Strangers in the Night
A Pitch Perfect Story
Chapter 17: Little Mitchell
Disclaimer: I do not own anything familiar.
Author's Note: Correction to the last chapter. Beca's baby sister isn't Evan Rachel Wood, but actually Sabrina Carpenter. I came across her via YouTube, and I use Sabrina's song The Middle of Starting Over in this chapter, and Sabrina is exactly what I was picturing when I originally created Georgie. I just chose Evan Rachel Wood, because I didn't know Sabrina existed. She's the perfect age and appearance that I had in mind for Georgie.
I hope you all enjoy this chapter!
Also, this chapter, the next chapter, and the last chapter (if I actually stick with my outline) will be the only chapters that have something that takes place without Beca being present.
Again, the song used in this chapter is The Middle of Starting Over by Sabrina Carpenter.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
"So, the rules are…"
"Shut up, Beca. Are you freaking kidding? Rules? You're so annoying!"
"Georgie, there will be rules! Can you just…UGGH! Why did I convince Dad to let you come visit!?"
"Well, that's just rude. What are these so-called rules? I'll tell you whether or not I'll follow your stupid rules."
"First, no talking about my 'awkward teen years,' as you like to call them."
"But you were so cute when you had braces when you were seventeen! I have pictures on my phone of you and me when I was still just an itty-bitty girl."
Beca groaned as she drove her car towards Jesse's apartment. She held her hand out to her sister, and Georgie put her coffee into her older sister's hand. Beca sipped it for a moment before presenting it to her sister once again.
"Look, I just don't want you to tell him embarrassing stories about me when I was younger—like that time I wore nothing but pink and curled my hair." She bit her bottom lip. "I feel like such a nerd when I look at those pictures." She cocked her head to the side. "Although, the nerd I'm dating might be into that."
"Beca, he's dating you when you look like a crazy freak who's covered in tattoos, has a freaky ear spike, and wears heavy eye makeup, so I think you looking like a prudish nerd when you were younger wouldn't really attract him." Beca swallowed, because Jesse had said something similar, that he liked that she was different from other girls and he thought she was beautiful. She sighed.
"Okay, but seriously…no embarrassing stories, okay? No embarrassing family photos. Also, no asking him about his ex-girlfriends or whatever? I don't want to hear you say 'how was the sex with this other person?'"
"Oh, jeeze! Do you think that I'd ask that?"
"Yes!"
"Beca, I promise you. I won't embarrass you, okay? I love you, big sis. Why would I mess up your first relationship? I am gonna ask him about his intentions or whatever."
"Georgie…" Her sister shook her head, blonde hair falling around her face.
"Beca…" Georgie repeated Beca's tone. "Seriously, it's okay."
"Also, he and I aren't…you know." Georgie's eyebrows rose, and Beca felt her sister's eyes boring into her cheek. The teen knew that her sister wasn't a virgin, and Beca had always been the type to use her mistakes as a lesson for her younger sister. She had always told Georgie to wait as long as she could before she had sex, because having a drunken hookup as the way she lost her virginity wasn't exactly what she wanted for her baby sister. She wanted Georgie to be one of the lucky ones—the ones that were an exception to the rule, like Chloe and Aubrey were with Evan and Tom.
"Seriously? You?" Beca huffed, making Georgie giggle.
"So, you can't tell Jesse this, obviously, but Aubrey kind of dared me to actually try to have a relationship for once and not have sex with a guy for three months." Georgie let out a belly laugh, her head falling back. Beca sent her a glare, but the teen kept laughing her ass off. Bitch.
"That's so hilarious! And awesome. I love it. Aubrey's a bad ass, because Beca Mitchell never turns down a dare. That Mitchell competitive streak has bitten you in the ass, big sis."
"Anyways, you can't bring that up, okay? Nothing about me and Jesse and sex…or the lack of sex."
"Like I'd scare away your boyfriend with my frank sex talk. I might give him a heart attack if I start talking like a blonde version of you whose half his age."
"It's not…" Beca froze, doing mental math. "Okay, shit, you're literally half his age. Wow, that's so weird." Georgie giggled again.
"Relationship Beca is amusing as hell."
"I hate you."
"Love you, too, sis."
"Right, so he's not sleeping over, because I'm sharing a bed with you. And, don't be annoying and say 'kiss her' or 'get a room.'" Georgie sighed.
"Look, I get it. You want me to not be myself. Got it. You want me to be straight-laced like Aubrey. Got it." Beca sighed.
"No, be yourself, just…try not to embarrass me and talk about how he's got me under a spell and shit. Oh, and be warned—he's obsessed with movies."
"Eww." Georgie said, mockingly, making Beca roll her eyes.
"Shut up, spaz."
"C'mon, Beca. Hurry. I wanna meet the man who tamed the shrew." Georgie said, grabbing Beca by the hand, dragging her from the elevator and into the hallway. "End of the hallway, right?" She said, practically yanking Beca's arm out of the socket.
Beca muttered to herself as her sister drug the smaller girl down the hallway, because she totally was regretting this. Why was she letting Jesse meet her baby sister? That was totally weird. Like, that was too much. She started breathing heavy. What the fuck…this was way too soon. "Georgie, can we just…" Her sister stopped dead, turning to face her.
"Wow. You're super pale. Like, way paler than usual. You're not gonna pass out on me, right?"
"Shut up for a second, Georgie. I just need a breather. This is too soon, right? I can't let him meet my family…I mean, he invited me to the Hamptons for the Fourth of July, but that would've been weird to meet his parents and all that. But, now I'm letting him meet you?"
"Beca, a sibling is different from meeting the parents, but if you're really nervous about it, we could meet him later on this week, okay?" Her younger sister bit her bottom lip. "It's gonna only get harder, though. You know how the saying goes, like ripping off a Band-Aid."
"Yeah, you're right. Let's go." Beca nodded her head, and Georgie stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Beca's middle.
"I love you, Beca. I promise that it's gonna be okay. I'm sure that he's an amazing guy. If he wasn't, you wouldn't have stuck with him even if you're competitive as shit."
"I just…I really want you to like him, Georgie, but I'm scared."
"Wow. You're admitting that you're scared. What are you scared about?"
"I'm scared that you will like him, and things between him and I get more serious, and then…what if he wakes up one day and doesn't want me anymore?"
"Beca, if that happens, I will hop onto a plane and kick his ass, okay? I know this started out as you trying to win a dare, but I can see that you really care about him. I'm happy for you, Beca. You deserve to be happy. I want you to find someone that makes you smile and scares you in a good way. You deserve someone who's gonna make you laugh and hold you when you're crying. You deserve someone who knows you're the best, most amazing sister in the entire world. I love you, Beca." Beca planted a kiss on top of Georgie's head, and the younger girl squeezed tighter onto her middle.
"I love you, too, Georgie."
"Now, let's go meet me a nerd!" Georgie said, releasing Beca. The two of them walked down the hallway towards Jesse's apartment. They reached the end of the hallway, and Beca raised her hand to knock on the door. The door swung open, and her eyes widened as she took in the sight of a scantily clad Kim grinning at her with an evil look in her eyes. The blonde was dressed in a pair of short-shorts and a tank top, with nothing more than a pair of flip flops on her feet. Beca narrowed her eyes at the blonde.
"Beca, hey!" Kim grinned, leaning against the door frame.
"Hi, Kim." Beca said, gripping her sister's hand tightly in hers. What the hell was this fucking bitch doing in her boyfriend's doorway, acting like she lived there. She swallowed. "Kim, this is my sister, Georgie." Kim turned her attention onto the younger Mitchell girl.
"Sister? Aww…isn't that so cute." Kim said. "Hello, little Beca. Well, it looks like you're taller than your sister, so I guess you're Bigger Baby Beca."
Georgie dug her nails into Beca's hand, her eyes narrowing. She opened her mouth to say something, but they heard a noise coming from inside the apartment. "Okay, Kim, here's the menu you asked about. Oh, hey, baby, what are you doing here?" Jesse pushed past Kim, much to the blonde's chagrin, with a big smile on his face. He pressed a quick kiss to Beca's lips before turning his attention on Georgie. "Oh, wow. This is Georgie? I'm Jesse. It's so nice to meet you," he grinned at the blonde girl. He held out his hand to her, but she rolled her eyes, throwing her arms around Jesse's neck. He grunted momentarily, hugging her back, giving Beca an amused smile.
"Jesse, hi! I just needed to meet the guy who tamed the shrew."
"Georgie, shut the fuck up!" Beca snapped, crossing her arms. Her sister rolled her eyes at her. Jesse chuckled, releasing the blonde, but leaving an arm wrapped around her shoulders.
"Oh, be nice to your baby sister, Beca," he joked, pulling her into the hug. Georgie leaned so that her lips were pressed against her older sister's ear.
"I like him," she said before she pulled away from them. She turned to Kim, plastering a sweet smile on her face. "Speaking of siblings," she narrowed her eyes at the older blonde. "You must be Jesse's older sister." Beca snorted, burying her face into Jesse's chest.
"I'm only twenty-five." Kim snapped. "And, I'm not Jesse's sister."
"Oh, well, my mistake." Georgie twirled a lock of hair around her finger. "It's a real pity that you're not his sister, because tonight's family night, so…it was nice meeting you." She turned her attention on Jesse. "I'm starving, Swanson, and if you've ever encountered a hungry Beca, then you should know what us Mitchell women are like when our bellies are empty. B-T-Dubs, I'm way worse than she is."
"Jesse?" Kim said, looking deflated. Beca rolled her eyes before going up on her toes to press her lips against Jesse's for a moment.
"Didn't you hear, Kim? Tonight's family night." She said when she ended the kiss. He tightened his hold on her waist before holding his hand out to Kim, the folded menu in his hand.
"Here's the menu you asked for, Kim." Kim huffed, storming past him, ignoring his outstretched hand, and into her apartment.
"You let her into your apartment?" Beca said, pulling away from him to cross her arms over her chest. He sighed, laying his hands onto her waist, pulling her forward so that he could press a kiss to the crown of her head. "She kissed you, and you let her into your apartment."
"Say what? That haggard bitch kissed you? Not cool. Imma 'bout to shank a bitch."
"Georgie!" Beca snapped, shaking her head at her younger sister. "You sound like an idiot."
"Okay, whatever, but seriously? She kissed you? Dude, you'd be downgrading if you dropped my sister for that skanky bitch." Georgie said, flipping Kim's door the middle finger. Beca sighed, shaking her head. So much for her baby sister acting straight-laced like Aubrey.
"Listen, I do not agree with all of Georgie's colorful language, but I do agree that I'd be downgrading if I went from you to Kim, so there is nothing to worry about. As for me letting her in the apartment, I didn't. She asked for the menu, and I told her to stay in my doorway while I went to get it. She followed me in and shut the door. I think the only reason why she opened the door at all was because she wanted you to feel threatened. Although, I do enjoy jealous Beca, so…"
"Shut up." She pouted, earning a chuckle from him. "I'm not jealous." Georgie scoffed, smacking Beca upside the head.
"Would you just kiss him already? I'm hungry and the beast is about to eat his face, so you might not get another chance to kiss those adorably plump lips of your boyfriend's."
"Are you checking out his lips?" Beca said, glaring at her baby sister.
"And his ass. I should've copped a feel when we were doing the cutesy hug a few minutes ago. Maybe later?" She joked, winking at Jesse. His head fell back as he laughed.
"God, she's so much like you, it's creepy. Where's the sweet little girl that you told me falls in love with everyone and finds the good in all people?" He asked, shaking his head.
"Oh, she's here…she's finding plenty of good on you, buddy." Beca reached over, punching her sister in the arm. "Ouch! Hey, that's child abuse."
"Stop hitting on Jesse. It's weird. He's twice your age, dude."
"Mama likes her men older."
"Enough!" Beca whined, burying her face into her hands. Jesse continued to laugh, pulling her into a hug and pressing a series of kisses to her cheeks.
"I think I'll stick with you." He whispered in her ear before he kissed her hard.
"Eww. Gross. Stop trying to eat my sister's face!" Georgie whined, smacking at both of them. They broke the kiss, before they turned on the younger blonde. They both began tickling her, making her squirm and complain about having to pee.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Beca grunted, opening her eyes, because someone kicked her in the thigh. She blinked sleepily as she looked around the room, the only light coming from the blue screen of the TV, indicating that a movie had ended sometime before, cursing when she realized that she and Georgie were still at Jesse's apartment. The foot in question that kicked her belonged to her younger sister, who was draped across much of the couch with one arm dangling off as she snored slightly into one of Jesse's decorative couch pillows that went with his couch. Beca ran a hand over her face, wiping the sleep from her eyes, looking around for her boyfriend. She jumped slightly when the door creaked as it inched open, as if the person coming in was trying to sneak in undetected. She suddenly feared that someone was breaking into the apartment.
She stayed still, watching as a body pushed something dark into room, along with his or her physical person, trying to keep as much of the light from the hallway from leaking into the apartment as possible. The dark object thumped onto its side, making a loud sound against the floor as it hit it. The body muffled a curse, and she let out a breath, because she recognized that voice. It was Jesse. He locked the door to his apartment and moved the dark object, which Beca now suspected was Georgie's suitcase, before turning to face the couch. He jumped when he saw that she was sitting up, stretching.
"Shit, did I wake you?" He whispered. She shook her head, standing up and inching her way over to him, staying as quiet as possible so as to not wake up Georgie.
"Nope, she kicked me. What time is it?"
"Late. I got Georgie's suitcase from your car," he said, handing her the keys. "Instead of sending you home this late, I figured you might as well crash here. Why don't you wake up Georgie enough to go get changed into your pajamas, and you two can sleep in my bed. I'll crash on the couch."
"Jess, no." She shook her head, because he was being a total sweetheart, but he definitely didn't have to be put out just because the two of them fell asleep during the boring ass movication. "Seriously, I'll wake her, and we'll get out of your hair, okay?"
"Beca, no. It's nearly two in the morning. I don't have anywhere important that I need to be in the morning, but you have work. Go get some sleep, okay?" She chewed on her bottom lip. She didn't have to be into work until ten the next morning, thankfully, but she still felt bad about forcing Jesse out of his bed. He brushed a kiss on top of her head as he moved past her, walking over to Georgie, crouching down beside her. She watched as he gently rubbed Georgie's upper back, whispering her name softly. Her younger sister groaned, burying her face deeper into the pillow. "Hey, sleepyhead, I know you're tired, but why don't you get changed and go crash in my bed. It's way more comfy that the couch." He whispered, running a hand over the back of her head as the younger girl blinked sleepily at him.
"Okay," she whispered, sitting up and rubbing at her drooping eyes. "I don't have my PJs." She mumbled.
"I brought your suitcase in for you. Do you need anything? A glass of water? Warm milk? Tea? I have decaffeinated tea that really helps me get back to sleep." Beca smiled, because for a guy who had limited experience with kids (or teens, for that matter), he was being totally awesome with her baby sister. It was like he was born to be a dad. She blinked, because where the fuck did that thought come from? She turned away, running a hand through her hair, trying to steady her breathing.
"Water." Georgie mumbled, standing up. "Thanks." Jesse nodded.
"Sure thing, Georgie." He walked over to the kitchen while Georgie stumbled over to her suitcase. Beca helped her lay it on the ground, and the blonde grabbed an oversized t-shirt that appeared to have Snoopy on the front of it, and a pair of black shorts.
"I like him," Georgie mumbled as she clutched the clothing to her chest and stumbled toward the stairs to his loft. She climbed up and made her way into the bathroom. While she was changing, Beca made her way over to Jesse as he waited in the kitchen for Georgie to finish getting ready.
"Do you want to borrow a t-shirt and a pair of my boxers?" He asked her as she wrapped her arms around his waist. He smiled, hugging her back. "What's this for?"
"For being you." She said into his chest, and she felt his chuckle as he leaned down to press a kiss on top of her head.
"Well, thank you. I think you're pretty awesome yourself." She pulled back enough to press her lips against his, kissing him forcefully. She wanted him to understand how much she appreciated how awesome he was with her sister. He kissed her back just as passionately, squeezing her hips in his hands. After a few moments, he broke the kiss, breathing heavily as he rested his forehead against hers. "Beca—"
"You scare me, Jesse." She said, cutting him off. She felt his brow furrow against hers. "You scare me, because you fit too well in my life." He sighed, pulling her into a tight hug, burying his face into her neck. "You seem too good to be true." She mumbled, making him chuckle.
"I'm not perfect, Beca." He told her, looking into her eyes. "But you make me want to be as perfect as I can be so that I'm everything you deserve. I'll never live up to it, but I'll try every damn day to get as close as possible." She rolled her eyes at how cheesy, but romantic, he was being.
"You're such a weirdo," she muttered, earning a cheeky grin from him. He brushed his lips against hers, keeping the kiss from getting too heated. The door from his bathroom opened, indicating that Georgie was coming out of the bathroom. They pulled back from the kiss, but still held onto each other.
"Um, I would say something about getting a room, but I'm currently in said room, so that'd be awkward." The teen joked, sitting down onto the bed. Beca rolled her eyes, pulling out of his arms and grabbing the glass of water. She made her way up to the loft, handing the water to her sister, who gulped half of it before putting it on the bedside table. "Night, Beca." Georgie collapsed onto the bed, snuggling under his blankets and into his pillows. "Jesse, I like your cologne." She called out to him sleepily.
Beca shook her head, glancing down at her boyfriend who was digging through his living room closet for a spare throw blanket to use on the couch. She climbed into the bed beside her sister, running her nails over the t-shirt covering her back. She hummed Georgie's favorite song softly until she heard the even, deep breaths of her sister. She climbed off of the bed, pulling off her jean shorts and pulled on a pair of Jesse's boxers, being as quiet as possible. She then changed into one of his t-shirts, pulling off her bra, as well. Instead of climbing into bed with Georgie, she chose instead to head back down from the loft to where her boyfriend was getting situated on his couch.
"Beca?" He asked confused when she sat down beside him, pulling the blanket over her lap.
"I've decided that if you're going to be uncomfortable, I'll be uncomfortable, too." She said. He smiled at her, shaking his head. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. The two of them settled back onto the couch, resting their feet up on the ottoman in front of them, and she leaned her head onto his chest. He kissed her head, rubbing a hand over her arm.
Beca woke the next morning to her sister's laugh and the sound (and smell) of butter sizzling in a frying pan. She sat up, letting the blanket fall off of her frame, running a hand through her hair. She glanced over to see Jesse and Georgie standing in his kitchen, a mug of something in the teen's hand, and a bowl and a scoop in his. She stood up, shuffling towards them, watching as he scooped out pancake batter into the frying pan. Her stomach rumbled as she watched him set the bowl aside and grab a spatula to stir some scrambled eggs around in another pan. "Coffee?" Georgie said, setting down her mug and grabbing an empty mug from the counter. Beca smiled, taking the empty mug from her sister's hands. She began preparing the coffee for herself. Meanwhile, Georgie was chatting with Jesse about his job. "So, you, like, write music, right? Do you write song lyrics or could you read a poem or something and write music for it?"
Beca cocked an eyebrow at her sister, curious where she was going with this. "Yes, I write music, both of the lyrical and non-lyrical variety. I primarily write music that does not include lyrics, but I have written a few songs." Georgie nodded her head. "That being said, I think I could probably take a poem and write music to go with it. People have composed musical pieces based on poems, like Emily Dickens' stuff, but I never have. I have worked with lyricists in the past and created the music for the words they have written to co-write a song. A couple of those pieces were used in student films when I attended NYU."
"That's so cool."
"Why do you ask?" Jesse asked her as he flipped a pancake. He glanced at her, as he flipped another pancake.
"Georgie writes poems," Beca supplied. She took a sip of her coffee.
"Beca!"
"She won't let anyone see them, but she does write them. I think she is curious about songwriting."
"Well, if you would like me to take a look at them…"
"No…" Georgie whined. She glared at Beca, who just smiled, amused by her sister's embarrassment.
"She's afraid that you'll think they're stupid."
"I hate you, Beca." Georgie snapped. She moved away from the kitchen to go sit on the couch where her older sister had been sitting earlier. Jesse raised an eyebrow at her before jerking his head at the younger Mitchell girl. Was he really telling her that she needed to say sorry? She rolled her eyes, walking over to her sister, sitting down next to her sister.
"I'm sorry that I outed your secret to Jesse. It wasn't nice of me, but if there is a person who you could show your poems to, it would definitely be Jesse. He's not going to tell you that you're awful or stupid or whatever. He does this stuff for a living, so he could totally show you how to improve if you need to." She grabbed Georgie's hand. "I'd love to read your poems, too, kid. You're my baby sister, and I love you. I support everything and anything you do, because you're my sister, and we Mitchell girls are fucking awesome." Georgie laughed, leaning her head onto Beca's shoulder.
"I love you, Beca." They two of them stood up and made their back to the kitchen where Jesse was smiling and plating the pancakes and eggs.
"Here you are, ladies." He said, pressing a kiss on top of Beca's head as she sat down. After a few minutes of eating, Jesse glanced between the girls. "So, what's the plan for this week?"
"Well, Georgie was going to go spend the day with Aubrey at her salon today. Then, tomorrow, she's going to go to spend the day with Chloe on set of Georgie's favorite show ever." Georgie started bouncing in her seat, chattering about the teen-angst show that she and her friends were obsessed with. "Then, we have the one in the morning slot in the recording studio, and you can record whatever song that you want. I have some music from college that we used for the Bellas that you could look through."
"Do you think that we could save visiting Aubrey's salon for another day?" Georgie asked, chewing on her bottom lip. "As cool as that is, believe me, I love getting pampered like most girls, but I was wondering if I could, maybe, work on music with Jesse?"
Beca let out a breath, because she was not expecting that. She swallowed, smiling tightly at her sister. Jesse chuckled. "Maybe you should go to the salon today, Georgie," he said, studying his girlfriend. "She's uncomfortable with you being alone with me for that long."
"Oh, she needs to get over it. How else am I going to interrogate you and make sure you're worthy of my big sister?"
"Georgie," Beca groaned, pressing a hand to her forehead.
"No, you need to chill out over there. You're annoying, okay? Jesse's your boyfriend, and you're all weird about relationships, but you need to get over it. I'm here. I'm going to get to know your boyfriend. I'd think you'd want your sister to get along with your significant other."
"Mmm, call me her lover or partner or something like that. It makes her all weird." Jesse snorted at the glare that Beca shot him.
"Lover? And here I thought you two weren't having sex…" Georgie said, grinning evilly as she popped a bite of egg in her mouth. He choked on the sip of orange juice he was drinking. He coughed, pounding on his own chest. Beca shot up and went to his side, rubbing his back.
"Really? You had to go there?" She glared at her sister. After a few moments, he took a gasping breath, looking up at her with tears in his eyes.
"You told your sister about our sex life?"
"Or lack thereof," Georgie whispered to herself.
"Well, I mean, I just…I don't lie to my sister, okay? I told her," Beca began, glaring at her sister, "that you and I are taking it slow, because I'm new to this."
"And, as the baby sister, I have to annoy and embarrass the shit out of my sister any way that I can." Georgie smiled at the two of them. "Sorry that you're getting caught in the crossfire, dude." She patted Jesse on the shoulder.
"Right, well, yeah, your sister and I haven't had sex yet." He took a sip of orange juice again. "Um, yeah, so if you want to hang out with me today, and it is okay with Beca, then you're more than welcome to. I've got some of my own composing to work on, too, so you could be my second set of ears."
Georgie sat on the couch with her notebook on her lap, pen in hand, watching as Jesse sat at his piano, tapping his fingers over the keys. She cocked her head to the side, watching him bow his head, his fingers playing an intricate pattern across the black and white bars. All alone, the individual notes meant nothing—were just a small tinkle in the surrounding silence—but it was the combination of them, the way he pushed hard on the keys during some notes and lighter on others, the way he played with such passion, the way his entire body seemed to live and breathe the music that he was making. It was amazing, so beautiful, so life changing, watching him play. She understood then what it was that drew Beca to him. She understood what it was about him that made her older sister fall for him. She could see it then, in that moment. She knew that this man was going to make her sister fall in love with him—if she hadn't already, but Beca was super cautious and even more stubborn, so if she had, she wouldn't tell anyone, including herself.
"You're exactly like your sister." He said after a moment, his fingers stilling on the keys. He glanced over his shoulder at the teen, smiling. "I can feel you watching me. I can also hear you thinking. What's on your mind, little Mitchell?"
She glanced down onto the notebook in front of her. It was the one that she kept all of her poems in, and right now, she was working on a new one. She shut the book, using the pen to mark her place. She glanced up at him, noticing that he had turned around, facing her, resting his elbows on his knees. He interlaced his fingers, smiling at her. "Tell me about yourself, Jesse."
"What do you want to know?" The smile didn't leave his face.
"You're twenty-eight, right?"
"Just about. I turn twenty-eight in September."
"You're the same age as my big sister, Jenna." He nodded his head. "She's…well, I look a lot like Jenna, but I'm a lot more like Beca in personality."
"Well, Jenna must be beautiful."
"Did your father teach you that flattery gets you everywhere with women?" Jesse snorted, making Georgie grin at him.
"Yes, he did, and my mom told me that being nice is more important, but kissing a little butt can help."
"You're parents sound pretty awesome. Tell me about them?"
"They're doctors. My dad's a cardiologist, and my mom's a pediatric oncologist. They're both amazing people. They're both from working class families that worked unbelievably hard to get to where they are today. We just had a big family gathering in the Hamptons for the Fourth of July. They rented this big mansion and invited all of my family to it for the weekend. It cost them a bucket-load, but it was one of the ways to give back to the rest of the family. My grandparents taught my parents that they should work hard and do what they loved, so they kind of instilled that in me. I loved music and movies, and they threw all that came with them at me, including helping get two degrees from a rather prestigious university for pairing the two together."
"Wow."
"Yeah." He smiled, running a hand through his hair. "They're both really good people—my whole family is. Really supportive and loving. My parents call me about three times a week, my grandparents at least once a week, and I email and text my aunts and uncles biweekly. My cousins and I keep up on Facebook and texts. We all get together for holidays and birthdays when work or other commitments don't get in the way."
"Holy crap, dude. Your family is like the textbook good, old American family." She shook her head. "Beca must be freaking the fuck out around you." He cocked an eyebrow at her, and she blushed. "Sorry. About the cursing, you know?"
"I'm used to it with the mouth your sister has on her, but it's still weird for me to hear it coming from someone who's half my age. I feel like I need to be a good example for you and punish you or something for using that kind of language."
"Yeah, no." She shook her head. "Just 'cause you're dating my sister, it doesn't mean you can play the surrogate Daddy card while I'm visiting."
"It felt a little weird saying it," he joked. He furrowed his brow. "So, you think that Beca's freaking out about being with me? Because of my family?"
"Well, yeah, dude. You have this perfect family who loves each other and supports each other. She's probably thinking about how she's coming from a broken home, which makes her broken and damaged. She's probably thinking that you're crazy-pants for being in a relationship with her."
"I don't think that about her. I think she's amazing. I think she's beautiful, and wise, and so wonderful."
"There's that flattery thing again…."
"No, I'm serious, Georgie. I'm really falling for your sister. These last two and a half months that we've been seeing each other have been the best I've had in a really long time."
"Do you love her?" He sputtered for a few moments, and her jaw dropped open. Holy shit! Did he love her sister?
"Look, I'm…not in love with her right now, okay? I just know that I'm falling for her. I know that every day I care more deeply about her than I did the day before."
"God, I don't get that. I don't understand why adults say that they are gradually falling in love and stuff like that. I don't see love that way. I don't see it as some gradual thing that just happens. Parents don't fall in love with their kids. The moment they're born, they look down at this tiny screaming kid, and they just know that they love it or they don't. That's how I feel about relationships. Beca thinks I'm stupid, because I say I'm in love Billy one day, or that I love Josh the next. It's not that I'm fickle or anything. I actually feel it. There's this moment when that light bulb goes off, and I think that I love him. There's not this big, elaborate, long term process of falling in love. It just happens like the snap of your fingers. You either love that person or you don't."
"It's not that simple, Georgie." Jesse shook his head, but Georgie shook hers, cutting him off before he could say anything more.
"But, it is that simple, Jesse. You love a person or you don't. My parents love each other. Aubrey and her husband love each other. Chloe and her fiance love each other. Your parents love each other. Things get complicated and screwed up when two people who know that it doesn't work between them, not really, that ignore the fact that their puzzle pieces don't truly fit together, but they still try to force them together anyway. That's why there is divorce and breakups and anger and heartbreak and cheating. There's something missing from day one, Jesse, but they were too blind to see it." She paused. "Or, they ignore it."
"Relationships are way more complicated than that."
"No, they're not. Grownups make them more complicated." She shook her head. "Think about it, Jesse. What was the first thought that went through your head when you saw my sister?"
"Would she kill me with that ear spike if I tried to talk to her?" She rolled her eyes.
"Be serious, Jesse." He sighed.
"Okay, the first thing I thought when I saw your sister?" He chewed on his bottom lip, looking away from her. "I thought that she looked like she had a story to tell. I saw this woman, so beautiful and vulnerable, and I knew that she used the makeup and the tattoos and the piercings as this defense to keep people away. I couldn't help but think that someone who goes to that much trouble to keep people away must have this amazing story to tell to the people who take the time to listen to it. In that moment, I wanted to hear her story."
"That right there, Jesse…that's what I'm talking about. Your first thought wasn't that you thought my sister was hot and would be a fun time in bed. Your first thought wasn't I wonder what she does for a living and if she could help me get to where I need to be in my career. Your first thought wasn't about how she's the type of woman your parents would hate to see you with or, even, the opposite: that she's the kind of woman that your parents expect you to be with. Those are the thoughts that go through your mind when you meet someone you're not supposed to be with. You might not have thought the words I love her, but I think that wanting to know her story, wanting to understand her, wanting to get past the walls she puts up around herself is as close to those three words as you can get. But, that's just my opinion. You have to ask yourself if you love her or not. You have to decide if her puzzle piece fits yours or if you two are forcing yourselves to fit together when you don't."
She watched him for a few moments, frowning to himself as he thought about what she said. "You're pretty insightful for a fourteen year old." He said after a few moments. She rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, I know. I'm wise well beyond my years," she joked. "Look, I think you and my sister are perfect for each other. I've never seen her this happy in my entire life."
"Yeah, well, why don't you tell her that? Any time I remotely say something serious, she freezes up on me."
"How much has my sister told you about our family?" She asked him, tapping the cover of her notebook with her index finger.
"I know that Beca's parents split when she was young…like eight or nine? Then, your dad married your mom, and you were born when Beca was twelve. I knew that you two were really close, and that Beca had two step-siblings. I knew that your dad taught at Barden, and your mom is a gynecologist. I know that Beca loves her mom, and she gets along okay with her step-dad, but her relationships with your parents aren't that great. I knew that you two were the only ones of the Mitchell clan that really get along well with each other. That's about it."
"Wow. I mean, I guess that's a lot for Beca…" Georgie shook her head. Jesse knew nothing about their family, about Beca. It shouldn't be shocking, though, because Beca always kept everyone at a distance. She watched him frown, standing up and making his way over to Georgie's side.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Look, Jesse, I'm not going to lie. There's a lot of shit that Beca hasn't told you about herself and our family. I'm not going to be the one to air all of my sister's dirty laundry to you, but you and my sister really need to talk. I'm guessing she doesn't know that much about your past either. It's not because she's one of those people who believes that the past should stay in the past. It's because she's running from her past. She hasn't dealt with shit since before she was a kid. I know I'm only fourteen, but I know my sister. I also know a lot of stuff that I'm not supposed to know about what happened in our family before. There's a lot of secrets. I know you're afraid of pushing my sister too hard to open up to you, but you two will never have your epic love that you're supposed to have if you don't make her talk to you. She'll use keeping you at a distance as a crutch, and it will only break you two up." He swallowed, twisting his fingers together.
"Damn, Georgie. You sure you're just a kid?" He asked her. She smiled, looping her arm around his.
"I have faith in you, Jesse. My sister might spook easily, but don't give up on her, okay? You're good for her." He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, making her blush.
"Let me see that journal of yours. I thought we're supposed to be writing a song." He held his hand out to her, and she sighed opening the book to the song she had been working on earlier.
"This one is called The Middle of Starting Over."
Saturday, July 13, 2013
"Look, you can't tell Dad that I had you in a recording studio at one in the morning, okay?" Beca said as she, Jesse, and her sister shuffled into the little studio that she had signed out so that Georgie could get the rock star experience. Earlier that day, she had gone to Aubrey's salon and gotten a facial, along with her nails and hair done. Then, she went to the set of Chloe's show, who had dressed her in a really cute outfit and then sent her out on set as one of the extras in the scene. Now, Georgie was getting to record the song that she had written (and perfected with the help of Jesse). So far, her younger sister was loving her visit in LA.
"Of course not! I'll tell him that you took me to a recording studio today—not what time you took me! Beca, this is so cool. You and your friends have the best lives." Georgie sighed, looking around the studio.
"Well, I'd like to think we have a pretty awesome life." Beca laughed, watching as her sister spun around in circles before running her fingertips lightly over all of the mixing equipment. She knew her sister was just appreciating the equipment for what it meant—recording her song. No, Beca did that every time she sat down at the equipment for a completely different reason—it was her nirvana, her home. It was the place where she was meant to be. "There's only one thing missing from my awesome life."
"Oh, let me guess? A good, hard—"
"Georgie!" Beca snapped, her eyes widening. Jesse tried to hold back the laugh, but failed, and he snorted, earning a giggle from Georgie. The older Mitchell glared at him before turning her glare on her sister. "Inappropriate! Seriously, we talked about this. All of this sex talk is freaking me out. What happened to my innocent baby sister?"
"She got boobs and realized guys are hot." Georgie shrugged, winking at her sister's boyfriend. "Blame Jesse."
"Hey, now." He shook his head. "It makes me feel dirty when you make me the brunt of your sex jokes. I'm not into teenagers." He pointed at the blonde before he made his way over to Beca, wrapping his arm around her waist. "Even if I do like my women short, I like them with a surly attitude and a scary ear spike that could be used to filet me like a fish." Beca rolled her eyes, wrapping her arms around his frame, pressing her face into his chest. "I'm quite happy with my current relationship." He breathed into her ear.
"Oh, c'mon, guys. Enough of the cutesy talk and snuggle sessions. I might puke on the mixing equipment." Georgie complained, making Beca tear her face away from his chest to glare at her sister.
"Don't even joke about that." She threatened, making the other two laugh.
"So, Beca, what is your perfect life missing? You've got a great job, an awesome set of friends, a nice apartment in one of the most congested and worst traffic-filled city in all of the country—probably even worse than Manhattan, but I'll leave that to Jesse to determine—and an adorably, hunky boyfriend. What all is missing?"
"You." Beca said with an eye roll. "My baby sister isn't in LA with me."
"Awww. That's so cute." Georgie giggled, throwing her arms around her sister's middle. She reached out, after a moment, grabbing Jesse's arm, pulling him into the hug with them. "C'mon, Jesse, group family hug again."
Beca's stomach twitched when she heard her sister refer to Jesse as part of the family. This was the second time that it happened, and it was beyond weird for her to hear it. Jesse wasn't a part of their family. He was…well, just because he was her boyfriend, it doesn't mean that he was a part of the family. She felt extremely uncomfortable with the idea that her sister was absorbing him into her life so easily, quickly. What would happen when (not if, but when) they broke up? Then, Georgie would be left hurting, because she wouldn't have Jesse around. She could tell her sister really liked the big nerd. Georgie released them both before running through to the sound booth to explore further.
"You okay?" Jesse asked, combing a lock of her hair behind her ear. She glanced up at him, nodding, but her eyes didn't meet his. She heard him sigh, sliding his hand along her cheek, guiding her face towards his. "Hey, don't worry about the things that Georgie's saying. I know that you get nervous when things seem to be going too fast. I want you to know that I'm not going anywhere, but I get that you still need to go slow."
"It's fine. I'm fine." She told him, giving him a tight smile.
"No, you're not. Look, there's a lot of stuff that we need to talk about, but I know that now is not the time, with your sister being here. Just know that I'm here whenever you need me."
"God, you're such a weirdo." She sighed, rolling her eyes at him.
"Yeah, I am, and so are you." She rolled her eyes again, because this was a bit they'd shared from the moment they met. She insulted him, and he'd take it as a compliment and say it right back to her. She was constantly calling him a nerd or a weirdo, and he'd just grin at her. Like right now.
"It's a good thing we're going to be best friends and/or lovers." She said in a sarcastic tone. He laughed, nodding his head. She smiled at him, and he leaned down, closing the distance between them.
"Stop it!" Georgie whined, making the two adults break apart with a shake of their heads. "C'mon, Jesse!" He moved in the direction of the sound booth, carrying his guitar case. She smiled as she watched them talking in the sound booth as he got his guitar out and begin tuning it. While it was odd for her to see Georgie getting along with him, it was still nice at the same time.
Beca had to take a deep breath as she sat down at the mixing table, telling them that they would start with the instrumental stuff. She watched as Jesse played assorted instruments for Georgie's songs, and it took everything in her not to strip naked and have her way with him in front of her baby sister. That would definitely not be appropriate. After about a half hour of watching her boyfriend play multiple instruments and the same sweet tune over and over, it was finally time to hear her sister record the vocals. Jesse left the sound booth, laying his hands over her shoulders. "Good vocals and artistry runs through your blood, Mitchell." He said, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. She rolled her eyes as she lifted her head to look at him.
"Alright, Georgie. Go ahead." She hit a button, and the music started playing lightly. She turned the volume down on the music by sliding a level down on the board. She watched as her sister bobbed her head, holding the headphones.
"Cast out to sea
Drifting with the tide
And no way of finding me
Now that I'm free
Nothing but blue skies
Paradise in front of me
"Awake from this dream
I hold my breath and just believe
"Tired of all the troubles
They've been wasting my time
I don't wanna fight
Gonna leave it behind
Taking on faith
Now I'm ready to fly
I'm in the middle of starting over
"Back to the beginning
Gonna hit rewind
Chance to do it over
To get it right this time
Life gives you pennies
Turn them into dimes
I'm in the middle of starting over
I'm in the middle of starting over
"Oh [x4]
"Alone, in a room
Tearing down the walls
Painting over scars and bruises
Now, this is home
Fill it up with love
And make the best of something new, yeah
"As hard as it seems
I hold my breath and just believe
"Tired of all the troubles
They've been wasting my time
I don't wanna fight
Gonna leave it behind
Taking on faith
Now I'm ready to fly
I'm in the middle of starting over
"Back to the beginning
Gonna hit rewind
Chance to do it over
To get it right this time
Life gives you pennies
Turn them into dimes
I'm in the middle of starting over
"The colors in the stars
Seem a little brighter
Tomorrow isn't far away
Through the hardest part
I'm working towards a happy ending
"Tired of all the troubles
They've been wasting my time
I don't wanna fight
Gonna leave it behind
Taking on faith
Now I'm ready to fly
I'm in the middle of starting over
"Back to the beginning
Gonna hit rewind
Chance to do it over
Get it right this time
Life gives you pennies
Turn them into dimes
I'm in the middle of starting over
"Tired of all the troubles
They've been wasting my time
I don't wanna fight
Gonna leave it behind
Taking on faith
Now I'm ready to fly
I'm in the middle of starting over
"Back to the beginning
Gonna hit rewind
Chance to do it over
Get it right this time
Life gives you pennies
Turn them into dimes
I'm in the middle of starting over
I'm in the middle of starting over."
Beca smiled as she watched her sister sing, sliding levers and twisting knobs. She felt Jesse watching her, but she kept her eyes locked on Georgie's form as she grinned. Her sister finished the song, and she began clapping, giving her sister a standing ovation. The smaller Mitchell blushed, hiding her face in her hands.
"She's amazing." Jesse told her, holding his phone out to her, showing that he recorded her sister as she sang. She grinned at him, mouthing thank you.
"You were a big help," she said, as Georgie pulled the head phones off.
"Nah," he told her with a head shake. "Honestly, that was all her. I just helped her by replacing a word or two here and taught her how to write a good hook. The rest of it—that was all her. She's really talented, Becs."
"That she is." Beca jumped.
"Luke, what the hell?!" She said, pressing a hand to her chest. She turned around to glare at the British man behind her. He was lounging in the doorway of the mixing room, arms crossed. He dressed in his usual fashion, black motor cycle boots, dark skinny jeans, a tight white t-shirt that stretched across his muscles, the leather cord around his neck and the matching belted cuff on his wrist. He was covered in tattoos and piercings, and Jesse scoffed softly.
"Yeah, he's not the male version of Hayley, but the male version of you." He told her, giving her a pinch on her ass, making her kick him slightly.
"So, I was wondering who the hell my best producer had signed out the recording studio for at one in the morning, considering I know every one of our artists and when they are scheduled. Who's the kid? She's good."
"Beca, that was so freaking awesome! Thank you so much for letting me do that! I can't wait to play it for Mom and Dad! Trevor is going to shit bricks, and can you imagine the look on Jenna's face! I can't wait to play it for all my friends. That bitch Kerri Williams can bite me, saying that I'm a tone deaf asshole! My song—the one I wrote—recorded in a real Hollywood recording studio and the music was written by a real songwriter and composer! Oh, my God!" Georgie threw her arms around Beca's middle. "You're the best big sister in the whole entire world!" She squealed, releasing the brunette. She then turned to Jesse, throwing her arms around his waist. "Thank you so freaking much for all your help! Holy shit! Can I do that again?"
"Yeah, totally, kid." Luke said, grinning at Beca with his eyes narrowed. He made his way forward, presenting his hand to the younger Mitchell. "My name's Luke. I'm Becky's boss at Wharton." Beca snarled under her breath. She fucking hated it when he called her Becky.
"Oh, wow! It's so nice to meet you. My sister's the best, isn't she?" Georgie grinned at her sister.
"She definitely is the best, but she failed to tell me that she had such a talented sister. What's your name?"
"Oh, right! Duh! I'm Georgie. Sorry. I'm just so freaking excited! I can't even think straight. But, Beca's, like, way more talented than me. She's a fantastic singer, too."
"Georgie. That's cute." Luke nodded his head. Beca was freaking out, because she totally did not like the way that the older British man was staring at her sister like she was his meal-ticket. She felt Jesse step closer to her, laying a hand on her lower back. His presence calmed her, and she felt the tension start to ease out of her body some. Then, her heart started pounding, because Jesus! She was being calmed by him just being there? That's fucked up. She can't rely on him like this. This wasn't healthy. God, she was so fucking screwed. "I've heard your sister sing before. She's good, but that song. That was a good song, Georgie. Your whole package—the voice, the sweet song, the naiveté you've got going on—it's pure gold."
"Luke." Beca shook her head. There is no way in hell that he was going to try and pitch a life in the music business to her baby sister. She wasn't even fifteen yet. If there was one thing that Beca agreed upon with her father, it was that education was important. Sure, college wasn't her dream when she first went to Barden, or when she was Georgie's age for that matter, but looking back, she was glad that she went. She really honed her producing skills, and she met the girls, her best friends. She'd been lost without them. Her sister needed to get through high school and go to college. Then, if she still wanted to be a singer, she could do this whole song and dance with Luke, and Beca would do everything in her power to help her.
"Becky," Luke responded, his eyes flashing. "You're thinking like a sister right now, not a producer." She tightened her hands into fists, because he was right. If Georgie wasn't her sister, she'd totally be drooling to get her hands on a singer like this, someone she could mold into the perfect artist.
"What's going on?" Georgie asked, glancing from Luke to Beca.
"How'd you like to make an album, kid?" Beca cursed, and she leaned back into Jesse's chest when he wrapped his arm around her waist.
"Are you serious? You're joking, right? Tell me you're being serious?!" Georgie squealed, jumping up and down. She turned to Beca, grinning like a total idiot. "This is so fucking cool! Beca! I'm gonna record an album."
"Yeah, Becky, your sister's going to record an album."
"No." Beca shook her head. "She's fourteen. She's too young."
"Oh, c'mon, Beca! You sound like Dad!"
"Good! Are you kidding me, Luke?" She glared at him. "She's a kid. She's too young for this! Let her grow up a little before you turn into the sucking leech of a record label exec."
"Wow, Becky. That's a little rough. I am your boss, you know."
"Oh, I know. If it were anyone else, I'd be proud of you for being such that soulless, sucking leech, but this is my baby sister we're talking about. She's not even a freshman in high school yet!"
"Look, don't you want your sister to be the next Miley?" Beca glared at Luke.
"Bad example, dude." Jesse shook his head.
"Oh, fine, Taylor Swift. There you go, Becky. Taylor Swift seems to have a good head on her shoulders. She produced an album in high school, too."
"Beca, why are you being like this? Why are you trying to put down my dreams? I thought you loved me. I thought you thought I was talented and could make it. Why would you bring me here if you didn't think I was good enough?" Georgie asked, her eyes filling with tears. Beca groaned, reaching for her sister, but the younger Mitchell jerked away from her, wrapping her arms around herself.
"Georgie, you're kidding, right? I think you're the most amazingly talented kid in the whole world, but you're my sister and I love you. I'm trying to protect you. You've gotta finish high school, kid. You've got to go to college!"
"Says that girl who hated being forced to go to school!" Georgie snapped. "You're just like Dad!
"Yeah, I did. I hated when Dad made me go to college at Barden, but after I worked at the radio station with Luke and I joined the Bellas, I realized that college was awesome and where I belonged for those four years. I thought that I could just come here and my life would work out perfectly, but if I didn't go to Barden, I wouldn't have met Luke and become friends with him. I doubt that I'd be here right now, with this awesome job that I love, showing you what it's like to record a song in a real studio. If I hadn't gone to Barden, I wouldn't have joined the Bellas. I wouldn't be friends with Aubrey, Chloe, and Stacie. I wouldn't have those three amazing women in my life. If I hadn't gone to Barden, I wouldn't have been able to see you grow up as much as I did. Those extra four years in Atlanta meant that I got to be there for you and to watch you become this wonderful person. You're the most important person in my whole life, Georgie. I don't want to see you get hurt."
Beca stepped forward, pulling her sister into her arms. Georgie sniffled, wrapping her arms around her sister's frame, as well. "I love you, Beca. You're my best friend, and I miss you. I love singing, and I couldn't help but think that maybe if I did this—if I tried to become a singer, I could move out here and spend more time with you."
"Georgie, I'd love to have you spend more time with me, but you know as well as I do, Dad would freak the fuck out if you did this."
"Beca, why don't you take the night to think about it?" She pulled away from Georgie enough to study her boyfriend. What the hell was he talking about? She narrowed her eyes at him. "I know you're worried about your sister, but why don't you sleep on it, and the two of you could talk about it further tomorrow. Georgie could explain to you why she thinks it would be a good idea, and if you feel like she's come up with good enough reasons, you could talk to your dad and step-mom about it. Just because you think about it—talk about it—it doesn't mean that it's actually going to happen."
"I'm not interested, Jesse." She heard her sister whimper against her chest.
"Is there a bathroom?" The younger girl said, pulling away. She wiped at her tearstained cheek.
"Yeah, Love. I'll walk you to it." Luke held a hand out to her. Georgie gave one more pleading look at Beca before she followed him out of the studio.
"What the hell was that?" Beca snapped, crossing her arms as she glared at Jesse.
"I know you're worried about her, Beca. Believe me, I'd be in the exact same spot as you if it were my younger sister. Right now, she sees you as destroying her dreams. She's hurt, and she feels like you don't trust her or love her. If you tell her you'll think about it—that you're willing to hear her side—she'll feel like you're actually listening to her. She'll trust you and open up to you, and you can also explain to her all of your reservations about her doing this. Ultimately, it's not your decision, though. It's hers. And your parents. You have to talk to your dad and step-mom about this."
"Fuck you."
"Don't be mad at me, Beca. I'm on your side here. I just…look, if she does this, there could be rules. Like, she can only come to LA to work on the album on summer vacations from school. And, if you think about it, first albums are, what, twelve or so songs usually? Well, how many songs do you really think that she could get through if she were to spend a month or so with you at a time in the next four years? She'd get through maybe three songs at the most? Less if you put in the stipulation that she has to write all of the music that goes on her album. Then, she'd have to work with someone else to write the instrumental part for all the songs. Then, there's the practicing. Then, there's the recording of the song over and over and over until it's perfect. She might lose interest, because it's taking too long." She glared at him. "You know I'm right. Beca, you're sister's a real talent. She's could go far in this business, and she's got a good head on her shoulders. She's also got an insanely smart, protective, strong sister who's always going to be looking out for her."
"Jesse," she buried her face into her hands. "I'm scared."
"I know, but that's because you love her." He pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
"So, what's the verdict?" Luke asked as he and Georgie returned. Beca sighed, looking at the dejected look on her sister's face.
"I'll think about it. Luke, get your best pitch together, and I'll look it over." She told the British man. She then turned her gaze onto Georgie. "I expect a list of pros and cons by tomorrow night, and we're going to sit down and talk about this. Then, and only then, we will call Dad and tell him what's going on. Got it?"
"Got it!" Georgie nodded her head. She rushed over, hugging Beca tightly.
"Now, get your butt back into the booth, because we need to get a couple more recordings of that song of yours. We gotta make sure your demo is perfect." Georgie squealed, rushing into the booth.
Author's Note: Oh, my goodness. I'm spent. That was a LONG chapter. (21 pages, single-spaced. You're welcome!) What do you think? How do you feel about Georgie? What were your favorite Jeca moments? What about your favorite Mitchell sister moments? What about Georgie/Jesse moments? Review, please!