❝FREAKING DAISIES❞
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⋆𐙚₊˚⊹ chapter twenty-seven,
Gilmore Girls — Season Two

May 28th, 2001

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[ LUCY'S POV ]

SUMMER HAS OFFICIALLY BEGAN IN STARS HOLLOW and I love summer in our small town in Connecticut. The sun shines, the townsfolk appear happy, and I love wearing my summer clothing. Sure, my outfits consist of the same pair of shirts and skirts, but I love the breeze and sunshine. It warms me.

But instead of kickstarting my summer outside with Addy and Nathan— something I do every year— I'm sat in my sweats at the counter while Dad rushes around and serves the customers.

I haven't set foot outside yet. I haven't embraced the fresh summer air or pulled on suitable clothing. Instead, I'm sweating in my clothes and drinking coffee. Dad tries to speak with me every so often but he then gets pulled away by a customer.

I look outside to see a large swarm of people surround the window outside the diner, and I raise an eyebrow in confusion. "Dad," I call out, and Dad looks up from his notepad to the scene before him.

"What the hell are they doing?"

I gasp, my eyes widening when I see Kirk being pressed against the window by those behind him. "Kirk is going to get pushed through the window."

"Town is full of crazy people," Dad grumbles. "Whole town should be medicated and put in a rec room with ping pong tables and hand puppets."

"Real nice, Dad."

Lorelai steps over to us, and she places a hand against my back. I smile politely, afraid that if I don't, she'll immediately assume I'm hung up on my recent breakup. For the record, I'm not hung up— not entirely— and I don't need everybody babying me in this town.

The whole town knows about my breakup with Tristan which, well, isn't surprising given that I've spent the last two weeks caged up in the diner, wallowing since I spoke to my dad and had a silly breakdown in the middle of Sniffy's Tavern with Maisie and Buddy.

While me and Tristan broke up, Rory and Dean got back together. Of course, I'm happy for her but I haven't seen her until, well, now. She sits at the table, waiting for her mother to return, and I smile in her direction, offering a wave.

"Hey, Luce, can I talk to your dad?" Lorelai asks, and I look between her and my dad, confused as to what she has to say but I assume it has something to do with the crazy people outside the window.

I nod, smiling kindly. "Yeah, of course. I'll go talk to Rory."

     I step towards Rory and I take a seat beside her. "Hey," she says, and I peer behind me at the people who crowd the windows.

     "Do you know why they're about to put a hole through the window?" I ask, turning my attention back to Rory.

     "Uh, Max— my English teacher— proposed to my mom." My eyes widen in surprise, and I look from Rory to Lorelai and my dad who are currently in a conversation, likely about Lorelai's proposal and ultimate engagement.

     Oh, I don't imagine this'll end good.

     I clear my throat and force a smile on my face. "Oh, that's..." I swallow the pain in my throat because everybody around me seems to be in love, everybody seems to be happy but me. "That's really great," I say honestly.

     I know I shouldn't think about me, but it's difficult not to when everyone but me is about to have an incredible summer. Me, I'm still moping about my now ex-boyfriend who I haven't spoken with since the breakup.

Rory looks at me and I recognise the look. For the last two weeks, anyone who has stepped foot into the diner has looked at me like that. It's the look of sorrow, of sympathy and compassion, and as much as I appreciate that everyone cares, I don't wish to have everyone stare at me, waiting for me to have an ultimate breakdown.

"Hey, I'm sorry about you and Tristan," she says, and I sigh deeply, forcing myself to smile because I don't wish to discuss this. "Sorry, I can see that you don't want to talk about it but—"

"No, it's fine." I shake my head. "Thank you. I'm really happy for you and Dean, by the way."

Rory inhales sharply, offering me a smile. I think she feels bad, but she really doesn't have to think about what she can say around me. She— and everyone else in this town— don't have to think about their next words around me. I'm not fragile anymore, people can say whatever to me, even Rory.

"Are you doing okay?" Rory asks.

I shrug. "Doing a little better," I admit, but Rory doesn't look convinced. "Uh, have you..." I pause, realising I shouldn't bring him up, not to Rory Gilmore.

"Have I seen him? Yeah," she confirms. "Would it make you feel better if I say he looks miserable, like on the verge of suicide miserable?"

     I chuckle, my smile genuine. "I guess," I reply. "But are you just saying that to make me feel better?"

     "No," she replies quickly. "He's been different. He's acting out and... he's not really acting like him."

     I frown, and my head leans into my hand. Despite everything, I still love Tristan— of course I do— and I don't want him to act out in school or get into trouble because of me. I want him to be okay, and even if I'm not okay, I just want him to accept that me and him won't be together.

     Before I have the chance to respond, Lorelai steps back over and slumps into her chair with two muffins in her hands. "Well, that went well."

     "Congratulations, Lorelai," I say, lifting myself off my chair. "And, uh, nice to see you guys."

     I move away and back over to my dad who seems... annoyed. It's no surprise that he's disappointed that he's not the one to be engaged to Lorelai, but I've been telling him for years to admit his feelings— Hell, Rachel left so he could admit it to Lorelai— but he didn't get to.

     I don't wish for him to be upset, not over Lorelai Gilmore, so I offer him a smile and say, "I think we should take a trip or something. Just me and you."

     I see Dad smile just a little bit, and I think he agrees with me. I haven't been the greatest company recently, and I desperately want to make it up to him. "We could go fishing," I suggest, even though I'm not the biggest fan of fishing, but Dad is. "Have dinner at Sniffy's?"

"Okay, kid," he agrees, and I nod. "You can't wear that, though." He's referring to the sweats that I've been wearing constantly the past two weeks, and I know he hates them. To be honest, I do to, but I haven't made any effort to change.

"I'll change, I promise," I assure. "How about this weekend? Saturday?"

"Saturday," he repeats.

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     ADDY CAME BARRELLING INTO THE APARTMENT while I was taking a nap that afternoon. Yes, I had fallen asleep again in sweats, and my body felt worse than before. I feel more tired, and I feel like I need to take a shower immediately because it's summer— it's summer and I'm sleeping in the middle of the day.

She threw her bag onto the floor, and she sank onto my bed in a huff. "Luke let me up," she tells me, and I hum against my pillow. "Actually, he didn't let me up. I demanded that he let me see you, and before he could say anything, I barged up here anyway."

Sounds like something Addy would do.

I don't make any attempt to move despite not seeing Addy in over a week. My body is exhausted, and I know I should be enjoying the wonderful season of summer, but I'm tired. Addy is dressed in a beautiful pink floral dress that rests at her ankles, and she has her long blonde hair tied back into a high ponytail. Pink rimmed sunglasses are pushed up to rest upon her head. She looks happy. She looks relaxed.

Addy stands, and she moves towards my dresser— the one I recently fixed— and begins to pull out different clothing items. I don't watch her, I just mind my own business, but then she throws a pair of shorts and a t-shirt to me.

"Okay, I'm sorry you and Tristan broke up—" I groan at the mention of his name, and I think back to last night when he called me again. He's called me everyday for the past week, and I've been ignoring him because I haven't got anything to say.

Addy continues, "But this is pathetic, Lucy. You're sixteen, you're beautiful, and it's freaking summer. We have been waiting for this for months, and now it's here, I want you dressed and outside with me and Nathan."

She steps over to my bedside, and I peer up at her. She has her hands on her hips, and she looks serious. "I know you're hurting, okay? But I am going to cause you severe pain if you don't get your ass up. I have my ridiculous family holiday soon, and I'll be leaving for a month, so I need to spend every waking second with you, do you understand?"

     Guilt hits me. Addy leaves soon for a month. She and her family always go on this ridiculous holiday to somewhere more sunny, somewhere more warm, and somewhere more peaceful for an entire month, and I was here wallowing when I should be spending every second with her. I always used to hate when she'd leave over the summer, and I still do, so I need to get up.

     I clear my throat. "I understand."

     "Get up," she demands.

I'm not joking, the second I step downstairs, everyone's eyes fall on me and they widen. I know the townsfolk are probably surprised to see me dressed in something that isn't rotting, but having all these eyes on me only makes me want to run back up to the safety of my apartment.

But I don't get to do that because Addy is pulling me along and out the freaking door. I say a goodbye to my dad, promising him that I'll be home later tonight, but he just encourages me to stay out for as long as I like. I think he's trying to get rid of me.

The second the sun hits me, my skin burns. I've been sweltering inside a stuffy apartment for the last two weeks, and now that I'm outside, I feel tingly and overwhelmed because I haven't felt warmth like this in months.

I'm greeted by Nathan and a few of his hockey buddies, including Dean who offers me a tight-lipped smile. "Nice to see you out and about, Luce," Nathan laughs, throwing his arm around my shoulders. "You doing okay?"

"I'm good," I assure, but I'm not sure if I'm being completely honest.

     "We're gonna hit the ice for a few hours. You guys wanna join?" one of his teammates ask.

    Before I can say anything, Addy snatches my shoulders and squeezes them tightly. "We're gonna have some quality girl time, but thanks for asking." She smiles politely.

     Somehow I get roped into sitting on the bridge behind our school. We've abandoned our shoes, and we're letting our feet dip into the water.

For as long as I can remember, me and Addy have always spent the beginning of our summers together. We always go to the beach, go on long walks, or just sit and talk. Last year, we set up a tent on the beach and stayed out all night just watching the sun set and rise.

I truly love summer, I do. It's a beautiful season, and in Stars Hollow, it's made more luxurious through the events the town hosts. There's no place I'd rather grow up than here, and there's nobody I'd rather be with right now. I know I haven't been the greatest friend to Addy, and she's been so understanding, but I'm also grateful she dragged me out of the pit I was sweltering in.

It's summer, for Christ sake.

"I wish it was like this all year round," Addy admits, leaning back against the wood and stretching her arms out above her head. She looks gorgeous— she always does— and I admire her beauty from afar, always in awe of how she presents herself.

"But then we'd miss autumn." While summer is breathtaking in Stars Hollow, autumn is the major season in our small town. It's the season that everybody waits for, the season everybody loves.

Well, if you're Luke Danes, you don't like any season or holiday.

Addy huffs. "I would hate that."

"Hot chocolate. Chunky sweaters. Leaves," I reminisce, and I hear Addy scoff behind me.

"Leaves? We have leaves all year round, sweets."

"Nuh-uh, we don't have leaves in winter," I fire back, and she shakes her head at me. "And the leaves in autumn are different to those in spring or summer. They're more..." I pause, trying to find the correct word. "Colourful."

"Colourful?" I nod, satisfied with my wording. "Well, I am a sucker for autumn. Layers," she sighs, recalling the clothes she's excited to wear for the upcoming season. "You're right, autumn is a crucial season. Fine, I only want autumn and summer to exist."

I gasp, a hand covering my heart dramatically. "Not winter? But your best friend is born then."

"Well, my best friend should've been born in summer or autumn," Addy argues, and I laugh despite my head shaking in disapproval.

"I couldn't help when I was born."

"Your dad could've," Addy mutters, and I snack her leg as she bursts into hysterical laughter.

It's nice to hear her laughing, to hear her letting herself go. It's been so long since I heard it which is my fault as I haven't been around much. She has such a wondrous laugh, a laugh full of emotion and joy. She's always been a bubbly person— even when we were kids— and has never let anything get her down. When her father died nearly three years ago, Addy was still her.

She's not a sad person. She's never let anything get her down, and sometimes she shocks me with how she expresses herself, but I genuinely believe she's a well-rounded person. She's not distraught or depressed. She's just Addy— a lively, bubbly individual who brings so much joy to everyone around them, especially me.

She's been making me smile since 1989 as I like to say.

One minute we're laughing, the next minute I'm being yanked backwards to lay alongside her. I shift uncomfortably in this outfit Addy forced me into, and I peer down at the tag tucked away in my shorts.

I stare in horror. "Ad, these shorts are three sizes too small."

"I didn't hear you complaining earlier."

"That's because I was hardly paying attention. I just let you dress me." I groan, realising I won't be able to make myself comfortable. It's fine, I've somehow not noticed until now, and when I get home, I'll throw these in the nearest donation box I can find. Come to think of it, why did I still have these shorts?

Addy gives me a gentle nudge. "How have you been?" I hear the pleading in her voice, and I offer her my best smile.

"I've been fine," I exaggerate.

"Don't lie to me."

"I'm not lying, I just..." I let out a heavy sigh, realising I should just talk to her because I know she'll give me her worldly advice. "It hurts to think about it, and I know I've become this shell of a person the last couple weeks, but I'm just—"

"Trying to deal with it?" she interrupts, and I nod as I don't know what else to say. "I get it, I do. It'll hurt for a while, but you can't keep festering up in that apartment. I mean, you're driving your poor dad crazy."

I let out a tired laugh. "I know. I feel awful."

"We're just worried about you, Luce." Addy reaches down and offers my hand a squeeze. "In fact, the whole freaking town is worried about you. I've heard whisperings, and while I've defended anyone who dare say a bad word about this, I do think they're concerned."

I can always count on the town to have my back. While I have no bad blood with Tristan, I don't wish for anyone in the town to be saying any kind of false comments about him, not when he hasn't done anything wrong.

He just couldn't love me. That's okay.

"He keeps calling," I tell Addy, turning my head so I can look at her. "I haven't answered. I just watch it ring."

"I think he needs you, Luce," Addy whispers softly. "I mean, you two were each other's safety net. He was there for you, and you were there for him. He's been in awe of you since the first day he met you, and I don't think he's used to the fact that you aren't speaking anymore."

"I'm not used to it either, Addy. It hurts."

She squeezes my hand reassuringly. "I know, and it will hurt for some time, but you're strong, and you're you. You're going to be okay, Lucy Danes, I promise."

I nod, peeling my eyes off her as I stare up at the sky above. The sky is a lightening ombré of pink and purple with orange undertones, and the sun is starting to set over the beautiful town of Stars Hollow. It's been a relaxing day, a calm day, and I'm thankful for Addy for dragging me out of my shell.

"It's beautiful," I whisper, my eyes focusing on the colours and how they work so well together. They create this perfect picture in the sky, a picture that people look to and smile— myself included. "Thank you, Addy."

She knows what I'm thanking her for. That's why she says, "Always, Luce."

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authors note:

been in a serious writer flunk recently. been reading a lot more but not rlly writing.

anyway, this chapter isn't the best but i wanted to try and focus on addy and luce

also, sometimes when i write them, i question whether it reads like lucy has a major crush on addy... oops