Nervously I pushed open the door to the diner, I surveyed the inside quickly before walking to the counter where a beautiful dark haired woman was having a heated debate with a man in a baseball cap.
"One more cup is all I'm asking for Luke, I'm a paying customer too you know," she claimed.
"You be quiet, potential customer behind you that I'm going to serve now," he said, motioning to me.
I stepped closer to the counter and climbed up on a stool, "May I have an order of pancakes and an orange juice please?"
"Coming right up," he answered me while pouring coffee for the dark haired woman and handing it to her before heading to the kitchen.
"Excuse me?" I called shyly to the woman, as we are sitting a few seats apart.
"Yes?" she put her coffee down and gave me a good look, making me feel self-conscious about my appearance.
"Do you know where the washrooms are here?" I inquired, already grabbing my bag and standing up.
"Sure, it's just down that little hall thing," she gestured behind me and I nodded my thanks before scurrying away.
The bathroom was very small but clean. I was shocked when I looked in the mirror! My hair was knotted and everywhere, my face was smudged with soot, and my shirt had a stain from God-knows-what! I closed myself into a stall and opened my bag. In it I had a few other t-shirts and two sweaters, along with another pair of jeans, underwear, my wallet, and a picture of my brother.
I pulled off my shirt and put on a fresh one, washed my face and raked my hair into a pony tail before returning to the counter.
"You look like you feel better now," the woman commented as I sat down. I offered a smile and averted my eyes. I didn't want her to ask questions. But it looked as if she was going to because she got off her seat and came over to mine before taking the stool beside me.
"Do you know if the pancakes are good here" I asked, trying to keep the conversation light.
"Only the best in Stars Hollow," she grinned, downing the rest of her coffee.
The man in the baseball cap returned and put the plate in front of me along with a tall glass of orange juice.
"Thank you," I said, grabbing the juice first and drinking half the glass thirstily.
"What's your name hun?" the woman asked.
I decided to hold off on the allias, "I'm Grace, it's very nice to meet you Miss..."
"Oh Lorelei, my name's Lorelei," she smiled when I extanded my hand for her to shake it formally.
"You have a very pretty name Lorelei," I said, turning my attention to my pancakes.
"Well thank you. Now what are you doing here in Stars Hollow by yourself?" Lorelei inquired.
Hmm straight to the point huh? I thought about it for a slight moment before answering "I'm here to live with my uncle."
"Oh that's nice, who's your uncle?" she pried deeper.
"Taylor Doose, do you know him?" I stated, trying to take over this conversation.
Lorelei and Luke exchanged looks before she burst out laughing.
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Two Weeks Later...
I scampered down the stairs and bolted out the back door when I saw Lorelei cross the street in front of our house. Running up to the front of the house to the sidewalk I grabbed some pink flowers growing by kitchen window.
"Lorelei!" I called out, sprinting to catch her.
She stopped and turned around with a smile, I stopped short of her and wrapped my arms around her waist.
"Hey Kiddo how are ya?" she greeted me by returning the hug and lifting me in the air for a moment.
"I'm good, how are you?" I asked, taking her hand and walking with her to the town square.
"I'm very good thank you. My don't you look nice today," she commented, eyeing my pink, knee-length skirt and brown shirt.
"Thanks, my uncle took me shopping. These are for you by the way," I shyly handed her the small bouquet.
"You're too cute," she laughed and smelt the brilliant pink mass.
"Gracie!" Uncle Taylor shouted from the Candy Shoppe, "You're late! And where's your uniform!"
"Bye Lorelei!" I raced to the store and my uncle shook his head and lead me to the back.
"Where is your uniform?" he demanded, glaring at my outfit.
"Uncle Taylor, I do the dishes! No one sees me," I protested, moving to the sink and rolling my sleeves up.
"Every employee wears a uniform Grace," Uncle Taylor said as I filled the sink.
"It's not like I asked for a job, I'm ten for God's sakes!" I cried in frustration.
"Its good to start young, gives you a better sense of appreciation," he said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"I don't think so, this is stupid and I'm outta here," I slammed the plate I was holding back onto the counter and darted out the door.
I had no idea where I was going but I kept running, I ran until I reached Lorelei's house and let myself in through the kitchen door with a key I found hidden by the stair railing.
Pushing the door open, I slipped off my ballet flats at the door and made my way to the living room. Settling myself on the couch I settled down and the pillow smells like flowers, tears ran down my face as I thought of my mother.
"Gracie you'll be later for school! Hurry!" my mom calls from downstairs.
I pull on a sweater and grab my bag, thundering down to the front door and racing out to catch up with my brother. Halfway across the yard she calls me back.
"Gracie you forgot your lunch!" my mom yells. I turn and dart back to the house, taking my lunch and kissing her cheek, she always smelt of flowers.
Tears formed at my eyes when I thought of my mom and brother so I swiped at them and closed my eyes. Sleep had not come easily since the funeral, and it had gotten harder after my move to Uncle Taylor's. But here, in Lorelei's house, I felt okay.
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"Rory are you here!" someone shouted and I was startled from my slumber.
"In here," another voice answered from the kitchen.
"There's a little girl missing and I'm going to go look for her, are you going to come?" Lorelei called back, hurrying from the front entrance to the kitchen.
I peeked over the side of the couch to the kitchen to see Lorelei walk into the room off the kitchen. Her daughter's room? I couldn't hear what they were saying but I nervously slide off the couch, arranged my skirt and walked down the hall silently.
"So you're coming? It's just this little girl is new and she's-" Lorelei stopped when she saw me standing uneasily in her kitchen.
"Lorelei I'm very sorry," I started, but she scooped me into a hug.
"Gracie where have you been? Have you been here this whole time?" she questioned, tugging my clothes straight, and smoothing my hair.
"Yes ma'am," I whispered with my head bowed now, this was a stupid idea.
"I didn't even see you, were you upstairs?" her daughter asked bewilderedly.
"Um no, I fell asleep on the couch," I answered quietly.
"Oh sweetie, it's okay! But we need to get you home now, everyone is out looking for you," Lorelei reasured me, standing from her crouched position and grasping my hand.
We walked to the door and I slipped on my shoes before I ran back to the daughter and put my hand out to her, "I'm Grace by the way."
"Rory," she smiled, "Come back and visit us soon."
I nodded and ran out the door that Lorelei held open for me. We walked down the street and Babette spotted us.
"Oh Lorelei you found her! I'll tell everyone!" she called and rushed off to the town square.
I started to drag my feet and Lorelei stopped, "What's wrong?"
"He's going to be mad," I cried, tears starting to run down my cheeks.
"No he'll be happy to see you, he's been worried," Lorelei said, couching so we're eye-level.
I shook my head and buried my face into her neck with a sob. She gently lifted me off the ground and carried me down the dark streets, I kept my arms wrapped tightly around her neck and allowed myself the comfort of a temporary mother.
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Uncle Taylor grounded me for two weeks, I wasn't even aloud to leave my room for dinner. When I finally was aloud out, I went straight to Lorelei's house.
"Hey there you! Haven't seen ya in a while," she greeted, opening the door and giving me a hug.
"Hi Lorelei," I smiled and hugged her back.
"Come on in I was just getting ready for breakfast," she said, dragging me inside.
"Okay, but I don't want to interupt your breakfast," I panicked.
"Well we haven't left yet so don't worry about it. You eat yet?" she asked easily.
I shook my head.
"Good, we're going as soon as Rory gets her butt in gear!" Lorelei shouted to the closed door off the kitchen.
"I'm here and ready, leave me alone impatient mother," Rory came out and smiled at me, "Hi Gracie."
"Hi Rory," I said shyly, inching closer to Lorelei.
"You coming to breakfast with us?" Rory asked, her smile still genuine.
"Yes," I said proudly, actually looking into her eyes.
"Then lets go before I die of hunger!" Lorelei declared, bounding out the door ahead of us. Rory laughed at my expression and held her hand out to me, I clutched it and we hurried out to catch Lorelei.
"Mom wait up!" Rory called, Lorelei was already a block ahead of us.
"Breakfast wait up!" Lorelei called back.
"Let's beat her there," Rory said secretively and I nodded eagerly. We ran past her and across the town sqaure, I tried hard to run as fast as Rory but she was faster. Lorelei came running behind us and Rory grabbed my hand again to pull me along faster. Tripping up the stairs Rory and I bursted in to Luke's just seconds before Lorelei.
"We won!" I giggled, still excited.
"That means she buys breakfast," Rory smirked.
Lorelei rolled her eyes as we grabbed a table and sat down. Luke brought coffees and an orange juice immediately.
"So the duet has acquired a third," he stated gruffly.
"Hi Luke," I smiled, taking a sip of orange juice.
"A round of bacon and eggs Luke," Lorelei commanded.
"Please," Rory finished.
Grumbling, Luke stalked back to the counter.
"Are you guys always here," I questioned innocently.
"Everyday or else we can't function," Lorelei proclaimed proudly.
"I can, I don't have a choice," Rory explained.
"You live out of town right? For school?" I carried on.
"Yep, I go to Yale," she smiled at Lorelei who smiled back.
I fiddled with my bracelet and neverously smoothed my skirt, "That's good Rory, Yale is big. You must be very smart."
"She is!" Lorelei beamed.
Luke set down the plates and I reached for the ketchup, smothering my homefries and eggs.
"So are you in Stars Hollow just for the summer?" Rory asked, sipping her coffee.
"Um no, I'm here forever I guess," I shrugged and kept my eyes on my plate.
"Good, but how come you're living with Taylor," Lorelei inquired innocently.
"I just am," I said, shaper than intended.
"Oh, I see. Well another question I have is; do you pick your own clothes? You always look so cute and fashionable," Lorelei stated, looking at my present outfit which consisted of a deep blue, velvet blazer over a pink rock t-shirt and a formal black mini-skirt, topped off with some pink checkered flats. She was obviously trying to steer the conversation away from the previous question and I tried to forget about it.
"Yes, I pick my own clothes. I like skirts, all kinds of skirts and jackets," I laughed, biting a piece of bacon and relaxing.
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After breakfast we strolled around the square before Rory said she had to meet Lane. Lorelei told me she had to check on the inn, but as I started to reply about having to go somewhere also, she invited me and I accepted. Walking back to her house we passed some of the townspeople and they all gushed about how cute I was, patting my cheeks or running their fingers through my light brown pigtails. When we made it home, (well to Lorelei's home) I eagerly climbed into her Jeep and we set off to the inn.
Seeing as Stars Hollow was so small, it took us no time to get the the Dragonfly. It was a gorgeous building with trees and flowers and sunshine. I was in awe as I followed Lorelei through the front door. To the left there was the check-in and behind it a grumpy looking man.
"Michele do you ever smile?" Lorelei asked, approching the counter with me behind her.
"I do my job fine thank you," he answered in an annoyed french accented voice.
"Vous parlez français?" I inquired, putting myself in plain view.
"Oui, et qui etês vous petite madmoiselle?" he looked surpirsed.
"Je m'appelle Grace, c'est un plaisir de vous rencontrez Monsieur," I replied politely
"Habit tu ici dans Stars Hollow?" he questioned, looking interested in whatever French words came out of me.
"Oui, j'habite avec mon oncle Taylor Doose, je suis nouvelle ici," I explained.
"Oui j'ai supposé ça," he smiled.
"Michele did you just smile?" Lorelei interupted, "Gracie you little charmer."
"I do not smile," he returned to his stiff attitude.
"Lets go to the kitchen and see Sookie, I need more coffee," Lorelei ignored him and put her arm around my shoulders to lead me away.
"Au revoir Michele, à bientôt!" I called over my shoulder and he smiled slightly.
The rest of the inn seemed beautiful, the dining area was amazing and I wondered if this was a ritzy place to stay. We walked down a back hall and through a doorway where we were greeted with yummy smells.
"Sookie is there any coffee?" Lorelei greeted the plump woman rummaging through the freezer.
"Just made a fresh pot it's- Well hello there!" Sookie beamed when she saw me.
She had such a friendly smile that I couldn't help but grin back, "Hi Sookie."
"You must be Taylor's niece, well aren't you just adorable. Want a cookie?" she gushed, patting my head.
"Yes please," I nodded vigorously, follwing her to a counter where she swung me up onto a stool and opened a jar of cookies.
"Take as many as you want Grace," she smiled and patted my head again while I grabbed a cookie and munched it.
"Mmm Sookie I love your coffee," Lorelei sighed as she sipped from her mug.
"Where's Rory today?" Sookie asked, pulling more things from the freezer.
"Off with Lane, I'm only good for breakfast," Lorelei shook her head and smiled.
"Ah I remember when she was little and would eat cookies in the Independence kitchen, oh how they grow," Sookie sighed.
"I'll live, I've got this new little surrogate daughter here that is so sweet she can make Michele crack a smile," Lorelei pointed to me and I shyly smiled.
"She made Michele smile? Our Michele?" Sookie didn't seem to believe Lorelei on this and I laughed.
"She's French, that's her secret," Lorelei stated.
I gave Sookie a wink and twirled on the stool as I heard them laugh. The cookie had been good and I wanted another one but I was still full from breakfast so I jumped off the stool and walked around the big kitchen. A waiter bumped into me near the door and he dropped the plates he was carrying.
"Guests aren't aloud in the kitchen, get out and go back to your parents," he cried in frustration, towering over me with a glare.
I stood there as tears started to form, not knowing exactly what to do.
"Didn't you hear me, get out!" he yelled as I started to cry.
"Go back to my parents! My parents are dead!" I screamed at him as Lorelei and Sookie rushed over to the commotion.
"Whats going on here!" Lorelei demanded authoritatively, as she surveyed the scene.
"This kid wont leave," the waiter muttered.
"It wasn't my fault," I sobbed, backing up to the wall.
"Greg go home," Sookie commanded the waiter.
"What did I do?" he shrilly asked.
"This is not a guest, and you should be speaking to anyone in this inn that way!" Sookie responded in a disgusted tone.
I slid to the ground and couldn't stop crying. My parents are dead! My parents are dead! My parents are dead! Someone reached for me and I fought and screamed as I was lifted off the ground.
"Gracie, Gracie it's okay sweetie. It's okay I've got you," Lorelei soothed, pulling me closer and I wrapped my legs around her waist instinctively, my head dropping to her shoulder as I cried. Everything was not okay! I tried to say so but my sobs cut me off and I could only shake my head.
"Oh honey, I'm so sorry. Please stop crying I'm here don't worry," Lorelei held me tight and I could only cry harder. I wanted my mom! I wanted my dad! I wanted my brother and my dog! I wanted my family. Not Uncle Taylor who hated me! Not the temporary comforts of Lorelei and Rory and their perfect world! I couldn't stop crying, Lorelei stopped trying to consol me, just held me to her as tight as I held her.
Finally I drew in a quivering breath and let it out quietly, unwrapping and re-wrapping my arms around Lorelei's patient shoulders. I curled my fingers in her dark hair and pushed my face into it, smelling the sweet strawberry shampoo. She walked to the counter and sat on the stool, keeping me in her arms so that now I was straddling her lap and looking into her eyes.
"Gracie where are your parents?" Lorelei asked softly.
"In Heaven," I whispered tearfully, feeling another piece of my heart break as I repeated that phrase.