You Have My Attention

Luckily Remi finished just in time for Garrett to arrive. The doorbell rang right as she reached the living room. She breathed in before walking over and opening the door.

"Hey." The boy spoke, a smile now covering his face.

"Hi. Come in."

He didn't hesitate and she shut the door behind him.

"So tell me, Remi Quinn, how do you feel about zombie movies?" He asked falling onto the couch holding up several DVDs.

She couldn't help but smile, "I'm quite fond of them."

"A girl after my own heart. Ok." He said happily as she moved to the television to figure out the DVD player. She couldn't help but chuckle as she walked to the kitchen. She gathered up the essentials which included popcorn and beer and headed back to the living room.

He quickly stepped over to help her and she thanked him as he helped sit it on the table.

The pair sat on the couch and Garrett instantly opened up one of the beers. She held hers out for him and he chuckled as he twisted off the cap, "How do you ever drink without me?"

"John. John is pretty useful... occasionally."

He chuckled handing her the bottle back.

"Thank you."

He nodded as the movie began and she tried to focus on it instead of him beside her. As awkward and shy as he was, he sometimes came off as more calm than she was and that nerved her. Like now for instance, his arm was thrown onto the back of the couch, his free hand holding onto his beer all the while watching a zombie eat someone which, wasn't that pretty.

"You're not a normal girl." He finally said after a good half hour into the film.

"What does that mean?"

"It means, this is how I determined what type of girl you are."

"How? By watching zombie movies?"

"Yes and you Remi Quinn have yet to close you're eyes."

She glanced over at him and a smile crept onto his face, his eyes still on the screen.

"How do you know?"

"Because I've checked during the gory parts."

"Mhm, so what? I don't close my eyes and what does that mean?"

He shrugged, "Just makes you a bit cooler. That's all."

She chuckled as she looked back at the television. Once they had finished off several beers the movie was of no importance and Garrett seemed to have loosened up so they were talking about anything and everything.

"Next movie night will be at my house."

"And why is that?" She asked with a chuckle.

"Because, I have a hammock in my backyard!"

She laughed as she sat her empty bottle down.

"Done."

He grinned as she moved from the couch.

"Where are you going?"

"To get more beer."

"You really are my favorite."

She laughed her way to the kitchen where she grabbed what was left in her refrigerator. He thanked her as he opened one and held it out for her.

"So Gar. Tell me about yourself." She spoke as she relaxed on the couch, laying her head on his leg.

"What do you want to know?" He asked looking down at her. Clearly more confident with the beer in his system.

"Whatever."

He chuckled, "I don't know. I don't really like to talk about myself."

"Awkward. Right. I remember."

He glared at her and she giggled, "I'm kidding."

He began to play with her hair as the room grew quiet and for once she didn't find it uncomfortable. The alcohol could have been to thank for that, but it didn't matter to her.

"You're um, you're really pretty." He stated and she felt her cheeks heat up, "Oh. Thank you." She whispered with a grin.

His blue eyes seemed to be brighter than she recalled and she for some reason couldn't look away from him because of it.

"I guess, um, I guess I should go." He finally fumbled out. The typical him now reappearing.

"No." She spoke instantly and his eyes met hers.

"I just mean; you've been drinking. I don't want to be responsible for you getting arrested or dying." She retracted knowing if she didn't that would sound very creepy and as much as she wanted him to stay she didn't want him to think she was weird or something.

Garrett laughed as he looked around the room, "Ok, ok. I'll stay." He stated realizing he didn't even know where his shoes were.

She nodded as she stared up at him.

"Do you realize how cold it is in your house?" He finally asked and she chuckled, "I like it like that."

"Why?!"

"When you're trying to sleep and it's freezing and you're wrapped up in a million blankets. It's awesome."

"That actually doesn't sound too bad."

"Exactly! Come on." She said moving from her spot and climbing from the couch. He stared up at her causing her to chuckle as she grabbed his arm and pulled him up. She pulled him to her room and he knew if the alcohol wasn't taking over he would have been even more awkward than normal.

"I have..." She stated as she began to look through her drawer, "...here they are. These."

She stated holding out some basketball shorts for him.

"And who's are these?" He questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"My brothers." She spoke with laughter.

He seemed to be ok with that answer as he walked to the bathroom to change and while he was away she did the same. She was climbing into bed as he walked back in.

"Wait!"

He froze where he was and she giggled, "Turn the light out."

He rolled his eyes and did what he was told before finding the bed.

"Thank you."

"Mhm:" He mumbled as he got comfortable.

She turned on her side to face him and a grin hit his lips. He then realized how tired he actually was. She boldly reached out and brushed his hair from his eyes and for some reason, without an explanation, he grabbed her wrist and tugged her towards him. He then placed his arm around her waist and pushed himself closer to her until he could feel her breathing.

Although now a nervous wreck she pulled the blankets closer to them before relaxing her head against his chest. She knew if they were both sober this would not be happening but right now she just reveled in the feeling of it.

Maybe she did have a crush on the boy.

The next morning when she woke up, the night events seemed to immediately hit her. She cracked on her eyes only to see that no one was beside her. Did she make up last night?

She frowned as she laid on her back now staring at the ceiling. It was maybe too good to be true or maybe she scared him off.

A knock caused her to look over and John walked into her room.

"You know, I'm going to have to show you how to properly lock a door later." He spoke as he fell onto the bed beside her.

When no witty remark was said back to him he pulled up enough to look down at her.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Yes there is. I can tell."

She sighed, "I really don't want to hear your smart ass remarks right now."

He frowned, "Rem, you can actually talk to me you know?"

She met his eyes finally and breathed in.

"Is it about last night?"

She nodded and waited for her to continue. She finally gave in and spilled out the whole story to him. She needed to vent and since he was available, why not?

"Remi, there's something you have to understand about Garrett. He truly has the best intentions, but he's a very private person and not good at relaying his emotions. I promise you if he knew that him leaving like that hurt you he would beat himself up for days about it. He's just uncomfortable in certain situations and he probably didn't want you to feel awkward when you guys woke up."

"Yeah..."

"And Garrett does not tell someone they're pretty with or without alcohol so that should say something."

"I'm sorry I'm going all girl on you right now."

"Nah, it's not girl, it's being human."

She grinned at him and he fell back onto the pillow.

"Why don't you get up and get ready and I'll take you for breakfast."

"Deal."

Leave it to John O'Callaghan to make her forget about her problems. At least he was good for something.