The Forgotten Gilmore

Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Revenge Outfit

The alarm buzzed incessantly, pulling Alessia from her restless sleep. She stared at the ceiling, her body heavy with the weight of the previous day's emotions. She had no desire to face the world, but something inside her burned with a need to reclaim her power, to show everyone that she wasn't defeated.

Slowly, she got out of bed and moved to her closet. Her eyes landed on a pair of perfectly fitted jeans, a cropped leather jacket, and a stylish top she had bought impulsively months ago. It was bold, confident, and completely out of character for her usual style. Today, it felt like armor.

Alessia pulled on the outfit, adjusting the jacket and smoothing out the fabric. Her reflection in the mirror showed a girl transformed, her usual vulnerability hidden behind a mask of confidence and determination.

She applied her makeup carefully, emphasizing her eyes with dark liner and mascara. A final swipe of reddish lipstick completed the look. Alessia hardly recognized herself, but that was the point. Today, she needed to be someone else.

Downstairs, Lorelai and Rory were already at the breakfast table. Rory looked up, surprise evident in her eyes. "Wow, Alessia, you look... amazing."

"Thanks," Alessia said coolly, grabbing an apple from the counter. She avoided Lorelai's gaze, knowing her mother would see through the facade.

"Big day at school?" Lorelai asked, trying to sound casual.

"Just felt like dressing up," Alessia replied, her tone dismissive. She could feel the tension in the room, but she didn't have the energy to address it.

Rory watched her sister with a mixture of concern and guilt. "If you need anything, you know you can talk to me, right?"

Alessia gave a tight smile, but there was no warmth in it. "I'm fine, Rory. Really." She paused at the doorway, then added, "Thanks for the heartfelt concern." The sarcasm in her voice was unmistakable, and Rory flinched slightly.

Lorelai raised an eyebrow but said nothing, sensing the undercurrents of tension but not fully grasping their depth.

Alessia didn't wait for a response before heading out the door, the apple clutched tightly in her hand. The walk to school felt like a parade. Heads turned, whispers followed, but Alessia held her head high.

Inside the school, Alessia spotted Jess and Isabella in the hallway. Jess glanced her way, a mix of hope and apprehension in his eyes, but Alessia turned her head and let out a loud, dismissive scoff as she walked past. Isabella looked down, her face flushed with shame.

Determined not to let her heartache show, Alessia made her way to her first class. The classroom was buzzing with the usual morning chatter. She took her seat, purposefully choosing one at the front, far from Isabella.

As the lesson began, Alessia felt a paper plane hit her shoulder. She glanced back, spotting Isabella a few seats behind her, her expression pleading. Alessia unfolded the plane, revealing a hastily scrawled "Sorry."

Alessia's eyes narrowed. She crumpled the paper angrily and stuffed it into her bag, not bothering to look back. Isabella's face fell, and she sank lower in her seat.

The class dragged on, each minute feeling like an hour. Alessia's thoughts kept drifting back to the dance marathon, to the betrayal she felt from Jess and Isabella, and the tension with Rory. When the bell finally rang, she hurried out, not giving Isabella a chance to approach her.

Lunchtime arrived, and Alessia sought out Beau and his group of friends. Beau, a semi-recent transfer student, had quickly become popular due to his charisma and athletic talent. He was surrounded by the hockey team, their laughter echoing through the cafeteria.

"Hey, Alessia," Beau greeted her, eyes widening slightly at her outfit. "Looking sharp."

"Thanks," she replied, forcing a smile. "Mind if I join you guys today?"

"Not at all," Beau said with a grin. "Have a seat."

Alessia settled in with Beau and the rest of the jocks, feeling a strange sense of comfort in their rowdy camaraderie. Beau's easygoing nature and sharp wit were a welcome distraction.

"You know," Beau said, leaning in, "you're a lot tougher than you look. And a hell of a lot smarter than most people here give you credit for."

"Thanks," Alessia said, feeling a genuine smile creep onto her face. "I needed that."

"Anytime," Beau replied, his eyes twinkling. "And if anyone gives you trouble, just let me know. I've got your back."

As they ate, the guys kept up a steady stream of jokes and stories. Beau, ever the charismatic leader, kept everyone laughing with his quick wit and spot-on impressions of their teachers.

Alessia found herself laughing genuinely for the first time in days. The light-hearted atmosphere was a welcome change from the tension and drama that had been consuming her.

Halfway through lunch, Beau started a playful debate about the upcoming hockey season. "So, Alessia, think you could handle being our new good luck charm?"

Alessia smirked. "Only if you can handle winning every game."

"Challenge accepted," Beau said, grinning. "Stick with us, and you'll see. We never lose."

As the lunch period came to an end, Alessia felt a flicker of something she hadn't felt in a long time—control. It wasn't a perfect day, but it was a start. She knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but with her new allies and a determination to rise above, she felt ready to face whatever came next.

Near the end of lunch, one of the hockey guys, Kyle, leaned in with a conspiratorial whisper. "Hey, Alessia, we're having a little get-together after practice tonight. You should come."

Beau shot Kyle a warning glance, but Alessia caught the look. "What kind of get-together?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Just a few of us, hanging out," Kyle said, his grin a little too eager. "It'll be fun. You need to blow off some steam."

Beau intervened. "It's not really her scene, Kyle. Besides, she might have plans."

"Actually," Alessia said, her voice firm, "I think I could use some fun. Count me in."

Kyle's grin widened, and Beau looked resigned. "Alright," he said, "but if you need anything, you call me, okay?"

"Will do," Alessia promised, feeling a strange mix of excitement and caution. This was a new chapter for her, and she was ready to face whatever came next, even if it meant navigating some uncharted and potentially risky waters.