Hate is a strong word

Chapter 23

Sorry for not updating in so long! I am also sorry about the last chapter, it was a bit eventful. I also want to apologize for the vague descriptions so far, I'm not that good a describing places/people. I know exactly how this story is going to end, but it's still got a long way to go. I'm sorry if it gets boring, but I'll try my best to make this story fun to read. Have fun!

-Hannah xoxo

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I stood there, frozen in my spot. I couldn't move or breathe. I was in shock, and above all, heartbroken. 

"Oh my gosh!" Jessi gasped, grabbing onto my arm. She was probably just as shocked as I was.

All at once, the tears came and escaped in a sob. I couldn't believe what was happening, especially when it was unfolding in front of my eyes. I finally forced myself to look away, turning to Jessi and crying on her shoulder.

Shawn looked up when he heard my sob, his face paling when he saw us at the door. He turned to me and tried to explain, but Jessi held up her hand.

"Becca! I can ex-"

"Save it, loverboy. You broke her heart. So if you don't mind, who are you?"

I looked up just enough to see Jessi point to the girl Shawn was making out with when we walked in. She pointed at herself as if to ask 'me?'. Jessi nodded, motioning for her to come closer.

"Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

She gulped, looking at Shawn before looking to the ground.

"I asked you a question. Who are you?" Jessi asked, this time with a very noticeable attitude. 

"My name is-"

"You know what? I don't care. Get out."

The girl scoffed. "This isn't your house, you can't tell me-"

"I SAID TO GET OUT!" Jessi screamed, the girl grabbing her purse and shoes before running out the door.

Jessi watched her as she walked down the street, looking back at the window with wide eyes. She giggled a little bit before turning around and noticing Shawn, standing there trying to get my attention. 

"Becca, please look at me." I shook my head, putting my hands over my face and continuing to cry. Jessi came up to me and rubbed my back, and I caught her glaring at Shawn. He put his hands up and slowly walked backward. This infuriated her. 

"Shawn, how could you do this? You just messed up this beautiful relationship, just by kissing what, a girl from the street? You should be ashamed!" 

"Look, I can explain everything! It wasn't what it looked like, I promise!" Shawn looked at me with pleading eyes. A little bit of me wanted to believe him, but I was mostly heartbroken. I wanted nothing to do with him. 

"Jessi, I want to go home," I said between sobs. She nodded, collecting our bags from the ground and telling me to wait here while she put them in a taxi. I looked to see Shawn sitting at the bar, his head in his hands.

"Why did you bring bags?" He half whispered, half sobbed.

I took a few deep breaths. "I was going to surprise you and stay with you all week, but apparently I came at a wrong time." 

He shook his head. "It wasn't what it looked like! I promise if you'd just let me explain-"

"Explain what, Shawn? That you cheated on your girlfriend? Because that what it looked like to me."

Jessi walked in, looking from Shawn to me. 

"You ready to go?" She asked, gently grabbing my shoulder. 

I nodded, walking towards the door. I hesitated before grabbing the handle, looking back at Shawn one last time. Seeing him so broken, so vulnerable scared me. I knew that I still loved him, with all of my heart, but it would never be the same. It's like falling off a bike: you get a cut, which fades away but leaves a scar. This scar will be with me for the rest of my life, and I don't think that anyone could fix it. 

I opened the door and made my way down to the taxi. Jessi and I buckled our seatbelts, Jessi telling the driver to go to the airport. I gave her a faint smile and looked out the window just before we turned the corner, and what I saw broke my heart.

Shawn, on his knees, crying on the sidewalk. I forced myself to turn back around and focus on the road ahead of me, but I couldn't help the tears that began to flood down my face.

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Shawn's P.O.V.

Seeing Rebecca leave broke my heart. I had messed up, but I knew that this wasn't my fault. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I looked up to see a cameraman.

"We got the shots we needed, but the girl left before I could get her approval. I'm gonna let it slide, though, because of the dramatic events-"

"You know what? I don't care." I stood up to face the man. I easily towered over him, and I saw him gulp. I jabbed my finger at his chest. "YOU caused me to look like a dirty cheater in front of my girlfriend. YOU caused me to break her heart. I don't care if you got the stupid photos. If I can help it, you're not going to publish those photos anywhere. So, you are going to go back to whatever studio you work at and tell them that I am never going to work for them again! Heck, I'm going to make sure that every person on this planet knows how bad your company is. Do I make myself clear?" 

He puffed up his chest and looked at me with fake bravery. He was trying to seem intimidating, but I could see in his eyes that he was scared. I bent down a little bit, making myself eye level with him, and repeated myself.

"Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear."

He finally nodded, running back to his car and driving away with his equipment.

I sighed. Now all I had to do was explain this to Rebecca.