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It was a typical evening in Stars Hollow. Matt trudged home from hockey practice, his gear slung over his shoulder and his mind tangled in thoughts that had nothing to do with the game. Practice had been solid—his best in weeks—but it was hard to focus when Ronnie Gilmore kept popping into his head.
Dean's offhand remark about Ronnie renting space in Matt's brain was dead on, not that Matt would ever admit it to him. Seeing her so rattled by her father's surprise return had messed with him. He hated seeing her upset, hated knowing he couldn't fix it. And if that wasn't enough, there was Ethan's party, her sharp words still cutting into him like a blade.
"Matt!" A voice sliced through his thoughts.
He looked up and groaned internally. Miss Patty was standing in front of her studio, her smile wide and mischievous. Of course. Because nothing screamed "Stars Hollow evening" like an unsolicited heart-to-heart with Miss Patty.
"Evening, Miss Patty," he said, mustering a polite smile.
She waved him over with a dramatic flair. "Come here, my favorite hockey star. I need a word."
Resigned, Matt approached. "What's up?"
"Well," she began, adjusting the scarf draped over her shoulder, "I just wanted to confirm that you and Ronnie are all set for the Founders Day Festival decorations tomorrow."
Matt blinked. "Decorations?"
Miss Patty sighed like she was dealing with a particularly slow student. "Yes, decorations. You two were a vision during Thanksgiving. Everyone's talking about it. Naturally, I signed you up again."
Matt ran a hand through his hair, trying to recall this supposed conversation. "Right. Decorations. Totally remember now."
Miss Patty gave him a knowing look, one eyebrow arched. "I swear, that girl keeps you in line. The two of you are like peanut butter and jelly. You are still a team, right? The whole town would be heartbroken if you weren't."
Matt coughed awkwardly. "We're fine. Just, uh, busy."
Patty patted his arm, her expression softening. "Good to hear. Young love can be so fragile."
"Not love," Matt muttered under his breath, too quiet for her to catch.
"What was that, darling?"
"Nothing. We'll be there," he said quickly, eager to escape.
As he walked away, he couldn't help but shake his head. Stars Hollow: where even your internal crises became public discourse.
---
The next evening, Matt found Ronnie outside the diner, surrounded by a jumble of fairy lights, paper lanterns, and ribbons. She was hunched over, untangling a particularly stubborn strand of lights, her brow furrowed in concentration.
