The Forgotten Gilmore

Chapter Twenty-Four: Stars and Stories

The autumn leaves had begun to turn vibrant shades of red and gold, casting a warm glow over Stars Hollow. Alessia found herself enjoying a rare quiet moment at the park with Jess. They were lounging on a blanket under a massive oak tree, sharing the last rays of the afternoon sun.

"So, what's the next book on the list?" Alessia asked, glancing sideways at Jess, who was reclining with a casual, almost lazy grace.

Jess reached into his bag and pulled out a worn copy of 1984 by George Orwell. "Figured you'd appreciate some dystopian vibes," he said with a smirk.

Alessia rolled her eyes playfully. "Great, just what I need—more paranoia about the government."

Jess laughed. "Think of it as an eye-opener. Keeps you on your toes."

She took the book, turning it over in her hands. "You always pick the most uplifting reads."

Jess shrugged. "Keeps life interesting."

They fell into a comfortable silence, the kind that only close friends could share. Alessia leaned back against the tree, feeling the rough bark through her sweater. "You know, for someone who's supposed to be all brooding and mysterious, you can be pretty sweet sometimes."

"Sweet?" Jess scoffed. "You're gonna ruin my reputation, Gilmore."

Alessia chuckled, nudging him with her shoulder. "Maybe you need a little reputation ruining."

Jess shook his head, but there was a small, genuine smile on his lips. "You, on the other hand, have a reputation for being too nice. Gotta keep you grounded."

"Too nice?" Alessia raised an eyebrow. "Coming from the guy who helped me sabotage Taylor's town meeting last week?"

"Hey, that was a community service," Jess retorted. "Someone had to liven things up."

Alessia laughed, the sound light and carefree. She stretched out her legs, feeling the grass tickle her ankles. "We do make a good team, don't we?"

Jess looked at her, his dark eyes softening. "Yeah, we do."

There was a pause, the kind where words seemed unnecessary. Alessia could feel the weight of Jess's gaze, and for a moment, the world seemed to shrink down to just the two of them.

Jess broke the silence, his voice low and almost hesitant. "You know, I've never really had this before."

Alessia turned to him, her expression curious. "Had what?"

"This...thing," Jess said, gesturing vaguely between them. "Someone who gets me. Who I can just...be with."

Alessia's heart fluttered at his words. She reached out and took his hand, squeezing it gently. "Me neither, Jess."

He looked at their joined hands and then back at her, a rare vulnerability in his eyes. "It's nice."

"Yeah," Alessia agreed softly. "It is."

They stayed like that for a while, just holding hands and soaking in the moment. Eventually, Jess pulled a small, leather-bound notebook from his bag. "Here," he said, handing it to her. "Thought you might want to see something."

Alessia took the notebook, her fingers brushing against his. "What is it?"

"Just some stuff I've been working on," Jess said, suddenly looking a bit shy. "Writing, you know."

Alessia opened the notebook and started reading. Jess's handwriting was neat but had a certain flair to it, matching his personality. The pages were filled with short stories, and musings about life in Stars Hollow.

"These are amazing, Jess," Alessia said, genuinely impressed. "You should show these to more people."

Jess shrugged, his typical nonchalance returning. "Maybe. But for now, it's just for you."

Alessia smiled, touched by his words. "Thank you for sharing this with me."

Jess leaned back against the tree, closing his eyes for a moment. "You're welcome."

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the park, Alessia felt a deep sense of contentment. Being with Jess felt right, like they were two pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly together.

"Hey, wanna go grab some coffee?" Jess asked, breaking the silence once more.

"Always," Alessia replied, standing up and brushing off her jeans. "But let's make it quick. Luke's might get suspicious if we hang out too long without ordering anything."

Jess chuckled, getting to his feet. "Good point. Can't have my uncle thinking I'm slacking off."

They gathered their things and started walking back to town, their hands brushing occasionally. As they approached Luke's Diner, Jess looked at her with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Race you to the counter?"

Alessia grinned. "You're on."

They sprinted the last few yards, laughing breathlessly as they burst through the diner's door. The warmth and familiar smell of coffee greeted them, along with Luke's exasperated look.

"What's the rush?" he asked, wiping down the counter.

"Just felt like a run," Jess said, sliding into a booth. "Two coffees, please."

Luke shook his head but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at his lips. "You two are something else."

Alessia and Jess exchanged a knowing look, their laughter filling the diner. In that moment, everything felt perfect, the world outside fading away as they basked in the simple joy of each other's company.