* 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 ╱ 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 .

                                                    “ and i reckon you shouldn’t try and SNEAK up on me , miss gi , ” there’s an amused smirk curving the corners of his lips , and he lifts his eyes from the paper to study her for a second , one eyebrow raised , “ c’mon . when’s the last time you managed to actually get me ? ”  he’ll lift the paper and use it to gently bop her on the nose before pinning it back to the board . “ i don’t know . dillon was , is , and probably always will be a sports school . ‘fraid it’s just the way of the world at this point . though i could argue your crime against fashion point when it comes to bucket hats . they don’t look terrible on everybody , ” boyish brown eyes flickered up and over to the counter as his name was called , prompting him to stand to his full height , “ bet you’d look just fine in one , actually . –– don’t move . ” he pointed a finger at her before shouldering his backpack and weaving his way up to the coffee counter where a new worker with pretty blue eyes and a sweet smile slid him his drink . he made a point to read her name from her name tag when thanking her , and quickly made a b - line for georgia again . “ how many cups do you think she scribbles her number on every day , ballpark ? ” he turned it so the sleeve –– graffitied with handwriting is facing gi –– and gives a slow shake of his head , “ c’mon , you . ” beck tossed his arm around her , as he’d done a million times , and tugged her along towards the door . he inhaled as they stepped out into the fresh air , september breeze rustling through dark curls as he nudged his glasses up the bridge of his nose . “ think we could start a tailgating club ? school sponsored drinking on game days . ” he took a sip of his coffee , then lit up slightly , as though he were just remembering something , “ mm , speaking of –– are you tagging along to boulder ? they might not have any real use for me , but i’m thinking about it . might be more swayed to join if you say you’re going . ” 

                                                                            a  sigh  falls  past  parted  lips  ,  a  forlorn  look  clouding  her  features  .  “  ya’  could  at  least  pretend  becks  ,  what  if  my  ego  needed  a  boast  ?  ”  it  didn’t  ,  his  words  only  encouraging  her  to  try  again  --  to  prove  that  next  time  ,  she  could  succeed  .  her  nose  wrinkles  ,  giggling  softly  as  he  taps  her  nose  .  a  retort  rests  on  the  tip  of  her  tongue  ,  fully  prepared  to  fire  back  because  no  one  could  possibly  look  good  in  a  bucket  hat  .  her  head  shakes  ,  calling  after  beck  ,  “  as  my  best  friend  you’re  obligated  to  say  that  ,  doesn’t  mean  it’s  true  .  ”  georgia  occupies  herself  ,  sipping  her  coffee  as  her  mocha  hues  roam  the  bulletin  board  .  her  eyebrows  lift  ,  taking  in  the  scrawled  ink  complete  with  a  heart  on  the  end  .  lips  lift  ,  nudging  the  brunet  gently  ,  “  i  dunno  ,  i  reckon  just  yours  ‘cause  you’re  just  so  special  becks  .  then  again  ,  she  might  be  desperate  --  ”  her  voice  trails  off  ,  shrugging  as  lifts  her  coffee  cup  with  a  teasing  smile  .  her  head  turns  so  she  can  get  a  better  look  at  the  barista  before  turning  back  towards  beck  as  she  prompts  ,  “  she’s  cute  ,  are  ya’  gonna  call  her  ?  ya’  probably  should  ,  mindin’  your  manners  &  such  .  ”  georgia  fits  comfortably  into  beck’s  side  ,  allowing  him  to  lead  the  way  with   familiar  ease  .  “  if  we  put  our  heads  together  ,  ‘m  sure  we  can  be  convincin’  ‘nough  .  now  ,  i  dunno  who’s  gonna  ever  be  able  to  resist  those  puppy  dog  eyes  of  yours  .  ”  her  features  bright  ,  poking  beck  in  the  chest  playfully  .  “  ya’  used  to  get  away  with  everythin’  as  a  kid  .  i  bet  ya’  still  do  .  ‘m  pretty  certain  my  mama’s  got  the  biggest  soft  spot  for  ya’  .  ”  georgia  never  misses  a  game  ,  a  promise  she  made  to  herself  &  her  father  at  the  start  of  freshman  year  .  her  father  would  never  notice  her  in  the  crowd  if  she  only  attended  every  once  in  a  while  ,  &  would  think  less  of  her  if  she  simply  showed  up  at  the  end  like  her  mother  --  never  missing  an  opportunity  for  a  photo  op  .  “  ‘course  ,  ”  she  replies  breezily  ,  “  ‘ve  got  to  protect  my  title  as  the   panthers  number  one  fan  .  ”  her  grin  fades  into  a  pout  ,  widening  her  mocha  hues  as  she  nearly  begs  ,  “  ya’  gotta  come  becks  ,  the  bus  ride’ll  be  so  borin’  without  ya’  &  your  guitar  .  i  simply  dunno  what  ‘d  do  with  myself  .  ”

*   spending   the   night   off   of   campus   &   secluded   behind   the   peculiar   walls   of   the   mansion   always   puts   summer   on   𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬   —-   but   with   the   way   the   past   week   had   panned   out   ,   home   felt   the   safest   for   an   𝖚𝖓𝖜𝖊𝖑𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖉   change   .   her   indefatigable   facade   melts   away   every   time   she   steps   foot   into   the   gloomy   home   ,   &   she’s   involutarily   faced   with   her   𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆   self   —-   the   unfavorable   side   that   she   never   lets   anyone   get   to   know   .   she’ll   let   georgia   in   ,   though   .   in   fact   ,   she’ll   let   georgia   swim   through   the   deepest   depths   of   her   ,   &   explore   the   uncharted   territory   she   wouldn’t   so   much   as   𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦   of   allowing   another   soul   to   encounter   .   there   was   something   about   her   ,  beyond   being   a   best   friend   ,   that   made   summer   want   to   tear   all   of   her   walls   down   to   make   room   for   georgia   .   her   family’s   conviction   is   why   she   rebuffs   the   idea   of   ushering   in   the   feelings   georgia   brings   out   of   her   for   what   they   are   ,   but   it’s   getting   𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓  to   fight   off   .   damn   near   impossible   ,   even   .

     *   apprehension  𝐛𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐬   in   the   pit   of   her   stomach   as   she   awaits   gi’s   arrival   .   her   mother   left   for   the   night   two   hours   ago   ,   &   while   emilio’s   home   ,   he’s   been   locked   in   his   room   with   his   own   company   .   she’s   𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆   —-   flummoxed   with   her   damaging   thoughts   ,   thoughts   that   contained   everything   she   didn’t   want   to   become   reconciled   to   right   now   .   the   only   substantial   fear   she   has   is   winding   up   like   her   mother   :   repudiated   &   anguished   ,   &   with   the   way   things   were   headed   ,   she   was   doing   her   damnedest   to   follow   in   celia’s   footsteps   .   georgia’s   habitual   knock   pattern   snaps   summer   out   of   thoughts   determined   to   suffocate   her   ,   snapping   her   back   into   defense   mode   .   she   exhales   ,   &   mentally   steps   back   into   her   facade   ,   the   blithe   & equable   summer   dillon   had  come   to   be   deceived   by   .   even   if   it   is   for   naught   in   georgia’s   presence   ,   the   mechanism   is   almost   muscle   memory   for   the   brunette   .   she   strides   toward   the   large   ,   oak   door   between   them   ,   diffidently   opening   it   once   the   lock   is   unbolted   .      

     “   can   you  𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆   i’m   surprised   to   see   you   even   knowing   you   were   comin’   ?   ”   she   chuckles   softly   ,  nervously   fidgeting   with   her   hair   .   hazels   give   the   𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐲   a   once   over   before   her   eyes   find   their   almond   shaped   counterparts   once   more   ,  resulting   in   a   short   but   sweet   lull   of   eye   contact   between   them   .   “   what   d’ya   prefer   ?   ”   she   asks   ,   stepping   to   the   side   to   allow   georgia   in   ,   &   shuts   the   door   behind   her   .   “   cheval   blanc   ?   chateau   lafite   ?   my   mama’s   out   for   the   night   so   we   can   even   dive   into   screamin’   eagle   cabernet   ,   but   that   one’ll   cost   ‘ya   .   ”   her   tone   is   teasing   ,  𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝   as   she   slips   her   hand   in   the   other’s   &   leads   the   way   . 

                                                     the  loneliness  can  be  suffocating  ,  an  invisible  hand  wrapping  around  her  throat  until  her  thoughts  clouded  over  .  it  left  behind  a  mark  ,  georgia  slowly  learning  to  recognize  it  in  others  --  the  paradoxical  revelation  that  the  lonely  weren’t  alone  .  she’s  seen  it  in  summer  ,  the  brunette  a  kindred  spirit  --  her  beauty  almost  painful  ,  stained  by  tragedy  .  it  makes  her  an  interesting  subject  ,  georgia  able  to  capture  her  different  sides  behind  a  lens  --  harder  to  hide  the  truth  when  it  seemed  like  no  one  was  looking  .  the  energy  expelled  from  putting  up  a  facade  exhausting  ,  georgia  willing  to  let  her  guard  down  around  summer  when  she  knows  the  brunette  would  do  the  same  .  it  gives  her  a  break  ,  the  verona  mansion  a  safe  haven  --  georgia  able  to  set  down  reality’s  weight  that  threatens  her  posture  ,  perfected  &  taught  by  her  mother  .  at  the  thought  ,  her  spine  instinctively  straightens  as  she  pulls  her  shoulders  down  &  back  .  even  without  a  set  of  eyes  on  her  ,  she  still  feels  inclined  to  look  her  best  --  the  lesson  hammered  over  &  over  until  it  became  a  permanent  part  of  her  .

          𝐆𝐄𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐈𝐀’𝐒 𝐋𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐒 𝐍𝐄𝐀𝐑 infectious as it rings out into the september evening before it’s being intertwined, dancing with the laughter that erupts from axel. and it’s a sight that gods would damn themselves for, the image of two giggling girls who have the world at the tips of their toes - feeling and acting immortal, even if they were anything but.  the laughter starts to die out from axel when she notices georgia turn away - trying to tone down her actions, muting the melodic sound that erupts from her and it was little actions like that, that axel wanted to grab georgia by her shoulders and shake the girl. that whatever pageantry bullshit that had gotten instilled in her brain like parasites wasn’t needed, neither were the regular trips to the hair salon. she’d known what it was like to make herself so small to fit into a mold that was created and expected out of her - and wanted to shake georgia out of hers  . “  then we’ll go to whoever is ABOVE your dad  ,  100%  we could sway ANYONE if we really needed to  . – gi , you’re like the BONNIE to my CLYDE  ,  ”  she muses, leaning over to plant a kiss on the girl’s temple  ,  “  i knew i could COUNT on you to be my WITNESS and my alibi  .  couldn’t have picked a BETTER girl , i know how GOOD you are with those crocodile tears  .  ” her lips flit into a teasing grin  ,  as she puts the mascot head under her arm again , looping the other with georgia’s  “ hey ,  think there’s such thing as a SEXY mascot  , or are all the hot uniforms RESERVED solely for the cheerleaders  ?  —  like, they could AT LEAST give me a fuckin’ crop-top to make it a LITTLE more breathable  .  ”

                                                                  georgia  can’t  help  but  feel  slightly  envious  of  axel  &  the  freedom  she  waves  around  proudly  like  a  flag  .  every  move  she  made  as  a  child  had  been  scrutinized  ,  first  by  her  mother  &  then  by  judges  when  she  started  competing  .  every  move  she  makes  now  ,  calculated  --  trying  to  be  in  tune  with  how  others  perceive  her  .  she  never  wants  to  be  the  center  of  attention  for  the  wrong  reasons  .  axel  seems  to  hardly  care  about  what  the  world  thinks  ,  unapologetically  true  to  herself  .  hanging  out  with  the  brunette  liberates  georgia  in  a  way  ,  knowing  that  axel  would  never  pass  judgment  .  even  still  ,  she  exercises  restraint  --  unable  to  fully  be  authentic  when  she  doesn’t  even  know  herself  .  georgia  giggles  ,  leaning  into  axel’s  touch  as  she  slings  her  free  arm  over  her  shoulder  .  “  dillon’s  board  of  directors  won’t  know  what  hit  ‘em  ,  ”  she  adds  .  “  ya’  know  ‘ll  always  have  your  back  babes  .  ”  her  mocha  hues  widen  ,  giving  axel  her  best  doe  eyed  look  .  “  ya’  know  those  used  to  do  wonders  on  my  father  .  i  thought  ‘d  perfected  the  skill  .  ”  georgia’s  lips  curl  into  a  smirk  ,  “  i  thought  ya’  already  were  a  sexy  mascot  ?  ya’  mean  to  tell  me  ya’  actually  wear  clothes  under  there  ?  i  reckon  i  always  thought  ya’  just  wore  your  best  lingerie  .  ”  her  eyes  roll  in  faux  annoyance  ,  shaking  her  head  .  “  now  ,  why  on  earth  would  they  ever  do  such  a  thing  ?  i  mean  ,  ‘m  sure  they  already  think  it’s  progressive  ‘nough  that  they’ve  got  a  girl  as  a  mascot  .  lettin’  her  breath  would  just  be  too  much  .  ”  the  sarcasm  dripping  like  honey  off  her  lips  .  “  ‘m  sure  if  we  make  ‘em  think  ya’  really  got  attacked  by  that  ridiculous  tiger  ,  we  could  make  ‘em  feel  sympathetic  ‘nough  to  at  least  let  ya’  where  something  form  fittin’  .  ”

* @gifms·

              dominic’s  nose  scrunched  in  frustration  –   his  head  was  nuzzled  in  his  information  analysis  textbook  for  the  past  three  hours  attempting  to  soak  in  information  while  ignoring  the  growing  pang  of  hunger  .  normally  he’d  plan  around  studying  &  eating  ,  the  idea  of  switching  between  food  and  touching  pages  simultaneously  was  repulsive  .  plus  leaving  the  library  when  he  didn’t  have  to was  also  a  huge  pet  peeve  of  his  ,  it  allowed  for  him  to  get  off  track  .  calloused  hands  shut  the  book  and  sweeps  all  other  supplies  into  his bag  .  the  brooding  male stands  &  throws  his  bag  over  his  shoulder  only  to  stop  in   his  tracks  once  his emerald  hues  fall  upon  a  familiar  figure  .  no  way  ,  he  couldn’t  recall  the  last  time  he  had  ran  into  georgia  both  sober  &  off  of  field .  it   felt  like  foreign  territory  .  his  feet  begin  to  move  before  he  can  process  what  is  about  to  happen  . ‘  i  wasn’t  sure  you  even  knew  where  the  library  was  ,  ’  the  pitiful  joke  ,  if  you  can  even  call   it  that  ,  falls  from  a  smirk  .  

                                                 georgia  found  herself  craving  silence  --  unusual  considering  how  much  energy  she  spent  trying  to  avoid  it  .  stillness  let  her  thoughts  spiral  ,  always  heading  down  a  rabbit  hole  that  drove  georgia  insane  .  her  worst  enemy  herself  .  manicured  nails  tap  against  her  keyboard  ,  mocha  hues  glued  to  her  screen  as  she  edits  photos  for  her  class  .  the  focus  keeps  her  mind  occupied  ,  preventing  it  from  thinking  about  anything  other  than  whether  or  not  she  should  brighten  the  background  around  her  subject  .  dominic’s  voice  cuts  through  like  a  knife  ,  georgia’s  movements  freezing  reflexively  as  she  slowly  lets  her  gaze  drift  up  .  her  stomach  twists  ,  mocha  hues  hardening  to  mask  the  hurt  she  feels  by  just  looking  at  the  brunet  .  “  funny  ,  i  reckon  i  was  just  ‘bout  to  say  the  same  to  ya’  .  ”  georgia  murmurs  tersely  ,  shifting  in  her  seat  .  “  don’t  ya’  have  more  pressin’  matters  to  attend  to  ?  i  mean  ,  your  social  schedule  is  just  so  busy  i  dunno  how  you’re  gonna  squeeze  in  all  those  hook  ups  you’ve  probably  lined  up  .  ”  her  eyes  roll  ,  finally  allowing  their  gazes  to  lock  . 

DESPITE  spending  almost  three  years  in  dillon  ,  donnovan  still  felt  out  of  place  .  he  loved  the  people  ,  the  team  &  the  school  ,  but  in  moments  like  these  ,  where  he  intruded  on  family  dinners  &  helped  setting  the  table  while  talking  about  strategies  ,  is  when  he  felt  like  he  didn’t  belong  .  the  brunet  couldn’t  remember  the  last  time  he  spoke  more  than  a  full  sentence  to  his  father  ,  or  when  they  had  a  home  cooked  meal  ,  the  only  person  keeping  him  grounded  was  his  sister  .  he  had  learned  how  to  cook  in  order  to  add  some  normalcy  to  his  life  ,  blend  in  with  the  people  from  dillon  who  raved  about  their  mother’s  home  cooked  meals  .  geogia  had  been  different  ,  despite  being  born  &  raised  in  a  small  town  ,  she  had  his  air  about  her  that  made  the  boy  feel  less  like  an  outsider  .  she  kept  him  on  his  toes  ,  never  judging  him  too  hard  for  his  lack  of  family  values  while  keeping  him  intrigued  .  the  small  town  residents  were  often  open  books  ,  after  a  thirty  minute  small  talk  ,  you  were  able  to  write  their  biography  ,  but  georgia  was  never  one  of  them  .  from  the  moment  he  had  met  the  girl  ,  he  couldn’t  stop  coming  back  for  more  ,  she  was  almost  a  mystery  ,  too  many  walls  around  her  that  donnie  couldn’t  help  but  try  to  tear  it  down  one  by  one  .  the  boy  placed  the  bottle  of  wine  on  the  ground  in  order  to  free  his  hands  .  he  stood  across  from  her  ,  arms  crossed  over  his  chest  ,  giving  her  a  once  over  ,  that  dress  was  going  to  be  the  death  of  him  .  donnie  &  georgia  always  played  a  dangerous  game  whenever  he  was  invited  to  supper  ,  who  would  cave  first  .  fleeting  looks  ,  mischievous  smiles  &  wandering  hands  throughout  the  whole  night  ,  hidden  from  her  parent’s  scrutinizing  gaze  .  if  the  coach  had  known  about  him  &  the  brunette  ,  donnovan  could  kiss  his  starter  career  goodbye  ,  he  would  be  benched  for  the  rest  of  eternity  &  despised  for  a  long  time  ,  dillon  was  a  very  ,  very  small  town  ,  any  drama  was  big  enough  to  tear  the  town  in  two  .  “  it’s  only  because  i’m  proud  of  it  ,  how  many  people  do  you  know  in  human  biology  georgia  buchanan  ?  ”  the  boy  drawled  out  ,  a  small  quirk  in  his  brow  &  almost  unnoticeable  smirk  on  his  lips  ,  “  nerds  don’t  count  .  ”  he  added  ,  revealing  his  pearly  whites  .  as  she  drew  patterns  on  the  duvet  ,  the  football  player  wondered  what  her  father  would  think  ,  her  wearing  that  dress  while  donnovan  was  over  ,  he  couldn’t  believe  the  boy’s  gaze  wouldn’t  be  on  her  the  whole  time  .    “  mh  ,  you  do ?  ”  he  played  into  her  game  ,  nodding  his  head  ,  taking  a  couple  of  steps  towards  the  end  of  the  bed  .  “  i’ll  need  you  to  be  a  bit  more  precise  ,  you  see  ,  with  what  part  of  the  human  anatomy  exactly  do  you  need  help  ?  ”  his  brows  scrunched  up  to  a  small  frown  .

                                                                garnering  attention  has  never  been  a  struggle  for  georgia  ,  so  accustomed  to  being  the  center  of  it  .  being  invisible  never  an  option  ,  not  when  she  grew  up  in  a  spotlight  .  her  mother’s  affections  suffocating  in  the  same  way  a  corset  was  ,  forced  to  don  one  beneath  her  debutante  dress  per  buchanan  tradition  .  her  father’s  attention  all  she  ever  wanted  ,  always  waiting  eagerly  for  him  at  the  door  --  the  only  one  who  could  ruffle  her  hair  &  get  away  with  it  ,  at  least  back  then  .  when  georgia  lost  it  ,  she  did  everything  she  could  to  get  it  back  --  nostalgic  for  her  ignorant  past  &  the  way  things  used  to  be  .  she  started  with  her  hair  ,  dye  staining  her  porcelain  sink  --  unable  to  recognize  her  reflection  ,  mocha  hues  burning  with  angry  determination  so  unfamiliar  .  her  mother  had  been  displeased  ,  on  the  verge  of  hysterics  as  she  mourned  the  loss  of  georgia’s  natural  blonde  locks  over  three  glasses  of  wine  .  her  father’s  reaction  non-existent  ,  frustrating  her  as  she  chastised  herself  for  thinking  something  so  trivial  as  dying  her  hair  would  be  enough  .  her  second  attempt  a  failure  ,  purposefully  dressing  in  shorter  hemlines  &  deeper  necklines  in  an  effort  to  tug  at  her  father’s  paternal  instincts  .  her  third  attempt  backfiring  ,  attracting  the  opposite  kind  of  looks  as  she  stumbled  into  the  house  at  three  am  --  entrance  loud  by  design  .  despite  being  unsuccessful  with  her  father  ,  georgia  still  defaults  to  changing  her  appearance  for  attention  --  one  of  the  very  few  areas  of  her  life  she  can  control  .  &  tonight  ,  donnovan  had  been  her  target  --  closely  watching  the  brunet  for  a  reaction  as  if  she  were  dependent  on  it  .  georgia  knows  she’s  playing  unfairly  -- she  can’t  help  but  want  to  be  memorable  .  her  mother’s  voice  a  reminder  of  how  easy  it  was  to  lose  attention  to  boredom  .  she  keeps  herself  just  out  of  reach  ,  giving  away  just  enough  to  keep  donnovan  interested  &  coming  back  for  more  .  she  admires  his  pride  ,  something  she  doesn’t  have  --  not  when  both  her  parents  find  faults  in  her  major  .  “  well  ,  now  that  ‘m  thinkin’  ‘bout  it  ,  just  one  .  ”  her  nose  wrinkles  ,    messing  with  the  brunet  ,  “  he’s  a  bit  of  a  nerd  ,  though  --  always  carryin’  his  textbook  to  football  practice  .  so  i  guess  he  doesn’t  count  .  ”  she  shrugs  ,  gaze  teasing  as  it  catches  donnovan’s  .  her  head  nods  slowly  ,  a  loose  strand  of  hair  obscuring  her  features  --  quick  to  tuck  it  behind  her  ear  out  of  habit  .  the  distance  between  them  shortening  ,  still  not  enough  to  appease  georgia  .  her  fingers  toy  with  the  delicate  gold  chain  around  her  neck  ,  hoping  to  draw  his  gaze  as  she  sighs  ,  “  i  reckon  the  details  were  a  lil’  vague  .  somethin’  ‘bout  nerves  &  organizin’  body  parts  by  sensation  .  is  that  somethin’  ya’  can  help  with  don'  ,  or  should  i  start  lookin’  for  someone  else  ?  ”  her  lips  twitch  ,  mocha  hues  always  giving  her  away  as  she  tries  to  keep  up  her  charade  --  unable  to  admit  that  maybe  she  just  wanted  alone  time  with  the  brunet   for  reasons  she  can’t  even  explain  to  herself  .  

@ 𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙜𝙪𝙯𝙢𝙖𝙣  |  that  just  ISN’T  going  to  work  ,  i’m  going  to  have  to  TEACH  you  how  to  box  too  ??  this  is  turning  out  to  be  A  LOT  more  work  than  i  thought   @ 𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙜𝙪𝙯𝙢𝙖𝙣  |  excuse  YOU  i  am  in  no  way  CUFFED  by  any  means  !!  but  i  can’t  take  you  both  because  knowing  you  two  you’ll  just  ABANDON  me  right  off  the  bat   @ 𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙜𝙪𝙯𝙢𝙖𝙣  |  it’s  all  good  ,  i  just  wanted  to  have  a  MINUTE  to  be  DRAMATIC  as  fuck  so  i’m  fine  now

                                                            her  fingers  grip  the  glass  pan  tightly  ,  knuckles  whitening  from  the  force  as  georgia  slowly  treads  up  the  walker’s  driveway  .  every  time  her  mother  reminds  her  of  their  weekly  family  dinners  ,  georgia  tries  to  come  up  with  a  reason  to  be  excused  --  always  empty  handed  since  nothing  ever  seemed  to  slip  past  her  mother  as  if  she  possessed  a  bullshit  radar  .  every  once  &  a  while  ,  her  mother  brought  up  ava  --  asking  georgia  about  her  as  if  she  weren’t  responsible  for  their  falling  out  .  &  somehow  ,  unsurprisingly  so  given  her  mother’s  knack  to  twist  her  arm  ,  georgia  found  herself  agreeing  to  bring  over  an  apology  batch  of  brownies  .  her  fingers  cross  hoping  her  former  friend  isn’t  home  ,  capable  of  having  an  awkwardly  polite  conversation  with  ava’s  parents  --  would  prefer  it  even  if  it  meant  avoiding  the  brunette  .  the  nostalgia  surrounding  the  house  covers  her  ,  unsettles  her  as  it  brings  back  memories  of  that  night  --  georgia  slamming  the  front  door  behind  her  ,  not  bothering  to  give  ava  a  chance  to  explain  .  the  memory  almost  blurry  ,  georgia  looking  back  at  it  through  liquor  soaked  lenses  --  making  her  wonder  just  how  distorted  her  perceptions  of  that  night  really  are  .  shaking  off  the  thought  ,  she  takes  a  deep  breath  in  as  she  preps  herself  for  the  worst  --  ringing  the  doorbell  as  she  rocks  back  on  her  heels  .  her  heart  sinks  when  ava  answers  --  the  universe  always  playing  against  her  as  if  it  got  a  kick  out  of  messing  with  georgia  .  “  before  ya’  ask  ,  i  didn’t  make  ‘em  .  my  mama  did  ,  ya’  know  how  she  is  ‘bout  makin’  sure  our  house  always  smells  like  a  bakery  .  ”  her  gaze  drops  ,  looking  away  from  ava  as  she  holds  the  pan  out  towards  the  other  .  “  can  ya’  just  take  these  ,  i  don’t  wanna  make  my  mama  pitch  a  fit  .  ”  her  tone  agitated  ,  finally  working  up  the  nerve  to  look  at  ava  fully  .

.✫*ﾟ･ﾟº 𝙊 𝙋 𝙀 𝙉 ; 𝙙𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙣 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙪𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙥 . 

            𝘐𝘛’𝘚 𝘉𝘜𝘚𝘐𝘌𝘙 𝘛𝘏𝘈𝘕 𝘕𝘖𝘙𝘔𝘈𝘓 , the small shop tucked in the bottom of dillon’s student center . but of course it was … because it was a monday morning coming off of a football win , and hangovers like the ones you got after a post - game party weren’t always easy to SHAKE . should’ve left earlier , he thought to himself , or used the woefully untouched and neglected keurig i have sitting on my kitchen counter … but that would’ve required a sound mind in the early morning , and BECK had a habit of not sleeping . so he waited in line . and waited some more . then put in his order , stuffed some cash into the tip jar , and moved to the only open stool at the end of a bar near the window . dark brown eyes , observant and CURIOUS , scanned the room in search of faces he might know … of new ones he didn’t , then allowed his gaze to wander over a posting board just to his right . FLYERS upon flyers upon flyers boasted meeting times and locations . open mic nights . weekly get togethers . student organizations of every kind . it was a strange array of just about everything , and a reminder that sports weren’t all dillon had . one paper in particular , with BRIGHT ink printed on the front caught his eye , and he laughed to himself . “ okay , REALLY , though , ” there’s a slow shake of his head as he pulled the pin and took the paper down . his elbow lightly nudged the person next to him , “ what do we make of this ? ” with a sideways glance and a golden boy smile , there’s a playful gleam in his eye as he adds , “ and what’d ya suppose the criteria is for being a university recognized student org ? because by the looks of it , there’s probably not much … ”

                                                     her  head  throbs  ,  a  steady  pulse  as  georgia  is  once  again  reminded  that  no  matter  how  many  late  nights  she  spends  drinking  ,  she  would  never  be  immune  to  its  consequences  .  her  tolerance  over  the  years  has  grown  ,  the  brunette  no  longer  relying  on  a  chaser  to  smooth  over  a  shot  .  however  ,  hangovers  always  seemed  to  linger  --  a  reminder  of  the  choices  she  made  ,  &  the  ones  she  knows  she’s  bound  to  make  again  .  caffeine  her  go  to  solution  ,  georgia  spending  more  money  in  dillon’s  on  campus  coffee  shop  than  her  favored  clothing  store  .  with  her  iced  coffee  in  hand  ,  sans  its  usual  shot  of  bailey’s  ,  she  turns  to  scan  her  surroundings  .  georgia  spots  beck  easily  ,  hoping  he  hasn’t  seen  her  yet  so  she  can  surprise  him  --  mood  lifting  at  the  sight  of  her  childhood  friend  .  weaving  her  way  through  the  crowded  shop  ,  she  pauses  slightly  behind  him  --  ready  to  wrap  her  hands  around  his  eyes  .  before  georgia  can  make  her  move  ,  he’s  already  speaking  --  elbow  nudging  into  her  as  if  he  had  sensed  her  presence  .  she  hums  ,  mocha  hues  scanning  the  flyer  advertising  dillon’s  newest  club  over  his  shoulder  .  “  i  reckon  ya’  shouldn’t  be  so  quick  to  judge  becks  ,  perhaps  there’s  a  science  behind  bird  watchin’  .  ya’  might  even  fall  in  love  with  those  bucket  hats  .  lord  knows  those  are  a  crime  against  fashion  .  ”  it’s  a  tease  ,  an  easy  smile  on  her  features  .  “  i  dunno  ,  i  feel  like  they’re  tryna’  prove  dillon’s  not  just  a  football  school  .  it  could  work  in  our  favor  ,  perhaps  we  can  sneak  an  excuse  to  drink  on  campus  as  a  club  right  under  their  noses  .  ”  she  giggles  ,  lips  wrapping  around  her  straw  as  her  shoulders  shrug  .

“um… guess we will never know.” in all fairness, benny wasn’t above doing such a play to grab someone else’s attention, however, his confidence was big enough for him to avoid utilising any complicated tactics such as that. his right hand pulls down the upper part of his jersey some, blue eyed gaze momentarily shifting towards the squad of cheerleaders practising a few yards away. “aren’t cheerleaders notorious for lacking brain cells? who knows, that could be a big turn off for me.” his lips parted, letting a soft chuckle escape, realising then his own upcoming death if anyone in that squad overheard those words. “errands, right. makes sense.” his head nods, throwing her a half smile before his gaze turned to the coach. “yeah, nope. no breaks for anybody else, just me. i’m the favourite.” his self inflected ego gets thrown down as a scoff breaks free amidst a chuckle. given how he’d often be the cause for distractions during practices, he’s nowhere close to being the coach’s favourite. “i’m on time out, actually. i was having too much fun out there, it seems. your dad woke up on the wrong side of the bed, if you ask me.”

                                                                    georgia  rolls  her  eyes  ,  lips  pressing  together  in  a  hum  of  discontent  .  “  i  reckon  it  sounds  like  i’ll  never  know  ,  but  i  suppose  it  really  doesn’t  matter  .  ”  her  shoulders  shrug  ,  her  interaction  with  benny  helped  make  her  night  more  interesting  .  “  careful  mclaren  ,  ‘ve  got  quite  a  few  friends  over  there  who’d  definitely  prove  ya’  wrong  .  ”  georgia  laughs  ,  “  please  ,  ya’  wouldn’t  turn  down  a  cheerleader  .  isn’t  there  some  sorta’  unspoken  rule  ‘bout  that  ?  ”  her  parents  the  perfect  example  ,  one  of  the  reasons  georgia  had  strayed  away  from  becoming  a  cheerleader  .  she  didn’t  need  to  give  her  father  another  reason  to  make  comparisons  between  the  two  women  in  his  life  .  she  can  sense  his  frustration  ,  an  emotion  she  knows  all  too  well  concerning  her  father  .  her  eyes  widen  ,  nodding  .  “  now  that  sounds  more  like  coach  buchanan  .  ”  she  jokes  in  an  attempt  to  lighten  his  mood  .  “  ‘m  sure  all  will  be  forgotten  tomorrow  .  he’s  not  the  type  to  hold  a  grudge  .  ”  where  the  panthers  are  concerned  at  least  .  georgia  knows  no  one  can  ever  hold  a  candle  to  the  disappointment  her  father  feels  just  by  looking  at  her  .  “  word  to  the  wise  ,  not  sure  talkin’  to  me  is  gonna  help  keep  ya’  in  my  father’s  favor  .  ”