what is much? j. m.

boy meets girl

"Hailey, hey. The usual?"

"You know me too well Luke, it's concerning", Luke smiled at Hailey and poured some coffee on a cup, handing it to her.

The bell on the top of the door chimmed as it opened."Hailey baby, how are you? Luke what's up?", Lorelai and Rory entered the diner, Lorelai hugged Hailey as she greet her and then smirked at Luke.

"Hailey, come on, we have to get to school", Rory reminded her friend and tapped her on her shoulder a couple of times as Hailey was sipping her coffee unbothered. "We have to go find Lane and get to school, hurry"she whined.

"Geez Ror, leave a person enjoy their coffee peacefully" Lorelai said, laying her hand on her daughter's trying to calm her. "Why the hurry? School starts in 20 minutes"

"We have a Biology test this morning and your daughter here is stressed about it. Rory honey, you'll do great", Hailey's attempt to encourage her best friend didn't go as planned as she just glared at her angrily.

An unfamiliar boy walked done the stairs that lead to Luke's apartment which caught everyone's attention. The three girls looked at each other confused, the boy seemed unamused. Luke sighed before talking.

"Lorelai, Rory, Hailey, that's my nephew, Jess. Jess, you'll go to school with Rory and Hailey today."

"Hi", Jess said staring at Hailey, but it was directed to everyone.

"Jess, hi" Lorelai offered him a sincere smile, "I am Lorelai, a friend of Luke's. I bet he told you many things about how great and funny I am", she giggled a bit as Luke shook his head looking annoyed by her monologue. "Here is Rory, my daughter", she continued and pointed at Rory. The girl waved at him and said a quiet 'hi'. "And this is Hailey, a good friend of ours".

"Hi, it is really nice to meet you", Hailey greeted him smiling. Jess just smirked a little at the girl in front of him and nodded. "So, let's go to school".

"Finally", Rory said with excitement.

-

"Lane, Dean, hey", Hailey greeted her friends.

Rory hugged Lane to greet her and kissed Dean who put his arm around her shoulder.

Both Lane and Dean looked at Jess, who was standing one foot behind. When Hailey saw how puzzled her two friends seemed to be she decided to introduce him to them.

"This is Jess. Jess, that's Lane and Dean", Hailey turned to the duo to explain a little further about the unfamiliar guy, "He is Luke's nephew, just arrived".

"Oh yeah, all fresh and clean", Jess responded sarcastically, but Hailey seemed kind of bothered with his comment.

Dean offered him a handshake, "Welcome man".

"Thanks", Jess replied

"Welcome to Stars Hollow. I'm sure you'll love it here", Lane greeted him with a warm smile.

"Don't be", Jess said quietly while looking down with only Hailey hearing him, whose only reaction was to glared at him.

"Sorry, I didn't quite hear you", said Lane.

"Oh it's time, let's go", Rory almost screamed as the school bell rang, indicating that all students had to go on their classes.

Lane, Dean and Rory started walking. So did Jess but Hailey grabbed his arm, making him turn around to  look at her. "What?", he asked raising his eyebrow.

Hailey let go of his arm and said, "Please try to be more pleasant. We just met and you already have made three sarcastic comments and raised your eyebrow at me like four times. I only want to help you adapt here faster".

Jess snickered "Yeah, sure".

-

"LUKE", Hailey yelled once she entered the diner, scaring him and making him drop the plate he was holding down breaking it into million pieces.

Luke sighed and looked up at the girl, who was now sitting in the counter. "What do you want?".

"I don't want anything. It's a need actually. And it has a name. Job".

"Um, okay", Luke replied confused as he couldn't understand why she was telling that to him.

"Okay, look. I need The Shins' new album AND money to go to the book bazzar. Everything will be in great prices so that's my big chance to buy a huge amount of books. You know, I want to buy High Fidelity, but it is quite expensive, and you know about my two big loves, music and books. And I can't keep up with all of that Luke, I just can't. It is too m-".

"Who is babbling?", Jess interrupted Hailey, as he appeared from upstairs, looking annoyed.

"Thank God she stopped talking", Luke said and disappeared through the storage to bring a vacuum, in order to clean the mess the broken plate made.

Hailey turned to Jess who was behind the counter, "So", she started making Jess look at her, "Do you read?".

"Not much".

"Oh", she looked down at her hands.

Luke joined the duo again and went behind the counter next to Jess.

"Great, you're back", Hailey was excited again.

Luke rolled his eyes. "Oh, don't start with these books again. He complained while wiping the floor.

"Luke, what I'm about to tell you is very important. It is huge. And I need you to give me what I want", she tried to look threatening.

Both Luke and Jess looked at her and leaned to the counter, giving her their full attention.

"Be careful uncle Luke. She might ask to borrow those fancy flannels of yours. Or maybe that cap you keep wearing", Jess mocked.

Hailey rolled her eyes and continued. "I want to work here. For like 3 times a week, part-time. But I really need the money Luke".

"Alright".

-

Jess saw Hailey walking out a bookstore and decided to follow her. He walked faster and catch with her pace, walking now beside her. "It is dangerous to be out that late at night alone".

"We live in Stars Hollow, Jess. Besides, I am not alone anymore, am I?", she smiled at him and he smirked.

"So, what are you date out here?".

"I wanted to buy a book".

He grabbed the shopping bag and pulled out the book making both of them stop walking and now facing each other.

"'For Whom the Bell Tolls'?" she nodded, "It is a great book", Jess remarked.

"You have read it?".

"About twenty times".

"I thought you said you didn't read much".

Jess shrugged "Well, what is much? Goodnight Hailey", he said and turned away.

"Good night Dodger", she said and he turned around confused.

"Dodger?".

"Figure it out".

"Oliver Twist", he said after a few seconds. Both smiled at each other for the last time before leaving.