Things had settled down in Stars Hollow. People slipped back into their routines like nothing had changed.
But for Everleigh, everything felt different. Her usual routine seemed dull, and she wasn't even sure what to do with herself. Picking up extra shifts at Luke's wasn't an option either—apparently, he'd gone off on a fishing trip.
Who goes on a fishing trip right after dropping off their nephew? It didn't make sense. None of it did.
Life felt too quiet too. She hadn't realized until Jess left just how much he'd brought to her days. Without him, everything seemed a little too ordinary.
And apparently, everyone else noticed the shift in her, even if she didn't say a word about it. Jess's departure had become almost a forbidden topic. It was as if she refused to acknowledge the reality of life without him.
Whenever Lorelai tried to bring him up, Everleigh would shut her down with a cold shoulder. Which, perhaps, explained why she'd finally agreed to visit Lorelai's house after countless rounds of persuasion.
Everleigh sits stiffly at the kitchen table, arms crossed, staring out the window. The ticking of the clock fills the silence around her. Lorelai sits across from her, holding two mugs of coffee. She tries to keep things casual, but Everleigh's posture makes it clear she's not in the mood for pleasantries.
Lorelai forces a small smile, pushing a mug toward Everleigh. "So, uh... I thought about offering you wine, but then I remembered you're, what, seventeen now? And I'm trying not to be the bad-influence adult." She chuckles lightly, hoping to break the ice, but Everleigh doesn't react. She just stares at the cup. "Okay, no jokes. Got it." Lorelai sighs, taking a sip of her own coffee. "Your dad thought we should talk. He's worried about you."
Everleigh finally looks up, narrowing her eyes. "So, this is for him, not me?"
Lorelai shakes her head. "No. This is about you. He's worried."
"I'm fine." Everleigh shrugs, her voice flat.
Lorelai gives her a long look, clearly not buying it. "Are you? Because since Jess left, you've barely said anything to me or your dad, and you can't exactly go to Luke's." Everleigh's eyes flicker at the mention of Jess, but she stays quiet. Lorelai leans forward, softening her tone. "I know things between you and Jess got... complicated. But you've been distant."
Everleigh's focus darts back to the window, "You don't get it."
Lorelai sighs, "I get that you're mad at me. You think I pushed Jess away—"
