This Can't Be// Shawn Mendes

Drop Offs Plural

*Macky's POV*

I sat in the car with Dad, he wanted to talk one on one. Dad was being deported today and Shawn's family is looking over Dylan and Brooklyn while I do 'errands'. Dad was in his military clothes and had his duffle bag in the back seats. After we are going to pick up the kids and go to the airport.

We sat in a parking lot of a park that we go to all the time "Come on, let's walk" Dad got out and I followed. "Why didn't you guys come home last night?" I sighed and a tear fell from my eyes and Dad drapped his arm around my neck.

"Dylan. When I picked them up from the school he told me he didn't want to go home if Mom was there, he's scared of her now..." I said looking straight ahead. "Then Aaliyah asked if we could stay the night."

Dad sighed "You were like that before. You constantly wanted to sleepover with Shawn because Mom scared you. Then you kind kept to yourself. Shawn's a good guy, he'll take care of you, he's going to be there if you need someone at three in the morning."

"How would you know?"

"The way he looks at you, treats you, that's definitely something. When I first met Mom I looked at her like that and treated her like she was a prize possession... Now she changed, I still love her she just doesn't love us." Dad explained to me. Us? He means Dylan, Brooklyn, and I? "Look you guys need to get out of the house, get your brother and sister out. Mom lost it and I don't know how long it will be."

I looked at the ground and nodded "How do we do that?"

"Under the beds are two big suit cases, pack all the stuff you need from the house" I nodded and looked at Dad. "I bought two plane tickets for Brooklyn and Dylan to the UK when Grandmother goes back the same time as me."

"What about me?"

Dad lightly smiled "I talked with Shawn's parents. I just told them about this and if you could stay for a while if you wanted to, but you got to get Mom to a rehab center. I can't just pressure you into taking care of them for the rest of your life. You need to get your education..."

I head shot up and looked at him "I don't care that's my baby brother and sister. I'll take care of them, I could balance it all out. Dad they don't have to go" I begged.

Dad shook his head "Just tell them it's going to be a holiday there and they'll come back soon." Tears formed in my eyes and fell. "This is the best option for them" Dad said softly and wiped the tears away.

I nodded and we walked towards the car and got in. I drove down to Shawn's house and picked up Dylan and Brooklyn "You could get them Dad, I'll wait in the car..." He got out and walked over to the house. I smacked the steering wheel and cried for a while.

The doors opened and I put on sunglasses "Daddy said we're going to London with Grandmother!" Dylan said excited. I nodded and drove down to our house, they went on. They just talked about how excited they were to go.

I parked in the driveway and we got out "Come on, Mom isn't home. You guys need to hurry though" Dad said letting us in the house.

I helped Brooklyn while Dad helped Dylan. I pulled the suit cases out and started packing her whole drawer in while she made herself a carry on bag. "Go get your toothbrush and put it in your backpack too."

I finished up and the doorbell rang, I got up to answer it and Grandmother was there. I hugged her immediately and cried "Everything will okay, Mackenzie. Don't worry about them, you need to take care of yourself."

I held her a little tighter "I-I don't wa-nt them to leave, they're all I g-got left here" I said stumbling over my words. Grandmother pulled away and kissed my cheek. I'm going to be all alone here.

"As soon as your mother is better or in rehab you could come out here or they'll come back" she said and hugged me one more time. "I'm going to make some coffee" I brought her bags to the front door and back upstairs.

"Grandmother is here..." I said softly to them. Dylan and Brooklyn ran downstairs screaming with laughter. Dad walked over to me and I walked away. I took the kids suit cases and brought it downstairs with Grandmother's.

I saw two identical family photos and stuck it in each of their bags. I sat on the couch with my head in my hands "Why have you been crying, Mackenzie?" Brooklyn asked me with her hand on my head. I looked up and smiled lightly.

"I'm going to miss you guys. I can't go with you guys on holiday this time, but you gotta look after Dylan okay?" she nodded and I hugged her. "Everything will be okay and back to normal soon..."

"I love you, Macky. Your the best big sister, your my super hero" Brooklyn said. Tears fell and we hugged each other tighter.

"I love you too, B. Your the best baby sister ever, and my favorite pain in the ass too" I said back. Brooklyn laughed and pulled away, I kissed her head "I'm gonna miss you..."

I wiped my tears away and she ran off playing with Dylan. I sat there and my phone was ringing and it was Shawn, I declined the call and I instantly got a text.

Shawnsty: 'Wanna Netflix and chill😏💦🍆? Tonight, no one is going to be home'.

I ignored it and stared at the family pictures. "Time to go!" Dad said. I grabbed some bags and went to the car putting it in the trunk, Dad followed putting some bags in. "Macky?"

I walked to the driver seat and warmed up the car. I put on my playlist and Shawn was calling again, I put my phone on silent.

Shawnsty: Mackenzie?
Hello.
Are you okay?
Answer my calls.

Everyone got in and I drove down to the airport. I stayed quiet and tuned everyone out, we arrived at the airport and we unloaded the car. I was carrying Dylan as he feel asleep, rolling a luggage with bag on top, Dad had the rest of the bags, and Grandmother held Brooklyn's hand with two bags with her.

I stood up rocking Dylan while everyone sat down "Flight 354 New York is now boarding" Dad stood up and grabbed his bags. We hugged each other and he walked off, before entering the gate he turned around and saluted us and we did the same.

Dylan finally woke up, but stayed in my arms "Hey, D" he looked at me and giggled. "I wanna talk to you okay?" We walked away and I knelt down in front of him. "I'm not going with you guys to London. It's just for a while okay? Before you know it your coming back home. You have to promise me that you'll be good, Grandmother is old she can't handle it. You take care of your sister, don't fight." Dylan nodded and hugged my neck. "I love you, knuckle head..."

"I love you, Macky" he said back "I'll miss you..." I nodded and brought him back with Grandmother. They sat together and I looked at my phone for the time. 7:39 pm.

Shawnsty: Macky you still there?
Where are you?
When you guys coming back were bored and Aaliyah is leaving soon.
Please call me when you read this
Please be okay xxx

I sighed and stuck my phone in my pocket "Flight 638 London, UK is now boarding" they stood up and I walked them to the gate.

I hugged them and Grandmother last "Take care of them please. And if you guys wanna talk I'm one call away just let Grandmother know. Love you guys"

"Bye!" they entered the gate and Dylan ran back towards me and hugged my legs. "I love you, Macky."

I hugged him back "I love you too, have fun. Go your going to miss your flight" he ran back and I waved to them until I couldn't see him. "I'll miss you..."