boundaries [s.m]

chapter one

"Aimer, ce n'est pas se regarder l'un l'autre, c'est regarder ensemble dans la même direction." – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
love does not consist in looking at each other, but rather in, together, looking in the same direction.
-
the auburn haired girl sat on the top of a hard, cool wall, as the muggy air whipped up around her, kissing her skin with heat, and discomfort. she admired the waves lapping up to the shore of the beach, after all, she was abroad with her school, soaking up the sun of barcelona, which proved to be more sickly hot, rather than a sunny warmth (due to the earlier thunderstorm).

next to her, sat a boy, or rather, a young man, who had his notebook clasped in his hands, scribbling away at the stained pages, which looked like he had spilt coffee over them, whilst perhaps rushing about, and forgetting where his book was.

yet, both of them looked up, starring at the sea in front of them, starring into the distance, wandering what was beyond that.

"aria! you have to come back, miss collins found a copy of much ado! we're watching it in the lobby!" she chuckles lightly at her eager friend, who is far too excited about the wonders of shakespeare, in comparison to the trip they are on, which is mainly only to explore the culture of spain.

shawn can't help to chuckle at the conversation he overhears, his head shaking, as the wind hits his head of curls, tossing them around.

"what?" aria's warm voice captures the ears of shawn, as he turns his head towards the young girl, a smile stretched over his lips.

"much ado? excited over that?" aria let's a small laugh leave her lips.

"it's more interesting than you think, shawn," she says, a grin forming on her face. "i have to go, but i'll see you tomorrow?" the boys smile falters slightly, as he shakes his head.

"i'm leaving tomorrow."

"i'll sneak out of my room to meet you then," she says, leaning forward, and pressing her lips to his cheeks. "goodnight, mi amor."

"sweet dreams, mon amour," he responds, bringing the brunette in for a sweet kiss. "see you later."

"mhm," she nods back, high on the dangerous drug of love.

shawn was to return back home, whilst his girlfriend, secret girlfriend, was to stay for her school trip. he didn't want to leave, he wanted to stay in barcelona, and have secret little rendezvous with his lover, without a care in the world about who would see them. he wanted to stay with her, in barcelona, forever.

it was a good thing they both had the same thoughts.

shawn watches as she wanders back through the pathway leading to the hotel lobby, as she slides in through the glass doors, carrying her black tote bag as per usual. he lets out a breathy chuckle, before looking down at his hand, seeing the swallow bird tattoo, which always reminded him of aria, even though it was not even about her.

"out with mendes, then?" her friend, one different to the girl who was overly excited about the dissection, whispers.

"yeah," aria replies, nodding at her friend. "i'm sneaking out tonight to see him, jess."

"i'll cover for you," she says, placing her hand on my arm. "but for the love of romeo montague, be back before morning."

"of course," she chuckles, taking a seat on one of the couches in the lobby, next to her very much gay, best friend since birth. "jake, please wake me up if i fall asleep."

"you? fall asleep from the words of shakespeare? if i ever see that happen, i would be convinced that you are not yourself, and anyway, i would lose my wig." he says, making aria laugh softly. "how's mendes?"