Best Friends? Or Something More? (S.M.)

Epilogue

Alli's P.O.V.

I lay on the hammock curled up next to Shawn. As he moves a stray piece of hair behind my ear, I struggle to hold the tears back.

"I can't believe I forgot you." I whisper, a tear falling down my face and landing on Shawn's shoulder.

"It's okay. All that matters is that you remember now."

I sniffle and nod slightly. "How was the tour with Austin?"

"It was great. But you know what would've made it better?"

"What?" I know he's gonna be corny and say if I were there.

"If they had muffins on the tour bus."

I scoff playfully. "Wow, I feel so loved right now."

"You know I love you." He chuckles.

"I love you too, dork. Ewww, I just remembered I have to go to school tomorrow."

"Haha, I don't." He pokes my nose teasingly. "You wanna go for a walk?"

"Sure."

Shawn grabs my hand and helps me out of the hammock. I run inside and tell Jess I'm leaving before Shawn and I take our walk.

We reach the park near my house within minutes. I look up at Shawn and notice he's smirking when I see Mickey standing in a circle with a bunch of people. She's smiling at me, but I have no idea why. I don't recognize the people at first being that I can't see the majority of their faces. But as we walk closer I finally realize who everyone is.

"Noooo." I say to Shawn.

"Yes. They wanted to see you so I flew them all out here."

"Oh my god thank you!!" I wrap my arms around his neck quickly before running over to the group.

"Guys!" I yell.

"Aye there she is." Johnson says.

All the guys plus Mahogany snap out of their conversations and turn to face me with smiles. I'm welcomed with a bunch of hey's and hi's as everyone piles in for a group hug. I can't contain the excitement on my face as I greet the people I've missed so much.

"So Alli how have you been?" Aaron asks.

I think for a second before replying. "Actually pretty awful. But it's been better since I got my memory back."

"Well damn." Carter replies.

"Yeah. But I'm so glad you guys are here. How have the tours and shows and music been?"

Hayes decides to speak for everyone. "Well since Magcon is over now, we've all just been doing our own things. But I think it's fair to say everything's been great. We just missed the 15th member of our family."

*************************************

Shawn and I sit on the swings on the hill in the park, hand in hand. When we were younger we used to come here and watch the sunset with Jess and Aaliyah. He keeps making me laugh by quizzing me about what I remember. The doctors say it should help and so far it has been.

"When's my birthdate?" Shawn quizzes.

"Do you know how many times you've asked this question? August 8, 1998."

"Good." He chuckles. "Now what's my favorite food?"

"Muffins. You really don't have any better questions?"

"My love for muffins is an extremely important question."

"Can we talk about something else? Please?"

"Wait, one last question."

"Fine. What?"

"Do you remember the last thing I said to you before you went into a coma?"

"Yes. You said bye Alli."

I chuckle as he rolls his eyes. "No. The last thing I said that has real meaning."

"You said promise."

"And you know what I meant by that?"

"You meant that you wouldn't fall in love with anyone while you're on tour."

"Close, but not exactly. I meant that I promise to be everything for you. Your friend when you need one, a shoulder to cry on, someone to laugh with, a dance partner even though I can't dance. Anything, really.

When you were unresponsive, I sat by your bed and told you how much I loved you. I squeezed your hand, and you squeezed back. That was the first sign that you were gonna be okay. That was the first sign that we could keep our promises.

But when you didn't have your memories, you didn't promise. Not w
even once. And that's what scared me so much. I thought I would have to give up on us. But I'm so glad I didn't. I'm so glad we still have everything we worked for."

I bite my lip to contain my happy sobs. "You know Shawn?"

"What?"

"I'm happy that I remembered. You wanna know why?"

"Why?"

"Because I needed that friend back in preschool. And I needed that friend back in middle school. And I needed that friend after losing my memory. You were there all three times. Thank you for that." I finally let the tears fall down my cheeks.

"Hey are you okay?" Shawn asks.

Knowing what he's doing, I smile but shake my head and keep crying.

"Please don't cry, it makes me sad."

I still continue to cry.

"Do you need a friend?"

I nod.

"Okay, I'll be your friend forever."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

End of Story