Perfect Storm - Jess Mariano

(20)

"Hey what happened to our packing elves who were gonna pack out bags overnight?" Lorelai asks as she looks at all the luggage they plan to take to backpack in Europe.

"How about this?" Rory asks holding up a long sleeve top

"Oh it's perfect. It's black so it won't show dirt or wrinkles. And if you wear it with a moody look on your face, they'll mistake you for Simone De Beauvoir" Lorelai states

"It's too heavy" Iris says walking in the room and placing some of her clothes on the table "we all need to cut weight from our packs"

"I am doing my part here" her mom says

"You don't need five pairs of boots" Rory tells her

"I'll drop some boots if you drop some books" Lorelai says back to her daughter

"I can't drop books" Rory claims

"You don't need 12 books" Iris says

"Well you need to cut down on your undergarments. We'll rinse them every few days" Rory says to her sister

"Ew" Iris replies

"And mom, your toothpaste. You have three full tubes" Rory says

"So?" Lorelai responds "if I lose one, I'll have another to take its place"

"If your bringing three tubes of toothpaste im bringing 12 books plus a dictionary" Rory says

"Then I'm bringing a gallon of mercury, which is the densest and heaviest metal known to man" Lorelai says

"I think the writing is on the wall here" Iris sighs

"Cancel Europe" her mom jokes

"That's a shame" Rory replies

"It's not supposed to be that great anyway, except for the cheese" Lorelai states

"Invited guests, fellow faculty, honored attendees, and students welcome to the Chilton graduating class ceremony of 2003" Headmaster Charleston announces and the crowd applauds. It was the day of graduation, Iris sat next to Rory in the front row. "This year's class is a distinguished assemblage, equal to or surpassing what has preceded it. In its 200 year history, Chilton has not failed to produce a class that brings honor to these grounds and to the academy's fine traditions. To begin I would like to invite the student body president, Paris Geller, to lead us in the ledge of allegiance"

After Paris' speech, a few others, and Rory's valedictorian speech. It was time to actually receive the diplomas.

"Paris Geller" a name called. Paris went up shook Headmaster Charleston's hand and smiled as she moved the tassel from one side to the other.

"Lorelai Gilmore" Rory went up, did the same but pulled a face at her mom, sticking her tongue out.

"Iris Gilmore" Iris walked up the stairs. "Well done Miss Gilmore" Charleston says, shaking her hand. She continued walking afterwards, also pulling a face at her mom and laughing as she leaves the stage.

Iris and Rory find their mom after the ceremony. "How was my speech?" Rory asks hugging her mom

"Amazing, you made everyone cry" Lorelai tells her "even stone cold Luke!"

"Oh Luke you old softly" Iris teases

"I'm never going to live this down" he says

"Not with me in your life" Lorelai responds

"I've gotta go get back to the diner" Luke tells them

"Thanks for coming Luke" Iris says hugging him

"Yeah thanks for coming" Rory says hugging him afterwards

Iris' phone starts to ring. "Hello" she says into it but there was no response

"Who's paging you?" Rory asks

"I don't know, one second, I'll be back" Iris walking inside the building "Jess is that you? I'm pretty sure it's you I can hear you breathing. You probably don't know it but you actually have a very distinctive way of breathing. Or I've just spent too much time with you" Iris laughs at herself but there was still nothing from the other end. She took a deep breath"It's been over a month, it's been really hard but I'm doing okay. I wish you said goodbye, and I wish you called me everyday since then and not just right now" still nothing "Luke said you are with your dad, I hope that's good, didn't think California was your kind of place though" she closed her eyes "I'm backpacking around Europe this summer, we go tomorrow. And then I'm going to Yale, even though I'm still not sure I even want to go. Anyway, I hope you're doing fine. You know I kind of thought I loved you but I'm guess you didn't feel the same. I don't know why I said that that's- Anyway, goodbye. Weird to say but goodbye" there was nothing from the other end. Iris hung up the phone and broke down into tears.

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