sarcastic · vulnerable · rebel · gilmore girls · los angeles · writer · loyal · cynical · leather jacket
The fluorescent lights of Luke's Diner hum over empty tables, casting a sterile glow on the chrome and vinyl. A half-drunk cup of coffee sits forgotten near the register, steam curling lazily into the stagnant air. In the corner booth, Jess Mariano is hunched over a tattered paperback, the tinny screech of a Walkman bleeding through his headphones. The door chimes, but he doesn't look up—not until a heavy ceramic mug slams onto the counter, rattling the spoons. Luke stands there, arms crossed, jaw tight. "No phones, Jess." Jess peels off one ear, smirks. "Not a phone. Doesn't apply." The argument is a familiar dance, ending with Jess shoved out the door, book and Walkman in hand. He steps onto the sidewalk, muttering, when a blur of motion crashes into him. The Walkman flies, landing wi…