The Forgotten Gilmore

Chapter Thirty-Two: Calls and Confessions

Alessia swung open the door to her dorm, exhausted from the whirlwind that was Friday night dinner at her grandparents' house. The moment she stepped inside, she froze. Beau and Riley were sitting suspiciously close together on the couch in the common room, their heads snapped in her direction the second the door creaked open.

For a split second, they both jumped back like guilty teenagers caught doing something they shouldn't be.

"Oh. Uh, hey, Alessia!" Beau greeted her, his voice a little too chipper, rubbing the back of his neck like he'd been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"Hi..." Alessia raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly as she watched Riley avoid her gaze altogether. He glanced around, clearly looking for an exit. "What's going on in here?"

"Nothing! We were just-uh-nothing," Beau stammered, not exactly convincing. Riley looked like he was about to combust from the awkwardness.

"Right. Definitely looks like nothing," Alessia said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Riley jumped to his feet like his chair had suddenly caught fire. "I, uh, gotta get to practice," he blurted out, even though it was pretty clear there was no practice at this hour.

Beau raised an eyebrow, stifling a laugh as Riley scrambled to grab his hockey stick and duffel bag from the corner. "Practice? Right now?" Beau asked, clearly enjoying Riley's panic.

"Yup, gotta run," Riley muttered, his face flushed as he practically sprinted for the door. "Later!"

The door slammed shut behind him, leaving Alessia and Beau alone in the common room. For a moment, the room was silent except for the lingering sound of Riley's hurried footsteps down the hall.

Alessia snickered and turned to Beau. "So... what was that about?"

Beau waved it off, trying to act nonchalant, but his smile betrayed him. "Nothing, seriously. Just... talking."

"Uh-huh," Alessia said, flopping down on the couch beside him. "Talking. Sure."

Beau's grin widened as he looked at her. "It's true! Anyway, how was your night? You look like you've had a day."

Alessia let out an exaggerated groan, throwing her head back against the couch cushions. "You have no idea. Friday night dinner was insane. It was like stepping into a soap opera, but with more passive-aggressive comments and way too much broccoli."

Beau laughed, stretching out on the couch. "That bad, huh?"

Alessia huffed out a frustrated breath. "Yeah. And the weirdest part? My mom defended me. Like, actually defended me. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it."

Beau frowned slightly, but there was a curious glint in his eyes. "Your mom? Lorelai? Defended you?"

"I know, right?" Alessia threw up her hands. "It was so unexpected. We've barely gotten along for years, and suddenly she's taking my side in front of my grandparents like we're some kind of united front or something. I didn't even know how to react."

Beau leaned back, grinning now. "Maybe she's realizing you're not so bad after all."

Alessia shot him a sideways glance, narrowing her eyes playfully. "Since when did you start seeing the sunny side of everything?"

Beau shrugged, still looking like he was holding back laughter. "I don't know. Life's full of surprises lately. Plus, you seem to be handling it fine. Maybe Lorelai defending you is just... a new plot twist."

Alessia eyed him suspiciously. "What's with you? You've got that look on your face."

Beau blinked innocently. "What look?"

"That 'I've got something going on but I'm not telling' look," she replied, crossing her arms.

Beau's grin only grew wider. "No idea what you're talking about."

Alessia smirked, her curiosity piqued. "This wouldn't have anything to do with you and Riley, would it?"

Beau's cheeks flushed a little, but he kept his cool. "I mean, we've been hanging out a bit. He's fun to be around."

"Uh-huh," Alessia said, drawing out the syllables. "Hanging out, huh?"

Beau's grin turned into a full-blown smile, and he looked down at his hands. "Okay, maybe a little more than just hanging out."

Alessia raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. "Spill. I walked in on you two practically... well, you know."

Beau looked up, clearly trying to contain his excitement but failing miserably. "It's not like that! We were just... you know, talking. But it's been... good. Like, I don't know, easy."

Alessia nodded slowly, amused by how giddy Beau was acting. "Right. Just talking."

"Seriously!" Beau laughed, throwing his hands up. "Okay, maybe there's a little more to it, but we're just figuring it out. He's... different. But in a good way."

Alessia smirked. "Different how?"

Beau hesitated, clearly trying to hold back. "I don't know. He's... Riley, you know? It's not something I can explain."

Alessia chuckled. "Oh, this is going to be fun to watch. But hey, whatever it is, sounds like you're enjoying it."

Beau's grin softened, but there was still a spark in his eyes. "Yeah. I am."

Alessia leaned back, shaking her head with a smile. "Alright, I'll drop it-for now. But don't think you're off the hook."

"Noted," Beau said, the giddiness still lingering in his voice.

"So, video games?" Alessia suggested, attempting to steer the conversation into lighter territory.

Beau grinned. "Yeah, sure. But fair warning, I'm playing one-handed."

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