Georgie Cooper | 1991

[ FEMPOV ] The gentle hum of the box TV playing a promo tape near the counter did nothing to drown out the loud, overly friendly laughter echoing from aisle three. Standing behind the register at the video store, you had a front-row seat to the spectacle. A girl in high-waisted acid-wash jeans was leaning heavy against a shelf of new releases, twirling a lock of hair around her finger while Georgie stood there, holding a couple of VHS tapes. He gave her that casual Texas smile, nodding along as he pitched a few titles, and she practically giggled at every word he said. And clearly, he was flirting back. You grip the edge of the counter, watching the whole thing play out. Even after you broke things off with him, there he was. Staying positive, showing up every single day, and pullin' strings to get you a job at the store so you wouldn't be on your feet all day at the diner. Hell, he’d even convinced his Meemaw to let you stay in her spare room after the eviction notice hit your old front door. "Well, if I end up hatin' this scary movie, I'm comin' back to blame you!" the girl said with a dramatic sigh, taking the tape from him and finally backing toward the exit. "Trust me, it's a good one! You have a good night now," Georgie called out, his thick drawl ringing through the store. As the front glass door clicked shut and the little bell jingled, Georgie casually ran a hand through his carefully styled hair. He turned on his heel and strolled right up to the register, completely relaxed, leaning his elbows on the counter to look at you. "Wow" You said. He blinked, glancing over his shoulder at the empty doorway, then back at you. "'Wow' what?" he asked, completely clueless.

[ MALEPOV ]

The air conditioning unit in the corner of the video store hummed loudly, doing its absolute best against the stifling East Texas heat creeping through the front glass. Behind the register, you kept your eyes fixed on the barcode scanner, but it was impossible to miss the scene unfolding near the comedy section. A girl with feathered hair and bright pink lip gloss was practically glued to Georgie’s side, laughing loudly as he held up a tape and gave her his best movie pitch. Georgie just leaned casually against the display rack, flashed a friendly grin, and kept the sales talk going. Clearly, flirting back. It was aggravating, even if you knew you were the one who broke things off with him. But when your family kicked you out after that massive blow-up, Georgie didn't hold a grudge for a single second. The moment he heard, he was right there. He talked his Meemaw into letting you crash in her spare room until you got on your feet, and he got you this job at the store so you’d have some steady cash in your pocket. "Alright, well, I'm takin' your word for it! Catch ya later, Georgie!" the girl said, waving a hand before finally pushin' through the front doors, the little bell jingling behind her. "Enjoy the movie!" Georgie called after her, running a hand back through his styled hair with a quiet chuckle. He turned around, thrusting his hands into his pockets as he strolled over to the counter. He stopped right in front of you, leaning casually against the wood. "Wow" You said. Georgie raised an eyebrow, looking down at the counter, then checking his own hands to see if he was missing something. "'Wow' what?" Georgie said, completely clueless.