[unedited]

festivals and fishnets

Molly walked into the diner, sighing out as she closed the door behind her. The town had seemed to be showered with nothing but love. Every corner she turned there was someone sucking on the face of another. Meanwhile, she was still aching over a boy who had moved on.

"Coffee?" Luke questioned as she sat at the counter, her face covered with frustration. "Or happy pills? What's got you so crabby?" The man asked, his mood somehow brighter than hers.

"Love." Molly huffed, holding out her mug for him to fill.

"And?"

"It's stupid and everyone in this town is full of—"

"Hey, Cherry." Wyatt's toothy smile deterred her frown, a light smile returning to him.

"You were saying?" Luke coughed out, finishing pouring her coffee. Molly rolled her eyes, pouring in the cream as Wyatt tugged his flannel over his arms. "Work, then play." Luke reminded him, not letting Wyatt leave the diner.

"Play? What am I five?" Wyatt questioned, taking his notepad out from beneath the counter.

"Mentally, yeah." Luke retorted, smacking him in the back of the head with a towel. "Go see what Kirk wants."

"C'mon, dad, it's the firelight festival." Wyatt whined out, Luke's brows knitting together as he stared at his son.

"And you don't have a girlfriend, so there's no reason for you to get excited." Luke reminded him, walking back towards the kitchen.

"I could have a date though!"

"Yeah? Who?" Luke asked, interested to see what the blond had to say. Molly sat up, wondering if he'd actually had a date.

"Cherry." Wyatt answered fondly.

She shook her head, "he's lying."

"I know that, you're not stupid enough to date him." Luke retorted, deciding to ignore the blond.

"Beau could be my—"

"You're not gay."

"I could be!" Wyatt belted out, Molly snorting as she sipped her coffee. "You were supposed to be on my side." He mumbled as he walked around the counter, making his way towards Kirk.

"Not when you tell people that I'm your date." The red haired girl spun on her stool, following Wyatt's movements. Her coffee sat on her lap, both index fingers beneath the handle.

The blond scribbled down on his notepad as Kirk ordered, ignoring his rambling when he'd finished and turned back to Molly. He set the pad onto the counter, his elbow resting on the top as he stopped to look at the girl.

"And what would be so bad about that?" He questioned, watching her eyes shift around his face.

"You haven't asked me." She answered, his heart stopped momentarily, shocked at her response.

"Oh." He'd expected her to poke fun of him, give him shit, but that he hadn't expected. His hands fumbled as he reached for the notepad, scurrying back to the kitchen.

Molly was dumbfounded. She had practically told him to ask her to be his date. Yet all he could say was 'oh'?

"You look confused." She was.

"I am." Molly answered, looking to Izzy who had sat down beside her, accompanied by Ashley.

"Something I can help with?" Izzy asked, leaning over the counter to get herself a donut.

"Probably not."

"What is it?" Ashley asked, taking Izzy's hand and guiding the donut to her mouth for a quick bite.

"Um.." she was unsure. Ashley had dated Wyatt, she didn't want her to think anything bad of it.

"What can I get you ladies?" Wyatt asked as he exited the kitchen, smiling to the two who had just arrived.

"Blueberry pancakes, please." Ashley smiled, Wyatt looking to Izzy who held up the donut.

"Drinks?"

"Cocoa." They both answered, neither enjoying coffee.

"On it."

"Alright, so why are we confused?" Ashley zoned back into the conversation, the curiosity eating at her.

"You're confused?" Wyatt asked, mixing the cocoa into the mugs.

"Yes. You're confusing." Molly muttered, staring right at Wyatt with a frown.

Wyatt didn't take his eyes off the mugs, biting down onto his cheek as he realized what she was talking about.

"Only cause you're confusing." He responded, the two other girls staring between them.

"You're both confusing." Izzy stated, her brows furrowed tightly at her two best friends.

"Wyatt wont—"

"Someone give me a bucket." Rory grumbled out as she walked into the diner. They all looked to her, waiting for clarification on her words. "Tristan has been sucking faces with Summer all week in front of my locker." She said, rolling her eyes at the mere thought.

Molly fell silent, her heart sinking as she herself felt like she'd vomit. Not due to the kissing, but that he hadn't seemed to give a damn about Molly anymore. Why else would he gloat in front of her sister?

"He's a fucking—" Wyatt's jaw clenched, setting the cocoa's on the counter and he sucked in a breath, calming before turning to Molly. "You're too good for him Cher." He told her, his hands reaching over the counter for hers. He could see the pain on her face, they all could.

"Right." Molly mumbled, her sad, electric blue eyes set on the hands in hers.

"He's right, Molls." Ashley chimed in, her sweet smile bringing reassurance to the red head.

"Sure." Molly forced a smile, though she hadn't believed either of them. She simply wasn't good enough, for anyone. She never had been, and never would be.

She chugged down the rest of her coffee, "I'm gonna go see if they need any help with the decorations."

By the time the sun set over Stars Hollow, Molly been alone in her thoughts for several hours. She had offered to help with decorations, which Doose quickly declined, telling everyone she was not to be trusted. He had been overreacting, all the times she's pranked him, they were harmless fun.

Yet, he'd always blown it out of proportion. It had tempted her, maybe she could do worse, actually give him something to complain about.

Then, there was the love problem. Tristan had already begun to move on before they'd officially broken up. While she had been pining over him still. She'd thought that day, when she watched Wyatt hit him and hadn't felt the need to pull him off; she thought it was over then.

The feelings never stopped hurting though, something in her heart still aching for him. For that love. The love that Wyatt had been offering her.

She didn't know how she hadn't seen it before. How she never realized his flirting actually meant something. He was always there for her, every second of every day. She called and Wyatt came.

She'd done the same for him. But they were best friends, why wouldn't they?

The feelings were there. The subtle glances each time he'd pour her coffee. The ping of irritation and disgust every time he'd talk about who he'd hooked up with at a party. The feeling of comfort when he'd hold her, broken down after a hard day.

She'd thought that it had gone away, that she wouldn't feel like that towards him anymore.

Then, she'd kissed him that night. A pure instinct to see how she would feel. She thought it would be weird for the both of them. Get him to finally shut up about her.

It wasn't though. It had only made everything far more complicated.

Today, she'd actually wanted him to ask her as his date to the festival. A festival full of people in love, celebrating a story of two teens bound to be together.

He didn't ask her though and instead, she was left hurt and confused, once again.

Sat alone on the bridge, she watched the water, mesmerized by the reflection of the stars. It was peaceful, something that had calmed her when she couldn't go to anyone. She wasn't out there often, though she wished she had been.

Maybe being alone wasn't so bad. At least then she wouldn't have anyone to disappoint.

Just like that though, her dreams were crushed, "hey." His voice was steady, a seriousness to it that she'd rarely heard. She liked when he was serious, when they could vent to each other without his immaturity clicking in.

"Hi." She mumbled, not bothering to look up from the water. She knew exactly who it was.

"I've been looking for you." He said, nearing her as he walked over the bridge.

Molly scratched at the chipped paint, "I've been here."

"I see that." Wyatt sighed out, "can I?" He pointed to the spot beside her, which she nodded, allowing him to sit.

They sat in silence for several seconds, neither knowing what to say. It was weird, they'd always had something to talk about. Whether it had been music or which teacher annoyed them most, they were never quiet.

Molly decided to speak up first, "did you not like it?" She asked, her eyes still focused on the lake.

"Like what?"

She bit down on her lip, facing the blond who had already been looking at her, "the kiss."

His mouth turned upwards, "of course, I liked it."

"Then.. do you not like me?"

"No." He shook his head, her nose beginning to burn as tears threatened, "I love you."

"You do?"

Wyatt mustered up a laugh, "yeah, you idiot."

"Oh." Her head fell, staring at the water once again.

"You just.. you caught me off gaurd today." He told her, reaching for her hand that rested above her knee. He locked their fingers together, keeping then against her leg.

"I think I caught myself off gaurd. It was kind of a spur of the moment thing, yknow?"

"So, does that mean you don't want to be my date?" He asked, inching his body closer to hers, allowing their thighs to press together.

"I do."

"Then, Molly Gilmore, would you be my date to the bonfire and after party this weekend?" He asked, squeezing her hand in his.

She looked to him, this time smiling, "I would love to."

Wyatt had a tight lipped grin, his eyes bouncing over her freckles face. They landed on the same spot over and over, her lips. Which he been sure tasted of the cherry chapstick.

"I really want to kiss you." He confessed, his heart racing in fear of her response. They'd kissed before but he was so high he'd barely remembered how it felt. Now, he was stone cold sober.

Molly hesitated, her eyes falling to his lips. She took her time to lean in, allowing him to meet her half way. He was gentle, their lips barely touched, his breath on hers as he took it slow, savoring every last second. She could feel him smile as she finally forced them to meet fully, her hand making its way to the back of his neck, holding him against her.

She didn't want to break away, not like she had the first time. His hand moved up to her cheek, easing into the kiss that slowly grew more passionate. Molly sat up, unlocking their hands and placing both hands around him. What little space had been between them, quickly drifted away as she pressed her chest against him.

It felt different, not that she had much experience with making out. Though her and Tristan had done plenty of it. It felt different than with him. With Wyatt, she knew she was safe, that there would be no judgment.

He kissed differently too, as if every second counted. He was tender, sweet and she couldn't get enough of him.

Molly sat up on her knee's, not daring to break the kiss as she positioned herself over him. Wyatt had been surprised by her actions, pulling away with wide eyes.

"We should—we should stop." He breathed out, though he wanted to do the exact opposite.

"Did I do something wrong?" She asked, still sat on his lap, her arms around him as she stared innocently to him.

Wyatt let out a breathy laugh, shaking his head, "not at all." He assured her, tucking her red locks behind her ear.

"Then.." she thought, sitting further down and her eyes widened, "Wyatt!" She jumped off of him, sitting back onto the bridge.

"I swear that's never happened like that before!" He claimed, throwing up his hands.

"Control yourself!" She began to laugh, unsure of how to feel about what she'd done.

"I usually can.. you see the power you have on me, it's like—"

"Don't lie, you're just horny, all the time."

"That too, but c'mon, Cherry, all we were doing was kissing." He said, joining her laugh, slightly embarrassed with himself.

"Just.. warn me next time."

"I tried." He laughed, pushing himself up from the bridge. He held out his hand with a smile, "let me walk you home?"

—

"Oh! Just the kids I wanted to see!" Patty exclaimed, stopping the group as they walked from school. They stared at her with confusion, her beaming smile concerning them.

"Yeah?" Izzy questioned, Miss Patty smiled to her, then looked to Molly and Wyatt.

"I want to do a reenactment of—"

"Miss Patty, I really don't want to be in one of your shows. I've told you this." Wyatt stated, having had the woman beg him for years to lead in her shows.

"But you and Molly would make such a perfect depiction of the young couple who founded our wonderful town."

"Patty, sorry, I'm gonna have to say no too. Why don't you ask.. my sister!" Molly pointed out Rory and Dean as they walked over. A wicked smile on her face and she took Wyatt's hand dragging him away.

"She's not gonna leave you alone, you know." Ashley stated as her and Izzy walked behind them.

"Yeah, but that'll buy us some time." Wyatt said, looking back to see the woman now talking to Rory and Dean. "Besides, could you imagine me on stage?"

"It's not that different from you playing a hockey game. I mean, you have the play, which is basically the script and you have—"

"Okay, could you imagine Molly on stage?"

"No." The three answered, laughing as they walked into the diner.

Wyatt froze at the door, staring at the woman sat behind the counter. He wasn't staring at Lorelai, instead, the woman who had sat in her spot. His smile grew, ignoring the concern on his fathers face as he stared back at the woman talking to him.

"Rachel?" Wyatt asked, he'd felt like a little kid again. Staring at the only woman who had ever felt like a mother to him.

She spun around in her seat as she heard her name, a gasp leaving her mouth, "Wyatt!" She jumped down, the boy running into her arms, held tightly by her embrace.

"You're back." He uttered out, a childish laugh leaving his mouth.

"And you're.. you're so big, look at you!" She laughed out, breaking the hug with her hands cupping his face. She looked back to Luke then to the boy, "how have you grown so much?" Her eyes were tear ridden, disappointed in herself for missing so much.

"I work out a lot?" He tried to joke, too happy to come up with a sly response.

Luke, however, wasn't nearly as happy as he stood behind the counter. He was upset, angry even. More so, seeing Wyatt so content with the woman's surprise visit.

"Where, um, where have you been?" He asked, wiping the tear that fell.

"The MiddleEast!" She exclaimed, taking his sleeve and pulling him up to the counter.

"Do you have pictures?" He asked, obviously she had pictures but he'd wanted to see. See the life that she'd left him and his father for.

He couldn't bring himself to be upset with her, not like he had with his biological mother. She was a caring woman, even if she had stopped calling. Wyatt had looked up to her, loved her like a real mother.

"So many pictures." She told him with a smile, opening the book she already had placed on the counter.

The three girls watched, awestruck by the moment in which confused them. Molly kept looking from Wyatt to Luke, noticing the disapproval on the man's face. It concerned her.

"Who is she?" Ashley questioned as they sat at a table, all staring at the giddy Wyatt and woman beside him.

"Rachel." Izzy mumbled, Molly still stuck on Luke questionable eyes, "Luke's ex girlfriend, Wyatt adored her. Still does but she hasn't.. she hasn't called in a while." Izzy explained, she was iffy on the woman. As Molly had been. Neither of them wanted to see the boy hurt.

"He looks happy." Ashley stated, unable to hold her smile as she watched him look through the pictures.

"I don't like her showing up like this." Molly muttered, starting to realize what had been going on in Luke's mind. "I think I'm gonna get home, I've got to get ready for dinner."

A dinner she was particularly not excited for, Rory got to skip, her three month anniversary giving her an out. While Molly was sure her and her mother would be scolded the entirety of the night for the golden child not showing.

"Its only three-thirty." Izzy stated, as dinner didn't usually start until seven.

"Yeah, well.." Molly couldn't come up with an excuse, pushing out her chair as she walked up to the counter. "I'll see you tomorrow." She told Wyatt, his head turning to her with surprise.

"You're going home?"

"Yeah, it's Friday."

"Oh, have fun?" He knew she wouldn't. His eyes widened as she turned towards the door, "Cherry wait!" She turned back with confusion.

"Yeah?"

"Rachel, I want you to meet, Molly. My.. best friend." He got up, taking Molly back over to the woman with a cheery smile.

"Wait, you're the girl that Wyatt used to go on about when he was a kid." Rachel stated, a side smile to the girl as she looked between her and the boy.

"I guess?"

"I see what all the fuss is about."

"Oh? Well, thanks.. I should get going." Molly mumbled, unsure of how she felt about the woman. "It was nice meeting you though." She forced a smile as she turned towards the door.

"You too!"

—

Molly walked into town after dinner, her coat clinging around her during the cold night. She hadn't brought her board, wanting to enjoy the night as the town lit with twinkling lights. She could see Wyatt exiting the diner, dressed in his usual attire, though his hat was missing.

She caught up to him, linking her arm in his, "no hat?"

"Oh, hi! You're back early."

"Yeah, mom and I snuck out her bedroom window." Molly responded with a laugh, recalling the times she'd done it herself to get away from her mom. That time, she was helping her mom get away from her grandmother.

"Dare I ask?" He laughed at the thought, taking his arm from hers only to put it over her shoulder.

"I'd say no." She looked out into the town, eyeing the people around the gazebo, "the bonfire still hasn't started?"

"I haven't gotten there yet, they have no matches." He responded, holding up the pack of matches he'd always had on him.

"So.. where's your hat?" She asked, finding it odd to see him walking around without it. She loved his hair, but the hat was practically a part of him.

"Oh, Rachel said I look better without it and I tried to.. look good."

She realized his attire had been entirely the same, his flannel had been buttoned, rather than showing off whatever band shirt he had on. His jeans didn't have tears or muddy stains, they looked new, perfectly fit and untorn denim. He'd even warn