You're My Backbone

I stood on our front porch sucking in and exhaling deep breaths. My eyes were wide and glued to the picture perfect house across the street.

Despite being here for about a week now, I had yet to take notice to the house. It was quite a beautiful house I must say. A white picket fence separating the back yard from the front in contrast with the perfect green grass. It was white with blue shutters and a blue front door which I admired greatly.

Something about the house made me nervous to enter. Of course, I was nervous about entering a boy's house, but the house itself slightly intimidated me.

I was afraid to step off of my porch. I gulped and stared down at the steps.

I shouldn't be this nervous. John invited me and the only reason he would do that is if Garrett gave him permission to do so.

A white van pulled into Garrett's driveway and emerging from it was Kennedy and Halvo. They were laughing about something and gave each other high fives. Halvo's eyes wandered into my yard and he quickly spotted me.

"June! Hey!" He called.

I waved and smiled. "Hi!" I shouted back.

"You coming over? I think John's here."

I was thankful for the two boys showing up. It was much easier to knock on the front door with two other people who have obviously been in the house before than being alone.

I nodded my head and began to approach the two boys. A breath escaped my lips as I stepped off the porch and suddenly I felt liberated. "Yeah," I spoke up confidently. "I was just about to go over."

"Sweet!" Kennedy smiled and high fived me once I got closer.

I laughed softly. "Yes."

To my surprise, the boys didn't knock on the door. Instead, they opened the door and marched right into the house. Kennedy then called out, "Hey Mrs.N!"

It was then that I realized I didn't know Garrett's last name. Actually, I didn't know any of the guys' last names.

A woman came out of what I assumed was the kitchen. She had red lips and perfect, soft, brunette curls. She looked to be about mid-forties, but much like my mother, presented herself well. She was wearing a floral patterned dress and red wedges. "Hello boys," She peered over Kennedy and Halvo's shoulders and noticed me. "Oh! You must be June! I'm Garrett's mother, Mrs. Nickelson, but you can call me Sarah if you wish."

Relief washed through me when she said her last name. Who knows how long I could have gone without knowing Garrett's last name? Now, I just needed to figure out everyone else's last name. Well, with the exception of Eric.

"It's nice to meet you." I smiled as she took my hand and shook it. I already knew that I would not be calling her Sarah.

"You too sweetheart. Your brother, Pat, and Garrett are already downstairs. I have to head off to a christening now. I'll see you kids later."

"That's why your so dressed up?" Halvo commented.

She nodded her head and smiled. "Yes. I tried to drag Garrett to come along with me, but you know him...."

The boys chuckled and I smiled. I really didn't know him....

"Alright. Behave," She then turned to me. " John and Garrett told me all about you this morning. Keep an eye out for these boys. Don't let them do anything stupid." She joked.

I laughed softly. "Will do."

As Mrs. Nickelson stepped outside and I followed the boys downstairs I couldn't help but think about what she had just said. John and Garrett told me all about you this morning.

John, I could see, but Garrett, well, he hardly knew me. I guess he kind of did, but what was there to tell?

Once we were downstairs, the three of us found Pat lying on his stomach on the floor with a controller in his hand, Garrett sitting up straight on the couch with another controller and John doing the same exact thing.

All three of them were staring intently at the television screen, pressing buttons at a rapid pace, and, of course, yelling.

Kennedy and Halvo sat down on the floor and left me standing by myself.

Garrett's eyes peeled away from the screen and noticed me standing. He scooted over on the couch and patted an empty spot between him and John. "You can sit here June."

I smiled and nodded my head. I quickly crossed in front of John, and cringed as I did so. Blocking his view from the screen was never a good idea. Luckily, I was fast enough and he didn't complain and embarrass me.

Garrett smiled as I sat down next to him. There was almost no wiggle room between the two boys. Garrett and I's shoulders were pressed together along with our thighs. John, on the other hand, was hunched over in a slouched position where our knees were only touching. I could care less, but with Garrett, I had to take silent deep breaths and hide them. To say I was embarrassed was an understatement.

"Did anyone get a word out of Jared? Is he coming or not?" Pat asked, his eyes still glued to the T.V.

"I did," Kennedy announced. "He can't come. He's got something to do with Darry or whatever...."

Aside from John, all the guys groaned. The game ended and John sat up straight after placing the controller on the ground. "What? What's so bad about him spending time with Darry?"

I was wondering the same thing, but in no way was I going to say anything.

Garrett shrugged next to me, which caused his shoulder to rub against mine. "Nothing really," He paused. "It's just........" he trailed off with a sigh.

"They're just together twenty-four seven. Darry's cool and all, but sometimes she just gets on our nerves," Kennedy said. "Don't take it the wrong way though. I know you two are both friends with her. We're her friends too, but Jared is also our friend and well, we hardly see the guy." He shrugged.

John nodded his head. "I guess I can see how that would be annoying."

I wanted to say something, but I didn't know what. Part of me hurt inside. Darry was my friend and helped me out a lot this week. But the other part of me saw what the guys meant. I decided to bring another topic up.

Going out on a limb, I took in a deep breath and spoke up. "Um, at lunch Darry and I sit alone and I was just wondering why she doesn't sit with anyone else?"

My words didn't come out quite the right way, but I ignored it. I felt flustered and I was already embarrassed for bringing it up. It was probably nothing.....

"Oh yeah...." Halvo's eyes widened.

Kennedy bit his lip and looked over at Pat who did the same also.

Garrett sighed and turned to me. "Darry got in this big fight with all these girls she was friends with before she was our friend and Jared's boyfriend. Every girl in the school kind of hates her now. It's really stupid. She did nothing wrong."

I was getting way too many mixed signals from these guys. First, they made it sound like they didn't like the girl. Now, they sounded like an older brother protecting their younger sister.

"Well, what happened?" John asked.

Kennedy shrugged. "None of us are really sure. All it was is that Darry started dressing they way she wanted to and the girls had like a hissy fit or something. Some girl told her to dress like a girl and Darry cursed her out. Then the girls spread some rumor about her and yeah."

"Oh." John replied and nodded his head. I following with nodding my head also.

Suddenly, a buzzing noise came from John's pocket as did mine. We both pulled out our phones to discover a text.

"Is yours from mom too?" He asked.

I nodded my head as I opened the message. "Yep.

Our mother wanted us home immediately. The two of us sighed simultaneously and the room chuckled softly. We both looked up at the same time giving the boys curious looked.

"You guys are more alike than you think." Halvo observed.

John stood up. "What can I say? We're twins."

I stood up along with him, finally breaking away from being squished.

"Our mom needs us home. See you guys later." John began to walk out of the room and I followed as the guys gave us a chorus of goodbyes.

I smiled at all of them before following John up the stairs. We walked out of the house and closed the door behind us.

As we walked back across the street John said, "They all like you a lot June."

"They hardly know me." I mumbled, not really believing what John had just told me.

He rolled his eyes and shook his head. "For once June, please, for once, can you just accept the fact that you have friends that actually like you."

"I've had friends before." I folded my arms over my chest.

"I never said that you didn't." John cleared up his statement. "All I'm saying is that in the past, you never opened yourself up to others because you were so stuck on what happened to you before that."

"I thought you knew better than to bring that up." I snapped at him.

I continued walking at a faster pace, leaving John behind me. After bursting into the house, I slammed the heavy storm door behind me. I calmed down after and slowly walked into the kitchen trying my best to compose myself.

"Where were you?" My mother asked with wide eyes as she sat at the kitchen table. The newspaper was out in front of her opened onto an article about some politician.

"At Garrett's." I regretted my words once I thought that my mother might not know who Garrett is. "John's fr-"

Shut cut me off sharply. "I know who he is, June. Just, why were you with John's friends?"

I shrugged. "Am I not allowed to be friends with them?"

I heard the front door open and figured John was the one stepping inside. Sure enough, John strutted into the kitchen. When I noticed him I walked quickly out of the room and went upstairs into my room.

I decided to start on some homework. I didn't have much, and I was practically done after an hour.

A light tap occurred on the door. "Come in." I mumbled.

John opened the door giving me his best apologetic face. I stood my ground and glared at him. He sighed heavily and closed the door behind me. "I'm sorry June. I shouldn't have mentioned it."

Whenever my brother apologized to me, it was easy for me to crack. I'm not sure why exactly. I guess because it just shows that he actually cares, even if he is a complete dick sometimes.

I smiled lightly. "It's alright. Just don't do it again."

He nodded his head. "I won't. I promise."

And with that, he left the room.

The next day, at school, I sat in my study hall period reading.

To say I enjoy reading is an understatement. I love it. More than anything. For the most part.

I was in the library, where it was silent and no one disturb me. That is, until the entrance door slammed and a familiar figure came into the room.

Garrett trudged into the library with his book bag slung over his shoulder. He was wearing a grey and white striped t-shirt along with black skinny jeans. His hair was a mess, as always, and he wore his black thick framed glasses that he wore the day I met him.

When he saw me his eyes lit up and he smiled widely. He quickly strutted over to me, no longer slouching over. He then took a seat next to me. "Hey!" He whispered.

I smiled. "Hi. What are you doing in here?"

He shrugged. "I got study hall this period and nothing better to do."

I cocked my head to the side. "You have study hall this period? I do too, but I didn't see you at all last week."

"That's because I was being productive last week during my study hall period."

"Oh yeah? And what were you doing?" I asked, not fully believing him.

"Hanging up flyers."

"For?"

"This band that I'm in. And Kennedy, and Pat, and Jared. We need a lead singer."

With the thought of a singer, someone quickly popped into my head. I bit my lip and held in my sigh. There was no way they would sing in front of people. Damn nerves.....

"Are you a singer?" Garrett asked, completely serious.

I held in my laughter and shook my head. "No way in hell. I can't sing a note for my life."

Garrett chuckled softly. "Oh well."

"What do you play?" I asked.

"Bass."

I smiled widely and nodded my head. "You're going to think I'm just saying this, but I'm not. I've always thought bass players were really cool."

Garrett's face lit up. "Oh yeah? Why's that?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. The way they bob their head, slouch over, and walk back and fourth when they play. It just....appeals to me."

"So you think bass players are sexy?"

I could feel heat rushing to my face. I sucked in a deep breath and chuckled nervously. I need a comeback. I need a comeback. I need a comeback.

"You wish." I raised my eyebrows.

Garrett laughed loudly and the librarian at her desk ''shushed'' him. "That's pretty cold." He commented.

I shrugged. "What can I say?"

He laughed and then eyed my book. "So, whatcha reading?"