My hands felt clammy under their intense gazes. I should have thought this through. Having a testosterone battle between the two of them was the last thing I wanted. I suck in a deep breath, before forming a few coherent words.

"Niall, I was with him last night, and I didn't realize my battery was dead. It slipped my mind to inform you." I watched the creases smoothing, lifting off a little tension and I continued, "Niall, he is Shawn, my... friend. And Shawn," I turned to him, motioning my hand towards Niall, "He is Niall, my roommate."

"This is Shawn?"

"You live with him?"

They both gasped unitedly.

"Yes and yes. He is 'Shawn' and I share an apartment with him." I answered both of them.

There was a momentary glaring contest between the two boys and I bit my cheek in anticipation.

"I should get going then," Shawn announced and he turned towards me. He sharply pulled me into a hug, tugging his hand around my waist, taking me by surprise.

"I don't like him." He whispered into my ears, leaving an amused grin on my face.

Is he jealous?

"You don't have any reason to," I whispered back.

"I just don't like him." He remarked, pulling out of the hug.

"I'll come back later." He said and took off, got into his seat, and drove off.

I watched until he was out of sight and I turned towards Niall.

"I don't like him." He declared, his expressions annoyed.

"You don't have any reason to."

The irony.

"You liked that douchebag? Seriously?" He raised his eyebrow in mockery.

I glared at him in response and he raised his hands in submission.

"Right, 'don't judge a book by its cover.' But he still is though."

Before I could debate, he walked off into the house, and I sighed in exasperation.

I have a feeling they aren't going to get along that well.

~

After a warm relaxing shower, I decided to go to the balcony and lounge on the white hanging swing chair with red cushions settled into it, providing warmth and comfort as the rays of sun seeped in through the little space the layout of the furniture allowed.

I decided to continue my novel, for which I couldn't seem to find the time to. I continue from where I took off.

Once on a yellow piece of paper with green lines
he wrote a poem
And he called it "Chops"
because that was the name of his dog
And that's what it was all about
And his teacher gave him an A
and a gold star
And his mother hung it on the kitchen door
and read it to his aunts
That was the year Father Tracy
took all the kids to the zoo
And he let them sing on the bus
And his little sister was born
with tiny toenails and no hair
And his mother and father kissed a lot
And the girl around the corner sent him a
Valentine signed with a row of X's
and he had to ask his father what the X's meant
And his father always tucked him in bed at night
And was always there to do it

Once on a piece of white paper with blue lines
he wrote a poem
And he called it "Autumn"
because that was the name of the season
And that's what it was all about
And his teacher gave him an A
and asked him to write more clearly
And his mother never hung it on the kitchen door
because of its new paint
And the kids told him
that Father Tracy smoked cigars
And left butts on the pews
And sometimes they would burn holes
That was the year his sister got glasses
with thick lenses and black frames
And the girl around the corner laughed
when he asked her to go see Santa Claus
And the kids told him why
his mother and father kissed a lot
And his father never tucked him in bed at night
And his father got mad
when he cried for him to do it.

Once on a paper torn from his notebook
he wrote a poem
And he called it "Innocence: A Question"
because that was the question about his girl
And that's what it was all about
And his professor gave him an A
and a strange steady look
And his mother never hung it on the kitchen door
because he never showed her
That was the year that Father Tracy died
And he forgot how the end
of the Apostle's Creed went
And he caught his sister
making out on the back porch
And his mother and father never kissed
or even talked
And the girl around the corner
wore too much makeup
That made him cough when he kissed her
but he kissed her anyway
because that was the thing to do
And at three a.m. he tucked himself into bed
his father snoring soundly

That's why on the back of a brown paper bag
he tried another poem
And he called it "Absolutely Nothing"
Because that's what it was really all about
And he gave himself an A
and a slash on each damned wrist
And he hung it on the bathroom door
because this time he didn't think
he could reach the kitchen.

The poem was beautiful. Yet the more I read it, the darker it grew.

The more I read this book, 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower', the more it grew on me. The extent of connection I made with the characters of the book was astonishing. That was the power of a great book, I guess.

"Can we talk?" Niall's voice drew me out of my thoughts circling Charlie and I nodded in response. He walked over to the grills supporting his back while he looked straight at me.

"I am sorry for lashing out earlier. I was just worried. You never spend a night out ever since you have been so the thought of you being out with a friend didn't cross my mind at all." He firmly spoke, his voice more composed and softer.

"I understand, Niall. You are right. I should have informed you. I am so sorry. And thank you for being such a caring friend. I don't know what I would have done without you." I beamed an apologetic yet warming smile while he licked his lips, a gesture he did when he ran out of words, in response.

"So Shawn, huh? Did you run into him yesterday?" He attempted to initiate further conversation, awkward one, if I may add.

"No, not really. I met him the night before. We just happened to be in the same bar. What a  coincidence!"

"Coincidence. Right." His tone dripped with sarcasm, despite his attempts to hide it, it still edged out.

"You're not leaving with him, are you?" His question took me aback.

"What? Where did you even get that from?"

"I just figured, you left because of him, and now that he is here to take you back, you may leave with him." He cleared.

"He didn't come here for me, Niall. He didn't even know that I was here. He is here for his sister. She is... sick, Niall."

Chloe. I need to ask him about her. I didn't even get the chance to.

His demeanor softened after hearing this. Niall had a baby sister too and she meant the world to him so he could only imagine what it was like to Shawn.

"I am sorry to hear that. I hope she is doing okay." His eyes softened, spacing out for a moment.

"I hope so too, Niall. I hope so too."

"So I might don't like him a little less now, but he still seems off to me."

"At least give him a chance, get to know him. I am sure you couldn't dislike him again." I beamed with a hopeful smile.

"I don't know, Maya." I flashed him my best puppy eyes, "Ugh, fine. Stop doing that! My sister is really starting to rub on you."

"I learned from the best." I winked, "I promise, you would love him."

"Notachance" He mumbled something that I didn't get a proper hold of.

"Did you say something?"

"Nope." He gave me a tight-lipped smile and we both walked into the living area.

"I want some pancakes." I declared, turning my neck towards him.

"On it, Mam." He mimicked a commanding voice and I giggled.

~

Deciding how to pass time was a major dispute. My mind was conflicted, unable to decide whether to watch Netflix and cave inside my blanket or just lay down on the bed doing absolutely nothing. Both tasks required a lot of energy, I must say. I turned off my light and stared at the ceiling when a text beeped through my phone.

I picked it up and instantly smiled, ear to ear. 

"Hey :)" 

I texted immediately. 

"Hey back :)"

"Did I disturb you?"

"Yes. My Netflix is mad at me cuz of you. :p"

"

"Ahh tell him that he can have you another time. It's my turn now."

"Hmm... that's a tough bargain, I'll see what I can do XD"

"Lol XD"

"Lmao XD"

"Call ♥?"

I felt butterflies attacking me against my stomach.

"Sure :)"

His call came in right after two seconds and I answered instantly.

"Hey."

"Hey. How was your erm... errand?"

"It was okay. I had to circle around the town and make a lot of phone calls."

"That sounds boring and hectic."

"It was. It was so difficult to navigate the narrow streets on the map. I wish you would have been there with me, I missed you."

I never liked corny talks but when he said it, it was music to my ears.

"Missing me already? Get a hold on yourself, lover boy."

He huffed in mockery and I could bet he was smirking from the other side of the call.

"Shawn?"

"Yeah?"

"I need you to ask something. I wanted to ask it in person but-... you know what? Never mind. I'll ask you tomorrow."

I couldn't ask about Chloe's condition over the phone. I owe her that much to do it in person. And Shawn is very sensitive about her topic. Talking about it and not being there physically to comfort him just sounded cruel.

"You sure? You can ask me now. I don't mind."

"No, it's alright. I'll ask you tomorrow. I can wait for one night."

"Anyway, so... about today... the event was... interesting."

"Stop pretending, pretty boy. I know you are trying to hide something. Now come on, go on."

"It just seems weird. You are living with a stranger, and he was being all clingy and shit. I wanted to say something, but it was enough for us to have a third-person fight for one day."

"Aww, aren't you being considerate? When did you become so mature?" Did I tease him?

"Don't mess with me, Maya. I am already walking on thin ice here and just a few inches far to snap. I am trying to be the mature one here." I could tell he was trying his best to keep his cool tone.

"Someone is being jelly, I see." I couldn't stop myself, the temptation was too strong.

"Hell no. Why would I be jealous of him? Unless I have a reason to?" His voice drastically shifted into a serious one and I composed myself before replying with equal seriousness.

"No, you don't. He is just a very good friend, and he helped me through a lot. You should be nicer to him."

"I still don't like him though. He gives me a weird vibe. I just can't shake off the feeling."

"Niall is a sweetheart."

"Sweetheart. Right." He scoffed.

"Why don't you come to dinner tomorrow? Yeah, we can do that. I invite you for dinner in our apartment."

"I'm not so sure about that."

"I insist. Please?"

"Hmph, fine." He agreed, his tone clearly disinterested.

"Great! I would go and tell Liam about it now. Goodnight Shawn."

"Goodnight, Tinkerbell."

I cut the call with a smile and wobbled towards the room adjacent to mine. I knocked on the door impatiently, only to reveal a half-asleep Niall rubbing his eyes.

"Oh. Did I wake you up?" It was only 11 p.m. and it was unusual for Niall to sleep this early.

"Yeah, not for long. I didn't get much sleep last night." He yawned.

"Oh. Anyway so... I invited Shawn for dinner tomorrow night. I hope you'll be there." 

He tossed his head up, letting out a groan, and answered, "Yeah okay. I'm too tired to put up this conversation. Goodnight, Maya."

"Goodnight, Niall." He shut his door right after that. I let out a chuckle, he was like a grumpy old man when he is disturbed from his sleep.

I jumped onto my bed and decided to call my Mom. It had been so long since I last talked to her and I genuinely missed her. We had a lot of catching up to do.

The call was received after five rings and the person from the other side chirped, "My princess."

"Dad!" I chimed brightly, sitting up.

"It seems that you have completely disowned your father. You don't call me anymore." My Dad whined childishly. 

"I am sorry, Dad. I want to talk to you when I call Mom but you are always asleep. Signs that you are growing old." I teased.

"Bullshit. You know these are all lies. I am as young as I once was." He boasted.

"Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night, Dad."

"Ask your mother if you doubt me. She could give you insights into how young my mind still is."

"Jeez Dad, no thanks." I cringed at the thought.

My father burst out into a fit of loud laughter and I could hear my mother's blended in it in the background.

My Mom took over the phone and began talking, "Don't listen to your Dad. He is getting old." She whispered the last sentence loudly.

"I heard you!" My dad yelled from the background and my Mom and I giggled.

"How are you, mother?"

"I am perfectly fine, sweetie. How are you doing?"

"Couldn't be better." I smiled.

"I assume you met Shawn." She stated, her voice filled with contentment.

"You knew he was coming here?" I asked in astonishment.

"He might have mentioned going to Boston. I figured it would be a nice surprise to see him directly." I could feel her smile beaming through her phone.

"If you planned to give me a heart attack, I am pleased to inform you that your mission was successfully executed." I asserted jeeringly, rolling my eyes.

"I can feel you rolling your eyes at me." She called me out.

Ugh. Mothers.

"Was it awkward for you, sweetie?" She asked after taking a considerable pause.

Whereas I, on the other hand, took no time in answering, "At first, yeah it was. I could barely make coherent sentences. But then, when we got past the awkwardness, it just felt... right. And nice." My voice softened by the end, a faint smile tugging up at the corner of my lips.

"Maya, as your mother I need to tell you this. Life is confusing. You may think that you got it all figured out and it is going exactly the way you want, but it is 'the life' we are talking about here. Nothing comes with certainty along with it. The only thing that you hold with certainty is the memory and the people you earned in the journey. People enter and they leave. It's an ingredient of the perfect recipe that is your life. Some fit, while some don't, but they equally have their own importance and role in your life. Hold onto the people who hold onto you, who stay by your side through your journey." She paused, taking in a considerable amount of breaths before continuing.

"Not everyone finds their way back into someone's life. But if you are lucky enough to get them back, you should let them in, Maya. Shawn found his way to you, and you found him. I know how you feel about him, Maya. How your voice gets excited by simply hearing his name and how your eyes twinkle when he is immersed in a conversation passionately and you just stare at him. I see you gazing at him with such fondness, Maya, I see it all. It was so difficult for you to leave him eighteen months back. And I know you don't want to do that again, do you? Just promise me you won't negotiate your happiness this time and push him away."

I felt warm moisture spinning down my skin, but not in sadness this time.

"Yes, Mom. You're right. I won't, not this time." There was a shift in energies. A new emotion ensued, a force so strong that I never explored before, something that I quite wasn't sure of.

Amidst all the chaos, confusion, and unanswerable questions that were occurring from every side I turned to, the most incoherent was one how I was unable to explain the sudden clamminess that formed at my hands by just listening to his soft voice and how my heart began skipping several beats every time I gazed directly into his eyes, the intensity sweeping me over. A feeling that was so foreign, but yet, never felt more comforting.

Hey guys! How are you all today? I was reading the book 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' and exactly that poem so I thought why not? Charlie is an absolute sweetheart! I haven't watched the movie yet. I will when I am done reading the book. Have you seen it?

Do you like the book version of a story or the adapted movie or series of it better? I love the book version honestly. It has way more details and in-depth and makes much more sense.

I hope you liked this chapter.

Feel free to vote and comment.

I'll see you guys soon.
Stay tuned♡.

~Loveya~( ˘ ³˘)