Lucky Now.

"Hey babe, do you wanna go meet the guys for lunch?" Garrett asked stepping into the girl's room as she finished getting ready.

"Sure."

He stepped to her and wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"Are you ready?" He asked softly as he placed his lips on her jaw.

"Yes." She said with a grin as she turned to face him. A smile hit his lips and she quickly pressed her lips to his. It had been a week since he got her back and he was happier than he thought possible. Being home for a week, having her. Nothing could be better.

"I love you." He whispered running his fingers into her hair as he placed kisses along her face.

"I love you too."

He slid his hand in hers and pulled her from the room.

"Hey Garrett..." She said as she buckled her seat belt.

"Leah..." He mocked with a grin as he looked over at her.

She rolled her eyes and he linked his fingers with hers, "What is it, babe?"

"I don't remember now."

He smiled, "You're ridiculous."

"Yet you love me." She said causing him to chuckle, "Right, I do. So very much."

"Awe."

He rolled his eyes and she leaned over kissing his cheek. Ever since their conversation she felt like she had old Garrett back and she was overly happy about such a simple thing.

He chuckled at her action, "What has gotten into you?"

"I don't know. I'm just happy. This has been a pretty great week and now you're about to start a pretty big tour, I start school, I mean, we should be happy."

"Yes and I am extremely happy, Leah."

"Good. As you should be."

He laughed as he parked near the diner and they parted only until he met her on her side of the car. She wrapped her arms around his torso trying to block out some of the wind that had now put a chill in the air.

If anything Garrett was more confident in their relationship. He didn't know why or when it took place but it did. He loved her and he was certain she loved him.What was there to fear? It seemed all too silly to him now.

They walked into the diner instantly finding the group of loud boys sitting near the back. Garrett pulled her into the booth beside Pat and the boys continued to talk. Leah couldn't help but laugh at John as he told a story using more hand motions then words. She was lucky she had found them when she did because she couldn't imagine her world without them now.

"Yeah I think I'll grow a stache next." Garrett said stroking his chin and Leah shot him a look.

"What? It'll be better than Kennedy's!"

"Do whatever you like, but if you come home wth a mustache..."

"You will not be getting laid!" Pat said assuming the end of her sentence causing Leah to laugh, "Well, that could very well be true."

Garrett frowned, "But I'm a man. Men have mustaches."

"You can't even buy alcohol yet."

"Fine." He grumbled crossing his arms.

"I mean, do it. She's not telling you not to!" John stated of course going to try and encourage it.

"I'd rather get laid." He grumbled and Leah shoved him as the guys laughed.

"Words no one ever thought they would hear from Garrett Nickelsen." John said with a chuckle. Leah laughed as Garrett glared at the boy.

"Leah has changed the poor kid to a bad boy." Jared joked causing Leah to roll her eyes.

"Has not."

"Oh yeah. In bad ways too. He stays out later, skipped school, parties, has sex. I don't even know this boy anymore!" Jared said with a playful grin on his face.

"Sounds like another John." Kennedy stated and Leah busted out laughing as John's mouth fell open in shock like that was an absurd thing to say.

"I'm definitely not John."

"Yeah, he's still shy and awkward and what not." Pat defended like usual.

"Exactly."

"Why is it such a bad thing to be me?!" John asked and Jared started spilling out reasons which put John in a rant of defense.

Leah patted Garrett's knee and his blue eyes locked with hers, a grin still on his lips from the conversation before hand.

"You're definitely not John."

He chuckled, "Oh trust me, I know that much."

"I did not make you bad either."

"Sort of did." He joked and a frown hit her lips causing him to laugh, "Just kidding. No you did not make me bad, Leah." He said pressing his lips to hers.

They ended up staying at the diner longer than anticipated and by the time they exited the sun was beginning to set.

"I swear we can't go anywhere with all of you and leave at a decent hour." Leah joked and John elbowed her lightly, "You love us."

"I know."

He grinned and placed his arm over her shoulders, "Going to come see us off tomorrow?"

"Of course."

"Wish you could come."

"Yeah I do!" Pat chimed in and she giggled, "I know, I'm going to miss you all too. Let's not get into the sadness until tomorrow ok?"

"Ok, see you then." John said with a grin and she hugged the boy bye as they reached their cars.

Garrett watched her buckle her seat belt as he started the car. Just because he wasn't worried about leaving her didn't mean he couldn't miss her right? Because he felt his chest tighten from just the thought alone. He'd miss her more than anyone would understand.

He leaned over and pressed his lips to hers taking her a bit off guard. He had a habit of doing that lately. Where his mind wondered off and instead of thinking it through he just did it. She didn't seem to mind one bit. He didn't say anything. Just kissed her several more times before finally pulling away and putting the car into gear. The silence that filled the space between them brought a grin to his lips and he laced his hand with hers. She was never going to get use to him doing things like that, but it excited her none the less.

"You're staying, right?" She finally asked, breaking their silence as they reached her porch.

"Leah, I wouldn't spend my last night here without you." He said calmly as she unlocked the door.

"Well, I mean, you do have family."

"Right, who I will see in the morning. I mean, why stay when we are going to be asleep anyways? I'd rather stay with you and hold you." He mumbled pulling the girl to his chest.

"Good." She said into his shirt as she held onto him.

He stroked her hair as he kissed her forehead, "Is it too early to do that?" He asked and she shook her head no. He chuckled before gently picking her up and carrying her to her bed.

"I was thinking..." He said and she giggled as he hovered over her.

"About?"

"Well, I was just thinking, what if I got shirts made for you to wear around campus that said things like, Property of Garrett Nickelsen, or Don't bother I'm taken."

The girl began to laugh instantly which made him chuckle, "Is that a yes?"

"You are insane."

He laughed and kissed her nose, "Insane for you my Leah." He whispered brushing her hair from her face.

"Only if I can get shirts made for you."

"Done!"

Leah laughed along with the boy, "You're silly."

"I know, I'm just kidding."

"I know."

He kissed her with a grin as he ran his hand over her side, "So...since I don't have a mustache yet..." He questioned as he tugged on her shirt. He was going to be weeks without the girl and he wasn't going to pretend like he was ok with that.

"I mean it Garrett, come back with one and you'll see what happens." She said with a grin as she raised her arms up. A smile hit his lips as he gently took her shirt off.

"I won't. I promise baby." He whispered against her lips.



Hours later Garrett watched Leah sleep from beside him. His hand proped under his chin as he did so. He was certain he could say that this had become one of his favorite nights with the girl. It was rounding on 4 a.m annd she had just fallen asleep, the rest of the time spent laughing and talking for hours which he was certain he could only do with her. A grin hit his lips remembering the moments before hand. He wish he could have a million nights like this with her. Then again, they were so far and in between that he now treasured them so much more. He wouldn't trade them in for the world. He sighed and let his head hit the pillow. One thing was certain, he was going to feel empty without her at night. He was so use to her sleeping close to him, feeling her heart beating, hearing her breathe, that it nerved him now when he didn't. It was hard to get use to. He reached out and traced his fingers over the girl's jaw. She was beautiful. The most beautiful person he had ever came in contact with and the fact that she was his made his chest swell with pride. How did he get so lucky?

He finally forced his eyes shut knowing he should try and sleep, but knowing those few hours were all he had left with her for weeks meant he couldn't bare to do so and waste the time. He'd sleep on the plane ride to wherever they were going.

He pulled her closer to his chest, tucking his arm safely around her as his lips pressed gently on her cheek. He had never loved someone so much before. He found it hard to remember who he was before her, or even if he was the same at all. Then again, why did it matter? Who he was now was ok with him.

He twirled her hair around his finger as she cuddled closer to him for warmth.

"Why aren't you asleep?" She asked at a whisper and he chuckled, "Why are you up?"

"Bcause you're messing with my hair. You need to sleep." She mumbled and he kissed her forehead, "I have to be up in 2 hours anyways so guess it doesn't matter now."

"What?! Have you been asleep?" She asked and he laughed, "No. I haven't."

"Why? Is everything ok?"

"Yeah, I just you know, think a lot. It's fine." He said honestly with a grin.

"Jeez. You seriously worry me." She whispered closing her eyes and he chuckled, "So sorry."

The silence filled the space between them as she traced a pattern onto his chest. He had a lot on his mind but nothing to say if that made sense.

"I'm kind of nervous you know?" She said breaking through his thoughts.

"Nervous? Why?"

"About starting school! I won't know anyone, you guys won't be there and I mean, what if no one likes me."

The boy stifled a laugh, "No one like you? That's ridiculous. Everyone likes you."

"Maybe so, but that's here not there." She whispered moving so her eyes met his.

"You'll be fine. Trust me. I know it. You'll make friends probably the first day. Don't worry."

"I just worry about it. New things scare me."

He chuckled, "I think it's suppose to. Plus, I'm only a phone call away. So if you ever need me to tell you how bad ass you are you can just call anytime."

The girl let out a laugh, "I'll remember that, Nickelsen."

The two ended up staying awake until the alarm went off. Getting lost in conversation with Garrett was nothing new. It was something she loved about him. He wasn't your typical boy.

"Guess I should you know, get ready." He whispered once she turned off the blaring alarm.

"Yeah..."

He pressed his lips to hers before climbing from the bed. The pair was silent as they took the next hour showering and getting ready. There wasn't much to say. They both knew what they felt at the moment. Sadness.

"What time do you have to be at John's?" She asked as they walked out to his car.

"Oh, um, in an hour or so."

She nodded as they got in his car to head to his house so he could grab his bags and say goodbye to his family. She fiddled with his radio as he covered his mouth to yawn.

"You should have slept."

"I need something to do on the plane ride."

She rolled her eyes and he patted her knee, "I'm fine, babe."

"Of course you are."

He chuckled and pulled into the familiar driveway of his home.

"Sorry you're going to have to witness my mom act like she's insane and cry like I'm never coming home."

The girl laughed as they got out of the car.

"I'm not joking."

"I know, that's why it's funny."

He laughed and pulled her inside the house where his mom already was talking loudly to his dad from the kitchen. His dad gave them an eye roll causing Leah to giggle.

"Garrett's here!" His dad said just to take the heat off of him and Garrett shot his now snickering dad a look.

Mrs. Nickelsen walked into the living room and Leah quickly stepped aside with a chuckle as she hugged the boy like he was leaving for war. She could hear Garrett grumble as his mom told him to be careful and she couldn't help but laugh with Mr. Nickelsen. Garrett finally tore himself away from his mother and grabbed up his bags saying goodbye to his family as he almost sprinted to the car.

"I swear." He mumbled and she laughed, "Well, they love you."

"I know." He chuckled as they headed to John's. Once he parked in the driveway reality hit him. This was it. He would be away from her for weeks and this was the real test. He didn't want it to become what it did last time, which was nothing short of a disaster.

"So, you're just going to leave my car at your house?" He asked as he grabbed his things from the trunk of the car.

"Yeah, I assume so."

He glanced over at her as they headed into John's house without a knock. Everyone minus Kennedy was there and Pat immediately attached himself to Leah.

"It's going to be sad without you little one." He whined and she laughed as she hugged him tightly, "It's going to be sad without all of you with me."

"You'll be fine. Miss popular I'm sure." John said with a grin as the two embraced.

"Right, then maybe I'll find a group of outcast, start dating a nerd and have everyone thinking I'm weird...oh wait..." She joked causing Garrett to glare at her as John laughed, "Nicely done." He responded giving her a high five before she tackled Jared into a hug who was impatiently waiting on his new found girlfriend, Kylee who Leah actually approved of.

"Come here my little nerd." She joked as she wrapped her arms around Garrett who gave her an eyeroll.

"I love you."

"Love you." He mumbled and she kissed him quickly. Kennedy walked into the front door out of breath, "Sorry. My family is ridiculous."

Garrett chuckled his eyes never leaving the girl in his arms.

"Ok, we need to start loading up everything." John stated and the guys grabbed up their things.

"Let me say goodbye to Leah, before Garrett won' let go of her." Kennedy joked and Leah pulled herself from the boy to hug him.

"Everything will be fine. I promise." Kennedy whispered kissing her head before pulling away with a smile. Oddly enough she truly believed it this time. The guys grabbed their things and headed out leaving her and Garrett in John's overly quiet house

"So..." Garrett whispered and she quickly hugged herself to him. He sighed and placed his arms around her.

"It won't be bad. I'll make sure of it this time." He added and she nodded as she buried her face into his shirt.

"Regardless I'm going to miss you like hell." He grumbled.

"I'll miss you too." She spoke looking up into his blue eyes.

"I love you." He responded cupping her face.

"I know and I love you too."

A smile hit his lips and he kissed her a few times, "Ok, I need to go before they kill me."

She laughed and grabbed his hand pulling him outside.

"Text me and let me know you survived ok?"

He chuckled, "I will. I'll also be calling you tonight."

"Great."

The boy smiled and kissed her once more, "I love you. Talk to you later."

She nodded and waved at the boys as Garrett climbed into the car. Yes she was a bit sad just because they wouldn't be around, but she was oddly excited about the new adventures that faced both of them. Garrett surprisingly felt the same way. One thing was certain, things would be better this time around.