Like To Be You |s.m|

01. He's Coming Back

"IZZY! You're getting a FaceTime call!" I heard my sister Olivia call from the other room. I was just finishing up in the bathroom but was curious to see who would want to FaceTime me.

"Who is it?" I could hear her and Aaliyah laughing at something. Once I entered the living room where they were sat on the sofa, I quickly realized they were laughing at whatever was on my phone. I could hear the FaceTime call go through, and an all too familiar voice on the other line. I took my time walking towards them because I knew who they were talking to.

"Hey, guys what's up?" I could picture Shawn on my screen right now, probably in some exotic place in Europe, sipping coconut water from a freshly fallen coconut.

Aaliyah had the biggest smile on her face but tried to cover it up in front of her brother. I mentally awed at the adorable moment and took a seat next to my sister, who was sat to the right of her best friend. When I took a peek at my iPhone screen, I realized I was wrong. Shawn was not sipping a coconut or anywhere tropical, it looked like he was on a plane.

"Nothing, just chilling at Olivia's house." At the mention of her name, Olivia popped her head in front of the camera.

"Hi, Shawn!" They always get excited to see him, I do too. For me, it's for a couple different reasons. It makes me so happy to see him so successful and doing what he loves, my heart just swells when I see him happy. I also miss him, I haven't seen him in about a year. His family travelled to LA not too long ago and brought Olivia with them for one of his shows. I, unfortunately, couldn't make it. I had college midterms that week and couldn't leave, even though I really wanted to.

"Hey, Liv. Where's your sister, by the way? Isn't this her phone?" I could hear his laugh and wanted to see his face but I also didn't want to interrupt their time with him.

My sister side glanced at me with a laugh before answering Shawn. "Yep, we stole it. She's right next to me."

"Oh, can I see her too?" I moved in closer so he could see my face and I could see his. We smiled at each other, he waved, and I waved back.

"Hey, Shawny-boy." I couldn't contain my joy, my lips started to hurt because I was smiling so big. He rolled his eyes at my nickname for him and laughed.

"Hey, Izzy-wizzy! I feel like I haven't heard your voice or seen your face in years!" I tried to take in his appearance, trying to see how much he's changed since the last time we saw each other.

He looks older, more mature. I notice stubble on his chin and bags under his eyes, but somehow he still looks amazing. I've always been jealous of him for being so photogenic.

"Well, it has been a year." Aaliyah spoke before I could, knowing that it pisses Shawn off when we talk about how long he's been gone. He tilted his head back and sighed.

"I knoooowwww, Liyah. Thanks for reminding me. I'm sorry I haven't been back to visit but I'm just really busy." He looked upset, I lightly smacked Aaliyah's arm for stressing Shawn out.

"Ow!" I glared at her as a warning to not bring it up again and she rolled her eyes but nodded. She understood more than anyone how hard it was not having Shawn at home, and I fully understand that she has the right to be mad, I get frustrated by it too. The biggest thing that upsets me is that if we want to see him, we have to be willing to adjust our schedule, leave our lives behind to catch up with his. As much as I want to see him, I can't leave my studies behind. I have a dream too, and I have made the decision to not leave it to accommodate to Shawn's.

Before the silence became too hard to bear, I smiled and replied, "it's okay, Shawn. We understand."

He smiled back, and I could tell he was tired. "Thank you, Iz. I was thinking, actually."