Wasn't Meant to Mean No Harm

[Garrett Speelers]

Garrett walked down the street, spotting Faye a little ways ahead, just like they'd talked about. He'd gotten a call earlier from Faye and found out that she was going to be roughly the same place he was right about now and so he had asked if she wanted to grab something to eat while they were both out. She'd agreed and so here he was, finished working for the day and finding Faye when he would have normally been heading home.

He stuck his hands into the pockets of his torn and somewhat faded, though undeniably comfortable, jeans. His classic black converse tread softly on the ground as he walked. He had on a black t-shirt with white paint splotches intentionally spattered across the front. At least he hoped they were paint splotches and not "Sin City Blood". The shirt was covered by a torn black hoodie. He hadn't taken off any of his accessories for work at Hot Topic, though he was quickly fixing that problem. Off came the black choker and the fingerless gloves, quickly followed by the magnetic nose ring and into his hoodie pockets they went. He had the sense to not put on eye make-up. That was one thing he could never get into in that scene.

He pulled the cigarette he'd been smoking away from his lips and cast it onto the ground, smashing it into the pavement and grinding the ashes with the heel of his shoes. He let the last mouthful of smoke out about twenty feet away from Faye, he didn't need to give her cancer while he was at it. Once he'd reached her he came to a stop. He leaned forward to give her a light kiss on the lips. "Hey," he said, with a boyish grin. "You ready to get something to eat?"

[Faye Prewett]

Faye, as per usual, got up on her tip-toes to return Garrett's kiss. She was wearing grey shoes with a slight heel to them, but she was still several inches smaller than her boyfriend. She had on jeans, a simple pair that were slightly faded from being washed so many times but otherwise in good condition. As it was getting pretty chilly out she broke out her heavier coat, plain black, which she wore over a light pink long-sleeved top.

She could taste the lingering tobacco on his lips, but she was used to it. As a matter of fact, it didn't bother her at all. She thought at the beginning that Garrett's smoking would bother her simply because neither of her parents did, so she wasn't used to being around it. That wasn't the case at all, and now it was just another thing she associated with a smile. That lingering smell, or taste as the case may be, reminded her of Garrett and had quickly developed a positive connotation in her mind.

"Hey," she returned, a smile spread across her face. "I sure am. I feel like anticipating eating makes me more hungry than I really am, you know?" she observed with a laugh. "So where're we headed to? Craving anything in particular?"

[Garrett Speelers]

Garrett grinned glancing down the street casually. "I know exactly what you mean," he said. "All I had was a cheese pretzel on my break." He shrugged his shoulders at her next comment. "I didn't have anywhere in particular in mind," he said thinking about the nearest places. "We could stop at a fast food place. . .there's an Arby's nearby. I just want something close."

Unfortunately for Garrett his line of sight was not directed at the street behind them. Making his way towards them, his eyes glossed over with a murderous intent, was none other than Garrett's father. Spotting the two from across the street, he'd made a bee line for them. Unless his eyes were playing tricks on him in his old age, he'd seen his son kissing that girl. Now Garrett kissing a girl in and of itself wasn't what upset him. He might have been proud of the little fagot if he'd caught him at it. However, he'd told his son to stay away form that queer loving, slut. The last thing his little nancy boy needed was the influence of a liberal whore like that.

What's more he was supposed to be coming home. He'd said he was done work about 15 minutes ago and yet here he was, going against a direct order and meeting that that. . .he started to shake he was so mad. Garrett had the nerve to complain that he didn't deserve what he got when he so very obviously brought these things upon himself. If he'd just listened to what he'd said he could have gone on quietly with their estranged relationship.

Coming up behind the girl, the hell if he knew her name or even cared, he grabbed each of them by the shoulder and turned them around forcibly. "Well there, you little fagot," he said, his eyes narrowing noticeably. "I could have sworn I told you." Here he pause briefly to smack the back of Garrett's head with his open palm. "To stay away from the little fairy lover here," he finished, putting his finger into her shoulder to emphasize just who it was he meant. The smell of alcohol on his breath wasn't exactly unexpected, but still it was unwelcome.

Garrett rubbed his fingers along the shorter hairs on the back of his head bitterly, and glared at his father as he jabbed at Faye. "Leave her alone, asshole," he said pushing his hand away. He got a smack in the jaw for it, but nothing too terrible as far as he was concerned. Which didn't bode well for later on. "I'll deal with you later," he said, turning back to Faye. "Now I thought I told you to stay the fuck away from my son."

[Faye Prewett]

"Man cannot be expected to survive on cheese pretzels alone," Faye agreed in a very matter-of-fact tone, nodding her head curtly. "Arby's sounds delicious. I haven't eaten there in forever, and..."

Faye was mid-sentence when she felt someone behind her. She could sense his presence before she felt the hand on her shoulder, and both sensations were enough to make her breath catch in her throat. Faye felt him grab her sounder tightly and force her to spin around and face him. She nearly lost her balance on her heels but managed to keep herself upright.

"Hey!" she said instinctively, but it was a quiet protest, overpowered by his angry greeting to Garrett. She cringed at his harsh words but remained silent. She wasn't being addressed, and she didn't want to say anything and make life worse for Garrett. When he hit Garrett she felt herself wince as if the blow had been on her instead. She wanted to step in but knew it would be worse for Garrett later if she did. Why did this have to be so complicated!?!

Faye didn't even flinch when Garrett's dad poked her, but frowned at his words. Fairy lover? That's what she was to him? She shook her head as Garrett came to her defense. "Garrett, it's alright," she started to say, keeping her voice calm and level, but Garrett received a smack in the jaw just the same.

Finally she was the one being addressed. "Yes, Sir, you did tell me that. It's just that I care about your son very much, you see, and staying away is something easier said than done." There was a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips, the same one that thinking about Garrett always brought on, but she tried to force it away. Now was not the time for smiles. She was proud of herself for keeping her cool, even though her heart was beating a thousand times faster than it normally did. She just hoped that her fear didn't show on the outside. The idea of an adult hating her like this, being so outwardly hostile, was completely foreign to her. She knew she was in the right, but that didn't mean Garrett's dad would see it that way.

She shot Garrett a look that clearly stated she could take care of herself. She didn't want him stepping in and getting himself into more trouble because of her, not if he didn't have to. It seemed like maybe she really was bad news for Garrett. Would he be better off if they weren't dating?

[Garrett Speelers]

Garret's eyes belied the silent rage he was feeling. He hated everything about the situation. This was supposed to be home behavior. He was supposed to be able to escape from it all by coming out in public, not having to worry that when he turned the corner, he'd run into the jackass he was by law, still calling his father. Here he was taking it out on Faye, just because she was a liberal thinker.

He bit his tongue as Faye spoke, hoping she had some sort of plan of escape. He rarely talked to back to his father unless he knew he could beat him to the door. When she spoke about him, his initial instinct was to smile. It was more of a defiant gesture than he had meant it to be. He watched with bated breath as his father digested what Faye had said. He watched as if he could see the wheels turning inside his old man's head. "Now you listen to me, you little smart ass," he began, pulling her closer by the collar of her black jacket. "You stay the hell away from my son. The last thing he needs is your bullshit polluting his thoughts anymore. He's one step away from taking it up the ass, and you better not push him over the edge."

Luckily for Garrett, who'd been about to step in and try to pull him off her, two women passed by. They shot them a curious look, to which his father responded by letting go of her coat quickly and taking a step back. He chuckled loudly and dusted off the front of his sweater. "Just remember what I said," he said with a meaningful look at her. "I'll seeyou at home." He turned around and nodded politely at the two women before walking in the opposite direction the two had been heading.

Garrett waited until his father was a few feet away before flipping him off. He turned back to Faye, his head dropped a little more than it had been a few minutes ago. He lips moved for a minute, but no words came out. "--I'm sorry," he finally managed.

[Faye Prewett]

Faye chanced a glance over at Garrett, her look hopefully one of reassurance. She could handle herself here, she knew that, and she didn't want Garret to worry about her, or step in and get himself into more trouble. She listened as Mr. Speelers called her a smart ass, which she had to admit she deserved a little after her previous comments.

She tensed up visibly as he pulled her by the collar of her coat. He wasn't actually touching her, though, and she wasn't being harmed, which she viewed as a win in this situation. Being in public helped that, and she felt no fear. She kept her face as passive as possible as he pulled her closer, taking the few steps forward so that his face was only inches from her own. His breath reeked of alcohol.

She took a few deep breaths as he warned her to stay away from Garrett, that she was polluting his mind. Shouldn't he be happy that his son had a girlfriend if he was so afraid of him becoming a homosexual? She wanted to ask but knew that things would go away faster if she just kept her mouth shut and her raging temper under check. Her eyes flashed dangerously but she didn't betray her anger in her expression. She just nodded and didn't say another word.

As the grip on her clothing was released Faye took the opportunity to take two steps backward, flashing a quick smile at the two ladies. She didn't want a scene, really. Luckily for the both of them that was it, and Garrett's father left with one final 'threat'. Once he had turned the corner Faye turned back to Garrett.

His head was down and he seemed unable to find the words to say what he wanted to say. Faye felt a surge of pity. She knew how much his father embarrassed him, and she knew how much trouble he went through to keep the two of them separated, especially after their first encounter after the formal. She gave him a smile. She wasn't upset, she knew that he couldn't help who his father was!

"Don't be, it's not your fault! It's alright," she reassured him. "Really, I'm fine. I-" she started, but stopped. She didn't really know what to say. "I just don't want to get you into trouble, that's all."