The Forgotten Gilmore

Chapter Thirteen: Autumn Wanderings

The air at Harvard was crisp and cool, the unmistakable bite of autumn settling over the campus like a cozy, familiar blanket. Leaves crunched underfoot as Alessia, Riley, and Beau meandered through the tree-lined pathways, their breath visible in the cold morning air. It was the kind of day that made everything feel more alive—the sun catching on the golden and red leaves, the distant laughter of students echoing off the ancient, ivy-covered buildings.

"Okay, but tell me this," Riley said, pushing his hands deeper into the pockets of his worn denim jacket. "Is there anything better than a chilly autumn morning with coffee?" His smile was half-hidden beneath a scarf that was almost as long as he was tall, a rich navy blue that contrasted with the earthy tones of his outfit.

"Um, yeah," Alessia laughed, wrapping her arms around herself as she kept pace beside him. "A chilly autumn morning with coffee and a pastry. Preferably something with chocolate. Or caramel. Or both."

Beau chuckled, his hands clasped behind his head as he walked between them, his pace lazy, like he had all the time in the world. "She's got a point. Chocolate makes everything better."

"You both are so predictable," Riley teased, his eyes dancing with amusement as he glanced at Beau, their steps falling into an easy rhythm. "Next, you'll tell me that pumpkin spice lattes are life, and we should all get matching flannels for our autumn Instagram posts."

Alessia playfully shoved Riley's shoulder, almost tripping over a wayward pile of leaves as she did. "Don't hate on the flannels! They're a staple."

Beau grinned, looking between the two of them. "I'd rock a flannel. And you know it."

Riley chuckled, a soft, warm sound that seemed to blend seamlessly with the cool breeze rustling through the trees. He gave Beau a side-eye, the corners of his mouth lifting in that crooked smile of his. "Oh, you would, Beau. No doubt."

They continued down the cobblestone pathway, moving toward their favorite coffee spot just off-campus. The small café had big windows that fogged up in the cold, casting a soft, golden glow onto the sidewalk. A single handwritten chalkboard outside boasted "Fresh cinnamon rolls!" and "Best hot chocolate in town!" The scent of roasted coffee beans and baked goods drifted out each time the door swung open, enticing them closer.

"Looks like we picked the right place," Alessia declared, practically bouncing on her heels. Her curls bounced around her face, and her cheeks were flushed pink from the cold. "I can already feel my fingers thawing out just looking at it."

Riley held the door open for both of them with an exaggerated flourish. "After you, my caffeinated compatriots."

Beau rolled his eyes in mock disdain as he followed Alessia inside. "You're too good to us, Riley."

The café was a cozy contrast to the chilly outdoors, the heat from the small fireplace in the corner melting the cold off their bones almost immediately. They slipped into a corner booth, shedding scarves and jackets as they settled in. Alessia ordered her signature caramel mocha, Riley got his standard black coffee ("the real kind," he always called it), and Beau, true to form, ordered the most over-the-top hot chocolate on the menu, complete with whipped cream and a mountain of marshmallows.

As they waited for their drinks, they gazed out of the foggy window, the world outside framed by autumn's golden hues.

"So, what's the plan for today?" Alessia asked, turning her head to the two of them.

Beau shrugged, his fingers tracing patterns in the condensation on the window. "I mean, we're already at Harvard, and it looks like prime wandering weather to me. Plus, I have to hit the bookstore at some point. Need to pick up a few things for a paper I'm working on."

"Ah, yes, the classic 'I need to study but really I just want to wander around and pretend I'm living in a coming-of-age movie' excuse," Riley teased, his foot nudging Beau's under the table.

Beau flushed just slightly, but he rolled his eyes, grinning. "You got me. Guilty as charged."

Alessia watched the two of them with a small smile. There was something about the way they interacted that always made her feel warm inside, like watching the first flicker of a flame catching on a pile of dry leaves. They had this unspoken, easy connection—always in tune with each other's rhythms, always on the same wavelength, even when they pretended not to be.

Their drinks arrived, and they sat in comfortable silence for a moment, sipping their coffee and hot chocolate. Outside, a gust of wind sent a flurry of leaves skittering across the sidewalk, and a small group of students hurried by, bundled in coats and scarves, their laughter carried away by the breeze.

Beau finally broke the silence. "Hey, Riley... I know we're supposed to be serious Harvard tourists today, but maybe we could... I don't know, explore somewhere new on campus?"

Riley raised an eyebrow, amused. "Oh? Like where?"

Beau's face lit up, but he tried to play it cool. "I don't know... maybe the art building? I heard they have a new exhibit. Plus, it's warm."

Alessia couldn't help but grin behind her coffee cup. It was obvious that Beau was trying to find an excuse to spend more time with Riley, and Riley, for all his teasing, seemed more than happy to oblige.

Riley's smile softened, and he leaned back in his seat, his eyes never leaving Beau's. "Sure. We can check it out. I'm game if you are."

Alessia felt a little flutter in her chest at the exchange, a small thrill of excitement at seeing the slow, almost hesitant dance they were doing around each other. She knew better than to comment on it, though; she'd seen how fragile these moments could be.

"Alright, then," she said, lifting her mug in a mock toast. "To exploring Harvard, finding new exhibits, and flannels for all."

Beau and Riley laughed, clinking their cups against hers. "To flannels for all," they joked back, their voices blending into the background hum of the café, the perfect soundtrack for a chilly, autumn day filled with possibilities.