The Forgotten Gilmore

Chapter Fifty-Eight: Mischief Night

The Gilmore house was unusually quiet as Alessia slipped her hoodie on, glancing over at the living room where her sister, Rory, sat curled up on the couch. Rory had barely left that spot since the Harvard rejection letter had arrived. Lorelai was sitting beside her, gently stroking her hair, offering words of comfort that Alessia couldn't quite make out. The rejection had crushed Rory, and it felt like the whole house had sunk into that same heavy gloom.

Alessia lingered in the hallway for a moment, feeling a pang of something-maybe guilt, maybe just the usual sense of invisibility that had become all too familiar. Lorelai hadn't even noticed Alessia was getting ready to leave. But tonight was Senior Prank Night, and Alessia had plans.

She took one last look at the scene in the living room before quietly opening the front door. The cool night air hit her as she stepped outside, closing the door softly behind her. She knew her absence wouldn't be noted, and she tried not to let that bother her as she walked down the porch steps and out onto the street.

Once she was out of sight of the house, Alessia pulled out her phone and texted Beau: *On my way. Be there in five.*

---

A few minutes later, Alessia arrived at the meeting spot-a small clearing in the park just outside Stars Hollow High. Beau was already there, dressed in dark clothes and leaning casually against a tree, his breath visible in the chilly night air. He looked up as Alessia approached, a smile spreading across his face.

"Hey, you made it," he said, pushing off the tree and walking over to her.

"Wouldn't miss it," Alessia replied, trying to shake off the lingering feeling from home. She glanced around. "Where's Demi?"

"Right here," came a voice from behind them. Demi emerged from the shadows, her usual smirk firmly in place. She was twirling a set of keys around her finger-probably something she'd swiped earlier. Demi was known more for her laid-back attitude and knack for collecting random items than for elaborate pranks, but tonight she seemed eager to join in the fun.

"Nice of you to join us," Alessia teased, giving Demi a playful nudge.

"Had to make a quick stop," Demi said with a wink, before glancing over at Beau. "So, you must be Beau. Alessia's partner in crime?"

Beau grinned, extending a hand. "That's me. Nice to finally meet you, Demi."

"All true," Demi said, shaking his hand with a mock-serious expression. "I'm all about the laid-back chaos."

"Sounds perfect for tonight," Beau said, returning her grin. "So, what's the plan?"

Alessia pulled a small map of the school from her pocket, spreading it out on the ground. "We're going to hit the lockers with shaving cream and sticky notes. Demi, you're on door duty-super glue, maybe some other fun stuff if you've got it."

Demi nodded enthusiastically, already rifling through her bag for the necessary supplies. "Sounds good. I'll make sure those doors stay closed till morning."

Beau surveyed the map. "And then we meet back here for the grand finale?"

"Exactly," Alessia confirmed, excitement bubbling up now that the plan was in motion. "Let's make this night legendary."

---

They split up, moving through the school like shadows. Alessia and Beau started with the lockers, working quickly and quietly to cover them with sticky notes and shaving cream. Beau's precision and Alessia's creativity made them an unstoppable duo. Every now and then, their eyes would meet, and they'd share a grin, their silent camaraderie speaking volumes.

Meanwhile, Demi was wreaking havoc with the doors, her nimble fingers working fast to jam locks and set up traps that would frustrate the teachers to no end the next morning.

As they were finishing up, they noticed more figures moving around the school-fellow students out for their own prank-filled night. The chaos was almost artistic; shaving cream was splattered on walls, doors were jammed, and the occasional burst of laughter filled the night air. The school was a hive of activity, and Alessia couldn't help but smile at the shared sense of rebellion.

Just as they were about to set up the fireworks for their final act, a distant voice cut through the noise. "What do you think you're doing?"

The trio froze, turning to see a tall, shadowy figure moving toward them. The figure's face was obscured, and they could only make out a silhouette.

"Run!" Alessia hissed, grabbing Demi's arm and pulling her toward the nearest exit.

Beau was already sprinting. The three of them dashed through the school's labyrinthine hallways, their hearts pounding. Behind them, the silhouette of the teacher's figure loomed, their footsteps growing louder.

As they reached the back exit, Beau shoved the door open, and they tumbled out into the night. The cool breeze was a welcome relief from the chaos inside. They ran across the field, their breath coming in heavy gasps, the sounds of their pursuer fading behind them.

Once they were far enough away, they slowed down and leaned against a row of trees, catching their breath. The sky above was starting to lighten with the first hints of dawn, and they all looked at each other, exhilarated.

"That was insane," Demi said, her eyes wide with excitement. "I didn't think we'd make it out of there."

"Yeah, but we did," Beau said, laughing as he caught his breath. "And the school is going to be a mess."

Alessia laughed, the adrenaline still making her feel euphoric. "Tonight was epic. We managed to pull off some serious pranks and got away with it."

They spent a few more minutes talking and laughing about their exploits, the night's thrill still hanging over them. Each of them felt a deep sense of connection from their shared adventure. The sense of rebellion and excitement had brought them closer together.

Eventually, they said their goodbyes, promising to plan more fun adventures in the future. Alessia walked home as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, her mood lighter and her thoughts buzzing with the night's events.

As she slipped back into the house, Rory was still asleep on the couch, and Lorelai was gently snoring beside her. Alessia felt a twinge of guilt but brushed it aside. Tonight had been about more than just pranks; it had been about finding joy and connection, and she felt renewed.

She headed to her room, her heart still racing from the night's excitement, ready to crash into bed but already looking forward to whatever came next with her new friends.