The Forgotten Gilmore

Chapter Fifty-Nine: Prom Night

Alessia stood in front of the mirror, smoothing out the soft, flowing fabric of her blue dress. It was a shade that complimented her perfectly, bringing out the brightness in her eyes and the subtle glow in her skin. The dress wasn't overly elaborate, but it was elegant-just enough to make her feel special without drawing too much attention. Her hair was loosely curled, cascading over her shoulders in gentle waves, and she wore a simple silver necklace that had been a gift from her grandmother.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm the mix of excitement and anxiety swirling inside her. This was it-prom night. The night everyone had been talking about for months. She knew she looked good, but that didn't stop the nagging doubts from creeping in. Would people think her dress was too plain? Would she stand out in the wrong way? What if the night didn't live up to all the hype?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her mother's voice drifting in from the living room. Lorelai was on the phone, and Alessia could tell by her tone that she was trying-unsuccessfully-to fend off her grandmother.

"Mom, really, it's fine, you don't have to come all the way here just to take pictures," Lorelai was saying, a strained edge to her voice.

Alessia rolled her eyes, knowing exactly how this would play out. Sure enough, a few minutes later, there was a knock on the front door. Alessia sighed, picking up the small clutch that matched her dress and heading out of her room.

When she reached the living room, Emily Gilmore was already inside, camera in hand, a determined expression on her face. Lorelai stood off to the side, her arms crossed, looking both exasperated and resigned.

"There's my beautiful granddaughter!" Emily declared, her eyes lighting up when she saw Alessia. "You look stunning, darling."

"Thanks, Grandma," Alessia replied, forcing a smile. She appreciated her grandmother's enthusiasm, but it always came with a side of criticism that Alessia wasn't in the mood for tonight.

Emily immediately began positioning her in front of the fireplace, insisting on a series of photos from every possible angle. Alessia obliged, though she couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious as the camera clicked away.

"Your dress is lovely, Alessia," Emily commented, adjusting a curl that had fallen out of place. "So classic. Not too flashy, but just right."

Lorelai, who had been quietly observing, couldn't resist a comment. "Yeah, Mom, we get it. She's not a circus clown."

Emily ignored the jab and continued fussing over Alessia's appearance, making sure every detail was perfect before snapping a few more photos.

Just as Alessia thought she might be free, a honk came from outside. Isabella had arrived. Alessia felt a small wave of relief. As much as she was anxious about the night, she was ready to get out of the house.

"That must be Isabella," Alessia said quickly, grabbing her clutch. "We should get going."

Emily gave her a final once-over, seemingly satisfied with her appearance. "Of course, dear. Have a wonderful time. And remember, stand up straight."

Alessia bit back a sigh as she headed for the door. "Thanks, Grandma. I'll see you later."

As she stepped outside, the cool evening air hit her, calming her nerves slightly. Isabella was leaning out of the driver's side window, waving enthusiastically.

"There she is!" Isabella called, her voice bright and cheerful as usual. "Come on, Alessia, we've got a prom to get to!"

Alessia managed a genuine smile as she hurried over to the car, slipping into the passenger seat. Isabella was dressed in a vibrant red gown that hugged her figure, her hair styled in perfect ringlets that bounced with every movement. She looked amazing, and Alessia couldn't help but feel a tiny pang of jealousy.

"You look incredible, Izzy," Alessia said, trying to keep her voice steady.

"So do you!" Isabella replied with a grin, but then she added, "Though I do wish you'd gone for something a bit more... daring. You know, really make an entrance."

Alessia bristled slightly at the comment, though she tried not to show it. "I like my dress," she said, a little too quickly.

Isabella gave her a sideways glance as she pulled out of the driveway. "Of course you do, sweetie. It's just... you could've really wowed everyone, you know? But subtle is nice too."

Alessia forced herself to nod, even though Isabella's words stung. It wasn't the first time she'd felt like she was falling short of Isabella's expectations, and it probably wouldn't be the last.

As they drove, Isabella chattered on about the prom, who she thought would win Prom King and Queen, and what drama might unfold throughout the night. Alessia tried to focus on the conversation, but her mind kept drifting back to how the night would go. Would she have fun? Would Beau and Demi think she looked good? Would anyone even notice her?

"Earth to Alessia!" Isabella's voice broke through her thoughts.

"Huh? Oh, sorry," Alessia said, blinking and realizing Isabella had been talking to her.

"I was just saying, are you excited to see Beau and Demi? I think Demi's gonna flip when she sees your dress. Blue is totally your color."

"Yeah, I'm excited," Alessia replied, though her excitement was now tinged with a bit of anxiety. She hated how much she worried about what others thought of her, but she couldn't help it.

Finally, they pulled up to the school where prom was being held. The building was lit up, with streams of students and couples entering the main doors. The night was buzzing with energy, and Alessia felt her nerves start to spike.

"There they are," Isabella said, pointing out Beau and Demi standing near the entrance. Beau looked handsome in a classic black tux, while Demi had opted for a sleek black dress that suited her perfectly.

As Isabella parked the car, Alessia took a deep breath, trying to push away her insecurities. This was supposed to be a fun night, and she didn't want to ruin it by overthinking everything.

"Ready?" Isabella asked, her tone a little too bright, like she was trying to convince both of them.

"Yeah," Alessia said, forcing a smile. "Let's do this."

They got out of the car and walked toward Beau and Demi, who were waiting with smiles on their faces. As they approached, Beau's eyes lit up when he saw Alessia.

"Wow, you look amazing, Alessia," Beau said, genuine admiration in his voice.

"Thanks, Beau," Alessia replied, feeling a little better. "You clean up pretty well yourself."

Demi grinned and gave Alessia a once-over. "The blue was a good choice. You look great."

Alessia felt a small surge of confidence at their compliments, even though Isabella's earlier comments still lingered in the back of her mind.

"Thanks, guys. You both look awesome too," she said, and for a moment, she really did feel like maybe everything was going to be okay.

"Shall we?" Beau said, offering his arm to Alessia with a playful grin.

Alessia hesitated for a split second, glancing at Isabella to make sure she wouldn't be upset. Isabella was already linking her arm with Demi's, chatting animatedly about something, so Alessia accepted Beau's arm, feeling a little thrill of excitement as they walked toward the entrance together.

Prom was just getting started, and despite all her worries, Alessia was determined to enjoy the night. After all, this was supposed to be a night to remember.