A meeting place (Garrett!)

[Faye Prewett]

Faye was scared. She had never found any reason to go against her parent’s wishes, because up until this point they had never demanded anything foolish from her, or denied her anything without good reason. That all changed after she had come back from the Homecoming Dance, however. Her dress had been ripped, her shoe broke, and her arm cut and bleeding… all thanks to her run-in with Garrett’s father on their way to the diner for a bite to eat.

She had tried to explain this to her parents, who immediately freaked out over her appearance after she’d arrived home, but nothing could be said to calm them down. They insisted that anyone coming from such an abusive household would end up with the same horrible abusive habits, and they banned her from seeing Garrett again.

Of course, Faye would hear nothing of it. She hadn’t told Garrett yet, either. She knew that she should, but it never really seemed like the proper time. She didn’t want to ruin anything good that may come of what seemed like a budding relationship between the two of them. She figured that maybe she’d tell him while they hung out now, meeting at the park and seeing where the day took them from there.

[Garrett Speelers]

Garrett walked past a maple tree who's leaves were a bright shade yellow with a hint of brown creeping in amongst them. He saw Faye waiting near the pond and smiled despite himself as he looked at her. There wasn't much he found to smile about in his life, and now that she was in it. . . well it was like a breath of fresh air in downtown New York.

He wrapped his fingers around the sleeves of his grey and black striped woolen sweater. It was think but made of a rough material, nice for the cool late fall weather. He ran a finger through his trademark messy hair, and stood across form her.

He wasn't exactly sure where he stood on an emotional level with her. They'd gone to the homecoming dance together, and kissed in his car, and she still wanted to see him after she'd met his dad. He considered like a girlfriend, but he'd never had real luck in the girl department and feared he might be reading the signs wrong. . .but they'd kissed. . .

"Hey," his deep voice greeted her. "What's up?"

He figured she'd want to talk, why else would she want to meet outside in the cooler weather?

[Faye Prewett]

Faye had dressed appropriately for the weather as well, but brought her hands out of her pockets as she turned to greet Garrett. Her sweater was a golden yellow color that brought out her darker hair and eyes nicely. Worn over a simple plain white t with a pair of blue jeans and her favorite fake-converse, she was just cool enough to enjoy the weather. Fall was always her favorite season.

"Nothing much... nothing important, really," she corrected. There was a lot going on in her life right then, just nothing that really mattered. Not at that moment, when she was just glad to see Garrett with a smile on his face. She realized after the other night just how hard things must have been for him, and so every time she saw him smile she knew how much that meant.

"I figured we could just... walk, for a little. Around the park, or go downtown, or something..." she wanted to figure out where the two of them stood so that there was no uncertain ground, but she didn't want to come right out and ask it. What if Garrett didn't want a relationship? Or, even worse, what if he liked someone else? After all of the drama with her parents over their first 'date' she hated to think it might have all been for naught. "Unless you have somewhere you have to be, or something," she added.

[Garrett Speelers]

"Downtown or around sounds nice," Garrett said, stuffing his hands into his pockets out of habit. His shoulders slouched slightly, to make up for their height difference: he did that with everyone he knew.

"No, I don't work today, so I've got plenty of time," he assured her quickly.

He took a hand out of his jeans, and hesitated before scratching the hairs on the back of his neck awkwardly. He turned so that he and Faye were facing the same direction and let his hand slide back down to his side to dangle within inches of Faye's. Should he take it, or would she get freaked out? He sighed and mentally scolded himself. He could hear Pat's voice in his mind : Christ Garrett, grow a pair already. He let his fingers lace with hers and hoped for the best.

"So. . .how've things. . .been?" he asked.

[Faye Prewett]

Faye was glad that Garrett didn't seem to mind her choice of walking place. She knew that she hadn't been terribly specific when she called him up and asked him to meet her in the park, but the truth had been that she really didn't know what she wanted to say or do. She was pretty much winging this whole situation. Of course, she wanted to know where they stood relationship wise. Things could go either way after their last encounter after the dance. And she thought it would be only fair to warn him about her parent's overreaction, but... other than that, she really justed wanted to spend time with him outside of school and the ever-watching eyes of Justice and Prudence.

Downtown or around sounds nice. I don't work today, so I've got plenty of time,"

Faye nodded, her mood improving a bit once she realized that their meeting wasn't going to be rushed at all. She noticed him slouching a bit, and was suddenly glad that she had inherited her father's height genes... Faye stood at about 5'10", which meant that she wasn't too much shorter than Garrett. Not as much as most other girls, at least. In heels, they were about the same height.

"Well, that's good," Faye said, assuming that a day off of work was a good thing, despite the fact that it implied less money. She had been looking for work, hoping to get a decent job before all the college kids came back for holidays and breaks, but so far she hadn't gotten much luck.

That was when Garrett's fingers intertwined with hers. For a split second Faye could feel her entire arm tense up, having been unprepared for the action. He was holding her hand! She could feel goosebumps rise on her arms which she attributed to the cold weather as she wrapped her own fingers around his hand, squeezing his hand ever so slightly as a sort of 'it's cool' signal of approval.

"So. . .how've things. . .been?"

"Fine," she said, the reflexive response leaving her mouth without a second thought as they started walking along the edge of the pond towards the path that led to the streets. Faye opened her mouth to say more but stopped, knowing that if something was bothering her it would come out eventually.

"Except... my parents may or may not have forbidden me from seeing you ever again. But other than that, pretty much same ol', same ol'," she said as casually as possible, looking up at Garrett's face to gage his reaction. Her grip on his hand got a little tighter without her realizing it...

[Garrett Speelers]

Garrett could feel relief wash over him as she interlaced her fingers with his as well. Maybe this whole prelude to dating thing wouldn't be so hard, after all. Of course, that thought was shattered when Faye mentioned her parents had forbid her from seeing him.

He stopped walking mid step and turned instead to look at her, his brows furrowed in confusion.

"Why would they do that?" he asked in a slightly hurt voice.

What could he possibly have done to offend them? He hadn't even met them yet.

[Faye Prewett]

Faye was surprised by how comfortable she felt just walking hand-in-hand with Garrett. She hadn't really held a decent serious relationship before, obviously dismissing middle school romances and that one two-month relationship in 10th grade. She had been afraid that she'd be nervous and awkward in this pre-dating thing, but she had obviously been wrong. It was amazing how natural this felt.

She had been a little lost in her thoughts, just walking along, when she felt a tug on her arm. That tug was from Garrett, who had stopped walking at her previous comment. She knew that she had to tell him, and had hoped that he would take the news well - or at least without overreacting - but it seemed like she had been hoping against reason.

She was forced to stop walking as well, turning to face Garrett.

"Why would they do that?"

Faye gave Garrett a reassuring smile, catching the hurt tone of his voice. "It's nothing... stupid, really. They just... overreacted a little after I came home from the Dance, that's all," she said, knowing that once he thought back to her appearance at the end of that night he would understand what she meant. "I tried to tell them I fell, but my father's always been able to see right through me. I'm a horrible liar," she added, almost apologetically.

[Garrett Speelers]

Garrett should have figured that something like this would happen. That somehow he would manage to fuck it all up. His stupid father, and his stupid house. He hated living there, and now his father's abuse hadn't just ruined his life, it had ruined Faye's too.

"I knew going home was a bad idea," he muttered dully. "Sorry about you're parents, y'know forbidding you. . . and the whole. . .incident."

He smiled sheepishly and again scratched the back f his neck, something he was often in the habit of doing when he got nervous.

[Faye Prewett]

The only thing that Faye could think of was that she never should have told Garrett about her parents. She should have just pretended everything was fine, but noooooooooo, she had to be stupid and mess up any chance she had at getting Garrett to ask her out.

Of course, the rational side of her mind reminded her that she had done the right thing. Eventually he would have asked to go over to her house, or her parents would have seen them together somewhere, and then she would've been caught in her lie by omission. No, it was better that she got everything out in the open before it had a chance to snowball.

"I knew going home was a bad idea. Sorry about you're parents, y'know forbidding you. . . and the whole. . .incident."

"You-" Faye said, staring up into Garrett's eyes fixedly. "Have nothing to apologize for. I had a great time at the dance! And the diner was a blast," she added, thinking back to their kiss in the parking lot. She wasn't really sure what more to say, mainly because she wasn't sure what was really the situation here. Were they dating? Just friends? Was it just a kiss, or was it more than that? What kind of a relationship was at stake here?

"As for my parents, well, I should be apologizing to you. They have no right to judge you based on... on what happened. You're not your father... I know that," her tone was a bit more quiet now, more sincere. She wanted to make sure that Garrett realized she didn't care what her parents thought. She was really starting to like him... she just wished she could read Garrett's mind and figure out what he thought about all of this.

[Garrett Speelers]

((About his height thing . . .he's 6'2" so he has a tendency to slouch no matter who he's with. I just like adding it in there cause I notice that about tall people. . .I do it and I'm not even all that tall.))

As Faye told him he had nothing to apologize for, he actually felt a little better. At least she didn't blame him for it. . .of course he would still blame himself and his father for the situation. He wished he had a decent family, a father who would have welcomed him home after the dance, asked him about his night and greeted Faye with open arms. . .instead of the palm of his hands.

He still couldn't believe Faye wanted to come and talk to him after seeing and experiencing all that. He'd thought about asking out one girl once before, but she'd taken one look at the bruises on his neck and cheek and thought better of him. He began fiddling with the pack of cigarettes in his jean pockets, but was determined not to smoke one right now.

"As for my parents, well, I should be apologizing to you. They have no right to judge you based on... on what happened."

"I don't blame 'em," he told her honestly. "They're just looking out for you."

"You're not your father... I know that."

He smiled again, more of a lopsided, half grin, but it did wonders for his face. This was one of his biggest fears: becoming the man he hated. He knew he had a temper/anger issues that he dealt with, but he controlled them: he never wanted to be the man that beat people for no reason.

"I--- thanks," he said, making as if to start walking again.

Her saying that meant a lot to him, more than she could probably know. It was nice to hear it from someone who wasn't Patrick, from someone who knew almost exactly what his father was. He relaced his fingers into hers ((I know I never said he let go, but it seems weird they'd have been holding hands through that)).

"I guess it doesn't really matter. I mean I know he was subtle about it, but my dad doesn't really like you either," he said, attempting to lighten the mood. "But if it's and consolation, my brother thinks you're all right."

[Faye Prewett]

Faye wondered how Garrett would react to her reassurances. Would he put so much blame on himself that they would have no hope of starting a relationship? She hoped not... it seemed like they had so much potential! At least, she thought so. As of now neither of them had mentioned anything about their shared kiss...

"I don't blame 'em. They're just looking out for you."

"Yeah, well, it wasn't your fault. And they should know me well enough to trust my judgment, you know?" Her voice took on a helpless tone. She knew there would be no making her parents see reason on this one, but they had gotten along so well for the past 18 years! She hated to turn their relationship sour this late in the game...

"I--- thanks,"

They started walking again and Faye was glad to feel Garrett's palm press against hers. The warmth was comforting. She hoped that he knew she meant the words that she said, because despite everything that had gone wrong she still found herself falling for him more each time they got together. She hated having this crush and not knowing what it meant or where it was going...

"I guess it doesn't really matter. I mean I know he was subtle about it, but my dad doesn't really like you either,"

"You think?" she joked, glad that he was trying to make light of things rather than dwelling on them. Perhaps they could ignore everything that had happened... but she knew that this was wishful thinking. It was kind of hard to ignore.

"But if it's and consolation, my brother thinks you're all right."

"Really?" Faye asked, surprising herself with how much she really did care about his brother's opinion of her. She usually wasn't out to impress people, but she was glad that someone in Garrett's family liked her. Kind of.

"Wait, what do you mean 'things I'm all right'. Just all right?"

Faye laughed. She knew that they were both putting off talking seriously about anything, but small talk was quickly dissolving...

[Garrett Speelers]

Garrett smirked slightly at her supposed indignation at Patrick's judgement.

"Hey 'all right's' a big deal for Patrick," he assured her. "Especially since he's never actually met you."

He hesitated again, but only briefly. . .he knew if he wanted this to go anywhere he' have to eventually bring her to meet his brother, but if she didn't want to. . .

"I mean you could come over and meet him with me sometime if you want," he offered. "I mean, it's kid of a shit hole at his place. . .cause he's only working the one job, but it's kind of like my other home and I swear he won't get violent or anything."

((ps I'm not we'll have to post there or anything I'm just looking for shit to talk about. I warned you Garrett's awkward about girls))

[Faye Prewett]

Faye realized that she didn't know a whole lot about Patrick. She was glad that he seemed to like what he heard about her, though. She also realized that this meant Garrett was talking about her to him. This was both exciting and scary. She was glad that she had made such an impact with her friendship that she was worth discussing, but scared because she didn't know what Garrett was saying about her.

"I mean you could come over and meet him with me sometime if you want. I mean, it's kind of a shit hole at his place. . .cause he's only working the one job, but it's kind of like my other home and I swear he won't get violent or anything."

Meeting his brother? She couldn't help but wonder if this was starting to get serious... this was meeting his family. But still, no mention of actually dating. Were they a couple, or not? She didn't want to be the one to ask, but it was becoming increasingly clear that Garrett wasn't comfortable enough to bring it up either.

She realized that her silence wouldn't be appreciated, despite her current thoughts, and quickly recovered.

"I'd like that," she said. "I'm sure he's a great guy. Maybe we'll work on that 'all right' status," she added, laughing a little.

[Garrett Speelers]

Garrett chuckled slightly at her words, but he began to wonder if inviting Faye to meet his brother had been completely wise. Sure Patrick was probably his best friend in some ways, and a great guy. . .but to someone who didn't know everything about his family, Patrick might seem. . .well different. A bit of a smartass, foul mouthed, inappropriate, just the uh usual sort of traits. . .if it came to it, he hoped Faye would understand.

Of course things were moving along slowly with Faye, even he could notice. He was still in a bit of a state of limbo. He though the was being quite open with his emotions: kissing her in the car, going out to dinner, and now here in the park with her holding hands and making plans to meet his brother. Although he realized, that having never really opened up to others, his ideas of being obvious might not be so obvious to everyone else.

He didn't want to set himself up for rejection again though. He wished there was some way to know what the hell she was thinking. He cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Soo. . .," he began, fiddling with the cigarette pack in his pocket again. "How pissed off would your parents be if. . .you dated the freak son of an abusive prick?"

[Faye Prewett]

Faye watched Garrett's expression change slightly as he thought over her words. She wondered if perhaps he was thinking twice about his offer for her to meet his brother. Maybe he hadn't meant to invite her... maybe he had just said that without thinking.

Then again, Faye knew that the events that had unfolded between the two of them begged to differ. She was pretty sure that Garrett liked her, especially because of the holding hands. The kiss may have been a 'moment' thing, but if it really had been then he would've been tons more awkward about her asking him to meet in the park.

Her self-hesitation was put to rest by Garrett's next question.

"That depends on whether or not you just asked me out," Faye said, with a grin on her face. "In which case, the answer would be pretty angry - until they met you, of course - and yes."

She held her breath, waiting for Garrett's response, or any type of indication as to what he was thinking.

[Garrett Speelers]

Garrett had been willing to play it off as merely a hypothetical question depending on her response. Luckily for him, she had responded positively: she had. . .agreed. He tilted his head slightly, letting a few strands of his messy bangs fall across his forehead, and felt the left side of his mouth curl up into a smile.

"Yeah, I think it's safe to assume I just did," he replied, letting go of the carton.

He wondered what it would be like when the others found out. . .that he had a GIRLfriend. That he wasn't gay. . .

[Faye Prewett]

Faye hoped that she had correctly interpreted the meaning of Garrett's sentence. If she hadn't, then she probably just made a huge fool of herself and if things had been going well before they certainly would get awkward now. She was relieved, therefore, when Garrett smiled down at her. She took this as a good sign.

"Yeah, I think it's safe to assume I just did,"

She smiled back, taking a moment to fully comprehend what had just happened. She had a boyfriend. She was officially dating Garret Speelers. She wondered what her friends would say when she got to school the next day and told them... she couldn't pretend that she wasn't slightly well off, and while she didn't hang out with the 'popular' crowd all the time she was pretty high up on the social ladder. Not that this meant anything to her, but to the rest of the school her new relationship might be a bit of a surprise.

And then there was the small issue of her parents. She had to tell them, or else they'd figure out somehow and hate her more for not telling them. She dreaded to think how that would end up going over, but knew that once they met Garrett they'd understand. They had to!

"Good," she said, speaking to fill the silence. "And maybe sometime after I've talked a little sense into my parents' thick skulls you can come over and meet my family. I'll work on it - " she added hastily, so that Garrett didn't think she was backing out of the relationship just because her parents wouldn't approve. She would make this work... she had to. They had to.

[Garrett Speelers]

(((ooook didn't know she was higher up on the social pyramid than my poor little maltreated rebel, lol))

Garrett grinned, not as bothered by her parents not liking him anymore. Sure that was kind of a damper on things, but if she was willing to defy them, he was ok with that. He was still adjusting to this whole idea: not only did he have a girlfriend, but he had a girlfriend who didn't care what others thought about her, or rather didn't care what they thought about him.

"I'll leave that up to you," he said to her working on her parents. "I generally avoid exchanges words with my dad. . .so don't be surprised if he doesn't want to invite you over for dinner."

[Faye Prewett]

((ooc- I mean, she isn't super-popular, but she knows a lot of popular people. She's on lots of committees, so she's probably friends with all the girls who plan dances and events and such... and most of those girls tend to be popular. lol))

Faye knew that she was taking a huge chance with this relationship. Her parents didn't like him, his father didn't like her, and she hadn't even met his brother yet. There were so many things working against them, but somehow she felt as though they could make this work. After all, she liked him, and that was all that mattered. It might be a little more work than it should be, but she wanted to at least give the two of them a try.

"I'm sure I won't mind," she said. "Who knows? Maybe both of our parents will have some sudden flash of insight and see the error of their ways." There was a pause. "Or not..." She smiled. "But I guess that doesn't really matter, does it?"

There was a sneaky smile on her face at the prospect of having to sneak around her parents to be with Garrett. It was exciting. She had never done anything like this before.

[Garrett Speelers]

Garrett highly doubted his father would ever see the error of his ways, but knew that Faye probably didn't believe he would either.

"Not really," he agreed.

Sneaking around wasn't exactly something new for him. He was used to having to sneak in and out of his house, having to sneak around when it came to hanging to certain places with his friends, so this wasn't exactly uncharted territory for him in that sense.

"So, any interesting stories about the ACS?" he asked, his mind being taken there by the thought of sneaking around.

[Faye Prewett]

Faye wondered if she'd be able to pull off a secret relationship. Perhaps she should just come clean with her parents and hope that maybe they would agree to give Garrett a chance. She knew that this was something she'd have to debate with herself and decide upon later. For now, she wanted to enjoy her time with Garrett.

"Nothing as of yet. I think Prudence kind of forgot about me since I was never very good friends with anyone she cares about. I'm always just on the border of every group, it seems. But I offered to help Prudence plan the next meeting and put up flyers on lockers, so that should count for something. What about you? Making any progress in reforming your sinful ways?"

[Garrett Speelers]

"Lucky you," Garrett said with a jealous chuckle. ((assuming that's possible)) "I had to stage an apology with Desmond the other day while inflating Justice's ego by pretending we didn't know she was watching. Now I'm supposed to stop Cynthia and Desmond from teaming up and spy on the GSA meetings."

He gave an exasperated sigh and ran his free hand through his wind blown-looking hair.

"So nothing too complicated," he said.

[Faye Prewett]

Faye listened, and wondered why she hadn't been given all of those things to do. It didn't take her long to realize the answer.

"They don't trust you as much," she pointed out. "Prudence is only giving you ridiculous things to see if you'll do them all, and keep up with everything. More pressure for you to screw up under. It seems as though they still don't care either way about me..."

She shrugged. "I'll figure something out. Either hang out with Desmond and Cynthia more to get Prudence's attention, or appeal directly to her for help. Let me know if you need any help, though," she added sincerely.

[Garrett Speelers]

"They don't trust you as much."

"No surprise there," he said with a soft chuckle. They had good reason not to trust him. Hell if the roles were reversed he wouldn't trust them either.

"Prudence is only giving you ridiculous things to see if you'll do them all, and keep up with everything. More pressure for you to screw up under.

"Great just what I need, more pressure," he said sarcastically, rolling his eyes slightly.

Let me know if you need any help, though."

He smirked at her plans to try to become necessary to the ACS. He would have been much more content to have her trivial assignments, it would keep him out of the limelight and out of the danger that they might discover him and report to his father.

"You'll be the first to know, if I need any assistance," he assured her.

[Faye Prewett]

"No surprise there,"

Faye just laughed. "Yeah, you're right. I wouldn't trust you either," she said. "You're a sly one. Who knows what evils you may be planning?" She said with an evil, jokingly accusing tone.

"You'll be the first to know, if I need any assistance,"

"That's good to know," she said, glad that Garrett wouldn't hesitate to turn to her for help. Now that they were dating - God, that was so weird to think to herself - it was even more important to her that Garrett thought that he could count on her for things like that. That's what she was there for, after all.

"So... any plans for the rest of the night that might involve me NOT going home to face my parents so soon?" she asked curiously, then sighed. "I mean... unless you're busy. Homework or something? I should probably start my history essay, but it isn't due for three more days, so..." She really wasn't looking forward to going home and dealing with her parents, even though she knew that she really had to. Eventually. Even if she stayed out until one in the morning she was sure that both of her parents would be sitting in the living room when she came in.