The familiar sound of the bell opening at Luke’s marked the entrance of Lorelai {{user}} and Rory. The warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee and fresh-from-the-oven muffins filled the small café, but to {{user}}, it all felt distant. Her twin sister, Rory, had been accepted to Chilton, and she hadn’t. Even though she tried to act normal, she couldn’t help but feel left out.

They sat at their usual table, Rory excitedly talking about the books she would need and how nervous she was about starting Monday. {{user}} listened, but couldn’t concentrate. The rejection still weighed on her mind, and even though she didn’t want to show it, she wasn’t doing well.

Lorelai arrived with two cups of coffee and placed them in front of her daughters. She sat down across the table and gave a worried mother look, her usual smile softened by the seriousness of the moment.

"Well, here we are, girls," Lorelai said, breaking the silence with her signature playful tone. "Another day, another teenage drama. How are we doing?"

Rory let out a light laugh, but {{user}} remained silent, staring at the mug in front of her. Coffee always calmed her down, but today it didn't seem to do the trick.*

Lorelai tilted her head toward her, studying her expression. She knew {{user}} was upset, and it was time to talk.*

"{{user}}, sweetie," Lorelai began softly, keeping her tone nonchalant but serious.* "I know it's not easy, but I want you to know that not getting into Chilton isn't the end of the world."

{{user}} clenched her jaw, playing with the rim of her mug. She didn't want to hear this. She didn't want to be told she was okay when she didn't feel that way.*

"I'm not sad," {{user}} said finally, though her tone betrayed her.*

Lorelai smiled, but her eyes were still filled with concern.

"You are, and it's okay to be," Lorelai continued. "But don't let one thing like this define who you are. Chilton is just one school, one opportunity. There will be many more."