The Forgotten Gilmore

Chapter Four: Pucks and Pains

Alessia settled into her seat in the film studies classroom, her mind still buzzing from the week's events. The soft hum of the projector and the low murmur of her classmates provided a soothing backdrop as she and Faye worked on their assignment, analyzing lighting techniques from a film.

Faye leaned over her laptop with a grin. "So, Alessia, have you noticed how the shadows in the kitchen scene totally highlight this dudes abs? It's like they're trying to distract us from the actual plot."

Alessia laughed, shaking her head. "Seriously, Faye, you're obsessed. But yeah, the way they use shadows to create tension is pretty interesting."

Faye rolled her eyes playfully. "Yeah, yeah, just admit you're secretly into the abs too."

Before Alessia could reply, Professor Thompson walked in, giving the room a quick once-over. "Hey everyone. Don't forget your essay on film history is due in a week. Make sure you incorporate today's class into it."

The room buzzed with a mix of groans and murmurs of acknowledgment. Alessia exchanged a smile with Faye, who shrugged.

"Looks like we're in for a busy week," Faye said. "But hey, we'll get through it."

The rest of the class passed in a blur of notes and discussions, with Alessia and Faye bouncing ideas off each other and sharing laughs.

---

After class, Alessia returned to her dorm room, her mind shifting gears from film theory to her own work. She was hunched over her desk, making notes for her essay, when there was a knock on her door.

Opening it, she found Riley standing there, a casual grin on his face. "Hey, Alessia. Want to come watch practice again? We're working on some new drills."

Alessia glanced at her desk, her notes scattered about. "I've got a lot to do, but a break sounds good."

"Great. See you in twenty?" Riley asked, already turning to head out.

"See you then," Alessia replied, grabbing her coat and heading to the rink with Riley.

The rink was buzzing with energy when they arrived. The team was deep into their drills, Beau and Riley leading the charge. Beau, with his dark hair and enthusiastic demeanor, was in the middle of a heated discussion with his teammates. Riley, on the other hand, was intensely focused, his movements sharp and deliberate.

Alessia found a spot by the glass, coffee in hand, and watched the practice unfold. The team was working on synchronizing their plays, their movements becoming more fluid as they learned to anticipate each other's actions. Riley, in particular, was showing a lot of discipline, his style contrasting sharply with Beau's more spontaneous approach.

At one point, Riley skated over to where Alessia stood, a mischievous glint in his eye. He raised his hand, nonchalantly giving her the bird, but with a twist—his middle finger proudly displayed a smiley face.

"Nice to see you again," he said with a grin. "Hope you're enjoying the show."

Alessia laughed. "Definitely. Your nail art is quite the conversation starter."

Riley chuckled, clearly amused by his own gesture. "Yeah, I like to keep things interesting. Keeps everyone on their toes."

As the practice continued, Beau and Riley's dynamic became more evident. Riley's focused, methodical style was a perfect counterbalance to Beau's energetic and intuitive approach. The two of them worked together seamlessly, with Riley's precision complementing Beau's flair.

After a particularly grueling drill, Beau skated over to Alessia, wiping sweat from his brow. "Hey, thanks for coming. It's nice to have someone cheering us on."

"No problem," Alessia said. "You guys are really improving. It's impressive to watch."

Beau beamed. "We're getting there. Riley's been a big help with keeping things organized."

Riley joined them, looking over at Alessia with a smirk. "Yeah, and Beau's been great at keeping things lively."

As the team wrapped up their practice, they gathered for a quick debrief. Beau and Riley huddled together, discussing what worked and what needed adjustment. The camaraderie between them was evident, their different styles blending into a cohesive whole.

---

Later that night, Alessia was in her room, working on her essay when she heard a faint rustling from the kitchen. Curious, she stepped out to find Riley, still in his practice gear, rummaging through the cupboards.

"Can't sleep again?" Alessia asked, leaning against the doorway.

Riley looked up, surprised but smiling. "Yeah, just one of those nights. Making a midnight snack."

"Mind if I join you?" Alessia asked.

Riley gestured to the counter. "Sure, there's cereal and milk. We can make it a late-night study break."

As they sat in the common room, bowls of cereal between them, they talked about their day, their families, and their experiences. Riley shared his struggles with insomnia and his family life, while Alessia recounted her high school days and her thoughts on the ice hockey team.

The conversation flowed easily, with Riley munching on cereal and Alessia sharing funny anecdotes from her high school days. They talked about their families, their experiences at college so far, and Riley's ongoing struggles with insomnia.

"Thanks for keeping me company," Riley said, leaning back in his chair. "It's nice to have someone to talk to at this hour."

"Anytime," Alessia replied, smiling. "It's been nice getting to know you better."

As the night wore on, the conversation naturally tapered off, and the comfortable silence between them spoke volumes about their growing friendship. Eventually, they both drifted off, curling up together on the couch. The warmth of their shared space and the ease of their companionship created a peaceful atmosphere.

The next morning, Alessia woke up to find Riley still asleep beside her, his head resting lightly on the armrest. She couldn't help but smile, reflecting on how their interactions had moved from brief encounters to something more substantial. Observing Beau and Riley's dynamic on the ice had provided insight into their evolving relationship, and she looked forward to seeing how it would continue to develop.

For now, Alessia felt content, appreciating the quiet and deepening friendship she was building with Riley. She quietly got up, careful not to disturb him, and began her day with a sense of anticipation for what lay ahead.