Ginny and Georgia: The Younger Shadow

Chapter 12- First Date
"You call me and I'll pick you straight up, alright, Peach?" Mom called from the car. I nodded and grabbed my purse before heading to the cinema entrance. And there he stood like fine wine. Leon grinned from ear to ear as he saw me walking. Usually I didn't bother with makeup, but I'd asked mom for a few tips and she helped me apply it. Austin was astounded when he saw me with the makeup, his mouth hanging opening and his eyes goggling at me. I think he was surprised how we'd both changed when we moved to Wellsbury. But I deserved a fresh start after all the moving crap I'd had to deal with. "Hey, Charlie. You look great!" Leon exclaimed. I have him a quick peck on the cheek, and then groaned as I realised my mom and Austin were still outside the car, and she was watching my every move.
"Sorry about my mom, Leon. Let's go in. The movie's starting in five minutes" When I'd told Aria, Kara and Madi about my date, they had begged me to tell them everything that happened after. I really wasn't used to people paying attention to me. In my old school, I was always Ginny's younger sister. I didn't have a name. I just faded into the background, nothing but a useful prop. I never acted out. I always kept my foot in line. And yet tomorrow, on Saturday night, was the sophomore sleepover. Ginny had made up with Abby and Norah, and all of them had agreed to wear pyjamas, nothing fancy. Just comfortable. I had already seen my sister at mom's wine pantry, and I'd taken a bottle or two myself. Kara and Aria had never drank before either, but Madi said she almost always did when Marcus or Maxine had a party. The Baker siblings really were something. Leon smelled like fresh lavender and roses, a pleasant smell. He took my hand after we paid for the tickets. I always thought I would lose myself in his baby blue eyes, like looking up at an endless sky. The movie was, funnily enough, a romance one. Leon had brought some popcorn, but when he caught me looking at him, he just leaned over and kissed me. And I was in heaven . How would you describe something so perfect, if you were just lost in the moment? I barely even watched the film for the entire time. "Charlie, I know we haven't known each other for long, but I like you. And if you feel comfortable enough, would you like to be my girlfriend?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" It was an amazing evening. You've seen photographs where the background is blurred, where the only part of focus is the person whom is featured. Every part of that place blurred as I focused on every aspect of him.
"You ever had a girlfriend before?" I asked, in between our kisses.
"Once. A few months ago. A girl called Theresa. But she moved away, and it just didn't work out. You?"
"No, I didn't have much friends, and when I moved, they acted like I didn't exist. Like I was just a dent on the wall. Nothing important."
"Ok. It's sophomore sleepover tomorrow, but are you doing anything on the weekend?"
Should I tell him? I squirmed anxiously in my seat, and decided to confess.
"My friends and I are going to sophomore sleepover..."
He raised his eyebrow in a way that melt me melt with adoration.
"Sophomore sleepover? But we're freshmen."
"I know but... Madi, Aria and Kara sneak in every year. Even though our sisters are going, they say they'll be too drunk to notice."
"Wow. So you're a bad girl too, huh? Well. I'm cool with that. I'd come with, but I get this is a thing for you and your friends. Maybe we could see each other on Sunday, though?"
"Definitely." I replied, and just then the movie was over. The cool air hit my face as we walked out of the cinema, and the night was an endless river of stars.
Mom was waiting outside with Austin holding her hand.
"Hey, little man." I called.
"Hey Charlie. Where's your boyfriend?" He asked, scanning the crowd hungrily.
"Boyfriend? I thought this was just a date, Charlie?" Mom asked, folding her arms across her chest.
"Mom, he asked me to be his girlfriend, and I said yes, because guess what? I want to. I like him. And I'm seeing him on Sunday. End of."
"Wow, Peach, you've certainly gotten a lot more fiesty." Mom exclaimed, before giving me a tight hug. Mom told us Ginny had called her to say she was home, and that she'd also had a good time with Hunter, her boyfriend. I really couldn't believe this was my life in Wellsbury now. We were all changing and evolving, and part of it didn't even feel real.
"Oh, I forgot to say, but I'm also going to be volunteering at Sophomore Sleepover tomorrow!" My mom called out. My heart dropped like a stone. What. The. Actual. Fuck.
"What? But- but who will watch Austin? Not me?"
"Peach, I wouldn't even trust your sister home alone for a night. No, Paul's agreed to watch you and Austin for the night. He'll make dinner and make sure everything's alright. But you'll be sleeping anyway, so no worries."
"Mom, is there something going on between you and Paul?"
"What? Oh, no, no. We're just colleagues."
"But you've never helped out at a school event before? So why now?"
"Well, as you know, Wellsbury's different. And Maxine's mom is helping out and asked me. So i thought I'd be a good sport, Peach"
Shit. Staying at the sophomore sleepover without getting caught would be hard enough, and how would I sneak out of the house? I was going to have to call the girls and figure something out.