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2.13: a-tisket, a-tasket
❝ 17: a picnic date ❞
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✨ ☕️ ✨

It's been a few weeks now since her trip to New York, and surprisingly, no one questioned a thing. Not her dad, and definitely not her boyfriend. She had many doubts when she arrived back in Stars Hollow, half-expecting someone to ask about her sudden disappearance. But no one did.

In Everleigh's eyes it was a success.

Although she was proud of the trip and how smoothly it went, it was just a single day away from Stars Hollow, but now she had no choice but to get back to reality.

Back to Stars Hollow antics—like the basket auction charity being one of them.

Even to this day she had too many questions about why the event exists in the first place. Raising money for charity isn't the issue; it's how the town goes about it. According to Kirk, the women make baskets filled with goodies, and the men bid on them, leading to a picnic date between the two. It's... odd.

As she scans the shelves at Doose's Market, she picks up a few snacks for herself and Blaze, grabbing cupcake ingredients on the way.

Suddenly she feels a weight drop in her shopping basket. Glancing down, she notices chocolate bars but when she was met with the owner of the sweet treats, she wasn't amused.

Jess, leaning against the shelf, shrugs. "They're my favourites."

She narrows her eyes. "Why?"

Jess shrugs again. "Just giving a friend a little help."

Everleigh glances down at the basket—her snacks, Blaze's snacks, and now Jess's. Slowly putting two and two together and glares at him. "No. You can't be involved."

"I haven't done anything," he says, feigning innocence.

"But I know you," she counters, narrowing her eyes again. "So, drop whatever you're planning."

"I'm just helping a friend out with her date," Jess teases, smirking.

She rolls her eyes and continues walking down the aisle. "Why do I have a hard time believing you?"

"Beats me. Thought you said you knew me," he says, trailing behind her and continuing to drop random items into her basket.

She spins around and swats his hands away. "Will you stop?"

Jess rolls his eyes but finally complies, though he keeps close behind. Everleigh squints at him, waiting for his next move, but when he stays quiet, she goes back to shopping.

"So, you do consider it a date, then?" Jess asks casually.

"What?"

"The auction," he clarifies.

She eyes him warily. "Yes. It's a picnic date for whoever wins. Those are the rules, remember?"

"Huh—"

"Stop it," she warns, pointing a finger at him.

Jess grins, mimicking her by pointing a finger back at her. "False accusations will only get you into trouble, you know."

Everleigh sighs. "Alright, Mulder." She gives him a final look. "Just don't do anything stupid."

Jess walks backward with a smirk. "See you around, Robin."

"Mariano, I mean it!"

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"Jess is here," Lydia announces, scanning the crowd. Realising what she just said, she turns to Everleigh, confused. "Why is Jess here?"

Everleigh doesn't even glance in his direction, her eyes glued to the baskets arranged at the gazebo. "I don't even want to know."

"And so is Blaze," Lydia notes. "Jess and Blaze, both at the auction. I wonder what's about to unfold."

"Nothing's about to unfold," Everleigh says, her tone flat. "You're starting to sound like Miss Patty."

"Miss Patty's probably thinking the same thing," Lydia mutters, earning a look from her friend. "What? I'm just saying."

Here's the thing, Everleigh really didn't want to know why Jess was there. She knew why Blaze was,—being her boyfriend comes with certain obligations. But separating the men and women into two groups for the auction? She's said it before, and she'll say it again: Stars Hollow was a strange place filled with strange people doing strange things.

As the bidding went on, Everleigh watches the predictable couples win each other's baskets. It put the girl at ease, especially when Dean won Rory's basket. She had nothing to worry about.

That, however, didn't last long.

Taylor Doose stands at the front of the crowd, holding up Everleigh's basket with a flourish. "Alright, folks, next up we have this lovely basket from Everleigh! A delightful assortment of... well, whatever's in here."

The crowd gathers closer, whispering among themselves, but two pairs of eyes lock on the basket: Jess and Blaze. Both stand near the front, tension already rising between them, and everyone seem a bit too eager to see what was about to happen next.

Taylor clears his throat. "We'll start the bidding at five dollars."

Blaze immediately raises his hand. "Five dollars."

Jess doesn't hesitate. "Ten."

Everleigh closes her eyes, her shoulders dropping. "Oh, no."

"I told you." Lydia shrugs, shoving her hands into her coat pockets. Everleigh shoots her a look of annoyance.

Taylor blinks, already sensing where this is going. "Uh, okay... ten dollars from Jess. Do I hear fifteen?"

"Fifteen," Blaze snaps quickly, cutting through the murmur of the crowd.

"Twenty," Jess counters without missing a beat.

Taylor adjusts his glasses, looking between the two. "Are you two serious? It's just a basket of snacks!"

"Twenty-five," Blaze shoots back.

"Thirty," Jess responds, his voice calm but pointed.

Taylor raises an eyebrow, genuinely bewildered now. "Boys, this is getting ridiculous. I don't know what you think is in here, but it's definitely not worth—"

"Forty," Blaze interrupts, jaw clenched as he glares at Jess.

Jess smirks. "Fifty."

The crowd gasps. Everleigh and Lydia roll their eyes at the exaggeration, while Taylor throws his hands up in exasperation. "Fifty dollars?! For a basket of muffins and juice? Have you both completely lost your minds?"

"I'm never ever ever, doing this again." Everleigh mutters, covering her face with her hands.

"Yeah, I don't wish to be you, at all. " Lydia comments.

Blaze's eyes flicker toward Everleigh, catching the panic in her expression before he turns back to Jess. "Sixty."

Taylor shakes his head in disbelief. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but the bid is now sixty dollars. For this!" He waves the basket around, as if it's the most absurd thing in the world. "This... basket!"

Jess meets Blaze's glare head-on. "Seventy."

"You two are insane. Seventy dollars? What's next, your life savings?"

Blaze doesn't back down. "Eighty."

Even Taylor pauses for a moment, shaking his head like he's trying to wake up from a bizarre dream. "Eighty dollars, going once..."

Jess steps forward, eyes locked on Blaze. "One hundred."

"One hundred dollars?! Are you two hearing yourselves—"

Before he can finish, Blaze raises his hand again. "One-fifty."

Everleigh, couldn't believe what she was witnessing or hearing. If her dad wasn't in New York he would find this just as amusing as Lydia did. Everleigh was freaking out.

Taylor mutters under his breath. "Unbelievable."

"Two hundred," Jess said, his voice steady, not even flinching.

Taylor stares at Jess and Blaze, his mouth agape. "Two hundred dollars?! For a basket of snacks? This is lunacy! I mean, this is a picnic, not an art auction!" The crowd chuckles, but Taylor is over it. He isn't sure if these two teenagers even have that kind of money. So he finally ends it. "Sold to Jess for two hundred dollars. I hope you plan on framing this basket because it just set a new record for insanity in Stars Hollow."

Jess doesn't hesitate as he walks up to collect the basket, glancing briefly at Everleigh, who stands wide-eyed at the absurdity of it all. She glances at her boyfriend, who with no surprise was frustrated with the outcome. Instead of following Jess like she was meant to, she grabs her boyfriend's hand and pulls him away from the crowd.

Taylor wipes his brow, shaking his head. "I've witnessed plenty of oddities in this town, but this... this tops them all. And over a basket, no less!"

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"Did you know?" Blaze starts as soon as they're out of everyone's earshot.

"No," she admits honestly, but Blaze's expression suggested he wasn't buying it. "You have to believe me."

"Then why was Jess bidding?" Blaze presses. "I thought you said the town bidders are preplanned."

"They are, at least I thought they were," she explains. "It's Jess. What did you expect? He knows how to get under your skin. — This is his way of showing it, and you're letting him."

Blaze looks away, scoffing. "Yeah, well, he's been getting a bit too close to my girlfriend."

"Blaze..."

"Whatever." He shrugs. "He won — I didn't. No surprise there."

"But I'm your girlfriend, not his. Remember that. He just did it to annoy you," Everleigh insists.

"And he did, with two hundred dollars." Blaze's tone is heavy. She tries to argue, but he cuts her off. "Can you be quick with it so we can at least hang out later today?"

Her shoulders slump at the question, and she gives him a pitiful glance. "I don't know when I'll be back." Her boyfriend chuckles dryly. "As much as he can be a pain, I also consider him my best friend. I'll treat him the same way I would Lydia or Dean." Blaze stays silent, and she steps closer, cupping his face in her hands to make him look at her. "...Please?"

"I really can't stand him."

"I know. — To make it up for today, we can spend a whole day together tomorrow — just you and me — and you can stay at mine after."

There's a moment of silence between the couple as she waits on his response.

"Fine. Tomorrow will have to do," His tone mixed with relief and jealousy, a combination she can't quite place. But the feeling soon fades as he steps closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. She instinctively wraps her arms around his neck. His gaze roams her features, and a small, genuine smile appears on his face, "I love you."

Those three words are all she needs to feel reassured, and she couldn't help but grin. Just as she's about to say it back, someone else speaks up from behind her.

"Basket girl," Jess calls out. Everleigh tilts her head back, still wrapped in Blaze's embrace. Blaze's gaze shifts to Jess. "We have to honour our good deed."

Blaze opens his mouth, but Everleigh kisses his cheek to refocus his attention on her. As their eyes meet, she says, "I'll see you tomorrow."

The girl untangles herself from her boyfriend and makes her way to Jess but as soon as she's in a close proximity of him, she walks past him, without sparing a glance. Jess takes that as his cue to follow her.

There's silence between them, not a single word spoken during their walk. More so Jess waiting on Everleigh but she remains silent.

Sensing a vibe, he asks, "Are you mad at me or something?"

"What do you think?" she fires back, still not looking his way.

Jess laughs. "Oh come on, you can't seriously be mad over that."

Her irritation flares, and she stops in her tracks, turning to face him. Almost as if he anticipated her movement, he stops too. "Jess, I asked you not to do anything stupid, and this was by far the stupidest thing you've done — two hundred dollars, Jess. Are you serious?! Why?!"

"I didn't do anything stupid."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Spock, did you get your memory wiped or something?" she retorts.

"I didn't do anything stupid," Jess repeats, his voice calm. Everleigh arches a brow. "I did the opposite: bidding for a basket, giving money for charity — that's me doing something smart."

She rolls her eyes, turning back around as she continues walking. "You're unbelievable."

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"Do you have any questions before we cross the bridge?" Everleigh asks as they arrive at their destination.

Jess glances at her, puzzled. "Are you referring to me as a bridge troll?"

"Maybe," she replies with a smirk as he chuckles. She steps onto the bridge, following him. When he stops in the middle and sits on the edge, she pulls a face. "Why are we stopping?"

"You have your spot, I got mine." Jess says.

She presses her lips together, realising he was letting her in on a secret. She just wasn't expecting a bridge to be his place where he'd go to be alone but then again, the girl was in no place to judge. Instead, silently the girl sits down next to her friend.

From the corner of her eye, she notices Jess peeking through the basket for all the goodies she's packed, but there was no remarks from the girl.

The silence stretches longer than it should, Everleigh being the stubborn girl that she was, she couldn't give in that easily. It didn't help when Jess allowed her to stew as long as he could.

Finally, Jess breaks the silence. "Is this still bothering you, or are we past the whole 'angry at Jess' phase?"

Without another second passing by she fires back, "Can you blame me? You got me in trouble."

"Yeah, because I was really aiming for 'trouble' when I bid." Jess retorts back.

Everleigh turns to face him, her eyes wide. "Imagine if the roles were reversed and Blaze did the bidding. Wouldn't you be annoyed? Oh, I'm sorry, let's not forget the freaking two hundred dollars. "

"Annoyed? Yes. Angry? No." Jess says nonchalantly, ignoring the money comment.

"Yeah, right."

"If another guy was bidding on my girlfriend's basket, yeah, I'd be pretty annoyed. But angry? Nah. It's just a stupid auction, not the end of the world. " Jess says with a shrug, his eyes flicking to hers.

She furrows her brow. "Why not?"

Jess pauses, struggling to find the right words. Everleigh waits patiently, sensing his hesitation.

"Because I trust you."

The unexpected response surprised her.  Everleigh wasn't sure what she was waiting but those words wasn't on her list either.

She would like to think she knows Jess by now or be able to read him without him actually telling her. So hearing that surprised her. In fact, she started to feel all warm and fuzzy inside — a feeling she hasn't felt in a long time.

"That means a lot to me," she says softly, her voice tinged with genuine gratitude.

Jess gives a small, almost imperceptible smile. "Yeah, well, don't make me regret it."

Everleigh chuckles softly, her tension easing. "Trust me, I'm not planning to."

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The sun is beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the small bridge as Everleigh and Jess sit side by side. The earlier tension between them faded as they share stories and observations, their words intertwining effortlessly. It's only when the discussion turns to her past and she was left with explaining her first break up with Blaze and how her ex-best friend, Agnes, fits in the whole conversation. That's when the easygoing exchange takes on a more serious tone.

"You went back to him after that? You're worth more than some guy who'd do that to you." Jess says after hearing the story, his voice tinged with frustration.

Everleigh mentions, "Blaze treats me well. He always has."

Jess raises a brow, " Does he, though?"

She hesitates, "We have our issues, especially after moving to Stars Hollow, but he does treat me well."

"Since I got here, I've seen you two fight more than be a happy couple."Jess adds.

"You've just seen us at a bad time." The girl defends her relationship.

"Rory agrees with me."

She rolls her eyes, grumbling, "Rory needs to focus on her own relationship."

"She's not wrong."

"What's your point, Jess?" Everleigh sighs.

"You're probably the coolest person I've met," Jess starts, his voice a mix of teasing and something softer. "Annoying, sure, but I wouldn't change that for anything. Your boyfriend's too blind to realize how lucky he is... not everyone would be that stupid."

Jess Mariano wasn't known for wearing his heart on his sleeve; Everleigh was well aware of that. He hides behind humour, deflecting with quips and jabs, but when he does speaks with genuine feeling, it surprises her.

In those rare moments, she does feel a mix of confusion and warmth. Confusion because his sincerity is unexpected, and warmth because it reveals a side of him she rarely sees. Deep down, she understands that he values their friendship more than he lets on. For once, Everleigh finds herself without a sarcastic remark or clever retort. Instead, she's left contemplating how others in Stars Hollow miss this nuanced part of Jess, while she seems to see it so clearly—and she can't quite put her finger on why that is.

"Can I ask you a question?"

Jess shrugs, "You will ask anyways, no matter what answer I give you."

"Why are you only nice to me?" The girl asks genuinely.

"What?"

She sighs, "You love to throw a punch or two when it comes to Blaze, push Dean's buttons, unable to speak to Lorelai or anyone on that matter but when it comes to me... . — You're nothing like that. You're fun to be around with, kind and smart. I don't get it."

"Wow, Robin, you really had this whole speech prepared," Jess smirks.

"Jess... I just want to know why." Everleigh almost looks defeated.

"Know what exactly?"

"You're dodging my first question."

Jess retorts, "You know, your first question was actually just asking if you could ask me something."

The girl rolls her eyes, "Fine. My second question."

"That will have to wait." Jess suddenly stands up, "It would be for the best if head back where people can actually watch us, heard this town loves to gossip."

"I still want to know." Everleigh adds, standing up.

"You will."

"It's nothing serious, you can just tell me now."  The girl tries to push further.

"We should really get moving, before your boyfriend's anger hits the boiling point." Jess takes a step back.

"He will get over it. He always does."

"You think so? I could've sworn that guy's list of ways to end me has become longer than Les Misérables novel itself." Jess notes, pointing at her

"You give me a headache." She rolls her eyes, walking past him.

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The girl might have spent more time with Jess than she should've. In all honesty, she saw no problem in that, if it was Lydia, nothing would've been said. However, it was Stars Hollow. Everyone by now knew what happened at the bidding, Jess and Blaze made it memorable for everyone. So it really didn't come as a surprise walking back home and noticing her boyfriend sitting on the front porch. Waiting on her.

The enjoyable moments she once shared with Jess seem like a distant memory now, overshadowed by the tension with Blaze. Reaching the porch, she catches sight of Blaze and the weight of his displeased stance makes her heart sink. The town's whispers about her day with Jess had already started to feel like a heavy cloud hovering over her, but seeing Blaze's stony expression made it even harder to stay upbeat.

"How was the date?" Blaze's voice cuts through her thoughts.

Everleigh sighs, her frustration bubbling up. "Blaze..."

"So you're not going to correct it?"

The girl spins around to face him, "It wasn't a date."

He shrugs, "You could've said that from the beginning."

Everleigh rubs her temples, trying to stay calm, "You knew from the beginning it wasn't a date. So why make it out as it was. I'm not you —" She stops abruptly, her eyes widening, "Blaze, I didn't – I'm sorr—"

"Is this what it's going to be like now? Me getting thrown under the bus for things that weren't even my fault?" Blaze voice rise by each sentence, "I cut ties with Agnes because of you. Isn't that enough?"

Everleigh's face twists in confusion. "You didn't pull away either, so don't blame me for your actions," she snaps back, matching his tone, "You cut ties with Agnes, I didn't cut them for you, — you know what — it doesn't matter," she says, taking a deep breath. "I had a good day, and I'd like to keep it that way. I'll see you tomorrow." She steps forward to kiss his cheek, but he pulls away. The action itself made her stomach drop.

"So you had time for Jess the whole day but you can't spare at least few minutes with your boyfriend?" Blaze's voice is laced with hurt, and Everleigh can see it clearly in his eyes.

Everleigh feels a pang of confusion. "I told you we'd spend a whole day together tomorrow. What changed between now and then?"

"Well, I had time to think," Blaze admits, "and you being so okay with spending all this time with Jess didn't sit well with me."

She scoffs, frustration clear in her voice. "Get used to Jess being in my life; he's my best friend now." She rests her head in her hands before looking up again. "Like I said, I'll see you tomorrow."

She didn't wait on his response or reaction, she simply turned around, entering her home. Once the door shuts behind her, she presses her forehead against the doorframe, releasing a breath she hadn't realised she was holding.

She did have a good day, it was a fun day and for a moment she was at peace with Blaze while out with Jess. That was until the day was over and she was no longer at peace with her boyfriend.

The day went from yay to nay.

The floor creaks behind her, and she turns to see Lorelai standing there, a sympathetic look on her face.

"Hi, kiddo."

"So, how much did you hear?" Everleigh winces, feeling a mix of embarrassment and frustration.

"Depends how much is a much?" Lorelai tries.

Everleigh groans. "So everything?"

"Pretty much."

"Did my dad hear anything?"

"He heard some of it, but I don't think he realised it was you and Blaze."

"Good," Everleigh says, relieved. "Can you not tell him about this? Please."

"Yeah, sure, hon," Lorelai agrees, though her brows are furrowed with concern. "How long have you two been fighting like this?"

"Recently, a lot." The teen admits.

"Over Jess?"

"Over Jess."

Lorelai looks thoughtful for a moment before another voice interrupts.

"Eve?" Her dad emerges from the stairs, his tone full of concern. "Everything okay?"

Lorelai didn't miss a beat as Everleigh's dad approached. "Oh, hey there! Just another episode of 'As the World Turns—Stars Hollow Edition.' You know how it is." She flashes a playful grin but keeps her tone light, as if this is all just another quirky day in their small town.

Everleigh's dad narrows his eyes, concern still lingering. "You sure everything's okay? I heard arguing."

Before Everleigh can speak, Lorelai steps forward. "Arguing? No, no arguing here. More like... 'spirited debating'." She throws in air quotes and then leans in conspiratorially. "You ever see Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Think that, but with less alcohol and fewer sharp objects being thrown."

Everleigh shoots Lorelai a look, trying not to laugh despite the tension. "Not helping."

"Right. Right." Lorelai sighs. Everleigh's dad arches a brow, not buying any of it. In all fairness, Everleigh was just too ashamed of the situation to say anything. So the teen glances at Lorelai, allowing her to tell the truth. The woman then turns back to Everleigh's dad. "Look, Blaze and Everleigh just had a small disagreement. Nothing that would top our 'Crazy Stars Hollow Feuds' list, I promise."

Her dad still looks skeptical. "You sure about that?"

"Positive," Everleigh nods.

Lorelai chimes in, "If it were serious, we'd be out back with shovels and a suspiciously large rug. But see? All limbs accounted for." She gives a mock salute, but softens when she glances at Everleigh, knowing there's more to the story.

Everleigh's dad eyes his daughter one last time. "Alright. If you're sure."

"I'm sure, Dad," Everleigh assures, managing a small smile. "We're just... working through some stuff."

He hesitates for a moment, his brows knitting together, before stepping closer and resting a hand on her shoulder. "Alright, Eve. Just... don't let it eat at you, okay? We can talk, anytime."

She offers a small, reassuring smile. "I know. Thanks, Dad."

He gives her a brief nod, then glances between her and Lorelai, "I'll be in my office if you need me."

"Will do." Everleigh says.

Both females watches him start back up the stairs and, once he's out of earshot, Lorelai lowers her voice. "Spirited debating, huh? Look at me, already covering for your teen drama like I'm in the cast of Dawson's Creek."

Everleigh lets out a sigh of relief, sinking into herself. "Thanks."

Lorelai tilts her head, her expression softening. "So, you and Jess?"

"Just friends."

"Blaze doesn't see it that way?"

Everleigh shakes her head. "Not even a little."

Lorelai purses her lips thoughtfully, then gives a small shrug. "Well, I guess every good love triangle needs a little drama. You, Blaze, Jess—it's like Romeo and Juliet meets When Harry Met Sally. Except with fewer swords and more... coffee."

Everleigh cracks up at the reference but exhales heavily. "It's so frustrating. I don't know what to do. "

"Don't worry. I'll tell you this much—Blaze is not winning any Oscars for 'Best Boyfriend' tonight. But you? You handled it pretty well." Lorelai pats her arm gently.

"Thank you and thanks for all the attempts to lie for me." The girl says, scrunching up her nose.

"Hey, I'm an expert in parent dodging."

"Sure you are."

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LIFE BEFORE STARS HOLLOW
[ Chicago ]

The park in Chicago was quiet that day, except for the sounds of a basketball bouncing against the cracked pavement. Blaze leaned against the fence, tapping the ball absentmindedly while Dean paced beside him, his mind elsewhere. The familiar comfort of the ball in his hands was the only thing grounding him, as his thoughts swirled with everything he couldn't say out loud.

"Dude, just tell her how you feel," Dean finally breaks the silence, shooting Blaze an exasperated look.

Blaze's grip on the ball tightens. He tosses it from hand to hand, eyes fixed on the ground like it held the answer. "I can't," he mutters, his voice barely audible.

Dean rolls his eyes. "Why not?"

"Because she's our best friend." Blaze's voice wavers, the weight of those words sinking into his chest. It was more than that, though. Everleigh wasn't just any friend—she was Everleigh. The girl who got him. The one he could be completely himself around without any walls or pretense. Losing that... losing her... it wasn't a risk he was willing to take.

Dean stops pacing and stares at him, clearly unimpressed. "So? What's the big deal?"

Blaze sighs, his frustration bubbling under the surface. "What if she doesn't feel the same? What if I mess everything up? I can't—" He pauses. "I can't lose her."

There it was. The fear he couldn't shake. Everleigh was more than just a crush. She was the one person who made him feel seen. He couldn't screw that up with feelings that would probably blow over in time... right?

Dean folds his arms, narrowing his gaze at Blaze. "Dude... she likes you."

Blaze's eyes snap up to meet his friend's, his heart leaping into his throat. "How do you know that? Did she tell you?"

Dean grins, shaking his head. "Nope, but if she did, you know I'd spill it to you in five seconds flat."

Blaze groans, letting the ball drop at his feet. "What do I do then?"

"Just tell her. It's not that deep."

Blaze's stomach twists at the thought. "But it is," he insists. "If she doesn't feel the same, it'll ruin everything. I can't just pretend like it didn't happen. I can't lose her, Dean."

Dean's expression softens slightly, though his words stay blunt. "She'll get over it. You will too. It's just a crush."

But Blaze knows it isn't. He doesn't just like Everleigh. He needs her. She was the first person he thought about in the morning, and the last person on his mind before he went to sleep. She had this way of making even the smallest moments feel important, and the idea of losing that—losing her—scared him more than he'd ever admit out loud.

Before he could respond, Everleigh and Agnes appear from around the corner, walking toward them. His heart immediately races, pounding in his chest. Everything inside him goes into overdrive.

"She's coming this way. We have to go," Blaze mumbles, panic seeping into his voice as his eyes dart to the approaching girls.

Dean laughs, rolling his eyes. "Now you're acting weird."

As the girls approach, Everleigh's eyes flick between the two boys, her curious smile making Blaze's pulse quicken. There was that look again—the one that made him feel like she could see straight through him, into all the feelings he was trying to bury.

"Hi," Blaze blurts out, his voice a little too eager.

"Hi?" Everleigh repeats, raising an eyebrow at him, clearly amused by his sudden awkwardness.

"You look... pretty," he stammers, hating how lame it sounded.

Everleigh glances down at her baggy clothes and messy hair, confusion evident, before looking back at him with a bemused smile. "I know you're lying, but that was cute." She nudges his arm, the brief contact sending a jolt through him. The touch lingers longer than it should, and for a split second, Blaze wonders if she feels it too.

Agnes chuckles softly but doesn't comment, her eyes flicking between Everleigh and Blaze as if she was in on some inside joke. Everleigh opens her mouth to say something, but hesitates, her smile lingering before she speaks again.

"Anyway, we're heading over to grab snacks before going back to Agnes's house. Movie night. You guys coming?"

Blaze panics and Dean jumps in for him. "Uh, we'll catch up later. Go ahead."

Everleigh nods, giving Blaze one last glance, her smile soft. "Okay, see you later then."

As she walks away, Agnes gives a small wave, and Blaze watches Everleigh go, his heart still racing. Every moment with her was like this—charged with something more than friendship, something he couldn't ignore no matter how hard he tried.

When they're out of earshot, Dean elbows Blaze, his voice teasing. "Dude, you're hopeless."

Blaze lets out a shaky breath, eyes still trained on the spot where Everleigh had been. "Yeah... I know."

✁- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

i'm introducing 'life before stars hollow' filler scenes. which are gonna be your little insides of everleigh's and blaze's relationship before it was toxic. because believe it or not guys, they once were a very cutesy couple and blaze was actually a nice guy. these little scenes will take place in chicago way before season 1 began.

and happy gilmore girls season! im back on eating pop tarts, drinking more coffee than usual and rewatching classics.

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REFERENCES:

☕️ everleigh: "Alright, Mulder."

tv series— the x files ( 1993–2002 )

[ Mulder is known for his skepticism and paranoia, often seeing conspiracies everywhere. Everleigh uses this reference to highlight Jess's tendency to act secretive and mysterious, suggesting that he's behaving in a way that's overly suspicious. ]

—

☕️ everleigh: "I'm sorry, Mr. Spock, did you get your memories wiped or something?"

movie— Star Trek lll : The Search for Spock ( 1984 )

[ In the franchise Mr. Spock's memories are wiped after sacrificing himself in Star Trek ll so after he got resurrected he struggled to remember everything. Hence the reference. ]

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☕️everleigh: "Do you have any questions before we cross the bridge?"

☕️jess: "Are you referring to me as a bridge troll?"

folk tale—Bridge Troll

[ if you're not aware in various european folk tales, a bridge troll is a mythical creature that resides under bridges and often demands a toll or poses a challenge to those attempting to cross. so everleigh was just calling jess a troll because she was annoyed at him. ]

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☕️ jess: "I could've sworn that guy's list of ways to end me has become longer than Les Misérables novel itself."

novel—Les Misérables by Victor Hugo ( 1862 )

[ it's 1400 something pages long... why?! ]

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         ☕️ lorelai: "Just another episode of 'As the World Turns—Stars Hollow Edition.'"

soap opera ━ As the World Turns ( 1956–2010 )

[ lorelai was being dramatic with stars hollow knowing everyone's business similar to the soap opera ]

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          ☕️ lorelai : "You ever see Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Think that, but with less alcohol and fewer sharp objects being thrown."

movie adaptation━ Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf ( 1996 )

[ the film is known for intense arguments and dysfunction relationship between a married couple. but she was implying blaze's and eve's fight wasn't as toxic or dangerous ]

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☕️lorelai: "Look at me, already covering for your teen drama like I'm in the cast of Dawson's Creek."

tv series— Dawson's Creek ( 1998–2003 )

[ will i ever stop referencing dawson's creek? no. ]

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☕️lorelai: "You, Blaze, Jess—it's like Romeo and Juliet meets When Harry Met Sally. Except with fewer swords and more... coffee."

play—Romeo and Juliet ( 1597 )

movie—When Harry Met Sally ( 1989 )

[ lorelai was referencing eve and blaze as star-crossed lovers in a playful way and jess and eve as harry and sally. the movie's theme is basically 'can men and women really just stay friends?' ]

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