CHAPTER TWO | "You are loved by many, Jade Diana Gilmore,"

"Luke, I want coffee and a cookie stat!" I snapped my finger, running into Luke's Diner with Ben following closely behind.

"You're welcome," Ben rolled his eyes, walking into the diner, dropping his bag. "What are you screaming about now?" Luke sighed, walking out of the kitchen. "Benjamin, explain," I sat down at one of the stools near the counter, taking off my leather jacket.

"Gilmore Girl," Ben pointed at me before going behind the counter to pour me a cup of coffee. "Bad lunch foods," Ben said, pouring me a cup of coffee, and sliding it over to me. "Equals I would rather starve myself," I ended, taking a sip of my coffee.

"My god..." Luke sighed. "So when is it my turn to burn down this diner?" I joked as I felt the caffeine coursing through my body, bringing me relief. "And there is the psycho J.D. we all know and love," Ben grinned.

"Don't say that," Luke scribbled-down orders. "Why?" I asked. "Because you and Ben might actually do that,"  Luke answered.

"We won't," I assured him. "But I will. I'm gonna burn down everything but this diner till there's only Luke's next to a crumbling town,"

"A cup of coffee won't suffice," Luke commented, his eyes focused on serving customers. "Sookie can feed me," I said, taking another sip, the coffee taste lingering in my mouth.

"Where's Rory?" I asked. "What makes you think I know where is she?" Luke asked dryly. "Find your sweet kind sister who is nothing like you at the inn where your mother works," Ben picked up my bag, smiling at me.

"Such horrible service. I just might complain to Taylor Doose," I teased. "Just get out," Luke rolled his eyes. I slouched my bag over me and I walked out of the diner, on my way to find my Mom and Rory.

"Hey," I waved at Rory, walking into the inn. "Hey," Rory returned the greeting, hugging me. "Hey, Michel. Where's Mom?" Rory asked, leaning against the receptionist's desk. "I don't know," Michel responded dryly. "I thought you had your Lorelai Gilmore tracker on today," I pouted.

"Check the kitchen and then leave me alone," Michel sighed, annoyed by our pestering.

We walked into the kitchen, "Mom?" We yelled. "You're happy," I said. "Yeah," Mom smiled widely. "Did you do something slutty?" Rory asked. "I'm not that happy," Mom answered.

"Here," Mom handed Rory a paper bag. "What's going on?" Rory and I asked. "Open it," Mom said. Rory grabbed a blue and white plaid skirt out of the bag. "I'm gonna be in a Brittany Spears video?" Rory guessed.

"You're going to Chiltion," Sookie blurted out, causing Mom to hit her on the back for ruining the surprise. "Mom?" I waited for Mom's confirmation. "You did it, babe. You got in!" Mom showed the letter of acceptance from Chilton.

"How did you happen? You didn't with the principal, did you?" Rory asked worryingly. "No, honey, that was a joke. They have an open spot. You're gonna start on Monday," Mom reassured.

"Really?"

"Really,"

"I don't believe it. Oh my god, I'm going to Chilton," Rory exclaimed. "Yeah," Mom nodded and they hugged, leaving me stunned.

"Sookie, I'm going to Chilton," Rory hugged Sookie. "I'll make cookies. Protestants love oatmeal," Sookie said. "I have to call Lane," Rory said, wanting to inform her best friend.

"I love you," Rory turned around and hugged her Mom once more before leaving the kitchen. "I love you," Mom responded.

Jade felt a hole in her heart as she was informed that Rory had gotten into Chilton, she didn't feel resentment towards the news but rather she felt like... she was gonna be overlooked.

"Why the sad face, J.D.?" Ben asked, his voice laced with concern as he watched me the last one left in the diner.

"I... I don't know how to explain the feeling, but... Rory got in Chilton," I revealed the news to Ben.

"That's great news! That's a hard school though, do you think she can handle it?" Ben asked, wiping down the counters.

"I think she can... but I feel very..." I trailed off, I don't know to how explain the feeling but the feeling was gonna let me suffer in silence.

"You feel happy for Rory but at the same time something is keeping you from feeling good about it for yourself?" Ben guessed. He dropped the rag and went over to me, circling my hand with his thumb.

"You are loved by many, Jade," Ben reassured. "But I don't feel it..." I sighed. "Hey hey," Ben came out from behind the counter. "You're not gonna cry because this is petty, self-doubt. It's not you," Ben comforted.

"If you fear Rory's gonna take over your life, then tell Lorelai. It's better to tell her than let this stupid thing eat you alive. I know you don't mean harm to anyone you love," Ben hugged me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders. "Yeah, yeah," I patted his hand.

"Jade Diana Gilmore. If anything were to happen to you. No matter whether you're in a fight with me, you're in the hospital. Maybe you were arrested for murder. I will always be there for you. Go worry about something more serious, like dying early. Not feeling like you're the town loner. I will always be there for you, J.D,"

"Murder? Why murder?" I asked, tears well up in my eyes. "I imagine one day I would see you on the news for killing someone with your guitar," Ben chuckled. "Don't you have a home to sleep in?" Luke came downstairs.

"Oh yeah..." I got up from the barstool. "Do you want the last slice of pie?" Luke offered. "I'm good," I declined, grabbing my jacket. "J.D., feel better," Ben kissed my hand. I nodded before heading out of the diner.