Jo's POV
We walk to the gazebo and sit.
"We're supposed to be sitting on the ground," Lorelai says.
"Says who?" Luke asks.
"Every picture of a picnic shows people on the ground."
"Yes, and every time I have seen a picture of people eating on the ground I've thought, "what the hell are you people going sitting on the ground? Spring for some beach chairs ya cheapskates.'"
Lane runs up to use Lorelai's cell and Luke stands.
"Where are you going?" she asks.
"I am going to the diner. I am going to get us some edible food, and I'm gonna bring it back here for us to eat."
"This is so not the point of today I made this. I am insulted. I'll proceed to pout."
"I'll bring back brownies."
"Ooh, the pouting has left the building."
"Um, guys. I have real food," I tell them.
They look at me.
"Including brownies," I add.
"You actually made food?" Lorelai asks.
"Yeah. I have nice stuff to make sandwiches, fruit salad, cookies, brownies. I've got other stuff too," I say looking up at them.
Luke still goes to the diner to get cups because I forgot to pack some, as well as napkins.
"These are really good, Jo," Lorelai says, eating a brownie.
"Thank you."
They are sitting on the bench and I'm on the ground in front of them.
"This is nice, huh? Come on. Admit it," Lorelai says.
"Never," Luke replies.
"What? Admit it. You would much rather be sitting out here than inside working."
"Definitely," I reply.
"Diner's probably on fire by now," Luke adds.
"You are stubborn," Lorelai tells him.
"I'm stubborn?"
"Yeah, you're stubborn."
"From Miss Flexibility over here?"
"Hey, I can be flexible."
"Please," Luke replies with a chuckle.
"I can. As long as everything is exactly the way I want it, I'm totally flexible."
"Oh, well, my mistake."
"You are both stubborn, and arguing that you're not stubborn isn't helping your case."
There is no emotion in my voice. That foggy feeling has set into my head again. Lorelai doesn't catch it, and instead laughs a little.
"Do you want a cookie?"
"Want a carrot?"
"Impossible."
"Right back at you."
I rip two small pieces off my bread and throw one at each of them.
"So let me ask you guys something..." Luke says.
"Napkin, please," Lorelai cuts in first.
"Who did you want to get your baskets?" he asks.
"What?" Lorelai asks.
"I mean before you know Patty Was gonna put you on, The Dating Game, you did pack this disgusting lunch and bring it out here, so who do you want to get it?" he asks her.
"Well, last year, Roy Wilkins bought it, and I got my sprinklers fixed for half price."
"Uhugh."
"And this year my rain gutters are completely clogged and I thought if I could get the Collins kid to bite, I'd get that taken care of."
"Very practical."
"I thought so."
"So the participation in this thing was purely for home improvement reasons," Luke replies.
"Yes. And- I don't know. It's a nice concept."
"What is?"
"Just having someone who you love, or have some kind of crazy crush on bid on your basket and then share a romantic lunch. It's a nice concept."
"Well, I'm sure someday you'll manage to find the right guy and drag him out to this thing, and make him buy your stupid basket, and then you'll be sitting out here with him," Luke tells her.
I grin, looking at them. I think she already did.
"Yeah, someday," she replies.
I think I've been forgotten about.
"I was just hoping to make friends," I add.
"You will," Lorelai reassures with a smile, which I return.
"You know what?" Luke asks.
"What?" Lorelai and I both ask
"This is nice," he says, looking at her, and then looking at me.
"I have to talk to you," we hear a voice say from behind them.
They turn and I sit on my knees to see. It's Dean, and he does not look, or sound happy.
"Oh, yeah. Okay. I'll be right back," Lorelai says.
"We'll be right here," Luke replies.
When she walks away I stand up. I move the basket out of the way and steal her seat, sitting next to Luke.
"So, you did this to make friends?" he asks.
"Yeah. With everything with Jess I'm not the most liked person at school, or in town. With the whole not talking thing, people don't even attempt to get to know me," I tell him.
"They just think I'm a trouble making kid like Jess. My show at the town meeting didn't really help. I thought if this worked out, it'd help," I finish.
"I'm sorry, Jo. I know it's rough getting dropped in a new town, and a new school, and your brother isn't making it any easier. It'll get better, I promise."
"Thanks, Luke."
There's a moment of silence and I look up at him, smiling and quickly look away when he sees me.
"What?" he asks.
"Promise to be honest with me?" I ask.
"Of course."
"You like her."
"Who?"
I give him a look.
"Lorelai? No. I don't like Lorelai."
"Excuse me, Sir. You promised not to lie," I reply.
"It's- I don't know," he says looking down.
I frown a bit and nod my head.
"Okay," I replied, dropping it.
Lorelai walks back up the steps.
"What did I miss?" she asks.
--
Luke is closing up. Jess and I are laying on our beds, reading. We have been upgraded from air mattresses, to cots. The phone rings and Jess answers it.
"Hello?"
It's quiet for a second.
"Hi," he says, sitting up.
I already know who he's talking to... Rory.
"Nothing. You? ... Why'd you call?"
"I'm glad you called." "yeah."
I only know one side of the conversation. It
"'Cause maybe you could explain what the hell this crazy woman is talking about."
She got him to read a book he hates.
"Yes. Your fault, and you will pay."
My stomach is queasy and my head is starting to hurt. It makes me so happy to see him happy, but this isn't the right way.
What he's doing is hurting Dean, and it will most likely end up hurting Rory too. Jess probably won't come out unscathed either... but I can't help but smile at the small grin on his face.
"Oh yeah? Okay. I'm gonna hold you to that."
I see him take something out and start messing with it... my smile drops when I realize what it is. He has Rory's bracelet. He stole Rory's bracelet.
I get up and grab my pajamas, hiding in the bathroom until I know their conversation is over. After that I climb into bed, not saying a word to him.
\\ AN // -- All grammar, punctuation, and spelling corrections are helpful, encouraged, and greatly appreciated.
Thank you
-- Izzy