(A/N: the song above is what Lily sings later in the chapter)

"So what brings you to Toronto?" Karen asked my family.

"Things were getting slow at my work, so I decided to pack up our family and move out here."  My dad explained.

"Surely there must be more to the story than that.  Why leave the United States?"

"Well, the company I worked for was nationwide, and because of some things that happened, the whole corporation lost it's reputation.  So everyone had a choice, keep working a slow job, or leave and be known for working for a disreputable company. I stayed at my job for a while, then the pay became too low to afford our condo, so I left. And I couldn't find work in the U.S., so I decided to try Canada.  And that's how the Ryder family got here."

We nodded in agreement when my dad finished telling our story. I glanced at Shawn from across the table and he returned my gaze and smiled.

"You know Mr. and Mrs. Ryder, you have a lovely family." He turned his attention to my parents.

"Why thank you honey," my mom gave him a sweet smile.

Silence hung over the table for a while, only the clinking of our metal utensils against the glass plates made noise.  This all felt natural, it seemed as if this was meant to be.  I knew the Ryders and the Mendes would be good friends.

•••

"What can I help with Mrs. Mendes?" I smiled and started bringing in the dishes.

"Call me Karen," she chuckled and grabbed the plates, "and nothing I can think of at the moment."

I nodded and made my way out of the kitchen to where Shawn, Aaliyah, and Bailey were sitting.  They all looked up at me and motioned for me to sit.

"Shawn's showing Bailey his guitar picks."  Aaliyah told me.

"Oh how cool!  How many do you have Shawn?"

"Ummm, last time I counted, there was 47."  He sifted through them in his hand.

"Oh dang.  I only have 10 haha."

"You play guitar?"

"Yeah, I've been playing for three and a half years.  Plus I also play ukulele."

"No way!  I've always wanted to play ukulele.  I hope to buy one and play it for my kids one day."

"You can borrow mine if you want."

"You'd let me borrow it?"  He stared at me in anticipation.

"Of course!  Anytime you want to use it just let me know!"

Something like an excited woop and a squeal escaped his lips and he hugged me.  "You're the sweetest girl ever!"

My heart fluttered a little and I hugged him back. "Anything for you Shawnie."

Aaliyah and Bailey gave each other looks then grinned at us. "Shawly or Lilawn?"

My eyes widened and I nervously laughed.  Shawn didn't seem to catch it, or else he was playing it off better than I was.

"So Shawn, any exciting plans?"  Bailey smiled sweetly.

"Yeah actually!  I'm starting a world tour in about a month."

"Oh awesome!  Are you performing in Toronto?"

"Of course, always I gotta play in my hometown.  Hey, if you guys want, I can hook you up with some all access passes."

Bailey basically screamed at this point, "OH MY GOSH YES THANK YOU SHAWN!!  YOU'RE THE BESTEST EVER!!!"

"Anything for you guys," he smiled at us and squeezed my hand.

"That's very sweet of you Shawn, thank you," I squeezed his hand back.

"You know my offer still stands," he said quietly.

"What offer?"  Bailey prodded.

"I want her to help me on my world tour."

"LILY TAYLOR RYDER YOU HAVE TO DO IT!!!!!" She screamed in my face and started jumping up and down.

"Ok Bailey ok, calm down," I chuckled and put my hands on her shoulders.

Our parents came into the room and sat down on the sofa behind us.  "So Lily, your mother tells me you sing," Karen smiled at me.

I blushed bright red and glanced over at my mom, "Y-yeah I do.  I used to sing in my school choir."

"Could you sing something for us?"  Shawn asked.

"Um, sure.  Let me warn you, I'm nowhere as good as Shawn."

"Do you want to use my guitar?"

"That'd be great, thanks."  I nodded and he brought me his beautiful Taylor guitar.

I brushed my fingers over the strings and racked my brain to think of a song to sing.  The first one that came to my mind was Runnin' Home to You from the TV show The Flash.  (A/N: Grant has such an amazing voice omg!)

I began strumming the chords.

Can't say how the days will unfold.  Can't change what the future will hold.  But I want you in it, every hour every minute.  This world can race by far too fast.  Hard to see when it's all flyin' past.  But it's clear now, when you're standin' here now.  I am meant to be wherever you are next to me.

All I wanna do, is come runnin' home to you, come runnin' home to you.  And all my life I promise to, come runnin' home to you, come runnin' home, to you.

As I continued singing, I glanced up at Shawn and he seemed to be mesmerized.  There was a far away look in his eyes.

Shawn's POV:

As soon as she began to sing the words, something stirred in my heart.  I didn't understand what it was at first, then it began to grow and it hit me... I was falling in love.

I gazed at her lips as they formed the lyrics to this beautiful song.  I wanted nothing more than to kiss her right now.  To wrap my arms around her and tell her I loved her.  But I can't, at least not yet.

She finished her song and everyone erupted in claps and cheers.  That broke me from my hypnosis and I started clapping too.  She blushed and smiled, turning her eyes to me.  Yep, I was in love, and there was nothing I could do about it.

Lily's POV:

I had forgotten how much I loved performing.  When I was little, it was always my dream to become a singer.  That's why I started choir.  But my choir director was never really nice, I feel like he liked yelling at everyone.

I gave Shawn his guitar back and he put it away.  "You were amazing Lily," he exclaimed.

"Yes you definitely were!"  Shawn's family agreed.

"Oh thank you, you guys are too kind," I grinned widely and hugged my knees.

"It's all the truth," Shawn came up behind me and gave me a big hug.

Ugh my heart.  You know that feeling you get when you're completely happy and you feel like you're going to explode?  Yeah I was feeling that right now.

He let go and sat down next to me.  "Hey Mr. and Mrs. Ryder?"

"Yes Shawn?"

"I know Lily said she would talk to you guys about this, but I couldn't wait so I jus want to ask you.  If I clear it with my manager, can Lily come with me on my world tour?"

My parents looked at one another and then at me, "Um, what exactly are we talking about time wise?"

"About six months national and internationally."

"And her schooling?"

"She'd have to miss it, otherwise get a tutor and do it on the road."

"Let us think about it.  When do you have to know by?"

"Umm, I'll ask Andrew tomorrow, so... about two weeks."

"Ok, it sounds like a wonderful opportunity and we'll let you know."

A/N:
Hope you enjoyed the chapter!!  So sorry I haven't updated in a while, I've been really busy. Just wanted to say thank you to all the people who've read my story so far. It really means a lot to me. Love you guyssssss XXX 💕💕💕