Distress

Nineteen

AVERY

"Morning," Smiling to Shawn's groggy face, I pick up the duvet laying flat on him. He groans loudly, as he pulls back the thing.

"Nooo, I need this!" He turns his back to me and completely snores away.

"But Shawn.. it's 12 in the noon." He suddenly jolts up the bed, his hair sticking everywhere. And his mouth gaping open.

"I have an interview in thirty! Shit!" He races through the bathroom after kissing my forehead and drags himself through it, leaving his towel outside.

"Damn."

I knock slowly on the door, towel on my other hand.

"Shawn?" I waited a bit and he opens up the door, his naked chest coming into the view as he smiles sheepishly at me, "You left your towel."

He smirks playfully grabbing the towel from my hand. I can't directly look into his eyes though his stares allure me in the finest moments.

What? This is awkward.

"I should probably go now." I awkwardly shift backwards and the tension came barreling between us.

"Yes, alright." He gently closes the door leaving a hideous smirk behind the thin line of gap. My brooding excitement comes upon my body as I look up to the memories we had last night. There are a lot of things happened, and any of them didn't came across my mind to be fulfilled especially him unusually being extremely open to me. My realizations are now out of bounds, he truly is a gold for me and I love keeping it that way. Though what specifically made me so attached to him in an instant? Gosh, this is utterly crazy.

I head towards the door, turning the knob to be greeted by Nash, who just stumbled backwards, his hands on both sides of head, groaning loudly.

"Nash?" I ask skeptically, finally as the realization hit me.

"Were you eavesdropping?" I narrow my eyes at him, waiting for his little white lies and for my touché memento.

He stands up, rubbing the point where he probably hit his head on. Well if he wasn't minding other people's business then he won't be in this state. I kind of feel bad though it might built him a lot of courage to stick his ear out behind that door.

"No I was.. I was actually just passing by when I heard you talk."

"Yeah, right." I shrug.

"It's true I swear it only took about 10 seconds for me before getting caught, so that was just a bad luck and a good timing for ya." He sighs, well, I guess he might feel a bit guilty so I'll let it slip this time.

"Okay sure."

"I'm sorry Ave. I won't do that again." He looks at me pleadingly.

"Well, you've got the advantage of being my closest cousin so you better thank me for forgiving you." I chuckle, clearly taking this only as a humor.

"Yeah I should probably throw a party for having that kind of advantage." We both laugh completely ignoring my stomach grumbling.

And it wasn't just mine, his stomach seemed to be talking to mine communicating like they're both starving.

"Oh. Poor little things."

"We should probably eat. Where are the others?"

"The guys actually went to settle their own things, mom ran some errands, Hayes took Sky to the daycare and well here's me and I am surprised Shawn's still here."

"And you didn't bother to eat?" I raise my brow.

"Yes, well because I thought we could just go and have lunch at some resto."

"That's a good idea, too. We could bring Shawn?" He nods just as Shawn walks out the room.

He glances to both of us, a weary look on his face.

"What's wrong?" I ask, his head falls down as he aggressively removes his jacket.

He looks up to me, "Well I guess this day just messed me up because I woke up early for that damn interview and now they are gonna call after I prep myself up just to cancel that freaking thing? If I could only say sorry for leaving my bed alone." His acting skills made me worry so much that I won't bother to hit him for making my heart stop for a bit. Oh man this guy does everything that affects me.

"Seriously Shawn? You almost gave me a heart attack thinking of what might possibly go wrong."

"But that was my sleep for muffin's sake." He whines dramatically making me look at Nash with a sketchy look.

"Right. Let's just eat, shall we?" Nash interrupts, as he walks down the stairs.

-

"So, ever thought of explaining what's between the two of you?" Nash grips the steering wheel, as me and Shawn settle in the backseat. My hands strictly placed in the pocket of my coat and I sigh loudly, eyeing Nash through the inside front mirror. His eyes met mine and he has this neutral shine on them but conveys just how bewildered he is.

"Um, we're just friends." I speak truthfully, gaining a confused look from Shawn. I run my hands through my silk hair, keeping my eyes on the places we are passing.

"Really Ave?" Shawn protests. I look at him, puzzled. So what am I supposed to say?

Oh yes, the kiss.

And what? Tell Nash that we kissed and yet we have no label between us and that is basically lying.

Sure. That kiss meant a lot for me anyway, but there is no way in the world I would tell Nash that we kissed.

"Um.."

Shawn seems uncomfortable, slightly shaking his head and that means we need another talk for this day. I look down in embarrassment as a sudden momentum entered my mind, why am I freaking out over this? He must ask me out before I open my mouth to Nash. I feel bad about lying, considering I haven't had a serious relationship before.

"Where are we going to eat?" I thank the heavens as Nash decided to drop the subject and the fuller view of Los Angeles welcomes the scenery.

"Anywhere you desire to." I clear my throat and try to make an attempt to block out the tension.

"Is there a place called "Anywhere"?" Nash uses the power of his sarcasm and completely putting it down the line. I scoff, as he laughs about it.

Shawn stays in dead silence.

"Taco Bell?" I suggest.

"Yeah, yeah I actually kinda missed it." He turns right, and that's when I know we are settled.

Silence creeps its way again, the only thing you could hear is the LANY music on the background and our constant breath in sync.

I look behind me, Shawn's eyes bury on the road not even bothering to say a word. Not even to Nash.

I gently place my hand on top of his. Expecting him to not react but he did the opposite. His warm hand envelopes to mine, as he entwine them perfectly. He finally looks down at me, eyes show such loving presence but the words are not yet spoken.

I warmly smile at him, and lay my head on his broad shoulders. This feeling I can't resist. Those firm muscles flexing as he felt what I did.

He traces his thumb over the back of my hand, humming over the song, "you make me crazy Avery."

I kiss his shoulder gently, closing my eyes and as I know the feeling of doing what I am not able to do before I met him. The difference of my life before I laid my eyes on him. The conundrums that has occurred, the informalities, the heartaches, all been overcome. And now I spare my fate, knowing I am in a safe haven.