Chapter Three: Phone Calls, Text Messages and Cat Ears
Rory arrived at Stephanie's dorm with a smile on her face, excited for a change of scenery and some much-needed girl time. As she entered the tiny room, she was greeted by Stephanie's warm embrace and a flurry of laughter and chatter from the other girls in the dorm. "Rory!" Stephaine greets her. "I didn't think you'd show."
The walls of the dorm were adorned with colorful posters and photographs, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere. The scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, adding to the inviting ambiance. Stephaine's room was way more put together than Rory's was. "Of course, I would. Why wouldn't I?"
"I haven't seen you for a few weeks, since the party before your beloved," She teases. "took off. And when I tried to invite you anywhere, you never got back to me."
Rory nodded, understanding Stephanie's concern. "I'm really sorry, Steph. It's just been a tough few weeks for me. My mom and I had a big fight, and it's been weighing on me. And then my grandmother decided to redecorate my dorm room without even asking me. It's been kind of overwhelming." She chose not to mention the limited contact she had with Logan since they had left about a month ago, communicating mainly through text messages.
Stephanie's eyes softened with sympathy. "Oh, Rory, I had no idea. That sounds really tough. You should have told me. We're here for each other, you know?"
Rory gave a small smile, grateful for Stephanie's understanding. "I know, and I'm sorry for not reaching out. I guess I just didn't want to burden anyone with my problems."
Stephanie shook her head. "That's what friends are for, Rory. We share our burdens and help each other through tough times. Besides, girl time always makes everything better, right?" The woman grabs the opened bottle of wine off the counter, pouring a fresh glass for Rory and handing it to her.
Rory chuckled softly, feeling a weight lifting off her shoulders. "You're right, Steph. I guess I just needed a reminder of that."
Stephanie pulled Rory into another embrace. "Well, you're here now, and we're going to make the most of it. Forget about all the stress and enjoy some quality girl time. We've missed you."
Rory nodded, her smile widening. "Thanks, Steph. I really needed this." She meant every word. Rory feels her phone go off, the ringing starting quietly before growing louder and more persistent. She quickly pulled her phone out of her pocket and glanced at the screen. It was a text message from Logan.
Noticing Rory's growing smile, Stephanie suggests, "Looks like a message from Logan. You should give him a call." Rory hesitates, worried that it might disrupt their planned evening. Stephanie assures her, "Trust me, seeing that smile just from a text message means a phone call would work wonders."
Agreeing with Stephanie, Rory nods and replies, "Alright, I'll be back in a moment." She steps out of the room, dialing Logan's number and holding her breath anxiously until she hears his voice on the other end.
"Ace!" Logan's voice exclaims, causing Rory to grin at the sound. "Oh, how I've missed you! Text messages just aren't enough. How have you been?"
Rory's breath catches as she hears his voice. "Logan," she replies breathlessly, unable to contain her excitement. "Are you staying out of trouble?" she playfully responds to his question with a question of her own.
"No trouble here," he assures her. "We're currently exploring the Chatuchak Weekend Market. I keep coming across items that remind me of you." He decides to keep the surprise of the upcoming package, filled with gifts he knew she would love, a secret for now. "How are your classes going?" Logan asks.
"They're keeping me incredibly busy," Rory replies, a hint of exhaustion in her voice. "By the way, I received your postcard from Pattaya City. It looks absolutely stunning. The Sanctuary of Truth has been on my bucket list for years now. I would gladly wear a hard hat just to visit it in person. Do you know that the building won't be fully completed until 2025 at the earliest?"
"That's amazing," Logan replies, genuinely intrigued by Rory's knowledge. "I had no idea the Sanctuary of Truth was still under construction. We did get to see the building from a far though, it was a sight. I hope one day we can visit it together."
Rory sighs, taking a seat on a bench not that far away from Stephaine's door. "I miss you." She admits.
Logan's voice softened as he sensed the longing in Rory's words. "I miss you too, Rory," he confessed, his voice filled with empathy. "Just hang in there, alright?" They continued to talk for a few more precious minutes, before Finn's call interrupted their conversation. Reluctantly, they said their goodbyes and promised to reach out to each other soon outside of messaging each other. Rory took a moment to compose herself, slipping her cellphone into her pocket before making her way back to Stephaine's room.
— Ace —
Mid-October settled upon New Haven, bringing with it a gentle breeze and the first hints of cooler weather. The air carried a crispness that hinted at the approaching change of seasons. As the leaves started to display their vibrant colors, the city embraced the transition, offering a picturesque backdrop for its inhabitants. Sweaters were pulled out of closets, hot drinks were savored, and the anticipation of autumn's arrival filled the hearts of those who called New Haven home. It was truly one of Rory's favorite times of the year.
"Ace, you sound very upset." Logan grumbles. "You need to slow down a little, I can't understand you."
Logan and the boys found themselves aboard a boat off the coast of Japan, surrounded by the vast expanse of the ocean. Despite the physical distance between them, technology bridged the gap as they tried to navigate the fourteen-hour time difference between New Haven and Logan's current location. In New Haven, the clock had just struck seven in the morning, while for Logan, it was already nine o'clock in the evening.
"I am upset!" She yells. "The heat in the dorms has been out for three days, I can't seem to find the hoodie I stole from you, this guy from my first class of the day won't stop hitting on me and it's making me so uncomfortable, and on top of all that, I have a ton of exams and papers due next week." Ace's voice trembled with frustration.
Logan sighed, understanding her frustrations. He felt a tinge of jealousy when it came to the guy, and was upset that he couldn't help her fix the issues she was having being so far away. "Well, that sounds like a lot to handle. Have you talked to anyone about these issues?"
Ace groaned. "I tried talking to the dorm management about the heating issue, but they keep giving me the runaround. And as for the guy, I've been trying to brush him off, but he just won't take a hint." Ace glanced at Logan, sensing his slight change in demeanor. She hesitated for a moment before responding. "Maybe I shouldn't have said anything. I know you want to help, but sometimes it feels like there's not much you can do."
Logan nodded, his expression softening as he empathized with Ace's frustration. "I understand, Ace. It's difficult for both of us. I wish I could be there in person to support you more directly. But please know that I'm here for you, even if it's from a distance."
Ace's gratitude was evident, even if Logan couldn't see her smile. "Thank you, Logan. I appreciate your best efforts, and your support means the world to me, even if it can't solve everything."
"You're strong, Ace, and you have the capability to handle these challenges. If there's anything I can do from here, please don't hesitate to let me know."
Ace felt a renewed sense of reassurance, knowing she had Logan's unwavering support. "I will, Logan. Thank you for always being there for me, even when you can't physically be here." She couldn't help but count down the months until their reunion, cherishing the thought of having him by her side once again.
Logan's voice brightened slightly. "Oh, and about the hoodie you can't find... I might have a solution. Look out for a package coming your way from Japan."
The realization brought a spark of excitement to Ace's voice. "Really? That's amazing! Thank you, Logan. I'll keep an eye out for it."
They both took a moment to appreciate the strength of their connection, despite the physical distance separating them. With renewed determination, they continued their conversation, providing each other with the unwavering support they needed to navigate the challenges at hand.
— Ace —
Dressed in black with cat ears adorning her head, Rory sat beside the gate outside her grandparents' house. A touch of pink on the ears added a playful charm to her outfit, and she couldn't help but smile as the joyful laughter of children reached her ears. Just then, her grandmother's voice sounded from behind her.
"Thank you for joining me and helping pass out candy this year," her grandmother expressed gratefully. "It's been a while since just the two of us have spent time together alone."
As Emily Gilmore gracefully settled herself beside her granddaughter, Rory couldn't help but take in the sight of her elegant grandmother. Emily, true to her usual impeccable style, was dressed impeccably as always, with one unexpected addition—the matching cat ears on her head, a gift specifically from Rory.
Expressing her gratitude, Rory thanked her grandmother for the invitation. "This is a wonderful break from all the school work I've been buried in," she confessed with relief. Since starting college this year, Rory realized that she hadn't been able to spend much time with any of her grandparents, making this gathering all the more special.
Rory and Emily exchanged amused glances as a young girl, no older than three, appeared before them in a Cinderella costume. Holding an orange tote bag in her tiny hand, she gleefully exclaimed, "Happy Halloween!" However, a faint blush colored the girl's cheeks as she heard her mother's laughter from behind her. Correcting herself, she sheepishly added, "Oops, I mean... trick or treat."
Emily smiles at the young girl, putting the bucket of candy filled with king size bars and watches as she grabs a Kit Kat bar. She thanks both of them before she runs back to her mother. "I've always loved Halloween." Emily says, catching Rory off guard. "Some of my favorite memories with your mother were on Halloween. All the girls in her class wanted to be a princess, or a cat but not your mother, she always wanted to be something different, if that was scary or out of this world."
Rory listened intently as Emily shared her fond memories of Halloween with her mother. She watched the little girl grab a Kit Kat bar from the bucket, thanking them before she ran back to her mother. Caught off guard by Emily's comment, Rory couldn't help but be intrigued. "Really? I never knew that about Mom," she responded, a mix of curiosity and surprise evident in her voice. "What were some of the things she dressed up as?" Rory asked, genuinely interested in discovering this hidden side of her mother's Halloween spirit.
"Your mom dressed up as an alien one year, and even as the queen of death another Halloween," Emily shared, her amusement evident in a gentle giggle. "But I missed your first Halloween since you and your mother were still in Stars Hollow back then. Your mother rarely spoke about the year she was gone, so I never got to know what costume she picked for you or if you celebrated Halloween together," Emily confessed, a hint of wistfulness in her voice.
Two children suddenly approached them, their voices in perfect sync as they cheerfully exclaimed, "Trick or Treat!" They swiftly grabbed two candy bars from the bowl and darted off to join a group of kids, where their older sister seemed to be waiting for them on the street. In the neighborhood where the Gilmores resided, it was a rarity to see parents accompanying their children on this evening. Instead, it was usually nannies or older siblings who took charge of the little ones while trick-or-treating.
"Grandma," Rory whispered softly, her voice filled with deep gratitude. "I can never fully express how thankful I am for the life that you and Grandpa have given me and Mom." Despite knowing that her mother and grandparents did not always have the best relationships, Rory's appreciation for the love and support they had provided was immense.
Richard and Emily Gilmore, despite their initial frustration with their daughter for running away with their granddaughter, wholeheartedly embraced Lorelai and Rory when they returned to New Haven. On the other hand, Rory's second set of grandparents, the Haydens, along with her father, never had a particularly strong relationship with her. She saw the Haydens maybe once a year, and her father even less. However, they still made an effort to set up a trust fund for Rory, their way of ensuring her well-being and demonstrating their care, albeit from a distance.
Emily's gaze shifted towards the youngest member of their family, her eyes filled with warmth and affection. "You never have to thank us, Rory," she said gently, her voice full of genuine sincerity. "The love and happiness you have for your grandfather and me is all the gratitude we could ever ask for. Your presence in our lives makes us incredibly proud each and every day."
Rory, feeling a sense of comfort and love from her grandmother's words, leans in and affectionately rests her head on Emily's shoulder for a brief moment. Filled with a renewed determination, she silently vows to never disappoint her grandparents and to continue making them proud.
As she hears her cellphone chime with a message, Rory takes it out of her pocket and sees a text from Logan. A smile forms on her lips as she reads his message, which says, "Happy Halloween. Tell the Gilmores I said hello." Feeling a sense of warmth, she replies to Logan, expressing her gratitude and promising to pass along his greetings to her grandparents.
Today has truly been a wonderful day.