In The Forgotten Gilmore, Alessia Gilmore grapples with adolescence in Stars Hollow, a town where gossip flows as freely as coffee at Luke's Diner. Overshadowed by her mother Lorelai's bond with twin sister Rory, Alessia finds solace in her irrevere...
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Alessia found herself sitting on the steps of Luke's Diner, waiting for Jess. The morning sun was just starting to rise, casting a warm glow over the town of Stars Hollow. She sipped her coffee, letting the rich aroma wake her up as she watched the town come to life.
Jess sauntered up, a smirk already on his face. "Hey, Gilmore. Up early?"
"Couldn't sleep," Alessia replied with a shrug. "Figured I'd keep you company. Plus, the town's breakfast crowd can be terrifying."
"Oh, absolutely. You never know when Mrs. Kim will be on a rampage," Jess said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Alessia laughed, nudging him with her elbow. "Exactly. High alert."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching people start their day. It was a scene Alessia loved, uniquely Stars Hollow.
"Remember when we convinced Kirk that Luke's was haunted?" Alessia asked, breaking the silence.
Jess chuckled. "How could I forget? The guy wouldn't come in for weeks."
"And he kept leaving those weird charms around the place to 'ward off spirits'," Alessia added, laughing.
"Luke was ready to strangle him by the end of it," Jess said, grinning.
Alessia felt warmth spread through her chest. Being with Jess was easy, like slipping into a favorite pair of shoes.
"Got any big plans today?" Jess asked, glancing at her.
"Just avoiding my mom's crazy plans for Rory. Apparently, they're redecorating the entire house," Alessia replied, rolling her eyes.
"Sounds... fun," Jess said, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, it's a blast. Which is why I'll be spending my day anywhere but home," Alessia said dryly.
"Good plan," Jess said, nodding. "Need a partner in crime?"
Alessia smiled, feeling a flutter in her stomach. "I might take you up on that."
They spent the morning wandering around town, stopping in at various shops and making sarcastic comments about the quirky merchandise. Jess picked up a particularly gaudy piece of jewelry and held it up to Alessia.
"This would look perfect on you," he said with mock seriousness.
"Oh, absolutely. I'm sure it would really bring out my eyes," Alessia played along.
They continued their playful banter, enjoying each other's company. Eventually, they made their way to the gazebo in the town square and took a seat on one of the benches.
Jess pulled a book from his bag and handed it to her. "Here, thought you might like this."
Alessia looked at the cover. "'To Kill a Mockingbird'? Classic. Thanks, Jess."
"No problem, Gilmore. I figured you could use some good reading material."
"Always," Alessia replied, smiling.
Their conversation flowed effortlessly, punctuated by teasing and genuine moments of connection. They felt at ease with each other, as if they had known each other forever.
"So, what do you think of taking a break from town later?" Jess asked.
"What do you have in mind?" Alessia asked, her curiosity piqued.
Jess leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "There's this little spot by the lake, pretty quiet, perfect for a picnic or just hanging out."
Alessia grinned. "Sounds perfect. When do we go?"
"How about after lunch? I'll grab some stuff from Luke's, and we can make a day of it," Jess suggested.
"Deal. Just don't forget the coffee," Alessia said, smirking.
"Wouldn't dream of it," Jess replied, chuckling.
Just then, Rory walked through the square, a book in her hand and a distracted look on her face. Jess's expression softened as he watched her, a look Alessia couldn't quite explain.
"Hey, Rory!" Alessia called out, waving.
Rory looked up, a smile spreading across her face as she walked over. "Hey, guys. What are you up to?"
"Just causing trouble, as usual," Jess replied, his tone light but his eyes still on Rory.
"Well, I'm sure Taylor will love that," Rory said, laughing. "You two are becoming quite the dynamic duo."
"We aim to please," Alessia said, grinning.
Rory glanced between them, a curious look in her eyes. "Mind if I join you for a bit?"
"Of course not," Alessia replied, scooting over to make room.
As Rory sat down, Jess's gaze lingered on her, a hint of something unspoken passing between them. Alessia felt a pang of something she couldn't quite place but pushed it aside, determined to enjoy the moment.
They spent the rest of the afternoon talking and laughing, the easy camaraderie between them filling the air. But as the sun began to set, Alessia couldn't help but wonder about the look she had seen in Jess's eyes, and what it might mean for all of them.
