In the heart of Harvard, Alessia Gilmore is ready to embrace her second year and the independence it brings. After a summer spent reconnecting with friends and discovering herself, she's determined to step out of her twin sister Rory's shadow and ca...
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The morning light filtered through the windows of the Gilmore house, casting a warm glow over the cluttered living room. Alessia sat curled up in the armchair, a mug of coffee balanced precariously on her knee. Across from her, Lorelai and Rory were in full swing, animatedly debating whether to start their movie marathon with Pretty in Pink or Say Anything.
"I'm just saying, John Cusack holding up that boombox? Iconic," Rory argued, gesturing wildly with her own mug.
"And I'm just saying, Duckie is the unsung hero of romantic comedies," Lorelai countered, jabbing the air with a spoon from her cereal bowl.
Alessia sipped her coffee quietly, watching the exchange. It was the kind of back-and-forth she used to tune out, letting the familiarity of their rhythm wash over her. But today, for some reason, it stung a little less.
Maybe it was the walk with Jess the night before, or maybe she was just too tired to feel hurt. Either way, she stayed quiet, letting their banter fill the room.
Until Lorelai glanced at her, the movement almost surprising. "Hey, Alessia. What's your take? Cusack or Duckie?"
The question hung in the air for a moment, and Alessia blinked at her mom, caught off guard.
"Uh... Duckie," she said, recovering quickly. "But only because he's got better dance moves."
Lorelai gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. "Traitor! You're supposed to back me up, Alessia! What kind of Gilmore betrays their mother for dance moves?"
Rory laughed, giving Alessia a playful nod of approval. "Finally, someone with taste."
Alessia couldn't help but smirk. "Sorry, Mom. I call it like I see it."
Lorelai shook her head in mock disappointment but didn't press further. Instead, she scooted over on the couch, patting the space next to her. "Come on, Alessia. You can sit here and watch your betrayal unfold in Pretty in Pink."
It wasn't much-a small gesture, one that would've been easy to overlook. But Alessia noticed it, the subtle shift in her mom's tone, the way she was making room for her instead of shutting her out.
She hesitated for a moment, then stood, carrying her mug over to the couch and sitting down. Rory passed her the popcorn without a word, and the three of them settled into the movie.
The morning passed in a blur of laughter and commentary, the kind that felt almost natural, like they were just three women enjoying a lazy day together. Alessia still felt the occasional sting when Lorelai's attention lingered longer on Rory or when the inside jokes she didn't understand crept in.
But Lorelai would glance at her every so often, offering a quick smile or a comment to include her. And Rory, as if sensing the subtle shift, made an effort to loop Alessia into the conversation more often than usual.
It wasn't perfect-not even close. But for the first time in a long time, it felt like they were trying. Like maybe there was a version of this family where Alessia didn't have to be the shadow on the wall.
As the afternoon wore on and the credits of the third movie rolled, Lorelai stretched, yawning dramatically. "Okay, I need more coffee. Who's with me?"
Rory held up her empty mug. "Always."
Lorelai turned to Alessia, eyebrow raised. "You, too?"
Alessia smiled faintly. "Sure. Why not?"
Lorelai grinned and stood, heading to the kitchen. Rory followed, leaving Alessia alone in the living room for a moment. She leaned back against the couch, letting the faint hum of their voices in the kitchen wash over her.
It wasn't much, but it was a start. And right now, Alessia figured, that was enough.
