I walked up to the porch and stood there for a while, thinking about everything Shawn told me that evening. It was heartbreaking how he suffered so much after losing his mother.

One doesn't recognize the worth of someone until we lose them. We don't appreciate their presence until there is no one to appreciate anymore. He told me how much he missed his mother and had so much to tell her but he didn't when he had the chance, and that made me realize that I still did. I couldn't even imagine my life anywhere without my mom around. And I was grateful for that.

I turned the doorknob, opening the door, took off my shoes, and placed it in the shoe rack. Before I could enter, my mom ran towards me with a worried look painted across her face.

"Sweetie, are you alright? Are you hurt? I tried calling you so many times but your phone was unreachable. Are you okay sweetie?" She gasped, all her words escaping her mouth in a single breath.

"Mom, I'm okay! Why are you so tense?" I asked in a dazed tone.

"Mr. Johnson called me earlier saying that you were not feeling well and wanted to take the day off. Are you okay my baby? Where have you been?" She dumped too many questions at once in an anxious tone.

"Oh that. I was feeling a little dizzy so I needed to take the day off and since both of you were at work during that hour, Shawn offered to rest at his place." I answered, which was partially the truth. "And for the phone, I just realized that my battery died."

She finally let out a sigh of relief, her expressions softening. "Thank goodness! You made me worried, Maya." 

I just smiled blissfully at her. He was right. I was still very lucky to have her.

I hugged her while she still kept on babbling.

"I love you, Mom," I said, closing my eyes and hugged her tightly. "Even when I don't say it out loud, please know that I love you very much."

She went quiet, probably perplexed about where this was coming from, and hugged me back, caressing my head.

"I... know, sweetie." She replied softly.

We stood there for what felt like an eternity, blissful.
                                ~

The next few days were nothing out of ordinary. Exams were around the corner and we engage ourselves with studies. Shawn almost caught up with everything he missed and was genuinely studying for the exam and was equally committed to his practice for the upcoming tournament.

"I really need a time machine, man!" Shawn shrieked out of the blue while studying.

"Huh?" I asked astonishingly.

"I need a time machine to go back to the time when the apple fell on Newton's head! That's how I can save the future kids from the torment he created because of an apple!" He snapped.

I laughed at his outburst. Studies did get on his nerves sometimes.

"I really don't feel like studying." He said, turning his pages.

"Shawn!" I eyed him admonishingly.

"Ugh, fine!" He whined, adjusting his posture, "You know, you're cute when you're bossy."

I raised my eyebrow playfully. "Why, thank you."

"Who would have thought that we would grow so much as close friends, It seemed impossible when we first met." He reminisced.

"I know. Ugh, you were so obnoxious that I couldn't even stand you. And look at us now." I admitted.

He took and held my hand with his and said, "Let's promise one thing to each other that we will never break." He continued, looking me into the eyes. “I'll go first.”

"I promise to be always there for you when you need someone to talk to, need a shoulder to cry on, or just simply need someone to share your silence with."

I could swear my heart did a somersault on hearing that. He didn't give the false promise to be always with me and never leave.

That was utterly a complete big lie.

But, I knew I couldn't promise him the same thing. I was too messed up to keep up a promise as such.

I turned to him, tightening my grip on his hand, and said,

"I might do things that you cannot make head nor tail of, but remember when I say this, everything I do and say, has a reason behind it. Everything has an interlinked connection. If I ever do something that you cannot understand, why just know that I have a reason for it."

"Okay…?” He grew quiet, bringing a natural smile.

"Now focus," I commanded.

"And... We're back." He replied wittily, shaking his head and I chuckled.
                                    ~

Surprisingly, I woke up before my early fifteen minutes alarm this morning. This was probably once in a Blue Moon time thing. I giggled in my thoughts.

I stepped into my balcony which had a concrete ledge, square rough edges, and a rusty rail but it was my oasis. I had filled the minimum space with a small round table and a chair as I had always loved reading while sitting and wrapping up the mesmerizing greenery of the neighborhood that it beheld.

I started humming to the tune of Sunflower by Shannon Purser as the cool breeze hit my skin, making me quiver under its coolness.

'Rose girls in glass vases
Perfect bodies, perfect faces
They all belong in magazines
Those girls the boys are chasing
Winning all the games they're playing
They're always in a different league

Stretching toward the sky like I don't care
Wishing you could see me standing there

But I'm a sunflower, a little funny
If I were a rose, maybe you'd want me-'

My phone beeped with a notification, distracting me from the song.

I opened the text, not bothering to check the name since I probably knew who it came from, as he was an early bird.

'Yo! I just texted to let y'know that I'll be there in an hour to pick you up ;)'

Right. My dad was off for a business trip this week and Shawn took himself in the picking and dropping duty.

'Gotcha.'

I texted back.

I turned off the song and tossed my phone over my fluffy bed and made my way to the cold marbled floor of my bathroom. I took a short shower and washed my face, not bothering for any touch-up.

I wore my uniform and swept up my hair into a half ponytail and headed out of the house.

I randomly tapped on my screen, browsing anything and everything, waiting for Shawn. He was taking longer than usual this morning.

I was about to call him when I heard the roaring of the car growing closer. I huffed and hurled my phone inside.

"There you are! What took you so long?" I whined.

"I caught up with Derek on the way. He says that he is having a party tonight at his place." He chirped enthusiastically.

"The jock from the chemistry class?" I asked apathetically. 

"Yeah. It will be so cool. Let's go together." He exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement.

"I would love to, but no thanks." I witted.

"Come on, Maya it's-" I cut him off by turning on the radio and started singing the lyrics of whatever song was on.

'And I know, and I know, and I know she gives you everything
But boy, I couldn't give it to you
And I know, and I know, and I know that you got everything
But I got nothing here without you-' 

"Maya lis-"

'So one last time
I need to be the one who takes you home
One more time
I promise after that, I'll let you go-'

He now got quiet, probably waiting for the song to end,

'Baby, I don't care if you got her in your heart
All I really care is you wake up in my arms-'

"Okay, now this is hilarious." He said, lowering the volume.

I shot him a furious glare.

"The girl is clearly telling him that she wants to just use him for one last time before letting him go." He snickered "Like she doesn't even care he loves another girl all she wants is to sleep with him."

"This song is one of her best hits, and Ariana Grande is awesome so you shut it." I snapped.

"Yes, boss!" He submitted, clearly quitting any argument.

"That's better," I replied, winking at him and we both laughed.
                                    ~

I was on my way to the second class for the day, which was Chemistry. Shawn appeared out of nowhere and blocked my way with his hand.

"My title is snatched from me!" He whined.

"What now, drama queen?" 

"Ugh. I am no longer the new kid here. Someone transferred here this morning." He informed me.

"A new transfer? Now? In the middle of exams? How is that even possible?"

"Probably because she is from Eastwood of... Uh, I don't remember the place, so it's an interschool transfer."

"Oh. I see." glancing at my watch, I hissed "Shit I'm gonna be late for the class. I'll see you in the break." I said and waved him off.

A new student.

Hmm... I wonder who that might be.

I just wish Mr. Johnson wouldn't make me in charge this time. I thought to myself and entered my class.

I waited for Shawn the whole lunch break to join me but he was nowhere to be found. He didn't even have his football practices today. It was really annoying when your friend ditched you for any hopeless reasons. And also, it was unbelievable of me to be feeling that way, and that added more to my annoyance.

I sleekly slid out of my seat and stood upon my feet and started walking mindlessly to throw the junk into the trash can but collided with an unfamiliar figure, leaving me crumpled to the floor.

"Oh no! Are you alright? Did I hurt-... Maya?" A somehow familiar voice echoed in my ears as her voice shifted from empathy to enthusiasm.

I looked up through my foggy vision and saw... Quinn? I knitted my eyebrows together to confirm if my eyes were playing tricks on me.

What is she doing here?

I helped myself and stood up as Quinn was busy gawking at me with her mouth gaped apart and behind her stood... Shawn? Watching seamlessly somewhere else or maybe still registering what happened just now.

"Maya right? We met before!" She asked in confirmation, still not believing that I was really here.

"Quinn!" I remarked in phoniness. 

"Do you girls know each other?" Shawn asked, scratching his head.

"Yeah... We ran into each other a few days ago." I answered, still trying to figure out what the hell is happening.

"Yeah, we bumped into each other the exact same way as now, right Maya?" Quinn raved.

"Yeah... Totally!"

My absolutely amazing fate!

"I see... But Maya, are you okay?" Shawn asked softly. 

Now he remembers!

"I'm perfectly fine. Thank you for asking." I said, trying real hard to cover up my sarcasm.

"I'm gonna go bring you a glass of water." He said and trailed off.

We stood there for an awkward one-minute silence before I spoke out.

"So you're the new transfer?" I asked, starting the conversation.

"Yeah. I am loving it here so far. Shawn is in charge of showing me around here. He's a pretty great guide considering he just transferred here as well." She babbled, winking mischievously at me.

"Oh... Is that so?" I asked, raising my eyebrows in frustration.

"Yeah." She giggled, "He's cute though." 

Okay... Is this where I think this is heading?

Before I could answer her, Shawn tapped on my shoulder with his finger, implying me to take the glass off his hand.

I took the glass from him and sipped the water while watching them through my lashes giggling and laughing about stuff that I was sure didn't even exist.

"Hey, I'm going to catch you later. I need to help Quinn with some stuff." He said without sparing me a glance, still lost in their I-don't-have-any-idea-about conversation.

"Uh... Sure but don't forget we have to-" He walked off with Quinn before I could even complete, "Meet Mrs. Evans today..." I mumbled to myself.

Did he just walk out on me? I huffed.

Don't make a big deal about it, Maya. He will undoubtedly remember it. I reassured myself. Right?
                                     ~

7:58 p.m. 

He didn't come. I've been here for almost five hours standing in front of Mrs. Evans's shop's entrance under the chilly winds in the month of December with just a scarf wrapped around my neck to keep myself warm.

Disappointment rushed through me when the time flashed on my screen. I clenched my phone tighter, drawing it closer to my chest, still a part of my mind hoping that he would show up eventually. But he never did.

"You should go home now, Maya." Mrs. Evans's voice softly called me out from behind. I turned around to see her give me a soft pity smile. I somehow managed to give her a small tight smile in return.

"It's getting late. You've been standing here for hours. You will catch a cold like this." She said with a concerned look.

"I know. I should get going, I guess." I submitted, arranging my messy hair that came up by the cold wind.

Before I turned back to walk out of the shop, she embraced me in a sweet tight hug and mumbled something I couldn't seem to decipher.

"Good night, Maya." She said, placing a kiss on my forehead.

"Good night Mrs. Evans," I said with a genuine smile and waved her off.
                                   ~

*Achoo*

As it turned out, I actually caught a cold for nothing. My mom made me take a steam bath for half an hour and made me drink some herbal tea before tucking me in like a child.

I turned off the lamp and tossed over the bed, sinking my head into the smooth pillow before my phone flashed brightly with a beep. 

I groaned under my pillow cursing the person isolating me from my precious sleep under my breath. I reached my hand past the bed and patted on my nightstand until I found the cuboidal shape of my phone and traced it along with my fingertips to get a better grip and plucked it from the charger.

I squinted my eyes from the bright light and saw a text from Shawn. I tapped on the screen to open it.

'Shit! I'm so sorry. I forgot that we had to go to Mrs. Evans today.'

'It totally slipped my mind.'

'I had to go to Quinn's place to give her notes and help her with her homework.'

'I am so sorry.'

...

'Maya?'

'Come on, I said I'm sorry.'

'I can see you are reading my text.'

'Come on!'

...

'Stop ignoring me.'

'Are you that mad?'

'Ugh. I know I screwed up. But at least reply and tell me that you're mad.'

...

'Really? Nothing?'

Ugh. He was going to flood my inbox with his non-stop messages. I had no other option than to reply.

'Stop it, will ya?
You're disturbing me.'

'I said I'm sorry. It really slipped my mind.'

'Yeah, whatever.
You do your thing with Quinn.
I am busy.'

'I know you're not busy. You're just blabbering to avoid this conversation.'

Ugh. He was getting on my nerves now.

'Sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm not doing this just because I want to avoid you. Thanks to you, I stood five freaking hours in the chilly weather outside just for you only for you to not show up and now I'm caught with a mind-blowing cold so I'm busy entertaining him. Is this reason enough for you to leave me in peace?'

'You got sick?'

'No shit, Sherlock.'

The line went off. He didn't reply after that.

Great! Now he doesn't even care.

I tossed my phone back at the nightstand and crashed back on my pillow. What a day!

I was about to let my eyes shut when I heard a creaking sound coming from the balcony. I raised up to inspect where it came from but there was nothing.

I should really stop watching horror movies at midnight!

I was about to land back when I again heard the sound. Now I was sure there was something in here. I crawled out of my bed, slowly heading towards the balcony, ensuring not to make any sound, and knelt down to inspect what caused the sound. There I found a pebble stone, surprisingly the ones that my mom laid back in the garden around the shrubs.

I stood up on my feet and saw two balloons flying attached with a basket full of my favorite foil-wrapped chocolates with a little card hung around it, stopping right at my eye level as I took it. I opened the card that read, 

‘Get well soon, Tinkerbell. I am sorry :)’

I looked down and saw Shawn standing, with his head held high up, looking at me with a sweet and apologetic smile.

He caught his ears and muffled 'sorry' looking up at me.

"You can be really cute when you want to, you know." I flattered him.

"Don't call me cute!" He retorted, trying to fake a pout.

I let out a chuckle and gazed at the cutest thing I've ever received.

"So am I forgiven?" He asked in a perplexed yet hopeful voice.

How can I be mad at someone who did such a cute thing to convince me? However,

"Only if you buy me ice cream." I jested.

"You are sick, young lady so yeah, not happening." He put up a straight face, "No ice cream and cold beverages until you get well, Missy." He commanded rightfully, a smirk making its way around his lips.

Hey guys! Thank you for stopping by. I really hope you guys liked the chapter.
I swear I had so many elements on my mind that I didn't know how to execute them.
What are your thoughts on Quinn? Do you think she is gonna be a threat to the ship of Maya and Shawn?
Okay, I really need a ship name for them. Shall we name it Mayawn or Shamaya or Shaya? Grrrr I really need some suggestions.
Feel free to vote and comment <3

I'll see you guys soon.
Stay tuned♡.