Need To Be Next To You
Disclaimer: I don’t own any of these characters.
Rory sighed as she put down her book and went to answer the door. She figured it was probably Dean, seeing as she hadn’t heard from him yet today. She opened the door to reveal a very tired looking Dean. There was something else unusual about him, but Rory just couldn’t put her finger on it.
“Hey Dean!” Rory chirped cheerfully.
“Hey Ror,” Dean wrapped his arms around her for a hug and she gave him a quick kiss on the mouth.
“How was the party?” At the mention of “the party” Dean tensed up, which didn’t go un-noticed by Rory.
“Umm… it was fine. You know, just a party.” He lied a little, but decided he would tell her the truth sometime soon. She was Rory, a kind and loving person, sure to forgive him. Or so he hoped.
Rory didn’t think much of his response though.
“Ok, so time for me to make it up for you!” She didn’t even know that he was the one who should be ‘making it up’ to her. But he smiled along and pushed his guilt as far away from his thoughts as possible. It proved to be quite a difficult task to accomplish. “A movie?” She asked him.
“Ok, sounds good.” He feigned excitement. He was exhausted and knew that he would fall asleep if trapped in a dark room for too long, but still he obliged. He needed to do anything and everything he could to prove to Rory just how much he loved her. Which was a lot. This was all just one stupid mistake, albeit a very serious mistake.
Rory and Dean walked hand in hand the short way to the theater. Dean was unusually quiet and Rory often tried to get him to talk more, but something was obviously bothering him. She wondered if it had to do with the party for he had certainly seemed fine yesterday afternoon. But now he seemed so distant, and even a little bit worried.
When the theater was finally in view, they both heaved a sigh of relief. The awkwardness could be alleviated by the dark and quiet theater where there would be no worries over finding something to talk about. Rory hated feeling so obligated to talk. She shouldn’t have to find something to say. Dean just hated this. He didn’t like to lie, or even abstain from the truth. He needed to tell her soon, but not tonight. His eyelids were heavy, threatening sleep, so he just wasn’t up for the drama tonight. Tomorrow, tomorrow I will do it. The reassurance didn’t help though.
“Two tickets for…” He looked inquisitively at her.
“You pick,” she told him.
“Two tickets for Red Dragon, please,” Dean told the supremely bored teenage cashier. A look of disappointment crossed Rory’s face; she didn’t really want to see that, but it was what she got for saying ‘you pick’. She didn’t let Dean see her lack of enthusiasm.
Dean handed the cashier a twenty and she gave him back two tickets and some change. Dean gave Rory her ticket and asked if she wanted something to eat or drink. She always did, so he didn’t even know why he asked.
“I’m all right, thanks though.” She didn’t know why she said no. She always said yes. She decided that it was due to the undeniable tension.
“Are you sure?” He asked her skeptically. He was surprised. Not like a Gilmore to turn down junk food.
“Yeah, well…all that junk food can’t be good for a person.” It was the best excuse she had. She didn’t even have an honest one for herself. She was actually really hungry and would love some chocolate, but…she didn’t feel right saying anything.
“Since when have you cared about what you eat?” He laughed. Caught, she thought.
“Since I read this fascinating article about premature death, due to…” she racked her brain. “Due to cholesterol.” She said matter of factly.
“Oh all right.”
He proceeded to head into the theater with Rory not far behind. After they had gotten settled in their seats in the back of the theater, Rory excused herself to go to the bathroom. She always had to go to the bathroom before a movie started, even if she didn’t have to go. It was one of her quirky idiosyncrasies that Dean loved about her. He watched her leave and then got comfortable in his seat. A little too comfortable, though.
When Rory got back from her bathroom ritual, she found Dean asleep in his chair. When she sat back down, he stirred a bit and awoke.
“Sorry ‘bout that. Just a little tired.” He offered a weak smile, but no one could fool Rory.
“That’s ok.” She smiled at him. “Why don’t you just leave and go home to rest?” She offered.
“Aww, no, I’m fine. Really.” He reassured her. She looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “I don’t want to leave you here by yourself. No one likes to watch a movie alone.”
“Dean. Go home, I can see you’re exhausted. I’ll just go and get some coffee from Luke’s and we’ll do something tomorrow, ok?” It was an easy out from seeing Red Dragon. Rory was glad this opportunity had presented itself, but she didn’t want Dean to see through her guise and discover her true intentions.
Of course he wanted to go home, but he wasn’t so sure about Rory going to Luke’s. Jess would be there and he didn’t like Jess.
Dean realized what a hypocrite he was. Sure, he didn’t completely trust Rory and Jess, but he was in fact the one not be trusted. He cheated on Rory with a girl he could only vaguely remember. Shane, was it? He didn’t really care.
“All right. Love you.” He acquiesced. He gave her a quick kiss on her lips.
“Love you too.” It was routine. She did think that she loved him, but felt horrible for doubting it like she did sometimes.
The two of them left the theater and at the road, went in opposite directions; Dean turned left on his way home and Rory turned right on her way to the familiar Luke’s.
Rory clutched her sweater in an attempt to stay warm. It had certainly gotten cooler in the last half an hour as the sun set slowly. She admired the brilliant pinkish orange glow up ahead of her and marveled at the comforting fall ambience all around her. Everything was so peaceful…and it forced her to push back all of her worries to the back of her mind. Dean, school, college, Dean, Dean…she sighed at the thoughts.
Something didn’t seem right. Not just with him, but with their relationship. Ever since she had gotten back from the summer, it just didn’t fit anymore. She hadn’t even missed him much during the summer. Certainly not as much as she had expected. And then she made the decision, the decision to chose him and not Jess. It was a hard choice to make, and she had often doubted whether or not she had done the right thing.
Her mind wandered to that kiss at Sookie’s wedding. What puzzled her most was what had led her to do such a intrepid thing. That wasn’t her stereotypical type. But then again, maybe that was it. She needed to branch away from the good girl routine and embrace something more satisfying. Instead of Red Dragon movies with her boyfriend, she wanted to discuss literature. She wanted, and needed, a thrill too. Unfortunately, she didn’t think Dean would present her with one. When she saw him, her heart didn’t leap…
And that made her heart ache.
She did love Dean.
She was sure of it.
Well, mostly sure at least.
Rory came back to reality when she saw Luke’s diner just across the street. She quickly jogged the final distance, eager to warm up. She had forgotten about her numb fingers for the short walk, but now the pain, or lack thereof, had created a tingling sensation that was unbearable.
Rory pushed open the door only to crash into the one person she really hated.
“You,” Rory seethed, so unlike herself.
“Yes, me.” Shane replied sarcastically. “Why don’t you watch where you’re going.” Rory assumed Shane was just leaving another make out session with Jess. It made her cringe involuntarily.
“Watch yourself.” Rory replied, slightly upset that she couldn’t think of a better comeback. Rory walked into Luke’s, unaware of what had fluttered to the ground as a result of the collision. Shane was also oblivious and continued on.
“Hey Luke.”
“Hey Rory, where’s your mother?” He asked trying to sound nonchalant.
“Oh, at the Inn. She’ll probably be around later.” She smiled. It was so obvious. Luke was totally in love with her mom.
“Oh ok. So, what’ll be?” He asked one half of the famously, coffee-addicted duo.
“Do you even need to ask?”
“Well, I thought for once you might add a little variety to your routine.”
“Oh, but I did. This morning, instead of plain cream cheese, I had cinnamon.” She offered a sly smile.
“Coffee?” He asked, pretending not to be amused, but grateful for the refreshing company. He certainly didn’t enjoy the J-Crew crowd that had been in there for half the day.
Rory nodded and looked around. She told herself that she wasn’t looking for Jess, but deep inside, she knew she was. She wanted him to come down. It would at least give her someone her age to talk to. ‘But that’s all you want to do…’ she needed to remind herself. The quick scan did not reveal him so sat back in her chair a bit and waited for her coffee which came just seconds later.
Unbeknownst to Rory, or any one else for that matter, Babette was walking up the stairs to Luke’s when she saw a small picture lying on the ground. Her curiosity getting the better of her, she bent down to pick it up. And what she saw, shocked her. She hurriedly entered the dinner.
“Rory, oh I’m so sorry dear.” Rory looked up from her coffee to see Babette. The whole diner quickly quieted down.
“What’s wrong?” She was a little confused. At that moment, Jess came down the stairs to begin his shift. Instead of his usual sarcastic comment to Luke, he kept quiet. What was going on? He grabbed his towel and began wiping some of the tables by the door.
“Oh, dear, I don’t want to show this to you, but I feel that you have a right to know, so I should.” She looked very worried, and very reluctant to hand the picture over.
“What is it, Babette?”
“Well, I found it on the steps on my way in here. It’s Dean.” Seeing that Babette wasn’t handing the picture over, Rory leaned forward a bit and took it herself. She heard Babette gasp as she turned the picture over. By this time, the whole crowd was carefully watching and listening, and both Luke and Jess had stopped working.
At first sight, Rory felt her knees buckle below her. She reached to steady herself.
She couldn’t believe it. Dean and Shane, kissing. And not innocently kissing, like friends would. This was full out kissing action going on. Dean and Shane. Dean and Shane. Rory repeated it over and over again to herself. It was not happening. Dean had cheated on her. Rory felt the tears hit her hot cheek and couldn’t even remember crying. The picture slowly fluttered to the floor as Rory looked at everyone watching her. It was humiliating and…
…heart breaking.
“Rory, I’m so sorry…” Babette began but was interrupted by Rory’s quick dash to the exit. But before she could get there, Jess stopped her.
She ran into his arms and he held her tightly. Immediately, he could feel her warm tears seep into his shirt, but he didn’t care. Something horrible had happened to Rory. She wrapped her arms more tightly around him, feeling safe and secure in his grip. He made it seem as though nothing had happened at all. But this didn’t quell her sobs and he felt her small body shudder against him.
“Rory…” He began.
She looked up at him, her eyes red and her cheeks tear stained. She appeared so innocent. And hurt. He wanted to make the pain go away.
“Is it Dean?” Rory noticed he hadn’t called him “bagboy”.
Rory nodded in agreement. A new fit of tears came over her.
And that’s when Dean decided to make his presence known. The entire diner turned to him with a look of disgust on each face.
“What’s going on?” He asked, confused by the glares. He had the same look on his face that a deer caught in the headlights would have. He saw Rory and Jess who were now off to the side a bit, but still tightly embraced. From the look on their faces, he knew they knew.
But I need to be next to you
I need to share every breath with you
I need to know I can see you smiling each morning
Look into your eyes each night
For the rest of my life
