Sooner or Later

Kenzie woke the next morning with her head pounding like never before. She groaned as she buried her face into the pillow wishing her head would just fall off at this point.

"You ok?" Garrett's sleep filled voice hit her ears as he rubbed her back gently.

"No, I'm dying. Literally. This is it."

Garrett laughed softly as he slid from the bed, "Let me go get you some medicine."

"It's moments like this that make me love you."

"Yeah, yeah." He chuckled before leaving the room. He returned moments later with a bottled water and medication. She sat up and took the pills immediately. She just wanted to feel better now.

Garrett climbed back into the bed, running his hand through his hair as he leaned against the headboard.

"So can we discuss the kissing last night?" He asked and she groaned as she fell back onto the pillow.

"No."

"I mean, not that I'm against kissing and in your defense, you aren't a bad kisser just so you know...but we don't kiss without a mission so..."

"I know." She mumbled covering her face. She was now embarrassed by the whole situation. It was stupid of her to believe her feelings would change just like that.

"Sorry." She mumbled out and he turned on his side to face her.

"No, it's ok." He whispered, brushing her hair back from her face.

"I just don't know if I can keep doing this." She replied and he simply nodded, "I know, and honestly, I don't want you to do something you don't want. Regardless of what I think."

"I know. And I'm really sorry about last night."

"Ah don't be. Kissing a hot girl is not on my list of regrets."

She smacked his chest and he laughed, "Is your headache better?"

She nodded and he kissed her forehead, "I would say we could go downstairs and make breakfast but Eric and Nick are passed out on the couches, John fell asleep on the floor and no telling where Pat is so..."

"So we stay here for safety?"

He chuckled, "Yeah."

"Ok." She whispered relaxing against the pillow and he gave her a weak grin.

"Everything will work out like it should, Kenz. I promise."

"I wish John was more like you." She stated seriously and he chuckled, "No you don't. If he was, he wouldn't be John."

"I know, I just wish he had a little bit of you though."

"What? The not stubborn, understanding part?"

She nodded and he grinned, "Yeah, I guess that part would be nice."

She chuckled and he pulled her into his side, "No worries, sweetie. We will figure it out."

"You're way too optimistic, Nickelsen."

"Part of my charm."

She chuckled against his shoulder and he pulled the cover closer to them.

A knock on the door caused the pair to groan and she couldn't help but giggle.

"Are you two decent?" Eric asked cracking open the door.

"Yes unfortunately." Garrett grumbled and Kenzie laughed as she say up in bed, "Sup Eric?" She asked and the boy opened the door hesitantly.

"We're all going to breakfast. Wanna come?"

Garret looked over at Kenzie, "Who's going?" He questioned for her and Eric spoke, "Oh me, Nick, John, Pat and Jared."

"Wanna go babe?" He asked and Eric rolled his eyes, "Oh she's going. I mean, you, John and me are going and we are her favorite people. She's going."

"You win, Halvo. You win."

"So you two got ten minutes." He's stated leaving the room.

"You sure?" He asked softly and she nodded with a weak grin.

"Yeah, I mean, you're going so I'll be fine." She stated elbowing him lightly and he chuckled softly.

The pair got ready quickly and he grabbed her hand before heading downstairs where the others were waiting. Kenzie didn't dare look at John although she could feel him burning a hole in her with his eyes.

Garrett pulled her in, kissing her temple as Eric yelled about finding his keys.

"Are you mad at me? I feel like you are, or well, upset with me." John asked the girl as they walked out of the house.

"Nope."

"Well if that isn't fake I don't know what is..."

She rolled her eyes, "I have no reason to be mad, John."

"Well I have a feeling it's about that Shannon ordeal."

"I can't tell you what to do with your life."

"No, but your opinion matters to me."

"Fine, you want my opinion?" She asked coming to a stop by his truck. The boy nodded as he stuck his hands in his pockets.

"The fact that you are going out of your way to try to fall for a girl you clearly don't love is pathetic. Is it really that hard for you to be alone? Is it that horrible that you would rather be in a relationship that doesn't make you happy? I mean, who am I to judge though? You do what you feel like you need to, I'm just honestly sick of hearing about it." She stated patting his shoulder before heading over to Garrett who was waiting for her by his car.

"You ok?" He immediately asked and she nodded as she climbed in the car with a sigh.

"Way to snap at him."

She groaned, "He asked! I'm sick of it!"

He chuckled, "Right well..."

She sighed as she leaned against the window.

"This is why I drink all the time."

Garrett couldn't help but laugh and a smile lined her lips.

"You're special..."

She chuckled as they drove to meet the guys for breakfast.

Clearly her words had effected John because he didn't sit near her and he seemed to be kept to himself.

"Why didn't you go home with Shannon last night?" Kennedy asked John and the boy looked up instantly, "Oh I was playing beer pong with Eric and she had to work this morning." He grumbled out and Kennedy simply nodded, accepting the answer.

"I just don't get why you're bothered by this, Kenzie." John said startling Kenzie and she looked over at him quickly, "Bothered by what?"

"My whole relationship!"

"I'm not! I don't give a shit who you sleep with, but it's a bit exhausting when I have to hear it from you and her! I mean, since when did I seem friendly?! Why the hell does everyone all of a sudden want to be friends with me?! I just want to be left out of your shit!" She said throwing her hands up in the air. Her rant not really being meant to be taken out on him, but she was just so stressed lately she couldn't help it.

At this point she honestly was tried of the whole ordeal. Tired of fighting for him when he clearly didn't know or even care and tired of faking everything else. It was starting to take it's toll on her and she could feel her eyes begging to cry already.

John narrowed his eyes at her as he tried to find the right words to say. Her outburst were starting to make him even more confused. Her acting like this wasn't normal and he was unsure what he should do at this point.

"So do you think I should break up with her?" He asked slowly, trying to figure out exactly what the girl wanted him to do.

Kenzie scoffed, "John, you and I both know you won't because clearly being alone isn't your strong point."

"I can be alone." He defended, "Why are you being so mean to me?!"

She rolled her eyes and Garrett placed his hand on her back for comfort. He could just tell the stress was getting to her and she didn't know how much longer she would last.

"Hey, why don't we get out of here?" Garrett asked leaning into her to whisper.

"I don't want you to cry." He added and she sighed as she looked at him. He gave her a weak grin before pecking her lips. She didn't have to verbally agree, it was like he already knew as he moved from the table, grabbing up her hand. He told the guys they had other plans and forgot and John didn't even say goodbye as they walked out.

"Gar, I just can't..." She began once they were far enough away. Garrett pulled her to a stop, stepping in front of her with a serious look in his blue eyes.

Tears began to fall slowly and he cupped her face, "Hey, ok, ok. Seriously, we can stop this. I can tell it's starting to get to you. It's fine."

She nodded as she sniffled and he pulled her in, "Relax. Everything's going to be ok. We will break up tomorrow or something."

She chuckled as she hugged him, pressing her face into his shirt.

"Thanks Gar. You're the best." She mumbled and he wrapped his arms around her.

"Well, you may be right about that."

She chuckled, "Does this mean if we break up I won't see you as much?"

Garrett spoke softly, "Of course you will. I've grown fond of spending time with you."

"Good, I like having you around."

He chuckled, "I can promise I'm not going anywhere."

She sighed as her mind went over the previous events. Maybe in a way she was giving up, but she needed to just come to terms with reality. Clearly John would never feel anything for her, especially if he was trying so hard with Shannon, so why not save herself the heart break? She would just end it now and try to get over him. As difficult as that sounded...