Caroline
“Nope! No way! Not happening!” I shout from behind the dressing room door. “How can a store even charge this much for such a tiny piece of cloth? I think I might have a scarf that has more material than this thing! I am not coming out in this much less wearing it in a public place where there’s a huge potential that I could fall and flash random strangers my stuff! I am essentially naked!” I say in one rushed panicked breath.
“Is she always this shy?” Sarah asks Michelle.
“And neurotic?” Christy adds, laughing.
“Oh this is nothing. You should have seen her before. She used to be so much worse.”
Poking my head out I say, “You do know I can hear you, right?”
They’re all laughing. Michelle looks over at the other two girls and they pull the dressing room door open and drag me out.
Michelle stands back her mouth open. “Oh my god! Carol! You look amazing.”
“She’s right, C. You have to buy that.” Christy says.
The dress is fitted, short and black, sleeveless with a high lacy neckline in front and a super low V-cut back. After a few more protests from me and a little bit of pleading from them I give in and buy it along with some black heels and a few thin silver bangles they picked out. We go get some food and then head back to the hotel to get ready and wait for the boys to come pick us up. It’s our last night here, Michelle and I will be on a flight home tomorrow.
The week has been just crazy, fun and unforgettable. I kinda don't want it to end. I could see myself living here, not just for college but even after. There's just this awesome laid-back vibe in everything around here.
Driving down Broadway all the neon lights from the signs up and down both sides of the street giving everything a florescent glow. We pull up outside The Stage on Broadway, there's a line out the door. We go straight up to the bouncer, he gives Jackson a nod and we walk right in.
It's dark, cloudy from the cigar and cigarette smoke. Crowded with people everywhere laughing, talking too loud trying to be heard over the music. Jackson and Max stop at the bar saying something to the bartender and we all go to the back and find our table. A few minutes later a waitress shows up with a tray full of drinks.
Sitting back slowly sipping on my drink, listening to everyone at the table talking all over each other I hear a man over the speakers. His voice sounds weirdly familiar, it kinda sounds like...no, it can't be. I shake it off and turn my attention back to the conversations. His voice though, it really does sound like...stop it Caroline, I tell myself, that's crazy. Music starts playing and the man starts to sing.
Cottonwood fallin' like snow in July
Sunset, riverside, 4 wheel drives
In a tail light circle
I...it can't. His voice...I know that...what? Unable to form a complete thought, my head racing I get up quickly from the table.
"Caroline? You ok?" Michelle asks.
"Yeah, yeah. I just...I have to..." I say my voice trailing off as I make my way into the crowd.
Girl, you make my speakers go boom boom
Dancin' on the tailgate in a full moon
That kinda thing makes a man go mmm hmmm
You're lookin' so good in what's left of those blue jeans
I'm pushing my way thru not even caring about the dirty looks I'm getting for rudely passing people by. Closer to the stage now, the crowd parts just enough for me to get a good view of the singer and my heart stops. It's Luke.
YOU ARE READING
Georgia
Random"...and the one thing I loved about him the most was that he is everything I never knew I wanted."
