hot sand on toes, cold sand in sleeping bags

“maybe i’d miss you, just a little. plus, you’d probably take AMES with you, and i’d sure miss her.” at the split second kiss, she feels the edges of her mouth quirk up in a smile. “i’ll make you some coffee if you reach the biscuits from the top cupboard, without making fun of my height. otherwise, you’re stuck with the bean-water you call coffee.”

“I think in high school we don’t value the things that we should and it takes growing up to figure out being smart is one of the important things in life. I don’t think we knew each other overly well in high school, I remember us sharing a class or two, but not much else.”

“I don’t think we did.” She smiled, holding her hand out. “Lorelai Armstrong, I do- definitely- vaguely remember you. Everett, I think?”

resisting the urge to be a smartarse and say “a plane”, she smiled. “well, i’m from there originally, though my accent faded a little bit in highschool,” she laughed. “i just decided to go back. mum was really excited about it, actually,” she joked. “oh, that sounds lovely! what’s your son called?”

“one of my students is called ashlyn, though it’s a more common name in scotland, i guess. spelled a-i-s-l-i-n-n, though. i’m not too fond of the name, myself.”

“Actually, I’d say I liked you quite a bit in high school.”

lorelai laughed softly. “i know you did, sam. and i quite liked you too,” she joked. “how are you? i’ve not seen you in forever.”

“oh, yeah? where’s that?” at his comment, she grins, taking it for exactly what it is. “i guess you are, but you will never make a better cup of tea or coffee than me, and you know it, mister. i think they value that MUCH more highly. i know i do.” 

“I was going to be so offended,” she laughed, stepping forward to hug her friend instead.  “I missed you!  How long has it been?  Like five years?”

lorelai grinned into the hug. “i think so. god, feels longer, though, i really missed you! how’re things?!”

lorelai smiled. “i suppose that would be the right thing to do,” she laughed. “and it’s what i’d teach my own students, so i suppose it’s hypocritical of me to be- well- so unforgiving. it’s really nice to see you again, cierra.”

“I guess were attempting to be adults and put petty school things behind us? In theory it sounds like a good idea but it is kind of fake.”

“i know, i know, water under the bridge and all that, and i did have plenty of friends back then, but loads of people disliked me ‘cause i was smart. now that i’m older, and putting those smarts to good use, i’m suddenly liked. s’a messed up system, is all.”

“y’wouldn’t do that to me.” she grinned. “i doubt alexandra and james would let you, anyway. i think they love me just as much as they love you. in fact, i think they’d kick you out first.” 

“lola armstrong. well, lorelai. don’t worry about it, it has been ten years.”

“uh, nope, no pretending needed. i’d much rather you were honest with me. though,  i’m not saying that i don’t want to be friends with my old schoolmates,”

“definitely just lucky her, massive bad luck for the rest of us.” she joked.