Chapter 54 - The World

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3rd POV

"What are you doing here?" Kayla asked, narrowing her eyes at Veronica, who had just arrived. She had come to Luminous Studio knowing that Georgie would be here—after all, he had invited her before.

Noticing Kayla's presence, Veronica crossed her arms. "Why? Do I need your permission to be here?" she smirked, locking eyes with her.

Just as she was about to throw another jab, her gaze landed on someone else, and her annoyance grew. "YOU! What are you doing here?!" she snapped, pointing at the person standing beside Kayla.

Kayla smirked, glancing at Veronica with amusement. Next to her stood Lisa and Jana Boggs.

"Move," Veronica commanded, striding past them. Kayla and the others stepped aside, letting her through.

She was determined to find Georgie and demand an explanation as to why he had invited Jana to the studio. What she didn't know, was that Georgie had nothing to do with it—it was Kayla who had invited Jana and Lisa.

"Where do you think you're going? Georgie's about to start recording; you'd better not disturb him!" Kayla called after her, attempting to catch up, but Veronica pressed forward, searching for the recording room.

Just then, Edo stepped out of the restroom and immediately noticed Veronica storming past. Without hesitation, he grabbed her wrist, trying to stop her. "Girl, calm down, alright?" he said, then shot Kayla a knowing look. Seeing her smirking at him, he instantly realized she was behind all of this. "What's going on?"

Kayla, realizing Edo might ruin her fun, finally admitted her involvement before he could get mad. "I just invited my friends over." she said casually, gesturing toward Jana and Lisa behind her.

Veronica halted in her tracks, her glare locked on Kayla, who still wore that smug smirk. Kayla had nearly caused an argument or maybe a fight between her and Georgie.

"You bitch!" Veronica spat venomously, pointing at Kayla.

"Oh wow, I'm so scared." Kayla mocked, exchanging smirks with Jana and Lisa.

Just as Veronica was about to fire back, another voice interrupted from behind her.

"Veronica, what are you doing here?"

Veronica turned to see Connie approaching. She had just finished her smoke outside—since smoking indoors wasn't allowed—and she certainly didn't want Sheldon lecturing her about it.

A smile spread across Veronica's face. Finally, an ally.

"Hello, Mrs. Tucker." she greeted sweetly.

"Just call me Connie," Connie said, linking arms with her. "Come on, I don't wanna miss Georgie's 'performance.'"

As Connie led her toward the recording room, Veronica threw a victorious side glance at Kayla and the others, relishing their irritation.

Feeling the tension thick in the air, Edo decided to break the awkward silence. "…Let's go." he sighed, motioning for the others to follow.

Kayla scoffed but went along, trailing behind Edo with Jana and Lisa.

When they arrived at the recording room, they found the entire Cooper family gathered in the control room, watching Georgie, who was already inside the live room.

"Wow, quite the audience out there" Georgie remarked, spotting Jana and Lisa as well. He smiled when he saw Veronica, but when his gaze flicked to Jana and Lisa, his smile turned slightly awkward.

"…Everything okay?" he asked, sneaking a glance at Fenley, who merely smirked at him.

Miss Rosie, noticing the increasing number of people in the room, let out a sigh. Some of them probably didn't need to be there, but since Georgie's family had requested to watch, she allowed it—a free show for them, after all.

"Alright, Georgie. I'll play the track, and you can start singing. Are you ready?" Rosie asked.

Georgie gave her a thumbs-up.

"Did he create this track himself?" George asked Rosie and Fenley, noting the absence of a full band. The only musicians present were James, Edo, and Kayla, and he already knew they had only recently joined the company.

"Yes, Georgie recorded multiple instrumental parts and layered them into a complete track. He even did the mixing himself. Thanks to that, we've saved a lot of money because he knows exactly what he wants for his songs," Fenley explained, looking over at George. "Your son's a genius."

"Genius? If that's considered genius, then everyone must be one," Sheldon scoffed, glancing at Georgie. He studied him to see if he'd heard the comment, smirking when Georgie showed no reaction.

"I'll tell Brother that you're belittling him!" Missy threatened.

"You wouldn't dare!" Sheldon shot back, but before he could continue, the sound of music filled the room, cutting him off.

"Nice beat!" Connie remarked. Beside her, Veronica watched Georgie with a soft smile.

Meanwhile, Jana and Lisa tensed as Georgie grabbed his cowboy hat and put it on, sending shivers down their spines.

Missy, noticing their reaction, smirked but chose not to comment. Instead, she moved closer to Veronica and Connie.

"The hell with that hat?!" George muttered, unimpressed by Georgie's attempt to look cool in front of the ladies.

Mary giggled, feeling proud despite Georgie not yet breaking into the music industry.

The upbeat, twangy guitar riff instantly caught everyone's attention. Without realizing it, they all started tapping their feet to the rhythm.

(Brad Paisley – The World)

"To the teller down at the bank

You're just another checking account

To the plumber that came today

You're just another house"

Georgie sang, smirking as he swayed to the music.

Jana and Lisa, watching from the control room, scowled as Veronica continued to beam at him.

"At the airport ticket counter

You're just another fare

At the beauty shop at the mall

Well, you're just another head of hair"

Connie giggled, nudging Veronica. "It's your song again, isn't it?" she teased, making Veronica's face flush.

Fenley, standing at the front, rolled her eyes but kept listening.

"Well, that's alright, that's okay

If you don't feel important, honey

All I've got to say is—"

As Georgie reached the chorus, he pointed toward the audience—perhaps at all of them, or maybe just at Veronica.

But what no one else noticed was the quick glance he stole at Fenley, accompanied by a small, knowing smile.

Fenley noticed it, and in just a fraction of a second, Georgie glanced in her direction—but that brief moment was enough to make her happy.

"To the world...

You may be just another girl

But to me...

Baby, you are the world!"

Missy was already swaying to the rhythm, and Sheldon, watching her, simply shook his head and took a step back to avoid getting caught up in her enthusiasm—or anyone else's in the room. Veronica, seeing Missy dancing, joined in, moving along with her.

"To the waiter at the restaurant

You're just another tip

To the guy at the ice cream shop

You're just another dip"

Mary and Connie started moving along to the beat, following Missy and the others. The song had an infectious energy that made them all want to dance. Even Mary, pulled in by George, swayed to the rhythm—everyone except Sheldon, who just shook his head and distanced himself from the lively scene.

"When you can't get reservations

'Cause you don't have the clout

Or you didn't get an invitation

'Cause somebody left you out"

Jana, Lisa, and Kayla also joined in, their bodies moving in sync with the music and Georgie's voice. As the chorus hit, just like at a concert, they all sang along with Georgie.

"That's alright! That's okay!" Missy sang, locking eyes with Veronica, who grinned back at her.

"If you don't feel important, honey, all I've got to say is—" Veronica added with a playful smirk.

George turned to Mary, their bodies gently swaying, and Mary spun around a couple of times.

"To the world! You may be just another girl!"

George caught Mary mid-spin as she laughed.

"But to me! Baby, you are the world."

As the tempo slowed, Georgie closed his eyes, his voice rich with emotion.

"You think you're one of millions

But you're one in a million to me..."

Opening his eyes, Georgie glanced toward the control room—not just at Veronica or Fenley but at everyone in there.

"When you wonder if you matter

Baby, look into my eyes

And tell me, can't you see... you're everything to me!"

George and Mary watched their son, his voice filled with passion.

"...He's incredible." Mary whispered in George's embrace.

"Yeah." George replied, smiling proudly as he gestured toward Georgie.

"That's alright, that's okay

If you don't feel important, honey

All I've got to say is—

To the world

You may be just another girl

But to me

Baby, you are the world"

As Georgie finished the last line, he started moving again, breaking into a line dance. Jana and Lisa watched him, the twinkle in their eyes obvious to everyone in the room.

Kayla crossed her arms, smirking at them—she knew she would be the one spending the most time with Georgie, even more than Veronica, so she remained calm and confident.

The room erupted into applause, just like at concerts. He gave a small bow toward the control room, grinning.

"That's good, Georgie," Rosie said, then turned around. "Show's over. You all can leave now—Georgie has a real recording session to do."

Georgie chuckled as he stepped out of the live room. Missy ran up to him and hugged him tightly.

"Did you have fun? I saw you dancing out there!" Georgie said, ruffling her hair. Then, he looked over at Sheldon, who was approaching.

"Yes!" Missy answered with a grin. "Even Mom and Dad were dancing!"

Georgie laughed, glancing at their parents, who looked a little embarrassed—but he had a feeling they'd be locking their bedroom door tonight.

"What about you, Shelly? Did you enjoy it?"

Sheldon snorted, crossing his arms. "I don't like country music. It often relies on sentimental and melodramatic themes—like broken-down trucks, runaway dogs, or deep feelings of loss. It's quite perplexing."

Georgie smirked, ruffling Sheldon's hair. "The real question is—did you enjoy my song?"

Sheldon grumbled, pulling out his comb to fix his hair. Georgie waited, watching as Sheldon finally sighed and said, "Despite its many scientific inaccuracies, I must admit the melody and harmonic structure were rather enjoyable."

Georgie burst out laughing.

Missy groaned, shooting an exasperated look at Sheldon. "It's a love song, Sheldon!"

As Georgie tried to calm Missy down, Connie and Veronica approached.

"Nice song. I bet it's for Veronica, huh?" Connie smirked, nudging Georgie and side-eyeing Veronica in the room.

"Well, of course!" Georgie declared, taking Veronica's hand in his.

Veronica blushed, and Georgie didn't hesitate to introduce her properly.

"Mom, Dad, you've met Veronica before, but let me make it official—this is Veronica. My girlfriend."

Veronica turned even redder, playfully smacking Georgie's arm.

George smiled at her. "How are you? You have my full permission to slap him if he ever messes up. Hell, I might do it myself."

Now Mary is the one who playfully smacked George's shoulder, her joy overriding any concerns she had before. "Hello, Veronica. I hope Georgie treats you well."

The Cooper family was making an effort to welcome Veronica. While Missy, Connie, and Sheldon had already accepted her, George and Mary were still trying warming up to her.

Jana and Lisa, however, stared at Georgie, clearly hoping he'd Notice them.

"...Right. What are you guys doing here?" Georgie asked with a sigh, walking toward them, leaving Veronica chatting with his family.

Jana smiled, stepping closer with Lisa by her side. But Georgie instinctively took a step back, maintaining some distance.

"Please, guys, don't make a scene here." he said.

Jana scoffed at his reaction but didn't push further. "Kayla told us you were recording. We got curious and asked her to bring us along."

She ran a finger lightly over Georgie's chest. "...I'm your fan now, Georgie." She whispered.

Lisa smirked, tracing a hand over his arm. "I'm your fan too. Give me your sign later, alright?"

Georgie tensed up, his body stiffening. He simply nodded before quickly escaping toward James and the others.

"James! So? Can you play it?" Georgie asked, looking between them. His eyes landed on Kayla, who still wore an innocent smile—as if she hadn't just caused trouble for him.

"You little troublemaker, huh?" Georgie muttered, playfully chopping her head.

Kayla stuck her tongue out but didn't say a word. James sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry, Georgie. I didn't know about this either."

Georgie waved it off. "Forget it."

"And to answer your question, yeah, I can play it." James confirmed with a nod.

"Well, as long as you guide us through the chords and tempo, we'll be fine." Edo added, adjusting his glasses.

Miss Rosie and Fenley both twitched in annoyance—despite her telling everyone to leave, they were still hanging around the control room.

Miss Rosie clapped her hands, grabbing their attention. "Alright, people, OUT! Georgie, James, Edo, Kayla—you stay. We have a meeting, and I have some announcements to make."

Georgie and the others had no idea what Miss Rosie was about to say, but the rest just shrugged and exited the studio.

"Georgie! We're heading home first!" George said, glancing at Mary—whose face still radiated happiness. And he knew exactly why and what they are going to do at night later.

Connie smirked at them but kept her thoughts to herself.

"Oh, do we have to leave?" Missy whined.

Sheldon remained unimpressed. "We should go home. I need my full eight hours of sleep."

Missy glared at him.

She turned to Georgie with pleading eyes.

"...Sorry, princess, but you need to sleep." Georgie said reluctantly.

"Let's go!" George declared, pulling Missy away.

"NOOO!"

Miss Rosie turned to the remaining women. "You too! Chop Chop! Time to leave."

Georgie smiled at Veronica. "I'll be home soon. Drive safe, alright?"

Veronica kissed his cheek. "Alright..."

Jana and Lisa hesitated, but when Miss Rosie threatened to call security, they had no choice but to leave.