Empty Promises // s.m.

Worried

**SHAWNS POV** (surprise)

I grin after I walk off the stage, performing for my first time in this big of a crowd. I can't wait for the after party Austin was talking about. 

Once I'm done putting my guitar in its case, I sit down and reach for my phone. I've got a missed call from Aaliyah and my mother. It must be important if both of them called. I shrug and shove it into my back pocket. I doubt anything interesting has happened.

"Shawn, you ready?" Austin peaks his head into my room.

"Of course." I follow him out and into the car with Camila Cabello and her friends.

On the ride to the party, we make small talk.

"So, Shawn, you got a girlfriend?" Camila smiles.

"Yeah." I grin to myself. "Her name's Paisley."

"Pretty." She smiles back.

I should probably text her about tonight. I haven't texted her lately. I pull my phone back out to texts from Aaliyah, telling me to answer my phone. I slide past and click on Paisley.

'hey pais, just performed and it felt so amazing. i'm still a lil jittery. facetime?' - shawn

I wait for her reply, normally she answers right away. I can't ever imagine Pais without her phone.

My phone rings again, this time my dad is calling. I sigh and get out of the car with everyone else, clicking accept.

"Dad, what's up?"

"Did you not get your sister and mother's calls?" He sounds rushed and worried.

"What's wrong?" I stop in my tracks and wave everyone in without me.

"Honey, have you spoke to Paisley lately?" 

"Yeah, I mean I just texted her. Before that, it was the day she got back." I shrug, though he can't see me.

"Your mother let her take your jeep to school and then to some party at a girl named Waverly's house." Dad continues.

"Waverly's?" I laugh to myself. "Is this a joke? Did she crash or something? We have insurance."

"Shawn, Paisley is in a coma." He blurts out.

I cough, surprised. "W-what? How did- how did this happen?"

"A semi t-boned her on her side. We aren't worried about your car, just waiting for her to wake up."

"I'm catching the first flight home." I mutter, panicking. She can't be hurt. It's my Paisley. I leave her for a couple days and she already gets hurt.

"You've got money, right?" He asks.

"Yeah, yeah. Keep me updated." I hang up and rush inside to find Austin. It doesn't take me long, and I explain to him what's going on.

"No problem, man. Let me know when you can come back." He nods.

"Alright." I wave and catch a cab back to the hotel to get my things. I probably move faster than I ever have in my entire life to pack everything up.

Paisley has to wake up. I finally get the guts to ask her to be my girlfriend and she actually said yes. She makes my heart beat faster every time I see her and when she's in my arms, there's no place I'd rather be.

________

I hop out of the uber with my luggage after the flight back to Michigan. I made it to the hospital and rush into the elevator, trying to figure out what floor I need to go to.

I take my phone out and text Aaliyah, hoping she could tell me. Soon enough, I get a reply back to tell me where they're at. 

I finally make it to her room, walking in, only to stop once I see her.

There's an IV in her arm and a mask over her face, pumping oxygen into her. There are cuts on her beautiful face, and her left arm is wrapped up.

"We'll give you a minute." Her mom walks out with everyone else following.

I sit in the chair next to her head and set my luggage down, along with my guitar case.

"Pais." I run my hand on her head and through her hair. I smile to myself and kiss her forehead. 

Seeing her like this makes my chest hurt. Paisley is my one and only. I'm sure she doesn't know that, but I've known since it seems like forever. 

I should've known that if I left for awhile something bad would happen. I'm not even sure why she got into an accident that bad; Paisley is a very good driver. I also can't get the fact that she was at Waverly's party out of my head.

I sigh and take out my guitar, humming a song to find the right chords. Hopefully a song will help her wake up. I don't exactly know all the problems, but I'm eager to see if this will help her.

"Shawn? What are you doing?" My mother peaks her head into the room.

"I'm going to sing to her, Mom." I bite my lip.

"Honey, she's not going to wake up. Don't waste your voice." She looks at me sadly.

"Don't say that." I mutter and get up to close the door.

I shake my head and get back to the song I was going to sing.

I watch your troubled eyes as you rest,
And I fall in love with every breath.
Wonder if those eyes are really shut,
And am I the one you're dreaming of?

'Cause underneath the darkness
There's a light that's trying so hard to be seen.
And I know this 'cause I've noticed
A little bit shining through the seams.

And if this is what it takes,
Then let me be the one to bare the pain.
Ooh if this is what it takes
I'll break down these walls that are in our way,
If this is what it takes.

You keep on telling me I'm wasting time,
But to call it wasting time oh that's a crime.
And you think it's crazy what I'm trying t'do.
Well baby, I'm a fool for you.

'Cause underneath the darkness
There's a light that's trying so hard to be seen.
And I know this 'cause I've noticed
A little bit shining through the seams, yeah

And if this is what it takes,
Then let me be the one to bare the pain.
Ooh if this is what it takes
I'll break down these walls that are in our way,

'Cause if you don't understand yet
Then I'll never let you forget
That you don't have to do this on your own.

I'll be your shoulder to lean on.
I'll be your right when you feel wrong.
So come on, take my hand, we're moving on.

And if this is what it takes,
Then let me be the one to bare the pain.
Ooh and if this is what it takes,
Then I'll break down these walls,
These walls that are in our way.
If this is what it takes.

I turn to put my guitar away and kiss Paisley on the lips this time. "Wake up soon sweet heart."

With that, I walk out and give a nod to her parents sitting outside. "I'm going home, it's been a long day of me rushing here. I'll be here first thing tomorrow morning, I promise."

"Thank you, Shawn. I'm sure Paisley will like that." Her mother smiles.

"Keep me posted." I give a strained smile and make my way back home.

______________

boi.

much love,

hailey