THE GILMORE GIRLS

S1 E10 : Forgiveness and Stuff (Part 1)

The air in Stars Hollow was crisp and filled with the scent of pine and gingerbread. Twinkling lights adorned every storefront and lamppost, casting a warm glow over the bustling town square. Miss Patty's dance studio was a hive of activity, with everyone pitching in to prepare for the annual Christmas show. The familiar chaos and festive spirit brought a sense of comfort and excitement to the season.

Justin and I were among the volunteers, moving boxes and setting up decorations. We worked side by side, occasionally stealing glances at each other and exchanging smiles. The boxes were stacked high in the corner, filled with costumes, props, and ornaments.

"What's the plan for Christmas?" Justin asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and warmth as he lifted another box.

"Family stuff, mostly. You?" I replied, handing him a smaller box, a playful glint in my eyes.

"Same here," Justin said, setting the box down. "It's always a big deal at my place."

In the background, Miss Patty's voice rang out, full of her usual dramatic flair. "Now, I want my 'before' Mary over here and my 'after' Mary over there!" She gestured emphatically, herding people into position. "I only have half a donkey. I need the rest of the donkey!"

Justin and I exchanged amused looks as Miss Patty rushed off to find the missing part of the donkey costume.

I kept handing him boxes, somehow, they were never ending, but Justin kept taking them and placing them down onto the floor so someone else could organize and look through them. Our job seemed simple enough, so I wasn't going to complain. Plus, I got to spend some time with Justin before the chaos of the holiday fully took over.

Nearby, I overheard Miss Patty talking to Taylor. "Our 'before' Mary is about to become an 'after.' Who else in town is knocked up?" she asked, her tone conspiratorial.

Justin chuckled, shaking his head. "This town, I swear."

I laughed along with him, feeling the warmth of our shared amusement. I glanced over at Rory, who was holding the Baby Jesus doll, which, unsurprisingly, was missing an arm. Our eyes met, and we exchanged a sad smile. The events of the previous day still lingered, unresolved and heavy.

Justin broke the momentary silence with a playful comment. "How many more boxes do you think we have to go through?"

"Too many," I replied, handing him another box with an exaggerated sigh. "But it's worth it."

As night fell and the last box was moved, we gathered outside Miss Patty's. The festive lights now twinkled against the dark sky, casting a magical glow over the town. Mom appeared, looking around with a mixture of satisfaction and exhaustion.

"Did you find the arm?" she asked Rory.

"Nope," Rory replied shortly, her tone flat.

"How about we head to Luke's? I could use some coffee," I suggested.

"Great idea," Mom agreed, and the group – Mom, Rory, Justin, and I – began walking toward Luke's Diner.

~~~

The next day, inside Luke's Diner, the warmth and chatter made for a cozy refuge from the cold. The familiar smell of coffee and pancakes filled the air, creating a comforting atmosphere that always put me at ease. Katie, Belle, and I had snagged our favorite table by the window, and we were catching up over steaming mugs of coffee and plates of Luke's famous blueberry pancakes.

Katie took a sip of her coffee and leaned back in her seat, her curiosity evident. "So, Eva, how did the dance go?"

I hesitated for a moment, thinking back to the dance, then started to explain. "Well, there's a lot to unpack there. First off, you know how Tristan has been flirting with me at Chilton?"