Gabi.


"I'm going to go talk to him." I say as I walk into the living room. "I'm ready. I need closure."

"Where'd all this motivation come from?" Jess asked. "Just yesterday you said how it's been over a week and you still feel no motivation to go talk to him."

 
 
The day after the incident happened, I went back to get some of my stuff, sneaking in and right back out without saying a word. I even gave Lana's car back. Kenna knew I was coming, I've been talking to her quite a bit actually. It's been just over a week since I've been staying with Jess.

"I guess something changed. I realized how much I love him and miss him, and how much I need him in my life. Everyone makes mistakes but he better have a damn good apology."

"I have to say, I'm impressed Gabs. After last night I was sure that you'd take weeks to come to this point."

"I just want to make amends. I hate fighting with everyone. Lana and my family included. I don't know, it's like I woke up this morning as a new person. Last night I was more depressed than I have been since I came here and it made me realize, I don't want to live like this anymore. I hate this."

"Well? What are you waiting for?" she asks. "Come on, I'll drive you!"

"Are you kicking me out?" I say, pretending to be offended.

"No no, just encouraging you to do what you need to." she smiles.

"Thank you, Jess. For everything. I have no idea what I would've done if I didn't have you, I owe you big time."

"No problem, really. You should know that you're always welcome here, whenever you'd like. It was a pleasure having you."

"Thanks, now we should get going, the anticipation is eating me up." I say as I gather all of my belongings together and we head out the door.

Once we pull in the driveway, I notice that no one is outside. Good. I close my eyes for a second and take a deep breath.

"It'll be fine girl, just speak your mind." She smiles, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"I know. Thanks again, love ya!" I smile, grab my bags and open the car door, blowing a kiss.

First I walk in the door of Lana's beach house, to drop my stuff off.

"Oh, look who decided to show up!" Lana walks in the room.

"Lana." Kenna warns. "Really?"

"Nice to see you too, Alana." I never call her Alana. Only when we're fighting. But this day is about forgiving.

"We missed you, Gabi!"Kenna walks over gracefully and gives me a hug. "How are you feeling?"

"Better, thanks. I had a great epiphany of optimism this morning, which brings me here. To talk to Shawn."

"What even happened?" Lana asks.

I honestly thought Kenna told her. I look over to Kenna, but she gives me a face that says she didn't want to gossip. Makes sense.

I explain to Lana how Shawn blurted out that he still loves Laur, and how I left with her car and went to Jess' house.

"I'm sorry, Gabi, I really am. I know you've been going through a lot and I've honestly been a bitch to you about everything which didn't help. I hope we can put what happened with us in the past, and move forward. I miss my best friend."

"Of course, Lana. And it's okay, I was a bitch to you too because I was so strung out. So I'm sorry too."

"Oh, come here." she says, and opens her arms and we hug. Then I motion to Kenna to join us and next thing I know we're all in a group hug.

This makes me feel so much better. About my life, and especially about talking to Shawn. Things are looking up. "Now, I hate to break up our beautiful reunion, but I need to go talk to Shawn as soon as possible."

"Of course, girl. Go for it. It'll be okay, I promise." Lana says.

"You'll kill it." Kenna winks. "Show him that he can't mess with Gabriella Reyes."

I smile and put my bags into my room before heading over to Shawn's.

I take a deep breath and knock on the door. Within a few seconds Ian shows up at the door.

"Gabi?" he looks a bit surprised. "It's good to see you! How are you?"

"I'm good Ian, is Shawn here?" I ask.

"Yeah." then he calls in. "Shawn!!"

Then, he comes to the door and I saw him do a double take. "Gabi?" he looks happy to see me, but confused all the same.

"Hey." I smile. "Can we talk?"

He just smiles, and takes me outside to the porch swing at the side of the house.

"So, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for creating such a scene last week and leaving. I was just so angry and taken aback by what you said that I felt like I had no choice."

"You shouldn't be the one apologizing. I'm a jerk, and I messed up real bad. I drove the one girl I love away because of some stupid string that I still had to another girl who I care about only as a friend. I never meant it and I really really never meant to hurt you, Gabi. And I am eternally sorry for that."

"So if you only care about her as a friend, why would you blurt out to me that you still love her?"

"Lauren was my first love. I dated other girls in between and we dated again and broke up months before I came to LA. So I think it's just a first love thing, you know? That on top of the fact that I wasn't expecting to see her here. And before you say anything, I'm not trying to justify what I did, just trying to explain what I was feeling. What I did is unjustifiable and I get that. I really hurt you and it wasn't even a little bit okay."

"So you don't have any feelings left for her?"

"Not one. We're friends, nothing more. I promise."

"Good." I say, then pull him in for a hug. "I missed you so much. I hated being mad at you."

I pull away from the hug and press his lips to mine slowly, placing my hands on the back of his head. I didn't realize how much I was craving his kiss until it happened.

"You're still gonna have to make it up to me." I say in between kisses.

"Oh yeah, how would you suggest I do that?"

"I have a few ideas in mind." Then I kiss him again, smile on my lips as I do. "So, uh, I want you to meet my parents."

"Wait, really?" He pulls back, looking into my eyes. "Gabi, I thought they didn't like the idea of you dating."

"Babe, honestly I think they'll let that go if they meet you. Plus, we're getting serious and I know you're leaving soon but I'm trying to put that out of my mind. So will you? Please?"

"Of course." He smiles, then pulls me in to his chest and kisses me on the top of my head. "I love you, never forget that."

"How could I? You remind me so often." I giggle.

"I remind you so you'll never forget. No matter what happens I'll still love you. When I go back home, I'll never stop-"

"Shawn-" I cut him off.

"I'll never stop loving you, Gabriella. I promise."

"Okay." Is all I say. What else am I supposed to say that? "I'll always love you too." I smile up at him. "It's just hard to dream of the future when all I can think of is the road that's blocking us."

"We'll figure it out."

"Shawn, I'm not having a long distance relationship. I cant do that to you, to myself, it's too much." My eyes start welling up. This was not my intention.

"Baby, it's okay. I promise you, long distance relationship or not, we will work something out. Because I love you and that won't change."

But maybe it will. Life throws lots of lemons and that's just how it goes. I'm just going to have to live in the moment for now and not worry about the future, though it can be extremely difficult at times.

a/n
shabi is back woot woot
y'all probably hate me for not updating in two and a half months but double update ✌🏻
~em