H.O.P.E.|| S.M.

Never Be Alone

Brynlee's POV
After I finished my set I noticed that Shawn was still sitting in the exact same spot, smiling up at me. I shyly smiled back, packed up my guitar and walked off the stage. He stood up to greet me and told me how great of a job I did up there. I couldn't help but blush at the complement and say a soft thank you. We stood in an awkward silence until I finally spoke up.

"Well thank you for helping me earlier and staying to watch me sing."

"There's really no need to thank me."

"Okay, well I'll let you go. I'm sure you have plenty of more important things to be doing." I turned around and started walking out the back when I felt him grab my hand, pulling me back to him.

"Do you have to go home?"

"Umm no, not right now. I just assumed you had things to do"

"Well you assumed wrong," he said, smiling. "Would you mind accompanying me on a walk through the city?"

"Umm sure I don't see why not"

Together we both walked out the back door of the "Dirty Penguin," and unsurprisingly the men from earlier were gone. I shivered at the thought of what they would have done to me if I hadn't stood up for myself. I don't know why I actually fought them off. Usually, whenever someone tries to hurt me, I turn into a coward and let them do what they please, but tonight was different. Maybe I'm finally growing a spine.

Were were leisurely walking down the street, which was out of the ordinary because it seemed like everyone around us was in a rush to get somewhere. There was a guy speed walking across the street, yelling into his phone, not even caring about the fact that he could be hit by anyone of these cars speeding through the city. I sighed and decided just to enjoy the moment.

"How are your wounds?" Shawn asked me. He genuinely seem to care, which I wasn't used to.

"They have pretty much healed. I removed the stitches a couple days ago. Now it just looks like an angry, red gash." I answered.

"Does it hurt?"

"No, not really. I hardly even notice it anymore."

"How did you get them?" That night immediately flashed into my mind, every detail was visible. If I wanted, I could give him a very detailed account of that night but I knew it wasn't the right thing to do. I had to think of a lie and quick.

"I um walked into the kitchen and my little brother had broken a glass of water on the floor. I didn't know so when I walked into the kitchen, I slipped on the water and fell on the glass. It was stupid and clumsy but oh well." I shrugged and realized I didn't have a brother and the likely hood that I would slip and fall on my stomach was slim to none. I cringed at how terrible of a lie that was but crossed my fingers he believed me.'

"Why didn't you go to the hospital?" I sighed in relief knowing he believed my terrible lie.

"My parents don't have enough money to pay for medical insurance so I just took care of it myself," I lied a little more smoothly. He just nodded. I lifted my eyes up from staring at the floor and noticed we had been passing a park. I kinda walked away from Shawn and towards the swings. I sat down and started swaying back and forth while Shawn sat next to me. My mind started to wander and I wondered why, out of all the people in the world, he decided to sit and be here with me. I didn't deserve to have company or have someone who supported me. He was such an amazing guy, and I don't think he understands how grateful I am for his company.

"What are you thinking about?" His voice intruded my thoughts. I look over at him and see he is staring intently at me.

"Oh um nothing," I said in a soft voice. I sounded so frágil in this moment and I don't know why this is. Maybe I'm still shaken up about what happened earlier. He had hesitantly grabbed my hand and I sat there super still. I'm not used to people touching me in this type of way. Shawn rubbed small circles into my hand and I slowly stared to relax.