It was a crisp autumn evening in Stars Hollow, the air filled with the scent of fallen leaves and the distant sound of laughter from the town square. You and Jess Mariano were sitting on a park bench near the gazebo, bundled up in warm coats. The sky was a deep, velvety blue, dotted with stars that seemed to shimmer just for the two of you.

Jess had been quieter than usual, his gaze often drifting to the stars or the ground beneath his feet. You could sense something was on his mind, but you didn't press him. Instead, you enjoyed the comfortable silence, the unspoken bond between you.

After a while, Jess finally broke the silence. "You ever think about how small we are compared to everything out there?" he asked, nodding toward the sky.

You looked up, following his gaze. "All the time. It’s humbling, isn’t it?"

He nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah. Makes you realize what’s really important."

You turned to him, sensing the depth of his thoughts. "What’s on your mind, Jess?"

He took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. "There's something I need to tell you. Something I should have said a long time ago."