Loveless

For a long time, Georgia felt embarrassed about being a virgin, but now, she’s learned from Sunil and Jason that sex is not necessarily a requirement in relationships. She discusses sex with Rooney, and Rooney asks if she masturbates. Georgia does masturbate, inspired by the chemistry between characters in fanfiction. Rooney thinks about both men and women when masturbating, and is perplexed that Georgia doesn’t imagine herself having sex with people in her fantasies—not even celebrities. This confuses Rooney, which confuses Georgia because she assumed fantasizing about celebrities only happened in movies. Georgia decides to text Pip for her input as well. Rooney thinks this is a good idea, and Georgia teases her for being interested in Pip’s opinions about sex. Pip says she pictures herself having sex with celebrities and other real people. Georgia is horrified that she’s never considered this a real possibility. At a loss for words, Rooney simply advises against doing anything she doesn’t want to do, such as having sex with Jason.

Georgia and Jason go on their third date. She mentions Rooney thinking it odd that they haven’t kissed yet, but Jason says there’s no rush. He spills hot tea on himself, and Georgia helps him cool the burn, putting them in close proximity. He searches her face for signs that he can kiss her. Georgia feels dread, but is determined to kiss Jason. He leans in and kisses her.

Georgia’s first kiss with Jason is terrible: She “felt a deep, empty dread in the pit of my stomach. I hated how close he was. I hated the way his lips felt against mine” (211). Jason can tell she didn’t like the kiss, and assumes she isn’t into him. When Georgia explains she wanted to see if she could fall in love with him, she realizes this sounds like she was using him. Jason is hurt because he has feelings for her.

Georgia now believes romance and marriage will never be part of her future, even though she’s long fantasized about her wedding. She realizes “even though I’d longed for these things, I knew that they’d never make me happy anyway” (214).

After a study session, Georgia and Pip return to Georgia’s dorm to find Rooney crying in bed. Pip tries to comfort her, but Rooney demands that she leave. Georgia asks what’s wrong, and Rooney says she just had sex with a boy, but it made her feel lonely and sad. Georgia and Rooney get into bed and watch silly YouTube videos. Eventually, Rooney tells Georgia about her ex-boyfriend, whom she had been with for three years in high school. She says she’s never liked anyone the way she liked him, except now, she likes a girl who can’t stand her—Pip. Georgia suggests that she wants a real relationship.

Georgia texts Jason, but he doesn’t respond. When he shows up to the Shakespeare Society’s rehearsal, he doesn’t speak to her. Rooney brings Pip a coffee, which pleases her. Pip proposes that they include Georgia in a scene from Twelfth Night as a clown; to her surprise, Rooney agrees. Georgia performs a monologue and is applauded.

The Shakespeare Society continues to rehearse their scenes in preparation for the Bailey Ball, a formal dance for St. John’s College. Rooney replaces Georgia as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. Georgia appreciates the rehearsals for distracting her from her identity crisis. She notices Rooney is acting differently, not going out anymore. Neither Georgia nor Rooney checks in with each other, too consumed with their own conflicts.

Georgia prepares for the Bailey Ball. In the past, she would have dressed for potential partners, but now, she dresses for herself. The theme of this year’s ball is Romeo and Juliet. Georgia and Rooney get drunk. Rooney leaves her, Jason, and Pip, claiming she has other friends to hang out with—which Georgia questions. Georgia asks Pip about her crush on Rooney, making her defensive. She then looks for Rooney, worried she’ll do something she regrets.

As Georgia looks for Rooney, she notes that because of the ball’s theme, every song played is a love song. She feels sad, being surrounded by flirting and lovestruck students. Pip finds Georgia before Georgia can find Rooney; together, they find Rooney. Pip and Rooney stare at each other with such passion that Georgia gets jealous of their connection. They go to a bouncy castle in which a game, “The Capulets vs. The Montagues,” is played. Pip and Rooney go in, the goal of the game being to knock each other down. Pip wins, and Rooney storms off. Pip follows, accusing Rooney of hating her. Georgia wants to intervene, but passes out from drinking.

Pip and Rooney shake Georgia awake. As they walk her to a separate room to take a break, a friend of Pip’s invites her to dance. Rooney assures Pip that she’ll take care of Georgia. She and Georgia watch a screening of Romeo and Juliet in a quiet room. Georgia tells Rooney about calling things off with Jason, and that she’s not into boys. Rooney gets excited about helping her find a girlfriend, but Georgia says she doesn’t want this either. When Georgia tries to explain her asexuality, Rooney proposes that they kiss to see if she likes kissing girls. She kisses Georgia, and Pip walks in on them before cursing them out.

Rooney and Georgia chase after Pip, trying to explain what happened. Rooney says the kiss was her fault, as was Georgia dating Jason. Pip is enraged that Georgia used Jason. Rooney then accuses Pip of hating her for being close with Georgia. Georgia tries to talk to Pip but can’t find the words. Pip runs off.

Georgia stays up until 6 am, as ball attendees who stay up all night are called survivors. She can’t find Rooney or Pip. Sunil runs into her, and she tells him that she thinks she might be asexual. Georgia doesn’t know what to do about it, but Sunil says there’s nothing to do, that her only responsibility is to be herself. She worries she’s nothing, and he reassures her.