Arcade | s.m (✔️)

Fourteen

"You alright out there?"

I lift myself up from the grass slightly, just enough so that I can turn and face my mother before answering her.

"I'm fine, don't worry!"

"Just making sure you're not dead, that's all!"

I scoff at my mom's remark, before laying back down and staring at the sky. Today, it was finally the right weather where I could be outside in the afternoon without burning up and feeling as if I was in the Sahara Desert.

My mom shuts the screen door to the house, leaving the actual door open just in case I decide to call out to her without getting up.

I was currently in our backyard, and although it wasn't the biggest piece of land I've ever seen, I found a piece of serenity while laying down over my blanket in the grass. Plus, I didn't feel that the neighbors were eyeing me, due to the fences. Not like they ever came out of their houses in the first place.

I had a pair of shades on, just in case my mom saw me with my eyes shut and instantly thought I had died rather than took a quick nap.

Although dying would probably get me out of one thing for sure. It was now a day until Victoria's "party", and although I had bought the dress, I was taking my time in my backyard I think of a valid excuse on why I couldn't come.

My mom, after receiving the letter, said that she would be busy studying, and that she sadly couldn't accept the offer. But I could tell that she didn't want to bother going to a "company's anniversary party", no matter how exciting it currently sounded. And I couldn't use the same excuse as Mom, since it was kind of summer right now, so I had been thinking of all the excuses I could use.

"Sorry, but I just really don't like you, and your party sounds lame as hell." Didn't seem like the perfect excuse, and neither did the other ones I thought of so far.

Is Nick going to be there? Yes? Oh, well I'm highly allergic to him, sorry.

Shawn is there? As much as I'd love to hang out with him, I know there won't be a moment where your hands aren't touching him.

No offense, but I still hate you for almost causing my death. Bitch.

None of these seemed like the right excuses that would be my go to, which is probably the only reason I haven't returned the dress yet.

"Tanning?" I hear, and jump in shock to the voice before turning to face the owner of it.

"Just trying to relax. Shame you've broken my peaceful moment so soon." I answer, pretending to be annoyed despite the fact that I was the least bit so.

"Oh, sorry. Your mom said you were out back so I thought you wouldn't mind a visitor. I'll go though, see you later." Shawn's blush is visible even from the distance between us, and I laugh out loud.

"Shawn, I'm kidding. Come on, there's room for one more on this blanket." Scooting over, I watch Shawn walk closer before sitting down on the ground and laying beside me.

"So, what exactly are you doing right now?" He asks me curiously, and I shrug.

"Not exactly sure. I guess just clearing out my mind."

"Have I disrupted the process?" Shawn looks at me, his expression clearly interested in what I have to say, and I smile.

"Yeah, you kind of did. I really don't know how I'll ever be able to speak to you again after this." I joke, and he groans.

"I didn't mean to. I'll leave though." He tells me, and I grab his arm as he tries to get up.

"Shawn, I was kidding. Again. Seriously, are you okay?" I question him, and he takes a deep breath before snapping himself out of it.

"Yeah, sorry, I guess I've just been thinking about some stuff."

"Care to share?" I turn my body so that now I'm facing him, and he does the same.

"It's a lot, seriously. Me being the gentleman that I am, I'll be kind enough as to not tell you about any of it." Shawn tries to joke, clearly trying to change subjects. I let him, but only for a moment.

"God, you sound almost as cocky as Nick."

"You know Nick?" Shawn asks, surprised, and I laugh.

"I wish I could tell you no. We met when I went to the mall with Kate and Harper, him and his posse."

"And there are no feelings towards him?" Shawn asks, and I'm taken back for a moment.

"No, I've kind of got someone else in mind." I answer, ready to screw with him.

"You think I could know who?" Shawn asks, his voice softening. I swear he got closer, which made my insides feel warm.

"Don't tell, but I've kind of got a thing for Connor."

And deflate. Shawn's disappointment was clearer than ever, and I instantly felt bad as he covered up his immediate reaction.

"Shawn, once again, I'm kidding. Connor isn't on the list." I tell him, and watch him give me a look that could kill.

"There's a list?"

"If you count one person as a list, then yeah."

The answer slips out of my mouth before I can process what I'm saying, and I hope that Shawn can't see how red my cheeks have probably become.

Shawn stays silent, just staring at me with a smirk on his face as I hide my own by looking down, refusing to make eye contact with him.

"Well, now I have to ask who's on the list."

"Only if you tell me what you were so busy thinking about before." I answer quickly, and he laughs softly, causing my heart to race.

"Just the number one person on my list." He replies, and I raise an eyebrow.

"I'd love to learn who that number one is exactly. If you don't mind." I respond, and he stares at me for a moment, contemplating on if he should answer, before opening his mouth to speak.

"Lunch is ready! You're welcome to join, Shawn."

I almost groan out loud, and curse my mother for how many times she's accidentally interrupted Shawn and I. Expecting Shawn to leave, I get up and dust myself off. However I'm a little more that surprised when he gets up as well, and doesn't begin to walk out.

"Lunch sounds great. Rose and I were just in the middle of a conversation I'd love to finish." He says to her, but the whole time he's staring at me with a daring smirk.

My heart was running a marathon, and I didn't know if it was because of the look he was giving me, or the conversation that we would be "finishing".

Chances are, it was probably both.

super tired atm bc I'm writing this chapter super late ALSO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING IM TRYING TO KEEP MY GRADES IN CHECK