The next day, on Friday evening, Garfield and Rachel were at Skyline Drive. Skyline Drive, was a drive-in movie theater on the south-eastern part of Jump City.

Hazy pastel colors from the sunset melted into the shadows of the evening. It was similar to melting crayons. The transparent, summer breeze was revitalizing and pleasant.

Rows of cars lined up as neatly as possible to get a decent view of the screen. With the windows half drawn down and the seats reclined slightly, Rachel and Garfield watched the film Solomone Kane. With a box of pizza, snacks, and soda, the two found their current position rather comfortable.

The hushed chatter of people, the crinkles of wrappers, opening and closing of car doors all mixed in subtly with the volume of the movie.

"Are you enjoying the movie? I hope it isn't creeping you out." Rachel speaks.

"Nah, not at all. I'm cool with dark fantasies, although they aren't my favorite. I'm more of an action or comedy guy."

"To each its own," Rachel noshes on the fresh, cheese flesh of her pizza slice. "I'm a sucker for psychological thrillers, horrors, mysteries, things like that. Every now and then, I'll squeeze in a cold case documentary."

Garfield slurps loudly from his can of Dr. Pepper, then lets out a relieved sigh. They watch another scene in silence before they converse again.

"I hear ya. Do you like soda? You can have some if you want, I've hoarded a stash in my trunk." he asks sweetly.

"Soda isn't my lane."

"Why not?"

"It tastes… spicy."

"It isn't spicy, Rae. It just has fizz." he does jazz hands when he says "fizz", which cracks her up.

"Right, yup."

"Here, have some of my Sour Patch."

Garfield offers the bag to Rachel, and she takes the cherry, blueberry, and orange flavors.

"You ordered a full box of plain pizza," he says while looking at the screen, "Good taste."

"Oh, yeah. I mean, I only got plain because I didn't know what toppings you liked. I could have asked." Rachel sighs.

"Don't worry 'bout it, it's no problem. What would have been a problem is pizza with any meat on it."

"Why's that?"

"I'mma vegan. Live by it, plan to die by it, too."

"Well, now we have a little knowledge of each other's preferences." Rachel smiles softly.

"Sure thing."

"In my opinion, I kind of like these drive thru's better than the actual movie theaters itself. You don't have people talking constantly, phone screens lit all over the place, and just… people." Rachel asserts.

"I getchya, but I do miss the theater popcorn, 'cause, whewww, it tastes good. I keep it to a minimum of going to one theater, because sometimes other places have popcorn that tastes like plastic."

Garfield youthfully sticks out his tongue, which makes Rachel laugh.

"Most times, if you get fruit punch from the theaters, at least the ones I've been to, it's so sugary, it's like someone poured syrup into your cup."

"I know, right? And I'm the type to get packs of candy on top of it, hehe. Man, all we're talking about is food, that's all my fault,"

He shoots a soft smile at the girl.

"How's work going so far?"

Garfield leaned in a bit, his attention and interest in his neighbor was more than obvious.

"It was alright. You know, work is work. You go in, go out. I wish I had something special to tell you about it, but it's pretty typical."

"Copy that."

"It's not too bad. My hours are pretty flexible, from the late morning to late afternoon. It's Herbal Magic, near Lexington Plaza. You know where that is, right?"

"Of course I do, Rae. I know this town is forward, backwards, upside down, and straight center. That's pretty neat, though. You're home before dinner, and you don't gotta wake up at the disrespectfully early hours in the morning."

"Yep. Although, if I had to wake up early, I wouldn't mind. I'm usually the first one up in my house."

Garfield replies, "I'm usually the last."

"Interesting. I usually need some "me time" before I start my day. Reading, meditation, a cup of herbal tea. Also, watching the sunrise, because I love those."

"My morning routine is staring at the ceiling and wondering how I've existed another day."

They both exchange a chuckle, then another gap of quietness slips between them as they observe a thrilling scene.

Rachel lets out a sigh, "Yeah. Work is going fine, settling in is fine. But, my boyfriend…"

"What about him?"

"He's just… a lot. We argue more than we talk, and he's always right," Rachel rolls her eyes, " I'm so frustrated about him, I don't even want to get into it right now."

Garfield sympathizes, looking her in the eyes when he speaks, "People have some egos, dude, I swear. Some people make relationships harder than it has to be, almost like a chore. I'm sorry you're putting up with that."

"It's fine, I guess. I kind of have to, anyway. I can't leave Ace if I try to." Rachel's mouth bends into a frown.

"You know, Rachel. My offer is still open."

His change of tone was noticeable.

"What are you talking about, Garfield?"

"I'm talking about me being your "quick fix". Think of it as a little relief from all of the stress you've been under."

"Uhh… sure, I mean, how does that work?"

Garfield's teal eyes scan over lips, up to her eyes, and when his gaze meets her mouth again, he glides his tongue smoothly through his own lips.

He pulls up the windows, turns on the AC. He presses a button on the radio system of the car, and the song Try Me by The Weeknd begins the play.

"Get in the backseat, and you'll find out."