Gabi.
 
 
"Seriously, Shawn. Don't be nervous. They're gonna love you. And now that they're back together it's so much better and they're really so much happier."

The truth is, I'm nervous. But I would never admit that to him.

I got back in contact with my mom a few days ago, after Shawn and I made up. My parents are also back together, it turns out they just needed some time apart and now they're fine. To be completely honest though, that pisses me off because they made my brother and I go through all that. But I bite my tongue because I'm just happy they're together again.

"There is one thing you should know, though, before we go in." I say, running my hands across his broad shoulders to smoothen out his shirt. "My parents can be... judgy. And overprotective. Mostly my mom but my dad takes after her a lot of times too. Just so you're aware incase they ask you triggering questions." I also tug at his bow tie to fix and tighten it.

"Okay, good to know. Now let's go." He smiles, lacing his fingers in mine as I knock on the door.

My brother answers, letting us in. "Gabi!!" he hugs me.

"I missed you." I hug him back. "Landon, this is Shawn."

"So you're the one who's been screwing my sister?"

"Landon." I warn.

"I'm just kidding, it's nice to meet you, Shawn."

I roll my eyes while shaking my head. As I lace my arm in Shawn's, I see my parents walk into the front hallway. I feel Shawn's grip on my hand become tighter and I squeeze back as if to say, "it's okay".

I have to admit, it's weird seeing Shawn this nervous. He's usually the one building my confidence, but now it's mostly the other way around. It's kind of cute and attractive actually, I've never seen this side of him before.

"Mom! Dad!" I say as I release from Shawn's tight grip to go hug them.

"So this is Shawn." He immediately goes to my dad first, holding out his hand, and my dad happily shakes it.

"So nice to meet you." Shawn says with a nod and a smile.

When he goes for my mom though, she doesn't move, just nods.  I bite the flesh on the inside of my cheek. Awkward.

"Nice to meet you." Shawn nods, with a slightly less perky smile. He's nervous. Her being resistant has set him off. My mom just nods again. I can feel the tension radiating off of everyone in this slightly claustrophobic hallway, and it's extremely discomforting.

"Well," my dad begins. "Dinner's ready, shall we go eat?"

Everyone makes their way to the kitchen, me grabbing hold of Shawn's arm again.

On the way,  I playfully punch Landon in the arm. "Not. Cool."

He has a disgusted look on his face, and rubs his arm where I hit him. I send him another eye roll. Like hell that actually hurt.

After that I tug on Shawn's shirt and stop him from walking. Time for the last pep talk.

"Shawn. You're going to be fine. If they ask you something you don't like, you don't have to answer it. They'll love you no matter what. Just be yourself."

"Thank you babe. That really helped, I needed that." he leans down and presses his lips to mine softly for a couple seconds before holding out his hand for me to take. I gladly take it and we continue walking to the kitchen.

Luckily dinner isn't as awkward as that first encounter was.

My parents ask him a bunch of questions, you know, about his life, how he's liking LA, the classic. My mom is definitely warming up to him too which is great.

"Shawn's a singer." I smile, looking at him.

"Oh really, Shawn? What do you sing?" My dad asks.

"Oh, it's nothing huge, I just have a youtube channel that I post covers on." He smiles shyly, scratching the back of his neck.

"You'll have to sing for us sometime!" My mom suggests.

"Oh um," he looks at me and I give him the most happy supportive smile ever. "Yeah sure." A slight blush creeps onto his cheeks. I put my hand on his knee underneath the table, and he puts his on top of mine, lacing his fingers with mine.

"So, Shawn?" My dad asks. "You mentioned you're from Canada, how long are you staying here until?"

"We're flying back August 27." he says.

"So you're saying you're going to leave my daughter then and break her heart."

"Dad-" I start.

"No, Gabriella, your Dad is looking out for you here. Shawn's going to leave, and you're going to be a heartbroken-"

"Mom, you don't think I know that? You don't think we've talked about it? Honestly." I'm done. I get up and leave the room, going around the  corner and up the first few stairs.

I stop when I hear Shawn say "Excuse me".

My Dad starts. "Shawn, just let me get something straight. You seem like such a great guy but you knew you'd only be here for two months but still wanted to pursue my daughter? You knew that you'd be split up at the end of the summer, so why did you do it?"

"Yes, I knew I'd be leaving in a matter of two months. But the feeling I felt when I met Gabriella- I couldn't help myself. She's such an amazing person, inside and out. I love your daughter with my entire heart, Mr. and Mrs. Reyes, and it is only my intention to make her the happiest girl on the planet." My heart is beating right out of my chest. I know he wasn't just saying that to get my parents on his side, the way he was speaking I knew he meant it. I can't stop smiling. "I'm going to make sure Gabi is okay now, if that's okay."

He walks over and meets me on the stairs. I smile and place my hand on his arm. "Thank you. That meant a lot."

"I wasn't just saying it, either. I meant every single word of that, Gabs."

"I love you." I say, melting into his warm embrace.

"I love you too babe." he kisses me on the forehead. "You know I'd do anything for you."


These are words I'll remember for a long time.


a/n
hey guys, short chapter but
i felt like that was a good place
to end it and hey, at least it
was a double update!!
i love you guys, thanks for
sticking with me through
my slow updates :)
— em