( 𝘨𝘪𝘧: 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘫𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 ) 

Cherry Doose was not a morning person. So when her grandfather forced her to open Doose's Market before going to school, she forced her best friend Dean to open up with her. After a lot of convincing ( and the offer of half her tips ), he agreed to wake up at seven am to help her. Which she was extremely grateful for, as she was still half asleep half an hour later. Lifting one of the crates, she had nearly walked into a wall. Luckily, Dean managed to swerve her out of the way in time. Otherwise it would have been disastrous. 

"Ha-ha! Finished." Cherry glanced at the vintage watch that was strapped on her wrist. "And I have time to decorate my school locker before class."

Dean gave her an amused glance as he dusted off his hands. "I dread to think. Last year it was photos of Harrison Ford and a lot of pink sparkles. I don't think anything can beat that."

"I'm more into John Bender vibes this year. He's got that criminal bad boy vibe that's cute." 

"I'm not sure John Bender and sparkles would go together tho." Dean chuckled when Cherry threw him a grape that hit the back of his head. "Hey! I don't think Taylor would like that. You wanna get me fired?"

"Oh no, what would I do with my sidekick?" Cherry drawled sarcastically, earning an eye roll from the tall lanky boy. "Besides, my grandfather is too busy trying to open a candy store next to Luke's dinner to even notice." the blonde took off her green apron, hanging it near the entrance.

Dean raised an eyebrow. "Next to Luke's? His he trying to get himself killed?"

"Pretty much, yeah."

"Well, wish him good luck from me. God knows he will need it to convince Luke." Cherry gave him a grin and nodded. "I'll lock up for you, Cher." 

Cherry's eyes lit up, sparkling under the luminous supermarket lights. "Really? You're a life saver. I might even have time to print some pictures of Johnny Depp for my locker too." she threw Dean the keys of the market and grabbed her purse. "We still on for pizza later? I rented Jaws and my mother misses you coming over."

Dean gave her a sheepish smile. "Sorry, I have a study date with Rory."

"Ooh, date night?" Cherry wiggled her eyebrows as he nodded. "Well, don't let me intrude, we can just do a rain check." she paused at the entrance, throwing back a look at him. "So...you and Rory are good? I don't need to accidently run her over again, right?"

Dean widened his eyes, the corner of his lips tugging upwards. "That was you? You bitch!" Cherry threw her head back and laughed, shrugging her shoulders as she pressed a finger to her lips. "Rory was so mad about that. But uhm, yeah, we're good."

"Good." she pressed her lips together in contempt. "Well, have fun on your date. No dirty business. Then again, knowing Rory, she probably does intend to study."

Dean shook his head in laughter, pointing at the door. "Leave!" Cherry lifted her arms in surrender, exiting her grandfather's marker. Her face was hit with the sharp autumn wind as she walked down the empty streets of Stars Hallow. The only school of the town wasn't too far off, but even then the cold was unbearable to the youngest Doose. Wrapping her jacket tighter around her shoulder, she took a sharp inhale of morning air.

She had a good feeling that it would be a good day.

It had been the shittiest day ever.

Decorating her locker had been the only highlight. Once she had received her schedule, Cherry had realised that she had every subject she hated that day; chemistry, biology, pe, geography and business. To be fair, the only class Cherry enjoyed was photography. If she could drop the rest, she would in an instant. It was in times like those she wished she had Rory Gilmore's brains. 

But the school day had finally come to an end, and Cherry had practically run out, heading straight to Luke's Diner for her daily cup of coffee. Drumming her fingers impatiently, Cherry awaited sat on the counter, her shoulders slumped over. Luke finally slid a mug of coffee towards her, a dirty cloth draped over his shoulder as he gave her a nod.

"You know coffee is an addicting, bad habit. Your mother and Lorelai have been a bad influence on you." Cherry took a sip, smiling over the edge of the mug at a stern Luke,

"You're getting my money for this coffee. If you keep bitching about my unhealthiness, I might go to Al's for coffee." Cherry smirked when Luke opened his mouth and then shut it, shaking his head. 

"You teenagers, all the same." he muttered as he wiped the counter clean. The bell above the door chimmed, indicated someone had entered. Luke looked up, and his posture straightened. "Lorelai. Coffee?" 

Lorelai nodded, taking a seat beside Cherry. "Hey Cherry. How was school?"

"Shit." the blonde answered, drinking her own coffee. Lorelai nodded awkwardly. While she was good friends with Bethany Doose, Cherry always seemed like a mystery to her. So unlike Rory altogether. 

"So...Luke, is he here?" Luke nodded, giving Lorelai her coffee. Cherry lifted her head, piqued with curiosity. "Where is he?"

"Out." 

"But...where out?" when Luke shrugged, Lorelai frowned. "You don't know where he is? But he's new, he doesn't know is way round. He could be at the liquor store for all you know." 

Cherry hummed in agreement, putting her mug down. "If I had just moved here, that's the first place I would go." Luke sent the blonde a weirded out look, as Lorelai raised he reyebrows as if to make a point. 

"Ignoring that...do you think if he actually intended to go to the liquor store, that he would tell me? Cherry, don't answer that." the blonde closed her mouth bashfully, raising her arms in defence. The door's bell chimed again, and Luke clapped his hands. "Jess! Come, I want you to meet someone. This is Lorelai Gilmore, and here is Cherry Doose. She's your age."

Cherry made her stool swing around, and met Jess' cold eyes. Jess stopped in his tracks, frowning slightly as he stared at Cherry. Everyone who saw her for the first time did the same thing, and she knew exactly what it was. The crazy blonde curls that sat on her hair. He raised an eyebrow, remaining a stoic look on his face as he walked behind the counter.

"I didn't know Chewbacca went blonde." Jess drawled, leaning behind on a stool. Lorelai snorted in laughter, quickly hiding it behind her hand as Cherry sent her a glare. 

Cherry looked away from him, turning to Luke. "Luke! You didn't tell me Snow White was sending one of her grumpy dwarves to Stars Hollow." this time Lorelai didn't bother hiding her laughter, which annoyed Jess even further. Cherry smirked at him, and by the surprised look on his face, she could tell that not a lot of people had spoken back to him. "What, pretty boy? Thought you can intimidate everyone?"

Luke rolled his eyes, lifting his sleeves sternly. "Now, come on you two. Cherry, I was hoping you would give him a tour of the town?"

"What, to this wannabe emo?"

Jess clicked his fingers, pointing his finger at the blonde. "I just realised where I recognised you from. Didn't you play the lion in 'The Wizard of Oz'?" 

Cherry licked her lips, giving Luke a sarcastic, tight smile. "You know what? I'd love to give him a tour." she stood up, linking her arm with Jess who looked at her weirdly. "We'll have a splendind time, won't we Jessica?"

"It's Jess." he grumbled under his breath, making her grin become wider. 

"Same thing." dragging him along, she grabbed a donut and stuffed it in her mouth. "Add that to my    ." 

Jess looked at her disgusted. "Are those enough calories there?"

"You know what? Add it to Jess' debts." the boy started to protest, drowned by other clients who entered the diner. Once they were outside, Jess pulled away from her touch, and they both stared at each other intensely, daring the other to back away. "So, the tour. Where do you wanna start? The alley where they sell drugs? Or maybe to get yourself a new leather jacket. It looks like you're trying to hard to be James Dean." Jess rolled his eyes, and digging his hands into his pockets he started to walk away, making Cherry frown. "Hey, where are you going?"

Jess stopped in his tracks, swivelling around to retort at her. "God, you're even more annoying than than film about puppets."

Cherry raised an amused eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest. "You mean the Muppets?"

"That's the one." he added sarcastically, trying to walk away again. Once he realised Cherry was still following, he groaned, running his hand through his hair. "What do you want?"

"I was promised a tour. Surely you want to know where to get the liquor?"

Jess attempted to consider. "If I say yes, will you promise not to talk to me ever again?"

"I can promise not to talk to you for twenty four hours." when Jess rolled his eyes, Cherru shrugged amused. "It's better than nothing. Otherwise, I can follow you for the rest of the day."

"You wouldn't."

Cherry raised an eyebrow. "Try me."

Jess exhaled irritatedly, but waved his hand to allow Cherry start her tour. The blonde smiled triumphantly, which Jess ignored as he followed her, shoulders slumped as he stared at the town with hatred. It was so different to New York. Less people, yet seemingly more annoying. All they cared about was prying into other people's business. And then it was the fake cheeriness. The children doing summer salts and the playful chatter. The fact that everyone seemed to lack brain cells. Glancing at Cherry, who was busy talking about the town, he frowned. The only person who had managed to be honest towards him and insult him back with no hesitance. Jess didn't know how to feel about that.

"-and that's my grandfather over there, Taylor Doose. He's the what you could call major of this town." she paused, approaching grandfather.

"Wow, looks like your whole family came from the circus. Don't think that's excluding you." Cherry glared at him, but before she could retort, her grandfather approached the two teenagers. Looking at Jess up and down, he threw his granddaughter a weary look, which didn't go unnoticed by Jess. 

"Cherry! Who's this...gentleman who's accompanying you?" Jess nearly scoffed.

"This is Jess, Luke's nephew. Don't worry about the frown, he's trying to replace that grumpy cat. And if you look close enough, he resembles a young Johnny Depp, but like, more pasty?" Cherry smirked, feeling Jess' glare at the back of her neck. Taylor nodded, raising his eyebrows, not understanding any of his granddaughter's references. That happened usually.

"Nice to meet you Jess."

"Same to you, sir. I really have to go now. Nice tour." Jess added sarcastically, quickly leaving Cherry behind as if he could escape her. Cherry frowned, watching him go. She had to admit, that was enough of Jess that she could handle for a day. And she doubted he actually listened to any of the tour anyways. 

Cherry hoped she wouldn't have to see him often.

Cherry stormed down the streets of Stars Hollow. People quickly moved out of her way once the saw the ball of blonde curls rushing down, glancing back at her in confusion. It was nearing nine pm, so the street lights were on as it was rather dark. She was looking for someone who she no doubted would be outside at this time of night.

She soon spotted him, leaning on a bus stop with a cigarette hanging from his lip. The lighter was in his hand, and he was about to turn it out before seeing Cherry approach him. With a loud groan he turned away, but the blonde was faster, stood in front of him with an angry look on her face which made him stop in his tracks.

"What the hell, Mariano?" Jess smirked when he saw what Cherry was holding; a gnome with a blonde curly wig superglued to its head and a red nose that resembled a clown. "You think this is funny?"

"Hilarious, actually. Please give my congratulations to whoever did it." Jess stepped sideways as he continued walking, dropping his cigarette in the garbage bin. Cherry soon started to walk next to him, matching his speed.

Cherry scoffed. "Please don't act all innocent, you're not that good of an actor."

"You got any proof?" Jess smirked when Cherry kept quiet, gaping at her. He walked away, leaving her standing with a gnome in her hand and a frown. "Also, I thought we agreed not to talk for twenty-four hours."

"Wannabe John Bender!" she shouted behind him, frowning even deeper when she heard him chuckle.

"At least I don't look like I'm twelve years old!"

"I'm sixteen-" Jess turned round a corner, and if he heard her, he didn't make any comment. Cherry stood there for a few beats of silence, silently planning her revenge before stomping home, realising that Jess had broken a new record;

She hated Jess Mariano, faster than anyone she had ever met before.

it was so hard deciding how to start this love-hate relationship, but trust me it gets better from now on. 

also, the chapters are gonna be named over 'insults' or nicknames they give each other, which i thought would be funny/cute, definitely a bit more romantic once we develop the relationship.

hop you like cherry! she's a feisty one. wait for all the insults i've got prepared