Chapter Text
Rory-
I never really thought much of Charlie Swan before he started dating my mom. Of course I knew him, as is the way with small towns. He’s a nice man, but shy, and usually keeps to himself. So everyone was surprised when they started seeing him spend more and more time with “The Lorelei Gilmore”. Everyone agreed (at a town meeting) that they’d be a cute couple, but they’re complete opposites, and frankly, no one thought Charlie would get up the nerve to ask her out.
I wasn’t surprised though when she finally told me they were dating. I know my mom better than anyone, and I noticed the glances and shy smiles from across the diner, maybe before they even did. I’m happy for them. They are total opposites, but in a way that balances each other out. My mom gets him out of his usual routine, and brings some much needed excitement, and spontaneity to his life, while he grounds her, and brings her back to reality, which she often needs. And if my moms happy, then I’m happy.
When mom told me however, that Charlie has a daughter my age, I wasn’t really sure what to think. Mom’s had boyfriends before, but none of them have had kids, let alone my age. She said she lives with her mom in Arizona, and that I'd probably get to meet her at some point, so I decided I’d look forward to it when the time came, and try not to overthink it until we crossed that bridge.
Well…Bridge crossed.
Today, Charlie announced that his daughter, Bella, is coming to Stars Hollow to stay with him for a while. I thought it was very sudden, but he seemed excited, so I’m happy for him. I know he hasn’t seen her in a long time.
Mom’s excited too.
Lately, things between Charlie and mom have been getting more serious, and he spends more and more time at our house. He practically lives with us now! It’s great that he’s around, but I can’t help thinking how things are going to change with Bella around, and I’m not sure how to feel about it. I’ve been an only child my whole life, and from what I’ve heard so has she. Not that this makes us siblings or anything, I’m getting way ahead of myself here….But what if we don’t get along? I don’t know anything about her, but I’d hate to do anything to put a strain on Mom and Charlie’s relationship. And what if she doesn’t like living in Stars Hollow? I’ve never been to Phoenix, but I imagine it’s a lot different from here. I hate to think about how much it would hurt Charlie if decided she didn’t like it here after all.
Charlie didn’t mention how long she’d be staying either.
Is she just visiting? Is she going to go to school here? Would she be at Chilton with me? Or Stars Hollow High with my friends?
There’s a lot to think about. I haven’t really got a chance to talk about all this with mom yet. But I really need to get back to my homework.
Bella-
Laying in my room, staring up at the ceiling, I can’t help but think about how this is the last night I’ll be staring at this ceiling for a while. The ceiling I’ve been staring up at for so many years. Maybe it’s weird to be getting sentimental about a ceiling…but whatever.
Boxes are strewn about my room, with all of my belongings half shoved in. Tomorrow morning I’m getting on a plane, and flying across the country to stay with my dad for a while, and I’m so behind on packing. Why am I uprooting my life, and moving across the country, to stay with my dad who I haven’t seen in years, and start at a new school already a year into high school? Well…long story short, my mom married this guy named Phil. I wasn’t too sure about him at first but he's an alright guy. Phil’s a professional baseball player, and has to travel a lot for work. My mom tries to act like she’s fine staying home with me while I finish high school but….I can see how much she misses him. It’s not like I’m that attached to this school, or really have any friends here anyway..so I made up some story about how I want to “reconnect” with Charlie before I graduate and go off on my own, and how the fresh Connecticut air would be a nice change from the hot dry air of Arizona. Or something.
I’m not sure if my mom bought it, but before I knew it I was packing up my room.
I’m glad I could do this for her. I’m going to miss her, and I know she’ll miss me, but I know she’s so excited to finally be able to travel with Phil.
I guess it’s not a total lie either, about wanting to reconnect with Charlie. I used to spend summers in Stars Hollow with him as a kid, but I haven’t for a few years now. I remember Stars Hollow being a very small…strange town. There was always some silly festival going on, and it's the kind of place where everyone’s known each other forever, and everyone knows everything about everybody else. Basically the opposite of Phoenix.
I’m already dreading being the new person in town. I hate being the center of attention, and I wish I could just fade into the background and disappear but, I doubt it’s going to be that easy.
I wonder if any of the kids I used to play with when I was younger will still be around…..
Groaning, I sit back up. It’s getting late, and I still haven’t eaten dinner, and I still have a lot of packing to do…Tomorrow’s going to be a long day, and I’ll have plenty of time to overthink things on the plane.