The Lake House

Chapter 3: "What's the story with you and me?"

Shawn's POV

"So this must be awkward for you," Aaliyah, my sister, says to me. Since I took off from the whole singing career, I started living in the lake house. Management didn't like the idea at all... But I needed some time off. And my parents thought it was a good idea to stick Aaliyah in this house with me. "I can't believe she doesn't remember us."

I sigh, continuing to strum my guitar, "she's been through a lot. I don't blame her for forgetting us... Guess I wasn't that important to her as I thought."

She rolls her eyes, "you've got to be kidding me. You two had the best summer romance... I mean, you were basically kids in love... You did love her right?"

I ignored her and carried away with playing. Even though I'm technically not performing, I'm still writing songs and perfecting them. I'm constantly inspired everyday... Especially with Chloe back. I'm not going to lie when I say this but she's a huge inspiration to my songs. She doesn't know it but it's the truth.

"Shawn, look," Aaliyah says, running towards the window. I set my guitar down and head over to where she was. "It's snowing!"

I smile while looking at her. Aaliyah loves the snow. Ever since we moved from Canada to America, snow is one of the things she has missed the most. It doesn't happen often in these parts of the woods... It basically turns to frost here but now it's actually snowing.

I look back out the window and see Bonnie and Chloe head outside. I laugh to myself when Bonnie had to forcefully put a blanket over Chloe. She loves the snow as well. She's so cute twirling around and catching snowflakes in her mouth... Okay, this is weird watching her. I'm going to leave now.

When I got back on to the couch, I grab my pen and paper and wrote down some lyrics in my head. They've been stuck in there for about a week now. That's how long it's been since Chloe moved back... I know, I know. It's corny.

Chloe's POV

"You're going to get yourself sick," Bonnie says, putting more wood in to the fireplace. She has already accepted that I made her the mom of the house since she's more responsible. "I know snow is fun but it's also cold."

I playfully roll my eyes before staring at the fire, "hey, can I ask you something?"

"Of course," she answers, chopping up some veggies. Get yourself a friend that'll cook for you without asking. They come in handy.

"Um... What's the whole thing about with Shawn and Aaliyah?" I ask, looking at Bonnie. I can tell she was shocked at my question. "I mean, you know them better than me. What am I missing?"

She hesitates to find an answer, "maybe you should talk to Shawn about this."

"Why?" I quickly reply. "Because as of right now, he's some random guy... Well not random. You told me he's a famous singer and he's taking a break but that's all I know about him. Am I supposed to know more?"

She sighs before sitting down next to me, "Chloe, I just don't think I should be the one telling you about this. I would love to, I really do, but I don't have all the information. I have bits and pieces but that's only going to drag you on more."

I'm genuinely so confused right now. I have no idea who the heck Shawn is and frankly, I don't even know what the big deal is. I mean, he's cute and all but he's just another guy that has appeared in my life. Or so I think.

"Maybe you should talk to Ashton," she says.

I scoff, "I've tried that for years Bon. I don't know where he is and it would be impossible for me to track him down... Geez Bonnie, why can't you just tell me what's going on?"

"Well it's kind of hard to tell you that you and Shawn dated for years and you were in love with the guy!" Bonnie shouts, startled by her volume. Her eyes widen and she quickly panics. "Oh god, I shouldn't of said that."

"Why?" I ask in a more concerned tone.

She shakes her head, "I've opened up a wound I should have left covered... I'm gonna head upstairs."

She doesn't give me time to answer before running upstairs. What about dinner?
Okay, that was shallow of me...

I get off my butt and head towards the kitchen. I put the veggies away and turn off the stove. I don't know how to cook and I'm not gonna bother trying tonight. My head is racing a mile a minute. Just kidding, it's more than that.

I grab my journal on the table and head outside. It was late at night but thankfully, the porch light was invented... I take a seat on one of the chairs and open my book.

Hey journal.
So today marks one week of being at the lake house and I've never been more confused in my life... I told you I came here to clear my mind but that has yet to be accomplished.
So here's the thing: there's this guy. I'm not gonna write his name because his name gives me the chills.
It's not like he's a creep of anything; I just don't know anything about him.
Today, Bonnie blurted out that we used to go out and I loved him. Yeah... Love.
I don't even know what it feels like to love a guy, let alone love him. I'm at a loss for words for how I'm currently feeling. Bonnie's upstairs upset at what happened tonight. I don't know why it was such a big deal.

Maybe I really did love the guy. Maybe I was even head over heels in love with him.
But why can't I remember it?

"You know, sitting out here in the cold is not good for your health," Shawn says, startling me. I quickly close my book as he hands me a cup of hot chocolate. There was a huge peppermint stick in it as well as baby marshmallows.

"How did you know I liked my hot chocolate like this?" I ask as he takes a seat next to me. He looks even more gorgeous at night time... I now understand why so many girls are attracted to him.

He chuckles, "let's just say it was a lucky guess... Aren't you cold?"

I shrug, "I have cold blood."

"I highly doubt that," he replies, making me giggle. Ew... I giggle? I thought my body was incapable of doing that. "Can I ask what you're writing about?"

I look at journal before putting it aside, "just casual everyday thoughts."

"And those are..."

"Why are you so interested in me?" I ask, not really expecting it to come out of my mouth. Sometimes I just blurt out my thoughts and it's a problem that needs to be fixed. I must sound like a jerk... Its one of my many flaws.

"You're an interesting person," he answers. "Not many people run outside in a tank top and twirl around in freezing snow."

I scoff, "you were stalking me. You know that's illegal."

He shrugs with a smirk on his face, "luckily, we're in the middle of the woods."

"With cell service you dummy," I cut in, making him smile. Why do I feel like I've known him for years now? Talking to him is so easy and I can spend the whole night doing this. "So what's the story with you and me?"

He raised an eyebrow, "what do you mean?"

I roll my eyes, "don't act like you don't know... Bonnie told me that we used to date and I supposedly loved you."

He doesn't say anything but stare at me. I mean, I enjoy looking at his eyes but this is weird... Like he's just staring.

"I should head back," he says, getting up and heading back to his house. Why can't someone just answer my damn questions?