Saving Georgia (4 page)

At lunch Misty found Shane and I. She kept sounding off on the need to rehearse, which she is right, I just have to work tonight.

“Georgia, this is imperative!” She squawks at me.

“I get that Misty, but so is being gainfully employed.” I hiss at her.

“We will be fine. We will all buckle down tomorrow Misty. Cool your pants off.” Shane insists. Shane to the rescue!

“We darn well better y’all!” Misty barks out. She can get so southern when she is angry. She took a stance that must have taken every bit of seriousness she could muster up.

I am starting to resent getting roped into this. Come to think of it, I am not sure how I got hoodwinked into doing the graduation performance. Shane is the part that made all of this bearable. Plus, the three of us do have an uncanny musical chemistry. Our harmonies and melodies are something to behold, plus we are each talented guitarists. The three of us prefer electric acoustics. Although I own an Ibanez, I am more of a Gibson girl at heart. Shane has a Fender Hellcat that is his mess around toy, which can take a beating or two, but his pride and joy is his Gibson Hummingbird. Misty has an Epiphone Fingerstyle acoustic that she loves and a Taylor that she uses exclusively for performances. Now, my Annalise is a Gibson SJ-200 Super Jumbo with the vintage sunburst.
It’s gorgeous!

Combined we make one beautiful sound. Our voices tangled in one melodic web of pitches high and low. Honestly, it’s a great and beautiful escape. Music is a great release from the darkness of reality. It’s a safe place, controllable and given to me by God. The only time I have rhythm and grace is behind my guitar. I could swear that bass notes and clefs are part of my DNA. Rumor had it that my daddy was an ax man, and that would surely explain a lot about me. Either way, I know that our performance will be nothing short of remarkable.

“Georgia, you with us?” Shane asks with a silly look on his face.

“In some aspect, I am sure.” I smile.

“Alright then.” Shane shrugs, almost indifferently.

“I was thinking about how wonderful and absolutely delightful we will sound on stage.” I gush.

“Mmm hmm. I agree.” Misty states with so much conviction, it’s like a presidential debate winning statement.

“It’ll sure be something.” Shane croons. “We have sure come a long way.” He said with a hint of notable nostalgia in his voice.

Our choir instructor from church threw the three of us together a few years back. Shane and I always played guitar together since we were kids. Our teacher put us three together for a summer pageant and it went so well that we, the church that is, sent a tape to a church in Massachusetts that was hosting some national Christmas festival of sorts. We joked about how that was our Baptist pilgrimage.

“Been awhile since the Ave Maria, indeed. Now we can do the music that we want to.” Shane spurted out.

“Agreed.” I chimed in, because frankly, the boy is right.

After school I hustled down to Robertson’s feed store. Between customers I’m usually able to get some homework done.

I was unloading some chicken scratch and stacking it up in a corner so Mr. Robertson didn’t have to do it when he came back this evening. Suddenly I felt a pair of eyes on me. I froze, feeling the whole fight or flight thing I’ve heard so much about.

“Please, don’t stop on my account. I was enjoying the view.” A smooth and sultry voice from behind called out. I blushed instantly and turned around.

“Jason. “ I gasp. “How can I help you?” I spat out as a reflex.
What is Jason Grimes doing here?

“Actually, I am picking up some chicken feed for my daddy.” He smiled giving me a wink.

“Oh! Well, grab yourself a bag and I will ring you up.” I offered.

“Actually, coach needs me to rest my shoulder for the game. Could you grab it by chance?” He winced, grabbing his shoulder. I don’t know if I believe him or not, or I was just that captivated by his intoxicating smile, eyes and musk that I caved and grabbed a bag and rang him up.

“So you’re going to be at Harper’s party on Friday, right?” He asked as I carried the bag to his truck.

“Yes. I will be there.”

“OK, good. I was hoping to hear you say that.” He said leaning into me, pushing me against the truck. He is so close to me. His thighs are against mine. His arms are atop my shoulders.

“Oh?” I blinked, dumbfounded.

“Yes very much so, Georgia.” He whispers to me, moving my hair from my face to behind my ear.
Holy crow! What is happening?
His big, strong hands are somehow soft and gentle against my skin. A smile creeps across his lips, and mine are quick to follow. His eyes instantly become hooded.
Doesn’t this stuff only happen in movies?
I don’t know how my knees are holding me up. And just like that his arms are around me, his lips crashing into mine. His sweet breath passed into my lungs, his hands gripping a firm hold into my hair. My lips push back in heated response. I’m in a hot, tangled Jason Grimes mess. My skin is singing with a tingling sensation. I’m pretty sure he is supporting my whole body weight right this very moment, but yet I am pretty certain that he does not mind. Somehow my conscience speaks up at the most inopportune time.
Stuff it conscience!
His hands are dancing across my heated, golden flesh, pulling at anything he can. It’s starting to get a little wild and instinctively I shy away and put up a small resistance.

“I need to get back to work, Jason.” I whisper between swollen lips.

“Oh. OK.” He sighs, knowing that he has been defeated. “But Georgia,” he starts, turning to face me as I turn back to the store. He props himself up before he gets into his truck “I didn’t need any chicken feed.” And he leaves me with that.

I am stunned, dumbfounded, and bereft. My breath and heart rate are at an alarming pace. I put my fingers to my pleasantly assaulted lips. Subconsciously I look for battle scars. I am uncertain if this foolish smile has staked permanent residence on my plain Jane face.

I want to tell someone, but who could I possibly tell? Somehow I don’t think this is appropriate conversational matter for Shane and I. Misty would prefer to scold me than to let me banter on and on, and Jenn… well, maybe; but conversations with her lately seem to have been taking an even more awkward turn than normal as of late. If I run into her then maybe I can dish this out.
How did this happen?
I can’t seem to wrap my brain around this. Jason Grimes kissed me. Of all people, me! On what peculiar planet, or universe rather does this happen? None of this adds up at all to me. One minute I’m performing manual labor work, and then next I am slammed up against a Silverado, being pawed at like I’m wearing a meat suit in a lion’s den.

I got to stop thinking about all of this, but the question is how do I stop thinking about this? I can still feel his hands hungrily grasping my hair and skimming my waist. I can smell him in my clothes. I don’t think my skin is even back to its proper pigmentation. I caught the time by chance and about fell out. Mr. Robertson should be here any minute. I need to get the feed finished.

Relatively speaking, the rest of my shift was down right boring. I rushed home and swiftly went into my bedroom and gave myself a good, long hard look into the mirror. What was it about me that could have provoked him? My hair is, as ever faithfully a mess of blonde curls on my head. Nothing else, or anything about me screams ‘America’s Next Top Model.’ Why me? Why not Jenn? She’s got to be one of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen in my life.

With one last look, I grabbed some pajamas and made my way to take a shower. I was hoping my wandering mind would wash off and circle the drain, but I keep reliving every single Jason-filled moment.

I must be translucent. I ran into Jenn in the hallway and she knew something was amiss.

“Why are you grinning ear to ear Georgia?” Jenn asked.

“I’m not grinning.” I state in protest.

“Girl, you look like you’ve done won the lottery. C’mon now, what is it?” Jenn insisted with a large smile of her own.

“Jason came into the store today.” I blushed.

“And that’s why you’re smiling? A stupid boy walked into your store?”

“Well, no…” I started, and I could feel the stupid tell-tale grin grow bigger on my face. “I was putting the chicken feed in his truck and he kissed me.” I blurted out.

“Oh shut up! No wonder you’re lit up like the fourth of July.” She gushes. “Was it everything you thought it would be? Your first kiss?”

“I’m still trying to process it.” I admitted.

“Oh I am sure. Heck, I am surprised you didn’t hurt him. You didn’t… hurt him, did you?” She asked.

“No, I didn’t.” I stated sullenly. Thinking about that really got me going. I’ve never been in a romantic type of situation before, or close intimate situation of this caliber and given my past I’m unsure of exactly how the nature-nurture and human instinct process worked in my overly processed mind.
How could I have been so careless
?

I am sure Jenn knew she tapped into something she should leave well enough alone, because she quietly retreated back to her room.

I turned into my room and plopped myself on the bed and stared at the ceiling for what seemed like, I don’t know, forever maybe?

A buzzing noise broke my concentration

If it gets much hotter, I’m going to start going to school in Elmo and Spongebob boxers.

Shane

Just what I needed, comedic relief to the rescue of the ump degree! My thumbs make quick of the keypad.

I don’t think anyone would appreciate that

*G*

I press send and giggle to myself. Quickly my phone buzzes again.

Hey now! It’s my chicken legs, isn’t it?

Shane

I laughed to myself, cut the lights off and called it a night. That’s enough thinking for today.

The morning woke me gracefully, with the sun pouring into my room. My heart rate was mellowed, finally, after topping yesterday. I still feel the smile playing across my lips, which no longer look bee-stung. So far Wednesday is shaping up fairly nicely. I made my way to the bathroom and just on a whimsical note, I asked Jenn to put some makeup on me, give me a new look for the day.

“Oh Georgy! I’d love too! Challenge accepted!”

“Challenge? Is it that impossible?”

“Don’t be silly, I’m just excited! Come! Sit!” Jenn pushes and she grabs me and pulls me into the bathroom. She doesn’t hesitate and goes straight to work, plucking, and pinching, sweeping, and brushing all over my face. Glops of foundation poured onto a sponge and swiped across my face felt rather repulsive honestly. This is rather tedious and time consuming, and I wonder why she does this every morning. She dusted my eyelids, smudged eyeliner and I thought she was going to attack me when it got to the mascara. Truly this is something I’d never do on my own, and I don’t know what made me think this was a good idea. Once she was done painting a Picasso on my face, she wanted to do my hair.

“Excuse me? You want to do what to my hair?” I slam in protest.

“Flat iron it.” Jenn says, so matter-of-factly like this is something normal.

“As on an ironing board and everything? I don’t think so!” I almost stomped my feet.

“No, no Georgia. It looks like a crimper or a curling iron, just flat.”

“Oh… Still, I don’t know…” I trail off in bewilderment. “Can we hold off on that, maybe we can try that for the party. Just pin it up or something?” I offer.

“OK, that’s a solid compromise. I don’t think we have time to flat iron all of your hair now that I am getting a good look at it.” She says, analyzing everything on my head and playing with my hair. It’s so calming having people play with your hair, I could fall asleep.

After about 4 more minutes, she was done and I was free to look in the mirror.

“Oh my gosh! I look so different!” I shriek in disbelief.

“Do you like it Georgy?” Jenn was almost scared of my reaction I think.

“Yes, definitely, I don’t look too overdone like some of those other girls, thankfully! I just can’t stop looking at myself, it’s insane, I feel… I don’t know how I feel…” I mutter in shock

“Pretty?” Jenn offers in such a sweet tone, it was comforting.

“Yes. I feel pretty.” I can’t wait to see the look on Harper Kelly’s face when she gets a good look at this. Or Jason, oh gosh, I hope he likes it too. Now I am getting nervous.

Quickly I ran and threw an outfit together, something just slightly out of the norm for me, and yet still keeping true to my country roots. I can’t believe everything that is happening so fast; graduation, my imminent independence, boy issues. It’s enough to drive any sane girl mad! I don’t know if I could take anymore stressors, good or bad. And then there is prom! Oh my gosh, prom. I got to get my mind off of all of this.

At school, everyone seemed to notice me, which at first I have to admit I wasn’t comfortable with. Shane kept looking at me and he looked more confused that I am. Misty did throw me a bone though; she said I looked nice and sophisticated. I just wish I felt more comfortable in my own skin, painted or not.

I have English before lunch today, and Jason is in that class with me. I wonder what he will think; I can’t wait to see his reaction! I hope it’s a good one.

Once the bell rang for class to start, I made my way over to my usual seat, which is a few rows by him and I sat in such a way that I could see him once he walked in. If he notices I want to see his reaction. I am hoping for more bee-stung lips!

Finally he walked in with one of the other guys from the baseball team, Nick I think? Nick Seagars, I believe his name is… I’m not sure. But here he is, Jason Grimes, standing in the doorway staring at me, staring right back at him. And there it is, what the whole purpose of this science experiment, the golden fruits of my labor…. There is a smile on his lips!

Quickly I blushed and looked away. My boldness has faded off and now, here I am all made up wanting this boy to notice me and I can’t look him in the eye anymore.

“Mind if I sit here today?” a voice speaks up.

“Sure, that’s fine.” Oh my gosh he wants to sit next to me. What do I do? What on earth do I do?

“You look great, Georgia.” Jason croons, while looking dead at me.

Stunned like a deer in headlights, I can only just look down at my books and blush.

“Thank you, Jason.” I whispered so soft, I am not even sure if he heard me.

“Do you have plans for lunch today? Would you want to go grab a bite with me?”

Oh my gosh, did he just say that? Did this seriously just happen? I think I just flatlined. I can’t seem to move past this strange social phenomenon to answer his question.

“Georgia, I feel obligated to tell you that your lack of a response will result in me assuming that you do not have plans and I will be taking you to lunch.” Jason whispers in my ear. “And might I add, you smell quite lovely.” Oh goodness, this guy is smooth. I couldn’t put up a fight even if I wanted to.

“Thank you” is all I could force myself to say. During the whole class, I kept feeling him staring at me, and I couldn’t help at first feel insanely awkward, and I didn’t know what to do. I felt so insecure, bashful and shy.

Once the bell rang, I didn’t even have time to stand before he grabbed my bag and pulled me to my feet. The whole class stopped and stared, and I honestly think I could cry.

This attention is much too much, my stomach is in knots and frankly I think I could lose the lunch that I haven’t even eaten yet. I’m a bundle of nerves, just responding by instinct rather than logic. What is a girl to do? My knees are knocking hard and I can’t even fathom the shade of crimson that I’m sure is prominent in my cheek bones.

Reluctantly I stand next to Jason, and he pulls me gently into the hall and we made our way slowly to the parking lot, heading to his truck. All the eyes are just focused on me, and I am sure that they are equally as confused as I am. Some made the stereotypical hoots and hollering noises that would be expected of my adolescent peers, this however only empowered my insecurities even more.

Once we got to his truck, Jason opened the door for me.

“Here you go, beautiful.” He offers while holding out a hand to help me up.

“Thanks.” I whisper and somehow clamber into the cab of the truck.

Once we got into the truck, he blasts the radio and takes off furiously. I hold onto the handle for dear life. I don’t know what made my heart beat harder, being in close personal proximity to Jason, his driving or the crazy amount of attention I got today. I think I am going to have an anxiety attack.

“You ok, sweetie?” Jason asks.

“Just not used to the attention, or my chauffeur driving like a maniac.” Admitting this, did wonders for my anxiety. Whew!

“OK, I can slow down. I’m sorry.” Jason apologized to me, and grabbed my hand. Having his hand in mine, made me smile and calmed me down instantly; this in my book is nothing short of remarkable. He did slow down, thankfully.

Once we pulled into the White Swann Bar-B-Que, he undid his seatbelt swiftly and pulled me practically on top of him. His hands were buried deep in my hair, and his lips were playing on top of mine. His body was hot against mine, and nestled in some deep, heeded need. His lips found my throat and tickled me with his teeth and breathe. Playfully he tugged on my earring. He crushed himself against me, like he was clinging onto some adolescent security blanket, which triggered some subconscious response from me; because the next thing I knew I was kissing him back. My hands held a firm grasps on his shirt, and my lips were pushing back with as much need as his. I’m getting lost in his biblical transgression, and once I noticed that I freaked out.

“We have to stop. I’m not that type of girl.” I beg

“What?” He protests. “I’m not trying to bed you down here, it’s just a kiss.”

“To who, Jason?”

“To me, and hopefully to you. I promise I’m not trying to make you do anything you don’t want to. I like you, and I’m not trying to jeopardize that.”

“Really? So this isn’t some type of prelude to seduction?”

“No, Georgia! I’m just trying to get to know you, and I like you, and I just want to kiss you. That is it, end of story! Stop trying to make me feel like I’m putting your virtue into jeopardy.” Jason scoffs at me. Oh goodness, I didn’t take his feelings into account. Now I feel like the bad guy. How come everything is so complicated?

Sulking back onto my side of the truck, I hang my head in shame.

“Georgia? What’s wrong?” Jason pries, coaxing me back onto his side of the cab.

“I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings and my assumptions were quite rude of me. I apologize. I honestly was just trying to protect myself and I didn’t take your feelings into consideration and I feel just awful.” I spit out,in an honest ramble.

“That’s OK. I can understand that. A lot of people have some type of preconceived notion about me; it happens. You know… you could kiss me to make it up to me.” He laughs. I like it when Jason laughs.

“If I kiss you, do you promise that you will feed me? All this physicality works up an appetite on a girl, you know.” I’m honestly famished. I hope he takes the hint.

“Agreed, now get over here.” Jason wastes no time, and scoops me up in a passionate embrace. This feels much better knowing that this is as much as it gets. I can handle this. My chastity is important to me, and something I will only give to my future husband, whoever he may be.

After about 5 minutes, he finally comes up for air and quickly I scoot over and jump out the truck.

“You promised!” I call after him and made a dash inside for Swann. I honestly didn’t know if he was going to follow suit or not, but he did. He jumped right on out and followed me. As we stood in line to order, he wrapped his arms around me and nuzzled his face deep in my hair and neck. It was almost like we were “together” together, you know? I have butterflies in my stomach, and as the girl took our orders he quickly stepped in front of me and bought us lunch. I know Shane has bought lunch for us before, but there’s a different context to this. I think this almost borders on the line of a date, but I’m not exactly sure how this social convention works.

Once our orders of Carolina Barbecue, slaw and macaroni and cheese was ready, we grabbed two cups of sweet tea and I took a seat, fully expecting him to sit across from me, and instead he sits right next to me, with his arm over my shoulders. Smooth, Jason Grimes, well played.

“I don’t feel like going back to school. I want to spend the day with you.” Jason says between mouthfuls.

“Really? Won’t we get in trouble?” I panic.

“What could possibly happen? You’re a straight A student who has never had an issue in her life. Besides, it’s our senior year and we only have a few weeks left, we will be fine.” Jason shrugs my concern off. However, he does have a point. I haven’t ever ditched before, and maybe it’s something I should try once.

“OK. Let’s do it! Where are we going next?”

“I don’t know, what are you into?” He asks as he pulls me closer to his chest.

“I know just the place! Let’s go to JDawgs!” JDawgs is my favorite little music shop in Benson. It has guitars that you can play for hours without being bothered. They do events, lessons and all sorts of things! It’s my little heaven on earth.

Once we get into the truck, he turns the radio on and an interesting song caught my ear.

“Who is this?” I ask.

“Will Dailey. He’s from Massachusetts. My friend turned me onto him. I like him, I saw him once in Charlotte .”

“What song is this?” I asked. I’m really digging this sound.

“Out on the floor; give me your IPod and I’ll hook you up.” He offers, and just like that we’re on our way.

“Thanks!”

Our ride into town was comfortable, the windows down, Jason’s music blaring those wonderful songs that he is introducing me to. My head resting against his chest, his arm casually draped over my shoulders, the wind blowing the delicious smell of blooming plants and flowers dancing in the air into the cab of the truck.

Once we got to JDawgs, I ran inside and found a sweet little Gibson and started playing ‘Jesus take the wheel’ and Jason just stood there looking at me, which at first made me very uncomfortable but then I realized that he was standing there in appreciation.

“You can really sing. Like, really sing.” He says with his eyes wide open.

“Thank you.” I blush.

“Come here.” He says, pulling the guitar from my hands and bringing me into his arms. His face nestled against mine, kissing me again as we swayed from side to side in our own, special little dance.

“It’s too pretty outside to stay cooped up in a music store. However, I do want to hear you sing again. I have some place I want to take you to.” Jason says, while stroking my back and brushing my hair out of my face.

“OK.” I can’t argue with him. It is a beautiful day.

After about a 45 minute drive, we find ourselves in the heart of Smithfield, right at the Neuse River.