Transformed || l.h.

Chapter 20

“Luke!” Calum calls. “Stop your snogging and get your arse over here!”

Luke just smiles against Georgia’s lips as he feels her palms press against his taut abdomen, but she pulls away too soon for his liking. “Luke,” she says with a smile, “there’s time for kissing later, you have to go back on stage.” He pouts and pulls his eyebrows together, resembling a wounded puppy. “Go on,” she nudges against his stomach, “I’ll see you in five.”

Calum pulls Luke’s arm as they walk back onto the stage and Georgia rushes around the side so she can watch. The three bands that are participating in the competition are all on stage, waiting for her dad to introduce them.

“Say hello to Four Brothers!” Jonathan announces, and the group of four boys raise their hands and the crowd cheers for them. Georgia recognizes the other two groups from the photos her dad leant her to help her write the article for Mr. Brown. “My name is Jeremy,” a tall blonde answers, winking out at the crowd. “And these are my brothers Adam, Brandon, and Joseph.”

The crowd yells and hollers and Jonathan introduces himself to each of the boys, shaking their hands, before moving on to the band in the middle. Georgia notices that it isn’t Third Tree Standing, but And Company – Jake’s band. “We’re And Company,” the one Georgia remembers as Julian answers. “And these are my buds Jake and Matthew.” They raise their hands and send out award-winning smiles to the mass of people. “Thanks for being here, boys,” Jonathan says while shaking their hands. They nod in return, sending him their “you’re welcome” and then he moves on to the four Aussies at the end of the line.

“Give it up for Five Seconds of Summer!” Jonathon says, and the crowd responds ecstatically. Georgia’s face lights up as she claps, yelling for them as well as the hundreds of people sitting in the stands. “Introduce yourselves, boys,” Jonathon speaks, putting the mic in front of Calum first. “I’m Cal,” he waves. “I’m Michael.” “I’m Ashton.” “And I’m Luke.”

The crowd gives them a big round of applause and then Jonathon goes into a speech about the rules and how the bands can win. “Lastly, we’ll travel to Nashville, and the winning band gets to perform in front of a board of music producers with the hopes of being signed!” Georgia hugs herself around the middle and smiles broadly at the thought that Luke and the boys could possibly get that. She knows they’re talented enough to win it all and take home the record deal, but she’s also heard Jake’s band play, and they’re really talented as well.

“Thank you guys for coming out tonight,” Jonathon speaks to the crowd, “and let’s give one last round of applause for these wonderful bands!”

~*~

One week later.

As she pulls the jacket further around her shoulders, Georgia keeps the blanket on her legs and hopes to stay warm. “I hate that I’m here for business and not pleasure,” Aaron complains, pushing her glasses further up her nose. She settles the notebook in her lap, the pen poised in her hand. Georgia smiles, “Well, at least you enjoy the game, right?” Aaron nods in reply, watching as the coin toss takes place.

Georgia grins, fiddling with the cuffs of the varsity jacket keeping her warm. Aaron nudges her with her shoulder, “So you two are to the stage of sharing clothes, then?” Georgia rolls her eyes, trying to ignore the hot blush covering her cheeks. “Oh, hush, like you wouldn’t.” Aaron giggles, “I’m just teasing you.” Looking up just in time, Georgia sees Luke send a wink up into the stands after the coin toss is declared for Remington High. She blushes and waves in return, watching as he jogs off to be with his team.

“You two are too cute,” Aaron says quietly as she scribbles something on her paper. Georgia’s blush darkens and she looks away from the field and down to her lap where her hands are laid. She wraps her fingers around the plush cuffs of Luke’s varsity jacket and curls her arms into herself for warmth. When she hears the referees whistle, she looks back up to see Luke dribbling the ball up the field. Within moments he’s been laid out on the grass, someone kicking his legs out from under him. She sees him spit onto the grass and an angry look comes over his face, and her nerves go on full alert, worried not only for him but for the other player that’s in his line of sight.