You're My Backbone

"Anyone here?"

The voice echoed through Garrett's empty house, finally reaching us upstairs in his room. His hand tightened around mine, giving it a good squeeze upon realizing who was entering his house as of now.

"We're up here." Garrett called back down and stood up. His hand slowly fell out of mine as he walked across his room and opened his bedroom door. He peered out, waiting for the guest to arrive.

"Isn't June here?"

Garrett nodded his head without saying a word and retreated back into his room. He took his seat next to me as my brother entered the bedroom.

John stood there, staring at the ground and scratching the back of his head. He sighed heavily and looked up at us. "I owe you guys an apology."

My eyes widened. I could barely believe what I was hearing. John was apologizing?

John swallowed hard and sucked in a breath before beginning. "I'm not going to lie, I believe my intentions were for the better, but I guess not."

John glanced around the room, jittery and trying his best to avoid the awkward situation we were facing as of now.

"You're my sister and you've been through a shit-load of terrible things in your life. Way too many than anyone should have had. I was just looking out for you. And now I realize that you were right. I knew at some point I would have to let you go and experience things for your own, but I'm still so scared. Mom and Dad think everything is over, but it's really not. I still know you June. I know that you have not recovered fully. I can just see it in your eyes. But, I'm starting to realize I might have played a role in that. I might be the reason why you haven't recovered because I never let you get sick in the first place,

John let out a heavy sigh and shook his head, furrowing his eyebrows. "That, uh, that doesn't sound right."

He stood there for a moment, trying to sort out his words. "I realized that because I never let you out of my sight and out of my, I don't know- ruling? I guess. Because of that, you were never able to see the world in the same way I have. And I'm so sorry for that June. I really am."

I stood up, sucking in a breath, took one step over to my brother and wrapped my arms around his torso. He held me tightly and let out a breath. "Thank you." I finally spoke up.

"I'm sorry for all the problems I caused."

"You didn't mean to. You were hoping for the best."

John nodded his head and looked up at Garrett as I pulled away from him. "You too Gare. I'm sorry. I just didn't realize that you actually liked her and I was just worried an-"

Garrett cut him off. "Really John, it's fine." He nodded his head.

"Thank you for understanding."

"So... you're okay with....us?" I moved over toward Garrett, taking hold of his hand.

John sighed and smiled lightly, all while looking at Garrett's hand and mine interlocked. "Well, that might take some getting used to, but yes, I'm okay with you guys."

I smiled widely and looked up at Garrett who was also.

"But," John pointed to Garrett. "I swear to god, if you hurt her, you're in for it Nickelsen."

Garrett grinned lightly."I won't. I promise."

"Good. Now, I'm going to get something to eat. You two don't do anything your grandparents wouldn't."

John walked out of the room and when the front door downstairs shut, Garrett and I fell onto his bed laughing. Garrett pecked me on the lips, smiling gingerly.

"Thats it! He knows. He's fine. We're in the clear!" He held my face and pulled my lips onto his.

I laughed lightly and laid my head down in front of his. We were both quiet for a moment, not saying anything to one another, just staring.

"I really like you Gare." I said, going out on a limb. My stomach did flips as the words fel out of my mouth gradually.

"I really like you too June. A lot, actually."

I bit my lip and practically fell into Garrett's blue crystal eyes.

"I'm going to miss you." He mumbled.

I looked at him curiously. "Gare, I'm not leaving until the fall."

"John didn't tell you, did he?"

I cocked my head. "What? What happened?"

Garrett sighed. "We got signed."

I popped up out of my seat with a smile plastered across my face. "OH my god! That's fantastic!" I straddled Garrett's waist and kissed him on his lips.

"Yeah, but we're going to be touring all summer. Starting the day after graduation. I won't be back until after you leave."

My smile faded and I fell back down into my place at Garrett's side. "Oh."

Garrett leaned on his side and place a hand on my hip. "I don't know what to say."

"Neither do I." I replied, staring off into a corner of the ceiling, attempting to not make eye contact.

He shrugged. "It's not a big deal if we don't make it one. We'll have a good time and we'll go long distance, right? I know everyone says it's really hard, but hey, I think we'll be able to do it, don't you?"

I wanted so badly to agree with Garrett. It's not like I would run off with some other guy in Maryland either anyway. Garrett was my first boyfriend and I wasn't very experienced with guys anyway. But the messed up girl inside of me feared that Garrett would leave me for some other girl. He went out with Maggie before me, he could end up with one of those girls again. Whatever possessed him the first time may come back.

I swallowed hard, sucked it up, offered a fake, weak smile and said "Yeah. Me too. "