"Just Friends"

Started From The Bottom

*Flashback*

The cold, fall air seemed quiet and full of freshness. It was peaceful for just two kids enjoying their day off.

"Catch me Carrie!" Shawn yelled swinging back and forth on the swing set.

He tumbled to ground scrapping his knee. He began to cry holding it to his chest as I quickly ran over to him, worry written all over my face.

"Shawn! Are you okay?" I asked scared.

He shook his head and sniffled. I pulled a band-aid out of my pink and purple unicorn backpack and put it on his knee gently. He smiled and wiped his cheeks stained with tears. I helped him up and we headed home laughing off the moment.

*End of flashback*

"Carrie? Are you alright?" my dad said shaking my arm.

I nodded breaking my daydream and smiling back at him.

"Aren't you excited to see Shawn?" he asked kindly, as he continued to drive down the road towards the airport.

My father had a kind face. Wrinkles in the corners of his eyes and grey hairs pushed back with the rest of his brown locks with gel, he was an awesome dad to me.

I nodded again and pulled down my maroon shirt nervously. I rubbed my dry hands together watching the cars pass by next to us. I pulled out some lotion out of my purse applying it and inhaling the sweet scent of lavender as it soothed my nerves. He smiled sighing and pulled into the airport parking lot.

"Here's some money, have fun honey! Heh that rhymed" he laughed heartily handing me money.

I chuckled a little rolling my eyes at his humor.  Of course he pulled dad jokes on me. What kind of dad would he be if he didn't? I grabbed my purse closing the door behind me.

"Thanks daddy, love you" I said kissing his cheek and closing the passenger door.

He smiled as I walked over to the trunk to pull out my large luggage. I headed to the entrance shrugging my shoulders of relief. I waited patiently in line for the endless of checking in and baggage claim. I hopped on the plane and I was off to California.

I looked out the plane window and sighed. I rested my head and fell asleep listening to slow jams of Lana Del Rey and The Weeknd, just like Shawn would.

I woke up to the sound of the pilot speaking saying we're about to land. I cleared my throat and packed up my stuff getting ready for whatever was coming my way. I searched for my bag and then for my ride making sure that I looked alright, I felt like I looked like a horse girl or something strange. I spotted Shawn sitting on the bench with a bouquet of flowers in all different colors bouncing his leg, he looked more nervous than I did. He spotted me and I drop my bags running over, engulfing him in a tight hug. He lifts me in the air and smiled spinning me in a circle with a light laugh. His sweet scent filled my nose and his large arms tightened around me.

It almost felt like I was hugging someone completely different. He got taller, stronger. 

"I've missed my best friend" he said with his signature smile.

"I missed you too Shawn" I replied trying not to spill tears at the corner of my eyes.

His perfect teeth showed as he attempted to wink at me. He grew up. Tall, dark, handsome, I was pretty stunned by him. The fact that he didn't look like a nerdy little hockey player anymore was shocking over just a couple of years.

He picked up my luggage and handed me my flowers with a smirk spread across his face. I smirked back and nudged him a little thanking him for the gift.

"What's new in Toronto?" he asked casually.

"Not much since you've left, except that all the girls are jealous I get to see you" I replied waving my hands.

He smiled and nudged me back.

"I can't wait till you meet my friends, they're something else" he chuckled rolling his eyes.

We headed to a limo sliding into the black seats. It felt weird. My famous best friend, is still my friend after all this time. You would think that our friendship would dissolve but he still seems interested in staying connected to his lifetime best friend, I'm grateful for that. I looked out at all the street lights and people walking by as we drove towards the hotel. I soaked in the summer air with the window rolled down, that filled the California skies and smiled at the different scent.

"It's beautiful here" I said breaking the trance.

He nodded a little pulling out his phone and resting it on his lap.

"Yeah, but not as great as Toronto" he replied.

"I can disagree" I chuckled jokingly.

We got to the motel and all his friends greeted him. I just stood there awkwardly and waited. They were all gorgeous. They seemed unreal to me, like super models.

"Guys this is my best friend, Carrie" Shawn said grabbing my shoulder and pulling me close to him.

"Uh Shawn I thought I was your best friend?" a cute blonde-brown headed boy said.

Shawn chuckled as I faked an awkward smile.

"I'm kidding, I'm Matt the hot one" he said shaking my hand with a wink.

"And I'm Cameron the even hotter one" an even cuter kid said jumping in front of Matt.

I nodded in a greeting way and smiled.

"I'm Nash the hottest one" another included.

"Taylor here"

"Hayesssssss"

"Jack J or your man preferably" he said winking.

I blushed madly looking at him surprise, they were all very enthusiastic but I guess that was their job in this industry.

Jack G"

"Carter"

"And last but not least, me, Aaron" the last one said with a cute cheeky smile.

I waved and greeted each one of them with kind handshakes and gestures. I sighed a little taking everything in.

"Nice meeting you all" I replied with a kind smile.

Shawn nodded clearing his throat. He suggested everyone to hit the sack to get some rest and with that we headed to our own rooms. Thankfully Shawn was in the same room as I so that I didn't have to freak out staying in a town I've never been to.

"Night everybody!" Cameron yelled waving.

Everybody waved back and I headed to the room to unpack. I hopped into bed and fell fast asleep with the jumble thoughts flooding my mind.

Shawn said his goodnights as he turned off the light next to us in the middle.