56. Just Shut Up And Kiss Me
Shawn was basically the talk of the school over the next few days. He didn't care though, as usual. Soon someone else was going to do something to catch the attention of everyone. That was the cycle of high school. Matt though, he didn't show up to school for two days. Guess Shawn messed up his face pretty badly.
Right now I had to talk to Kyle. I guess I had to tell him I didn't hold anything against him anymore. I found him exiting a classroom after third period.
"Hi," I nervously approached him.
He looked puzzled for a second but his face quickly straightened up. "Um...Khalan, hi."
"I wanted to talk to you," I began. "About well...you know."
"I'm so so-"
"No no," I interrupted him. "I've heard you apologize a countless number of times. It's my turn to talk."
He sighed but nodded.
"I've given this some thought, and I forgive you."
His eyes perked up at this. "You have?"
I nodded. "Yes."
"Great," he smiled. "So can that mean-"
"Hold on," I stopped him again. "I'm not done. I have forgiven you, but I don't think things should go back to the way they were. You were right. I wasn't giving our relationship the attention it deserved, and I don't think it's a good idea for us to resume dating if I clearly have feelings for someone else."
He nodded, in understanding I hope. "So what now?"
"Now," I replied. "I'm hoping we can be friends. We don't exactly have to be besties but just because we aren't dating doesn't mean I want you out of my life. You're still a great guy Kyle, and I want you around."
He looked a bit apprehensive so I pressed on. "Please, if you care about me you'll try."
"I don't know," he debated. "It'll be hard."
"But we can try," I told him. "Please try, for me."
He looked at me for a few seconds then smiled before nodding. "Alright, we can try."
"Thank you," I said and hugged him.
"I'll always be here though," he said. "Ready to swoop in when Aussie there messes up."
I pulled away and shot him a playful glare.
"What?" he laughed. "Don't think I'm giving up on you that easily."
I smiled and rolled my eyes.
"I mean it though," he continued. "I'm always here. If you need me just call."
"Thank you," I said sincerely before we went our separate ways.
*********
"Come on, let's go," Shayley and Jessica rushed me to Shayley's car.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," I muttered. "You guys avoided taking me home at all costs after school and now you're in a hurry."
I wanted to go straight home after school, as I would have the house to myself since my parents were working late, Emily was at her friend's place and Charlie was going to be out too. But no, these girls had to take me around town for some reason. First we spent a butt load of time at the mall, then for ice cream, then to the back, then to various stores around town. If I didn't know any better I'd say they were stalling. But it wasn't my birthday or anything so I guess that theory was wrong.
"Why do you guys suddenly want to spend all this time together anyways?" I questioned. "Last time I checked Shayley you are the laziest person I know-"
"Hey," she whined.
"-and you hate driving and walking around town like this. And Jess, isn't your ideal afternoon sitting in your bed watching Netflix and stuffing your mouth with m&m's?"
"You know me so well," Jessica chuckled.
I rolled my eyes.
"Well it's evening now so we're just going to take you home," Shayley told me.
"You're lucky it's Saturday tomorrow," I said. "At least I can sleep in."
"Yeah, yeah, quit whining already," Jessica laughed as Shayley drove.
***
"That's odd," I frowned as we stepped onto the front porch of my house. "The door's already unlocked.
"Maybe someone came home," Shayley suggested.
"That's unlikely," I said.
"Let's just go inside," Jessica told me.
I shrugged it off and went inside carefully. You know, in case there was some homicidal maniac creeping through my home.
"Did you guys hear something?" Jessica asked.
"No," I said.
"You know what I heard it too," Shayley agreed. "I think it's coming from outside."
"There is nothing out there," I told them.
I'm pretty sure.
"I still think we should check it out," she continued.
I gave them both a puzzled look. "What's up with you guys? You're acting weird."
"Nothing," Jessica said. "Now go check it out."
I rolled my eyes and headed towards the backyard anyways. What could possibly be-
"Hi," he said once I was outside.
"Shawn?" I questioned as I stepped closer. "How...how did you get in here?"
"I texted your brother," he replied. "Told me where you guys keep the spare key."
I arched an eyebrow. "What, you guys are texting buddies now?"
He shrugged. "Not exactly. But he is a nice guy and we have a few things in common."
"Uh...okay," I said slowly and looked back. Where were the girls?
"Oh don't bother," he told me. "They left as soon as you stepped outside. Who do you think helped me do all this?"
"Wait," I stopped him. "Do what? What are you doing here anyway?"
I was so confused.
"Michaels, shut up," he stopped my rambling.
"Fine," I muttered.
"I know I've done things that make you doubt me-"
"Shawn I already told you," I interrupted. "Stop apologizing, I forgive you."
"And I told you to shut up," he chuckled.
I rolled my eyes. "Okay okay, I'll shut up."
Was this supposed to be romantic? I think it was. Oh well, you gotta admire the effort.
"As I was saying," he continued. "I'm not very good at the whole saying how you feel thing, so I thought I'd just show you."
A smile crept up my lips as he picked up his guitar and began playing.
Tell me that you turned down the man
Who asked for your hand
'Cause you're waiting for me.
And I know, you're gonna be away a while
But I've got no plans at all to leave
Oh my God. I kept smiling but I was screaming on the inside.
And would you take away my hopes and dreams and just stay with me?
All my senses come to life
While I'm stumbling home as drunk as I
Have ever been and I'll never leave again
'Cause you are the only one
And all my friends have gone to find
Another place to let their hearts collide
Just promise me, you'll never leave again
'Cause you are the only one
I couldn't function. Okay lungs, you've been working for nearly eighteen years. Don't give up on me now!
Take my hand and my
Heart and soul, I will
Only have these eyes for you
And you know, everything changes but
We'll be strangers if we see this through
You could stay within these walls and bleed
Or just stay with me
Oh
All my senses come to life
While I'm stumbling home as drunk as I
Have ever been and I'll never leave again
'Cause you are the only one
And all my friends have gone to find
Another place to let their hearts collide
Just promise me, you'll always be a friend
'Cause you are the only one
How did it go again? Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale...exhale, inhale? What?
I'm stumbling off drunk, getting myself lost
I am so gone, so tell me the way home
I listen to sad songs, singing about love
And where it goes wrong...
In, out, in, out. You can do this Khalan.
He stepped closer and looked down into my eyes with a smile as he finished, hitting every note perfectly throughout the song.
All my senses come to life
While I'm stumbling home as drunk as I
Have ever been and I'll never leave again
'Cause you are the only one
And all my friends have gone to find
Another place to let their hearts collide
Just promise me, you'll always be a friend
'Cause you are the only one...
I took in a deep breath. "Wow."
"So I'm guessing you liked it?" he chuckled.
"Ed Sheeran would be proud," I teased.
He rolled his eyes and laughed. "You will not let me have my moment will you?"
I smiled. "Trust me, you already did."
"Before you I didn't care about anything. But then you came along, with your stupid smartass personality" - I chuckled - "and your eyerolls and your sarcastic comebacks. Then that all changed for me. I'm scared Michaels, I admit," he chuckled. "But I'm willing to give this...give us a try if you are."
"Shawn?"
"Yeah?"
"Just shut up and kiss me," I laughed.
He cupped the side of my face with one hand and gently pulled me close. I wrapped my hands around his neck and leaned in.
"I like you Princess, a lot," he whispered and kissed me.
I was kissing Shawn.
"Well I like you too," I smiled when we both pulled away.
He hugged me and kissed the top of my head. "Oh, and I'm taking you out tomorrow."
He released his grip and I pulled away. "You are?"
"Yup," he answered. "So go get some sleep, and I will see you tomorrow."
I kissed him again. "Okay."
************
"Khalan!"
"I'm coming!" I yelled as I went downstairs. "Gosh."
The doorbell kept ringing and I hurried downstairs. That was probably Shawn and none of my lazy siblings were going to get it. I was so nervous yet excited. We were going on our first date today.
"I'll see you guys later," I told both of them.
"I'll be gone by the time you're back," Charlie pointed out.
Right, he was heading back to school today.
"And I'm going to miss you," I said as he pulled me into a side hug.
He kissed the top of my head. "I'll miss you too kid. Stay out of trouble will you? Both of you."
"That goes for you too," Emily smirked.
"Promise you'll call," I told him. "And visit."
"I will," he said. "And I already talked to Shawn, but if he causes any trouble, just call and I'll race down here to kick his ass."
I laughed as he shot me a wink. "I hear ya."
I walked towards the door and took a deep breath. My first date with my boyfriend. Boyfriend. That felt so nice to say. I opened a door and came face to face with a smiling Shawn in a black and red checkered button up shirt and black jeans with black converse.
"Hey," I smiled.
He ran his fingers through his hair and looked at me with his bright blue eyes.
"Hey."
The End
A/N
Omg!! I'm crying. It's finally ended. Pass me a tissue will you? I thought the song was perfect though, since it kinda talks about someone who's fallen for (in this case) his friend and is scared to mess it up. I am sad the book has come to an end though. I had SO much fun writing this, from beginning to end. Also, THANK YOU all for the support you've been giving me. Whenever you vote or comment it pushes me to write more. Thank you guys, for giving my book a chance. Please share it too :). There's a next part after this containing an author's note explaining a few things. Thank you all for reading once again. I love you guys!
- amani