CALL IT EVEN | shawmila

nine.

Camila was still so tired, trying to hold back from yawning as they made their way back home. Their original flight wasn't until that afternoon, but Camila was able to pay for theirs to be moved up to the first one that morning.

They'd packed their stuff in the hotel room, Camila quickly pulling on the same jeans she'd worn the day before and grabbing her award off the table. They were on the plane in less than an hour.

She could tell Shawn was very worried about his sister. His eyes were red from crying and he kept shaking, like he was going to start again any second. He squeezed her hand tight on the plane and she kept whispering to him, promising him it was going to be okay.

"Brian said he's awake and she's stable and everything, she just can't get discharged without a parent or guardian to sign off." Shawn explained. "God—I'm gonna have to call my parents."

Shawn called his parents as they got off the plane. Camila took charge of their bags, dragging them off the belt as Shawn explained it all to his dad. She could hear his dad's voice slightly muffled on the other end.

"Last night? Were you home?"

"Um, no, I was in New York—it's a long story." Shawn sighed. "I know—I know, Dad. Okay, see you when you get here—"

When they got to Shawn's car, Camila offered to drive. She was tired too, but she had experience running on low sleep. Shawn called Brian again when they were on their way.

Finally, they got to the hospital. It was a blur of Shawn's voice shaking as he told the receptionist his sister's name and they were given visitor passes and her room number.

Camila looked over at him in the elevator. He still looked so pale and tired. It was hard to believe just a few hours ago, they were getting engaged.

The elevators opened on the floor and they stepped out. Camila immediately saw Brian sitting in one of the chairs in the hall. He was trying to hold onto Julia who was fussing and crying. Camila could only imagine that Julia was upset they'd been there for so long.

"Hey—is she up?" Shawn asked Brian.

"Yeah, I was just talking to her a minute ago. Her doctor's supposed to be here to check on her again in about fifteen minutes, if you wanna talk to him." Brian stood up, holding Julia in his arms who was crying and kicking. "Listen—we've been here for hours, I've really gotta get Julia home for a nap—"

"Of course, yeah, go ahead." Shawn nodded. "Thanks for staying with Aaliyah, I really owe you."

"I shouldn't have let her go out." Brian sighed. "I should have made her stay over with me and Julia while you were gone—"

"It's not your fault, man." Shawn shook his head. "She made this choice, now she has to deal with it."

Shawn opened the door and went into Aaliyah's room. Camila followed him, turning back to Brian just as he finally got Julia to calm down, the toddler resting her head on her dad's shoulder and closing her eyes.

"Thanks, Brian. I know it means a lot to Shawn—a lot to us that you were here, but you can go take care of your family now."

Camila followed Shawn inside. Aaliyah was sitting up in the hospital bed, flipping through the tv channels. One of her arms was in a sling and there was a brace around her ankle. There was even a large bandage over the bridge of her neck.

"Hey." She whispered, glancing over at Shawn out of the corner of her eye.

"Hey?" Shawn snapped, his voice cracking. "That's really all you have to say for yourself? Hey? What the fuck is wrong with you?"