Secrets (A Lauren Cimorelli Romance Story)

The Rescue Mission

**Shawn's POV -- three hours after Shawn left the party (around 10:30)**

     A warm and bitter taste filled my mouth as I felt my teeth pierce through the inside of my lip, but I didn't even flinch as I continued to pace back in forth in my living room anxiously. 

It had been three hours since Lauren and I's argument. Immediately after I had stormed out of the party, I hopped into my car and drove around aimlessly consumed with anger for an hour before I finally decided to head home. 

The second I stepped through my front door however the guilt and concern hit me like a ton of bricks. What Lauren had said to me was harsh. True...but what I did to her was even worse. I left her alone at her first party surrounded by intoxicated teenagers with no ride home.

Immediately bad thoughts began to fill in my mind as I imagined her all alone at that party.

I have to go back for her. She can't be there by herself it's not safe. What if she gets hurt. What if another jerk hits on her, but this time doesn't take no for an answer? What if she drinks too much?

Listening to my conscience would have been the smartest option, but of course my pride and ego had to give their own input into the situation. 

She basically just implied that it was your fault Bill beat you.  She doesn't care about you. She doesn't want you coming back for her. Besides like she said she can take care of herself. She'll be fine without you. Just wait.

I argued with myself for back in forth by the window for hours pacing until my feet began to cramp up. Now after nearly biting a hole through my lip I continued to stride back and forth, combing my hand through my hair anxiously as paced. 

I stared daggers through the window, which gave me a clear view of the Cimorelli's house that stood right across the street. But still no cars pulled up in front of it.

"Urrrr" I huffed to myself as I threw my hands down in anger and turned to plop down on the couch in defeat.

The second my back hit the sofa, however, the doorbell echoed throughout the empty house. I quickly glanced at the clock which read '10:32' in confusion. Who would be at the door at this time? 

I dashed to the door and threw it opened thinking it might be Lauren, but was met by another Cimorelli standing in my door way nervously with tears streaming down her face.

"Dani? Hey what are you doing here?" I asked in a mixture of confusion and concern.

Dani quickly wiped a few tears from her face and took a deep breathe before speaking.

"Is Lauren here? We had an argument this afternoon and she left and I thought she just needed space and would come back but she hasn't a-and I called all of her friends but she's not with any of them and I don't know what to do and---" 

"Woah, whah. Dani slow down" I interrupted her rant and waited for her to calm down.

"Sorry. I just don't know what to do. My parents and brother's are asleep and they think Lauren's at a sleepover, and non of my family knows what's going on. Please tell me you know something" Dani continued as she ran her fingers through her hair nervously.

My heart sunk at Dani's words. I didn't want to tell her where I took Lauren, but I knew I had to. If Lauren hadn't come home yet there was no way she was coming back tonight unless we got her.

I took a deep breathe as I stared into Dani's glistening hopeful eyes that were on the verge of tears.

"Follow me" I said as I began walking to my car, "I know where she is."