The Forgotten Gilmore

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Silent Storms

The morning sun crept through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the Gilmore house. Normally, this light would signal the start of another busy day filled with school, work, and endless cups of coffee. But today was different.

Alessia lay in bed, her eyes red and puffy from a night of restless sleep. The events of the dance marathon haunted her, playing over and over in her mind like a broken record. The betrayal she felt from Isabella, the confusion and hurt from Jess, and the overwhelming sense of isolation weighed heavily on her chest.

She knew she should go to school, face the day, and try to move on. But the thought of pretending everything was normal felt like too much. With a sigh, she rolled over and buried her face in her pillow, hoping to shut out the world for just a little while longer.

Downstairs, Lorelai was bustling around the kitchen, preparing coffee and breakfast. Rory sat at the table, her eyes flicking to the stairs every few moments, a worried expression on her face.

"Alessia's not up yet?" Rory asked, trying to keep her tone casual.

Lorelai glanced at the clock. "Nope. Maybe she's just having a hard time waking up. It was a long night."

Rory nodded, but her concern didn't fade. "I should go check on her."

"Sure, honey," Lorelai said, not really paying attention as she poured herself another cup of coffee. Her focus was already drifting to the day ahead, her mind preoccupied with work and the usual chaos of life.

Rory climbed the stairs and gently knocked on Alessia's door. "Alessia? You awake?"

There was no response. Rory frowned and knocked again, a bit louder this time. "Alessia? It's me, Rory. Can I come in?"

Still no answer. Rory hesitated for a moment before slowly opening the door. She found Alessia curled up in bed, her back to the door.

"Hey," Rory said softly, stepping into the room. "You okay?"

Alessia didn't move, didn't acknowledge her presence. The silence was thick with tension.

"Alessia, come on," Rory tried again, her voice gentle but firm. "We need to get ready for school."

Alessia still didn't respond. Rory sighed, a knot of worry forming in her stomach. She reached out and gently touched Alessia's shoulder. "Please, talk to me."

Alessia finally turned her head slightly, just enough for Rory to see her tear-streaked face. But she didn't say a word. The look in her eyes was enough to make Rory's heart ache.

"Okay," Rory said softly, withdrawing her hand. "I'll let Mom know you're not feeling well. Just... let us know if you need anything, okay?"

Alessia gave a barely perceptible nod before turning back to face the wall. Rory left the room, her heart heavy with concern.

Back in the kitchen, Lorelai looked up as Rory returned. "Is she okay?"

Rory shook her head. "She doesn't look good. I think she might be sick. Her eyes are all red and puffy."

Lorelai frowned, a pang of guilt flickering through her. "Maybe she just needs some rest. I'll check on her later."

Rory nodded, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong. She grabbed her backpack and headed out the door, casting one last worried glance up the stairs.

Once the house was quiet, Alessia slowly sat up, her head pounding. She knew she should get up, get dressed, and go to school, but she couldn't bring herself to move. The weight of her emotions was too much to bear.

She heard Lorelai moving around downstairs, the clink of dishes and the hum of the coffee machine a distant comfort. But Alessia knew that her mother wouldn't come up to check on her. Lorelai had always been more focused on Rory, leaving Alessia to fend for herself.

Alessia dragged herself out of bed and made her way to the bathroom. She splashed cold water on her face, hoping to wash away the remnants of her tears. But the reflection staring back at her in the mirror was a stark reminder of her pain.

She wandered back to her room, not bothering to change out of her pajamas. She curled up on her bed, hugging her knees to her chest. The silence of the house was oppressive, amplifying her loneliness.

Hours passed in a blur of tears and restless thoughts. Alessia couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal and heartbreak. She wanted to scream, to cry out for someone to understand her pain. But instead, she remained silent, the tears falling unchecked.

When noon came, the emptiness of the house became even more pronounced. Rory was at school, Lorelai at work, and Alessia was left alone with her thoughts. She wandered downstairs, her movements slow and deliberate.

In the kitchen, she found a note from Lorelai, scribbled hastily on a piece of paper: "Alessia, hope you feel better soon. There's soup in the fridge if you're hungry. Love, Mom."

Alessia stared at the note, the words blurring through her tears. She crumpled it up and threw it away, feeling the sting of neglect. She knew Lorelai loved her, but it was hard not to feel like an afterthought compared to Rory.

She made her way to the living room and sank onto the couch, pulling a blanket around her shoulders. The house was too quiet, the silence a constant reminder of her isolation. She let the tears flow freely now, not bothering to wipe them away.

The hours dragged on, each one feeling like an eternity. Alessia lay on the couch, lost in her thoughts and her pain. She didn't know how to move forward, how to mend the pieces of her shattered heart. All she could do was wait for the storm to pass, hoping that somehow, she would find the strength to face another day.

————————

AN: Guys i'm having a hard time deciding do we want Alessia to go back to school pretending to be unbothered and act like a bad bitch and make everyone feel sorry they treated her like that.
OR
Should i make her be sad and put her through more pain