third floor ➳ post malone

seventeen

Austin and I had alcohol in our system still so we decided to go for a walk instead of driving home right away.

"Was that weird?" I asked him as we walked down the sidewalk with people passing us frequently, going in and out of the places that lined the street.

"Not if you don't think so," he told me. "I enjoyed it."

It made me blush to think about what we did earlier. Hooking up in a bathroom is something I would never do, but I just did. And it made me feel spontaneous– at least more than I usually am.

"I don't think so either," I shook my head. "I just don't want to rush whatever this is, and maybe I did."

"Don't overthink it, Georgia," he said to me as we continued walking. "We're both adults. We can do whatever we like."

"Then can I take you somewhere?" I asked him, turning towards him on the sidewalk that was illuminated by warm street lights.

"Uh, yeah, sure," he smiled at me. "What is it?"

"Just want to show you one of the perks of being Tara Harper's daughter," I laughed at him.

I walked in front of him and he followed me with no objection. I stopped as I hailed a taxi, one pulling over for us right away. We got in and I immediately told the driver where to go.

"1000 Lake Cook, please," I said as I slid in on the leather seat. He nodded at me and drove off. It was a thirty minute ride, but I wanted Austin to see it.

"Thank you!" I said, giving the taxi driver money as we got out of the cab. I looked at Austin who looked confused. "We're here."

"The botanic garden?" He asked me as we walked towards it. "It's closed."

"Not to the family of Tara Harper," I told him with a smile. "Empty and dark is the best way to see the place. Come on."

I snuck around the side of the metal gate that was locked and closed to where a chain link fence started. I had cut a hole in the fence when I was younger for moments like these.

I snuck through and Austin followed me as we stepped into thick grass. I walked to the left where the walkway to the actual gardens began. Austin followed me, looking around everywhere.

Soon we came up behind a security guard and Austin quickly pulled me behind a tree that was off of the path.

"What?" I asked him as he held onto me, his blue eyes widened as he stared at the guard.

"A guard. How are we gonna sneak around him?" He asked me and I smiled to myself.

"Like this," I said, walking out from behind the tree and towards the guard. "Hi, Henry."

"Oh, hi, Miss Georgia," he smiled at Austin and I as he held his flashlight down. "And well, this isn't Ricky. Never seen you bring another boy here."

"Yeah, you know," I shrugged and looked at Austin who looked nervous still. So cute. "I just figured he could use a little bit of an adventure tonight."

"Okay, then, you kids have fun. Out by one though, that's when my shift is over," He told me and I nodded, walking past him.

I looked back at Austin who was smirking at me as he shook his head. His curls bounced perfectly and I just wanted to run my hands through them.

"Your privilege is showing," he said to me and I laughed at him for the thousandth time tonight.

"Well, when your mom is like mine, that happens often," I shook my head as we continued down the path. "But I'd take a regular mom over this any day."

"So, tell me," Austin said as he walked with me. The trail had vines all around it and purple flowers hanging. I always admired it. "How does this have anything to do with your mom?"

"Well, when my mom used to primarily live in Chicago, she would always come here to write," I said cheerfully as I turned down another path after we reached the end of the one we were on. "But sometimes when she would get ideas for songs, it was three in the morning. Of course, it's not open at that time."

He listened to me intently, letting me continue to speak. So I did.

"So she contacted the owner and asked if she could buy rights to come in here after hours and just sit. She always said it inspired her. The green, the water, all the flowers and trees... Like everything was its own little euphoria. Which, ironically, this is where she wrote her song Euphoria," I laughed again as I told him. He smiled back at me as he continued listening. "Anyways, she obtained rights. We all got these little cards we could use to show the guards we were allowed in."

We continued walking until we were at The Hedges which were the hub of the gardens, Mom's favorite place to write.

"But, in case you're wondering, they put up a big metal gate and we had no keys. So, I cut a hole in the fence," I shrugged as I made my way to the middle of the hub. "But now, my mom is in L.A., so I just use this place to reminisce and to reflect."

I looked at Austin who was in awe and laid down on the grass gently, staring at the sky. He soon laid down beside me, doing the same as I was.

"I think this is the most amazing thing I have ever experienced," he said quietly without looking at me. "I've been here once. I never thought I'd come again. I mean, who cares about plants?"

"I do," I chuckled at him but then shut up to let him continue talking. The sky was so clear and the breeze from the water was so serene. I could live in this moment forever.

"But you somehow make everything seem more than it is," he let out a deep breath. "I feel weightless around you."

"Wow, big and bad Austin telling me how he feels," I said, sitting up and looking down at him. "Continue."

"Shut up," he chuckled, sitting up as well. I could hear the fountain behind us bubbling its rhythmic song I had grown fond of. It brought back so many memories. "I'm not good at this, I just want you to know I like being around you."

I nodded to him and he leaned in for a kiss, grabbing the side of my face and pulling me in deeper. Once we pulled away, I looked at him and immediately jumped up.

"Race ya!" I said as I started running.

"Hey, no fair!" He hopped up and followed me. "Georgia, I don't know where I'm going!"