The Forgotten Gilmore

Chapter Five: Mall Mayhem

Alessia had convinced Riley and Beau to spend their Saturday at the mall, an outing she was determined to make the best of. It wasn't every day she had the chance to drag two of her friends around on a shopping spree, and she was determined to make the most of it.

The mall was bustling with people, and Alessia wasted no time diving into the stores. Riley and Beau, who had both expressed their disdain for shopping, followed behind with resigned expressions.

"Come on, guys, it'll be fun!" Alessia chirped, her enthusiasm a stark contrast to their reluctance.

Beau shot Riley a wry glance. "How did we let ourselves get roped into this again?"

Riley sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "You dragged me in with promises of a movie night. Now I'm stuck holding bags and pretending to enjoy retail therapy."

Alessia turned, bags in hand, and gave them a bright smile. "You're both doing great. Just think of it as a bonding experience!"

They spent hours wandering from store to store, with Alessia happily trying on clothes and dragging them into fitting rooms to offer their opinions. Riley and Beau found themselves in a constant cycle of holding bags, trying to keep up with Alessia's energy, and grumbling about how the mall was a labyrinth of consumerism.

"Why does every store look the same?" Riley muttered as they walked into yet another boutique.

Beau chuckled, rolling his eyes. "If I see another rack of jeans, I'm going to lose it."

Alessia, oblivious to their growing frustration, picked out more items and handed them to Riley and Beau to carry. "Oh, this is perfect! Can you guys hold this while I try it on?"

As Alessia disappeared into a fitting room, Beau and Riley leaned against a wall, their faces reflecting their mutual exasperation.

"So, Riley," Beau started, trying to make conversation to pass the time, "what's the deal with you and hockey? You seem pretty intense about it."

Riley shrugged. "It's a way to blow off steam. Plus, it's something I've been into since I was a kid. It's kind of like my escape, you know?"

Beau nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, I get that. For me, it's music. When things get crazy, I just pick up my guitar and everything else fades away."

Riley raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You play guitar? I didn't know that. What kind of music do you usually play?"

Beau grinned. "Mostly rock. It's a bit of a hobby, but it helps me unwind. Maybe you can hear me play sometime."

Riley smirked. "Sounds like a plan. I could use some new music recommendations."

Alessia reappeared, modeling a new outfit. "How do I look?" she asked, spinning around.

Riley and Beau exchanged a glance, both struggling to find a diplomatic way to respond.

"Looks good," Beau said finally, though he looked a bit uncertain.

"Yeah, definitely," Riley agreed, though he was clearly more interested in their conversation than the outfit.

Alessia beamed at their approval and continued to shop, clearly enjoying their company despite their grumbling. Riley and Beau, now a bit more accustomed to the routine, engaged in a more relaxed conversation as they walked between stores.

"So, Beau," Riley said as they passed a store window, "what's the deal with you and Alessia? You two seem pretty close."

Beau shrugged, trying to be casual. "We've just gotten to know each other. She's a bit of a whirlwind, but she's fun to hang out with."

Riley chuckled. "Yeah, I've noticed. She's like a human energy drink."

Beau laughed. "That's one way to put it. She's been great at getting me out of my comfort zone."

As they continued shopping, their conversation flowed easily. They discussed their favorite movies, shared stories about high school, and even joked about their least favorite fashion trends.

"I swear, if I see another pair of skinny jeans, I'm going to lose it," Riley said, rolling his eyes as they passed a store filled with denim.

Beau laughed. "I know what you mean. It's like there's a uniform for every store."

Their banter continued as they made their way to the food court. They were carrying their shopping bags, exhausted but in good spirits. Alessia was chatting animatedly about her latest finds when she suddenly spotted her grandmother, Emily, across the food court.

Her heart sank. Emily had a knack for showing up at the most inconvenient moments, and Alessia wasn't ready for a confrontation today.

"Hide!" Alessia hissed, ducking behind Beau. "Please don't let her see us."

Beau looked bewildered but complied, while Riley stood still, trying to figure out what was going on. Emily, however, had already spotted them and was making her way toward them with a practiced air of nonchalance.

"Alessia, dear!" Emily called out, her voice carrying across the food court. "Fancy meeting you here."

Alessia's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Hi, Grandma."

Emily's eyes twinkled as she looked at Riley and Beau. "And who are these two young men with you?"

Before Alessia could protest, Emily motioned for her to join her at a nearby table. "Come on up with me, dear. I want to hear all about your day."

Alessia shot a pleading look at Riley and Beau, who stood awkwardly at the food court. "I'll be right back," she said, giving them a quick, apologetic smile.

With a resigned sigh, Alessia joined Emily at her table. As they talked, Emily's gaze remained fixed on Alessia, her lips curling into a sly smile.

"I see you've made some interesting friends," Emily remarked, her tone laced with curiosity. "It's not every day you see you with two boys. Are they...special friends?"

Alessia forced a smile, her nerves on edge. "Just friends, Grandma. We're hanging out."

Emily's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Well, it's nice to see you socializing. But remember, appearances matter."

Alessia nodded curtly, her patience wearing thin. "Got it. Can we talk about this later?"

When they reached the end of their conversation, Alessia quickly excused herself and returned to the food court. Riley and Beau were waiting with their food, their expressions a mix of confusion and relief.

"That was...interesting," Riley said, biting into his burger.

"Yeah," Beau agreed, eyeing Alessia with a curious glance. "Your grandma seems...nice."

Alessia laughed, shaking her head. "She's something, alright. Thanks for playing along. I appreciate it."

The three of them settled into their meal, the earlier awkwardness fading as they chatted about their day. Riley and Beau seemed more relaxed now, and Alessia felt a sense of contentment in their easy camaraderie.

As they finished their meal and prepared to head back, Alessia couldn't help but feel grateful for the day's events. Despite the shopping marathon and unexpected encounters, she had managed to strengthen her friendships with Riley and Beau. The shared experience had brought them closer together, and Alessia was eager to see where their growing bond would lead.

As they left the mall, their laughter echoed through the parking lot, a testament to the unexpected joys of a day spent in good company.