Love Thy Neighbor ~ Part 4

Remember M'Dear's Roast?

I turned my lights off and was about to get in the bed. After a whole day of watching the McKellan kids work, I wasn't really tired, but I was going to just sit in my bed and read. I opened my book, excited to finish it off.
??: "Y/n!"
I shot my head up and looked around. I thought maybe my mom had said my name through the door.
??: "Psst! Y/n."
I looked at my window which was still open. No way someone was calling me from down-
??: "Y/n! Come to the window!"
I got up quickly and got on my knees to look out the window.
Y/n: "Shaka? What are you doing?"
I whisper-yelled.
Shaka: "Come to your front door"
He said walking off.
Y/n: "What?"
I quickly threw on a hoodie because I had only been in pajamas and a sports bra. I took off running down the stairs quietly and turned the house alarm off. I slowly opened the door to reveal Shaka.
Shaka: "Okay this may be crazy, for both of us, but let's go to the park for a little."
I looked at the wall clock.
Y/n: "Shaka it's one in the morning, and if they caught us you know what they'll do."
Shaka: "But they won't know because it's one in the morning."
I thought for a moment.
Y/n: "I was in the middle of finishing my book though."
Shaka: "Bring it with you, you can read to me, anything, just come on. I can't sleep."
He said practically begging. I shook my head and looked off.
Y/n: "Okay"
I finally said smiling. I ran upstairs and grabbed my book and threw some crocs on before coming back down. I quietly shut the door and locked it.
Y/n: "Let's go"
He grabbed my hand and we began our walk to the park, which isn't far. We got to the park and he pulled me over to the open area of grass. We both laid down on the ground and looked up at the sky. The sky was so clear and we could see the beautiful stars and the moon. I began to wonder why Shaka had snuck me out here in the first place. Of course I let him convince me but still. I rolled on my side and propped my head up on my hand.
Y/n: "Why'd you bring me here Shaka?"
He had been very quiet. He didn't even respond, just looked up at the sky. I took my free hand and moved his face to look at me.
Y/n: "What's wrong?"
I said rubbing my thumb on his cheek. I know he has a soft spot for me, and I really wanted to know what was up with him. He looked at me before he sighed.
Shaka: "Do you remember the day we found out that Principal Glass had passed?"
My face softened.
Y/n: "Of course I do. I'll never forget that day."
He looked back at the sky.
Shaka: "You came over to comfort me and it worked, so I know to come to you whenever I'm stressed or upset."
I slowly laid back down on my back. I didn't really know what he was trying to say but I didn't want to just go silent.
Y/n: "Well...what are you upset or stressed about?"
He, again, didn't say anything to me. I reached my hand over and grabbed his hand.
Y/n: "It's okay. You don't have to tell me right now."
He readjusted his fingers in mine.
Y/n: "But you do know that it helps to get things off your chest."
He rolled his head to look at me.
Shaka: "What if my parents...are struggling? I mean Jade is right, the robotics program is expensive.... and I don't want to be something that contributes to their bankruptcy."
I looked at him.
Y/n: "Shaka...I'm sure if they thought it was a big problem they would hint at it, but they haven't. Look I know it feels like you guys have to help, but maybe your parents have it under control."
Shaka: "But what if they don't"
Y/n: "They probably do"
He sighed and looked back at the sky. I sat up and looked at him.
Y/n: "Let's not talk about it. You said that I distract you, so let me work my magic."
He cracked a little smile.
Y/n: "See, it's already working."
He just shook his head. I grabbed my book and laid across him.
Y/n: "Don't think, just listen to my voice."
I began to read the very last chapter of the book I have been trying to finish all day. And Shaka? Well, Shaka slowly drifted off to sleep. I was happy he was able to find some sort of peace so that he could go to sleep. I just continued reading my book. When I finished I picked up my phone to look at the time. It was now 2:15, the time had passed so fast. Instead of waking Shaka up, I decided to let him sleep for 15 more minutes. I laid my head back down and looked at the sky. I listened to his heartbeat while I looked at the stars. It was very peaceful in the park at night. I have been to the park while it's dark before, but never this late, so it was cool to see how it was different later in the night. I rolled my head to the side to look at Shaka's face. I can't imagine what it may feel like to know that your parents are broke, especially after they had such a huge income that provided their children an amazing childhood. I sighed at the thought. Eventually 2:30 came around, so I had to wake him up.
Y/n: "Shaka..."
I said lightly shaking him.
Y/n: "Shaka"
Shaka: "hmm"
Y/n: "Come on, let's go home."
I said standing up and reaching my hands out. He grabbed them and I helped him up. While he stretched a bit I grabbed my book and phone. I grabbed his hand while he yawned causing me to smile and shake my head. We began the walk back to my house with little to no noise. As I walked onto my porch with Shaka I began to smile.
Y/n: "Although this is probably one of the most outrageous things we've done together, I had fun."
Shaka: "Me too- well for the time I was awake."
I laughed at him. He yawned.
Shaka: "So I guess I'll see you tomorrow at M'Dears roast?"
Y/n: "Probably before that, but definitely at the roast."
He nodded. I walked over to him and kissed his cheek.
Y/n: "Bye Shaka"
Shaka: "Bye Uthando"
I turned to open my front door. I still felt bad about Shaka's inability to sleep. I paused in the process of grabbing the doorknob.
Y/n: "Hey Shaka?"
He turned to me.
Y/n: "You want to stay the night?"
He walked back up the porch.
Shaka: "Is your mom okay with it?"
Y/n: "If she knew the circumstances, she wouldn't mind. Things have...changed."
I said shrugging and smiling weakly. He looked at me with his tired eyes.
Y/n: "Yeah you're tired for real"
I said grabbing him and pulling him inside. I closed the door, turned the alarm back on, and then proceeded to go to my room. He instantly got in the bed with me close behind. He immediately wrapped his arms around me.
Shaka: "Talk please"
Y/n: "Dang, demanding much? ...okay...ummm"
I began to just talk about the book. Knowing how tired he was, it only took Shaka a short amount of time to fall asleep. I ended up talking myself to sleep too, finally.