Best Friend (Shawn Mendes)

26

After our wolf shenanigans they pull me to a picnic table, away from everything.

"Ally, do you mind if we smoke?" Asks Sam.

I sit next to Jack G, Sam and Johnson across from us.

"No," I say.

They smile and thank me as they pull out lots of things. They're obviously smoking weed.

"You want some?" Asks Sam, who hold out the joint.

I think, I mean I've smoked before, but not that often. It was at Cat's birthday party last year, I was 14. After that, I smoke like 2 other times. It's actually pretty fun.

Johnson hits his arm, "don't fucking peer pressure, Sam!" He snaps.

I laugh, "no, it's okay. I want one," I say and smile cheeky as I take it from Sam's hand.

"Oh fuck," says Jack G, shocked.

"Oh, okay. Lil mama just got 10x badder," says Johnson.

I laugh and pull the thing to my lips, inhaling, holding, then exhaling. They cheer, and I pass it to Gilinsky. This is the best birthday.

After it gets short, they say I can have the last hit.

"Here, I'll hold it so you don't burn yourself," says Jack.

I laugh, and he holds the end to me. I firmly grab his hand and inhale through his fingers. This is pretty dope, actually. Johnson and Sammy laugh about hit and Gilinsky applauds me.

"That was a great ass hit, Al," he says.

I quickly stand up and bow, "thank you, thank you," I say and they laugh.

To my right is the ocean, about 10 years away. To the right is a hill with nothing on it.

"Guys I want to go swimming!" I exclaim and run towards the water.

"Woah," they all say with a hint of laughter in their voices. They all chase after me.

I run and look behind me, laughing at their mindset to get me. I stand right on the water line as they reach me.

"Ally you're stoned! I know it was one blunt but you're a lightweight so it hit you the hardest!" Says Jack G.

I laugh, "so?" I question, taking a step back.

"Maybe you'd drown or some shit," he adds.

I laugh and turn away from them, stepping into the cool waters. The waves hit and and uneven my steps like usual.

"Ally, at least let us go with you," says Sam.

I turn around, "okay," I say and they all take off their shirts and shoes.

I smirk and take off mine, leaving me in my plain white bra. I don't even care that they see me like this- though that's the high speaking.

They all laugh as I throw my shirt into the sand. One by one they step in and we all travel into deeper waters.

"Shit I haven't been swimming in a while," says Johnson.

Sam stands behind me, walking with his hands on my shoulders.

"This way, that way," he playfully commands.

As we reach mid stomach level, we stop going and just wade. I surprise them when I go under, holding my breath as long as I can, then coming up again. I forgot how much I love swimming.

"Damnit, Ally, you could've forgotten to come up or some shit," says Sam, immediately followed by laughter.

"I'm high, not drunk," I state. I shrug, "but also I would get to have three cute guys save me," I say and then on que I go under the water, teasing them.

A few seconds later I go up, and smooth my hair back. They all are laughing and laying on their backs.

"Guys this is great. Thanks for this," I say, looking at the stars.

"You're very welcome, girl," says Jack G.

I laugh and float on my back until we get out.

***
The next morning I wake up, fully aware and memories flood from last night. I smile at the thought and see Shawn not next to me. Is this the first time he hasn't slept with me? I was probably too high to remember last night.

I stand up, examine me in the mirror. Wearing some athletic shorts and a tee shirt, my hair in a messy bun. Alright, I decide to go and eat breakfast after seeing that it is 12:24pm.

I check my phone as I walk down the hall, passing the closed doors of still sleeping boys. My heart races as I see Ron's name pop up on my lock screen. I stumble down the stairs, afraid of what it says.

Ally Sierra Wagner, I'm up to my last nerve. Call me today or I will make an appearance that you will never see over.

Received at 11:30am. Shit shit shit. I walk to the table and straight sit down, not noticing anyone who is sitting.

"You okay Ally?" I hear a voice I don't care to recognize.

I press the call button and pull my phone up to my ear. Here it goes... I'm calling Ron. My summer is officially over, I honestly don't care if the guys hear me.

On the second ring he answers.

"Hello?" He asks, already knowing its me.

I take a swallow and a breath and look at Shawn in the eyes, he is sitting in front of me.

"Yeah, it's me," I say with a little voice crack.

"I'm going to ask you once. Where are you, and don't lie," he says in the same grouchy tone I'm used to. I'm sure he's sitting at home, in his old dirty recliner, drinking beer at noon.

I take an inaudible deep breath, "California," I say, not even going to try and lie. Not for him, but for me.

"That's what I thought..." he says and leaves it hanging in my mind. "I'm giving you one fucking week, only because I don't have the money right now. But I expect you to have every fucking thing ready for when I arrive and come to take you back. We will discuss your long, long, crucial punishment later.." he says and my heart pumps louder and louder.

I'm so fucking pissed, why can't he just be normal and not care about what I do. My mom agreed, so why can't this fucking bastard.
The noise is drowned out around me, no one is really noticing me, I'm just staring at the side of this chair..

"Okay." is all I say, tears threatening to pour. Well, it's over. I'm not going to see Shawn for about my whole life. Goodbye life, hello punishment and cruelty.

I hear him grunt, satisfied, but sill angry. "Goodbye. Be ready for me a week from now," he concludes, and I hear a beep, meaning that he ended the call.

I keep the phone at my ear for a about two seconds, letting it fall in my hand limply, crashing to the ground. Right now I don't even care if it breaks.. My eyes sting and everything comes into focus.

At the table, Shawn is right in front of me, staring at my every move since I got down here. Aaron is right next to him on the left, and to my left is Jack G.

Memories from my couple weeks here flood my head like a downpour and I lose it. A single tear falls before I get off my chair, and spring up the stairs, locking myself away in my room.

I first slam myself onto my bed, laying on my stomach. The tears spill like a water bottle is being poured on me, and the memories overpower my mind. A sour look is across my face and I hear knocking at the door. Whoever it is, I don't care, they can leave. I'm not unlocking that door.

I don't try and muffle my sobs, every breath is a sob. Fuck Ron, fuck everything that's ever screwed me over. God, make this easier.

"Mom.." I mumble, quietly and stare at the ceiling. "I'm sorry I'm so bad, I shouldn't of.. ran away.. I just don't like Ron.. and I can't.. I can't do this... anymore..." I sob.

"I miss you..."