I Need You, Just Like You Need Me.

Rory's POV-

Did John just ask me if I was in love with Garrett, seriously?

"Why would you even say that?" I ask, sounding confused.

He looks away from me and gulps. "You said you loved him."

"Well of course I do. I love all of you guys... Like brothers."

"Like brothers." John repeats, shaking his head.

"Uh, yeah. Everything alright?"

"Yeah." He smiles fakely. "Just fine."

"John, seriously what's going on?" I demand.

"I overheard you tell Garret you loved him, and he said the same thing back."
John confesses.

I rub my temples, because my head began to hurt. I shook my head, trying to find
words to say. "I-I do love him, but just not in the way you're thinking."

John didn't say anything for a minute. He just sat there silently. I finally
decided to say something, "Is that okay?"

John bit his lip, and stared down at his hands. "Yeah, thats good to know."

"Yeah, I guess. So, is everything good know." I ask, hoping all this unneeded
drama was done.

"Yeah, we're good." He smiles, even though it seemed forced.

"Good, so do you want to hang out today?" I asked.

He took a second to answer. "Yeah, that would be cool."

"Awesome."

John pulled me on to his lap. "Just so you know, I'm still sorry for the other
night." He paused. "I hate when we fight."

I smiled, and threw my arms around his neck, hugging him. "I do to."

"I felt really bad."

"Is that why you got drunk?" I ask.

John whispers, against my ear. "Yeah, it just makes me feel better." He rested
his head against mine, "I know you hate it when I drink. I'm sorry." He says,
and kisses my cheek, softly.

"I don't hate it when you drink." I said, looking at him. "I just hate when you
get so drunk... I'm afraid you'll get too upset about something, and get into
trouble. Or get yourself hurt. I just worry about you."

John smirks, "You don't have to worry about me."

"But I do." I object.

"Well you shouldn't." John rolls his eyes. "So, what's the plan for today?"

"Record store?" I ask, smiling shyly.

"Whatever you want." John replies, as a smile spreads across his lips. "I'm
going to go change." I say, while I crawl off his lap, and off the bed.

•••
We pull into the parking lot of the Record Store, and get out of the car.

We go inadequate and look around, for about ten minutes.

"I'm going to to check out the records, okay?" John says to me.

"Okay, I'll be in here."

John nods, then walks to the back of the building. He goes through the wide
doorway, pushing through dangling beads, and into the record section.

I stay by the CD's hoping to find a good one. While I search through shelves,
and shelves of CD's; a man who works here, comes up to me.

"Hi there, could I be any assistance?" A tall blonde, blue eyed, fellow asks me.
I looked up at him. I stopped, and gazes at his eyes
They were so beautiful.

"Um, no. I'm just looking. Thank you though." I smile.

"No problem, but could I make a suggestion?"

"Sure."

"Okay, let me see." He said, while he flipped through dozens of CD's. "How about
this one?" He asked, holding out a Brand New CD.

I wrinkled my nose. "Nah."

He lifted his eyebrows, "What? Who doesn't like Brand New?"

"A Taking Back Sunday fan." I laughed.

"Ah, I see." He chuckled, shaking his head. "Taking Back Sunday, not bad at
all. I'm Joey, by the way." He said, adding a blinding white smile.

"I'm Rory."

"Thats an interesting name. I like it."

"Thanks."

Joey and I talked for a little while. He was charming, funny, and sweet.
Basically this boy was perfect. That made me feel pretty uncomfortable;
because I'm the exact opposite.

"So, I'm going to just put it all on the table here. I get off of work in ten
minutes, would you like to get coffee with me after?" He said, biting his lip.

I couldn't help, but blush. "Well, actually-"

John walks over, "What's going on?" He interrupts.

Joey's face flushed, and he looked down.

"Um, nothing." I reply to John.

"Is this your boyfriend?" Joey asks.

"No, I don't have one." I shook my head, while John sighs.

"Oh, that's... Good." Joey smiles.

"Rory, who's this?" John asks, crossing his arms.

"Joey, he works here." I introduce. "And Joey, this my best friend, John."

"Nice to meet you." Joey says, offering John his hand. But John declines it, and
just says, "Mhm."

"Well, Joey I can't go out right now. But thanks for the offer."

"It's okay, don't worry about it." Joey try's to reassure me.

"But you can cash me out." I smile, as I grip my two CD's.

"Of course, right over here." Joey leads me over to the register. He takes the
CD's and rings them up. "Okay, you are all set. Come back again soon." Joey says
with a wink, and hands me my CD's.

"Thank you." I smirk, before leaving. I glance back, and see John shooting Joey
a angered look. I rolled my eyes and walked to the car.

When we were in the car; I open one of the cases, and a small piece of paper
falls out. I pick up the paper, and read it.

"What's that?" John asks.

"Um... Nothing." I tell him, and put the paper back in the case.

It was Joeys number.