FOOL'S GOLD, jess mariano [REWRITE]

6 - A MURDER ON MAIN STREET

FOOL'S GOLD
CHAPTER SIX

"DO YOU NEVER GET TIRED OF STUDYING?" Trin asked Annie as the left Luke's, or more appropriately, got kicked out of Luke's. They had been at the diner all day, studying for an exam that their history teacher, Mrs Higgins thought would be fun to spring on them three days before it was due. Annie called for an emergency study session that Trin was completely against, mostly because she didn't care for her grades. Trin had her father's musical talent. They both played over four instruments each. While Trin's father was a music instructor, Trin dreamed of becoming a producer. She couldn't care less about what her history grades were. But it was important to Annie, therefore, Trin was roped into it.

They had been at the diner since three this afternoon and Luke had been claiming to them to get out all day. He claimed they were taking up space or bothering customers by being too studious. It wasn't until the lock hit 10pm that he put his foot down and kicked them out so he could clean up. Annie tried to argue for ten more minutes but Luke threatened to fire her if she stayed for one more minute. Trin was more than happy to leave but Annie planned on doing some more flashcards when she got home.

"I love studying." Annie said which was only partly true. She loved studying history. For every other subject, studying felt like a chore she had to force herself to get through. But she did it anyway because she had to.

"You're a crazy person. Nobody likes studying. This exam doesn't even mean anything, it's just Mrs Higgins way of torturing us a bit more than usual."

"I happen to think that learning is fulfilling."

Trin barked a laugh. "You do not. You're already a genius, you don't need to study this much."

"I'm not a genius." Annie denied. Trin didn't understand that none of these things came easily to Annie. She had to work hard. She had to study for six hours every day, losing sleep over exams to get the perfect grade. She wasn't a genius, she was bending over backwards to seem that way.

"Whatever. I'm going to bed. You should too. I'll see you later." Trin waved her friend goodbye as they parted in opposite directions.

"See you." Annie called as Trin disappeared round the corner to Peach. Annie heard a rattle behind her and she almost jumped out of her skin at the sound. There wasn't such thing as crime in Stars Hollow but strange noises at night wasn't comforting to anybody. Annie turned her, fully expecting to see a racoon or a cat. The last thing she was expecting to see was Jess. He stood outside Doosie's with a bag of shopping and a very suspicious look about him. Annie couldn't help her curiosity, she walked towards him. Jess couldn't hear her from her flat shoes and silent steps. "What are you doing?"

Jess's body went rigid. Her voice was loud in the quiet streets. If she spoke too loud, someone was bound to hear them eventually. Jess turned around. He hugged his bag close to his chest. "Picking up groceries."