"Oh, baby, you look hot." Was the first thing Aiden said when she saw Crystal. She just finished a lingerie photo shoot. When Aiden, her boyfriend, heard he immediately offered to pick her up after.
Crystal gave him a tight smile and went to grab a robe. He called her hot, not beautiful or stunning or gorgeous. Its like all that mattered to him at the moment was her body. The look in his eyes confirmed her thoughts. He's also been quite distant this past few weeks. He would cut FaceTime calls short. He would say he was busy when Crystal wanted to come over. And the second he heard about a lingerie shoot, he was there in a split second.
Crystal was tying her robe when Aiden stopped him. He stepped in front of her and moved her hands away from covering up her body with the robe. His hands found her bare waist and pulled her close. He placed kisses along her exposed neck. They would've been sweet kisses but it only made Crystal uncomfortable because they were people around them.
Before he could kiss her lips Crystal pushed him away with a hand to to his chest. "You're not busy today, A?" She tied her robe tightly indicating that she wanted him to stop.
"Nope. Wanna come over?" He was still latched on to her, hands on her waist to keep her there.
Crystal smiled widely at the idea. They hadn't seen each other a lot the past few weeks so she agreed in a heartbeat. "Yes! Can we cook something for dinner? I found this new recipe on Pinterest and I've been wanting to try it."
"Anything you want, babe." Aiden replied in a deep voice. He caught her lips in his before she can protest. Crystal wasn't a big fan of PDA, Aiden knew that. She pulled away and gave him a sweet kiss on the cheek before going to get dressed.
*
"Babe, do you want to help me in the kitchen?" Crystal called to Aiden who was in the living room watching TV.
"Eh. I'm alright, babe. Just surprise me with whatever you're making." He yelled back.
Crystal frowned. She thought the plan was they would make dinner together. She sighed just letting it go and made dinner in silence.
"Crystal, is that done yet? Im starving already." Aiden yelled a little while later.
Crystal thought he was being a little rude but concluded thats probably the hunger talking. "Yes. Im almost done." She grumbled pouring sauce on top of the pasta.
She had made fettuccine alfredo and had garlic bread on the side. She put the two plates of pasta and two glasses of wine on a tray. She brought the tray over to the living room where Aiden was lounging on the couch.
"Finally!" Aiden wasted no time and grabbed a plate and began eating.
"So what have you been up to lately?" Crystal tried to begin conversation. She grabbed her own plate and ate. Her body was turned to him. He was too focused on the show playing on the screen to respond to her. For a little while she let him be. Watching him eat his food and drink a surprising amount of wine in a short time. "Aiden?"
"What?"
"That's it! I think your being a little rude." She pointed out, finally catching Aiden's attention.
She watched him open his mouth like he was about to fire back but he closed it. "Well?" Crystal urged him to explain himself.
He put his plate down on the table. "Im sorry, baby. I've just been stressed lately." He explained but Crystal was unconvinced. She was an actress, she knew what lying looked like.
"Well, you can tell me about it. You cut short my calls. Sometimes you don't answer at all. I've barely seen you all week, Aiden. What's up with that?"
"Look, I was just busy, okay?" He let out an exasperated sigh and ran his hand through his hair in an irritated manner. "Crystal, can we just drop it? I don't want to fight with you."
"I'm not asking for a fight, Aiden. I'm asking what have you been doing lately. We're not filming for the show so you how are you busy?"
"If you don't have things to do doesn't mean that I don't either!" He groaned and rolled his eyes.
Crystal's cheeks burned up with anger. He was skating on thin ice by comparing their careers. She didn't want the situation to get any worse so she didn't say anything but waited for him to apologize.
When it didn't come, she got up, grabbed both their plates and stomped to the kitchen. His plate was empty since he was too busy eating and watching to pay attention to her. Her plate though had barely been touched. She hated wasting food especially if she made them but she had lost her appetite. She dumped the contents of her plate in the trash and began doing the dishes.
As she did the dishes she was trying to come up with ways how Aiden could have been saying the truth and he was indeed busy and ways that she was in the wrong. She couldn't come up with things that he could be doing since the cast was on break and usually they didn't schedule any work during break because those were the few times they are allowed to go on vacation. She only made herself even more upset.
She was so mad she didn't even hear Aiden walk into the kitchen.
"Im sorry." Arms wrapped around her from behind.
Crystal put down the plate she was holding and exhaled. She was still waiting for him to elaborate what he has been doing but instead he peppered her neck with kisses.
"Let me do the dishes. Why don't you take a shower or something? Relax. Get ready for bed." He suggested.
Crystal nodded and left his hold to go do just that. She went into his bedroom, grabbed a few of his clothes to change into after her shower.
She showered and brushed her teeth. She pulled on one of his t-shirts and slid a pair of his shorts through her legs. When she walked out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, he still wasn't there so she slid under the covers and laid on her side. There was no way she will be able to sleep with all the thoughts running through her head but she closed her eyes.
After a little while, the bedroom door open and closed as Aiden walked in. He first went to the bathroom to get ready for bed himself before he slid under the covers beside Crystal whose back was turned to him.
He scooted closer to her side hugged her from behind. Crystal noticed that he was shirtless. He knew she wouldn't be sleeping so placed kisses on her neck. "Babe, can we be okay now?" His voice pleaded.
Crystal rolled to her other side to face him. "You know you can talk to me when your stressed right? I just wish you'd talk it out to me instead of keeping it to yourself and then you lash out on me."
"I know, baby, I'm sorry." He gave her a shy smile hoping that they're okay. Her saw her smile back despite the room being dark.
"Is there anything I can do to relieve you of your stress?" She asked sweetly and held a hand up to his face.
"Just you being here is enough." He grabbed her hand and kissed her palm. Crystal smiled.
He dipped his head to hers and kissed her lips. She kissed back but didn't expect it when he didn't stop after one kiss. The thought of him missing her made her smile. Not long, his kisses became more forceful and heated. His hand travelled up her inner thigh.
"Aiden, what are you doing?" Crystal gasped.
"Shhh. Just relax, baby." He pulled himself on top of her and hungrily began kissing her neck. He kissed her jaw and traced a line of kisses until he found her mouth again. Because he was forcing his tongue in her mouth she was able to taste a hint of wine.
How much did he drink? He could have been drinking while she was gone and he was doing the dishes.
He travelled south and kissed along her stomach that became exposed as her shirt had ridden up.
His hands were on her body and stopped and the loose waist band of his shorts that she wore. He slowly stripped her of it that left her in her underwear and just his shirt with no bra underneath.
Crystal's heart was beating fast. She wasn't sure she was ready for this. "Aiden?"
"Yeah?"
"I don't think I-" She was cut off when he pressed his hips on hers.
Aiden groaned in pleasure. Crystal was breathing heavily getting extremely nervous.
He continued to grind on her and only stopped to touch and pleasure himself. Crystal was thinking that this shouldn't be happening especially with him being a little drunk.
He was back to kissing her neck again. His hands wandered up to her breasts. When she felt his hands on her like that, she knew she did not want this.
"Aiden, I think you should st—" Be didn't let her finish and covered her mouth with his.
As he kissed her hungrily, his hands squeezed at her breast that caused Crystal's leg to flinch and fly up. Instead of causing Aiden to stop, he was only encouraged more with the feeling of her smooth legs on his bare skin.
He pressed Crystal's hip down with one hand as the other worked on removing her underwear. His grip on her hip was definitely too strong.
"Aiden, stop. I want you to stop." She said more forcefully. She tried to shove him with by the shoulder but he wouldn't budge.
Aiden didn't listen and grabbed both her wrist in one of his hands and pulled them over her head. Like his grip on her hip, that was now probably bruised, his held down on to her wrists so strong that she knew they were also going to bruise.
"Relax, Crystal. I just want to make you feel good. Im relieving both our stresses, baby." He sounded crazy to Crystal but he didn't let her respond when he kissed her forcefully.
Crystal didn't kiss back. Her underwear had been slid down on the side. His finger dangerously close to her privates.
Crystal tried to violently move around hoping for him to cut it out. Aiden bit on her lip hard, she could taste blood. Her bleeding lip was the least of her worries at the moment as Aiden's finger teased her sensitive spot.
He took his mouth of hers and before his finger could advance another inch she shoved and kicked at him with all her might, successfully throwing him of her.
"What the fu.ck?!" Aiden yelled angrily.
Tears escaped Crystal's eyes as she scrambled around to gather her belongings.
"What the fu.ck, Crystal?! Why the hell are you crying?"
"Why am I crying?! Aiden, I told you to stop! I didn't want to do it!" She yelled pulling on jeans and her coat.
"Oh. You're such a fu.cking prude, Crystal!" Clearly the alcohol was full-on in control now. And then Crystal realized. Aiden had a temper, he always had. He was a genuinely sweet guy (or so she thought) but he always had the reputation of a play boy. How could she miss that? "Did you let fu.cking Shawnie touch you? Huh?"
Crystal's still crying eyes shot at him. Shawn would have asked repeatedly if she were comfortable unlike Aiden who completely ignored everything she said.
"Bet you didn't! Because Crystal Paige, who even though models for lingeries, is still a virgin." He mocked.
Crystal saw red despite the tears. She marched to him until she was close enough to slap him. And she did, hard.
Everything happened so fast. One second her hand had just collided with his cheek then the next she was pressed up against the wall with his hand enclosed around her neck. Crystal didn't know he had it in him to hit girls. Intoxication and anger issues were not a good mix.
There was a flash in his eyes as she pleaded them with her own eyes. She was able to kick at him but it was him who let go.
Crystal stared at him with fear in her eyes. She was frozen on her spot for a second but when she was able to recover she wasted no time and ran out the bedroom and for the front door.
As she ran, she heard his foot steps follow behind. She had never been so afraid for her life as that moment. Her hands shook violently as it tried to unlock the front door.
"Crystal, I'm sorry. I-I didn't meant to! Im sorry! It-it was just my temper. Crys, I am so sorry. I promise I wouldn't purposely hurt you!" He had caught up to her by the front door.
She felt a hand touch her shoulder and she flinched involuntarily. She turned to face him, tears made her eyes red. "Do not touch me! S-stay away from me!" She yelled but her voice quivered.
Aiden's heart broke seeing the fear in her eyes. He was suddenly aware of her bleeding lip, bruised neck and wrists. He fell on his knees in front of her but did not dare to touch her. "I'm so sorry, Crystal. I didn't meant to!"
Crystal finally unlocked the door and with a final look in his eyes she was out the door. She saw that there was only one car in the driveway and it was his. She remembered he had picked her up from work and drove them to his place. She wanted to get as far away as possible so she resorted to running. Thankfully she didn't see him follow her out.
When the house was no longer in sight, she paused and called the only person she was thinking of in the moment.
"Hey, its Shawn!"
"Shawn! Can you co-"
"You've reached my voicemail. Im sorry. I wasn't able to answer your call. I will try to call you back as soon as possible. Just leave a message if its urgent. Thanks!" Of course, it went straight to voicemail. Shawn wasn't even in town. He was still touring.
She couldn't help but sob. She remembered she could still leave him a voicemail when the phone beeped. "S-shawn? You're probably doing a show right now. Sorry never mind. Its nothing urgent." Halfway through speaking she remembered that her and Shawn were not in speaking terms. That was also her fault.
It was actually urgent. She just needed to at least hear his voice. She found herself calling and sending another one. "I lied. It is urgent. Please pick up. I just really need to hear your voice."
And another one. "You're probably still mad at me. Im sorry. I really need you right now, Shawn."
And another one. "Please? I need you—" She wasn't able to finish that one because she broke down in sobs.
After a while of walking, she found a bus stop. She rode the bus with her hood down, not knowing or even caring where it was going.
*
"Germany! Thank you so much! I love you! Good night, everybody!" Shawn yelled through the mic as he bowed in front of the screaming crowd.
He stepped down the stage with the biggest smile on his face because of another successful show. As he went backstage, he was handed a towel to wipe his sweat off with. People he passed by patted him on the back for another job well done.
He went into his dressing room and plopped on the couch. He was exhausted but he still had the adrenaline in his veins.
His eyes were closed as he calmed down. He heard the door to his dressing room open. Andrew, his manager, walked in.
"Nice job, bud!" He clapped him on the back.
"Thank you, Andrew. You too!"
Andrew smiled at the nice compliment. Shawn was always very appreciative of his team. But, his expression changed when he dug in his pocket and handed Shawn his phone.
Shawn saw Andrew's worried expression and was about to ask what's wrong when he saw the notifications on his phone.
13 missed calls from Crystal Paige
4 new voicemails from Crystal Paige
He glanced at Andrew as if asking if he knew what was going on. Andrew shrugged and left the room.
Shawn gulped not knowing what to do. He and Crystal were not on speaking terms. Was she okay? Was she finally apologizing for what she did to him?
His heart began beating fast as he nervously clicked on a voicemail she sent.
"S-shawn? You're probably doing a show right now. Sorry never mind. Its nothing urgent" She said that it wasn't urgent but he could tell that she had been crying.
He was suddenly worried and hurriedly clicked on the next one.
"I lied. It is urgent. Please pick up. I just really need to hear your voice."
"You're probably still mad at me. Im sorry. I really need you right now, Shawn."
"Please? I need you—"
His heart broke as he heard her sob. Something was definitely wrong. He tapped on her named and began calling her. He didn't even think about how awkward it would be since they haven't talked in so long.
"Sorry I'm busy right now! I'll call you back later. You know the drill! Leave one on the beep!" Instead, her enthusiastic voicemail answered.
"Crys, are you alright? I just got done with a show. Im so sorry I wasn't there for you. Where are you? Is everything alright? What happened? Tell me what I can do for y—" The machine cut him off.
"Alright, Shawn. The van is ready to head back to the hotel." Jake, his bodyguard, peeked in and said.
"Hold on, Jake. I need to call Crystal." He dialed her again but it went straight to voicemail again.
"Is everything alright?" Jake asked.
"No. I don't know. She tried calling me 13 times. She left a voicemail and she was crying." Shawn paced around the room as he called her multiple times.
"Shawn, she's probably alright by now. Come on, we need to get you to the hotel to rest. Flight leaves early tomorrow."
He called her couple more times but sighed and left with Jake.
He meant to call her again when he got to the hotel but he was so tired and jetlagged that he fell asleep calling her.
*
He woke up feeling guilty that he fell asleep and began calling her again.
Voicemail.
"Crystal, I'm getting really worried. Please call me back. Let me know you're alright."
He tried calling her every hour but he had to get on a plane soon.
He left her another voicemail saying the same thing: that he was worried, to call him back as soon as possible, and that he's about to get on a plane to Paris.
He also texted Crystal's two best friends who he hoped knew what was going on.
To Vivian Mitchell & Adelaide Kane:
S: I was doing a show and missed 13 calls from Crystal. She also left a voicemail and she sounded like she'd been crying. I've been trying to call her since last night. No one's picking up but I left her a voicemail. Im getting really worried. Do any of you know what is going on? Please check on her for me and let me know if she's okay ASAP! Im about to get on a plane to Paris but I will try calling her again as soon as I land.
He sent it quickly and pocketed his phone when the flight attendant came by and politely told him to put it away.
He tried to sleep during the flight. Falling asleep on the plane has never been a problem for him but he was too worried for Crystal to rest.
He tried to watch movies on the monitor in front of him to distract him but it only worked for a short while.
When the intercom announced that they will be landing soon, he bounced his leg impatiently.
After what felt like forever to go through security, immigration, and to get their bags he hopped on the black van that would take him to his hotel. He had to politely decline the fans that waited for him outside the airport apologizing repeatedly and explaining he was in hurry and it was an emergency.
He was finally able to check his phone.
Vivian: The cast has been on break for a few weeks. I haven't heard anything.
Vivian: called her and no answer.
Adelaide: went to her place and no one's there. Her car was there tho. I called Aiden to ask if he knows where she is he said he was just with her but they got into an argument and she left.
Shawn: why would fu.cking Aiden let her leave without her car?!
He was getting frustrated. Crystal Paige was missing!
Shawn: Addy, did you try calling her parents?
Adelaide: Yes, I went there too. She wasn't there and her parents said she hasn't been there.
"Fu.ck!" Shawn muttered under his breath angrily. Tears pricked his eyes at the thought of Crystal being in danger and him not being able to do anything.
"Shawn, is there a problem?" Andrew asked.
"Everything's the matter, Andrew! Crystal is missing!" He was crying by now. His eyes bloodshot and he pulled on his hair in frustration.
"What?!" Everyone in the van was shocked.
"It seems that I was the last person she called. Her and Aiden got into an argument and I guess she left his place without her car. Andrew, I don't know what to do!"
He's never cried so much that he had to have Jake dismiss the fans that had gathered at the hotel.
He politely asked everyone to leave him alone in the hotel room for now.
He cried some more when he couldn't come up with a place Crystal would be.
He cried until he fell asleep.
*
The next day, he came down to take pictures with fans hoping to get his mind off Crystal. Though, he had to wear sunglasses to cover up his puffy eyes.
"Im so sorry. I didn't come downstairs last night guys. It was an emergency." He told them with a frown.
"Its alright, Shawn. We understand." He was very grateful for his fans.
When he had taken a photo with the last fan and chatted with them for a while, he bid them goodbye and left. They had planned to do a little shoot by the Eiffel Tower, so thats where he headed. He still had to go on with his schedule. Being miles away from where Crystal could me, there wasn't really much he could do to help find her.
Josiah was taking pictures of him when his phone rang from Andrew's hand. He immediately ran to get it from him. He answered the call, forgetting to look at the Caller ID.
"Shawn?" He felt a huge relieve lift of his shoulders with just hearing the sound of her voice.
"Crystal! I've been so worried! Are you alright?"
"Im alright." He sighed in relief.
"Where are you? What happened? I've been calling you for 2 whole days Crystal."
"It's hard to explain through the phone. I'll need to see you."
Shawn groaned. She was back at it again. "Crystal, you know I can't just come fly to see you. I would if I could, believe me! I can't do this with you again, Crystal. I care about you but you have to understand I have to do what I have to do. Sometimes, I'll have to be far from you. It's part of my job. You gave up on us because you couldn't deal with that. Crystal, when we were together, I had to deal with watching you kiss other guys but I knew your job is part of who you are so I accepted it even though I didn't exactly like it. We're not even together anymore, Crystal, and you're still doing this. Why can't you do the same for me?" He pinched the bridge of his nose. All frustration, tears, and heartbreak almost came out but he stopped himself.
"I-"
"Look, I'm sorry. Can you just at least tell me where you are and let me know you're safe?"
There was a long pause. "Don't apologize, Shawn. You're right. Might I add that white looks really good on you and you look kind of hot when you're mad."
Crystal Paige would be the only one who had the guts to joke in a situation like this.
"This is no time for joking, Crystal. I've been crying because I was so worried about you. Wait—what did you just say?" When he had looked down on his shirt, he realized he was wearing a white button up.
"Turn around, Mendes."
And there she was, a few feet behind him with a phone to her ear and smirk on her mouth. She ended their call as Shawn ran to hug her.
"I'm so glad you're okay!" He hugged her tightly as one hand stroked her hair.
"Im sorry I didn't answer your calls. I booked the next flight to you the second I got home. I've been on a flight."
"How did you even find me?!"
"You'd be surprised how much your fans know about you."
"Hey, guys? Can we wrap this thing up and go back to the hotel?" Shawn asked his photoshoot team. Josiah announced that he only needed a few shots and they were good.
*
"What happened to your lip?" Shawn asked Crystal when they got to the hotel. They were in his room.
"Oh, uhh I just bit on it too hard. I was nervous." She reasoned.
Shawn didn't want to ask about what happened to her, why she went missing. He was just glad she was here.
"Oh okay. We'll I'm going to head downstairs and try to get you a room. I'll be right back. You should probably text Vivian and Addy that you're here safe with me."
It got quite awkward because he always used to say to her that he's here and she's safe when they were together. They both caught on to it. Shawn awkwardly coughed and left the room.
Crystal did text Vivian and Addy that she was in Paris with Shawn and that she'll explain the situation later.
She decided to hop in the shower while she waited, to freshen up from the long flight.
The warm shower helped a lot. She was able to relax. As she stood in the bathroom, she glanced at her reflection in the full-sized mirror. She saw that her hip had a large purple bruise, her wrists had finger marks on them and so did her neck. Her lip was busted too.
"Uh, s-sorry I didn't know you were—" Shawn's voice woke her from reliving the other night's events.
Shawn awkwardly blushed as he walked in the bathroom, noticing that Crystal was in her undergarments.
Crystal jumped and tried to cover herself. Shawn finally took notice of her bruised body.
"Are those—? Crystal!" He was soon standing in front of her.
"Shawn, I-I'm kind of not comfortable with you seeing me this exposed. Can you please leave?" She tried to ask politely.
After what happened the other night, Crystal felt different around men. At the airport, a male officer had to check her pockets for anything prohibited and she flinched when he touched her. She sat next to a man on the plane and she seemed to be overly aware of his breathing.
"No, Crystal." Shawn said in a soft voice. He grabbed a robe and covered her with it.
Crystal hadn't realized she began crying when he said 'no'. Aiden's hands on her flashed in her mind.
Shawn saw that she was staring out into space and reached over to place a hand on her shoulder.
Crystal jumped away before they could touch.
They caught each other's eyes and Shawn's heart broke. She looked scared.
"I'm sorry, I don't want to be touched right now." She said.
"Crystal, its okay. It's me."
"Shawn, I'm sorry but I need you to leave."
He wanted to argue but she looked so fragile so he didn't. With the bruises on her body and the neglect of being touched, Shawn knew what had happened between her and Aiden. His blood boiled over Aiden Butler.
"Okay. Should I call my mom in instead? Would that help you, Crystal?" He offered.
Crystal simply nodded, not really paying attention to what he said; she just wanted him to give her space at the moment.
Without another word, Shawn left the room and fetched his mom.
"Oh, hey honey. You're back from the shoot? What's wrong?" Karen said immediately when he entered her room.
Shawn was in shock, thinking of the worst things that could've possibly happened to Crystal.
"Crystal's here." He announced but stared at the floor, in shock, instead of looking at his mother.
"Oh, really? Are you guys patching things up? That would be wonderful news then."
"No. She had a fight with her boyfriend and she flew to see me."
"See you? Why would she fly all the way out here if she got into a fight with her boyfriend?"
Shawn looked and made eye contact with his mom. "Mum, I think he touched her."
Karen looked at him confused so her elaborated. "I think her boyfriend touched her in a way she wasn't comfortable with. I saw bruises all over her body and I tried to put a hand to her shoulder, she flinched."
"Oh, poor Crystal!" Karen cried.
"She asked me to leave. I think she's a little uncomfortable with guys when she remembers what happened. Can you talk to her? I don't want her to be alone. She's in my room."
"Of course, honey. I'll go see her." She kissed her son on the cheek and left.
Karen opened the dood to Shawn's hotel room. Sure enough, Crystal Paige was sitting on the bed, her back to the headboard and she absentmindedly stared at the white sheets.
"Crystal, honey? It's Karen."
"Oh hi, Karen! I haven't see you in so long! How are you?" Crystal replied like she hadn't been staring out into space.
Karen noticed that normally Crystal would give her a hug but she took note that she didn't want to be touched at the moment.
"I'm doing well, Crys. How are you?"
"Oh me? I'm okay." Then she was back to staring at the white sheets of the bed. Karen let her be until she started crying.
"Crystal, would you like to talk to me about it? You can trust me." Crystal just sobbed harder.
After a moment she talked. "H-he touched me. I told him to stop but he didn't. A-and then I was able to shove him and he got mad. I slapped him and he choked me. I-I'm scared!"
"Oh my poor darling!" Karen cried.
She let her sob for a good few minutes then, it was Crystal who asked for a hug. Crystal felt safe in the arms of a mother, she instantly felt better.
"Music." Crystal said.
"What, darling?"
"I think I want to listen to music, Ms. Karen."
"Oh would you like for me put some on for you?"
"No." Karen didn't know what to do. "I think I'm ready for Shawn, Ms. Karen. Do you think he'll sing for me?"
Karen noticed how she was extra polite. She thought that this behavior could be caused by Crystal thinking it would be her fault why she was assaulted. Crystal probably thought that she was assaulted as a punishment for whatever she thinks she did wrong. So she's making up to it by being polite.
"He would love to, Crys. I'll go get him okay?" Crystal nodded with a smile.
Karen came to fetch Shawn. As she entered the other room where he was in, she saw him crying angry tears and pulling on his hair as he sat on the bed. He looked up at the sound of her opening the door.
"Wipe those tears away, Shawn. She wants to see you. You have to be strong for her." She told him.
"She wants to see me?" He immediately sat up and brushed away the tears.
"Yes. In fact, she wants you to sing for her."
"Yeah! I'll sing for her!" A smile appeared in Shawn's face and he went to grab his guitar. "Mum, did she tell you what happened?"
"Yes. I dare say she would tell you if she'd like you to know, so I won't tell you how it happened. Though, I will say that what you thought is true." Karen said to Shawn.
Shawn nodded and admired his mom's loyalty to Crystal. "Thanks for talking to her, mum. I'll go see her now."
"Hey Crys," Shawn smiled brightly at her when he entered the room.
"Oh hey, Canada." Shawn's heart swelled with the nickname. He smiled at her and set the guitar on his thigh as he sat on the bed in front of her.
"My mom says you want to listen to music, Crystal?" He asked her as he tuned his guitar.
"Mmhmm. Yes please."
Shawn looked up to met her eyes, and like always they struck him frozen for a few seconds. His fingers closed around the guitar and he began strumming without breaking eye contact.
*stand by me*
"Shawn, I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what, Crystal?"
"For what I did to you. Sorta cheated on you and then left you in the air." He waited very long to hear those words even though he had long forgiven her. "It's a shi.tty excuse but it's the best I've got: I was scared of falling in love— with you specially. You we're just so good and real, I felt like I didn't deserve you because — well to be honest — I didn't know how to love. More so love someone like you who deserved all the love in the world."
"Crystal..."
"And now look at this mess I'm in." She shook her head like its her fault. Her fingers traced over the hand print on her wrist.
"Crystal?"
"Hmm?"
"You know you're safe with me?" She stared at him, emotions unclear. "You're here with me and you're safe. Okay?"
"Okay." She repeated the word until she smiled, knowing she is safe.
"Will you tell me what happened, please?" He begged her. He wanted to hold her so bad, let her know that he'll never let anyone touch a hair on her head as long as she's with him.
Crystal lost her smile. Her eyes looked everywhere but to Shawn's.
Shawn unconsciously put his hand over hers but she surprised both of them when she didn't pull away. He waited if she would change her mind and pull her hand back. When she didn't, Shawn made a bold move and intertwined their fingers.
"It's okay, my darling. You'll be okay."
Crystal took a deep breath. "H-he's just been MIA lately. I would ask him if he wanted to come over he'd say he has work to do even though we're on break. He would cut short my calls or not reply for 5 hours. And then I had a lingerie shoot and he was there in a split second.
"He took me to his place and then after dinner, we went to bed but he started kissing me. I was just thinking that he missed me but no... He had a little bit more to drink that day though.
"He started grinding on me and his hold on me was too strong. I told him to stop but then he would only stop to touch himself. I kept telling him to stop—" she couldn't finish because she broke down in sobs.