❝THE BEAUTY OF AUTUMN❞
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⋆𐙚₊˚⊹ chapter thirteen,
Gilmore Girls — Season One

October 12th, 2000

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[ LUCY'S POV ]

THE AUTUMN FESTIVAL is my all time favourite town event, but because I'm the daughter of the town-festival hater, I don't ever say that I like these insipid festivals. However, just because I can't voice how I feel about the festivals, I can certainly look at the beauty of autumn through the window of the diner.

     I thoroughly enjoy looking at the seasons change from summery green to autumnal orange. Decorations scatter the centre of town. There's pumpkins, streamers, and silly paper turkeys that I find amusing. My dad hates these silly festivals, and I have tried to subtly convince him many times in the past to decorate. Hell, he's even against decorating the diner for Christmas.

     While I'm disappointed Dad won't decorate for my favourite town event, Taylor Doose— the town selectman and mayor— is another level of displeased by my dad's decision to keep the diner bare and boring.

     Every year, like clockwork, Taylor stands in our diner and he follows my dad around like a headless chicken— turkey— hoping that he'll one day change his mind. Every year, I ignore their bickering, but this year, Taylor is right next to my ear while I try to drink my coffee peacefully.

     I nearly drop the cup from my hands when his voice comes too close to my ear. "Every other store in town has fall decorations."

     "Well, hurrah for the mob mentality," Dad says, his tone sarcastic.

     I breathe a sigh of relief when Taylor moves from his place next to me to begin following my dad from table to table as he serves customers. He blabbers in his ear, "We're talking a few streamers and a paper turkey. How is it gonna hurt to have a paper turkey?"

     Luke Danes— hater of all things festive— would never been seen with a paper turkey.

"No turkeys, no squash, no pumpkins— Nothing coloured orange." Dad steps around the counter with dirty dishes and he places them in front of me, and I would help but I take great entertainment in watching these two men bicker.

Taylor is leaning over the counter, trying to talk to Dad. "Okay, so you don't like orange. That's fine. Autumn has many varied hues to toy with."

"Excuse me, could we get some coffee, please?" Lorelai chimes, and I'm about to lift myself off the chair but Taylor stops me.

"And a muffin?" Rory adds on.

"Warmed?"

"This is the autumn festival. Your shop is right across the street from the horn of plenty! You're right smacked dab up in the middle of everything. You have to decorate," Taylor insists, but Taylor can beg and plead all he wants. Dad isn't going to decorate, and he never, ever will.

"I don't have to do anything but serve food."

"And coffee!" Lorelai shouts, her hand hitting the counter.

"And muffins!"

Dad still isn't serving the Gilmore's and I want to step over to them but Taylor is watching me with a close eye, forcing me to stay seated. "Taylor, I'm tired of havin' this conversation with you," Dad says, leaning across the counter to speak to him.

"Yoo-hoo!" Lorelai cheers, waving her arm around.

Taylor continues to ramble on in my ear, and my coffee is starting to taste bitter. "You have lived in Stars Hollow for a long time. It's time you became one of us." Taylor is pointing his finger towards Dad before moving to me. "It's time you let Lucy become one of us."

"Sorry, I guess my pod's defective."

"Hey, my mom's not wearing any underwear," Rory calls in the hopes of catching my dad's attention. Lorelai scoffs next to her, disappointed that her daughter told the entire diner about her not wearing any underwear. "Well, you aren't."

"You're being selfish, Luke," Taylor tells him. "We're talking about the spirit of fall."

Lorelai stands up from her chair, obviously frustrated that she's not being served, and she walks around the counter, something Dad doesn't like customers doing but he doesn't stop her because she's Lorelai Gilmore. "You know where you can stick the spirit of fall?" He shifts towards Lorelai quickly, holding tongs out to her so she doesn't pick the muffin up with her hands.

"Lucy, convince him," Taylor begs and I smile sympathetically because I've tried many times in the past to convince him.

"Absolutely not," I say.

"I don't think either of you are taking me seriously," Taylor complains, and I reach out for the coffee jug to pour myself another coffee.

"You've only just realised?" I say while Dad says, "What gave you that idea?"

Dad picks up the cash that Lorelai leaves for him. "No tip?" he questions, and I can't exactly blame her as he didn't exactly serve her.

She turns to face him, a hand on the door. "Oh, yeah. Here's a tip— serve your customers," she argues.

"Here's another. Don't sit on any cold benches," he bites back and I can't help but grin, my eyes moving from Lorelai and Rory to Taylor who is pulling out pilgrims from his pocket in the hopes that he can leave them here and Dad will accept them.

"Taylor, if you pull those pilgrims out of your pocket one more time..."

"I'm just trying to get you two in the spirit of autumn."

Dad and me look at each other before we send another threatening glance towards Taylor who begins to back away, hands in the air as he accepts his defeat. Despite loving the idea of decorating for autumn, I'm quite satisfied that we scared Taylor away. Again.

"I hate him," Dad says, his hands on the counter. He appears to be exaggerating when he says it again in a harsher tone, "I hate him."

"Happy Autumn, Dad." I smile to my frowning father. "Here's to the pilgrims."

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THAT AFTERNOON, AFTER I FINISH SCHOOL, DAD LEAVES ME IN CHARGE of the diner while he heads to the market to grab cream. He only leaves me in charge of the diner in the case of an emergency, and apparently "getting cream" is an emergency but I know he only wants to avoid the constant demands and glares of the townsfolk who want him to decorate for autumn.

"Order!" Caesar's hand hits the counter and I rush over to him, taking two plates and rushing over towards Patty's table where she sits with a friend of hers.

"Thank you, dear." I smiles towards Patty, and I'm about to walk off but Patty snatches my arm.

"Wha—"

"Don't you think some autumn decorations would spice this place up?" Patty lets go of my arm, and I feel like I should run away. "Can't you convince your father, honey?"

"You know my dad, Patty, he hates festivals and he hates— hates Taylor." I'm not exaggerating either because I know my dad absolutely hates Taylor, and he hates him more now that he's convinced the townspeople to pester us.

"But you love them," Patty whispers it like it's a crime, and I gasp in exaggeration, a grin on my face because I do love festivals. "I know you do, Lucy. Why don't you just hang a couple streamers up?"

I shrug, slipping my notepad into my apron pocket. "Now why would I do that?"

Patty looks down at her salad in front of her, sighing softly. "Well, food without ambience isn't really food, is it?" she says, and I roll my eyes with a scoff.

     "Patty, Taylor is a head case, okay?"

     "You sound just like your father, honey," Patty sighs, and I scoff because everybody says that.

     I smile, a hand on Patty's shoulder. "Enjoy your food, Patty," I say, shaking my head as I walk away.

     As I step around the counter, my head peering into the kitchen to see Caesar so I can demand he get me some ham for this woman who hasn't stopped staring at me for the past five minutes, my dad walks in.

     I snatch the plate of ham from Caesar, thanking him quickly as I step away and slide the plate towards the woman at the counter.

     Dad rounds the counter, his hand against my back as he takes a step around me and steps into the storage room. I realise that he hasn't bought anything from the market, and I knew all along that this "cream" thing was a rouse.

     When he steps back into the diner, his jacket removed, I decide I'm retiring and I take a seat at the counter across from him. "You didn't even bring back anything. I knew you were hiding from everyone."

     Dad stays silent, and I raise an eyebrow, confused because he's just staring at me like he's trying to read me. I cough, my fingers snapping in front of his face, and when he blinks, I breathe out a sigh because at least he isn't paralysed. "Dad? Are you okay?"

     Dad nods and hums in response, but I'm not convinced, and I'm about to speak but then Dad— out of the blue— asks, "Have you kissed anyone?"

     I nearly slip off my chair at the sudden question. I'm completely caught off guard because Dad has never, and I mean ever, asked me a question like that. I'm starting to wonder if something has happened in the last ten minutes for him to ask such a question. I clear my throat, unsure on how to respond. "Excuse me? What?"

     It's obvious that Dad is uncomfortable, and I'm confused as to why he asked the ultimate question that made him uncomfortable. "I was talking to Lorelai, and Rory..." Dad sighs, clasping his hands together. "Rory had her first kiss with that new guy, Dean."

     "Okay..."

     "Rory didn't tell Lorelai and, well, it got me thinking about you and I was wondering if you'd, you know, tell me." I shift uncomfortably in my seat as I really don't know what to say. "Sorry, I... It was a stupid question to ask, I know, and it's none of my business."

     "No, no it's fine," I insist because it is partly his business. "I would tell you, dad."

     His eyes widen, and he seems surprised that I would actually tell him. "You would?"

     I nod, and I'm not lying. I would definitely tell Dad the truth if any kiss occurred between me and another person. "Of course I would, but don't panic yet, dad. My first and only kiss will probably be in a care home when I get given the kiss of life."

     Dad chuckles. "Don't be ridiculous, Luce."

     A cup is placed in front of me, and I watch Dad pour coffee into my cup, and I love that I don't even need to ask because he just pours me one. "You don't have to worry, dad, okay?" I assure. "I haven't kissed anyone, and I don't... I don't exactly plan on it right now. Anyway, I'm sure no one will date me because you'd scare them away."

     Any guy who shows any interest in me will have to face the wrath of my dad, and if a guy doesn't run for the hills screaming after meeting him, he'll be the one who's worth it.

     I lean my head into my hand, and I pick my coffee cup up. "You're damn right I'll scare them."

     I roll my eyes. "I know." I take a sip of my coffee, placing it down on the counter before saying, "Oh, I have to go to Hartford with Addy tomorrow."

"Oh, yeah. She teaching those kids again?"

Dad is a thorough supporter of Addy, and he always asks about her dancing. Addy invites him to every recital, even the ones that involve hours of constant spinning, but he always goes to her lessons when he gets the chance. I mean, he's paying for the recitals, so it's no surprise that he's a big fan of her work.

"Yeah. You can come if you want," I suggest, mainly because I didn't want to be alone. Addy keeps telling me about Lisa's brother, and how I can keep him entertained, but I don't know Lisa's brother.

"Thanks but I think I'll pass. Watching kids dance isn't my thing," he says, but he used to come to every single one of my recitals when I was a kid, and he still goes to Addy's every now and then. "You'll be home late tomorrow then?"

I shrug. "Yeah. Kind of," I say. "But I should be home before ten."

"Okay. Do you need money for the bus? A taxi? I can come pick you up if you need?"

     "No, it'll be fine." Nathan always picks Addy up no matter how late she finishes her lessons. "But I do need to go. Addy wants to go shopping. I'll see you later?"

     "Yeah, okay. I'll see you later."

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ADELAIDE SLOANE IS A GIRL WHO DRESSES TO IMPRESS. Even from the young age of five— when she and I became friends— Adelaide always dressed like a fashionista with her high ponytails, her sparkly dresses, and her nails painted bright colours. She always looked beautiful, and I've always admired her beauty, often wishing that I looked like her.

     Between the two of us, Addy has always been the more sophisticated, talented, and beautiful one, and I consider myself to be lucky to be best friends with somebody like her. Addy often needs convincing that she's worth more than money can buy, and I try to tell her everyday, even if she doesn't believe me.

     Addy is movie-star, meant to be shown off pretty, while I'm pretty in a completely different way. I'm not somebody who cares about her style or how she looks to others. If I have to dress up— which isn't a lot— I usually borrow something of Addy's. I own three pairs of jeans that I switch between. I own too many tops that have some band I've never heard of, or some TV show I've never watched on the front. Addy wears a different outfit everyday, and she even styles her hair differently everyday. Mine remains curly and down, and sometimes, I'll tie it up and stick a bow in it. Today, Addy wears her hair in a tight bun which accentuates her face and jawline.

     She's dragged me shopping which is something she does quite a lot because Nathan is either at practice or with his family, and I'm apparently her only girlfriend so I take time out of my day to enjoy prancing around the mall with her while she goes from shop to shop, trying on all kinds of clothes and shoes.

     She told me she needed a new leotard and tights for tomorrow, but now we're trying on heels. I've never worn heels in my entire life, so having my best friend drag me across the dressing room in four-inch heels isn't exciting.

     Addy has her hands on my arms, holding me upright as I walk— stumble— forward. "Addy, I can't feel my toes," I whine, holding onto my best friend as my life depends on it.

     "Beauty is pain, darling."

     We walk the length of the dressing room before I collapse onto the bench, holding my ankles in pain. Addy had forced me into seven different pairs of heels, claiming that she was using me as a tester as her feet hurt.

     However, Addy said this heel experience could help me for when— and if— I entertain Lisa's brother tomorrow.

     I'd tried every single colour of heel on, even yellow, and I insisted that I'd never touch them again.

     While I sit, my head hitting the wall behind me, Addy crouches down and unhooks the latch for these rather tight, black pair of heels. I swear she pushed a smaller size on my feet because she and I don't share the same size feet at all. Addy yanks them off my feet, and when I breathe, I swear my feet do too.

     "Okay, what did you think?" Addy asks for the seventh time.

     "That you should wear comfier shoes," I groan, my head hitting the wall again. "Why am I trying on shoes for you? Also, you said you just wanted to get a leotard. Why are we in here?"

     Addy's hand brushes against my cheek. "Because I need a second opinion." I know she's lying but I'm too exhausted to reach my hand up and smack her.

     "I bet you never make Nathan do this."

     "You don't know what I make Nathan do," she says, and I can only picture six-foot Nathan trying on the biggest heels possible to suit his girlfriend's needs. It's quite an amusing image, and now I want to know if he has tried on heels for her. "Also, you should start wearing cute mini dresses and giant heels. You have no idea how good you look when you actually try, Lucy."

     I know I always look better when I actually try, but I don't see why I have to dress up or wear these ridiculous heels. "Yes, I know, but I don't need to dress up right now, Addy."

     "You have to dress up every once in a while for yourself, honey." To Addy, every once in a while, is every single day, and I'm not the type of person who can put the effort into how I look everyday. I mean, I study, study some more, work in a diner, and then go to sleep and repeat.

     Addy rises up from the floor and she takes a seat next to me. She leans her head back against the wall, her eyes moving to look at me while my eyes flutter closed. I'm trying to think of all the ways I can disappear if I squeeze my eyes tight enough.

     Addy hits a hand against my leg, waking me up, and bringing me back to this nightmare. "Okay, you're going to buy the fifth pair we—"

     "Hold up, I'm going to buy the fifth pair?" Addy ignores me, and she scrambles off her seat, rushing over to the pile of heels we've constructed. She rummages through the pile, and she pulls out the fifth pair. How on Earth did she remember the order of heels I tried on?

     She pulls out a silver pair of heels, ones with a strap around the ankle and a pointed toe, the ones that crushed my feet, and hurt my ankle. "Addy, why am I buying these? I don't—"

     "Look, one day you'll need them. I don't care if you need them in fifteen years or tomorrow, okay, but you'll need them one day, Lucy." Addy drops the shoes into my lap, and my head hits the wall again. There's going to be an indent of my head if I continue smacking my head.

     I'm perfectly content in my current position, but then Addy leans forward and snatches my arms to yank me up and onto my feet. "Listen, these heels will be the first of many, but they'll always be your first."

     "You make them sound like a baby."

     "You'll protect them like a friggin' baby, okay?Now, you're going to buy these and you'll thank me one day, sweetheart." Addy shakes my arms as she talks, and I'm close to sinking down to the floor.

     My sigh is loud and Addy doesn't appreciate it. "Luciana," she says sternly.

     "Adelaide," I say in the same tone.

     "These heels will be your second best friend, I can guarantee you." I don't question the whole second best friend comment as I know she's my first, and only first best friend. "And paired with that beautiful blue dress you had your eyes on earlier, you'll look devastating."

     I hate that she saw how I looked at the blue dress earlier. "I don't need a dress," I tell her.

     "Every girl needs one dress, sunshine."

     My body falls back and I slump onto the bench again, my head hitting the wall harder than intended. "Addy, if I agree to get the dress and the shoes, will you stop talking about them?"

     "I guess," she sighs, her body falling down next to mine. She pulls her legs up and crosses them, her head leaning against my shoulder. We watch a few customers step into their own booths while we stay planted to this bench.

     I decide to change the subject before Addy asks me about accessories and hairstyles. "I have some friendly gossip," I whisper, and Addy lifts her head from my shoulder with a smug grin on her face.

     "Oh, do tell," she demands, her grin turning wicked. Addy was someone who liked town gossip, and Addy was the one to often spread the news. She was just as bad as Patty when it came to gossip.

     I lower my voice, knowing that nobody can actually hear me but I'm not taking the risk. "Okay, my dad was told by Lorelai that Rory had her first kiss with Dean, the new guy."

     Addy smacks my arm, her mouth falling open in shock. "No! Really?"

     "Yes."

     "I'm sorry, your dad told you?" Addy laughs, but it's not unsurprising that my dad would be the one to tell me seeing as he tells me literally everything. "How did that even come up in conversation?"

     "Uh, my dad wanted to know if I had kissed anyone because Rory didn't Lorelai, and Lorelai apparently freaked out my dad into asking me about my nonexistent dating life..."

     Addy is laughing, and she's laughing loudly, loudly enough to receive a few glares from customers. When she stops her ridiculous laughing, and she sucks in a breath, her tone turns serious as she asks, "Have you kissed anyone?"

     I shake my head. "No, and you'd know if I kissed someone, Ad."

     "Yeah, I know, and you better tell me before you tell your dad." Addy scoffs like telling my dad is a ridiculous thing to do, but Addy isn't one to really talk with her mother about anything romantic. Hell, she didn't even tell her mother about Nathan, and Ms. Sloane found out from Patty of all people.

     Yes, I'd tell my dad but I'd tell Addy first. "Of course I'd tell you first," I assure.

     "Hey, seeing as you haven't had your first kiss. I know somebody who would—"

     "Please stop talking about this brother," I beg because all Addy has done for the last two hours is go on and on about how sweet Lisa's brother is because he's the only family member who always comes to her recitals.

     "You'll meet him tomorrow," Addy toys, nudging me awfully hard. "Okay, now I seriously have to go buy a leotard, come on."

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authors note:

next chapter, you'll meet a very important person :)