𝙑𝙄𝘾𝙏𝙊𝙍𝙞𝙊𝙐𝙎 | 𝙂𝙞𝙡𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙂𝙞𝙧𝙡𝙨

03 •

TORI REMAINED ENGROSSED IN THE PAGES OF.. 'Gone with the Wind,' her eyes darting across the words, while Rory stood before the vanity mirror, her reflection illuminated by the soft glow of the dresser lamp.

"Get Mom to hem it," Tori absentmindedly uttered, her focus still firmly on Scarlett O'Hara's tumultuous journey. "It's so long."

Rory, her fingers delicately adjusting the hemline of her navy skirt, glanced up at her sister with a quizzical expression. "I think you'd be sent home if you had it short."

"So, they expect us to dress like nuns?" Tori retorted, finally breaking her gaze from her book.

'"No, but I'm going to a prestigious prep school," Rory began, 'and I need to look--"

"Respectable?" Tori interjected with a knowing smirk.

Rory nodded. "Yes, respectable" Rory looked at her sister and felt guilty, this was supposed to be them, the Gilmore Twins, going to Chilton. Not just one twin, not just Rory. She couldn't shake the feeling. She turned and reached for the book, gently prying it from Tori's hands and placing it on the bed.

"Rory, what are you doing?" Tori protested.

"I just want to say I'm sorry," Rory began, her voice barely above a whisper. "Chilton was supposed to be both of our dreams, but it's clear that it's not, and only one twin got in, and for that, I'm truly sorry. I don't want you to hate me, Tori. I won't go, if you won't. It won't be the same"

Tori's heart sank as she listened to her sister's heartfelt words. "You have to go, Rory," she said, her voice a pained whisper.

"But what about you?" Rory's eyes tearing.

"I made captain," Tori said, her gaze falling to her lap.

"You made captain?" Rory exclaimed; her sadness momentarily forgotten. "Oh my gosh, Tori! You're the queen of the freaks! I'm so proud of you."
Then, as realization dawned on her, Rory's excitement faded into concern. "Wait," she said, her voice trembling. "You made captain, and my going to Chilton took that away from you?"

Tori nodded; her eyes filled with unshed tears. "I'm sorry, Tor," Rory said, her arms wrapping protectively around her twin. "I never want to make you feel like you don't matter. You're my twin, my other half... I couldn't, I wouldn't know life without you" Despite the pain in her own heart, Rory's words soothed Tori's wounded feelings. Tori nodded and changed the setting, too many emotions for her.

"Right, uhm.  Let's go show Mom your skirt," Tori said, trying to sound cheerful.

Rory nodded and turned to face her sister. "Tori?" she said, her eyes shining with admiration. "I'm so proud of you."

Tori smiled, her heart swelling with love for her sister. "I love you, Elle," she whispered.

"And I love you, Tee' Rory replied.

RORY CLAD IN A PLAID SKIRT THAT HUNG LOOSELY AROUND HER WAIST...  "Mom?" Rory called out, her voice laced with anticipation. "So what do you think?"

Sookie, their bubbly friend and neighbor, beamed with enthusiasm. "Wow, it makes you look smart!"

Tori rolled her eyes. "Okay, no more wine for you."

Rory turned to Lorelai, her mother, for her opinion. Lorelai's lips twitched into a smile, but her eyes held a hint of amusement. "You look like you were swallowed by a kilt."

Rory sighed. "Fine, you can hem it. A little."

"Ooh," Lorelai said, her eyes gleaming.

"Only a little," Rory emphasized.

Tori interjected, "Or, she could hem it a lot."

Rory glared at her sister. "No, don't listen to her. Mom! You're not. I don't want it to be too short."

As they stepped inside, Rory couldn't help but express her excitement. "I can't believe tomorrow's my last day at Stars Hollow High."

Lorelai nodded in agreement.

"I know."

"Today I was so excited I dressed for gym," Rory said.

Lorelai gasped. 'You're kidding!'

Tori shook her head. "She played volleyball, with people!"

"It's true, I did," Rory said, her cheeks flushed. "And I learned that all this time I was avoiding group sports..."

Lorelai raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

"Was very smart because, you really suck," Tori finished, earning a chuckle from both Rory and Lorelai.

Lorelai began to pin up the skirt. "Well, yeah, you got that from me." She glanced at Tori. "You get a lot from your father, sports was his thing." Rory and Tori exchanged a knowing look and burst into laughter. "The irony," they said in unison.

Lorelai shivered. "Don't do that, god... why did I have to have twins? I'm living with the shining twins."

Sookie emerged from the kitchen. "Where's your paté?"

"At Zsa Zsa Gabor's house," Lorelai replied sarcastically.

"Right," Sookie said. "I'm going to the store because you have nothing. You feel like duck?"

Lorelai's eyes sparkled. "Ooh, if it's made with chicken, absolutely."

"I'll be back," Sookie said as she headed out the door.

"All right," Lorelai said to Rory. "This will give you an idea. Go see how you like it." Rory disappeared into her bedroom to check her skirt. Lorelai's gaze drifted to the mantle, where a collection of family photos adorned the wall. Her eyes lingered on a picture of her youngest daughter, she embraced her in a hug.

"I'm sorry you didn't get accepted into Chilton" Lorelai said softly. "I know how much you wanted this!"

Tori looked up at her mother, her expression a mixture of disappointment and understanding. "It's okay, Mom. So..."

"So?" Lorelai prompted.

"I made captain," Tori said with a hint of pride.

Lorelai let out a squeal of excitement and lifted her daughter into the air. "Oh honey! This is amazing!' Lorelei exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement. 'You're amazing, I knew you could do it. Maybe not going to Chilton is a good thing.'

Tory forced a smile and nodded, but Lorelei could see the sadness in her eyes. She knew how much Tory had wanted to attend Chilton, she embraced her in hug.