Heart of Georgia

Chapter 3

       CHAPTER 3

         I stood in front of the full size mirror in my room, gazing at my reflection. I had tried to go for a casual look, wearing a simple tank top and denim shorts with my boots. My pale hair hung in its usual waves, and I had even applied a tiny bit of make-up after deciding that the bags under my eyes might make people question my well-being.

          A loud knock on the front door downstairs broke me from my reverie. I took one last look at myself and took a deep breath.

            "Here goes nothing," I murmured as I walked out of my room and jogged down the stairs, the wood creaking under my feet.

            I opened the front door to a beaming Shelby standing on my porch. She did a once-over of my outfit.

            "You look perfect," she said, grinning.

            "You don't look too bad yourself," I said. She was wearing cut-offs and a plaid flannel shirt, unbuttoned and tied at her waist.

            "Your chariot awaits," she said loftily, gesturing towards Wyatt's truck. I laughed and followed her off the porch.

            I practically had to jump up into the white Chevy because it had such big tires. Wyatt noticed my struggle and turned around in the front seat as I pulled the door shut behind me.

            "Lifted trucks, because fat bitches can't jump," he said, grinning.

            Shelby wacked him on the shoulder with her hand. "Come on," she said, "I don't want to be the last ones to get there."

            Wyatt turned to her and saluted. "Aye-aye, Captain," he said. He threw the truck into gear and mashed the gas pedal. The tires spun in the dirt, creating a billowing cloud of dust behind us.

            We rocketed down the stretch of my driveway and swung out onto the road. Wyatt barely tapped the brakes. I gripped the seat to keep from sliding around and wondered how he was able to get a driver's license.

            Shelby cranked up the volume of the radio so the country music was blasting out of the speakers. I began to loosen up as she sang along, laughing with Wyatt.

            My anxiety about the bonfire was beginning to build. I had been to plenty of parties before, but none that mattered. I would be meeting the people that would be a part of my new life, and I needed to make a good impression.

            As if she read my mind, Shelby said, "Don't worry, everyone's gonna love you."

            "I hope so," I said with a short laugh. I knew I wasn't the friendliest person, but I was going to have to try and play nice.

            It only took about fifteen minutes to reach Wyatt's. He drove right up past his house and into the field behind it, which was lit up by the massive bonfire blazing in the middle. I bounced around in the back seat of his truck as he drove across the uneven ground.

            He parked next to the other trucks that were backed up to the fire so people could sit on the tailgates. He cut the engine and I reluctantly got out. The smell of burning wood hit my nose instantly, and I could hear country music blasting out of someone's speakers.

            There were about twenty people or so milling around the fire, some holding beer cans. They barely noticed our arrival, which made me feel a little better. I didn't know if I could handle everyone staring at me.

            The overall atmosphere seemed fun and easygoing, and I began to relax. It wouldn't be as bad as I thought.

            I felt someone grab my arm and turned to see Shelby. She grinned and rolled her eyes at me. "Come on," she said, pulling me along. She walked around to the back of Wyatt's truck and dropped the tailgate down.