Butterflies || Shawn Hunter

Chapter 5: "Yeah, Goodnight"

SHAWN'S POV:

I tucked my hands into my pockets as everyone filed out of the classroom, getting stopped by Mr. Turner.

"Hey Hunter, I wanted to talk to you for a minute," he spoke up.

"Yeah? What is it," I wondered, Cory right beside me.

"First off congratulations on your new relationship. You and Kimberly make a very nice couple."

I just stood there staring at him for a couple of seconds, trying to process what he just told me. "We're not a couple. We're just friends."

"Oh. My mistake. Anyway, I also wanted to talk to you about your grades."

"Why are you always judging me," I cut in, sick of the teachers getting on my back.

"I'm not, Shawn. I just think that if you work a little harder-"

"You're all judging me."

"No, we're not, Shawn. We just want to make sure you get your grades up for college," Cory cut in gently.

"Come on, I know what I am. I live in a trailer park and you look down on me for that. And I'm not going to college," I stated, brushing past them before they could stop me.

KIMBERLY'S POV:

The last few days had been tough for me, watching Shawn getting sucked in deeper to a cult. He thought everyone else was out to get him and judge, and I just couldn't figure out where all of these negative feelings were coming from. I thought our friendship was going strong, and everything between him and Cory were good too. I lingered in the background when Shawn instantly went up to hug Cory at Chubbie's, his friend pushing him off since it was part of how his new group greeted people. I vaguely heard their argument, lowering my head before lifting it to see Shawn storming off from his best friend. I ran to catch up, attacking him in a warm hug, making him freeze on the spot.

"I thought you were used to hugs now," I faintly laughed, only squeezing him tighter when he went to push me off.

"Kimberly, please don't do this. I don't want you getting involved."

"Then why are you," I questioned.

"I mean, in my fight with Cory. He just doesn't get me. He's always judging me."

"Where is this coming from, Shawn?"

"You know what? I don't have to take this from you too." He tried to pull away but I clung onto him more, not letting him escape. "Why won't you just let me go?" His voice sounded a bit emotional, which was more than the shell of a man he was becoming.

"Because I can't let you go, Shawn. I know you think we're all judging you, but I can't let you just go back to that group."

"That group? They're my friends. They're all my friends, and they don't judge me like everyone else, and stop hugging me!" He finally pushed me off as I looked at him as though I was seeing a stranger. He brushed his hair back as he gazed at me, both of us breathing heavily from what just happened. I was about to find the words to say, but instead I decided silently leaving was the better option.

I hated the way that Shawn had to wake up and discover the truth when Mr. Turner was in a motorcycle accident.

"He's going to be okay," he softly told us after leaving his teacher's room in the hospital.

"Did you talk to the doctor," Cory questioned.

"No, but I just know." I was relieved when he decided to stay over at Cory's while his dad was out of town, sitting with him on the couch in their living room as the clock struck midnight. I was crashing on the couch, since I felt like I needed to be with a friend tonight.

"I don't get it. How can all you guys care about me so much? I mean, even when I was ruining everything and felt completely empty-"

"You felt empty?"

He simply looked back at me as my heart broke. "Why didn't you tell me you were feeling this way," I whispered.

"How could I?" He stood as he went to the other side of the room, standing before the fireplace. "Nothing anyone said or did made a difference. I only started feeling better tonight after I talked to God. Mr. Turner was just laying there, and I didn't know what else to do, so I prayed."

"It sounds like you found something to believe in," I softly said.

"Yeah, I guess I did." He spun around as I gave him a weak smile, watching as he glided over to join me again.

"I was praying for you too, Shawn." I gripped his hands in mine as he looked down at them, trying not to let any of my tears fall. "I couldn't stand you not talking to me, of being so angry at everyone, and so hurt inside... Don't you dare ever shut us out like that again. I missed you so much." I felt him tuck a strand of hair behind my ear as I lifted my gaze, sniffing a tiny bit as I faked a smile.

"I missed you too. I thought about you when I was gone. I thought about how you kept hugging me even when I told you to knock it off. That was one of the most real hugs I've had this week."

"You're going to make me start crying again." I almost laughed as I gave him a small smile, him doing the same. "You know sometimes I feel empty too."

"Don't say that," he gently said.

"It's true, but having a friendship like yours really helps."

"Yeah, you know Mr. Turner actually thought we were dating. That's crazy, right?" He was gazing at me with an amused expression, but I could have sworn there was something deeper hidden in his blue orbs.

"Of course. We're just friends." I fought to not let my disappointment shine through, running my fingers through my hair. I giggled when Shawn mimicked me, even though I had picked up the habit from him. I leaned my head against his shoulder as I stared at his feet pressed against the coffee table, his shoes still on. "I know this sounds crazy, but I'm scared for you to go up those stairs."

"Why," he asked barely audible, looking over at me as his eyes danced between mine.

"I'm just scared of you leaving again. Cory's told me all the stories of you staying with him and sneaking out his window, of how you used to wish you were free like a stray dog."

"That was the old Shawn. I mean, yeah, I still run away from things, but I'm not running tonight." I felt the blush attack my cheeks when he gave me such an intense look.

"I better make up the couch. Cory's mom left some blankets on the chair over there." I gravitated to the piece of furniture, lifting the first fabric. Shawn joined me, helping me to make my bed as I giggled quietly.

"What?" His own mouth was curved into a smile since I couldn't stop giggling.

"Nothing."

"No, come on, tell me," he urged, still grinning as we sat on the sofa.

"It's just that I love your shirt."

"My shirt makes you giggle?" He creased his forehead as he appeared amused.

"You look really good in orange, so I just wanted to say that I love your shirt."

"It rhymes with your skirt," he suavely stated, causing me to giggle all over again.

"Shawn...," I dragged out in a whine.

"Kimberly...," he mimicked in the same type of voice as he shook his head some.

"Goodnight," I beamed at him, crawling beneath my sheets after he stood up.

"Yeah, goodnight." My heart fluttered at how those were his exact words after the first movie we saw together. I couldn't be happier when he turned off the lamp and I felt him pulling my blanket over my shoulder. I swear that I was smiling even after I fell asleep.

A/N: Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please remember to comment, vote, and follow. Thank you so much! <3