CJ Gilmore rode down the street on his skateboard, weaving around the passersby. The wind whipped through his short, brown hair, and billowed his jacket behind him. Backpack securely on his back, CJ pushed his foot against the ground to gain more speed, practically flying through the small town of Stars Hollow. Reaching the Independence Inn in record time, CJ kicked his board up into his hand and raced up the front steps.
"Hey, Michel," he greeted with a wave towards the front desk.
"Hello, Lorelai's offspring," replied Michel in an emotionless tone, not even sparing a glance at the teen as he shuffled through some documents.
"I see you're as charming as ever this afternoon," said CJ with a grin before he disappeared into the kitchen.
"Hey, Ceej," greeted his mother, Lorelai, as he entered. "Make sure you're careful with that thing," she gestured vaguely at the skateboard in her teenaged son's hand. "We do not need a repeat of the infamous Sookie-Skateboard Incident of 1998." Both his mom and Sookie, who had been stirring a pot on the stove, let out a dramatic shudder at the memory.
CJ set his skateboard carefully against the wall before scouring the kitchen for a snack. Eye on the prize, CJ quickly made his way to the plate of croissants on the counter. "So, why'd you page me to meet you here?"
"We've gotta wait for your sister," Lorelai replied slowly, forcing down a grin and practically shaking with excitement. Sookie stood beside Lorelai, grinning and wringing her rag in her hands, looking equally as excited.
CJ quirked an eyebrow up at the pair as he bit into his croissant, chocolatey goodness filling his mouth. "What, did you do something slutty?" he asked his mom, voice heavily muffled from his stuffed face.
"Not this time," she said, still straining to suppress her grin.
"So, then, what is it?" He gasped as a thought crossed his mind, "Are we getting a dog like I've always wanted?"
Lorelai was ready to burst, "We need to wait for your sister, CJ!" She couldn't stop the grin from spreading across her face.
"You know Rory is not a fast walker, Mom. I think you and Sookie are gonna pop a blood vessel before she gets here." He went in for another croissant.
A few moments later, the kitchen door swung open and CJ's twin sister, Rory, entered the room.
"Oh, finally!" exclaimed Lorelai, grabbing onto Rory's arm and dragging her over to where CJ stood.
Rory sent CJ a confused look, her eyebrows furrowed. "What's going on?"
CJ shrugged. "Mom's gotta tell us something," he said around another bite of croissant. "She wouldn't say what 'til you got here."
Rory took in her mother's excitement - her ear-to-ear grin and the way she was practically bouncing where she stood - and frowned at her. "What, did you do something slutty?"
Lorelai's shoulders slumped as she sent a playful dirty look to both her children, "Why do you both assume I've done something slutty?"
The twins sent each other looks that translated to 'You say something' and 'No, you say something.'
"So, what's the news?" Rory finally spoke up, pointedly changing the subject.
"Here," said their mother, passing each twin a matching shopping bag.
Furrowing their eyebrows at one another, the twins accepted the bags and opened them cautiously, neither knowing what to expect. What could have gotten their mom to almost-slutty happy levels? CJ opened it up and pulled out a blue plaid tie, more confused as to what was going on than ever, and glanced at his sister. Rory didn't look any more knowing than he was as she pulled out a matching blue plaid skirt from her bag.
Lorelai and Sookie just stared at the twins, matching grins etched onto their faces, as they awaited their reactions.
"We're gonna be in a Britney Spears video?" Rory asked, smiling cheekily.
"You're going to Chilton!" blurted Sookie, throwing her hands in the air excitedly. Lorelai's grin dropped and she playfully slapped Sookie on the shoulder for spilling the beans.
"Mom?" Rory and CJ asked, looking to Lorelai for confirmation.
"You did it, babes," Lorelai spoke, her grin returning. "You got in." She held their acceptance letter in the air.
CJ couldn't help the grin that forced itself to the surface. He snatched the letter out of his mom's hands to read it for himself. He and Rory had given up hope on getting into the prestigious school, especially as the school year had already started weeks ago, but the words before him were clear as day: Congratulations Lorelai and Christopher Gilmore. You have been accepted into Chilton Preparatory School.
"No way," CJ said to himself as he read.
"How did this happen?" Rory asked, a hint of a smile on her face before a thought hit her. "You didn't . . ." she trailed off, letting their minds fill in the blank, " . . . with the principal, did you?"
CJ's head snapped up from the letter at his sister's question, nose crinkling in disgust.
"No, honey, that was a joke," replied Lorelai with a small laugh. "They have 2 open spots - you guys start on Monday."
Both CJ and Rory stood still in shock and disbelief, before quickly snapping out of it and engulfing both their mother and Sookie in tight hugs.
"We're going to Chilton!" Rory exclaimed as she and CJ hugged in celebration.
"I know!" He grinned back at her.
"I have to call Lane!" She quickly hugged their mom once again before running off.
"I can't believe this," CJ said to his mom, hugging her once again. "I didn't think we'd get in!"
"Oh, I knew you two would," his mom said, waving a dismissive hand at her son. "You two are the most brilliant kids in the world."
CJ stared at himself in his bedroom mirror later that evening, lips pursed as he fumbled with his new Chilton tie. Over and through the hole, back around, and his tie was suddenly a jumbled knot in the middle of his chest. Sighing deeply to himself, CJ fought the knot and soon unraveled it, resolving to try again. He crossed the two ends of the tie over one another, looped a piece through the resounding hole, before his fingers created an uneven, jumbled knot again. He ripped the tie from his neck, launching it across the room.
Letting out a loud groan, he tried not to think about, not for the first time, what it would be like if his father were around. He would help CJ with his tie, like every movie and T.V show ever, give him advice on girls, help him with his hockey tryouts. But Christopher Hayden had chosen to not be involved in his children's lives, to call once a week and call it good enough.
Shaking his head of the things he'd rather not think about, CJ scanned his tidied room before he spotted his discarded tie on the floor beside his bed, bound still into a huge knot. He snatched it up before jogging downstairs.
"I can't believe tomorrow is my last day at Stars Hollow High," his sister was saying as CJ descended the steps.
"I know," Lorelai replied, grinning brightly.
"Today I was so excited, I dressed for gym," Rory added as the two walked through to the living room. Rory stood onto the small stool for their mother to hem her skirt.
"And it was a total trainwreck," CJ piped in as he flopped down onto the couch, kicking his feet up onto the coffee table. Sewing supplies clattered to the floor as CJ knocked them with his feet.
"It definitely was," Rory replied, sporting a grin of her own. "I played volleyball."
"With other people?" Lorelai asked as she began to sew a bit of Rory's skirt.
"Yep, but like CJ said, I really did suck at it."
"Eh, you get that from me," Lorelai replied with a soft smile to her daughter.
"Where's your pate?" Sookie asked, emerging from the kitchen.
"At Zsa Zsa Gabor's house?" supplied Lorelai, sarcastically.
"Right," nodded Sookie, grabbing her purse and jacket off the stairs railing. "I'm going to the store because you have nothing. You feel like duck?"
"Ooh, if it's made with chicken - absolutely," said Lorelai, putting the finishing touches on Rory's skirt.
Sookie said her goodbyes and headed out the front door.
"Alright," Lorelai said, standing up from her crouched position in front of Rory. "This will give you an idea. Go see how you like it."
"Okay," Rory grinned, turning to head to her bedroom mirror.
"Hey, Mom," CJ spoke, grabbing his tie from beside him and jumping to his feet. "Can you help me with. . ." he trailed off, holding out the knotted up tie to her.
Lorelai sent her son a soft smile. "Of course, kid." She grabbed the tie from his outstretched hand and made quick work unknotting it. Then she placed it over his head and began walking him through how to tie it. CJ nodded along as his mother spoke, trying to make mental note of what she was doing. "And, there you go," she said as she finished. "You are officially a stuck-up, private school kid."
CJ rolled his eyes at his mother's cynicism, heading to the mirror down the hall to see how he looked. It felt odd wearing a tie. He looked so old and professional, a striking difference to how he felt inside. His breathing feeling constricted, he loosened the tie a bit before taking in his appearance as a whole. His dark hair, pale skin, and bright, blue eyes stared back at him. The tie only made his eyes more noticeable, if that were even possible. Him, his mom, and his sister all had striking, blue eyes; it was a Gilmore thing, he thought to himself with a small smile.
"I love being a private school girl," He heard Rory speak brightly as she reentered the living room. Both twins missed the pained look that flashed on their mother's face at these words.
The following day was the twins' very last at Stars Hollow High School. Rory, Lane, and CJ stood at the twins' lockers - which were right beside one another's - cleaning them out. Lane held Rory's cardboard box while CJ's sat on the floor beside his feet. He haphazardly tossed another of his books down as Rory gushed to Lane about Chilton.
"And we get to wear uniforms," Rory spoke, adding to the steadily-growing pile of books in her arms. "No more having people check you out to see what jeans you're wearing, 'cause everyone's dressed alike in boring clothes and just there to learn." Rory shut her locker door as Lane placed Rory's final possession into the box overflowing in her arms.
"Okay, there's academic-minded and then there's Amish," said Lane.
"Yeah, I'm getting her the horse and buggy for Christmas," CJ butt in, dropping a few more items into his box on the floor.
"Funny, you two," said Rory, sarcastically.
"Thank you," replied Lane, sweetly. "So, I told my mom you're changing schools," she added to Rory after a beat.
"When's the party?" CJ asked with a lopsided smirk at the girls.
"On Friday," Lane replied. "I have to go," Lane handed Rory the final few books she had been holding for her. "I have to have a pre-hayride cup of tea with a future doctor. How do I look? Korean?"
"Spitting image," said Rory with a soft smile. Just as Lane walked away, the books she had placed in Rory's arms slipped and fell to the floor, sliding behind the twins. Rory dropped to her hands and knees to grab them. Just as CJ went to turn and help his sister, a figure appeared in front of her. "God!" she exclaimed, jumping in fright. "You're like Ruth Gordon, just standing there with a tannis root. Make a noise," she snapped to the mysterious figure.
"Rosemary's baby," the guy replied.
CJ looked up at the guy; it was a long way up. This guy was at least 6'0", standing almost a full head above CJ himself. He donned a black t-shirt with a matching black leather jacket and jeans. CJ remained silent as the guy approached his twin sister, quickly turning to look in his locker again and continuing to empty it, pretending not to listen in on his twin's conversation.
"Yeah," Rory replied, sounding surprised the guy understood her reference.
"Well, that's a great movie," said the guy. "You've got good taste." CJ rolled his eyes. Everyone knew Rosemary's Baby was a good movie. There was a beat of silence and CJ had to resist the urge to turn around and see what was happening. He didn't want to embarrass his sister, or potentially see anything that would leave him scarred for life. "Are you moving?" The guy asked. He must have noticed her locker box.
"No, just my books are," replied Rory.
"My family just moved here from Chicago."
"Chicago," said Rory, sounding impressed. "Windy. Oprah," she added, awkwardly. CJ tried not to chuckle at his sister's attempts at talking to a guy.
"Yeah, yeah, that's the place. I'm Dean," the guy, Dean, introduced himself.
"Hi." There was another awkward beat of silence. CJ dropped another book into his box quite pointedly, clearing his throat, and causing Rory to jump. "Oh, Rory. Me. That's - that's me."
"Rory," the guy repeated.
"Well, Lorelai, technically," continued Rory. "She named me after herself. She was lying in the hospital thinking about how men name babies after themselves all the time, so why can't women? She says her feminism just kind of took over," Rory rambled. "But, personally, I think a lot of Demerol also went into that decision." Another beat of silence met them as CJ tried to hold back his chuckles, his shoulders shaking with the effort. "I never talk this much."
The two continued to talk for a moment as CJ shamelessly eavesdropped, standing at his locker far longer than necessary; his box was full, practically overflowing with books, photos, and CDs.
And, so, Rory went walking off with a guy - a tall, leather jacket wearing guy. CJ tried his best not to let his protectiveness over his sister get the better of him. CJ had dated before, his sister deserved to, too. At least that's what he was telling himself to not go running after the duo. Rory was smart; she wouldn't do anything stupid because of a guy.
As CJ pulled down the pictures off his locker door, the final items in his now barren locker, his best friend Matt approached, looking solemn.
"Matt, you okay, buddy?"
Matt nodded, looking anywhere but at CJ as he toed the tiled floor.
CJ looked him up and down, scanning for anything that could be bothering his friend, but found nothing. "You sure?"
"Yeah, thanks," Matt nodded, the ghost of a smile on his face.
"Look, I'm sorry I'm switching schools, okay?" CJ said seriously. "Chilton is just such a big opportunity, and you know I'll be around all the time after school and - and on the weekends," he rambled.
Matt nodded, now smiling a bit more. "I know, it's alright, CJ. I'm proud of you, man."
CJ smiled back at Matt. "Thanks, dude. You're gonna be fine here without me, you'll see." Matt nodded, though he looked unconvinced. "I promise."
CJ picked his locker box up and he and Matt headed out of the school - one of them for the final time. CJ couldn't say that he wouldn't miss the place, with all its memories - good and bad, or that he didn't feel guilty for leaving it and Matt behind, but the excitement over what was to come on Monday helped balance it out.
The Gilmores sat in Luke's Diner that evening, eerily silent. It was a rare day in their household for them to be silent. Each one of them poked at their food, not even truly eating what was on their plates, another rarity.
"So, you were late getting home tonight," their mom said to Rory, trying to start a conversation amid the unusual atmosphere.
"Yeah, I went to the library," said Rory, poking at her food again.
CJ sent his sister a knowing look at her lie, which she pointedly ignored.
"Oh," said Lorelai, softly. There was another moment of awkward silence. "I forgot to tell you guys we're having dinner with your grandparents tomorrow night," she added, casually.
CJ scrunched his eyebrows in confusion.
"We are?" Rory asked for them both, looking just as confused. "But it's September."
"So?" Lorelai asked, pointedly sipping her coffee.
"So," CJ spoke up. "We only see the grandparents on holidays. What are we going for, Labor Day?"
"Look, it's not a holiday thing; it's just dinner," their mom snapped.
CJ frowned deeply. "Okay," he snapped back, not looking up from his plate.
Luke suddenly appeared, donned in his classic backwards baseball cap and casual button-down shirt, and placed two cheeseburgers on the table before grabbing a third burger off his forearm and placing it in front of CJ. He ripped their bill from his pad and slid it onto the table.
"Red meat can kill you," Luke deadpanned. "Enjoy." He walked away without another word.
Lorelai let out a soft chuckle, but neither CJ nor Rory reacted to it. "So, I finished hemming your skirt today," she spoke to Rory with an excited smile.
Rory said nothing, playing with her food once more.
"A grunt of acknowledgement might be nice."
"I don't understand why we're going to dinner tomorrow night," Rory spoke suddenly, causing CJ to finally look up from his plate. "What if I had plans? You didn't even ask me."
"Well, if either of you had plans, I would've known," their mom replied.
"How?" Retorted Rory.
"You would've told me."
"I don't tell you everything. I have my own things."
"Fine, you have things," replied their mom, sounding a bit amused.
"That's right, I have things," Rory snapped back.
"Hey," Lorelai spoke sarcastically. "I had dibs on being the bitch tonight."
"Just tonight?" grumbled Rory.
CJ snorted, but sunk lower in his seat at the sharp look their mom sent him.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" she asked Rory, seriously.
Rory hesitated for a moment. "I-I'm not sure I wanna go to Chilton," she admitted.
CJ sat back up in his seat, sending his sister a dirty look.
"What?"
"The timing is just really bad," defended Rory.
"The timing is bad?" echoed Lorelai.
"And the bus ride to and from Hartford," Rory continued. "It's like 30 minutes each way."
"I can't believe what I'm hearing," Lorelai spoke, shaking her head.
"Neither can I," grumbled CJ, sending Rory a glare. "That's really what this is about?"
CJ suddenly felt a sharp kick to his left shin, and he flinched harshly, letting out a hiss of pain.
"What what is about?" Lorelai asked, eyeing each of the twins in turn.
Rory sent her brother a deep glare that said 'Keep your mouth shut', but CJ sent back onerq just as heated that said 'Don't lie'. Finally, CJ sighed and rolled his eyes. "Nothing," he shrugged, letting Rory's stupid boy be a secret - for now.
"No, what is it?" Lorelai asked again, sending both twins a glare.
CJ and Rory looked at each other hesitantly, wondering what to say now.
"We just don't think you should be spending that money right now," CJ thought up on the spot, Rory nodding alongside him.
"Chilton's gotta be costing you a lot," Rory added.
"Oh, you've no idea," Lorelai spoke, rubbing her head tiredly.
"All of your money should be going toward buying an inn with Sookie."
"What about college? What about Harvard?"
CJ nodded his head, agreeing with his mother. How could Rory give up her chance at the ivy league of their dreams just for some guy, some guy she'd met today? He hadn't thought she could ever be so stupid.
"We don't know that I can't get into Harvard if I stay where I am," snapped Rory.
"You're really willing to take that chance?" CJ himself snapped, angry with his sister, despite keeping her secret. That's what twins were for, after all.
Rory sent her brother another glare. "Stay out of this, CJ."
CJ huffed and rolled his eyes at Rory, staying silent. That's what he gets for trying to help.
"Okay, okay, enough of the crazy talk, okay?" Lorelai butt back in. "I appreciate your concern, but I - I have this covered."
"I still don't wanna go," Rory snapped.
"Why?" Lorelai exclaimed, eyebrows furrowed with anger.
"Because I don't."
CJ rolled his eyes at his sister's stupidity, but kept his mouth shut. She wanted to be stupid? Fine, but leave him out of it.
"I have to get out of here," their mother spoke, pushing out of her chair, grabbing her purse and coat.
"We have to pay first," Rory called out.
Lorelai stopped back at the table and threw a wad of cash down for Luke. The twins both pushed out of their chairs and shoved them in, following their mom out the door.
The Gilmores walked down the darkened streets of Stars Hollow in silence, still being lightly illuminated by the soft glow of the street lamps. The teen hayride galloped by, Lane sitting in the back sandwiched uncomfortably between two Korean guys. They were sitting in complete silence, body language quite tense.
CJ tried to catch Rory's eye to try and communicate to her that turning down Chilton for a boy - especially a boy she had just met that very same day - was flat out insane, but his twin refused to look at him. Letting out a huff of frustration, CJ led the way and began walking a bit faster.
The group passed Miss Patty's dance studio where Patty was conducting a ballerina class. "Susie, do you have to tinkle?' she was saying to one of the little dancers. "Then uncross your legs, sweetie. Oh, Rory," Miss Patty spoke as she spotted the Gilmores walking by. "I think I found a job for your male friend."
"What male friend?" Lorelai asked, looking at Rory.
Well, there went the secret, CJ thought to himself, shaking his head.
"They need a stockboy at the supermarket. I already talked to Taylor Doose about him," Patty continued, unaware of the building tension between the Gilmores. "You just send him around tomorrow."
"Okay, thanks."
"What male friend?" their mom asked again, but Rory suddenly found her shoes incredibly interesting.
"Oh, he's very cute," said Miss Patty with a smirk. "You have good taste."
"It's the boy she met at school today," CJ revealed, rolling his eyes.
"CJ!" Rory snapped with a fiery glare at her twin, before turning on her heels and storming away.
"Oh, you're gonna have to walk faster than that," Lorelai called after her. "You're gonna have to turn into friggin' Flo Jo to get away from me!"
CJ shook his head to himself before following after his fuming mother and sister.
Rory stormed into the house first, slamming the door shut behind her without so much as a glance back. Lorelai and CJ came through a second later, CJ shutting the door and shrugging his coat off. The arguing still raged around him.
"This is about a boy," said Lorelai as she followed Rory through into the living room. "Of course. I can't believe I didn't see it. All this talk about money and bus rides, you got a thing going with a guy and you don't wanna leave school." Lorelai huffed as Rory continued to ignore her, shuffling through her bag.
"I'm going to bed," spat Rory.
CJ had stopped in the archway of the living room, watching the fight from afar. He sighed, stepping into the ring. "Rory, don't be stupid."
Rory let out a huff, shuffling through her bag again. "I'm not stupid."
"You're acting stupid. You can still see him even if you go to different schools. It's stupid to throw away your chance at Chilton over this," CJ tried to reason with her.
"That's not why I don't want to change schools. We've already been over the reasons!" Rory exclaimed, pushing past her mom and brother to head toward her bedroom.
"God, the guy thing should've been my first thought," Lorelai called after her. "After all, you're me."
Rory whipped back around. "I'm not you."
"Really?" their mom countered. "Someone willing to throw important life experiences out the window to be with a guy? It sounds like me to me."
"Whatever," Rory brushed her off.
"So, who is he?"
"There's no guy!"
"Dark hair, romantic eyes, looks a little dangerous?"
"This conversation is over." Rory entered her bedroom, slamming the door shut behind her.
"Does he have a motorcycle?" Lorelai yelled. "Because if you're gonna throw your life away, he better have a motorcycle!"
CJ and Lorelai sat in silence for a moment, both absorbing what just happened.
"So, Rory told you about him?" Lorelai asked, sitting at the kitchen table.
CJ remained standing. "No, I overheard them meet. I don't think she would've told me either." Which was odd, CJ thought to himself. When he'd gotten his first girlfriend, he'd told Rory right away and she'd been thrilled for him. He didn't think it was odd for a sister to talk to her brother about that. They were twins, they told each other everything. Well, most things, CJ amended.
"I'm gonna head to bed," CJ spoke after another moment of silence. "She's clearly not going to listen to me about this. Goodnight." He hugged his mom and turned to head upstairs to his bedroom when Lorelai stopped him.
"Hon," she called out.
"Yeah?"
"You still wanna go to Chilton, right?"
CJ let out a chuckle. "Yeah, I still do. Don't worry."
Lorelai let out a grin. "Good. At least I have one kid on the right track right now."
"She'll come around - eventually."
Lorelai nodded. "Yeah, well, I'm going back for round two." She gestured towards Rory's door. "Goodnight."
CJ nodded and headed upstairs, not wanting to partake in part two of the argument. Whether or not Rory was going to Chilton, there was no way CJ was passing this opportunity up. Though he still felt guilt in the pit of stomach over leaving Matt behind. Matt didn't have much in terms of people who cared about him, leaving CJ with this pit of guilt and worry over his friends' wellbeing constantly churning in his stomach.
CJ swiftly entered his bedroom, which was down the hall from his mother's, and shut the door behind him. Flopping down onto his bed, he flicked his bedside lamp on, flooding his bedroom with its yellow light, before pulling out the current book he was reading.
Awhile later he checked his alarm clock. 12:48am. Time to try and sleep. Keyword being try, he thought to himself. As the time on his alarm clock flashed forward and forward, CJ stared at the ceiling. He rolled and changed positions countless number of times, punching his pillow into new positions, flipping it over to the cool side, but nothing seemed to help. He listened to music, sat up and read a bit more, got a glass of water - nothing.
His mind reeled with thoughts and worries, chest aching and stomach churning. How was Chilton going to go? Was Rory even going to be there alongside him? Would his Mom be able to afford it, especially for two children? What if he flunked out? What if he disappointed his Mom? What if she ended up resenting him, hating him?
CJ stared up at his ceiling, eyes half-lidded as his exhaustion wore at him. His limbs felt so heavy, but sleep still evaded him. Finally, as CJ could see the sun beginning to peak through his closed curtains, he was able to lilt into a light sleep.
Bags beneath his eyes were something that CJ was quite accustomed to. Grabbing the concealer he had stolen from his mother and sister, CJ applied some beneath his eyes and rubbed it in. He was taking the fact that he wore makeup to the grave with him, but he'd be damned if he said it didn't work its magic. Now looking slightly more alert and alive, CJ finished getting ready. He'd been able to sleep in a bit, well a few hours constituted as 'sleeping in' to CJ, but his body still hadn't gotten all the sleep it needed just yet. Fighting back a yawn, he pulled on a t-shirt and jeans before heading downstairs.
Stumbling into the kitchen, CJ let out a deep yawn before opening the fridge in hopes of finding something remotely edible. Yogurt? No. Leftover Chinese food? Yes. CJ grabbed one of the takeout containers from the fridge. Letting the door shut on its own, he turned around and grabbed a clean fork from the sink, opening his container to find noodles. Nodding to himself, he began to scarf them down. He didn't even notice Rory come out of her room, only to abruptly stop when she noticed him hunched over, stuffing his face at the kitchen table.
CJ ignored his sister when she crossed the kitchen and went to open the fridge, pausing as she noticed a note on the door.
"Did you see this?" she asked in a snipped tone, sliding the magnet that held the note up and pulling the note from the fridge.
CJ shook his head, his cheeks stuffed with noodles. He muffled out a negative-sounding noise.
"It says to meet Mom at the inn at noon," said Rory, giving CJ a disgusted look before dropping the note on the table for him to see for himself.
CJ nodded, finally swallowing everything in his mouth, and glanced at the note. He checked the watch on his wrist. 11:30am. "We better go soon."
Rory rolled her eyes. "What does she even want?"
CJ sent her a dirty look. "What the hell is your problem, Rory?"
"My problem? You're the one butting into my business, telling Mom about Dean."
"Miss Patty told Mom about Dean, not me. And, what, were you planning on hiding him forever?"
"Well, no," Rory admitted. "But I didn't want her to know yet."
"You were walking through town together! News would've gotten back to Mom eventually."
"Whatever, CJ, are we going to the inn or what?"
CJ shook his head in frustration, shoving back from the table and crossing to the fridge. He tossed what was left of the noodles back in before heading towards the door, not even checking if Rory was following. If she wanted to play this game, so could he. Grabbing his skateboard from its spot beside the door, CJ hurried out and began walking swiftly. He couldn't use his board until he reached the main road. He cursed the gravel beneath his feet, but he knew Rory wasn't gonna chase after him. Now they were just both icing each other out. Did it sound affective? No, not to CJ, but he wasn't the one who started it.
CJ arrived at the inn before Rory did, thanks to the magic of his skateboard, and snagged Michel's chair before his sister could. He sat reading his current book when Rory stormed in, leaning against the counter and opening her own book. No words were spoken between the twins, which just felt wrong to CJ. He bit his lip as he glanced at his sister, but her eyes were seemingly glued to her novel. CJ sighed and turned back to his own book, but jumped as their mother's voice hit his ears.
"Hey, guys," she greeted as she approached. She gave CJ a side hug before turning to Rory, "No muumuu today," she poked fun at her. "You know what's weird? I kinda miss it."
"You left us a note to meet you here," stated Rory, ignoring her mother's attempts to break the ice between them.
CJ rolled his eyes, packing his book back into his backpack.
"Yeah, I thought you guys might wanna work a couple hours; make a little extra cash," explained Lorelai.
CJ nodded. "Sure." He set his bag down beside his skateboard.
"Fine," Rory agreed, not looking up from her book still.
"Aw," Lorelai cooed, sarcastically. "You're not gonna give me the 'Mommy Dearest' treatment forever, are you?"
"You wanted me here, I'm here," Rory snapped, finally looking up at their mom with a dirty look. "Should I do something or what?"
CJ shook his head at his sister's actions. He didn't understand Rory. Why was she being so stupid about all this? It wasn't like her.
"Yeah," Lorelai snapped, turning her back to them. "Go home. Dinner's at seven. Be ready to go."
"Fine." Rory pushed past CJ, grabbing her bag off the floor before storming out.
Lorelai and CJ just looked at each other. CJ hated when they fought. It was just the three of them, they were a team, but there were times like these where they were not getting along, causing one to have to choose sides. CJ shook his head and shrugged at his mom, having no ideas in how to deal with his sister, before he headed upstairs to start cleaning rooms.
CJ cleaned rooms in the inn for a few hours before his mom dismissed him, allowing him enough time to head back home before dinner. After skateboarding home, CJ headed straight for his room before he took a quick shower. Getting dressed, he again struggled with tying a tie despite practicing last night. He tied it as best as he could, huffing at how he couldn't get it quite straight, before grabbing his jacket and heading back downstairs.
The ride to the grandparents house was tense. CJ still didn't understand why they were even going in the first place. Their mom had said it wasn't a holiday thing, so what other reason would they have for going? Mom hated her parents, she had always felt this way for as long as CJ could remember.
It wasn't like CJ particularly liked them either. They were so stuck up and rigid, everything having to be perfect and everything so grand and expensive. That was not how their house was at all, not how their lives were, and their mom took them from her parents' house in the first place because of that. CJ couldn't think of a reason why she'd bring them back more often all of a sudden.
The Gilmores stood outside the grand mansion, not yet having the nerve to ring the doorbell. CJ played with his tie nervously as they stared at the door. His grandparents were also quite judgmental, with high standards that CJ wouldn't be able to achieve, despite his stellar grades. He felt the nerves bouncing in the pit of his stomach, aching in his chest, causing his fingers to shake. He struggled to pull in a breath for a moment, but he felt his mother place a steadying hand on his elbow, keeping him grounded and feeling safe. He sucked in a deep breath before letting it out slowly, dissipating his nerves a bit.
"So, do we go in or do we just stand here reenacting 'The Little Match Girl'?" asked Rory, her arms crossed as she stared ahead at the door.
Lorelai turned to Rory and sent her a serious look. "Okay, look, I know you and I are having a thing here, but I need you to be civil - at least through dinner - and then you can pull a Menendez." Rory turned to face her mother, sending her a petulant look. "Deal?" Lorelai asked, raising a brow at her daughter.
"Fine," said Rory.
"And lay off Ceej, at least for the time being, okay?"
Rory rolled her eyes. "Fine," she emphasized, turning back to face the door again.
CJ just shook his head lightly, saying nothing, as their mother rang the doorbell. The door swiftly swung open, revealing CJ and Rory's grandmother, Emily. Her hair perfectly done, her expensive clothes perfectly dry cleaned, and her shiny pearls dangling from her neck were dead giveaways that this was Emily Gilmore.
"Hi, Grandma," Rory greeted with a soft smile.
CJ waved gently, sending his own smile as well.
"Well, you're right on time," spoke Emily as Rory, Lorelai, and CJ entered the house.
"Yeah, yeah, no traffic at all," commented Lorelai, guiding the twins in with an arm around CJ and Rory's backs, her other hand occupied with her disposable coffee cup.
They pulled their coats off and handed them to Emily, who stuck them on the coat rack for them. CJ gave her a small 'Thank you' as she did so, earning a smile from her.
"I can't tell you how excited I am to have you three here," Emily spoke.
"Oh, well, we're excited, too," said Lorelai with a tense smile.
"Is that a collector's cup or can I throw it away for you?" Emily asked her daughter, sarcastically, pointing at the coffee cup in her hands.
Lorelai moved to go throw it away in the small trash by the door, but her mother cut her off. "In the kitchen, please," spoke Emily, nodding in the opposite direction.
"Sorry," said Lorelai, stopping in her tracks.
Their grandma turned to CJ and Rory with a smile. "So," she spoke, wrapping an arm around each twin and beginning to push them along into the sitting room. "I want to hear all about Chilton."
"Oh, well, we haven't actually started, yet," informed Rory.
The group entered the brightly lit sitting room, donned with expensive white and gold couches and chairs, and a grand fire place at the end of the room. Sitting on the couch was their grandfather, Richard, whose nose was stuck in his newspaper.
"Richard," their grandmother called. "Look who's here."
"CJ," Richard greeted. He then turned to the other twin. "Rory. You're tall," he commented, looking her up and down. CJ furrowed his brows; he was the same height as Rory and he didn't get a height comment.
"I guess," shrugged Rory with an amused smile.
"What's your height?"
"5'7"
"That's tall! She's tall," Richard observed.
Their mom then walked into the room, sans coffee cup. CJ knew his mother had disposed of it in the hallway despite Emily's warnings not to. "Hi, Dad," she greeted with a smile.
"Lorelai, your daughter's tall," repeated Richard.
"Yep, it's been established," added CJ, no longer able to bite his tongue.
Lorelai sent him a quick look before glancing back at her father. "Yep, Dad, it's freakish. We're thinking of having her studied at M.I.T."
"Champagne anyone?" Emily asked, coming around with a tray full of fancy looking drinks in fancy looking glasses.
"That's fancy," commented Lorelai, practically reading CJ's thoughts. Each of the Gilmores grabbed a glass off the tray.
"Well, it's not everyday I have my grandchildren and daughter here on a day the banks are open," Emily spoke passive aggressively, raising her own glass. "A toast. To Rory and CJ entering Chilton, and an exciting new phase in their lives."
CJ smiled back at his grandma before taking a sip of his sparkling juice. He made a face as the flavor hit his tongue, but quickly tried to hide his reaction for fear of seeming rude. Instead, it looked as if CJ was going to be sick or something as he fought to hold in his true expressions.
"Well, let's sit everyone." Emily gestured to the chairs and the couch. CJ sat down beside Rory, who was in the middle of him and their grandfather - whose face had not once left the pages of the newspaper.
"This is just wonderful," commented Emily. "An education is the most important thing in the world, next to family."
"And pie," joked Lorelai, only to receive silent stares. "Just a joke," she mumbled as she sat down beside her mother in the chair across from the couch.
The room felt quite tense as silence surrounded them, CJ shifted in his seat uncomfortably. He fumbled with a loose thread on his shirt as his eyes fluttered back and forth between everyone. Lorelai and Emily both downed their drinks, while Richard handed Rory the other half of his newspaper.
The tension continued on through dinner.
"Rory, CJ," their grandmother spoke, drawing the twins' attention away from staring intently at their plates. "How do you like the lamb?
"It's good," complimented Rory.
"Too dry?" Emily asked.
CJ shook his head, "No, Grandma, it's great."
Their grandmother smiled and nodded her head, before Lorelai spoke up.
"Potatoes could use a little salt, though," she joked with a chuckle.
"Excuse me?" Their grandmother replied, raising a brow at her daughter.
"So, Grandpa," Rory changed the subject. "How's the insurance biz?"
"Oh, people die - we pay, people crash cars - we pay, people lose a foot - we pay," replied their grandfather, sounding disinterested as he took another bite of his food.
"Well, at least you have your new slogan," joked Lorelai, though again no one laughed.
"And how are things at the motel?" Richard asked, sending his daughter a look.
"The inn?" She corrected. "It's great." She took another gulp of her champagne.
"Lorelai's the executive manager now. Isn't that wonderful?" Grandma spoke with a smile, surprising CJ. His grandmother wasn't normally one to compliment her daughter like that.
"Yep, that place couldn't run without Mom," CJ piped in, nodding his head.
"Speaking of which," their grandfather butt in. "Christopher called yesterday."
CJ stared down at his plate, jaw set, as he pushed some spinach back and forth with his fork.
"Speaking of which?" Lorelai mocked. "How is that a 'speaking of which'?"
"He's doing very well in California," continued Grandpa. Without us, CJ thought bitterly. "His internet start-up goes public next month. This could mean big things for him." Grandpa looked specifically at Rory and CJ, who sat beside one another to their grandfather's left. "Very talented man, your father."
"They know," Lorelai said softly, looking at the twins. Rory sat silently, clearly not knowing what to say, while CJ chewed on his inner cheek, staring at his plate intently.
"He always was a smart one, that boy," Their grandfather continued. "You two must take after him," he added to the twins with a soft smile.
CJ let his fork clatter to his plate. "I'm not like him," CJ spat, sending his grandfather a look.
Richard stared his grandson down. "Your father is a great, successful man and you should not talk down about him like that," he scolded. Despite how much he disagreed, CJ bit the inside of his cheek to keep the conversation from escalating. His fingers shook and the aching in the pit of his stomach and his chest was back with a vengeance. "I mean, you're named after the man, for Pete's sake," Grandpa added with a shake of his head.
"Speaking of which," Lorelai cut in, sarcastically, taking the heat off her son. "I'm gonna get a coke," she said, getting up from her seat and heading towards the kitchen. "Or a knife," she added, sharply.
The rest of the table stared as she left, no one saying a word. After a moment, CJ sighed and went to stand up from the table. "I should go . ."
"No," Emily interrupted, holding a hand out to gesture for CJ to sit back down. "I'll go." She began walking back towards the kitchen. "You two stay and keep your grandfather company."
Oh, yay, CJ thought to himself, sarcastically, as he and Rory sent each other defeated looks.
But, as their grandmother made it back to the kitchen, the entire dining room could overhear the resounding argument. The trio at the table just sat in silence, pretending that they couldn't overhear.
Their Mom and Grandma fought about Christopher, the past, everything surrounding the circumstances of Rory and CJ's births. It always hurt to overhear the arguing his and Rory's existence caused. If they weren't alive, none of this arguing and hatred would've happened. If it weren't for them, their Mom might have a good relationship with her parents.
"Well, I wasn't too proud to come here to you two begging for money for my kids' school, was I?" Their mother snapped, suddenly recapturing CJ's full attention. He and Rory exchanged shocked looks with one another. They hadn't realized the extent their mother had gone to in order for them to attend Chilton.
"No, you certainly weren't," Grandma shot back. "But you're too proud to tell them where you got it from, aren't you? Well, fine. You have your precious pride and I have my weekly dinners. Isn't that nice? We both win."
CJ bit his bottom lip, guilt bubbling in his stomach. He couldn't let his Mom be indebted to his grandparents for him. He didn't want him and Rory to be the cause of all their problems anymore.
Thankfully, the trio were able to leave soon after. They headed out the front door and paused for a minute to collect themselves after the eventful evening. CJ stared at his shoes as their Mom sighed, leaning against the cement porch wall.
"Mom?" Rory asked, sounding concerned.
"I'm okay," Lorelai replied, with a soft and tired smile. "Do I look shorter?" she asked with a sigh. "Because I feel shorter."
"Hey, how 'bout I buy you guys a cup of coffee?" Rory asked.
CJ looked up from his feet with a soft smile, "Yes, please," he replied as their Mom nodded in agreement. Lorelai wrapped her arms around both of the twins as they headed down the steps to their jeep.
After arriving back at Stars Hollow, their mother parked the jeep on the street before the Gilmores headed for Luke's, for the best coffee in the universe.
"So, nice dinner at the grandparents' house," spoke Rory, sarcastically.
"Oh, yeah, her dishes have never been cleaner," Lorelai quipped back with a dramatic roll of her eyes.
"You and Grandma seemed to have a nice talk," Rory pointed out, sending their Mom a look as the trio reached the entrance to Luke's.
"How much did you guys hear?"
"Not much," denied Rory.
CJ nodded in agreement. "Barely anything."
"You know, snippets," Rory added with a nod of her head.
"Snippets?" Lorelai asked, raising a brow at the twins.
"Little snippets," confirmed CJ.
"So, basically everything?"
"Basically, yes," the twins replied in unison.
They sent each other an amused look for that, before opening the door to Luke's.
"Well, the best laid plans..."
The family shrugged off their coats and sat down at their usual table at Luke's, right near the entrance.
"I think it was really brave of you to ask them for money," spoke Rory.
CJ nodded his head in agreement with his twin. "Yeah, it was. But we can't let you do it," he informed her.
Now it was Rory's turn to nod. "We can't let you be indebted to them, not for us."
Lorelai sighed and clasped a hand of each twin in front of her. "Listen, you two, it's not your job to worry about money or debts or anything like that, yeah?" Lorelai sent them a look, raising her brows for emphasis. The twins nodded, silently, looking down at the table. "That's my job. Your job is to be kids," she spoke with a grin, "and to kick ass at that new school."
CJ smiled back at his Mom, nodding his head. "Okay," he relented, and Rory followed suit, giving their Mom a nod of her own.
"So, how many meals is it gonna take to get us off the hook?" Rory asked, curiously.
Lorelai let out a sigh. "I think the deli spread at my funeral will be the last one."
CJ raised a brow, "God, I hope the grandparents don't outlive you." He chuckled to himself as Lorelai rolled her eyes, amused at her son. A soft grin reached her face as she turned back to Rory.
"Hey," she said, a look of realization upon her face. "Wait, does that mean . . .?"
"Can't let a perfectly good plaid skirt go to waste."
CJ grinned, "You're coming to Chilton?"
Rory grinned back at her twin. "I'm coming to Chilton," she confirmed.
"Aww, honey, you won't be sorry," Mom said, warmly.
Suddenly, Luke approached - or, someone who looked like Luke. The man had Luke's face, but his signature backwards baseball cap was missing, and rather than an open button down and a dirty t-shirt, Luke now sported a nice, ironed button down that he actually buttoned up nicely, all the way to the collar. He looked completely different, completely un-Lukeish.
"Wow!" Lorelai spoke, sounding surprised. "You-you look nice," she complimented. "Really nice."
"I . . . had a meeting earlier at the bank," Luke explained, stuttering a bit over his words. "They like collars. You look nice, too," he added, smiling softly at her.
CJ raised an eyebrow at the interaction, but said nothing. Instead, he sent his twin a knowing look, which she responded with a matching look of her own. Glad to be on the same page, CJ shook his head at his mother and Luke in amusement.
"So, what'll you have?" Luke asked.
"Coffee, in a vat," Lorelai replied, seriously.
Luke scribbled something down on his notepad.
"I'll have a coffee also," Rory butt in. "And chili fries," she added.
"Me three," spoke CJ. "Though give me nachos instead of fries, can you?"
Luke sent him a stern look, but scribbled his order down anyway. "That's quite a refined palate you two have there," he commented, before walking away.
"Behold the healing powers of a bath," joked Lorelai. CJ rolled his eyes at his Mom's antics, before she changed the subject as she sent Rory a pointed look. "So," she began. "Tell me about the guy."
"You know what's really special about our relationship?" Rory asked with a smile. "The total understanding about the need for one's privacy. I mean, you really understand boundaries," Rory tried, but CJ shook his head in amusement. There weren't many boundaries when Lorelai Gilmore wanted to know something, that was for sure.
"So, tell me about the guy," Mom repeated, causing CJ to snort.
"Mom!" Rory admonished.
"Is he dreamy?"
"Ugh, that's so 'Nick at Night'," groaned Rory.
"I'm gonna find out anyway," pointed out Mom.
"Really?" Rory countered. "How?"
"I'll spy," she spoke, as if it were the most obvious answer in the world. "Or Ceej'll tell me."
CJ put his hands up in a 'surrender' pose. "Leave me out of this, guys. I've been involved in enough of your drama already," he joked, rolling his eyes.
Luke suddenly reappeared at the table, placing mugs of coffee, a plate of chili fries, and a plate of nachos on the table. CJ and Rory both took sips of their coffee, savoring the warmth and delicious flavor.
"I can't stand it," grumbled Luke. "This is so unhealthy. Rory, CJ, please, put down those cups of coffee," he begged. "You do not want to grow up and be like your Mom."
"Sorry," the twins spoke in unison. "Too late." The trio of Gilmores all grinned at one another, happy to have resolved their arguments, and to have each other.
Luke shook his head to himself and walked away, leaving them to their meal, where Lorelai continued to bombard Rory about her mysterious guy.