Can't Breathe - A Shawn Mendes Fan Fic

THIRTEEN

SHAWN

Christmas. Something we all love. But as I wake up on that morning, everything seems dull. It seems boring. I look out of my window like i did last night and see Georgia waking up too. Last night Adam was tgere again and he didnt leave until late just before Georgia's parents got home. She stands up in her nightgown and i can see all the marks on her back. I can see how pale her face is. How she looks hurt and broken. My name is called from downstairs and I see Mom with Dad and aaliyah all standing in their coats with bags on. I'm confused and shocked at the same time.
"We're going over the road to celibrate christmas with the Millers!" Mom says cheerily. "We also go them a few gifts as they really cant afford much this year..." i frown.
"Wait mom why?" i ask her as i pull my coat and shoes on. I dont care that im still in pyjamas.
"Well honey they are living a two paycheck life and they have only a one paycheck job... Who knows when the could pack up and leave!" i nod. I forgot Georgia has no father to support her.

We knock at their door and Georgia opens up excitedly. A smile on her face welcomes us and it feels like i've got the old Georgia back.
"Mr and Mrs Mendes! What a pleasant surprise!" mom holds up her bag of gifts and aaliyah jumps up in Georgia's arms. She squints as she picks her up, clearly in pain. I just want to hug her so much. She puts her down and finally smiles at me when we are alone.
"Hi Shawn." her yellow eyes are hidden beautiful behind her glasses. They are hollow from tiredness. I g her tight and she a feel her whine as I do. Clearly i'm hurting her. I let go of her and see her apologetic face in pain. She shouldnt suffer and every hug i give her, i risk losing her. Adam's warning glows red in my mind and I feel conflicted. Adam hurts her now and will hurt her more if I leave. But then i know she'll be crushed if I do. We walk into the living room and I deal out gifts. Everyone opening there's with delight. But i give Georgia her gift later.
"This is for you." i say as everybody clears up the dinner. She opens it amd pulls it out. Inside is a shell bracelet. She stares at it in awe and kisses me on the cheek. I feel a know beginning to form in my stomachw as she hands me my gift.
"For you." she says.
It was a necklace. A silver chain with my initials on the small circular pendant. She helps me put it on and i tuck it my shirt for safe keeping. She smiles and it makes me want to kiss her. To tell that she will be safe with me.
'Shawn!" my mom calls to me and hands me my guitar that she brought over. "Shawn sing us a song!" aaliyah claps and nods.
"Oh yes do!" i nod and pick up my guitar, knowing exactly what to sing.

She would not show that she was afraid,
But being and feeling alone was too much to face,
Though everyone said that she was so strong,
What they didn't know is that she could barely carry on,

I strum every chord. Thinking of Georgia. She looks at me like she knows i know. She looks like its eating her up insde. A part of me wants to stop but I carry on anyways.

Sometimes it all gets a little too much,
But you gotta realize that soon the fog will clear up,
And you don't have to be afraid, because we're all the same,
And we know that sometimes it all gets a little too much,

A tear rolls down her cheek as I get to the second verse.

She would always tell herself she could do this
She would use no help it would be just fine
But when it got hard she would lose her focus
So take my hand and we'll be alright

I finish the song with my eyes closed and when I open them. Georgia is gone. Everybody claps and claps smiling, but Georgia has gone. I look over my shoulder to see she's sitting on the porch. I walk out to sit by her and when i do she leans her head on me and closes her eyes.

"Shawn?" she whispers quietly.
"Georgia?" i mimic.
"Never leave me. No matter what. Promise me." I thimk about this for a long time. She opens her eyes and looks up at me. "Please? No matter what anybody says or... Or..." she swallows and i feel her body tense up. "Or does... Never leave me." I nod. I never want to.
"I promise." I say to her.