❝COME OVER TONIGHT❞
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⋆𐙚₊˚⊹ chapter forty-three,
Gilmore Girls — Season Two

May 1st, 2002

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[ LUCY'S POV ]

I STARE AT THE BOOK ON MY DESK. It's funny how, in the short space of time since receiving the book, I've managed to make myself go absolutely crazy. I've had this book in my possession for less than twenty-four hours yet I feel like it's taunting me, acting as a friendly reminder that my best friend lied to me.

She liked— likes— a boy and she couldn't tell me, her best friend since the age of five. It's not the fact that she likes Jess. I don't care who she likes, I care that she lied to me about it. She could've spoken to me, but instead she hid it like it was some dirty secret, so now I question whether there's more to the story. God, I hope there isn't more to the story.

The book is annotated with silly notes that Jess had written, and now I'm supposed to give it to Addy. How dare he make me do it. Did he want me to find out? Maybe there's nothing to find out. Maybe they really are just friends, and I'm being a complete idiot. Maybe Addy isn't lying about anything, she's just friends with him and they're sharing books. Who cares, right?

I shake my head, and I lean back in my chair, my eyes scanning around the very empty and very lonely apartment I sit in. With Jess gone, the apartment is quiet, and I stare over at the bed he slept in for a short period, lost on what Dad is going to do with another single bed. I then look over at Dad'd bed and I frown because he's also not here today.

He decided to go on a fishing trip, only letting me know at five in the morning when he left. I offered to join him, but he insisted I go to school. He closed the diner which I was grateful for as I didn't need to handle people today who would inevitably ask questions about Jess.

I know the town knows about Jess, and while I've ignored the stares and glances, I hate that people don't know the full story. They just all blame Jess, and it only happened last night. Jess is now the subject in everybody's gossip stories, and I'm the helpless kid who's trying to escape all the crazy townsfolk who want to know too much.

Addy knows he's gone, and while we didn't talk much in school, I considered giving her the book, but then I obviously didn't because it's currently sitting on my desk. Instead, I just sat and contemplated about whether or not I should discuss the Jess issue with her. Would it be wrong for me to bring it up? Weird? Uncalled for? I don't know.

Either way, I didn't mention it today, and the second the last bell rang, I rushed out of school and across the street to the diner where I immediately locked the door and moved upstairs to the apartment. I changed into my pjs, and now I'm sitting at my desk trying to study, but I keep peering over at the book.

I should just give it to her. It's not weird for somebody to give someone a book, but it's weird when the book isn't from me and it's from my cousin who I think Addy has some silly crush on. I feel so lost in this scenario, and I'd rather not deal with any of this.

Tristan had called a few times today, and I only sent him a message that read, "Sorry. Super stressed. Dad's out of town. School sucks. Love you!" How ridiculous am I? Either way, Tristan doesn't respond but I can't say I blame him. I sound absolutely crazy.

I then thought I was going insane and hearing things when the door to the apartment opened. At first, I thought someone was coming to kill me but then I remembered I lived in Stars Hollow.

I shouldn't be surprised Tristan walks into the apartment, but I am. I'm pleasantly surprised. Part of me wanted to invite him over because Dad's not here, but another part of me wanted to just eat junk food and sit in my pjs. Now, I get my boyfriend, my pjs and junk food.

Aren't I lucky? Most would kill for my life right now, and they should because my boyfriend is beautiful, my pjs are comfy and the junk food is delicious.

     I peer up at him when he stands behind me, his hands on my shoulders. He leans down, pressing his lips against my cheek. "Hey, you."

"How'd you get in?" is the first thing I ask because I distinctly remember locking the door.

"Spare key above the door."

     "You weren't invited in," I quip, smiling up at him.

"What am I? A vampire?" I roll my eyes at the silly reference. "Do you not want me here?"

"I do." I lift myself out of my chair and I wrap my arms around his neck, bringing him down to push his lips upon mine. "Thank you for coming."

"So, your dad's gone, huh?" His arms circle my waist, and I rest my head against his chest. "Everything okay?"

     I shrug. "Jess is gone," I tell him. "There was an accident and... Rory ended up in the hospital so we put Jess on the next bus to New York, and Dad is now fishing." While I don't believe Jess should've been sent back to New York, I didn't get much say in the matter. "Oh, and I think Addy likes Jess, I don't know. She hasn't told me, but all signs point to her liking him."

     Tristan smooths a hand against my back. "Are you... upset with that?"

     I shake my head. "No. I just wish she'd tell me, you know? I mean, we tell each other everything. How could she not tell me she likes Jess?"

     "Maybe she's embarrassed," Tristan suggests.

     "Believe me, there's worse to be embarrassed about." I sigh, cuddling my arms around his torso. "I need to talk to her. I need to give her this book that he left for her, but I'm just..."

     "Not sure you wanna know the truth?" I hum in agreement, burying my head into his shirt. "You should talk to her, Blue. She's your best friend, and the last thing either of you want is to fall out when you only have one more year of high school."

     "I know." I frown, remembering that this time next year, we'll be graduating from high school. We'll be saying goodbye to one another for a long time, perhaps only seeing each other if she comes back for the holidays. I don't want to have an argument with her, especially when we've never fought with one another over something so silly. "I just need to talk to her."

     I pull my head back and I peer up at Tristan who, unsurprisingly, is already looking down at me. "If you want, I could take your mind off it for a little while?"

     My cheeks redden, and before I can make some smug comment, Tristan reaches down. He grabs ahold of my thighs, and basically swoops me off the floor and rests me on the only available spot of my desk. On instinct, I grab ahold of his shirt, afraid that I'll slip off this desk if I don't hold on to something.

     I look down at the books on my desk. "I study here," I sigh, but there's a hint of amusement behind my voice. "My desk is so judging me."

     "Let it."

     And with that, Tristan takes my mouth hard. He grips the back of my hair and tilts my head back, dragging his tongue along mine. Had I not been sitting on this desk, I would've collapsed from the weakness in my legs.

     I flatten my hands against Tristan's chest, and he groans into my mouth. I fist the collar of his shirt so I can drag him forward to stand right in between my legs— the ones that instantly wrap around him.

     Tristan bites on my bottom lip, surprising me, and I gasp, hands tightening around the fabric of his shirt. "Luce," Tristan whispers in between kisses, but all I can do is nod, my mouth seeking his once again. Desire floods my chest, and if I don't pull away soon, I'll be doing something I definitely shouldn't be doing inside my house.

     Tristan's mouth moves urgently. He's rough, demanding and desperate, and I reciprocate as best I can. I sigh in relief because I'm so glad he's here regardless of anything going on in my life, and having him around lifts the horrifying weight off my shoulders.

     Tristan grips my hair again, angling my head back and kissing me harder than before. Pleasure sparks all over my skin like he's a drug and I can't seem to stop myself. I'm addicted, lost and helpless for him.

     "You're killing me, Blue," he rasps between kisses, and I take great pride in knowing that he's weak for me. He pushes a single kiss against my lips before he pulls back to rest his forehead against mine, his breathing ragged.

     His hands rest on my thighs, and I circle my arms around his shoulders, holding him close. "We're in my house," I state. "My dad could come back at any moment." He didn't give me a time on when he'd be back, but I assume he won't be back till late. Either way, whatever I want with Tristan cannot happen right now, not in the house I've grown up in. That'd be... wrong to me. Maybe I'm just overthinking this.

     "I was thinking..." Tristan begins, sucking in a sharp breath. "Over the summer, we could maybe go away somewhere for a weekend, just you and me."

     "Like where?" I ask, intrigued to know.

      "Anywhere," he replies. "We could stay in a hotel in New York. Could go to Maine— my family have a house up there. We could even go down to Florida if you're feeling ambitious, but I was thinking somewhere closer."

"And you really think my dad is going to let me — his seventeen year old daughter — go away with my boyfriend for a weekend?"

     "You know, probably not," he laughs, his head leaning forward to rest on my shoulder. "But... it's worth a shot, right?"

     A whole weekend away with my boyfriend? I'd love nothing more than to run away with him right now, get away from all the madness that's occurring right now, but I'm seventeen, and while Dad likes Tristan, he'd never allow me to go away for an entire weekend.

     I run my hand through his hair. "I'd love to, you know I want to, but my dad..." I pause, and the silence is enough of an answer. "I can ask, but he'll likely say no, just warning you."

     He hums, his hand moving up and down my hip soothingly. "It's fine. We'll just have to spend everyday together in the summer." He pushes his lips against the side of my neck, and I feel my eyes flutter shut at the delicate feeling. "Long walks on the beach." Another kiss. "Picnics. Swimming. Kissing." His lips move up, attaching to mine and I sigh against his mouth, satisfied with each idea he presents.

     "I like the sound of that," I whisper, holding his face in my hands. "And maybe we could go away for a day rather than a weekend, I don't think my dad would mind that."

     "I'll go wherever you want me to, Blue."

     "You'll follow me blind?" I ask, moving my thumbs in gentle circles against his cheekbones.

     "Always." He leans forward, and I succumb to him all over again.

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    I DON'T KNOW HOW, BUT TRISTAN CONVINCED ME TO LEAVE the apartment and venture outside. His persuasion tactics are unfair in my opinion, but look, I'm outside and I'm walking across the street to the town's local movie festival. I tried to tell Tristan that they play the same film of "The Yearling" every single year. Count how old I am, and that's how many times I've watched this film.

     Regardless, Tristan wanted to indulge in another town tradition, and I just couldn't say no. So now, I'm walking into the scene with my head hung low as Tristan guides me through the crowd to find us a seat far away from anybody who knows what happened last night... which is everyone.

     However, before we even get the chance to sit, I crash into someone. Before I look up to their face, I stare at the blue cast that covers their arm, and I realise who this is. Crap. "Rory," I squeak out, my eyes finally moving up to her face. "Hi."

     "Hey, Luce." She offers me a smile, and then she looks over at Tristan. "Tristan." I always forget that they go to Chilton together.

     "Rory," he replies in the same blunt tone. I'm guessing they don't get along all that well.

     "Uh, are you..." I look down at her arm again. "Are you okay?"

     She nods. "Yeah, just a fractured wrist. Should be healed in a couple of weeks."

     "Good." I squeeze Tristan's hand for some reassurance, and we stand there silently for a moment while I try to think of more to say. God, what else is there to say? Do I apologise? Do I just walk off? What do I do? "Uh, Rory. I just wanted to—"

     "Hey, you've gotta come back. I have a pre—" Lorelai's voice cuts through mine as she steps up her daughter, and when she sees me, she stops talking. "Oh, Lucy. Hey. You okay?"

     I hum in response, not saying anything. Instead, I turn to Rory and say, "I'm glad you're okay. Enjoy the film."

     I move away, my hand pulling at Tristan's to get him to move away before I yell at Lorelai for yelling at my dad over something that wasn't his fault in the slightest. Perhaps I'm petty for ignoring her, but I'd defend my dad over less so Lorelai should stay away for the foreseeable future or at least until she apologises to Dad for raging at him.

     We sit down, away from others, and Tristan pulls our conjoined hands onto his lap. "What was that all about?"

     "She yelled at my dad about the accident," I whisper, afraid somebody will hear me and gossip about it. "So I'm ignoring her."

     Tristan grins, his hand leaving mine so he can place his arm around my shoulders. He pulls me into his side, and I rest my head against his shoulder. "That's my girl," he whispers back, pushing his lips against my head. "And I don't really know what happened, but I'm on whatever side you're on, sweetheart."

     There's no sides, not really. I just think that Jess shouldn't be shunned and drove out of town because everybody assumes he purposefully caused such a horrific crash. And with my dad not being here, I'm more frustrated with this town than ever before so I'm on my own side, ignoring everybody and keeping to myself.

     On the screen, the words "a film by kirk" appear, and I clutch Tristan's leg, confused but intrigued about whatever this is. Anything by Kirk is guaranteed to turn heads, I tell you.

     "A film by Kirk?" Tristan whispers and I have to hold back a laugh as Kirk and a woman appear on a black and white screen.

     Kirk turns to the woman. "I can't wait to meet your family," he says, his voice serious and monotoned.

     "I'm very close to my family," the woman replies.

     "I know this. That's why I can't wait to meet your family."

"Remember, Daddy is quite protective. I'm his favorite daughter." I don't know what it is about this woman, but she's very scary.

     "He has good taste. I intend to tell him that."

     "I love you," the woman says to Kirk. They then knock on the front door, and a man— presumably her father— answers. "Daddy."

     Tristan snort a laugh next to me, and I hit my hand against his chest.

     "You are with my favorite daughter," the dad says to Kirk, and I'm struggling to fight back the laughter. Tristan, on the other hand, is nearly on the verge of tears from his silent laughing.

     "You have good taste," Kirk says, just like he had intended to.

     "Come in the house."

     "I love you," the woman says again.

     "I love you," Tristan mocks into my ear, and I laugh loudly this time.

     Kirk is now moving into the house with the woman. Her parents sit in chairs in the living room just staring at each other. Then Kirk stands up and announces, "I love your daughter."

     "Who are you to love my daughter? What can you offer her?"

     "Nothing. Only this." Kirk begins to dance and my eyes widen, shocked but highly amused. What the hell is this film? Why is my dad missing this?

     "Wow," Tristan mouths, his eyes concentrating on the film. "Glad I made you come out here now?"

     "Definitely." Kirk continues to dance on the screen, showing off to the parents, and I have to bite down on my knuckle to hold back the laughter. "God, I hate that my dad is missing this. Kirk needs to give me a copy."

     "He's certainly a character."

     There's nobody quite like Kirk, I'll admit that.

     When he begins to rap, I can't hold back the laughter. Now me and Tristan are laughing, earning odd glances from a few of the townsfolk, but I don't care. This crap is comedic and if you don't laugh, you're insane.

     Kirk then starts to remove his shirt, continuing to dance to the music and Tristan reaches his hand up cover my eyes. "Absolutely not. You'll be haunted by the sight of Kirk's bare chest for the rest of your life."

     I laugh, holding his hand that remains over my eyes until the film abruptly ends with the dad standing up and walking off, leaving a bare-chested Kirk in the centre of the living room.

     "I can't believe what I just saw."

     "And you still love this crazy, crazy town?" I ask, checking he's not regretting coming here in the first place.

     "This town is like one big outpatient mental institution," he remarks, and I chuckle. "But I weirdly love it. It sucks you in."

     "Yep." While this town has its quirks, I can't imagine living anywhere else. "God, I'm annoyed my dad didn't see that. I gotta find Kirk."

     Before I have the chance to move, I overhear the conversation that Patty and Babette— the town gossipers— are having only a few feet away from me. "I swear to God!" Babette shouts. "Last night, not long after the accident, Luke and Lucy walked him straight to the bus station, stuck the kid on a bus, sent him home to his mom."

     Tristan rubs a hand against my arm, comforting me from the friendly neighbourhood gossip, and I continue to eavesdrop. "I can't believe Luke would send him off like that," Patty then says, and I nearly get out of my seat to defend him.

     Tristan keeps me planted on the chair. "Don't. It's not worth it." He's right, but that still doesn't make it right. Dad didn't send him away easily, but Jess was insistent on going. Dad didn't argue with him, and while I tried to, there was very little I could do. "Let's just watch the film, okay?" I nod, placing my head against his arm again.

     Babette and Patty continue to talk but I just stare ahead and try to focus on better things. "Thank you for coming," I tell Tristan, sliding my arm around his torso. "I really needed you here, you have no idea how much."

     "I'm always here, Blue. Always."

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authors note:

i rlly, rlly don't like this chapter... idk why but i wanted to write kirk's film in lol

here's your new luce & tristan content, i know you've been starved recently

next chapter is the last chapter in act one!! AH