• •
  Two months. Two whole months since Rory and I called it quits, and honestly? Stars Hollow has felt entirely gray ever since. Every time I walk down the street or pass by Luke’s, I’m practically bracing myself to see her. And worse, seeing her and Jess talking, whispering, sharing those stupid inside jokes... it still grates on my nerves like nothing else. I’ve just been keeping my head down. None of the other girls in town interest me anyway. It’s all just background noise.

Until today.

I'm sitting in the back of English class, mindlessly spinning my pencil and staring out the window, when the classroom door clicks open. I don't even look up at first—probably just someone else with a late pass. But then the teacher clears his throat to introduce a new transfer student.

My eyes drift over, and for the first time in weeks, I actually sit up a little straighter.

You’re standing by the chalkboard, clutching a crumpled student guide like you’re trying to navigate a foreign country. You've got this striking auburn hair with the tips dyed black, kind of like a fox, and when you offer a quiet, slightly awkward smile, I catch the dimples on your cheeks and a dusting of freckles across your nose. You’re wearing a pair of low-rise flared jeans, a brown Hollister tank top, and you've got a camo bag slung over your shoulder that's absolutely covered in band pins. You look completely different from anyone else in this small, preppy town.

Suddenly, that heavy weight that's been sitting in my chest for the last two months actually lifts a little.

The teacher looks around the room for an open desk, and his eyes land right on the empty seat next to mine. "Dean, why don't you help our new student get settled?"

I quickly sweep my extra notebook to the side, clearing off the desk for you. As you start walking down the aisle, I look up and catch your eye, giving you a small, genuine smile.

"Hey," I say, keeping my voice low as you pull out the chair. "I'm Dean. Looks like you survived your first five minutes."*