We drove by the streets that I spent most of my life growing up along, watching through the tiny frame of my bedroom's window. 

It was so strange to feel nostalgic about the place that I never really thought or cared about. How strange was it that we didn't realize the significance of a certain space until we left it and returned, after a really long time? How many memories it held, without you actually having memories with it.

The car came to a lazy halt. I turned around to see the house I grew up in. I spent all my life in it, both literally and metaphorically. The house seemed exactly the way I left it. Except for a few plants that seemed dull and unlively. I pondered upon how my mother hadn't noticed it. She was usually the one taking excess care of them. She must be so occupied with household chores that she couldn't find time to do her favorite hobby: gardening.

“Are you nervous?” Shawn placed his hand upon mine when he found me too lost in my thoughts as I stared at my house.

“No. I'm just excited to see them. And a little bit nervous. This is the first time I will be meeting them since I left.” I clasped my hand in his tighter.

“Don't sweat about it. Your mom is just too excited and happy to see you. She has been storming my phone ever since we landed, asking how long it would take us to reach home.”

Home. I liked the word. It gave me a sense of familiarity and warmth and peace. I never acknowledged the little things that offered peace to my mind when I had it. I was just too busy looking for it somewhere else. 

“Let's go in,” I said and I unfastened my seat belt.

“Yeah, let's go in. I would say hello to Mrs. Matthews and head home then.” He told me.

That's when something clicked inside my slow processing brain.

“You told me your dad left town for a couple of weeks right?” I asked as I stopped on my step and turned around, making him turn back as well.

“Yes…?”

“And Chloe is in the hospital?” 

“Umm yeah…? What are you trying to suggest?”

“Can you please wait for me here while I quickly go and finish something? I won't take long, I promise.” 

He gave me a bewildered face, unable to make any sense of my sudden change in demeanor.

“Ok...ay?” His voice almost reached like a whisper as I was long gone. I stepped onto the porch and frantically rang the bell.

My mom opened the door for me, I saw the brightest shine glistening through her eyes.

“Maya!” She immediately pulled me into her embrace as soon as she spotted me. I wrapped my arms around her tightly as well. 

“My little girl. Oh how much I have missed you!” Her fingers stroked my head as she spoke. I felt warm moisture dipping into my shoulder.

“I missed you too, Mom. And I am not little anymore.”

“Nonsense. You will always be my little girl.”

I didn't fight her on this. I knew I always would be.

She finally decided to let go of me and granting my passage of breathing a free pass.

“Where is Shawn? I thought he was coming with you too?” My mom scanned the area around me for Shawn.

Right. Him.

“Mom, can I ask for a favor?” I feigned a puppy voice.

“What is it that you want now?” She grinned at me. She knew me too well.

“Would it be a problem if Shawn stayed with us for a few days?” 

She scanned my face keeping a neutral face for further explanation.

“His dad left town for a few weeks. Chloe is in the hospital. I don't want him to be alone at his house. God knows what would go through that stupid head if he would be left all alone. Am I making sense or am I simply exaggerating?” I pondered upon my own words. It made more sense in my head.

“Of course baby. No, you are right in thinking so. He shouldn't be all by himself. Call him in. I am more than glad for him to stay with us.” 

“Umm yeah. First I need to convince him. He doesn't know about it yet.” I sprinted off towards his car.

“Hey.” He greeted me as soon as he spotted me.

“Hey back.”

“So am I allowed to go and meet Mrs. Matthews now?” 

“How about living here?” 

“What!?” He stared at me in pure shock.

I may have announced that too directly.

“Sorry, that came out too blunt. Let me rephrase it. Would you like to stay with us for a few days?” I searched for his hand.

He was about to say something before I placed a finger on his lips.

“Before you say something, hear me out. Please?” He leaned back and nodded in agreement.

“I don't want to leave you alone in that house. Your dad isn't there and neither is Chloe. I just don't want you to stay alone right now. I know you are not capable of taking care of yourself. Could you please consider it and give it a thought? I would very much like it if you come and live with us for a few days.”

“Maya, I-...” He sighed, “You don't have to go through so much trouble. I don't want to trouble you and your folks more than I already did. I can handle myself, Maya. I will be fine.” 

I knew he wouldn't agree to it right away.

“I know, baby, but I really want you to stay. Would you have let me be if the roles were reversed?” 

“Absolutely not. And wait a minute, did you just 'baby' me?” His expression dramatically shifted and a cocky smirk quickly crept in.

That was a slip of tongue!

“I have no idea what you are talking about. You are just changing the subject!” I tried to revert back to the event.

“You're the one changing the subject.” He smirked.

“Again, no idea what you are talking about. So, would you?” 

He turned the keys, setting the engine on the light.

“Is that a no?” 

“I would need to bring some of my stuff too, you know?” He gently smiled at me. I smiled back and took that as a yes.

~

It didn't take us much time to grab Shawn's stuff and soon we headed to my house. My Mom prepared a huge feast for our arrival. It was so delightful to see her smiling and chirping again, just like the break of the dawn.

She tidied the guest room for Shawn to make him feel more at home. I was now helping him unpacking his belongings.

“When should we visit Chloe?” I asked as I folded his t-shirt into the cupboard.

“I am thinking about 9:45 a.m. Fifteen minutes before the visiting hours start. Just in case something comes up and we won't be there to meet her just when the visiting hours start.” He answered as he rummaged through his bag.

Although his reasoning seemed silly, I decided not to say anything about it. As a matter of fact, I found it rather cute.

“Okay then. I'll be ready by 8.”

He began laughing uncontrollably and I looked at him in confusion.

“You would be ready by 8 a.m.? Honey, you and I both know that you are certainly not a morning person. The mere thought of you waking up at 7 in the morning to get ready just sounds unreal to me. I wouldn't want to get on your grumpy side now, would I?”

Is that mockery I sense?

“That is so not true! I am not grumpy in the morning!” I defended myself as I crossed my arms. He raised his eyebrow at me in a hoax.

“I am just a little less chirpy in the morning, that's all.” 

“Sure.” He looked away and smirked.

Before I could realize it, I found myself strolling towards him, and in a swift second, I tackled him to the ground. It would have been less likely if I didn't catch him off guard and so I stared at his widened eyes.

“That's what you get for mocking me.” I smiled at him devilishly.

I suddenly was now very much aware of the awkward position we were in and I immediately got up and walked at the farthest point the room could lead me. I felt the heat compiling midst my cheek and I quickly stole a glance in the mirror to find a crimson hue.

I heard his footsteps waddling towards me and I let out a long breath and screwed my eyes shut in exasperation.

He rested his harm upon my shoulder and I turned towards him, my eyes still shut.

“I am sorry. That was so inappropriate.” I said in a distressed voice, still not daring to meet his eyes.

“Hey hey, look at me.” He cupped my face so that I had no other option than to oblige, and I did. “It wasn't inappropriate. Not at all. Your intentions were harmless and innocent. Don't start to beat yourself about it, okay?” He kissed my forehead after finishing his sentence as if trying to soothe down my anxious nerves.

“Why do you put up with all my dramas? Doesn't it get too exhausting for you?” I shook my head in disdain. If I were him, I wouldn't put up with myself either.

“Because you are worth it.” He said it in the most natural tone as if it was that obvious.

I was once again left speechless. How do I answer that? 

What are you supposed to say to that when all your life, all you felt was how unworthy you are of everything? Not because someone said so, but because you believe so.

Just as if sensing my uncertainty, he began, 

“When I said I love you, I meant I love every being of you. Every side of you. When I said I love you, I meant I love and accept you for exactly who you are, given your insecurities and imperfections. I know all your insecurities, Maya, and having said that, I would tell you this and reassure you a million times more, until you finally believe it yourself.”

I was at a loss for words, again. Having nothing to say, I confessed, “I don't deserve this.”

“You deserve the whole goddamn world, Maya. You deserve every good thing in the world. And I will show you just that.” He smiled at me wholeheartedly and it did weird stunts in my stomach.

How the heck did I ever get so lucky?

Hey y'all! I know I have totally messed up my updating schedule but I have my reasons.

I will most probably release the entire book in the next two days. We're just five chapters away! I am so excited about it!

Question of the day: Who's your favorite singer?

It's hard to choose one from One Direction so I would say, One Direction and Lauv. And Selena. And Taylor. Ugh its hard to choose one.

I hope you liked this chapter.

Feel free to vote and comment.

I'll see you guys soon.
Stay tuned♡.

~Loveya~( ˘ ³˘)