Jess Mariano's Sister

Homework and Carnival Plans

-- Edited --

Willow's POV 

I'm sitting at the counter, doing homework, when Jess and Rory come in.

"So, you want some help with your homework?" Jess asks her.

"You are going to help me?" she asks him.

"Yep," he responds.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but how?"

"Come upstairs, and I'll show you," he says.

"Upstairs?" she questions.

"Yep," he says.

"Well, you know how important my education is to me," she says.

"Yes, do I," he responds, guiding her toward the stairs.

The bell rings and I hear Lorelai call Rory's name.

"I need help," she says, closing the door behind her, "Where are you going?" she asks.

"Nowhere," Rory responds.

"See ya," Jess says before running away upstairs.

I grab my stuff and quickly go to follow Jess.

"Were you gonna go upstairs and kiss?" Lorelai asks Rory.

"Yes, they were!" I yell as I head up.

I walk into the apartment and see Jess, now with a book, sitting on his bed.

"Hey, can you help me with math, please?" I ask him, sitting on my bed.

"No," he says, not even looking at me.

"Come on, you understand this stuff. I wanna do good. Can you please help, Jessie?" I ask again.

"Fine, show me," he huffs, putting his book down.

We sit at the kitchen table and work. He even ends up grabbing his homework and doing it too.

"Are you gonna go to the carnival?" I ask him.

"No, I don't do stupid town stuff," he says.

"I might go. Maybe Rory and Lane will let me tag along with them," I say, looking down at my history book.

"I'm sure they'd love to have you," he says.

I look up at him and we share a small smile, then I get back to reading.

Jess and Rory walk along the sidewalk, arm and arm. I awkwardly trail a little behind them.

"Boy, it's pretty out tonight, isn't it?" Rory asks.

"Sure is," Jess responds.

"Like a snow globe."

"Mmhm," he replies again.

"Sparkly. I don't think a night comes prettier than this one."

"Y'all are grossly mushy," I say.

"Shut it," Jess calls back to me.

"And if you take a really pretty night and add a corndog..." Rory adds.

"And cotton candy!" I reply.

"I'm not going to that carnival with you guys," he says.

"Why not?" We both complain.

"I'll be at Miss Patty's at nine, as promised," he states.

"At which point, you will disappear," he adds looking at me.

"You're stubborn and impossible," Rory says.

"I think Rory loves me more than you do," I say.

"I'll see you at nine," he replies.

"Rory!" a voice calls.

"Clara! Hi!" Rory says, giving the girl a hug.

"I haven't seen you in forever," the girl, Clara, says as Dean walks up behind her.

"Longer than forever."

"She got away from me," Dean says.

"Buy a stronger leash," Jess replies.

"Be nice," I mumble to him.

Dean and Rory talk for a second before Clara asks, "who are you?"

"No one," Jess replies, not happy.

"Yes, you are," she states.

"No, I'm not," Jess says again.

"That's Jess, and this is his sister Willow. Jess, Willow, this is Clara," Rory says.

"Are you guys going to the carnival?" she asks.

"Rory and I are. Jess isn't," I say.

"Why not?"

"He has things to do," Rory says.

"Then you can go with me and Dean, right?" she asks us, glancing at her brother.

"Oh..." I start.

"Well..." Rory continues.

"I'm going," Jess states, looking at Rory.

"What?" we both say.

"To the carnival. I'm going to the carnival," he says.

"I thought you had things to do?" Clara asks.

"Well, I don't," he says.

Dean does not look happy. They talk for a bit longer, and then we all head to the carnival.

"To the carnival! To the carnival!" Clara cheers.

"To the carnival," Jess mumbles, looking at me and Rory.

Dean and Clara lead the way, Clara listing off all the things she wanted.