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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The vow renewal ceremony was a blur after that. Alessia felt like she was watching everything unfold through a foggy lens, her thoughts consumed by the image of Rory and Logan. She tried to focus on her grandparents, their smiles, and the happiness surrounding them, but all she could see was the way they kissed, unbothered and carefree, while she wrestled with her own emotions.
Eventually, she found herself back in the car, the road to Yale stretching out before her. The hum of the engine did little to ease her mind, which raced with thoughts of her sister and Logan. She took a deep breath, trying to push down the frustration that bubbled to the surface.
Arriving at Harvard, Alessia parked her car and made her way to the dorm. As she opened the door to her room, the familiar scent of Riley's laundry detergent greeted her.
"Hey, Alessia!" Riley called from his room, his voice slightly muffled. Alessia could hear the sound of weights clanging, and she knew he was doing push-ups again, just like the first time she stepped into their dorm.
"Riley!" she shouted back, her tone sharper than she intended.
He poked his head out of his door, glistening with sweat, his arms muscular and defined. "You okay? You look like you just ran a marathon."
"Not exactly," Alessia replied, pacing around the common area. "You'll never believe what just happened."
"Hit me with it," he said, dropping down to do another set of push-ups.
"I caught Rory making out with Logan," Alessia blurted out, her voice laced with disbelief.
Riley paused mid-push-up and looked up at her, eyebrows raised. "Seriously? At the vow renewal?"
"Yep! It was like a punch to the gut." She crossed her arms, her irritation palpable. "I mean, I know they're not exclusive, but it still feels so... unfair. It's just—ugh!"
Riley sat back on his heels, wiping his brow. "Al, I get that it sucks. But you've got to remember, you're not exclusive with Logan either. It's not like they broke any rules."
"I know that! But watching them felt so wrong. Like, how could she not think about how I'd feel?" Alessia's voice trembled, her frustration spilling over. "It's just... it's Rory, you know? My sister. It feels like a betrayal."
Riley nodded, his expression serious. "It's okay to feel that way. But if you don't like it, you should just talk to Logan about being exclusive. The worst he can say is no. And if he does, you'll find someone else—someone who wants you and only you."
Alessia stopped pacing and turned to him, contemplating his words. "You really think it could be that easy?"
"Honestly? Yeah. You've got to be upfront about what you want. If you don't, you'll just end up stuck in your head, and that's a dark place to be." He stood up, stretching his arms over his head. "And I promise, there's someone out there who's ten times better who'd be all in for you."
Alessia smiled faintly, appreciating Riley's unwavering support. "Thanks, Riley. I just... I wish it didn't hurt so much to see them together."
"It will get better," he assured her, his tone encouraging. "Just remember, you deserve someone who sees how amazing you are, just like I do."
She nodded, the heaviness in her chest easing just a little. "Okay, I'll think about it."
"Good. Now, how about some ice cream to celebrate your newfound resolve?" he suggested, winking as he walked toward the small fridge in the common room.
"Now you're speaking my language," Alessia replied, feeling a glimmer of hope as they settled in for a late-night chat, the tension of the day slowly fading into the background.
