The days passed fast and Shawn was more than content. Everything went back to the normal, just the way he liked it to be. Of course Cameron was still a bit too cautious whenever they were planning to hangout but it wasn't a hard task, he was okay with it if that made Cameron happy.

Despite everything he was having quality time with Cameron, as a partners and also as teacher and student. Cameron was swimming between finals at school and the finals of the basketball championship.

Shawn enjoyed way too much helping his boyfriend with his studies, he found out that Cameron reading could be one of the most endearing things to watch, he could sat down and watch Cameron reading and mumbling things in form to keep the information in his head for hours.

Don't think wrong of the teacher, he wasn't helping Cameron to cheat or something like that. He only helped pointing the most important topics of each subject and elaborate points that his favourite student were struggling with, nothing much.

The more time spent with Cameron. The more happy Shawn was.

It seemed that he wasn't the only one happy with his relationship with Cameron, his mom Karen all sudden tried to became his confident, to the point that she offered herself to keep an eye on Cameron and check if he arrived safe at home after his practices or school. Shawn shook his head laughing at his mom, he told her that it wasn't necessary, mostly because it was Shawn who used to drove Cameron home every day.

What was indeed necessary was to keep Cameron's identity in secret from Aaliyah whom overheard his conversation with Karen. His sister walked into the kitchen asking if what she heard was real, Shawn ended confirming it, he told her that he's been dating a man for a couple of months already.

The youngest Mendes jumped all over the room, she said she couldn't be more happier with the news, with tears in her eyes she told Shawn that she was super excited to meet her new brother-in-law. Shawn told her that maybe during the summer, or when he was sure their relationship were stable. Aaliyah understood and ran after his father to spread the news, Shawn somehow was worried about his father's opinion but the long, warm and tender hug that Manny gave him erased all worries, Shawn felt tears in the corner of his eyes at hearing his father saying how proud and happy he was.

Shawn left his family's house that evening relieved, he knew that he and Cameron were postponing the conversation about how Cameron was going to come out and introduce their relationship afterwards but having his family's support was a big plus for them in advance. He knew that everything was going to settle down well, he was sure.

×

Shawn knew it was a bad idea, not the whole situation itself.

But it was still a bad idea.

Shawn accepted coach Stephens' petition to help him during the training session, with the third game of the finals coming next friday or in a couple of days in terms of time, the final was tied with one win per team and the coach almost begged him for help, Shawn fought against his wills and accepted for the best of the team.

The bad idea wasn't the fact of him coming back into a basketball court to actually play basket. Of course he wouldn't deny that he felt misplaced at the beginning, all the memories crossing his mind in ten speed as he tried to follow the coach instructions to show the players some new tricks and moves.

What made the situation a bad idea was watching Cameron training, he had watched his boyfriend playing live since the beginning of the school year but Cameron in a white and sweaty shirt was a whole world different, following Cameron's moves as practices his displacements was a torture.

Shawn lost the count of how many times he swallowed dry or tried to not stare at his boyfriend's body. Plus how beautiful Cameron looked while he was laughing at some inside jokes made the situation difficult to cope for the Teacher, Shawn loved Cameron's smile and would do everything to see Cameron happy.

After two days of being the coach's helping hand, Shawn drove Cameron to his flat to have a mind blowing sex.

-

Shawn was overwhelmed, he couldn't stop clapping and chanting for the team during the whole game. Some can say was too much for a teacher's behaviour but the crowd was in the same mood so he let himself go with the feeling.

Cameron and his teammates were playing incredibly, dominating their rivals and visitors since the beginning of the game. Cameron was in his zone, basking triplets as if he was practicing in his backyard, Matt and Hayes dribbling without resistance of the opponents.

Shawn was in the bench, coach Stephen invited him to stay by his side, Shawn tried to decline the invitation but the coach insisted and Cameron nodded with a small smile.

So there was he, watching the game in a privileged seat. In time to time he glanced over the crowd were Cameron's family were located, Gina, Sierra accompanied with her fiance and Dan attended the game. Shawn cringed a little bit knowing that Cameron's Dad was in the place. Not only because the man had this strong idea of Cameron being straight and everything that comes with. Also because his mom, Karen, came along with Cameron's family, she was focused on the game but during the breaks between the quarters she was very talkative with the family. Shawn couldn't do nothing more than send a text asking to keep their secret safe.

-

71- 113 in the scoreboard. The biggest gap ever in the history of the school and in a final game. Cameron and his team not only were one game away from the championship but also set these new records for the basketball stats in the state. The crowd went wild and the rest of the team invaded the court to cheer and celebrate with the players.

Shawn wanted to do the same, wanted to hug Cameron and kiss him tenderly. But it wasn't appropriate, he felt sad thinking about it, but those thoughts were dispersed as Coach Stephen embraced him to celebrate.

-

As it was already common for them, Shawn was waiting for Cameron in the school parking lot. It took a little more to wait since the arena was full packed and Shawn knew that Cameron had to be sure to be the last one walking out the building.

As soon as Shawn saw Cameron walking towards his car he couldn't hold up and hopped out of his car, he approached Cameron and leaned in immediately for a kiss. He broke the kiss and hugged Cam to congratulate him properly. After that Shawn drove Cameron to his house safe and sound.

×

Shawn was correcting the last-minute report one group of his students presented him for their final grades, it was monday morning after the game, only 15 minutes to finish his period with the seniors when he heard few knocks at the door before it was opened.

"Mendes I need you in my office right now" Coach Stephen said shortly and closed the door right after.

Shawn took another sip of his tea and stood up, leaving whatever he was doing to continue during his free time.

"I haven't written down your grades yet, don't make me discount one or two points for bad behaviour" Shawn said and glanced over the room, his eyes landed on Cameron, the student smiled at him before returning his attention to Matt whom seemed excited about some story he was telling.

Shawn walked fast through the hallways. Wondering what was the coach up to. If he was going to ask Shawn to keep helping the team since the next game (and probably the last one) was scheduled on Thursday. Shawn would be very glad to help them, even more after the amazing game the team displayed the past friday.

Shawn entered the locker room and walked towards the coach's office. The door was open so he decided to enter right away.

"Coach, what am I good for?" Shawn asked as he took a seat in front of the man's desk. The coach looked at him for a few seconds before he started to talk.

"I need you to be one hundred percent sincere Mendes" Coach said walking to close the door.

"Yes..."

"What's going on with you and Cameron?" Shawn could heard his heartbeat increasing in his ears. "He-he is my student, that's all" Denial? stuttering word phrasing? Shawn knew he was got caught but he couldn't resonate something better to reply.

"I asked your sincerity, I wouldn't waste my time if I didn't care enough about you or this kid Shawn, don't try to play me for a fool" Coach's voice was stern. Shawn seemed lost, his mind blanket out and the coach proceeded.

"I saw you, during the practices, you were completely gone in times watching him playing but I didn't read much into that because the kid is a pure talented player and I thought it was only about that but it all came to sense when I saw you two very close to each other after the game"

"Listen coach.." Shawn tried to process all what coach just said and explain but the older man continued.

"What is it Shawn? Are you going to tell me that It wasn't what it looked like? I may be old but not blind"

"It just happened, I tried- No. We tried to not let in but we couldn't against our feelings. It just happened"

"Are you telling you didn't forced him-" The coach was interrupted right away.

"Of course not Coach, I would never! He feels the same way as me. We discussed it a lot before any kind of affectionate relationship could start" Shawn knew everything was going downhill, he blamed himself. It was his fault. He hopped out of his car to greet Cameron that friday night.

"I really like him Coach, I'm not playing with him. I really see a future with him"

Coach rubbed his hands on his face and said. "This is my last year in the school Shawn" the man opened a drawer of his desk.

"What? Why?" Shawn couldn't help but ask. The coach placed some folders over his desk.

"Can you see them? There are scholarships plans from three universities, all inclusive, the three of them interested in Cameron. This is the second time one player received so many offers in this school. Do you know whom was the first one?"

"Me..." Shawn said in a whisper.

"Yeah Shawn, four universities applications were on my desk right here. You were there with your parents, you asked me if your choice was the correct one"

"I remember that day" The memories crossed his mind, Shawn was so excited about his future at college with Nick and their plans of living together but he needed his coach and mentor's opinion before signing.

"This is not the way I wanted to end my career in here, not ruining--"

"No- please no Coach" Shawn interrupted the man abruptly. "I took all the blame, I don't care about the consequences for me, I could never ruin Cameron's future"

"You don't understand Shawn, there's no positive end for him, apart from the consequences we can have. What happened will be written on his files and the universities are going to retire their offers. His parents would be called..., I bet his parents don't know about this. Do they?"

"They don't... he doesn't even come out yet"

"That another issue Shawn" Coach said. "Please don't take my words wrong, you know I was supportive with you back in years and I spoke for you but this is different"

"I don't get it" Shawn said confused.

"This could end in the news with him like the gay boy who was involved with his teacher, I have nothing against it but the general public is different Shawn"

The coach's word sank in Shawn, he was astonished with the reality view of another person.

"Then... what's going to happen?" Shawn asked hesitating.

"Do you really like him son?"

"More than I can tell" Shawn said truthfully.

"I'm probably making a huge mistake but we're only three weeks from the graduation and I can't ruin Cameron or his future. He is a good student, he is a nice guy" Shawn swallowed dry and nodded. "He is so talented, with a great mentor in the university he can become a pro player, he has everything its needed and you know that"

"I know" Shawn replied. "He is fantastic and so passionate with the game" Shawn looked at the folders over the desk.

"I won't said anything" Shawn looked back at the coach in surprise.

"I will keep this secret but with one condition Shawn"

Shawn was confused but held back any reaction. "What is it?" He responded.

"I need you to promise me that you will step away in time if there is something related to you that can ruin his future"

"What?"

"Promise me Shawn, you won't stay in the middle of him and his future" The coach said seriously.

"I promise" Shawn's heart was beating fast. "I promise I won't ruin Cameron's future"

"Good, I trust you" The Coach placed the folders back in his desk's drawer. "Now go and please, be more careful with him around school or any place that people we know can see the both you" Shawn just nodded. He couldn't find words to keep the conversation. The sound of the bell rung made him to get up and walk out the coach office.

He walked through the crowded hallway, some students stumbling with him trying to reach their next classes in time. He was in neutral mode, with nothing but reach his classroom as immediate step.

Once he entered he noticed that Cameron wasn't there anymore, just few early students for his next period. He greeted them politely and walked into his office. He sat down sighing, his words crossed his mind once again.

"I promise I won't ruin Cameron's future"...