❝CHICAGO BOY❞
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⋆𐙚₊˚⊹ chapter nine,
Gilmore Girls — Season One

September 11th, 2000

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[ LUCY'S POV ]

     I SIT AT THE COUNTER IN THE DINER WITH MY FOURTH CUP OF COFFEE. I have my book on the counter, my eyes skimming the words as my foot anxiously hits the floor. I have ten minutes before I need to leave for school, meaning I can afford to drink a fifth cup. 

     The diner has been open for an hour and I've tried to remain lively as the usual morning crowd barrel in, waving and smiling towards me. Dad stands across from me, his hand snatching the cup of coffee straight out of my hands before I have a chance to finish it. I open my mouth to object but my dad speaks first, "It's seven in the morning and you've had four cups, Luciana. I'm cutting you off."

     "Dad—"

     "Don't dad me."

     I groan, my head falling against my hand. When Dad steps away, I move swiftly, snatching the coffee pot and a mug to pour myself half a cup before I have to head off to school. To avoid Dad catching me, I rush to the kitchen to hide away and down the remains.

     "Fifth cup?"

     I flinch, forgetting that there's staff in the kitchen. I chuckle awkwardly at Caesar, taking another sip. "Don't tell my dad," I threaten, finishing the last of my coffee before placing the mug in the sink. "See you later, Caesar."

     I wave something of a goodbye to him before stepping back into the diner, my face crashing straight into my dad's chest.

    He looks at me like he knows what I've done. "You just drank more, didn't you?"

     I gasp dramatically, pretending to act offended as I slap a hand over my chest. "How dare you accuse me of such an act. I—"

     "I can't believe you," he deadpans, stepping past me quickly.

     I collect my bag from the chair, and throw it over my shoulder before I look to the clock. I have to meet Addy before school. Addy doesn't usually stop by the diner in the mornings so I always meet her at the gazebo.

     I steps behind the counter, peering around to look into the kitchen. "Hey, I gotta go, Dad." She waves towards him and Caesar. "Love you."

     "Love you too, kid. See you later."

I rush out of the diner, and I hold open the door for a few customers before stepping away. I thank a car that allows me to across the road, and I find my best friend sitting on the gazebo steps. A couple sheets of paper sit on her lap, and it looks like she's studying. "Is Adelaide Sloane doing work or am I dreaming?" I ask with a gasp, laughing when Addy rolls her eyes.

"Math," Addy groans, dropping her pen on her paper. "See, I did listen to you, Luce."

"Ad, we annotated poems yesterday." Addy scrunches up her face in confusion while I lean against the pillar. "Need any help?"

"No, but thank you, lovely." Addy rises to her feet, pushing her book and work back into her bag. Her arm latches around mine, and she begins to string me along, and I follow pursuit. She leans her head into my shoulder and sighs.

"Where's Nate?" I ask.

"He's gonna meet us in class," Addy replies, and I nod. "Also, Rory Gilmore has officially left for Chilton."

"Good for her." I already knew that Rory had left as I had watched Lorelai and Rory drive past earlier when I was on my second cup of coffee. I still didn't get to wish Rory luck or congratulate her on getting into Chilton, but I really hope she does have a good first day.

Me and Addy step into Stars Hollow High, and we're instantly greeted by Nathan who is throwing his arm around Addy and pushing a kiss against her head.

We step into class, and we move to the back, passing the usual troublesome students. I realise that this is the class where I sit in between Nathan and Addy because they talk a little too much when they're alongside one another, and they constantly disrupt class.

     The class is quick and painless, and I'm quick to leave. As I leave, Addy's hands plant against my shoulders and I turn to look at her. "There's a party this weekend. You coming?"

     "Can't," I say as I reach my locker.

     "Why not?"Addy whines.

     "I have plans," I say, and I'm not exactly lying.

     "Can't you just skip it this weekend?" Addy suggests, her head leaning against the lockers next to mine.

     I shake my head. "I never miss one."

     "Is this the whole dad-daughter dinner thing?" Nathan asks and Addy hums in agreement, and I sigh, knowing they aren't happy with how much time I spend with my dad compared to them. "Can't you skip just one. You have one every weekend."

     I don't hesitate in my response, "Sorry, guys. I can't."

     I've had standing plans every Saturday night with my dad since I was a kid.

     Every Saturday night, when the diner is about to close, me and Dad go to Sniffy's Tavern. We go for our birthday's but we always— without fail— go on Saturday's. On those Saturday's that we go to Sniffy's, we eat all the food we want and drink all we want. I love Saturday night dinners with my dad, mainly because it gives me a chance to talk with him without the pressure of running the diner. These dinners have been a Danes' tradition since I was a kid, and I'd hate to even miss one.

     I'm fifteen and I still adore every second I spend with my dad. I cherish the moments I share with him, and some say that we're freakishly linked because of how close we are. I know I'm a teenager and I should be out partying on a Saturday night but I'd much rather spend the evening with my dad.

     I have the opportunity to forget all about my work and priorities, only focusing solely on my father and our standing relationship. It sounds sad but I do consider my dad to be my best friend— after Addy, of course.

     I look to Nathan and Addy, smiling sadly because I've once again cancelled on them. "I'll see you later. I'm sorry," I say, stepping past them to walk towards my class.

     Nathan quickly catches up with me, and we move towards our usual seats.

     I expect there to be an empty chair where Rory once sat but now... now there's a boy I've never seen before. I figured somebody would eventually take this seat, but I was hoping to use it as a holding place for my books until somebody claimed the chair.

     The stranger smiles and I feel rather awkward. I've never been good with new people and it's quite shocking that I actually made friends with Addy and Nathan because I'm truly terrible at talking to people. I smile politely, my eyes looking to Nathan who shrugs, obviously not bothered about the new person.

     I sit down, placing my bag at my feet, and I look towards the stranger who is already smiling in my direction. "Hi," I offer. "Are you new?"

     I know he's new. I just need something to ask him.

     "Yeah. My family moved here from Chicago. I'm Dean," he replies, and all I can do is nod because I haven't got a clue what to say.

     The only thing I say is, "Windy," and I'm relieved to see him grin in response.

     "Yep," he replies bluntly. "And... you are?"

     I haven't even introduced myself to him. Nice one, Luce. "Oh, sorry," I laugh awkwardly. "I'm Luciana— Lucy. It's nice to meet you."

     "Nice to meet you, Lucy," he says.

     Dean appears to be nice, but I've never been good at talking with strangers. Dean, on the other hand, seems like he knows what to say as he asks me another question, "Have you lived here your whole life?"

     "Yes," I answer quickly. "Well, technically, I was born in Hartford but I moved here with my dad. He owns the diner across the street and, well, he makes some of the best food in town so when you get chance, you should definitely check that out and..." I swallow my words, realising that I've been rambling in response to a simple question. "Sorry, I don't usually talk this much."

He chuckles. "It's okay. Don't worry." There's a beat of silence between us, and I feel I've made him uncomfortable but then he speaks again, "Also, I'll be sure to check out your diner. Thanks."

I smile politely and I get up enough courage to ask him a question, "Are you liking it here?"

"It's nice. The people are kind, you know?" I nod, realising that he's clearly not met Taylor yet, and when he does, his opinion will definitely change. "I've not properly checked out town yet, so..."

"There's a lot to see," I say, but in reality, there isn't really all that much to see. Take three left turns and you end up in the middle of town, but I don't say that to him. "I'd be happy to show you a couple places, starting with the diner, obviously."

"I might take you up on that offer. Thanks." I smile with a curt nod before I avert my eyes back towards the front where the teacher is scribbling down words on the chalkboard.

As I pull my books out, Dean leans over and asks, "Any chance I could read over some of your notes?"

"Of course." I hand him a couple papers as well as her textbook, hoping that would be enough for him.

"Thank you," he says, opening my textbook to the correct page. "These are... detailed."

I grin proudly. "I'm an avid note-taker."

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     I STAND BEHIND THE COUNTER WITH MY DAD THAT AFTERNOON. Our arms are crossed over our chests as we watch the people or Stars Hollow walk into the diner. Person after person. Group after group.

     I think I'm quite observant— nosey, as my dad says— but I prefer to say that I keep a watchful eye of those who walk through town. I've come to separate the regulars from the tourists, mainly because I've lived here my entire life and I know who lives in this town, and it was pretty obvious to recognise the people who don't live here.

     I watch Lorelai Gilmore walk in, and all eyes immediately fall on her, and my dad is instantly moving away from my side to assist her. Lorelai knows how to make eyes turn to look at her, including my dad's.

     "What are you doing here?" he asks.

     "See? Now, that's why you were voted Mr. Personality of the new millennium," Lorelai jokes, and I grin. Lorelai was somebody who knew how to make a joke, and her sarcasm only added to her charm. Sometimes, I wish I could respond to people the same way Lorelai Gilmore does. "Where's your crown?"

     Dad snatches the coffee pot from my hand as I try to pour myself a cup of coffee. I frown, rolling my eyes as he turns back to Lorelai. "I just mean you don't usually come in at this time," he says.

     It's true. Lorelai usually doesn't come in this early in the afternoon, usually stopping by later on when she finishes work at the Independence Inn. "I have to pick up Rory from school," she says as Dad pours her a cup of coffee. She notices. "Thank you."

     "You're welcome."

     "No lectures?"

     "My blood sugar's low. I'll eat an apple and get back to you."

     "God, this has been one hectic bizzaro day for me," Lorelai says, and I lean back against the counter, my hands around my half-empty cup of coffee.

     "Yeah?"

     "Yeah, this morning with the being late, and my mother with her existing. Oh, and this father, this father from Chilton, he drove out to the inn all the way from Hartford just to ask me out." Wow, that is one determined man.

     I speak before my dad does, "Stalker alert."

     I look towards Dad, trying to read his facial expression as he looks towards Lorelai. "Are you going?" he asks, which isn't surprising.

     "No." She shakes her head, picking up her coffee mug to take a sip. "He's got a kid in school with Rory and the whole thing just seemed a little weird."

     "Oh, good," Dad replies, and I raise one eyebrow, confused as to what that could possibly mean. From the look on Lorelai's face, she also wants to know what he means by "good."

     "Good?"

     I watch Dad inhale, and he turns his head to glance at a grinning me because I know, I know everything. "Yeah, I think it's good that you turned him down."

     "Okay." Lorelai doesn't seem convinced.

     Dad turns his head back to Lorelai quickly, realising he needs to save himself. "I mean, he's probably old, right?"

     "As old as you?" I ask, and Dad definitely chooses to ignore me.

     "Old?" Lorelai questions.

     "Yeah, I mean, he's got a kid in high school." As do you, Dad.

     "Well, so do I," Lorelai replies. "So do you." Lorelai points towards me, and Dad looks back at me, shaking his head.

     "Yeah, but you were young when you had Rory," Luke says, and I think he's digging himself into a hole, one that he likely can't get out of. "And, I wasn't exactly old when Lucy was born. Most people aren't that young. Most people are..."

     "Old," me and Lorelai mock.

     "Yeah."

     "Like this guy who asked me out," Lorelai confirms.

     Dad looks up at Lorelai to confirm, "But you're not going."

     Lorelai shakes her head, her coffee mug against her lips. "No... I'm not going."

     There's a beat of silence between them, and I'm not sure whether I should go do my job or something instead of standing here for my own entertainment. Anyway, before I have the chance to move, Lorelai's cellphone rings in her bag and she's reaching in to check. "That's me."

     Dad points to the sign behind him that reads, NO CELLPHONES as Lorelai picks up the phone. "Hello? Hi, Babette." There's talking on the other end before Lorelai says, "No, no, I'll be right there. Thanks." She hangs up the phone. "Um, I have to go."

     Lorelai is reaching into her purse to pay for the coffee but there's only a few occasions where Lorelai Gilmore actually pays for her coffee because Dad always dismisses her money like he does now. "Keep it. I gave you decaf."

     She puts her purse back in her bag, and I watch her get up from her chair and walk out of the diner, the bell ringing as the door shuts.

     I look from the door over to my dad who still has his eyes on the door, almost as if he's waiting to see if she'd come rushing back in and into his arms like some crappy romance movie. Dad can definitely sense my eyes on him as he turns his head to me. "What are you looking at?"

     "You," I reply, shrugging my shoulders. "Being blatantly obvious."

     Dad steps over to me, a pen and notebook in hand that he pushes into my hands. "Go do your job or I'll fire you," he demands.

     "You can't fire me," I argue.

     "You wanna bet?"

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