Gilmore Girls ~ Kayla Danes and Jake Forester

Introducing the Foresters

"Kayla, wake up!"

I sit up in my bed, my history book falling to the floor with a thud.

"Kayla," my dad says, knocking on my door.

"I'm up! What time is it?" I ask as I stand up.

"7:45," he replies.

"Crap, I'm going to be late!" I swap my sweats and tank top for a pair of camo shorts, leggings underneath them, and a black t-shirt. I pull on socks and my boots, slide my history textbook into my backpack, and brush my hair.

"Your lunch is with Cesar, grab it before you go," Dad reminds me.

I nod. "Love you, Dad!" I call as I rush downstairs. I slide behind the counter and pour myself a cup of coffee.

"Whoa, what's the rush, Flash?" I hear Loralei Gilmore ask.

"Hey, Loralei. I overslept. We have a history test and I stayed up late studying. More coffee?" I say.

"Please, if you don't mind." I pour more into her mug, quickly eat a donut, grab my lunch from Cesar, and rush out the door.

"Kayla, where have you been?" Lane asks as I rush into science holding coffee.

"I overslept studying for the stupid American Revolution test," I reply.

Slamming down the rest of my coffee, I twist in my seat and throw it into the trash can seconds before Mrs. Khalat walks in.

"Okay, everyone! Open your textbooks to page 63, we're beginning our dissection unit today."

I make a gagging motion towards Lane and Rory, who stifle their giggles.

"Miss Danes, read the first paragraph please."

I swallow. "Uh, okay. Dissection, what is it? Dissection is the action of dissecting a body or plant to study its internal parts."

I'm interrupted by the door opening and Principal Jameson walking in with a boy wearing a leather jacket, sporting a cute crewcut. Mental note, make this guy a friend.

"Ah, Mr. Forester. Right on time. Class, this is Jacob Forester. He's joining your classes, Miss Danes."

I freeze. Holy crap.

"Jacob, would you like to introduce yourself?" Mrs. Khalat asks him.

"Sure. I'm Jacob Forester, but I go by Jake. I have a twin brother named Dean, I love sports, and I play hockey, football, and baseball," he rattles off.

"Amazing. You can have a seat next to Miss Danes."

I raise my hand in a slight wave and he walks over to sit by me.

"Hey," he whispers when Mrs. Khalat turns her back.

"Hi," I reply.

"I'm Jake," he mumbles.

"Kayla."

Jake tears a piece of paper from his notebook and starts scribbling on it. 'I'm new here. Obviously. I'm from Chicago.'

I uncap my pen and start writing. 'I've lived here forever. You'll like it, I promise.'

Jake smiles at me. We make it through class while passing the paper back and forth, just getting to know each other. I show him a few doodles, and he responds with anything.

'Favorite song?' he asks.

'No Sleep Til Brooklyn by the Beastie Boys. What's yours?' I reply.