Title: "Don’t Leave Me…"

By: Lauren PeoplesWolfluva@hotmail.com

Jess walked out of the post-office with his thoughts on Rory, like they had been ever since he had met her. She was apparently the only one in this stupid town with any good sense on movies, books and music, and he was drawn to that. He had honestly never met anyone like her, in New York or anywhere else. *Man, you’ve gotten yourself in pretty deep here Jess. Better watch out, her boyfriend AND her mom hate you* he thought to himself. Oh well, it was pretty obvious to anyone who looked that Rory was bored of her relationship with Dean. *Probably because he IS boring* thought Jess. Ahead of him, he heard yelling and glass break at the CD store, and then an alarm go off. *Shoplifting…now there’s something I haven’t done in a while.* He felt proud of himself, and sure as Hell wasn’t going to start up his worst habits all over again. Since meeting Rory, he had stopped most of his bad habits, including shoplifting and smoking. He figured that if he shaped up just a little, without becoming Mr. Perfect Boring Guy, Rory might actually give him a chance. Once she broke up with Dean, that is. His thoughts were abruptly interrupted when a bright light was aimed at him and a police officer’s voice, which he could identify so easily with its authority, said "Stop right there, young man!!"

Jess shielded his eyes from the blinding light. "What? What did I do now?" he asked, annoyed.

"Don’t act so innocent, boy. This man says he saw you running out of that store behind you just as the alarm went off. Save your explanations for later, and get in the car."

Jess glared at him. "I had nothing to…"

"NOW!!!"

*Wow, that guy can really yell for a fat man* thought Jess. He sighed. "Fine. But I’m telling you…"

"You’re telling me nothing until we get to the station. Now get in and shut your mouth."

"Alright, alright." Jess got in the car reluctantly, feeling the strong, stupid urge to punch this officer’s bulging gut. He restrained himself by thinking what Rory would think if he were to do that. The drive to the police station was silent but short. The officer, whose name was Officer John, led Jess to a small, brightly lit questioning room. Another officer awaited him there, this one named Officer Bob. Jess held in a sigh as they began the all-too-familiar questions.

"Name?"

"Jess Mariano." He whispered "Asshole" under his breath, making sure neither officer noticed.

"Age and grade?"

"17, Senior."

"Do you live here?"

"Yeah, with my Uncle Luke."

Officer Bob nodded. "I’ve heard a lot about you, not good stuff."

"Yeah, that’s all people around here ever hear."

"Hmph. As if you’re so innocent…what were you doing out alone in the dark?"

"Mailing a letter to my mom in New York, jeez. You know, you have no proof I did anything wrong except that one guy. I was coming out of the post-office when the alarm went off, for once I had nothing to do with it."

The officer sighed. "Yeah, I guess you’re right kid…we still have to do a search to make sure you really don’t have it, and then you can make one 5-minute call. Sorry, but I’m going to have to hold you in a cell ‘till someone comes to get you."

"Alright, fine. You believe me then?"

"Crazy as it may sound, yes. Based on the fact that there was only one witness and you weren’t running like crazy, I don’t think you did it." He searched Jess and found nothing out of the ordinary, and no stolen CDs. "Ok, come this way and make your call."

"Uh-huh." Jess thought about calling Luke, but decided he’d just tell him when he got home. Instead, he called Rory, hoping that she was home and would come get him.