You Have My Attention

"Are you um, going to come back with me or..." Garrett asked since he was now driving her car.

"Oh, well, I probably should get home." She replied softly and he simply nodded in response although the disappointment was now showing on his face.

Once he parked in his driveway he looked over at the girl.

"Am I going to see you before I leave?" He asked his eyes now sad and she bit her bottom lip.

She nodded, "I'm sure so."

A frown hit his lips and he simply climbed from the car. She got out quickly and walked over to the driver side where he held the door for her.

"You're sure as in that you'll see me out or sure as in you'll spend time with me?" He asked seriously.

"I don't know, Gar."

"This is bullshit you know, right? I mean, what does me leaving have to do with us? Can we not communicate when I'm gone?" He asked clearly angry as he ran his fingers through his hair.

"One, you didn't tell me and two, sure we can communicate. They do have technology for things that."

Garrett rolled his eyes, "Then why can't we hang out?! I just don't get it. So we can talk and what not when I'm gone but why not now?"

"I didn't say that!"

"You're implying that. I'm not stupid."

"I just prefer not to get my hopes up."

He raised an eyebrow at her and she shook her head, "I've gotta go. John's waiting for me."

She climbed into the car and he moved back so she could close the door. He just stood there and watched her drive away. How could such a perfect day end so horribly?

"John O'Callaghan get your ass over here now." She shouted across the yard as she hopped from her car. Tbeblonde boy was next door digging through his truck and his head shot up as he looked over at her and she stood on the stairs of her porch with her hands on her hips.

"What?!" He groaned as he crossed the yard,"What could I have possibly done when I haven't been around you?" He questioned as he stepped to her.

"Why didn't you tell me you're leaving next week?"

A groan escaped his lips, "Shit. I honestly forgot. Did Garrett tell you?"

"Oh no. Nick had the pleasure."

John frowned, "With Garrett there?"

She nodded and he sighed, "Great. Don't be mad at him. He probably assumed I told you."

"He apparently did but still, don't you think that's something we should talk about?"

"Yeah but fuck Remi, all this shit has just unfolded including you liking him so I could see where he's just in a happy mood and forgot. Were you mean to him?!" He asked sternly and she bit her bottom lip.

"Remi!"

"I wasn't mean!"

"But not nice clearly..."

"I just don't know what I'm doing with him and I don't want to get my hopes up. I really like him, John. And he's going to be gone for three months and I expect him to stay in contact with me when I'm nothing to him?" She spoke as she now paced the porch and he watched her intently.

"Rem, don't be stupid, ok? Garrett likes you. A lot actually. I know that to be certain."

"I mean, I know he does I just...wait, has he been talking to you, O'Callaghan?" She asked turning to face him and he laughed, "Maybe?"

"And you didn't tell me?"

"I love you Remi, but Garrett's my friend too so..."

"So you could secretly be talking bad about me?"

He laughed, "You know that's not happening." He replied, grabbing her keys to unlock her door.

"So what's been said?"

John smirked, "Now you're going all girl on me."

She shoved him into the house and closed the door behind them.

"Honestly nothing serious, but he does really like you. Don't just blow him off."

She sighed as she fell into the couch.

"Liking people is exhausting."

John laughed as he sat beside her, "I could have told you that."

"Seriously. What am I going to do when you're gone?" She mumbled leaning against him.

John chuckled, "Be the third wheel with Kayla and Nick."

She whined and he couldn't help but laugh, "And to think, at one point you thought I was just an annoying neighbor."

"You still are."

"Whatever; you still have me for a whole week."

She nodded and he spoke, "You know, spending a few of those days with Garrett wouldn't be too bad."

She rolled her eyes, "Ok I get it."

"Mhm, so..."

"Shut up. I'll text him ok?"

"Oh, damn you modern technology!" He teased shaking his fist in the air.

"Would you rather me call him, John? Why don't you tell me what to do." She replied boringly.

John threw his hands up in defense, "Hey, do what you gotta do."

She rolled her eyes as she relaxed against the couch.

"Maybe I should talk to him in person."

"Seems logical, but what do I know?"

She shoved him lightly and be chuckled, "Look, go see him in the morning before work. Give you both some time to cool off."

"I can't believe I'm taking advice from you of all people." She mumbled against his shoulder as she aimlessly stared at the television he was flipping through channels on.

"And I can't believe I'm still taking insults from you of all people."

She chuckled and looked up at him, "Just know, somewhere deep down I do appreciate and love you."

"Yeah, back at you. Now let's focus on The Hangover right now." He replied throwing his arm over her shoulders as they relaxed into the couch. She was certain she would be lost without the boy.

She eventually found herself drifting off to sleep to the sound of John's laughter and the movie playing. She was exhausted from the days events and even more so over Garrett. When she woke up the next morning John was asleep beside her. His head laid back on the couch and his mouth open. She couldn't help but chuckle as she pulled herself up, groaning from the pain now in her body. She was too old to sleep on the couch.

"John. Lay down." She spoke and he hummed as she tugged on his arm and he laid down taking up the whole couch now. She chuckled as she covered him up and she left him to sleep as she went to shower and get ready for the work day.

Once she was dressed and put together she walked back to the living room to see John now sitting up.

"Morning sleepy head."

He hummed something to her and she tried to fix his hair. A habit of hers really.

"I mean, you and Garrett have the worst hair I swear."

He glanced up at her, a smirk on his lips, "How many times have you seen Gar first thing in the morning?"

She smacked his head lightly and he growled at her as he rubbed the spot she hit.

"Go home."

"Nope. Gotta know what you plan to do to win back Gar." He replied placing his feet on the table.

"I have no idea."

"Go over and kiss him. It worked the first time."

She rolled her eyes as she picked up her phone and keys.

"Just lock up when you leave ok? And don't forget to put the milk up again or I'll pour the rest of it in your truck."

He waved her threat off and she left the house still unsure on what to do. She of course drove to Garrett's talking to herself. Trying to come up with what to say. Once she parked in his driveway she forced herself to the door and breathed in before knocking. She knew he would be up. If anyone was a morning person it was him.

Remi forced herself to knock on his door and she anxiously bounced on her heels. Of course the door opened, she knew he wouldn't ignore her but it was who was at the door that completely stunned her.

Catherine.

A chuckle escaped Remi's lips as she shook her head and stepped back from the door like it was on fire.

"Man, I really have to stop giving him so much credit."

Catherine didn't hear her as she stared at her with a grin, "Oh come on sweetie. Did you really think you had a chance compared to me? That's sweet. I'll let him know. He's not here right now."

"Actually, he never had a chance with me. That's the thing." She spoke with a wink before heading back to her car. She couldn't get away fast enough. What was odd was the amount of hurt she felt now stuck in her chest. Sure she had no claim on the boy but she thought they liked each other. Maybe she was the delusional one here.

She breathed in trying to control herself as she focused on driving back to her house, hoping that John was still there. She was suppose to be headed to work but that would just have to wait. She parked and sprinted inside and thankfully John sat on the couch with a bowl of cereal in his hands. He looked up at her and for some reason she felt herself crumbling.

"Rem, what happened?" He asked immediately sitting the bowl on the table and sitting up straighter.

She shook her head before basically throwing herself on him.

"Remi, what the fuck happened?" He repeated as he held onto her allowing her to bury her face into his shirt.

"I'm just stupid."

"No you are not." He spoke seriously as he pulled her back to look at her, "What did he say?"

"He wasn't there, but Catherine was..."

John's jaw immediately clinched and it's like those simple words ignited something in him.

"It's not a big deal..."

"What? Yes it is, Remi! He's an idiot! You're so much better than her! There's no excuse! I'm going to fucking murder him!" He shouted and she held him down, "Calm down!"

"No, no I will not. So you have one argument and he goes back to that girl? Bullshit."

She shook her head and he breathed in deeply, "I'm sorry. Are you ok? I really don't know what to do in these sorts of situations..."

Remi couldn't help but grin at him, "That was enough."

John frowned as he stared at the girl, "Remi, you deserve better. I'm sorry."

"Oh whatever John. It was my decision. No one elses but mine."

He sighed as he ran his hand through his hair, "I've gotta say something to him you know that, right?"

"It would be un-John like to keep your mouth shut."

He glared at her causing her to giggle.

"I love you." She mumbled wrapping her arms around him from the side. He embraced her before kissing her head.

"Love you too, girl." He replied in a girly voice causing her to laugh. Really he just wanted to make her feel better and since he didn't know how to do such he figured making a fool out of himself to hear her laugh would be enough.

"Look, don't sulk ok? Let me run to my house and change and we will go somewhere."

"Where?" She whispered and he shrugged as he climbed from the couch, "Wherever the wind takes us. That's the beauty of it. Call into work."

She chuckled and a smile hit his lips, "Be back in ten."

She nodded and watched him leave. He honestly had a way of making her feel better that's why she kept him around.