In The Forgotten Gilmore, Alessia Gilmore grapples with adolescence in Stars Hollow, a town where gossip flows as freely as coffee at Luke's Diner. Overshadowed by her mother Lorelai's bond with twin sister Rory, Alessia finds solace in her irrevere...
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Alessia eyed the overflowing laundry basket in the corner of her dorm room, debating whether it was worth the effort to lug it home for the weekend. With the way her quarters were rapidly dwindling, it seemed like the sensible choice. Plus, she could use a break from Harvard's relentless pace and the constant reminders of the expectations she felt trapped by. Stars Hollow sounded good, if only for a couple of days.
After hastily stuffing some clothes into a bag, Alessia left her dorm and made her way to her car. The air outside was crisp, and she breathed it in deeply, savoring the hint of autumn. The drive home felt like a chance to reset, to leave behind the pressure cooker of college for the familiarity of her small hometown. She turned up the radio, letting the music drown out her thoughts as she drove.
By the time she pulled into the driveway of her childhood home, the sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the house. She could hear voices inside—familiar and loud. When she opened the door, she was met with the smell of coffee, pancakes, and a hint of something sweet.
"Well, look who decided to grace us with her presence," Lorelai called from the kitchen, her voice light but with an edge to it. She didn't look up from her coffee, but Alessia could feel the tension simmering beneath the casual greeting.
Alessia smiled anyway, trying to push past it. "Hey, Mom. Just thought I'd come home and, you know, do some laundry. Maybe see if you've missed me even a little?"
Rory looked up from her laptop, where she was typing furiously, probably writing something for Yale. "Hey, Alessia. Didn't know you were coming home. Taking a break from Harvard already?"
Alessia shrugged, feeling the sting in her sister's words. "Just needed a breather. Thought I'd see what you guys were up to."
Lorelai snorted softly, still not looking at Alessia directly. "Of course, because nothing says 'fun Friday night' like doing laundry at home."
Alessia set her bag down and poured herself a cup of coffee, trying to ignore the way Lorelai's gaze seemed to flicker over her like she was something that didn't quite belong. "So, any plans for tonight?" she asked, trying to keep her voice light.
Lorelai opened her mouth to reply, but her phone rang, cutting her off. She glanced at the screen and grimaced. "Great. It's Mom," she muttered, before answering with forced cheeriness. "Hey, Mom!"
Emily's voice cut through the room, clear and commanding even through the phone. "Lorelai, are you bringing Rory to dinner tonight?"
Lorelai's eyes flicked to Rory, then to Alessia. "Uh, dinner? You know, we were just planning on a quiet night in, Mom—"
"Nonsense," Emily interrupted. "It's been far too long since we've had a proper Friday night dinner. Richard and I insist. And bring Rory—and Alessia too, of course."
Lorelai stiffened, her jaw tightening. "Alessia?" she repeated, as if the idea were absurd.
"Yes, I know she's home," Emily continued. "And we'd like to see her. It's not every day she graces us with her presence, after all."
Alessia felt a pang of unease. Lorelai's tone made it clear she wasn't thrilled about the idea. "I don't have to go," she offered quickly. "You guys can just go without me—"
"No, it's fine," Lorelai cut in, a tight smile on her lips. "Wouldn't want to deprive Mom and Dad of the chance to see their other granddaughter."
Rory looked uncomfortable, but she didn't say anything. She knew the tension between her mom and sister had only worsened since the college admissions decisions. Alessia could feel it too—Lorelai's resentment simmering just beneath the surface. Rory had always been the golden child, the one who could do no wrong, and Alessia... well, Alessia had made the "wrong" choice by picking Harvard over Yale, even if she hadn't meant it that way.
Lorelai hung up the phone and turned back to her daughters, her smile brittle. "Looks like we're all going to Friday night dinner," she said, voice strained. "Yay us."
Alessia swallowed hard, trying to ignore the knot in her stomach. She hadn't been planning on spending her evening under the critical gaze of her grandparents, but it seemed she had no choice. The last thing she wanted was to get dragged into another tense Gilmore family dinner, but she knew better than to argue.
