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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Days later, Alessia sat cross-legged on the couch, tossing a piece of popcorn into her mouth, laughing as Riley complained.
"My team's driving me crazy," Riley grumbled, shaking his head. "They're a bunch of lunatics, love 'em though. Quinn's practically living in the penalty box at this point, and Avery-man, Avery skates like he's in a damn figure skating competition."
Alessia snorted. "Isn't that the guy who used to figure skate?"
"Exactly! He's graceful, but it's still hockey. And Quinn's got this weird protective thing over him, like he's Avery's personal bodyguard."
They both laughed, the ease of their conversation filling the dorm with warmth. The lightness in the air made everything feel perfect, like this moment could stretch on forever-until Alessia's phone rang.
Her laughter died instantly as she saw Isabella's mom's name flash on the screen. She stared at it for a second too long.
"You okay?" Riley asked, noticing her sudden shift.
Alessia pressed the phone to her ear, her stomach twisting. "Hello?"
"Alessia... it's Isabella's mom." Her voice cracked. "There's been an accident. Isabella... she's in the ICU."
The room spun. Alessia felt like her heart stopped. "What?"
"She's... she's alive, but... it's bad. You need to come to the hospital."
The phone slipped from her hand, crashing to the floor. She blinked, her vision blurring. Isabella. ICU.
Riley was at her side immediately. "Alessia? What happened?"
She tried to speak, but the words caught in her throat. Her best friend. Isabella was in the ICU. She needed to go. Now.
"Keys... where are my keys?" she mumbled, stumbling to her feet, disoriented, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps. She knocked over a glass, sending it crashing to the floor. "Where-where are my keys?" she repeated, her voice shaky as she frantically looked around.
Riley grabbed her by the shoulders, gently steadying her. "Alessia, stop. Breathe."
She shook her head, tears welling up. "I need to get to the hospital. I need to see her. I-"
"You can't drive like this. I'll take you. Where are your shoes?"
Her shoes. Alessia's gaze darted around the room, but everything felt too bright, too loud. She grabbed her shoes, almost forgetting to put them on as her hands shook. Riley knelt down to help her.
Her mind raced as she fumbled with the laces. Isabella... her best friend... how could this have happened?
"Your coat," Riley reminded her gently, pulling her jacket off the back of the chair and helping her into it. "You can't go out like this without it."
She grabbed her phone again, trying to call her mom as Riley led her out of the dorm. Voicemail. Of course. Alessia's fingers trembled as she left a rushed message. "Mom, it's... it's Isabella. She's in the ICU. I'm going to the hospital."
The drive was a blur. Riley kept glancing at her, his face tight with worry. Alessia barely registered the passing streets, her mind solely focused on one thing-getting to Isabella. Each passing second felt like a lifetime.
