Sleeping Beauty

Chapter 27

Shawn

When I wake up, the first thing I hear is footsteps. They're getting louder and louder. For a second, I believe I'm back home and it's just my mom or dad, but then I look around and see purple...

And America.

Then more footsteps. And voices. "...I just want to check on her," a woman's voice explains. "It was weird for her crutches to just fall like that in the middle of the night."

A man's voice. "Don't wake her up. Dr. Allan said she needs her rest."

"Jesus, Paul. I'm just going to check to make sure our daughter is okay." 

America still hasn't woken up. For a second, I imagine what would happen if her parents found me here with her. Without thinking, I quickly roll to the side, pulling my arm out from under her side during the process. She moans and rolls over. I trip a little over the sheets and grab the wall for support. 

Footsteps.

I rip the door open and gently close it as far as I can while still being able to see out of it.  

Her mom walks in first. Her dad follows. 

"See, dear. I told you she was fine."

"Shhh!"

He rolls his eyes.

They don't leave. 

The woman sits on the corner of her bed and runs her fingers through America's hair, something I wish I could do right now. Her husband slowly walks over to her and rests his hand on her shoulder. And then something I don't expect happens.

Tears.

So many of them. It hurts me to watch. Deep and struggling breaths, hugs, hands being held. I shake my head. What happened to America was horrible and definitely something she didn't deserve, but it's how we met. I can't imagine the stupid and worthless life I would be living without her if she had never gotten in that car wreck.

Thankfully, America moves a little and they quickly get up and leave before she has the chance to wake up. I sit there and watch her. The door clicks shut and her eyes flip open. She looks around, trying to figure out her surroundings. Her eyes land on my boots at the end of the bed. She glances at the door again before whispering, "Shawn."

"Shawn!" She's trying to whisper, but I know her parents are on high alert and will come rushing up here if there's any sign of something odd. 

"Shhh." I push the door open and she smiles. I walk across the room and hand her her crutches. "My lady," I smile, knowing what would have to come next.

She smiles back at me. "Why, thank you kind sir." 

I help her stand, slip my shoes on, and walk back over to the window. She follows. "Where are you going?'

I don't turn around to face her. "Home, I guess. Dallas or wherever the next place on my tour takes."

I sneak a glance and see the disappointment spread across her face. "Oh."

"Yeah."

"Well, um." She bites her lip. "Are we going to-"

I swiftly turn around in one fluid moment and scoop her up into my arms. And that's it. That's all I can manage. Our last kiss will have to last me for the next two and a half months.  

I slide the window open and throw my leg over the side. 

Wait!"

She hobbles over to her desk and opens the drawer. When she walks back over, she has an old styled camera with her. "I need a picture."

I shake my head. "I really have to go-"

She holds the camera out and pulls my cheek to her lips. I practically fall out of the window. It immediately prints out of the bottom of the camera. She lets it fall to the floor next to her. "I need a serious picture."

So I climb back inside and sit on the ground with her and take two serious pictures. One for me and one for her. I don't examine it before I slip it into my pocket. I then attempt to leave again. 

"Wait!"

"You're making leaving very difficult." She quickly kisses me on the lips and I pull away from her. "I have to leave. I love you." And with that, I slip out the window, landing on the tree branch that sits under it. I swiftly pick my way through the leaves and branches, trying my best to avoid any windows. 

Once I reach the mailbox of a neighbor that lives a couple house down from them, I call Dr. Allan."

"Where are you?"

His mouth sounds full. "Hotel." After a few seconds, "Be there in ten." He hangs up and I collapse onto the ground. I check my instagram and twitter along with my text messages. I reply to my mom's hundredth text and assure her that I'm okay. I call Sherry after that and tell her I want to move all the shows for the next week to the end of the tour. Tell my fans I apologize. She was pissed, but I explained to her that I needed a break and was going to be worn out if I didn't receive one. 

Twenty minutes later, Dr. Allan pulls up with a coffee and a muffin. He laughs. "Better late than never."