❝ROMEO AND JULIET❞
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⋆𐙚₊˚⊹ chapter thirty-four,
Gilmore Girls — Season Two

October 16th, 2001

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[ LUCY'S POV ]

     TRISTAN SITS IN FRONT OF ME, and I'm very aware that he's trying to stall. He has rehearsal with Rory, Paris, Louise and Madeline. He's playing Romeo— no surprises there— and he insisted on visiting me before leaving.

I hit my pen against my pad of paper again. "Tristan, you need to go," I tell him again. He needed to leave five minutes ago, but he keeps pestering me. He's been asking me questions the second he got here thirty minutes ago, and while I've answered every single one, I have to study and serve customers.

Thankfully, the diner is dead due to it being close to closing time, but studying is awaiting me, and I need to prepare for the upcoming winter exams that Stars Hollow High always have.

"I don't wanna go," he complains. "I might just ditch. What are you doing? We could hang out."

"I am not entertaining this. Go to rehearsal or I imagine Paris will dislocate your head from your neck." I only met Paris once at Bangles night, but I could tell that she's a very determined, very terrifying lady, and if Tristan doesn't move, she'll probably come here and storm the freaking diner— something my dad will just love. "Go to rehearsal."

"Kiss for good luck?" He pouts, and I roll my eyes but lean across the counter to press my lips to his quickly. He groans. "That's it?"

"You can have another one later," I promise, patting my hand against his. "Now go."

Tristan moves off the stool. "Fine." I hear him let out a loud sigh, and I scoff at his behaviour. He's been extremely clingy lately, like he can't seem to separate himself. He's also been slightly behind on schoolwork, and I assured him that I'd help but he has to go to rehearsal for that to happen. "I love thou."

"Get out of here, Romeo."

"Thou wot, I would I could kiss thou forever, my love. Till later, my darling." That made some sense, but I don't have anything more to say to him. He needs to get out of here before I snatch him and keep him here forever.

He opens the door to the diner, and I look around at the customers who seem to be staring at me. I laugh awkwardly, and step away before their stares set me on fire.

Tristan promised he'd visit me after rehearsal is finished. Hell, he even invited me but I wasn't too keen on watching him kiss Rory Gilmore— even if it's innocent and harmless— so he told me he'd visit after rehearsal if he can get away from the wrath of Paris Geller.

Besides, I'm going to the real production of Romeo and Juliet on Friday with Addy. She really wants to see Chilton, and I really want to see Tristan. From the play, me and him will go out for a few hours before he has to drop me off back at home, and Addy will go straight to her dance class.

I move upstairs towards the apartment. I open the door and I hear the pounding noise of Jess' music. Sure, I have respect for his music taste, but I don't understand why he has to play it so freaking loudly. I close the door harshly, and I pick up my books off my desk before I leave the room again. I did plan on working upstairs, but since living with Jess, I've come to do all my work at the counter of the diner.

When I arrive back to the diner, I place my books down and I smile towards Dad who is already pouring me a cup of coffee. "I thought you were going to Tristan's rehearsal?"

I shake my head, taking a quick sip of the coffee. "No, but the real play is on Friday. Is it okay that I go? I'll be home before eleven." I smile, and Dad always— without a doubt— gives in to the Luciana Danes smile.

"Yes, it's fine," he grunts, and I thank him.

I open my textbook and sigh. I have six tests in December, starting with math— my least favourite subject— and finishing with English— my favourite subject of all time. I've made a schedule for studying, and I even have enough time to have an actual life which is good, right?

I cleared my schedule for Saturday's nights as it's our famous dinner at Sniffy's. I've cleared upcoming birthday's— mine and my dad's— and I've also cleared a very, very important date. On the sixth of November, it'll be mine and Tristan's one year anniversary. So far, I don't know what the plans will include, and I'm a little nervous to find out but also really excited.

I spin my bracelet— the one Tristan bought me for my sixteenth— around my wrist nervously, and my pen hits the page repeatedly as I look through the work I have to do tonight. I planned on doing a couple equations, and then moving on to look over mould and fungus— fun!— and then I'll be covering the Russo-Japanese War briefly before calling it a night.

I lay out the work in front of me, and I see Dad frown in my peripheral vision. "What?"

I look up from my work to peer up at him. "Did you make room in your..." He looks down at the paper schedule. "Schedule for me?"

"November seventh, I'm all yours," I assure.

"That's my birthday, Luce."

"Exactly." He doesn't look pleased, probably because he isn't the biggest celebratory of his birthday. He says birthday's just remind him that he's getting older, which he is to be fair.

He'll be thirty-seven this year. Bless.

     "I'm kidding, by the way," I quickly say before he argues with me. "I won't study on Saturday nights because that's our nights, okay?"

     In fact, Saturday nights are the only nights that will give me a break from the crapload of work I need to get through. They're my nights for relaxing, for good food, and of course, good company.

"I hope you take enough breaks, Luce. You're just a kid, you know?"

"I know."

I know I'm a kid, and I've scheduled a few breaks, probably not enough, but I have to pass these tests. Like every test, they're important. I know my dad will worry— he always will— but I'm doing this so I can go to Yale, and have the future I've always wanted.

This time next year, I'll be preparing for college. I'll be planning my admissions essay, and I'll be submitting it to Yale. My future awaits, and if I have to study constantly to keep my grades stable, I'll do just that.

     "And you need eight hours of sleep every night, kid, okay?" He looks at me sternly, and I chuckle but he looks dead serious. "I'm serious, Luce. No staying up until four in the morning. No staying out too late. No—"

     "I hear you," I interrupt. "And thanks for caring, Dad, but I'll be healthy and well-rested this year, scout's honour." I was never a scout— obviously— but I just want Dad to know that I'm going to be different this year

Dad leans forward, his elbows on the counter. "It's your one year anniversary soon, right?" I nod, staring at him strangely because I'm unsure of where this conversation is about to go.

"Yes, it is... Why?"

"Well, I just want to know if..." He pauses, and I grin at his obvious discomfort.

"Dad, I don't know what will happen," I tell him honestly because we currently have no plans. I assume we'll just go on a regular date, give each other silly gifts, and kiss at the end of the night. Well, more could happen but I'm not too sure. Seriously, how am I supposed to know if we're going to do that. I haven't given it much thought lately due to the amount of work I have.

"But if that happens—" He says it like it's some sort of crime. "Will you just give me a head ups?"

"You want a heads up before, during or after?" I joke, but I swear Dad's face turns white out of sheer fear and surprise. "Dad, breathe, okay? I'm not sure what will happen, but if... that happens, I promise I'll be safe and I'll give you a subtle heads up, okay?"

Dad breathes out in relief, and I offer him a sympathetic smile. "Don't joke about it, kid. This is serious. If you aren't careful—"

"I could make you a grandfather at thirty-seven, I know. I've heard the rant," I interrupt, patting a hand against his arm. "Now stop panicking because you're starting to freak me out and it's my one-year anniversary, not yours."

Dad sighs, patting his hand over mine. "I'm happy for you, Luce, I am. I'm just..." He shrugs. "Worried, that's all. I mean, my sixteen-year-old is celebrating her one-year anniversary when I can't even commit to anyone."

I grin wildly, leaning my head against my hand. "I think Tristan's the real deal," I tell him, and Dad's eyes widen. "I know I'm young but I really think he's the one."

"The one?" I nod, confirming Dad's worries. "Wow. Well, I think that's good... kind of."

I chuckle softly. "It is good, I promise. I just have a really good feeling about him."

"Yeah?" Dad hums in acknowledgment. "Well, if he makes you happy, I can't ask for much more, can I?"

To say Tristan is the one at sixteen is terrifying, but I truly believe that he's my past, present and future. I have that feeling.

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October 19th, 2001

TRISTAN AS ROMEO IS PERFECT.

I've watched Leonardo Dicaprio as Romeo, but Tristan seriously overtakes Leo standards. I mean, seriously, my boyfriend was born to play the role of Romeo, and Rory did a splendidly beautiful job as Juliet.

And after his debut, I throw my arms around and drag him away from the crowd so we can spend as much time together as possible before I have to go home. Addy is walking over to her dance class, and I'm waiting for Tristan to change out of his costume. While he looked dashing as Romeo, I'm in love with the boy underneath the fake chainmail.

As we walk towards his car, he throws his arm around my shoulders. "So, what did you think?"

"I always had a thing for Leo," I say, grinning like a child. "So it's no surprise that I found you to be the most perfect—" I lean in, a hand against his cheek. "Romeo."

Tristan closes the everlasting gap and kisses me softly. It's a quick, simple kiss, and when he pulls back, I'm trailing my fingers through his hair softly. It's grown ever so slightly, but I'm afraid he might shave it off as he's been talking about cutting it for weeks. I love his hair. He better not cut it.

     I hook two fingers into the silver chain around his neck. "This is new," I state softly, and Tristan's eyes follow my fingers.

     "Grandfather gave it to me," he tells me, his thumb brushing against my hipbone. "Belonged to his grandfather and..." He shrugs. "Does this seriously matter? Can we kiss, please."

     I roll my eyes, tug on his chain and bring his mouth down to mine. His mouth covers mine eagerly, and he passionately takes everything I have to offer him. My hand curves around his neck, pulling him closer. Tristan leans into me, pushing me up against the side of his car that we've somehow stumbled into, and I cling onto him desperately.

     His hands cage me in, resting on the roof of his car and I rest my hands against his sides, tugging at the grey shirt he wears. When Tristan moves his hands to cup my cheeks, my lips part open and his tongue sweeps in to find mine.

     He's so soft and warm, protective and safe. I can't enough of this. I want this forever and ever. Kissing him is something I never get tired of, no matter how many times we do this.

     My hips subconsciously and rhythmically push into his with want, and I hear a moan leave his mouth. It's loud, and I worry people in this quiet car park will hear us. I mean, we're literally outside his school. Perhaps we should stop, but I really don't want to.

     His tongue explores my mouth, swiping and tasting, and I hum delightfully as our lips move in perfect sync, not missing one beat. To say I hardly knew how to kiss a boy a year ago, I now can't imagine not doing this, but I only want to do this with Tristan.

     I pull back slightly, breaking our connection, and I hear Tristan sigh in disappointment. But he keeps that sweet, undeniably beautiful smile on his face, showing me that he's satisfied. His hand flattens against my hair, framing the side of my face as he pushes one final kiss to my lips.

     I lay a hand against his chest, sighing in relief. "I hope you didn't kiss Rory with that mouth."

     "Only you, Blue." Another kiss against my lips. "Only ever you, I assure you."

     "So, any plans?" I ask, cuddling my arms around his neck.

     "Could grab a bite to eat or..." His eyes move down to my mouth again, and my lips tip up in a slanted smile. "I could keep kissing you."

     I hum, squeezing the back of his neck. "Well, can we kiss elsewhere. Your headmaster terrifies me," I laugh, playing with the ends of his hair that rest of the back of his neck. "Please."

     "Come on, Blue."

     We decide to go to the nearest fast food drive thru so we can grab a bite to eat before we pull up to the lake I've become familiar with over the past few months. It's the most beautiful lake, and while we haven't visited during the day, the moonlight makes the water shimmer delicately. Usually, we sit in the car and talk, but tonight we've decided to stroll down the path that circles the lake.

     Throughout our walk, Tristan pulls me against a tree or a bench and we end up kissing for several minutes before we hear the rustle of trees or the footsteps of somebody walking their dog, and we immediately retreat.

     Now, after several make-out sessions later, we're walking hand in hand. Tristan is swaying our hands as we walk, and I find myself nearly skipping with excitement. I'm feeling strangely buzzed and thrilled tonight. I can't explain it.

     "Can you believe it's our one year anniversary soon?" Tristan says, his hand leaving mine to cuddle around my torso. I throw my arm around his middle, walking side-by-side. "I mean, you are the longest relationship I've ever had." I wince at the wording, and Tristan inhales sharply, realising he's said the wrong words. "That was the wrong thing to say. I'm sorry," he laughs innocently, and I squeeze his side in reassurance. "I'm just—" He peers down at me, and I stare back up at him, admiring him. "I just have a really good feeling about you, Luciana."

     "I have a good feeling about you too," I say softly, snuggling my head into his shoulder. "It sounds silly, but... I really believe we'll make it."

     "I don't believe, Luce, I know we'll make it."

     "You're very optimistic, babe," I chuckle, but I still feel myself warming to the possibility of us in the future. "How do you know we'll make it?"

     "Because I just know, Blue, okay?" He squeezes my hip, and I take a sip of my coke, suddenly feeling very tingly and hot. "You've been the better part of my year, Luce. Seriously, you've made me a better person. I can't picture my life without you, and since our "breakup" if you wanna call it that, I've been really trying not to screw this up because I really do see a future with you. I know that sounds crazy, but I really have hope for us, Luciana Danes."

     My heart thumps in my chest, and I stare at him with so much admiration and love. I've never been so infatuated by him saying such sweet and generous words. He's so perfect in every way.

     "I love you," is all I can tell him, and Tristan squeezes my hip again as he leans down to press his lips to mine. "You always know what to say."

     "Well, I think that's a good thing for someone who wants to be a writer," he chuckles, and I press a kiss against his shoulder. "Oh, and I love you too."

     "What do you want to do for our one year?" I ask, realising we need to decide our plans so I can mentally and physically prepare.

     "Well, my parents will be away, and I'm sure I can get rid of my sister for the night so..." My face warms at the idea of what he's about to say. "I could make us dinner, we could watch a movie, and then..." He shrugs. "I don't know, see what happens. I'll drop you off home around eleven?"

     "Sounds perfect," I reply, offering him my most genuine smile. "I can't wait."

     "Also, just because you'll be coming to my house doesn't mean I expect anything." How can he read my freaking mind? "Sorry, you just look a little dazed, I guess, so I'm just letting you know that I just want to have a really great night with my girlfriend of one year."

     "One year," I whisper in disbelief. "Wow."

     "Wow, indeed."

     "And thank you," I add on. "It's not that I don't want that to happen, I'm just..." I shrug, unsure on what to say. "It's just scary to think about, but you have no idea how badly I want you, truly."

     Tristan grins, and I roll my eyes as I realise I've probably just boosted his ego. "Listen, whenever you're ready — if you're ever ready, I'll be here, okay? Don't hide anything from me. You can tell me anything, I promise."

     "I know," I reply, leaning up to push my lips against his cheek quickly. "I seriously love you."

     "I seriously love you too, Blue."

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authors note:

as you know (if you've watched the show) tristan is supposed to leave in this chapter for military school, but this is fiction and he ain't leaving... not right now anyway heheh

not funny, i know... anyway, i don't know what the plans are for luce and tristan but the next chapter will be their one year anniversary. yay!

anyway, hope u enjoyed reading :) i thought this chapter was pretty cute