Chapter 3: I Just Can't Get You Outta My Head

"Thanks for walking me home."

"I'd rather be here than at Luke's," Jess said, before he could catch himself. He instantly regretted telling her that.

"Oh? You can, uh, hang out here with me for awhile if you wanted. Mom's not here, so I'm going to be pretty bored..."

"Nah, it's okay. I think I'm going to go read or something."

Rory's face fell slightly. "Oh. Well, I guess I'll see you later then."

Jess nodded, turning around and walking off.

Rory sighed, watching him go, her hand on the doorknob. Once he turned the corner, she went inside and headed straight to the living room. Since Dean hadn't ended up coming over after all, she had some free time on her hands.

She decided to get online and check her mail. As soon as she logged on, her eyes went straight to her buddy list. No one was on. Then again, she only had one buddy, anyway. But he wasn't on. She decided to write him an e-mail. She opened a new mail and started typing.

Rory grinned. "Oops," she mumbled, pressing the backspace button and typing 'Cathy'. That was a close one.

Jess sat in his room, an open book in his lap. He couldn't really focus on it, though. He was kicking himself for not hanging out with Rory longer. But it would have been so easy to be with her, console her after her fight with Dean...But then Bagboy would apologize, and all would be forgiven. Rory would run into his open arms, and Jess would be left by himself--again.

Knowing this, he had politely told her 'no thanks' and come back 'home' to read.

Jess stared down at the now closed book in his lap. So much for reading. He pulled out his laptop and logged online. 'Cathy' wasn't on. Neither were his friends from back home in New York. But then again, they had better things to do than spend their Thursday afternoons online. They probably weren't even out of bed yet.

Jess checked his e-mail and raised an eyebrow as he saw the mail from CoffeeJunkie02. He held his breath as he opened it and read it. Then reread it.

So she had boy problems, did she? It wasn't exactly his area of expertise, given the situation he was currently in, but he decided he wanted to try and help anyway.

Jess started checking his other mail. He jumped as an instant message popped up on the screen.

CoffeeJunkie02: hey

NYer02: hey, what's up

CofeeJunkie02: nothing. I was just reading your e-mail

NYer02: oh

CoffeeJunkie02: yeah, and I was thinking about it

NYer02: about...

CoffeeJunkie02: who I can't live without. But I'm not so sure that the answer I came up with is the right answer.

NYer02: so pick the other guy.

CoffeeJunkie02: it's not that simple

NYer02: so the answer is both. Well go back to the likability thing

CoffeeJunkie02: I can't choose, at all.

NYer02: so dump them both and get a new guy. ;-)

CoffeeJunkie02: if only it were that simple

NYer02: I know how you feel

CoffeeJunkie02: right...you like someone too! What is she like?

NYer02: well, she's beautiful, for one thing. And she's smart, and funny...

'Aw', Rory thought, a smile on her face. 'Sounds like she's got it all,' she typed.

NYer02: yeah, well, it's not going to happen.

CoffeeJunkie02: why not?

NYer02: she's got a boyfriend.

CoffeeJunkie02: oh... :(

NYer02: anyway, we're not talking about me.

CoffeeJunkie02: we aren't?

NYer02: no, we're talking about you

CoffeeJunkie02: yes, but then we started talking about you.

CoffeeJunkie02: hey, I have to go now...talk to you later?

NYer02: yeah, sure.

CoffeeJunkie02: bye

NYer02: bye

CoffeeJunkie02 is not currently signed on.

Rory felt somewhat better after getting offline. Of course, she still didn't know what to do--it was still a problem, but...she decided to not worry about it that much until the problem actually presented itself. That seemed like the best solution for now.

She looked around, sighing. She had never been this bored so much before they got the computer. Now it seemed whenever she wasn't on the computer, and Lorelai wasn't there to talk to, she was bored out of her mind.

She almost wished Jess had stayed, instead of going back to Luke's so soon. She went over to the phone and placed her hand on it, debating on whether to call him or not. She took a deep breath and picked up the receiver.

'Okay, now all you have to do is dial,' she told herself. Easier said than done, however. Her fingers and her brain weren't working at the same pace. 'Come on, it's just Jess...'

Focusing on that phrase--'It's just Jess'--she finally dialed the number.

"Hello?"

Rory panicked. Luke! She hadn't thought of Luke answering the phone. But, of course, it was his apartment. Why wouldn't he answer the phone? But why wasn't he in the diner?

"Hello?" Luke tried again. "I know you're there, I hear you breathing."

Rory slammed down the phone, biting her lip. She didn't know why she was making such a big deal out of calling Jess. She didn't know why she had hung up on Luke and not just asked for Jess. She didn't know...oh, she just didn't know.