Because I Had You | A Shawn Hunter Love Story

On the Fence

Cory, Shawn, and I sat in the cafeteria, having our mandatory discussion of the day. Cory asked, "Say you could pick any superhero to be your dad. Who would you choose?"

"Batman, no question," I said. "Live in a cool cave, borrow the Batmobile."

Shawn added, "He lets Robin hang out with him and play with all his stuff. And Robin's not even his real kid. He's his ward."

"How do you get to be a ward?" I asked.

"Batman?" Cory interrupted. "Is he faster than a speeding bullet? I don't think so. Is he more powerful than a locomotive? Uh-uh." He shook his finger at us and smiled, "I'd want Superman."

Shawn shook his head, "Sees through walls. You'd never get away with anything."

Staring off in the distant, I added irrelevantly, "Because I'd make somebody a very cool ward..."

Cory nodded, "I'd like to have Superman for a dad."

Shawn pointed to the side, "Hey, there's Minkus." Pulling out a watergun, he proceeded to shoot Minkus in the head.

"Ow," he muttered.

"Whoa! The 2000-X Hydro-Saturator!" Cory exclaimed

"Careful. If Feeny sees this baby on school grounds, he'll shag it and I'll have to sit out the water wars."

"Gentlemen," I interrupted and reached into my bag. "Meet the Hydro-Sat 3000-Z. Blow your head clean off."

"The 3000? That's not even supposed to come out till Christmas," Cory said, admiring the toy.

"I know a guy." Pointing it at Minkus's head, I shot him with a spray of water.

"You really shouldn't do that," Minkus said, placing on the table what looked to be a large instrument case.

"What, are you going to melt?" Shawn added.

"No. I'm going to retaliate. I may be in love with you, Miss Maybelle, despite your contrasting interests and your.... Questionable friends. However, I know how to defend myself. Go ahead, make me wet."

I kept the gun aimed at him for a moment, then pulled it down to my lap and looked down angrily. Why did he have to call me Maybelle? I'm fine when Mr. Feeney calls me it, but seriously, it's just too girly for me. Why can't he just call me May.

"Wise choice," Minkus said, putting the toy away.

"Ah, who needs one of those?" Cory said, getting up and walking towards the fountain. "For your information, a well-placed water balloon can give you just as much splash for your cash. Like everyone's gonna have a humongous water gun." He turned around and saw everyone in the cafeteria point their waterguns at him. He laughed embarrassingly and said, "How are ya!" We all shot at him in unison, as he proceeded to yell, "Aah! Aah! Stop! I'll get one! I promise! Oh, my G- I'll get one! Stop! I promise!"

Mr. Feeney walked in and everyone sat back down swiftly and put their toys away. "Mr. Matthews the drinking fountain is not a toy," he said, staring at a soaking Cory Matthews.

The bell rung and we proceeded to class. As I left, I realized Shawn stayed behind, so I waited outisde the door. I peeked in to see him talking to Minkus, of all people.

"Hey Minkus, just so you know, May doesn't like being called by her full name," Shawn said as Minkus packed his bag.

"Her name literally means, 'beautiful one,' what else do you expect me to call that gorgeous girl?"

"May. Because that's her name. And if you don't call her that, she won't be afraid to teach you a lesson, and neither will I."

Minkus looked up at Shawn and nodded frighteningly, hurrying out of the cafeteria. Shawn stood there for a moment and nodded to himself. I stayed at the door as Shawn ran up to catch up.