40. I'm Always Going To Need You
Monday came around, and I can't say I wasn't nervous to see Shawn. The thought of me...kissing him...oh God. Something is wrong with me. Aside that I still have a boyfriend who hasn't spoken to me much. I just want to see how today goes. If he wants to end it well...that's his choice and I'll have to respect it though it will definitely be hard. I knew I still liked him though, despite everything else.
I stepped into the hallway and headed for my locker. My eyes met Shawn's he gave me a small smile. Shit, he's seen me. My plan was to avoid him for a bit till I didn't feel so awkward but I guess I was going to have to face him now.
"Hey," I said when I approached him.
"Hey Michaels," he responded calmly.
So...was I the only nervous one?
"So um...I had fun on Saturday," I spoke.
"Glad you did. And if you ever feel like putting your life on the line, you know who to call," he joked with a wink.
"Yes I do," I laughed nervously.
"Well I gotta go," he told me. "See you later?"
"Yeah uh...sure."
I was confused. He was so calm...almost...too calm.
"Shawn wait," I suddenly called.
He stopped. "Yeah?"
Say something.
"Uhh...nothing," I finally said. "I'll see you later."
"Right," he said slowly before walking away.
I sighed. I guess what happened on Saturday wasn't a big deal to Shawn. I bet that almost kiss hasn't even crossed his mind once. For some reason that stings a bit.
After I was done with Shawn I decided to look for the other person I had to talk to today. I found him leaning on his locker talking to one of his team mates.
"Kyle," I called.
He looked at me then turned back to his team mates. "I'll see you guys later."
He turned back to me and let out a heavy sigh. "Hey."
"Hey," I replied. "How was California?"
"Great," he replied, an awkward silence following.
"I know I should've-"
"Is everything a-"
"Sorry," he said. "You go first."
"Are we okay?" I asked. "You seemed so distant everytime we talked."
He ran his fingers through his hair. "I...had to sort somethings out."
"Like?" I questioned. "Anything to do with me?"
"You know what, forget it," he quickly replied. "I'm sorry for putting you through that."
I frowned for a second but decided to let it go. If he didn't want to say what it was I couldn't force it out of him.
"Okay, it's forgotten," I lied.
"How about we go out, just us," he proposed. "I have practice but we can go after."
I shrugged. "It's fine really but if you want to then okay."
"So are we good?" he asked.
I smiled and hugged him. "We're good."
This is what I needed to keep my mind of Shawn. Ever since my conversation with Charlie the thought of him hasn't disappeared. I have Kyle back now though, and hopefully everything will go back to normal.
"So anything interesting happen while I was away?" he asked.
I laughed. "Plenty. We got stuck in jail one night after Liam's stupid antics. Oh and I actually went paragliding.
"Paragliding?" he asked, looking surprised.
"Trust me I don't believe I did that either," I gushed. "It was amazing though, probably one of the best days I've had in a long time. Honestly I'm kinda glad Shawn won that bet."
"Shawn?" he asked. "Shawn took you paragliding?"
Great.
"Uh...yeah. It was nothing though."
"Doesn't seem like nothing," he muttered. "To be honest I don't like how he's so close to you."
I sighed. "He's a friend Kyle, a good one."
"It's him I don't trust," he told me. "Has he ever...made a move on you or something?"
That kiss...sorry, almost kiss was two way.
"What? Why would you ask that?" I nervously asked.
"I don't know," he thought. "Something tells me he likes you."
Shawn...like me?
"You've got nothing to worry about," I quickly assured him.
I hope I'm telling the truth.
***********
"Good news, good news, good news!" I squealed as I ran towards Shawn when I got to the roof. "Guess what?"
"I'm guessing you're gonna tell me," he mused.
I rolled my eyes and he laughed.
"What?" he asked.
I guess things weren't so weird now. I mean, if he acted so cool about it why couldn't I do the same?
"According to Mr. Walden your grades are really improving," I told him.
"I know that," he shrugged. "So?"
I rolled my eyes again. "So very soon you won't need me."
"I'm always going to need you Michaels," he said casually, while I just hoped my face wasn't too red at his comment.
"And how are you so excited?" he chuckled. "You want to get rid of me that quickly?"
"We'll still be in each others lives," I told him. "I'm just saying it's a good thing."
He just laughed and nodded before I began the lesson.
When we were done I went to the football field to look for Kyle. I stood beside the bleachers as he ran up to me.
"Hey," he panted. "I'm really sorry, coach is extending the practice time for today. Can we make the date tomorrow?"
"Oh, uh yeah sure," I answered, a little disappointed.
"Sure?"
"Don't worry it's fine," I assured him. "I'll just ask Shawn for a ride home."
"Oh come on Khalan," he said with a hint of annoyance.
"He's the only one still around," I pointed out.
"I know but I just don't like the idea of him taking you home," he told me. "Can't you just wait for me?"
"Would you stop being so unreasonable?" I protested. "There is nothing between Shawn and I."
I was telling the truth. If anything today proved Shawn just wants me as a friend.
He sighed in defeat. "Fine, I'm sorry. You can go."
"Thank you," I said before making my way to the parking lot. Thankfully Shawn hadn't left yet.
"I kinda need a ride home if that's okay," I told him when I approached him.
"What happened to pretty boy?" he teased.
"Got held up at practice," I replied nevertheless.
"Sure," he agreed. "I just have to pick up Harper first."
"That's fine," I said. I love his sister.
We got into his car and he drove to an elementary school to get his sister.
"Hi Khalan," she smiled when she saw me.
"Aw hi sweetie," I gushed.
Shawn chuckled before starting the car. "We're going to get ice cream at the park, you still want to go home instead?"
"Uh," I debated. I wasn't sure if alone time with Shawn and his sister was what I needed right now.
"Oh come on, risky stunts or not, you know we always have fun together," he winked playfully.
I chuckled.
"Besides, how can you say no to that face?" he added gesturing to Harper in the back.
"Please," she said, her beautiful green eyes widening.
"Alright," I gave in. "To the park it is."
They both smiled as the car began moving. Damn those Mitchells and their manipulative eyes.
We went to the park and I got a vanilla ice cream as usual and Shawn, his strawberry. Harper compromised and got one scoop of each.
"I'm going to the monkey bars!" she squealed as she ran towards it.
"Be careful!" Shawn yelled.
Aw.
The two of us sat on a bench and just talked. He looked over to Harper and frowned. Some random kid was bothering her, tugging on her pigtails. We watched as she smacked his hand away and stomped on his foot making him yelp.
The boy hopped away and I laughed. "Yup, she's definetly your sister."
He chuckled. "It's getting late, we should be leaving anyways."
We got up and he went to get her.
"But I don't wanna leave," she pouted.
"Sorry kid, it's late," he told her.
I smiled.
"Tell him to let me stay," she whined.
As much as I enjoyed the relaxing day at the park I had a lot of homework to finish tonight.
"I'm sorry sweetie," I told her in the nicest way possible. "We can come back another time."
"Come on Ha-"
"Well, well, well," a voice sneered from behind us. "Nice to see you Shawn."
I turned and saw a man with light brown hair standing in front of us. He was probably in his early twenties.
"What do you want Zac?" Shawn asked through gritted teeth. It was obvious he wasn't happy to see him.
"Can't I just say hi?" he said. "This your girlfriend or something?" he asked when he saw me.
I moved back as he came closer. Shawn just growled at him.
He chuckled. "Woah, play nice there boy, wouldn't want anything happening to her would we?"
What did he mean?
"Touch one hair on her head and I swear I will make you regret ever seeing the light of day," Shawn threatened stepping in front of Harper and I. "And that goes for both of them."
"Whatever," Zac said. "Later Shawn," he sneered and turned to leave but stopped. "Oh, it's too bad you left though. I kinda miss messing with you."
"What did he mean by that?" I asked Shawn once Zac left.
"Let's go, I'm taking you home," he told me.
"Sha-"
"Let's go Khalan," he repeated firmly.
The fact that he didn't call me Michaels or the usual Princess made me shut up and follow him. We walked to his car and he drove me home, not saying a word throughout the entire ride. That exchange was so odd. I retired to my room after saying goodbye to him and Harper. The encounter with Zac was strange though. There was something he wasn't telling me.
A/N
This chapter was crap...I know..lol. the next ones will be so much better. I still hope you can somehow enjoy it though. I promised myself I would update and I didn't want to disapoint any of the readers. I'm so happy about the attention and support this book has been getting lately tho. More people are voting and commenting. For the silent readers as I like to call them, PLEASE don't stay silent. It's nice when someone hits the vote button because I know my work is being appreciated. And I absolutely LOVE reading comments about what you think and interacting with the readers. For those who do vote and comment thank you so much! It makes me so happy when I see people enjoying or involved with the book so much. Thanks for reading and supporting once again. Don't forget to vote and comment :) :).
- amani