Disclaimer: Not mine. Also, Oak Park, Illinois is a real place, but I did enhance it for this story. Thank you, Google, and Wikipedia, for the information.
A/N: Who holds the recording for revisiting a fanfiction after years? Well, this chapter took a while to think of… but years between when I started this story and now when I am publishing this chapter, I have attended university and have some personal experiences to write from.
Chapter 6
Rory and Marty headed back to Rory's dormitory. With minimal contact, they took places at Rory's desk. Marty read Rory's progress on her essay. However, Marty was confused because Rory was a prominent writer for the Yale Daily News and excelled in all the classes that they took together while he was barely getting over an 80% in the class, the girl whose room he is in is the stellar student. Why did she need me to proofread her paper?
Marty wanted to appreciate this moment and any subsequent ones, therefore he tried to be as helpful with proofing as possible. He thought back on the first time he saw Rory.
It was back in their first year. He was eager to start his college experience. His mother and father dropped him off at Brantford's residence. They drove him from Chicago to the university, but he could tell there was an unusual tension in the car. For 18 years of his life, his parents had made every car ride an adventure and road trips and family outings were always joyous occasions. But this drive was different, but Marty could not put a finger on why that was. They bickered when they thought he was not around, shot death stares at each other, and they would mask this and put on fake jovial personas when he was around. Well, his mother did, his father had a bit more withdrawn approach. Marty knew that his father had wanted an athletic son who played all the relevant sports in his high school, instead, he got a very reserved son who was deep into academics and reading. Marty knew that in his father's eyes he had shortcomings, but that drive was about more than that. When they finally got to Yale, he was ready to leave that person in the dust and have a fresh start.
On the first day, he was eager to start his college life. That first night he could not sleep, therefore woke up early to get to his first class. He was there on a partial scholarship, and Marty knew he would have to work hard to maintain his grades. He was sure he was going to be earlier than everyone in his eagerness to get started, that he was a little shocked to see this girl with the biggest bluest eyes he's ever seen, already at the table. They exchanged a few glances and smiles, and she opened her mouth to perhaps say something before the Teacher's Assistant came in to hand out the syllabi.
She was beautiful, he had noted since that first day and he observed how she was timid at first and how she was determined to write down every word that the professor spoke. He stole glances at her the entire class. He did not mean to but she did, even with his head still subtly reminding him that by looking that attractive, she, surely, was going to be taken soon if she did not already have a guy waiting. Marty reminded himself that he was not all that, barely that, and sadly he stopped looking her way.
"Do you think I should change this paragraph?" Rory asked, bringing Marty's mind back to the moment.
"I-I think it's good." He stammered out as he noticed those same big blue eyes looking at him. There was something unfamiliar in them.
"I could use any feedback. Take no mercy. Send it the guillotine wherever necessary."
What is that look in her eye? He pondered.
Rory's stomach growled. Her cheeks coloured a little.
"Why, Ms. Gilmore. I do believe you are hungry."
She started to protest and shake her head. "No, well, maybe just a little."
"Still up for some Chinese that I suggested?"
"Absolutely." She said excitedly.
Rory had been sitting on the bean bag chair that she pulled close to the desk. She was anxiously waiting for Marty to be done making any necessary changes. At this, she excused herself with a stack of clothes to the bathroom. Ten minutes she remerged wearing a simple navy-blue dress.
"Marty, could you?" She turned around revealing a partially zipped dress. Marty hesitated. "Could you zip me up?
He shook his head and obliged the request. Her skin was like alabaster but soft and smooth to her touch. Marty took care to touch mainly the fabric.
When finished, Rory turned, and Marty noted her slightly more coloured cheeks.
"Thanks." She breathed. "Are you ready to go?"
Rory grabbed her jacket. Marty was still staring at this beautiful girl in front of him, who just changed outfits for him. Be real, Marty, she probably just changed because she probably just likes to look nice.
"Yeah," said Marty.
She put her hand on his arm and the pair exited the residence.
Several blocks, they walked in complete silence. Both were thinking of things to say but not expressing them. Rory kept her hand on Marty's arm and walked in unison, but neither seemed to notice.
It was only once in the restaurant did their contact broke.
"So… how are you feeling about heading back to your small town for Spring Break?" started Rory once they had been seated, and placed their orders.
"It's fine."
"Really? What's it like?"
"Windy. Probably windier than Chicago."
"Is it still awkward at your house? I remember you telling me it's weird since…"
This took Marty out of his trance-like state. "You remembered?"
"Yeah, it sounds tough." Her blue eyes were meeting his brown ones. "It's weird when our parents have this whole other life before us…"
"Yeah," sighed Marty.
"Well, how about you tell me what your small town is like? I've never been to Chicago or the area so what's it like?" inquired Rory trying to gracefully change the topic to a less tumultuous one.
"So I live in this charming town called Oak Park. It's more like a village than a town hence got the title of 'World's Largest Village.' It struggles a lot with the fact that that it's so close to a metropolitan area but our town's mayor, Mr. Moose has made it his mission to upkeep the small town feel of the place. He loves to bring up the fact that famous Americans like Frank Lloyd Wright and even the great Ernest Hemmingway had once graced the town's presence. He works that into every town meeting he can," explained Marty.
"That sounds amazing. And very historic," said Rory.
"And of course, the place would be nothing without the people in it. We have this place called, Eddie's Waffle House, honestly I cannot remember the last time I got waffles there, but they do serve the best authentic Biryani."
"Really? A waffle place making Indian food?" Rory questioned.
"Yeah, oddly enough." smiled Marty.
"Well, it sounds quaint."
"It is. You should visit. It's the best in the fall when the changing leaves make it look even better." Marty said without realizing what he just said. He glanced down.
"Maybe." Rory realized what he was saying. "As long as there is a place to get good coffee, I'd go."
Marty looked up at her and grinned. "Yes, well there is a central place where everyone goes in the morning called "Jack's" and theirs is by far the best around."
Their food arrived and Marty turned the conversation around by asking about her small town. Rory explained all about Stars Hallow. Rory extended the same courtesy as Marty did by describing some of her hometown's quirks and businesses and ending with a subtle invitation to come to see it for himself.
After they had both finished and paid, Marty and Rory started to stroll back to their dormitory. As they walked, once again, Rory's hand was on the crook of his arm. Both were deeply absorbed in the conversation they were having about the various places they have visited. Rory tried to downplay her many adventures in Europe as most of Marty's trips seemed to be local to the United States. But she did learn that he had had some of the most unique summer jobs around his area and deduced that he really must be a jack of all trades.
A couple of steps away from their residence, Marty turned to Rory, "So I had fun tonight as I always do with you but there's still one thing I cannot for the life of me figure out."
"Oh, what's that?"
"Why did you need me to proof your paper this afternoon?"
This took Rory by surprise, "What?" and the word came out in two syllables.
"You are Rory Gilmore, always top of the class with a brilliant mind, why did you need me to look at your paper?"
Rory's eyes fell to the sidewalk and her cheeks gained slightly more colour. Marty was still watching her.
"I wanted to spend more time with you, and it was the only excuse that I could think of." Her eyes were still glued to the ground as Rory said this. "I don't know if you heard me yesterday, but I like you too and I'm just really bad at expressing what I want."
Marty's eyebrows raised in shock, as Rory looked up at him.
"I meant it, I want to start something with you." Rory stepped forward and kissed him on the mouth. Which he instantly reciprocated. Rory pulled away briefly, "Now, do you want to come and finish off that boxset marathon that we fell asleep through?"
Marty kissed her once more on the lips and nodded 'yes".