•FORBIDDEN LOVE• Shawn Hunter

EIGHTEEN

(Emotional)

•••

"I CAN HEAR ERIC SNORING FROM ACROSS THE HALL!"

Lucy Matthew's could normally fall asleep easily but for some reason she couldn't get comfortable in her bed. She tossed and she turned but nothing could take away the feeling that was overwhelming her body. She sensed that something was wrong but she couldn't seem to figure out what it was. Her pillow hit her face as she fought the urge to scream into it. Exhaustion was overtaking her body but she couldn't fall asleep. Her mind just wouldn't let her. It was like she needed to fix what was wrong before being able to peacefully sleep. "Owww..."A familiar male voice groaned. Lucy's body immediately shot up in her bed as her eyes landed on her window. Her eyes landed on Shawn Hunter struggling to get in through her window. "Shawn? What the hell?" She asked him in disbelief as she quickly walked over to the window. She shivered as the wind blew in through the small window. Shawn stood up as Lucy examined him. He was wearing his leather jacket and he seemed fine until Lucy's eyes locked with his eyes. His eyes were bloodshot red. Lucy felt an overwhelming feeling of sadness for him as she knew he had been crying. Shawn quickly looked away from her as he wiped at his eyes.

"I didn't... I didn't have anywhere else to go." Shawn stuttered as his voice cracked. Lucy didn't answer as she pulled Shawn in for a hug. She has no clue why he was there but she now knew why she was unable to sleep. Her friend needed help and she sure as hell was going to help him. Shawn was surprised by the sudden affection from Lucy. "I don't deserve to be hugged." Shawn whispered as he tried to push her away. "I don't care what you think... you need a hug." Lucy replied sharply as she held on tighter to him. Shawn wanted to hug her back more than anything and he didn't want to push her away but his mind told him that he didn't deserve her affection. Shawn gently pushed her body away from him. Lucy crossed her arms as she stared at him. "Can I sleep here?" Shawn asked her softly as he took off his jacket leaving him in just his grey shirt. Morgan shifted in her bed and Shawn and Lucy both got quiet as they prayed they wouldn't wake her up.

"You can sleep here... but I think I deserve to know why?" Lucy whispered at Shawn. Shawn refused to meet her eyes because he knew he would surely break down. He didn't know why he had chosen Lucy of all people to come to. It would have made more sense for him to go to Cory but his heart led him to Lucy's window instead. He knew she would understand him but he hated talking about his issues with other people. "I don't have to tell you." Shawn mumbles aggressively as he walks past her to her bed. "Come on Shawn.... you obviously came here for a reason... your eyes are red because you have been crying.... just tell me..." Lucy whispers softly as she walks over to him. Shawn takes a deep breath as he sits down on the edge of her bed. "You wouldn't understand." Shawn stutters as he nervously looks down at his hands. "Try me." Lucy replies sharply as she sits down next to him. Shawn shakes his head as small tears start to form in his eyes. He told himself he wouldn't cry in front of her. He didn't want her to see him like this. "Let's just sleep." Shawn whispered as he laid down on her bed.

He covered his face with one of her pillows. Lucy immediately moved the pillow from his face causing him to groan in annoyance. "You tell me what is wrong this instance!" She yelled a little too loudly. Shawn placed his finger on her lips as Morgan moved in her bed. Lucy smacked his hand away as she glared at him. Shawn could feel Lucys eyes on him as she waited for him to explain what was going on. He sat up in her bed as he felt Lucy's leg brush against his sending chills through his body. He didn't know how to talk to her. He wasn't used to people caring or wanting to listen to him. "I can't.... you just.... you won't understand..." Shawn tells her softly as he finally looks up causing his eyes to lock with hers. Lucy feels a tug in her heart at the sight of Shawns eyes. She hated seeing him sad and she hated that he felt like he couldn't talk to her. "Why wouldn't I understand?" She asked him softly as she placed her hand on his hand. Shawn felt pain in his chest as he looked down at her hand holding his. He didn't want to but he pushed her hand away.

"Your life is easy you have parents who care about you." Shawn tells her sharply. Lucy's concerned face turned into anger. "So you assume my life is easy..... that I could never even comprehend what you are going through.... you're such an asshole Shawn Hunter.... you always push away the people who want to help you!" Lucy yelled at him as she fought the urge to hit him. She stood up as she ran a hand through her hair. "I didn't mean that..." Shawn mumbled as he stood up. Lucy took a deep breath as she looked over at him. She knew he was hurt and he was just taking it out on her but she wished he would talk to her. "Just tell me Shawn..." Lucy whispered in a soft tone. "My parents.... are fighting... it's my fault... I'm just a burden to them..." Shawn explains to her as tears fall down his face. "You're not a burden..." Lucy whispered but Shawn cut her off. "I am! Every time they fight it's about me! I'm the reason they aren't happy!" Shawn yells as his voice cracks. Lucy stared at him as she held back tears. She hated that he felt that way and she wished she could fix his family. "I promise Shawn... it's not your fault.... it's not... you are the best thing in their lives..." Lucy tells him as she takes a step closer to him.

Lucy reaches her arm out to him and Shawn immediately engulfed her in a hug. Lucy was caught off guard at first but she immediately hugged him back. Shawn sobbed into her chest as he clung onto her shirt. Lucy held onto him tightly in hopes that even a simple gesture could make him feel better. "Shawn..... you are amazing... just because your parents don't get along doesn't mean it's your fault... and it's not fair to you for them to argue or fight in front of you... I'm sorry you have to go through that." Lucy tells him as she holds him closer to her. Shawn remained clinging onto her body as he feared that if he let go everything in his life would fall apart. "I....lo...." Shawn stuttered but quickly stopped himself. He couldn't believe what he was about to say to her. He hated people seeing him vulnerable but he trusted Lucy and knew she wouldn't judge him. Lucy felt tears fall down her face. Seeing Shawn like this made her feel so sad for him. Shawn pulled away from the hug causing his eyes to lock with Lucy's. His eyes flickered to her lips and he yearned to kiss her but he couldn't. Not when he knew it would ruin their relationship. "I got you." She whispered as she pulled him back into her arms and gently rubbed his back.

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Let me go get my tissue box real quick 😪