Rory and Jess: Everything fixed

Breaking the ice

Jess's POV

Everyone looked my way once Rory came walking towards me. I wish I didn't care about what they thought about me, but seeing them look at me like I was some kind of criminal actually hurt. Why couldn't they understand I'm not the way I used to be?

But then I forgot about them when Rory started to cross the street with a big red-white umbrella in her hand. I didn't even notice it was raining I guess. Damn, the way that girl messes with my head.

"Hey"

"Hi"

"Hi"
Ughh am I stupid or something, you just said that smartass

"You already said that," she said laughing and then held the umbrella up in a way so I could also get under it.

"Right, right. Of course."

I didn't know how to start. I had absolutely no idea what to say.

"So- I see you got a new car? It's nice." She started awkwardly.

"Yeah, I guess my old car looked a little too grease lightning pre-makeover. And the publishing house is doing great, so I decided to get a better car."

She laughed at my stupid Grease reference. That was a good sign.

She turned her head to see if everyone was still looking. I also looked back at the town square and noticed Luke was there trying to get everyone's attention off of us.

"Your hair. Uhm it looks different," I said, because I had no idea what else to say.

"Bad different?"

"No, no just different."

I put my hands in my pockets because I didn't know what to do with my hands. And I also didn't know where to look. Staring at her felt a little creepy. We both felt a little uncomfortable and nervous I guess, because it seemed she also didn't know where to look.

"Did- uhm... did you come here to see Luke?" She asked looking down, as if she was scared for my answer.

"I came to see you."

She looked back at me and her lips turned into a surprised smile.

"Why? I mean... I'm happy you came."

"Really?"

"Yeah, Jess. I was afraid you'd hate me after what happened in Philadelphia. What I did was horrible."

"I don't hate you, I don't think I ever could actually."

I had actually tried to hate her, thought I would get over her that way. It didn't work. Obviously.

"Luke called me this morning to tell me how you're about to become the world's best reporter. I just wanted to say I'm proud of you. Already on your way to become Christiane Amanpour, congratulations."

"Thank you! I actually met her. Christiane Amanpour. In my pajamas."

"No, you're kidding. That's so cool! Did you just say pajamas?"

"It's a long story."

We both laughed. Wow it felt so good to be able to laugh with each other again. It seemed like we finally broke the ice. We fell silent again for a few seconds, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence this time.

"Logan proposed to me," she said awkwardly after a few seconds of silence had passed.
"But I turned him down."

"Yeah I know, Luke told me."

"Geez, I didn't know Luke was such a tattletale," she said pretending to be offended.
"I loved him, I really did. But it just didn't feel right. Me and Logan. It just didn't fit. It has to fit."

Was she trying to say she and I fit? Or was I reading too much into it?

"Well, I'm glad you turned him down. You know, when you meet the right person you'll just know."

We both meaningful gazed into each other's eyes. Couldn't I just kiss her? That'd be easier.

"Jess, why are you really here? Are you here to ask me to run away with you again? Go to New York, or I guess it's Philadelphia now? Work together, live together, be together? I can't Jess. I'm leaving tomorrow, you can't stop me."

"No, I'm not trying to stop you. I just- I don't know. I wanted to see you, talk to you before you leave for I don't know how long."

"Are you still in love with me?" She suddenly asked quietly, almost whispering.

I was kind of thrown by her sudden question, but I answered truthfully.

"You know I do. I never stopped."

I just wanted to get in my car and leave like I did last time, but I didn't. Instead I looked her right in the eye, waiting for her to say something back.