third floor ➳ post malone

eight

My music shuffled to Lights Up by Harry Styles. Austin sat down on the barstool, watching us dance with Lorraine who hadn't stopped once.

"All the lights couldn't put out the dark running through my heart," I sang to her as we danced. "Lights up, and they know who you are."

Once the song ended, Mrs. Duncan clapped and turned to me.

"I think I'm gonna rain check the desserts," she giggled. "I'm getting tired, dear."

"Of course, Mrs. Duncan!" I smiled widely at her. "Would you like a plate of food to take home?"

"Oh, that would be wonderful!" She nodded. I walked past Austin into the kitchen and grabbed the leftovers out of the refrigerator, walking them back into there to her.

"Here you go," I said, handing her the Tupperware. "I had such a fun night."

"I did, too," she nodded with a huge smile plastered on her face. "You kids made me feel like a kid again."

"Anytime," Ricky smiled at her. "It was so nice meeting you."

"You, too, Ricky," she smiled and then looked past me. "Goodbye, Austin."

"Goodbye, Mrs. Duncan," he smiled at her and gave her a wave.

"I should get going, too. My house is across town," Ricky said. "I could walk you over to your apartment on my way out."

"Sounds great," Lorraine nodded. "Thank you, again, Georgia."

"You're more than welcome," I said, hugging her.

"Bye, love you," Ricky said, hugging me. "See you tomorrow."

"Love you, too. Bye!" I hugged him back and they walked out together. I smiled widely and walked back into the kitchen, opening the refrigerator to put the wine back in.

"Georgia, huh?" Austin asked. I had almost forgotten he was still here.

"Yes, Austin," I sighed. "Georgia."

"I was so close," he shook his head. I scoffed and grabbed a bottle of water from the shelf in the refrigerator.

"I wouldn't necessarily say Glenda was close," I chuckled at him. "By the way, why didn't you dance with Mrs. Duncan?"

"I did, I spun her a round a bit," he shrugged.

"That's not dancing," I told him, walking over and standing in front of him.

"I don't dance," he told me, not making eye contact.

"You don't? Or you can't?" I asked him, raising an eyebrow.

"Don't," he said immediately but I kept looking at him. "Okay, fine. Both."

"Come on," I said, putting down my water bottle and holding out my hand.

"What are you doing?" He chuckled at me.

"Teaching you how to dance," I told him and then nodded for him to take my hand.

"No," he shook his head. "I can't dance, and I don't want to."

"Austin," I said to him, raising my eyebrow again. "Let loose."

"If I agree, will you shut up?" He asked me.

"Maybe," I shrugged at him, still holding my hand out.

"Fine," he huffed and then took my hand. My music was still playing- currently on the stripped version of ILYSB by LANY.

"And you need to know you're the only one, alright, alright," the music played as I pulled him towards me. "And you need to know that you keep me up all night, all night."

I looked at him although he wasn't making eye contact. He was trying to follow my feet and I chuckled.

"Look," I said to him and he looked up at me. "Don't try so hard. Just feel the music."

"I don't know," he said, nervously. I put his hand on the small of my back and then my hand on his shoulder.

"Slow dance these summer nights, our disco ball's my kitchen light," the music continued to play.

"There you go," I said softly. "Just sway, go with the music."

He finally got the hang of it and twirled me slowly. I looked at him and snaked my arms around his neck, his other hand falling to my lower back as well. He looked down at me and smiled.

"I remembered your name," he blurted out.

"Huh?" I asked him quietly.

"I've known your name is Georgia," he chuckled nervously. "I just.. I liked seeing you flustered."

"Austin," I laughed at him. "Calling me Glenda is the worst thing you could've done."

"You're never going to forget the Glenda thing are you?" He laughed at me as we continued to sway.

"Nope. Never," I shook my head. "But you know, you're not as bad as I thought you were."

"You either, Glenda," he laughed and I hit him lightly.

I laid my head on his chest as we continued dancing. He reached his hand up and put a finger under my chin, making me look up. The eye contact seemed prolonged as he leaned in slowly. My eyes closed and I could feel the warmth radiating off his lips. So close to ours touching.

"Hey, I forgot my wall-," Ricky busted in, causing us to step away from each other with a quickness.  "Oh, I'm so sorry. I'll just grab this and-"

"Uh, no, I'm leaving," Austin said, clearing his throat. "Honestly, I don't even know why I'm here."

Austin stormed out quickly, pushing past Ricky and I got whiplash from how fast him leaving happened.

"I'm sorry, Georgia," Ricky let out a deep sigh. "I didn't know you and him were- yeah.."

"No, don't apologize," I shook my head, honestly a little upset. "I don't even know what I was doing."

"Well, I'm sorry anyways," he gave me a sad smile. "Bye, Georgia."

"Bye, Rick," I sighed. "Drive safe."

Once he left, I plopped down on the couch and stared at my powerless TV. What the fuck just happened?