Before she knew it, it was summer time. Her and her dad had this tradition of taking a road trip every summer, just the two of them. It was something Gwen always looked forward to, especially since her dad worked long hours throughout the year. This summer was no different, but things felt a little more complicated now. Shawn and Kamden were both on her mind, and she couldn't shake the feelings that had developed.

As Gwen and her dad packed the car, she found herself lost in thought, her mind drifting back to that morning with Shawn. It had been weeks since they spent the morning together, but the memory of his warmth and the way he whispered, "I love you," still lingered. They hadn't talked about it since, and Gwen wasn't sure if she wanted to.

"You okay, jelly bean?" Her dad's voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. He was loading the last of their bags into the trunk, looking at her with a curious expression.

"Yeah, just thinking," She replies with a small smile, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Ready to hit the road?"

Her dad grins, closing the trunk with a thud. "You bet. Let's go make some memories."

As they pulled out of the driveway and started the long journey ahead, Gwen looked out the window, the familiar scenery passing by in a blur. Maybe this trip would give her the space she needed to sort through her feelings.

The miles stretched ahead of them, winding highways lined with trees that blurred into a soft green haze as they drove. The radio hummed quietly, playing a mix of classic rock tunes her dad loved. Gwen let the music wash over her, trying to let go of the swirling thoughts about Shawn, Kamden, and everything that had been on her mind.

Her dad glanced over at her now and then, clearly noticing her quiet mood. "You know, this trip is all about unwinding, jelly bean." He said with a smile. "No need to carry the weight of the world with you."

Gwen smiles softly, appreciating his attempt to lift her spirits. "I know, dad. Just... A lot going on lately."

"Ah, summer blues already? You used to look forward to this break like it was the best thing ever," He chuckles, eyes back on the road. "But you're getting older, so I guess life's a bit more complicated now."

Gwen sighs, leaning her head against the window. "Yeah, it is. You know how it goes, high school stuff. Friends, relationships, trying to figure it all out."

Her dad nods knowingly. "Been there, done that. Well, not the high school part as a girl, but you know what I mean," He laughs before turning serious. "You wanna talk about it?" He asked softly.

Gwen hesitates, biting her lip. Normally, her dad was the one person she could be completely open with, but talking about Shawn and Kamden felt...Tricky. She wasn't even sure how to explain her own feelings, let alone share them out loud.

"I'm just...Confused," She finally admits. "You know what I'm dealing with Shawn and Kamden and it's all tangled up in my head."

Her dad gave a thoughtful nod. "Ah, the old love triangle. Classic dilemma."

"Not helping." Gwen groaned, though a small smile tugged at her lips.

"Hey, I'm trying here," He chuckles, smiling sheepihly. "Look, I won't push, but I will say this: Trust your gut. You've got a good head on your shoulders, Gwen. You'll figure it out. Sometimes a little distance, like this trip, is exactly what you need."

Gwen appreciated his words, even if they didn't solve everything. She took a deep breath, letting her dad's advice sink in. "Thanks, dad. You're right, this trip will be good for me. I think I just need time to think and take some time for for myself. Being away from everything might help me clear my head and get some clarity."

"Exactly. And hey, there's a diner up ahead. You up for some cherry pie?" Ian grinned, glancing at her briefly.

She perks up, grinning back at him. "Getting cherry pie is one of our traditions on our road trips. Obviouslybiting her lip. Normally, her dad was the one person she could be completely open with, but talking about Shawn and Kamden felt...Tricky. She wasn't even sure how to explain her own feelings, let alone share them out loud.

"I'm just...Confused," She finally admits. "You know what I'm dealing with Shawn and Kamden and it's all tangled up in my head."

Her dad gave a thoughtful nod. "Ah, the old love triangle. Classic dilemma."

"Not helping." Gwen groaned, though a small smile tugged at her lips.

"Hey, I'm trying here," He chuckles, smiling sheepihly. "Look, I won't push, but I will say this: Trust your gut. You've got a good head on your shoulders, Gwen. You'll figure it out. Sometimes a little distance, like this trip, is exactly what you need."

Gwen appreciated his words, even if they didn't solve everything. She took a deep breath, letting her dad's advice sink in. "Thanks, dad. You're right, this trip will be good for me. I think I just need time to think and take some time for for myself. Being away from everything might help me clear my head and get some clarity."

"Exactly. And hey, there's a diner up ahead. You up for some cherry pie?" Ian grinned, glancing at her briefly.

She perks up, grinning back at him. "Getting cherry pie is one of our traditions on our road trips. Obviously, we have to stop!"

"That's my girl." Ian said, chuckling as he turned into the diner parking lot. The quaint building had a classic Americana vibe, with a red-and-white striped awning and a sign that read "Open 24 Hours."

As they entered, the sweet smell of baked goods wafted through the air. They settled into a booth by the window, and Gwen couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia wash over her. This diner had been a part of their road trip tradition for as long as she could remember.

After placing their orders, Gwen looked around at the other patrons, noting the families, couples, and friends chatting animatedly over plates of food. It felt comforting to be in a bustling atmosphere, and she hoped it would help distract her from the swirling thoughts in her mind.

She tried not to think about Shawn and Kamden, and her own tangled feelings, but it was hard. So hard when every little thing around her reminded her of the boys in some way. She had it so bad for the both of them. The waitress returned with their orders, setting down two heaping slices of cherry pie topped with a dollop of whipped cream. Gwen dug in, the sweet flavor exploding on her tongue. She couldn't help but smile; this was one of her favorite treats, and it always managed to cheer her up.

"Mmm, so good." She sighed, savoring the next bite.

"Tastes just as good as I remember." Ian agreed, grinning at her.

As they ate, Gwen felt the tension ease from her body. Being with her dad was exactly what she needed, and she was glad they could share this special tradition. The rest of the day passed by in a blur, the miles and miles stretching ahead of them. The scenery changed from quaint towns to vast open landscapes. As night began to fall, they pulled into a motel for the night, ready to rest and continue their journey the next day.

Gwen collapsed onto the bed, exhaustion hitting her like a ton of bricks. The excitement of the day had worn her out, and she was ready for some sleep. She closed her eyes, snuggling into the blankets and allowing the sound of her dad's steady breathing lull her to sleep. But the last thought that crossed her mind was of Shawn and Kamden, the complicated feelings still swirling in her heart.

Hopefully this summer road trip would give her some clarity and answers, because right now, she had no idea what to do.

****

The rest of the road trip went by without a hitch, Gwen and her dad enjoying the long days of exploring new places, stopping at interesting sites, and spending time together. They stopped at a few museums, some historical landmarks, and even did a bit of hiking. They had a great time, and the days flew by. Soon enough, it was time to head home. Gwen was sad to see the trip come to an end, but she knew there would be plenty more road trips in the future.

"Home sweet home." Ian commented as they approached their apartment. Gwen smiled, nodding while following him inside. They were both surprised to find Shawn waiting for them. Gwen had talked to him throughout the trip here and there and earlier she told him they would be on their way home. He said he wanted to welcome them back since he couldn't wait to see her any longer. But she didn't think he would actually show up at their doorstep.

"Hey guys, welcome back!" Shawn greeted with a grin.

"Shawn, how did you get into our apartment?" Ian chuckled, setting his things next to Gwen after closing the door.

Shawn holds up a key, smirking. "Did you forget I have a spare key?"

Gwen'sheart fluttered at the sight of Shawn, his familiar presence making her feel both excited and nervous. "We didn't forget," She said, trying to keep her voice steady, "But we didn't expect you to be here."

"I just couldn't wait any longer," Shawn replies, stepping closer. "I missed you."

Gwen felt a warmth spread through her. "I missed you too, Shawnie." She spoke, her smile genuine. She glanced at Ian, who raised an eyebrow playfully but didn't interrupt. She rolled her eyes at her dad and buried her face in Shawn's neck. They had been apart for a few weeks which was tough for her and she had missed him terribly.

"Well, I'm going to unpack." Ian announces, heading down the hall. "It's good to see you, Shawn."

"Likewise." Shawn mumbled, still holding Gwen. He wasn't planning on letting go anytime soon. He had his face buried in her hair, breathing in the familiar scent that he had missed so much. He knows it has only been a few weeks but it feels like it had been forever since he had her in his arms. Gwen closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of his embrace and wishing the moment could last forever.

"So, how was the trip?" Shawn finally asked, pulling back slightly to look into her eyes.

"It was great! We went to some amazing places and had a lot of fun," Gwen responds, her excitement bubbling over. "But honestly, I'm just glad to be home. I missed you more than I thought I would."

"I missed you too," He says softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "It was weird not having you around." Gwen felt her cheeks flush at his words. Just then, a knock on the door interrupted their moment. Gwen frowned, feeling a bit annoyed at the disruption.

"Who could that be?" She wondered aloud.

Shawn shrugs, still having his arms around her. "Want me to check?"

"Yeah, please." She replied, stepping back reluctantly. Shawn opened the door, and they were both surprised to see Kamden at the door with a bouquet of her favorite flowers. Gwen had been chatting with him throughout the trip as well and let him know she was coming back today, but she didn't think he'd actually show up at her place.

"Hey, Gwen. Thought I'd surprise you," Kamden says, smiling shyly. "I'm glad you're back."

Gwen can't help but smile, butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She hadn't expected him to be here, and it was a pleasant surprise. "Kam, hey." She replies, feeling Shawn stiffen slightly beside her. She gives him a reassuring squeeze, wanting him to know that he was still her priority, and she didn't forget he was there. "Awe, you remembered my favorite flowers. Thank you." She takes the bouquet and leans forward, pressing a quick kiss on his cheek, surprising him. Blush dusts his cheeks, his eyes widening in surprise. She smiles shyly back at him, blush creeping up her neck. "What's with the surprise visit?" She asked curiously.

"Well, I uh, I wanted to surprise you and I really missed you so..." Kamden rubs the back of his neck, his nerves getting the better of him. "There was something else I wanted to talk about, but it seems like you're busy so we can talk later. No problem." He assured Gwen, giving her a small smile.

"Actually, why don't you stay and have dinner with us?" Ian suggested, emerging from the hall. "We were just about to order takeout. Right, jelly bean?"

Gwen shoots him a look, wondering what the heck her dad was doing. "Were we?"   

"It's no problem, I actually have plans with my family, but thanks for the offer." Kamden admits, smiling thankfully at Ian before turning to smile fondly at Gwen. "I'll see you later?"

"Yeah, of course. I'll call you and we can catch up later."  Gwen walked him to the door, feeling conflicted. She had missed him too, and a part of her wanted to talk to him right now, but she didn't want to leave Shawn hanging.

"You okay?" Shawn asked quietly, watching her with concern.

"Yeah, I just didn't expect to see Kam here," Gwen replies, leaning against the door with a sigh. "What are the odds, huh?" She smiles sheepishly. "I'm gonna put these in water and then we can go catch up." She waked him to the kitchen, finding a vase for the flowers.

Shawn nods, his expression unreadable. "Alright."

"I'm sorry if that was kinda awkward or weird, Shawn," She apologizes, giving him a reassuring smile. "This wasn't planned."

"I know. Don't worry about it, Gwen," He says, his tone light. "Let's just hang out and catch up."

"Sounds good," She replies, her smile widening. "I really missed you, Shawn."

Shawn's expression softens, his eyes warm. "Missed you too, Neve."

They spent the rest of the evening catching up, and Shawn regaled her with tales of his adventures on set. He was happy to hear about her trip and how much she had enjoyed it, and he was even happier to have her back.

They fell into an easy rhythm, the tension from earlier melting away as they chatted and laughed. But deep down, Gwen knew that things were more complicated than ever, and she wasn't sure what to do.

As the evening wound down, Gwen walked Shawn to the door, feeling a pang of sadness at his departure.

"I don't wanna leave." He admitted.

"You do live closer now." Gwen reminded him.

"But still, it's not the same," Shawn says, sighing. "I don't want this night to end."

"Me neither," Gwen confesses, her cheeks heating up. "But it's getting late, and we should both get some rest." She said and pulled him in for a side hug. "Plus I gotta unpack which I'm dreading. I'll talk to you tomorrow, alright?"

Shawn nods, a small smile playing on his lips. "Alright. Goodnight, Gwen."

"Goodnight, Shawn." She blushed a little when he kissed her cheek.

As Shawn made his way down the hall, Gwen couldn't help but feel like her feelings were more jumbled than ever. She still had a lot of thinking to do, and she wasn't sure where to even begin. When she closed the door and headed back inside, she wondered if the rest of the summer would bring more questions than answers. She was about to find out as the days turned into weeks, and the summer stretched ahead of her like an unwritten story. 

For Gwen, she only had a couple of weeks of summer left, and during those weeks, she had finally made a choice. She knew she had to confront her feelings sooner rather than later. The summer had flown by, and soon she would be heading back to school. She couldn't keep putting it off. So, she decided to take the plunge and make her decision.

A/N ooh finally making a decision here :) who do we think it's gonna be??