Rory and Jess: Everything fixed

Like old times

We ran by miss Patty's dance school, the market and the school. He was holding my hand the entire time, with a look on his face that reminded me of the old Jess who would play pranks on the poor townsfolk. I never really admitted it, but I thought the pranks were really funny. He knew it.

We stopped at the bridge. That little bridge over that little lake, where Luke once pushed Jess in. We picnicked there, our relationship started there after Dean broke up with me at the dance marathon.
I never went there again after Jess left.

"What did you want to show me here?"

"This is where it happened."

"What happened?"

"Well, a lot happened here-"

"Yeah, I know."

"But there's one thing you don't know..."

I got so confused. Not because of what he was saying but how he was saying it. It looked as if he could burst out laughing every second now.

"You remember my black eye?"

"The reason my grandma thought you belonged in jail? Yeah, I do."

"Here's where I got it."

He looked so proud saying it. This is what he wanted to show me? I was leaving in a few hours and this is where he was wasting my time on?

"Excuse me?"

"You remember I told you I was hit in the eye when I was tossing a football with a buddy. So, yeah, that never happened. I got beaked by a swan."

I don't think I've ever looked so confused in my entire life. A few seconds passed and then I just bursted out laughing.

"That's the stupidest thing I ever heard."

"See? This is why I didn't tell you."

Getting into a fight at my grandma's house because Jess got attacked by a swan and was too ashamed to tell me was perhaps the silliest thing ever.

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We walked back, hand in hand, in the dark. And I tried to take it all in. Every detail. The fact that I wouldn't see this town and these people for a very long time after having lived here my whole life.

We walked by Luke's.

"You know, I could really use a donut right now," I said.

"No, Rory, are you serious? It's like 2 in the morning."

I just looked at him with an offended face. He should know better.

With a fake annoyed face he grabbed the hidden keys on top of the door and opened it.

"Oehhh those muffins look good too."

"Rory-"

"I just love it when my mom and Luke are together. I can just grab whatever I want."

I grabbed a donut and sat at the counter eating it. Jess took his usual place and stood behind the counter. He just stood there in silence to watch me eat.

"I got a great book upstairs. Wait I'll get it to show you."

Yup, just like old times.

He went upstairs. Very silent, because Luke was probably sleeping. I just sat there and felt nostalgic remembering everything that had happened here. All those times me and my mom would tease Luke, making fun of Kirk and all those times I would tell her how my day was at school.

I heard Jess' footsteps again as he came down,

"I didn't find the book, but I did find something else."

"Oh? Tell me."

"Not Luke, just an empty bed," he said with this little mischievous smile.

"Wait, what..."
And then I realized it.
"No, noooo."

"Yes."

"Noooo, how will I get any sleep tonight? Couldn't you get Luke and my mom together once I was out of town?"

Jess was enjoying himself seeing my pretended misery. He laughed out loud.

"And why didn't she just come here? Why in my house?"

"Because I'm sleeping here."

He was.
He didn't mean to imply anything, but after he said that we both got quiet, both thinking about it. I nervously looked up at him, making him nervous too.

"I mean- you could. If you want. Or don't- that's fine too."

I wanted to.
I wanted to since we were 18. I've imagined a 100 different scenarios. I always wanted him to be my first. I always thought he would be my first. But life got in the way.

"I think we've waited long enough, don't you think?" I said.

We just gazed into each other's eyes, nervously smiling. My heart was racing inside my chest and I knew his was too. I got up and walked around the counter. He took my hand and led me upstairs.