Kids In Love

Goodbye Aftershock

Shawn's POV

I watched as Emma slowly disappeared out of view. I turned from the window to see the guys staring at me with goofy smiles. "What?" I asked.

They just laughed. "So Shawn, how come you haven't tried to hook up with your little girly friend Emma? She's obviously gorgeous." Nash said smirking.

"Come on, man. Leave the guy alone." Cameron rolled his eyes and smacked Nash across the back of his head.

"Just trying to make conversation." He defended himself.

"You could have said anything else but what you did." Jack G rolled his eyes.

"How did you two meet?" Carter asked me, ignoring the bashing going on.

"She moved in next door when we were little. Ever since then, we've been really close. Our parents use to joke when we were little that if one of us moved, the other would stow away and live under the bed just so we wouldn't be separated." I smiled. The guys just laughed.

"That's really awesome that you guys are so close." Taylor laughed. I just nodded trying not to focus on the fact that I won't be able to see her or hug her for three months.

"It must be hard leaving her behind." Matt said softly.

"Yeah. We've never been this far apart for so long." I said quietly.

"Don't worry man. Time will fly! Plus maybe you can send her a ticket and VIP pass so she can come and watch one of the shows!" Jack G offered happily. I just nodded.

"Do you like her as more than a friend?" I whipped my head around to face Carter.

I didn't hesitate to answer. "Yes." The boys looked at each other with smirks on their faces. They quickly turned towards each other and took the attention off of me. Everyone but Cameron who came to sit next to me on the couch.

"If you like her, how come you haven't told her?" Cameron asked.

"I don't know if she feels the same way. Plus we have so much history I don't want to risk messing up our friendship for some stupid feelings." I shrugged.

"They aren't stupid. She seems like a really cool chick." He patted me on the back as we let the conversation drop. I put my head against the window as I thought about Emma and how hard all this must be on her. I feel like a jerk for choosing my career over her but she would've thought she was being selfish if I stayed for her. I feel asleep as I replayed memories of our adventures.

Memories. That's what will help me through these three months without her.

Emma's POV

When I walked inside my house I locked the door and immediately fell to the floor and sobbed. "Emie? Is that you sweetheart?" My dad stopped when he saw me on the floor in tears. "Ohh pumpkin!" My dad ran up, knelt down and wrapped his arms around me pulling me into a tight hug. I buried my head in my dad's shirt. "Ellie!! Sweetheart!"

"What is it John?" My mother chocked back a sob when she saw me in my father's arms crying. "Ohh baby girl!" My mom joined our hug on the floor.

"Iiii..... I alrrready mmmissss himm." I stuttered between sobs.

"I know baby. I know." My dad put his hand on the back of my head as my mom rubbed my back.

"It'll get easier. You can text him all day, you can call him whenever, you can Skype him everyday. It'll be hard but everything is going to be okay. I know for a fact that he will never stop thinking about you. Everything is going to be okay. You can and will get through this. You are a strong girl Emma." My mom said.

We sat like that for what felt like hours as I calmed down. Once I did, I slowly pulled away from my family. "I have an idea." My mom said trying to lighten the mood."Why don't we go to Ruby's Diner for dinner tonight?"

My dad's face brightened. "That sounds like a great idea."

"Can I wash my face and fix my make up?" I asked quietly. My mother nodded as we all stood up.

I headed upstairs but heard my mother sigh. "What are we going to do John? I've never seen her look so... broken."

"She's going to be okay, Elinor. She just needs time." I didn't hear anything else as I shut the bathroom door.

I looked at my reflection and sighed. My mascara was running, my lipstick was smeared and I looked like a raccoon. I took a make up wipe and washed off my makeup. I then leaned down and splashed water on my face.

"Come on Em." I sighed. "It's just 3 months. It's not gonna be that bad." I put on some music as I put on my makeup. I smiled when Shawn's song "Life of the Party" blasted through my speakers. I danced around and sang along as I fixed my hair and makeup.

Soon my parents walked in and laughed. "And we were worried you wouldn't be our fun-loving crazy pumpkin." My dad joked. I just laughed.

"You ready?" My mom asked. I nodded as I grabbed my bag and followed them out to the car.

When we got to the diner, we were seated immediately. We laughed and talked about random things. Unlike most kids my age, I got along really well with my parents. They truly were my best friends.

As we ate dinner, my mind often wondered off to Shawn. I kept wondering what he was doing and if he was getting along with the other guys. I hope he has a fun time. I know how much he's always wanted to join them, even if he said he didn't.

"Honey? Are you okay?" My mom's concerned voice brought me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah, just thinking." I said playing with my fingers.

"About Shawn?" My dad asked gently. I nodded. I heard my mom sigh and looked up to see them looking at each other.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing pumpkin. We are just worried about you." My dad said sadly.

I couldn't help but smile. I reached across the table and grabbed each of their hands. "I'm going to be fine."

Do you ever say something and hope sooner or later it will become true?