"I'm thirsty, let's go get something to drink." Shanon says as we stop running in front of Starbucks. He holds my hand and we walk in. The place is unsurprisingly packed. We walk further in to line up in the queue but as soon as he spots someone, a gasp escapes his mouth, one that makes some heads turn to us including hers. He tries to slip his hand from mine but I tighten my grip on it, not wanting him to cause any trouble.

It didn't take much to recognize Katie. I vividly remember one night when I was skyping with Shanon when he first got with her. He kept on raving about her, how she was beautiful, with dirty blonde hair and ocean blue eyes, just like him, and how well she treated him and cheered him up in games. He didn't just love the way she looks, he loved her heart, the way she behaved and she treated him and the people around her. For him, she seemed beautiful inside out, well until that day.

Now looking at her, I can confirm how pretty she looks. She turns to us with a boy by her side, their hands intertwined. Her body sends hostile vibes the moment she sees me next to Shanon. She's wearing some crop top that shows some cleavage and she's leaning on the boy's chest, with his hand on her back. She manages to brew a reaction from Shanon who squeezes my hand sternly.

"Oh hi Shane, didn't know you'd be in LA this summer" her high pitch makes her lie obvious. Her voice contrasts with her delicate looks, it is rather annoying. Damn, how did he stand her all that time.

I look at Shanon and his veins are almost popping out of his forehead, a sign of anger he has developed over the years. I nudge him slightly by the elbow and he caresses my hand with his thumb, reassuring me that he will not cause a scene in public.

"Sure you didn't." is all he says with an annoyed expression.

"How've you been?" she tries to sound decent but I cringe whenever she speaks. She deliberately takes her boy friend's hand to her shoulder and gives him the fakest smile I could see. Poor thing, he doesn't know what he signed for

"I was good."

"Come one Shanon, can we be decent and have a conversation like normal people?" She says while she plays with locks of her hair and chews gum in a nasty way.

Girl is trying so hard to piss him off. I can't believe this is the same girl he told me about!

"I'm actually somewhere between better and best. Highschool's over and with it all the silly bullshit, I'm ready for college life, with my girl who will join me soon." I had to catch up fast and close my gaping mouth, as he hugs my shoulders and gives me a warm genuine smile.

"See you never!" with that, he yanks my hand and we take long strides outside of the coffee shop, never once looking back.

"Fuck!" he lets out as soon as we're out, kicking a stone with his foot as hard as he can. I'm afraid to say anything wrong.

"I... I don't know what to say... How come..." I stutter.

"Out of all the places, and all the cities!
How come she's here in LA?" he takes his hand away from mine to tug angrily at the roots of his hair. He must've had told her before that he comes here in the summertime.

"Come one babe, let's get away from here." I cross my fingers behind me, put my arms on his shoulder and give him a light hug and a quick kiss on the cheek. "Come, I'll buy you ice cream." he has a small smile on his lips but I know it's not the real Shanon smiling. We buy two triple-flavor ice creams from a nearby shop and walk home in complete silence.

He is distracted the whole time. I know he acted all tough in front of her but I can feel weakness crawling back to him. It's not easy talking that way to a girl you once considered special. A one year relationship ending abruptly must be hard to take on. And seeing her with someone else so fast is just frustrating.

••••••

It's been thirty minutes since we arrived home. Shanon didn't say a word and I knew I had to let him be. My parents are in the garden preparing for the barbecue lunch we're about to have, and my sister is nowhere to be seen. I had a shower as soon as we arrived and when I finished, he is still in the guest bathroom. I go to my room and close the door behind me.

Sitting on the bed, the scene plays in my head. Shany actually acted brave, I never thought he'd be cool like that and even call me his girlfriend in public. I know it was just to tease her and show her that he's moved on, but he caught me off guard. I still haven't told him about what's on my mind though. Is now a good time, now that he saw her and made sure she's seeing someone else? Or should I wait for another chance when he is emotionally constant?

Minutes tick by quickly and I only realize that when the wall clock ticks one o'clock. I remove the towel from around my body and put one of my sumner flowery short dresses. I pat dry my hair and let it fall down on my back. When I walk in front of the bathroom, the door is open and it's empty. Where is he?

I walk to the end of the hall, passing by my sister's empty room and reaching the guest room. And there he stands facing the wall. No sound, no movement. His hands are tucked in his baggy shorts and he looks at the ceiling, his head directed upwards between tense shoulders. I take a step forward and come in front of him. He doesn't seem to notice me since his eyes are closed and he doesn't move at all. I study his face closer to detect any signs of crying but none are showing. Shanon is one the men who rarely cry and when he does, he wouldn't show it. Instead, his jaw line is sharp as he presses on his teeth to release the devil in him.

I take another step towards him and tuck my hands around his waist in a warm hug when his body suddenly jerks.

"It's alright to be angry. I'm here for you, whenever you're ready." I continue to hug him and pat on his back. He first doesn't move then eventually hugs me back and snuggles deeper into my wet hair.

"I just need a moment to recover from today. I don't want to do anything stupid or hurt anyone." he says, his face still in my hair.

"Look at you all nice and rational. What you did at Starbucks was incredible. You shut her up in a good way and I'm proud of you. You truly deserve someone who knows your worth and doesn't take you for granted. Shanon, you're unique and don't let anyone ever make you doubt that."

He suddenly pulls away, and gazes deeply into my eyes. Did I say something wrong? His eyes look different, a shade darker maybe and there is no trace of a smile on his face. Just a blunt expression.

"What did you want to tell me earlier?" he continues to look at me with no emotion at all, averting his gaze between my eyes and lips.

"Shany, you're scaring me. Why are you looking at me like that?" the way his eyes finally settle at my lips is distracting.

"Just say whatever it is." he says impatiently. I feel paralyzed, standing in front of him like a dead body. His impatience and the mixed look that he's giving me are very frustrating. What I've been working on since early morning falls in deep waters. Now he's all worked up and tense because of that bitch. His hands are on his sides but they feel tense as if they're ready to punch someone. His chest rises up and down as he breathes heavily. This is not helping at all. I look at his lips which are in a thin line but look moist and warm and then lift my eyes to his before my face falls to the floor again.

"I-I think I'm...in love with you..." I stutter with a barely heard voice. I'm met with a short gasp and then lips crashing into mine. Our noses brush shortly but he smoothly tilts his head and cups my cheeks with both his hands as he kisses me. My body clenches tight from his soft touch and I feel the sparkles spreading throughout my body. My eyes are still open, in shock looking at him in disbelief. His eyes are closed, not giving away if they are full of lust or love, but the kiss is soft and slow. His wet lips work their way deeply around my lips and he keeps on tugging at my lower lip and sucking it like it's some sort of candy. Is he really kissing me like right now?

As if to catch up with my thoughts, I shut my eyes, sink my fingers into his messy golden hair and close the tiny distance between our bodies, never once breaking the kiss. I let myself enjoy the feel of his lips on mine, moving them in harmony with his, the sound of our fast beating hearts louder than a busy night in New York City. I feel like I'm melting between his blissful hands and his fresh scent. He has a faint smell of the apple shower gel he used but it's mainly his odor, the very Shanon odor that engulfs my whole being and takes me on cloud nine. I was enjoying the moment when he pulls away, a soft whimper leaving my mouth without my consent.

I open my eyes and he inches back away from me, an undecipherable look on his face.

A knock on the door makes the both of us jump further back.

"Here you two are!" my sister stands at the entrance of the room staring at us. I rub my lip with the back of my hand and Shanon has his arm on the back of his neck and stares out of the window.

"Uh... Lunch's ready. Come on downstairs." she announces and turns away to leave.

"Oh my God! Do you think she saw us?" I start to panic and my hands instinctively move to my face to cover it.

What happens next melts my heart. He reaches to me, removes my hands and gives me a deep airy kiss on my forehead, and brings my face closer to his chest with his other hand behind it. He has a worried apologetic look when he leaves the room, leaving me in a pool of thoughts.