CHERRY. [JESS MARIANO]

Summer Madness

"Is it just me or is this town like, weird?" Lorelai voices out as we walk through the Stars Hollow End Of Summer Madness Festival.

The town square was decorated with red banners and some hay barrels to really give you that feeling of 'madness'. There were food carts and game booths everywhere. Some people played and some just ate. Personally, I liked to do both.

Usually, I quite enjoyed festivals. I liked to say I had a lot of fun there. But not when it's during the summer and a boiling 85° fahrenheit. It may not be that hot to you but I felt like I was being roasted for thanksgiving.

"This town has always been weird," my mother says, walking beside me.

"Glad you finally noticed," I added as my eyes scanned the place for a familiar face. I hadn't seen Jess since I'd got back. With my mother constantly watching me and the unpacking I had to do, I've been a bit busy. I was hopping that he'd be here then I could sneak off with an excuse of games. My mother never wanted to follow me when I did those, I could be there for hours and hours.

My searching was interrupted by Rory nudging me slightly. I tear my gaze away from the many people at the festival and look at her questioningly. She caught my eye before looking off into the distance, gesturing me to look as well.

I followed her line of sight to see Jess standing next to the 'Balloon Pop' game booth. He was already staring at me and when I met his gaze, he gave me a small smirk. Despite the hot weather, he was still wearing a long-sleeved black shirt and a pair of dark jeans. Not that I was complaining, he looked good after all.

Jess tilts his head back ever so slightly, as if asking me to join him. I think of a way to escape from my mother before nodding my head at him.

Turning back towards Rory, she gives me a smug smirk. "Thank you," I whisper quietly so only she could hear. I kiss her on the cheek out of excitement, resulting in her making a disgusted face.

"Mum," I begin as I make my way to her. She stopped her conversation with Lorelai before looking at me expectantly. "I'm gonna go play the balloon pop." I continue, trying not to give away how excited I was.

She narrows her eyes at me suspiciously. "Yeah, go ahead. Just remember what I said." She tells me sternly. It was as if everyone morning before we left the house she would tell me to stay clear of Jess. It was as if he was the plague. She should've known by now that it wasn't going to work.

I say a quick goodbye to everyone before making my way over to the game booth. I couldn't see Jess standing there anymore but I tried not to skip my way there anyway. Small smiles were sent my way as I passed the over friendly town people. Sometimes I wanted to curse at them in response, just to see their reaction.

When I reached the game booth I looked around for Jess but I couldn't find him. It was as if he had just disappeared into thin air. Just as I was about to ask the worker there for a game, I saw Jess come up from behind the booth.

I sent him a grin as I spoke. "I don't think you're allowed back there," I joke.

"Well then I guess somebody better call the sheriff," he retorted with his hands in his pockets. When he was close enough he leaned in for a kiss. But I stopped him with a hand on the chest. He raised an eyebrow at the shake of my head. "Is it cause I'm a fugitive?"

I let out a light laugh at his comment. "Well, my mum might see."

He looks around for a moment. "Unless she can turn invisible, I don't see her." He says with a smirk.