You're My Backbone

After the whole fiasco ended awkwardly, we all decided to head over to Denny's for breakfast. We piled into Kennedy's van. He had bought it in hopes that their band would tour in it. Unfortunately, Jared, Kennedy, Garrett, and Pat still hadn't found a lead singer for their band. I tried to ignore the thought; I was well aware of a brilliant singer standing in the same room as them.

I wondered if John was aware that his new friends were in a band. Did the idea of him joining the band ever jumped into his mind at all? I hated thinking about it, but John's grades weren't that best, and as of now, college wasn't looking so good for him.

Not that that stopped John. College didn't appeal to my brother in anyway; which happened to drive my mother nuts. I was scared for the boy. What was he to do with his life? Where was he going to go after graduation?

I tried my best to ignore the thought as we entered the restaurant. Before entering, someone in back of me grabbed my arm gently to keep me from walking in. I turned around to find Garrett standing there, offering me a small, weak smile.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

He shook his head. "Nothing just, uh, are you okay?"

I pulled out a fake smile. "I'm fine Garrett. I've had much worst panic attacks before."

"No, but, I mean, uh," he stuttered. "are you sure?"

This time, I truly smiled, actually meaning it. "Yes."

I turned back around to enter Denny's but yet again, Garrett took hold of my arm. "Uh, June?" I bit my lip as I turned around.

Garrett sighed heavily and gave me an odd expression. "I hate to say it, but I couldn't help but notice John singing to you......" He trailed off.

I know what he was getting at. Part of me screamed "Yes''. John could finally do what he loves with this opportunity. But the other half sunk. He would hate me if I told any of his friends about his singing ability. Plus, even if they found out, he wouldn't sing for him. He would simply deny it because he's too afraid.

I swallowed hard and refused to speak. I wanted to hear what Garrett was going to say. "He's,uh, a really good singer, you know."

I sighed heavily. "I'm aware."

Garrett's eyes widened. "If you knew...why didn't you say anything?"

I bit my lip trying to come up with some sort of an excuse. And excuse that would keep John safe, but is that what I really wanted for him? Being safe was going to get him nowhere.

"John has serious stage fright issues. I'm the only person he's sung in front of. There's no way he would get up in front of people; his friends nonetheless.

Garrett nodded his head and then ran a hand through his already untamed hair. "Aw, man. That sucks. It would have been awesome to have him in the band......"

"Yeah..."

Garrett and I stood in silence for a moment. His head was turned to the ground and I could tell he was thinking intently to himself. It made me smile slightly. Suddenly, his head popped up.

"I have an idea."

"What's that?" I asked.

"Okay, well, there's another party going on next weekend. It's at this girl Kelsey's house. She usually breaks out the karaoke machine while everyone's there too. We could somehow get John up there to sing."

I had to admit, it was a pretty good plan. I shrugged. "It may be a little harder than that. How are we going to get him up there?"

"Peer pressure."

I chuckled softly at him and bit my lip. I admired his dedication. He must really want this band to move forward and do well.

"I'll says something like 'John get up there!' or whatever and most likely, the other guys will push him up there."

I smiled deviously. "You're brilliant, you know that, right?"

He chuckled. "I try."

"I can tell."

He smiled sweetly at me. He then did something completely unexpected. He took hold of my hand and guided me into the restaurant. My stomach flipped and flipped and I could barely breathe. Shit, not again.....

I stared down at the hand with wide eyes. I remembered my dream last night. I thought about Garrett saying my name while he was sleeping. While he was dreaming.

Before I could flip out, Garrett's hold on my hand broke off at the site of my brother sitting down in the Denny's booth. I couldn't help but smile at Garrett. He knew well. He didn't want another incident again.

My smile soon faded. Was everyone this scared to get close to me in front of my brother? Is this how it had always been?

Garrett and I walked over to the booth side by side. My appetite was now far away after the thought had approached my mind.

No guys got close to me my whole life. I stared at my brother in disgust. Was Garrett the only kid he ever got pissed? Or was he the first? My mind filled with all different question relating to the topic. I felt like screaming and storming off, but I was stuck in this booth (not that I would actually storm off).

I ate in silence. Occasionally nodded my head in agreement with whatever everyone was talking about. I was in between Garrett and Halvo.

Eric shot me odd glances from time to time. He elbowed me lightly in the side and gave me a concerned look. I smiled and brushed him off.

"Shit. I got to go." Garrett said, checking the time on his phone.

John shrugged. "Guess we all have to go then."

While everyone began to stand up Halvo quickly said, "June and I are going back to my house. No need to drive us."

My eyes widened and my head shot over to Halvo. I knew better than to say "We are?"

John looked at Halvo with skepticism. "What, why?'

"English project." Halvo nodded his head.

"You guys are in the same english class?" John asked.

Now we are...... I thought to myself.

"Yep. Let's go June." Halvo grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the crowd of friends. I peered over my shoulder and noticed Garrett's eyes on us. I bit down on my lip as I noticed something in his eyes that I couldn't recognize.

Once we were outside, Halvo continued pulling me by the hand down the street. "What is going on?" I asked, but it came out as a demand.

"We gotta talk girlfriend." He kept on walking at a quick pace.

"I take it you live close by?" I asked.

"Yeah. We'll be there in about two minutes."

I sighed heavily and continued walking with the boy. "Can't you just tell me as we walk?" I asked once again.

"Nope; too cold."

"What's the temperature have to do with it?"

"A lot."

I rolled my eyes, and tried my best to stifle a laugh. Halvo looked back at me and smiled. I noticed Kennedy's van driving next to us. John was in the passenger side and rolled down the window. "You do realize we could have drove you to your house, right?"

"And waste gas?" Halvo's eyes popped out. "No!"

I grinned, but it quickly disappeared upon seeing Garrett's face in the backseat. He wasn't smile or really showing any emotion. Something in his eyes told me he wasn't the happiest person right now though.

I swallowed the thought as I waved to the guys as they drove away.

We arrived at Halvo's house about a minute or so later. We quickly made our way upstairs to his room. I bit my lip as I entered the room. The only boy's room I had ever been in was my brother's. "You can have a seat on the bed if you'd like." Halvo commented, noticing my awkward stance in the doorframe.

I walked slowly over to the bed and sat on the edge. Halvo sat on the computer chair by his desk. He quickly spun around, exposing a devious grin on his face. "So.." He said.

"So," I replied, clearly confused.

"How long have you liked Gare-bear?" He quickly spat out his words, bluntly.

My eyes nearly popped. "What?! No! I don't like Garrett!"

Halvo smiled widely. "Oh god! This is just great." He shook his head.

I looked at him curiously. "What's so great?" I asked.

"When I asked him the same question he practically said the same thing."

"You-you, uh," I stuttered on my words. "You asked him the same thing?"

"Yep."

"What-why?"

Halvo shrugged. "I'm convinced the two of you are perfect for one another."

"So, you, um, you don't think one of us likes the other?"

Halvo shrugged. "That I'm not sure of actually. I only asked both of you guys to see if one of you happened to like the other. I don't really care if you do or not. My mission is to get you two together though. Darry's in on it also."

"Darry?" I asked and I'm not sure why it came out so surprised-sounding.

"Yes. Actually she was the first one to some up with the idea. But you know, whatever. I don't want to get in the middle of you and Garrett's friendship and all. Plus, I know if the two of you were together, John might kill him."

"John was going to kill you when he saw you holding my hand." I replied.

He chuckled. "Oh yes. It's cute isn't it?"

"What is?"

"How protective he is over you."

I bit my lip and looked away. I sighed and shrugged. "Not so cute. More like annoying."