Caitlyn wasn't cruel, but she knew what she wanted. No, that wasn't exactly true. But she knew what she didn't want. Reed Massimo was sweet and considerate, although a little exhausting to be around. He had been her boyfriend for six months, bringing her coffee daily and flowers occasionally. A perfectly good man, Caitlyn knew her parents would approve. But as always, she got restless. Being in a relationship for longer than a few months made her want to run, to be free of the expectations of engagement, marriage, kids. So, on an evening like any other, she broke his heart as gently as she could.
Like always, Caitlyn moved on with a lingering sadness that faded as she poured herself into academics. This was her element - writing, researching, presentations, all in preparation for law school. It was the noblest mission she had, to become someone great, make her parents proud. It had always been easier to focus on school anyway, rather than relationships. She doesn't need anyone. Not now.
The library at Prymoor University was cast in the glow of mid-day sun shining from the wide, oval-shaped skylight above. The air was crisp and cool, quiet conversations from students the only sound above the clicking of keyboards and turning of pages. Caitlyn headed for the political science section, scanning the shelves for a book she had been assigned to write a report on. After a thorough look, she couldn't locate it. Libraries had always overwhelmed her with the sheer amount of knowledge they contained, and Caitlyn figured she would ask an expert before giving up.
"Excuse me. I'm looking for Foundations of Political Theory. It's..."
Caitlyn finally met the gaze of the woman sitting at the reference desk and all words failed her. She was an older woman, maybe in her early forties, but with the bright eyes of a teenager. The lines in her face were slight, cheeks rosy. Her dark auburn hair cascaded in waves down her shoulders. Blouse buttoned just enough to remain professional.
"Foundations of Political Theory?"
Heat rose to Caitlyn's face as she realized she was staring at the librarian's chest.
"Ah, um. Yes, I need it for Professor Silvestri's class."
The librarian smiled at her politely and typed a few words into the computer. "Be right back."
Caitlyn pulled her jacket a little tighter around her as she waited. The woman was gorgeous no doubt, but anyone would be able to see that. The idea of the librarian's blouse unbuttoned passed through Caitlyn's mind and a small, involuntary thrill darted through her body. She shut that down as quickly as possible.
"Here you go, darling," the woman said, handing her the book.
"T-Thank you."
The woman radiated warmth. "Of course. By the way, I'm Georgia Dunham. I just started here, so I'm making it a point to introduce myself to students."
Caitlyn clutched the book harder than necessary. "I'm Caitlyn...Kaufmann. And it's nice to meet you, Ms. Dunham."
She grimaced, but then smiled. "Just Georgia is fine, please."
There was something strange about addressing a superior in this way, and Caitlyn hesitated. Georgia saw it in her face, and leaned in closer.
"Well,
you
can call me Miss Georgia. If you'd like."
Heat shot through Caitlyn at her words. Miss Georgia. It seemed juvenile, like it was something a pre-schooler would call their teacher, but for some reason it felt right.
"Then...thank you for your help, Miss Georgia."
And Caitlyn darted out of the library as fast as she could.
* * *
There were 32 little angels on the ceiling, stupid, fluffy reminders of her parent's wealth. Her parents hired the best painters in Prymoor to create a mural on the ceiling of Caitlyn's childhood bedroom, which happened to be her young adult bedroom as well.
She counted the cherubic faces over and over again, anything to distract her from those wide green eyes. And god, those lips. Dark red, round like cherries. Caitlyn imagined the taste, then snapped out of it.
No. Hell no.
Caitlyn had only had boyfriends, only envisioned herself with a man. She just hadn't met one that she felt particularly strongly for...and she had certainly never thought of herself with another woman. In the odd dream, here or there, sure. But that didn't count. Right?
And Miss Georgia. She was old enough to be Caitlyn's mother. And that was...No. This whole situation was ridiculous.
But as Caitlyn drifted off to sleep, she saw Miss Georgia in the library, walking behind the reference desk in that tight, charcoal skirt, hugging a body that defined the word 'hourglass'. Fantasy crept into memory and Caitlyn saw herself standing in the library, Miss Georgia watching her. She began to take off her clothes, baring herself to the librarian.
Caitlyn offered herself to Miss Georgia.
* * *
The dream was an anomaly, she reasoned. In no world would Caitlyn be truly attracted to Miss Georgia. It was wrong. It was weird. Miss Georgia was a fresh face in Caitlyn's fog of loneliness without Reed, that's all.
But she needed another book.
"Patterns of Democracy?" Caitlyn was wringing her hands, swaying slightly in front of the desk.
Miss Georgia was wearing green today, a deep emerald that contrasted the gold chain and earrings she wore. She gave a dazzling smile that sent a shiver through Caitlyn.
"You're a studious one, aren't you?" Miss Georgia headed toward the back.
Caitlyn felt herself blush, her gaze dropping to Miss Georgia's skirt once again, this time, a fashionable dark tweed. But Caitlyn couldn't give a damn about the material. She watched the swing of her hips, the curve of her ass. She disappeared from view and Caitlyn scolded herself. It was beyond inappropriate to ogle at Miss Georgia, but there was something undeniably magnetic about her body. But Caitlyn wasn't...
No, of course she wasn't. She was just admiring the outfit.
"You know, this one was actually on the shelf." Miss Georgia said, walking back, a small knowing smile on her face.
"Oh... I must've missed it. Thank you."
Miss Georgia held her gaze for a moment, and time seemed to stop. Caitlyn could feel her ears turning red. She should go. Now.
But in her delicate hands, Miss Georgia held out a flyer to Caitlyn. "I'm the faculty supervisor for the LGBT alliance, and it's our first meeting of the year. Just trying to spread the word."
Caitlyn took the flyer without thinking, and then stuttered. "I'm...I'm not. I mean, of course it's fine if you are, I mean, if people are. But..."
Miss Georgia giggled and rolled her eyes. "Then congrats, you're an ally. Tell your friends."
Before Caitlyn could embarrass herself further, she held the book tightly to her chest and turned away.
* * *
Caitlyn leaned on the edge of the planter in the mall, the wide leaves shading her as she stood with her friends. It had taken consistent prodding from Molly, Florence, and Jason to get Caitlyn to come out with them. They assumed that her head was always stuck in a book, wading through her rigorous studies. It was partially true, but there was something Caitlyn was desperate to figure out to the detriment of her social life. It involved some intense Googling and less-than-satisfactory masturbation, which took up more of her time than she'd like to admit.
"Earth to Caitlyn. Coffee?" Molly waved a hand in front of her face, then frowned. "Are you okay?"
Caitlyn blinked back to reality. "Yeah, of course. Just a bit tired."
They headed toward a narrow cafe, which was tucked between stores like an afterthought. Her friends settled at a round table, sipping mochas and lattes. Caitlyn took a sip of her coffee, trying to be present in the moment.
"Yeah, curling isn't a real sport," Jason scoffed.
Florence narrowed her eyes in annoyance. "Sure it is. It's in the Olympics."
"Ever the jock, Jason." Molly laughed. "Just because you're a lacrosse champion doesn't mean you have to yuck somebodies yum."
The conversation passed over her like white noise as Caitlyn watched the people go by from the front window. It was calming - nameless humans going about their little lives, worries unknown to her. It was an oasis of simplicity in the turmoil she was trying to pull herself out of.
Be here with your friends, remember?