June 12th, 1960
7:30 pm

"I had a really good time hanging out with you today Georgie..." I whispered clinging onto his arm that was wrapped around my shoulders for warmth. Even with the jacket  on he had given me it was still quite chilly.

"I had a good time with you too, do it again tomorrow?" He grinned as we slowly walked down my street that would be pitch black, if not for the street lights illuminating the path.

"I wish I could..." I giggled looking up at him.

"Uh-oh..." he paused, as he stopped walking forcing me to stop with him.

"What is it?" I looked around frantically, until my eyes landed on what he was looking at. There in my driveway stood my mom and dad, but holding my backpack. "Shit! George what do I do? What if the school called?"

"Jackie, why would the school call 'em?"

"I don't know George, I don't want to go home."

"C'mon Jackie you've got too, if they say anything about I'll just tell them the truth, that it was my idea."

"George, no then you'll be in trouble..." I pleaded as he shrugged. "What are they gonna do, tell me off?"

I giggled, "ok..." we slowly walked towards my home, as soon as we stepped onto the pavement of the driveway the yelling began.

"Jacqueline Marie Matthews, you've got some serious explaining to do." My father said sternly and then directed his glare to George, who wrapped his arm even tighter around me.

"And you young man! Are not the person I thought you were, encouraging my daughter to skip out on school!"

"Dad please, it wasn't him! it was my-"

"Jackie..." George stopped me shaking his head, "yes sir, I did act irresponsibly and I apologize for it. But, please don't take yer anger out on Jackie. It was all my idea."

My dad sighed, "George be that as it may, I'd appreciate it if you would just leave right now." What little smile I had left fell as my breath caught in my throat.

"Yes sir, goodnight Jackie..." he whispered giving me a tight squeeze before leaving.

"Jacqueline if you would please..." my dad motioned to the house's door. I nodded following behind my mother and entering the house.

"Now then I think you should know that the school has suspended you for the last two weeks of school and the rest of this week. You nearly were held back because of your actions today, but I've arranged with the principle of the school to come in at the beginning of each week and get your work. You'll then complete it and I'll take it back each Monday and get your work for that week. You're to stay in your room for the rest of this week and the other two weeks, you're not to go outside or use the phone, and most importantly you're not to see George anymore. Also you'll not be allowed to walk in graduation." He finished as tears welled up in my eyes.

"Please don't take George away from me..." I choked out as a tear slid down my cheek. Today almost wasn't worth anything if it meant I could no longer see or speak to George anymore. My friend since the first grade had been taken from me just like the blink of an eye and I couldn't handle it.

"I'm sorry Jacqueline, but he is obviously a bad influence on you." My father sternly said, "now quit it with the water works because they don't work on me."

I looked up wiping tears from my face, and thought of Paul, he was supposed to call me tomorrow at seven but it looks like it wasn't going to happen now.

"May I ask one question?"

"Certainly..."

"How did you find out?"

"It wasn't me it was your mother who did." My dad replied glancing at my mom as if that was her que to tell the story.

"I came home for lunch today and while I was putting your laundry away, I found your backpack. So I rushed it to the school, and went into the office to drop it off and they told me your father had called earlier that morning saying that, 'you weren't feeling quite up to par and wouldn't be in today.' So I called your father to ask and he said he didn't do it, so we figured that you skipped school. I must say that I never expected this out of you, and you should be grateful that your father has worked out the deal he has with the principal."

I nodded, "now then how about some dinner?" My dad piped up. The thought of food sickened me, they had just grilled me,taken away my best friend, and now they were ready to eat.

"I'm not hungry..." I muttered not making eye contact with either of them. "Fine don't eat, go get ready for bed." I nodded shuffling my way up the stairs, and closed the door to my room. I laid down on my bed and instantly the tears began to flow. I curled up into a ball and bit down on my lip to silence myself. Nobody even came to check on me, as I laid there crying until nine o'clock when I heard something tapping on my window.

I got off my bed and softly padded over to the window and looked down to see George. My face instantly lit up, joy swelled in my heart seeing him standing down there. I opened my mouth to say something but he held his finger to his lips, before scaling the trellis up the side of the house to my window.

"Pop the screen out love..." he whispered, as he lightly tapped at the window screen. I nodded, as I felt around the top of the window screen for the spring that would release it, once I did it popped free and I carefully placed it onto the ground, scooting away from the window to allow George room to climb through the window.

Once inside he instantly engulfed me in a hug, resting his chin on the top of my head. "Yer parents called me mum...told her about the whole ordeal...." I nodded beginning to cry again as I buried my face  into his chest holding onto him for dear life. "Did you get in trouble?" I asked as he smirked and shook his head.

"No..." he gently kissed my forehead.

"They've got you all locked up in 'ere like a princess in a fairytale." He chuckled as I began to cry harder.

"Don't cry princess..." he soothed gently,  as he wiped tears from my eyes with his thumbs, kissing my now tear and makeup stained face.

"B-but George..." I nearly shouted as sobs wracked my body and he pulled me back into his chest.

"They said I can't see you anymore! You've been my best friend since first grade and they're going to keep me away from you..." I whispered as the tears fell faster, my head beginning to ache.

"I know, but hey..." he kissed my temple again, "I'm 'ere now aren't I? I'll come here every night to see you... hell I'll even come while your parents are at work."

I giggled lightly, "but Georgie, what if they catch you?"

"That's a chance I'm willing to take. Nobody's going to keep me away from you...I love you Jacqueline." I blushed, unsure if he meant as a friend or not. We stood there hugging it out in silence for a bit before I spoke up.

"Will you tell Paul next time you see him why I didn't answer his phone call?" I felt George's body grow stiff in my grasp as he looked down at me, a hurt look in his brown eyes as the silvery moonlight illuminated his sharp cheek bones.

"Jackie can we please not talk about Paul?" He pleaded, I nodded immediately regretting bringing it up.

"Let's get you into bed, aye princess?" I shook my head knowing it meant him leaving. "Come on you should, at least get some sleep I don't want you sick."

"Will you stay with me please?" I pleaded biting my lip as I gazed up at him.

"Jackie...ok when you look at me like that I can't say no. I've got to leave early though, but then I'll be back after work ok?" I nodded as he pulled back the covers and helped me lay down.

"Georgie take your shoes and stuff off..." I giggled, watching him as he blushed and took his shoes and pants off and climbed onto the bed.

"George get under here..." I whined quietly tugging at the blanket and sheet under him. He sighed pulling the covers down and climbing underneath them. I instantly scooted closer to him, craving the warmth that flowed from his body. I wrapped my arm around him while resting my head on his chest.

"Goodnight princess..." he whispered wrapping his free arm around me and kissing my nose.

"Goodnight Georgie."

///

June 13th, 1960
8:15 am

When I woke up George was gone, and a stack of homework laid on my desk. I glanced at the clock which read eight fifteen, meaning my parents would be at work. I shrugged figuring it for the best neither of them woke me up, I didn't really want to speak to them anyway.

"I laid there for a few more minutes before glancing to my nightstand and seeing a folded note with 'Princess' on it. I blushed, and reached for it, opening it up to see George's cursive like hand writing.

"Dear Jackie,

If you're reading this which I hope you are I want you to know that I'll be back again at around one o'clock because I'll be off work then. I would've woken you up to tell you goodbye, but you looked so precious sleeping I couldn't wake you up. I'll see you soon, Love. Xoxoxo

All my love,

Your Georgie.

I giggled, excited for George to come back by and went to get some toast and a glass of water from downstairs. When I got back up stairs I set to work immediately diving into Monday and today's school work. "First math, then science, get the worst stuff out of the way first..." I muttered to myself.

after about three hours I completed my work, and put on a Chuck Berry record to listen to while in the shower. After I had fixed my hair and finished my makeup, I pulled out a pair of black high waisted sailor shorts and a black and red striped shirt to tuck into the shorts.

By the time I was done, I heard my mom pull into the driveway. I quickly flopped down on my bed and pulled a magazine out pretending to read it. Mom knocked twice on my door, before opening it.

"Hey, I brought you some fries from Parkers. I have to leave because I'm running late already but they're downstairs on the counter. Make sure to get your lessons for today and yesterday done." I nodded as she smiled at me and then as soon as she appeared she left.

I waited about ten more minutes to go get the fries, to make sure she had actually left. I crept down the stairs and grabbed the bag and ran back up to my room. I glanced at the clock which read twelve fifty five. "George'll be here soon..." I whispered giggling.

I decided to wait and share my fries with him and snuck down to get a couple sodas to drink. When I got back up to my room he was already inside laying on my bed.

"Here Georgie..." I whispered handing him a pop. "Thanks Love, did you get my note I wrote for you?" I nodded blushing as I thought about it.

"Good, I told my boss I had a family emergency pop up and needed the rest of the week off so I don't have work until next Tuesday." He smirked proud of himself.

"Here have some fries" I ordered pushing the bag towards him as he smiled and plunged his hand into the bag.

///

June 14th, 1960
5:30 pm

"Alright Jackie, I'll be back at nine thirty when your parents go to bed ok?" I nodded as he squeezed me tightly giving my forehead a soft kiss, before climbing out the window.

I laid back down on the bed and dozed off for what must have been thirty minutes before my parents barged into my room.

"Jacqueline get up we have a very important dinner to go to, with the couple down the street that has a boy your age. " I scoffed, I could really care less about this boy. Then I remembered Paul was going to call at seven.

"But Paul is going to call me at seven!" I nearly shouted, sick of this whole dinner I hadn't even got to yet. "Who?" My mother retorted.

"Paul this boy I met that's really cute, is going to call me at seven..."

"Well you can forget about this Paul, and George and focus on Steven now. Those other boys are bad influences."

I wanted to scream, they knew nothing about Paul and immediately labeled him as bad. Also, the way they spewed George's name out of their mouths pissed me off.

"But I don't want to get to know this Steven! I want to stay here and talk to Paul on the phone..." I nearly shouted

"Young lady you will get up, put a dress on, and get ready to go out or so help me I'll-"

"Michael, please don't threaten her she's been through enough." My mom shushed my father, "now Jacqueline be ready to go by six o'clock." My mom warned as I nodded sadly and went to my closet to get an  outfit.

I pulled a simple purple dress that fit snugly around the waist and threw it on, before pulling George's jacket on, and proceeded to haphazardly make my way down the stairs.

"Alright I'm ready..." I pouted, flopping down on the couch causing my mother to raise a questioning eyebrow.

"Jackie, c'mon just give this a chance. I promise if you don't like this boy, you never have to see him again."

"Really?"

"Yes, I promise and maybe I'll even let you sneak in a phone call with that Paul you were talking about."

I grinned widely, "alright!"

"Good..." she paused, looking up to see my father who had just walked into the room.

"Smiles everyone, smiles!" My mother joked, as she pulled me up off the couch and ushered both my father and I out the door.

The drive to the restaurant was very quiet, and when we got there dad laid out his normal rules for the evening before we got out of the car.

"That must be them..." my mom whispered, lightly elbowing me in the side as she smirked and raised her eyebrows.

"He's not a bad looking boy, Jackie. Granted he looks a lot different from George."

"No kidding, he looks like a jock." I mumbled sourly, as I took in his appearance. Whereas George was a bit on the small, wiry side, this boy was a walking muscle. His eyes certainly weren't as kind, or nearly as beautiful as George's were.

"Mom, I don't know about this..." I started to sweat nervously, as she shot me a concerned look.

"Just try him out ok? I'll let you call that boy you said was going to call you."

I was basically being bribed to go meet people I didn't have any interest in knowing. I nodded, as the three of us approached the table with a boy and a woman.

"Hello, you must be Jackie?"

I nodded as the flaxen haired lady held her hand out to shake mine.

"I'm Mrs. Sheppard, and this is my son Steven." She smiled widely,  as I glanced over to the overly tall, walking muscle standing to the left of me.

He smirked throwing me a wink, God he looked exactly like his mother, flaxen hair, broad nose, squinty eyes, and thin lips.

'Much different lips in contrast to Paul's which were perfectly soft, plump, and covered my lips and neck just the other day.'

I made a mental note, the thought causing me to blush.

"Jackie! Sit down..." my father's voice immediately pulled me out of my thoughts which I would've much rather stayed in, as he motioned for me to sit next to Steven.

"Yes dad..." I mumbled, as I moved for the seat next to the 6'4 walking muscle, now known as Steven. He looked up at me smirking, as my parents and his mother continued their conversation as they waited for Mr. Sheppard to arrive.

"This should been a fab fucking evening..." I muttered sarcastically to myself, as I sat there waiting for it to just end.