The Loner and Her

Chapter Nine : The Sweatshirt

Rosa knocks on Gia's bedroom door the following Saturday morning. She's fully dressed in jeans and a dark green cardigan. Her dark brown hair is tied in a pony-tail.

Gia groans from her bed, "Come in," she calls out.

Rosa chuckles to herself before opening the door, then walking inside. She finds her daughter slumped in her bed, her hair tangled, and her arm is over her eyes.

Rosa walks straight towards Gia's large bedroom window. She pulls the long white curtains open, causing Gia to groan again.

"Mom, the sun! It burns," she whines, leaning so far off the bed to get away from the blinding sun, that Gia accidentally falls off.

Rosa laughs so hard that she holds her stomach, as she topples over.

Gia sighs as she wipes her eyes, "Well, now I'm wide awake." She tilts her head up to look at her alarm clock on her night stand. She groans at the time, turning her head back to glare at her still laughing mother, "Mom! It's barely seven in the morning! And it's Saturday!" Then Gia furrows her eyebrows considerably, "It is Saturday, isn't it?"

Rosa finally calms herself down, nodding her head, "Yes, it's Saturday, honey." She walks over to pull Gia up, "Now, come on. We're going clothes shopping this morning."

Gia looks up at her mom, her eyes narrow, "But I don't need any clothes."

Rosa rolls her eyes, "Yes, you do. You went to a private school for three years. Most of the time you wear uniform. The only clothes you have are your summer clothes, and it's almost winter now."

"I have my sweatshirt," Gia mumbles.

Rosa sighs deeply, "Gigi, I know you're attached to that sweater- "

"I'm not attached to it," Gia says, defensively as she crosses her arms above her chest, looking down at her bed.

Rosa gives her daughter a blank stare, "You're wearing it right now."

Gia glances down at the gray sweatshirt, her cheeks now flushed.

She rolls her eyes, "Okay, so I may have a small attachment problem- but I can stop wearing it whenever I want to!"

Rosa shakes her head, "Then, today you and I will go shopping for new clothes and you can minimize your time with that sweatshirt." Rosa notices the frown on Gia's face. "I'm not saying to never wear it, honey. All I'm saying is, it's not healthy to constantly wear that thing. I know your uncle gave it to you- "

"Mom, please," Gia says, her voice slightly hoarse, sounding as if she's about to cry.

Rosa walks over to her, rubbing her shoulder, "Oh, Gigi. I didn't mean to upset you. I just thought it'd be best for you to start letting go of some things. I mean, you've changed so much over the last month since we've been here. You've actually made a friend- a boy even! Your grades are better, and you don't exactly hate school!"

Gia wipes her eyes as her silent tears fall freely, "It's okay, Mom. I understand why you're doing this. It's just hard, you know."

Rosa pulls Gia into a big hug, wrapping her long arms around her small daughter, "I know, sweetie. I remember when we first lost Carmine..." Rosa sighs, "Donna let his cell phone run for a year. Eight months straight, every night, I would call once before bed just to hear him on his voicemail."

Gia looks up at her mom in surprise, "You never told me that."

Rosa shrugs, "I was grieving. And I know you, you probably would non stop call and I couldn't have you do that. It wouldn't have been healthy for you....just like I realized after too long of a time, that it wasn't healthy for me, because I wasn't accepting his death."

"But- " Rosa cuts Gia off.

"I know wearing his old sweatshirt and listening to his voice, aren't the same thing, but, Gigi, why do you wear it all the time?"

Gia wipes at her eyelids, her face still flushed and voice now shaky, "I just....I feel like if I don't wear it....I'll forget him."

"What?" Rosa can't help but gasp, not expecting her daughter to say that.

Gia reluctantly nods her head, "What if I don't wear it? Then I can easily forget him, and he doesn't deserve to be forgotten! Plus, it makes me feel closer to him. Like, he's always with me. It reminds me of when I was little, and he would wear this specific jacket all the time," she touches the solid gray sweatshirt as a gesture, "I would lean against him as he let me lay with him on the couch. I always smashed my face into his chest because it was so warm..."

Rosa sighs, tears in her eyes, "Oh, honey," she shakes her head, "You could never forget your uncle, and he doesn't expect you to wear that jacket all the time. It's old now, honey. There's holes in the sleeves, a bleach stain under the arm, need I say more? Your uncle bought that thing for himself years before he gave it to you."

"I can't get rid of it," Gia says.

Rosa replies, "I'm not saying throw it away. I'm just saying you don't need to wear it everyday, honey."

Gia sighs heavily, "I guess....I guess it's time to go shopping for new clothes, then."

Rosa smiles, proud of her daughter for trying something new, "Great! Shower and get dressed then we'll head out to the mall in Crystal Springs." She says referring to the next town over.

Gia smiles softly, "Okay."  Then with that Rosa is out of her room and out of her hair, leaving Gia alone to quickly get into the shower. Where she tries to control her emotions the first couple of minutes, before she starts bawling silently to herself.

•••

Gia knows Griffin doesn't realize it when he's being completely charming or on the rare occasion, flirt with her.

At first, she didn't notice either. She thought it was just the way they connected, their friendship, but it wasn't until last Wednesday, when her mother brought up the subject to her, did she realize how charming Griffin Kane actually is.

Gia had a doctor's appointment with her new neurologist (for her migraines) and Rosa had to meet her there, because she didn't get off work until five minutes before the appointment, and the doctor's office is just right across the street from the hospital. So,  she had to ask Griffin, quite awkwardly at that, for a ride.

She remembers the look on his face when she asked him. His small smile had fallen off his lips and his eyes were not shining anymore. She had thought maybe he'd be busy, and quickly said, "It's okay, if you're busy. I can always just take the bus- "

He shook his head, "No, no. I'm not busy."

Gia's eyebrows furrowed, "Then, what's wrong?"

Griffin bit the corner of his lip, as he looked around the large library, "I just want you to be okay...."

Gia couldn't help but smile, "Awe, Griffin," his cheeks burned bright red and he looked away from her sheepishly.

"Cut it out," he said, not liking the attention and her teasing. "Don't make fun of me."

She reached across the table, and rubbed the back of his hand in comfort, "No, I'm not making fun of you. It's just sweet. I've never had someone other than my family care about me like that before."

Griffin remained frowning.

She spoke up, "I'm okay, you know. Nothing's wrong with me. I just get theses bad migraines that I take medication for. It's just a routine check up, since this is my new doctor," she shrugged.

Then, Griffin smiled again. "Good."

Later on when he had dropped her off that afternoon, he waited inside the waiting room with her until her mom showed up.

Rosa entered the waiting room to find Griffin sitting beside Gia. The two of them were both quietly looking over a magazine together. Gia kept giggling over random images as she pointed at them and Griffin would simply smile or smirk in return.

She walked over to them and smiled brightly, "Hey, kids."

"Oh, hey, Mom," said Gia, looking up from the magazine, then pushed it onto the table beside her.

Griffin stands up immediately, "Good afternoon, Mrs- I mean, Rosa," he said, awkwardly.

Rosa's smile reaches her eyes now, but they're also filled with concern, "How have you been, sweetheart?" She asked, in a motherly tone of voice.

Suddenly, Griffin blushed, embarrassed beyond belief, but still appreciated it, "Um, I'm just hanging in there, I guess," he shrugged. He didn't like talking about his mom much. He mostly spent time talking about school with Gia.

"I understand," said Rosa, leaning over to give his shoulder a gentle squeeze to reassure him that everything will be okay. Over the past few weeks she had grown quite fond of her daughter's friend and hates the pain he is feeling.

Griffin turned his head and looked down at Gia, "I'll see you tomorrow, Giules." He sends  her a subtle wink, before he turned on his heel, waved one last good-bye, and left.

Rosa smirked as she moved to take the seat Griffin had occupied before her. Gia notices the expression on her face and scowled, "Mom, stop whatever you're thinking right now."

Rosa shrugged as she grabbed a magazine from beside her, "What? I wasn't saying anything," she said, innocently. She flipped through the pages, barely glancing at them, "but," Gia sighed in response, "I think you and Griffin compliment each other very well."

Gia shrugged, but blushed, "Yeah. He's a great friend."

"You know," Rosa began, her voice sounded a bit mischievous, "He's quite the charmer, that one. He doesn't look like it, but under all that broodiness, you, my dear, find him very attractive."

Now, Rosa smirked.

Gia's eyes widened, "Attractive? Wh-What?" Gia stuttered, pathetically. "We're j-just friends, Mom. I can't find my friend attractive."

She could not find Griffin attractive! Isn't there, like, some sort of friend code? She thought to herself.

Rosa simply glance down at her daughter, "You like boys, don't you?"

Gia rolled her eyes, "Yeah. What does- "

"Then you're not blind, honey. He's a very handsome young man- "

"Mom!"

Rosa rolled her eyes, "You know what I mean, Gigi. Why is it so hard to admit that you think he's cute? You're attracted to the opposite s*x and your friend just so happens to be one. It's okay to be attracted to him, honey. It doesn't mean you have to like him." Rosa continued to smirk, as if she knew better than that, though.

Gia groaned into the palm of her hand, "Why are you talking about this with me? I feel awkward."

Rosa shrugged, "It's only because we've never talked about boys like this before. Well, celebrities don't count."

Gia started to remember all the small things Griffin had done that past three days they spent together. "Well," she spoke thoughtfully, "He does wink at me a lot. He even smirks, too. Believe it or not. And, sometimes, he just says things that are too smooth to sound out of Griffin Kane's mouth."

"He probably doesn't realize he's doing it, or even the effect he has on you, Gigi."

Then a thought struck Gia, I wonder what he'd be like when he's aware.

Gia sighs, as she remembers what happened last Wednesday. Her mom was worse than the girls at her school who gossip over the littlest things.

"Mom," Gia says, as the both of them make their way around the mall, "I think I have enough clothes now to last me until I start college," Gia laughs. She asks out loud, "Where did you get the money to buy all this in the first place?"

Rosa sighs as her and Gia walk into a small boutique, "Your grandparents. They don't like seeing you in that sweatshirt, Gigi."

Gia frowns, "Why?"

They both make their way over to a sale's rack, skimming through the outfits, "Because, honey," Rosa sighs again, "The sweatshirt is old and your grandparents think that at seventeen-years-old, you need to be wearing appropriate clothing. And well, they know your Uncle Carmine used to always wear that sweatshirt and they don't like seeing it around much."

"Oh," Gia says, suddenly feeling bad for her own actions.

Rosa shakes her head, "Don't feel bad, Gigi. It's just something your grandparents have a small problem with. They have their own issues over your uncle's death and they hate being reminded of it."

"So, they just want to forget?" Gia asks, shocked by the thought.

"Not forget, just...they don't want it to be constantly reminded in front of them. Gigi, it's hard to explain. I'll tell it to you when you're older."

Gia feels like changing the subject, so she does, "Um, there's something I need to talk to you about."

"What is it?" Rosa asks as her and Gia walk over to another sale's rack.

"There's this annual art show coming up."

"Really?" Rosa asks.

Gia nods, "Yeah, and- "

"Is this cute, Gigi?" Asks Rosa, as she pulls a short blue dress off the rack.

Gia smiles slightly, "I like it, Mom. Maybe get some white sandals with it. Anyways, my Art teacher asked me if I wanted to put one of my sketches I turned in for an assignment as a display."

Rosa's eyes widen and the dress in her hand suddenly drops. "Sketch? You draw, Gigi?"

Gia shrugs, nonchalantly, "Kind of. I've only ever done it privately or turned them in for assignments."

Rosa asks her, seriously, "Do you like it?"

Does she love drawing? It's always been an escape for her. Something she can do when she's upset or stressed out. She's never thought about how she felt about it, because she thought she was no good. But now? Well, she has a new outlook on her hobby.

Gia takes a moment, before answering, "Yeah, I really do."

Rosa squeals, pulling Gia into a bone-crushing hug, "Oh, honey! I'm so happy for you."

Gia smiles, hugging her mother back, and feeling genuinely happy. "Thanks, Mom. Me, too."

•••

They both ended up not finding much at the boutique. Gia bought herself a new bracelet, but Rosa is looking for something she can wear to a work party she was invited to by a coworker of hers.

"So," Gia smirks, "Will there be any boys at this party?" She asks, jokingly.

Rosa laughs, "Some male nurses, I suppose. Maybe a couple of doctors. I'm not too sure who's invited."

Gia raises her eyes brows, teasingly, "Glad you scored an invite then, Mom?" The two girls walk down the long walkway of the mall, and make a right to where another well known boutique is.

Rosa rolls her eyes, "I can be friends with men, too, you know."

Gia laughs lightly, "I'm just teasing you, Mom. I'm glad you're getting out and having fun."

They both enter the boutique, glancing around, looking for anything that catches their eye.

When Gia goes down the shop and finds the jewelry section, she begins looking at the necklaces and ear rings. Suddenly, she hears a familiar voice behind the large jewelry display.

"No, Dad! I'm not doing it! I don't care about- No, Liam will be there! You don't even like him- Whatever, you're not making me do anything I don't want to do!" Then the sound of stomping against the hardwood floor echoes through Gia's ears and she doesn't hear Lexie's voice again.

•••

On Sunday morning, the sound of the doorbell ringing shocks both Gia and Rosa, since the two weren't suspecting any company.

Rosa opens the door, her eyes go wide at the sight of two police men holding up a hazy looking Griffin Kane.

"Uh, hello," Rosa says, awkwardly, and clearly showing her surprise.

Gia stands behind her, a gasp makes its way from her lips. What's is Griffin doing at her house with the cops? Looking like he's completely out of it as well?

The cop with the mustache on the left side of Griffin spoke first, "Does this kid live with you, Ma'am? He said this is his house."

Clearing her throat, Rosa says, confidently, "Yes, he lives with me."

Gia tries to hide the shock from her face, surprised her mom would lie to the police for Griffin.

The cop with no mustache says, "He's eighteen, ma'am. We could've took him in for underage drinking, but we decided to let him off with a warning. He's lucky, though. If we catch him again, he's going down to the station."

Rosa nods cutely, "Yes, of course. Thank you, both. I'll make sure to have a word with Griffin on this behavior. He isn't like this, you know," she says, acting as if she's taken care of him his whole life.

They finally let Griffin go, and he enters the house, quite slowly and a big shaken up. After a couple of more minutes of speaking with Rosa, the police finally take off, leaving Griffin alone with Rosa and Gia.

Rosa shocks the two teens, "Griffin, would you like something to drink? Coffee for that hangover, maybe?

Griffin couldn't hide his surprise. He stutters. "M-Miss Moretti, I'm-I'm sorry that I lied to the police. I just couldn't go back home- "

Rosa sighs, grabbing Griffin by the elbow and seating him on the white sofa, "Don't worry. Although, I don't like what you did, I do understand. We'll discuss this later when you're feeling better, okay?"

He nods his head, hesitantly, before watching Rosa go off to the kitchen.

Gia takes the spot next to Griffin, making sure to keep a distance for him, "Are you okay?" She asks, the face-palms herself mentally. Of course he's not okay!

He puts his elbows on his knees, dropping his head into his hands, "I screwed up. All I ever do is screw up."

Gia leans closer to him, whispering softly, "What're you talking about?"

He shakes his head, "I screwed up. I went out drinking last night cause it was Mom's birthday and I needed to forget it. Then I just- I messed things up with you now. Your mom will never let you see me again, and I finally felt like something good was happening to me- "

"Hey," says Gia, rubbing his back comfortingly, "My mom would never forbid me to see you. She's not like that." Neither of them realize the sudden contact, both into the moment, "It was your mom's birthday. The first without her." Gia shrugs, "I get it."

Griffin sighs, not saying anything else on the matter. From the corner of his eye he notices Gia's attire.

"You're not wearing your sweatshirt," he speaks the obvious.

Gia feels suddenly insecure in her white v-neck and blue jeans. Her mother was about to take her to breakfast and then to the movies, they both wanted to see a new romantic comedy that had just came out.

She bows her head down, scratching the back of her neck lightly, "Um, yeah. Thought I needed a bit of a change, I guess."

"I liked the sweatshirt."

Gia blushes, looking anywhere but him, "Why? It had holes in the arms, and did you ever notice the bleach stains?"

Griffin shrugs, "It was you."

She looks up at him, her hazel eyes meeting his blue ones, "So, you don't like me...like this?"

Griffin smiles slightly, even though his head was pounding like no tomorrow, "I like you either way, Giules. Just don't change, okay?"

Gia can't help but smile in return, her hand still on his back, "Never."

And that's what Rosa walks into the living room on. A smile forming on her lips at the sight.