Jess was right, she did look exhausted. He went to the counter and found the phone book. He was leafing through it as he approached her table. Without warning he dropped it on the wooden floor. The noise had Rory jump out of her sleep. Her flushed face gave him an angry frown as she stretched herself and tried to come awake.

In answer Luke pointed up at the clock.

"8.55, oh my gosh. I'm late."

She sprang up so fast she caught her foot in her school bag and stumbled forward.

Luke caught hold of her before she could fall.

"Hay take it easy. Make sure you're fully awake."

"I am, thanks." She gasped out as she fled to the door.

"Wait," Luke went behind the counter and taking a burger container and tongs, he put the raison roll into the box and handed it to her.

Before she could grab it from him he held it making her look at him.

"Slow down, that's a busy road out there."

"I will thank you Mr. Danes."

Luke watched her go with a frown of his own. That kid was working way too hard.

~o~

School was torture. She propped her head up on her hand and tried to stay awake during Math. She could feel a chill all day at her back due to lack of sleep.

She slept during lunch but that hour felt like ten minutes. Thankfully the restaurant didn't need her tonight so she could catch up on some much needed study.

Once school was over she hurried home to start in on study. But panic soon set in as she found she couldn't focus. She was usually good under pressure but just nothing was staying with her. It didnt help when Lorelai came bounding in and began rattling away about her day at the Inn. Rory tried to be polite but her lack of concentration was already making her irritable.

"Mom, I'm trying to read this." She said.

"I'm sorry I was just asking what you want to eat tonight. We can have Lasigne or Chicken curry. "

"Chicken curry," Rory said without thinking.

"Or what about we try that new place on the corner. We could have hotdogs."

"Ok fucking hotdogs then. I'm trying to study. I really don't care."

Lorelai stopped dead and looked at her daughter. Rory was back in her book and hadn't even realized what she had just said.

"Excuse me? What's with the potty mouth?"

"What are you talking about,"

"Rory I will put up with a lot when you're stressed and trying to get work down but I don't want the F word used in this house."

"I don't know what you're talking about, I'm going into my room to study."

Lorelai just stared after her. She was so unused to Rory being disrespectful she hardly knew what to say. After a moment she snatched up her jacket and headed out to get the food.

Once in her room Rory could feel tears swell in the back of her eyes. They spilled down her cheeks making her feel even colder. Mel at the restaurant cursed like a sailor. Obviously that stuff rubs off. She was mortified at the thought that she was now using profanity and she didn't even realize she had done that. She would be watching her words in future. She made a mental note to be mindful of how she speaks. She was pretty sure Christiane Amanpour never used a word like that in her life.

She took a tissue and tried to dry up her tears. She was about to sit at her desk but decided she would just rest on her bed until she felt better. She still had that tired chill, she would just lie under the blankets for a minute. She snuggled down under the sheets and closed her eyes. She was trying to plan out her independent life but she found herself thinking about a day in the park with her mom. Her mother had bought her a pretty pink ball and they were playing catch together. A small smile played on her lips as she remembered.

Lorelai came back with greasy stained paper bags smelling wonderfully of French fries and barbecue sauce. She left them down and went into Rory's room expecting to have another showdown. She gave a small smile as she saw her kid sleeping. The smile faded as she moved closer and noted the crease in her forehead. Was Rory worrying about something?.

"I wouldn't worry," Ryan told her. "She's at that age. So she dropped an F bomb. I'm surprised that hasn't happened up to now. You know what teenagers are like. give her some space. She'll come round."

"I guess you're right. It's just not like her. We have always been pals. It's like I haven't seen her in so long. She's working too hard."

"Look, how bout I come over. We can go for a meal and be back before she wakes up."

"Not just now Ryan. thanks but I want to talk to her when she wakes up."

"Well okay sweetheart. I'm here if you need me."

"Thanks Ryan, I'll call you tomorrow. We'll plan something for the weekend ok?"

"Sure, no problem. See you then sweetheart."

Lorelai hung up the phone. She peeped in to see that Rory was still fast asleep. Her appetite gone, she headed into the living room.

Ryan put down the receiver and picked it up to make another call.

"Pete, I'm glad I caught you. Listen, what way is the kid working this weekend? ….Rory what other kid could I be talking about?"

"Ahhh, put her on the night shift will you…..yeah 4.30 to 2.00am.

Thanks Pete. She's just one of those prudey kids who will cramp my style with Lorelai…Yeah Lorelai is very beautiful. Great body. It's hard to believe she has a 14 year old daughter. Anyway thanks again. If ever you meet a hot momma I'll do the same for you." Ryan laughed as he hung up the phone. His eyes gleamed as in his mind he was already planning his weekend.