Because I Had You | A Shawn Hunter Love Story

Father Knows Less

The phone rang and I quickly picked it up. "Hello?"

"May! You gotta get over here quick to watch the game."

"Alright, is this Shawn or Cory- wait, Cory would never be up at this time.... hi Shawn."

"I'm serious, May! The Phillies are playing out west and it's the seventh inning with a no-hitter against the Dodgers and-" I stopped him before he could continue.

"I'll be there in 5 minutes." I looked at the time. It was 11:07 but I was sure I could sneak out my bedroom window and make it to Shawn's trailer in time.

--

I hovered my hand over the trailer door to knock, but as soon as I moved my hand, the door swung open with a dishelved Shawn.

"Shawn, are you alright-"
He grabbed my arm and pulled me into the trailer. He led me to the couch and we sat down together.

"Shawn-"
"Sh," he spat back without looking at me, his eyes glued to the TV. "Important Game. Just watch."

The game continued on, and an hour later, I was starting to fall sleepy on the couch. "You aren't gonna stay up?" Shawn asked, catching me before my eyes shut.

"I should probably go home, Shawnie, it's late."

"No, no, you can stay. I'll way you up when you should sneak back home."

I leaned my head into his chest as he wrapped an arm around me as I fell into a deep sleep.

--

I groggily opened my eyes to find myself laying down with my back against Shawn's body as he slept with both arms wrapped around me. Glancing at the clock on the side table, I was alarmed to see that it was almost 4 AM. I removed myself from Shawn's arms gently and whispered, "Shawn, Shawnie, wake up. You forgot to wake me up. I have to get home."

He jumped from his sleep and shakily looked at the time.

"I can walk home-"

"Wh- no. You're not walking home alone this late."

He got up swiftly, grabbed my coat, and put it on me from behind. He grabbed his and opened the door, escorting me out.

—

We climbed up to the window and I opened it quietly. I climbed in as Shawn remained in the tree. "Thank you for bringing me home," I said, letting go a deep breath.

"Of course, you're my best friend, May.... just, do me a favor, don't tell anyone about this," he said uncertainty.

"Why not?"

"People might not like the idea of us sleeping in the same room together..."

"Why not?"

"Um, well... I guess you don't entirely get it. Maybe ask your mom?" He leaned further against the tree, avoiding the subject.

"My mom and I aren't that close, Shawn. You know that."

"Ask Mrs. Matthews tomorrow," His eyes lit up as he hung from the tree with an arm above him hanging on and a foot still perched.

"Alright. See you at school, I guess."

Shawn winked, ran his fingers through his hair, and climbed down the tree.

--

"All right, class, time's up. Please pass your test papers to the front of your rows," Mr. Feeny walked up from his desk and approached each of our desks. "Mr. Minkus, this test didn't require an essay answer but how refreshing that you've chosen to include one," He said, observing Minkus's test.