( chapter four ! )
"The Bracebridge Dinner"

"DEANO," Lane greeted the tall boy as she and a shivering Olive exited the school.

"Hi Lane, Olive."

"It's so c-cold," Olive stuttered, wrapping her arms around herself to try and keep warm.The Mariano girl has never been a fan of Winter. She likes the scenery, yes, but it's way to cold for her liking. She has always enjoyed Fall more.

"Are you guys going to this big shindig at the inn," Dean questioned.

"Yup," Olive nodded. She was invited along with her brother and uncle to the Inn for something called the 'Bracebridge Dinner'. She has no clue what it is, but she's excited anyways.

"Me too. I'm just trying to trick my mom into not going," Lane frowned. Olive sympathetically patted her new friend on the back. She has heard all about Mrs. Kim. She hasn't had the pleasure of meeting her yet, though Lane said it's a pleasure that she hasn't.

Dean chuckled, "and how's that coming along?"

"How's that Pixies reunion coming along?"

"Well I'll see you and your mom there."

"Bye."

"Bye."

"Bye," Olive smiled at Lane as she left. "Have you seen Jess?" She asked, not having seen her brother all day. Just as Dean was about to answer they saw Jess in a fist fight with another dude. "Never mind," Olive sighed.

"Whoa! Hey! Guys!" Dean shouted as he ran over to the two teenagers. Olives eyes widen as she quickly chases after him, though it more of a waddle because of how cold she is. "Guys come on, break it up." The taller boy ordered, pulling Jess away after he punches the other guy. The female Mariano cringed when she saw her twin take a swing at Dean.

"Jesus, Jess, stop!" Olive shouted at her brother. She was honestly getting sick of him. The twins are going through a rough patch at the moment, and Olive doesn't like it, at all. When they were younger they did everything together, and now, Jess barley says three words to her.

"Jess, knock in off man!" Dean spat, pushing the Mariano boy away from him. "What the hell is your problem?!"

Jess smirks, "nothin."

"You saw it was me, Jess! Why'd you keep punching?"

"I had momentum," He shrugged casually.

The taller boy sighed, "I was trying to help you."

"I don't need your help," Jess scoffed. "But thanks for offering," he rolled his eyes and started making his way off of school property, Olive right behind him.

"Hey, Jess, can we play cards tonight? You know...like we used too." Olive asked shyly, her voice laced with hope.

"Can't, I'm busy."

"Okay," She whispered, watching as he picked up his pace. "Can't say I'm surprised."

OLIVE SAT ON THE coach in the Independence Inn, Eric right beside her. It was the night of The Bracebridge dinner, something Olive has been looking forward to for the whole week. She loves the town of Stars Hallow. The people are crazy, yes, but they're awesome to be around. She just needs something to get her mind off of her brother. And a weird ass meal with weird ass people is the way to do it.

"Where did you get that?" Eric questioned when he noticed the Champaign in Olives right hand.

Olive smirked, "I snatched it from some lady. I have always wanted to try it." She shrugged as she went to take a sip, but let out a yelp of surprise when it was snatched from her. "Luke!"

"Thank you for the drink," The diner owner smiled mockingly, taking a sip. Olive and Eric watched in amusement as Lukes face twisted into disgust before quickly spitting it back in the glass. "I hate Champagne," and with that, he walked away. Leaving two laughing teenagers in his wake.

"Oh, I love that guy."

"Everyone! Everyone," Lorelai shouted, getting the towns attention. "First of all, I want to the first-annual and probably-never-to-be-held-again-because-Sookie's-on-the-verge-of-a-nervous-breakdown, Bracebridge Dinner.

"I'm fine," Sookie laughs, "Everything's fine."

"I also want to thank Mother Nature for snowing in The Trelling Paper Company in Chicago so I could throw this great party for all my friends instead. It's a very special night, and so, since I don't get to eat unbelievably strange food with my friends everyday. I have arranged a little surprise. Outside as we speak, is a line of horse-drawn sleighs and everybody gets a ride."

Olives eyes lit up with excitement as she applauded along with the rest of the town. She raised an eyebrow in question at the boy beside her. Who now had wide eyes and a look of terror on his face. "You ok?"

"Fine," Eric squeaked, making Olive's face twist into confusion.

Before she could say something, Lorelai started speaking again. "So line up and keep in order. There's only two per sled, and no cutting in front of each other! That goes for everyone, except me, cause I'll be damed if I'm gonna miss a ride on a horse-drawn sleigh."

"Come on, Eric, let's go !" Olive exclaimed in excitement, grabbing the still frozen boys hand and dragging him towards the exit and out the door. Just as they started approaching an empty carriage, Eric dug his feet into the ground making the pair come to a sudden halt. Olive looked back at him in concern. "Okay! What's wrong with you?"

"I'm scared of Horses," Eric whispers. So quietly Olive didn't hear it.

"Pardon?"

"I'm scared of horses," he said louder this time, his face turning red in embarrassment. He expected her to laugh, But was surprised when she grinned at him.

"And I didn't think you could get anymore adorable," the brunette cooed, ruffling his hair. This causing his face turned redder, if that was even possible. "Don't worry," She winked, "I'll protect you." And with that she walked over to an empty sleigh, hopping in and patting the seat next to her and looking at Eric expectantly.

"Okay, you can do this." Eric mumbled over and over to himself as he took a seat in the sleigh. Olive noticed his nervousness and snuggled into his side, taking the boy by surprise. He smiled softly, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. Completely forgetting about the horses as the carriage started moving.

"It's so beautiful," The Female Mariano says in aw as she looked around the beautiful town that was decorated for Christmas and covered in snow.

"Yeah," the blond boy whispers.

"Your looking at me, aren't you." Olive laughed, turning to face him. Her brown eyes meeting his blue. "Damn you're so cliché."

"Uh-um-I Don't-I mean-"Eric was cut off by a pair lips being placed over his. Olive pulled away after a second, giggling and snuggling closer into his chest.

"So...are you free next Saturday?" Olive asked the frozen boy, snapping him out of his trance.

"Yeah," He he breathed, his eyes wide.  "I'll check my schedule."

"So you're free."

"Yup! I have no social life."

—

  "QUITE PLEASE, EVERYBODY!" Lorelai yelled over the excited chatter of the town who were now situated in the Dinning room, waiting for the meal to be served. Once it was quiet she continued, "Before the button popping and bloating can commence, say cheese." She held up a camera, taking a quick picture as everyone shouted 'Cheese'. "Uh, now, ladies and gentleman, Damian and Herren, the moment we've all been waiting for. I give you the Bracebridge dinner."

  "Oh! hold it!" Sookie exclaimed, running into the room with her hands in the air. "We just need a quick minute please," The chef giggled, disappearing back into the kitchen.

  "Which will be starting in one quick minute."

    "You ever think about that?" Bootsy says to Luke, "you can't have a quick minute because it's always sixty seconds?"

  Olive and Luke made eye contact, rolling their eyes in sink before looking back at the odd man. "Shut up!"

  "Welcome Lords...and ladies." Simone said, getting everyone's attention. Olive recognized the short man speaking to be Rune; Eric told her about him. He was dressed in an odd outfit with a scroll in his hands. "I call upon these spiritual horns to commence our proceedings," As the horns start to blow, Rune rubs his ear and pushes the horn out of his face. "Hey Chuck Mangione, want to back it up a step?" He snapped, clearing his throat and quickly snapping back into character. "And now fair people, I present my lord and master, The Honourable Squire Bracebridge." The horns blow again, startling Olive and making her jump, causing Jess to scoff and roll his eyes.

  Olive ignores his sour attitude and instead pays attention to Jackson. Who comes out as the horns blow wearing a funny outfit similar to Runes with a funny hat.

  "Lo! Now has come our joyfullest feast. Let Everyman be jolly! Ho! Ho! Ho!"

  "We should have eaten before we came," Jess grumbled, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else then here.

  "Jess!" Olive scolds.

  "Shh...and yeah," Luke sighed.

  The brunette rolls her eyes and hits them both on the back of the head. "Behave!" She snaps. Luke and Jess are more alike then they'd like to admit.

  'Jackson' takes a seat at the table at the front of the room. "Humble servant, bring us the first course to down with pleaser." He orders, picking up a spoon and tasting the soup after it's placed in front of him. "Mm. Methinks it be a butternut squash soup."

  "Ah, Methinks you'r right Squire Bracebridge, this and verily." Rune says, agreeing with Jackson.

  "Methinks," Olive mumbled in confusion. "Did they say Methinks?"

  "Methinks they did," Luke laughed, clearing his throat awkwardly after seeing his niece and nephew send him a 'really' look.

  "And Verily thus," Jackson laughed, trying the soup again. "'Tis perfection, but extremely hot."

  "My lord, you need aid. Wouldst thou have thee ice thy tongue?" Rune gasped dramatically.

  "Ah, nay, Rune, nay. To guests, to guest thou shalt serve the soup!"

  Jess and Luke stare down at their now full bowls of soup in slight disgust, while Olive starts eating without a care in the world.

  "What's the white stuff?" Jess asked.

  "I think it's cheese," Luke tilted his head to the side as he studied the soup, "or cream."

  "And the green stuff?"

  "I think it's best picked off."

_

  "MY LORD, shall dessert be served?" Rune asked after moving the horns out of his face again.

  "Anon, humble servant." Jackson dismisses Rune, who bows and walks away.

  "Are you okay?" Olive heard a voice ask, she looked to her left and saw a little girl talking to Bootsy may have had a little to much to drink. Okay, a lot.

  "I guess so," he says staring straight ahead. "I've lost track of how many beers I've had."

  "Seven." The girl informs, leaving the table.

  "Oh, good."

  Olive sighs, reaching across the table and giving him a glass of water. "You need this more then I do."

-

  OLIVE TRUDGED behind her brother and Luke as they walked down the Inns stairs. She got to spend the evening stuck in a room with two stinky males— that's is sadly her everyday life.

  She thanked Lorelai and headed towards the door, sending a wink Eric's way, causing the boy to blush and Olive to grin.

  She may have to share an apartment with two smelling annoying dudes, but at least one good thing came out of the move.

  And his name is Eric Gilmore.