As per Aria's advice, I picked up my phone and dialed 'The Collins,' that was how I saved there home number. And since, Jay-Jay was too young to get a phone, so I had no other option. After three rings, Aunt Collins picked up the phone, greeting "Hello?"
"Hello Aunt Collins, I am Me-," I was cut off by Aunt Collins.
"Oh, I know honey. It's you Mel. What did you want to talk about? Do you need something? Any problem, sweetie? You can always come over. Our house is you house too-" She carried on blabbering.
"That is so sweet of you but, everything is fine. I just wanted to talk-" I was interrupted.
"Okay, you wa-" she spoke.
"To Jay-Jay," I finished, somehow.
"Give me a second, love. I'll just call him," she said.
"Hey Chummy," Jay-Jay came up.
"Hi Jay-Jay, is everything fine?" I asked. God, it sounded so fishy.
"Uh, yes. Why do you ask?" Jay-Jay inquired.
"Why? Can't I ask? I am your sister," I said.

God. Why couldn't I just come to the point and be like "Hey, what about Shawn? Did you talk to him?"

Kill me.

"Oh yes you can Chummy, and everything is fine here," Jay-Jay said.
"Good," I said, "So........" I tried to say something.

Ari snatched away my phone.

"Hey J, its Aria, can you give the phone to Shawn. I need to talk to him," Aria spoke out.
"WHAT?" I screamed and tried to get my phone back.

I took away my phone from the devil.

"Chummy, I haven't seen him after lunch today. He is in his room maybe. Call him," Jay- Jay said.
"Okay, take care. Goodnight," I said and hung up.

Sigh.

"What did he say?" Aria questioned.
"He said to call him," I sighed.
"SEE?" Aria screamed.
"See what?" I asked her.
"He is more intelligent that you are," she said and took out more ice-cream.

How much more is she going to eat? Ugh.

"So call him," she said.
"No," I said, "I am going to go and meet Jay-Jay tomorrow," I finished.
"That's better," she said.

* * * * * * * * * *

Next Day...

Jay-Jay called me up to say that Shawn will be dropping him to school, and said that he wanted to meet me. He as in Jay-Jay, NOT Shawn.

But of course, I'll be meeting him today. I had my cereal, took a quick shower within a few minutes. I have never got ready this quick.

I wore a grey shirt, tugged it in my ripped black jeans and paired it with boots. I tied my hair in a messy braid, took my backpack and left the house after locking it.

I parked my car right behind Shawn's jeep. I just saw Shawn sitting in there. I walked out of my car towards his.

Heartbeat...

Oh God.

Be cool.

Come on.

"Hey," I said, acting normal.

He looked at me.

Kill me already.

Oh MY God.

"Hi," he said.
"Where's Jay-Jay?" I questioned, trying to be calm.
"He went in with Faith," he paused, "Faith Power," he finished.

Aaron's sister. Power. Faith Power.
Why me? Couldn't just one day be good with him?

"Oh," I said. I was at a loss of words.
"He told me to give you this," he said, giving a square flat thing, wrapped with a gift wrap.
"What's that?" I asked, taking it from him.
"I don't know," he said flatly.

I opened it; it had a cookie and a note that said 'I know you love these. -Jay-Jay.'
I smiled and broke the cookie into half, and offered the other half to Shawn.

"No thanks," he said.
"What? Come on," I insisted.

He took it this time.

"I have to go," he said.

Flat.

"Okay," I said.

He turned the key. He can't go. Not like this. Not now. Or never.
Man, Aria was right. I loved him.

"And Shawn?" I called out.

He looked questioningly.

"Yes Mel?" he said.

My name. Oh God. Holy Mother of cheese-cakes.

"See you at school tomorrow," I said, and walked away, not giving him the option to say 'no.'

I drove to the park and sat there throughout. It didn't bother me that I was sitting there alone. It didn't bother me that I was running late. It didn't bother me that I had to submit my assignments. It didn't bother me that I skipped school.

I was happy. I was smiling like a goof. By myself. This guy, made me smile, in his presence or without his presence. I loved him. One guy. Shawn Collins. I didn't know how that happened, or he wanted me back. But I was happy seeing him happy, and it hurt me seeing him sad. He was linked. It bothered. He mattered.

I missed him. I missed him every time.

Aria was right.

I loved him.

* * * ** * ** * ** * * *

A/N- I finally uploaded again. It's finally here. I tried hard. I hope you like it.
Loads of love,
to the people who read my story... YOU guys mean a lot to me.
Meghna.