If I don't want to - S.M.

14 | One step at a time

Shawn

"Someone's making a move, eh?" Brian said with a huge grin on his face after he saw a notification popped up on my phone.

I frowned at Brian, questioning his statement.

"It's you, idiot. Don't play fool," Brian took my phone in his hand and waving it in the air.

I frowned even harder. I walked towards him to see whatever showing on my screen that made Brian triggered.

I unlocked my phone and saw a reply from Agnes appeared on my Instagram DM.

pete.nawsh
Nooo, I miss you guys already.
You enjoyed the tour? 🤠

agness.wh24
Yeaaa it was sooo lit! Woot woot!!
Joining AG and your tour never goes wroong 🙈🙈🙈

"Ah, it's Ar-," I took a quick glance on Ariel but she widened her eyes, "Arh, yeah," I quickly revised my sentence.

"Easy, Mendy. It was just a chat," Brian giggled nudging his elbows to my side.

"I bet he'll faint if she's here right now," Dave butted in, and I received a laugh from the entire room.

"That's an improvement. Congrats, dude," Andrew tapped my shoulder.

"What are you congratulating on when we haven't even met yet," I let out a tired laugh. I saw Teddy smiling weakly on his piano bench, seeming like she knew it wasn't an act that coming out of my heart.

"You will soon," Brian replied.

"She's nice, though," Andrew said, "hardworking and polite."

"And cute too," Brian raised his eyebrows, receiving rolled eyes from everyone.

"Brian, it's Shawn's turn," Teddy said giggling.

I threw a playful glare at Teddy.
"Alright, guys. I gotta get going, it's daddy night today. See you tomorrow at the league, yeah?" Andrew picked up his bag and walk straight to the exit door.

"Bye," we said at once.

"Oh, Shawn, don't forget about our call tonight for the scheduling," his head poking from the door side.

"Roger that," I replied, "Tell little Aimee I miss her."

Andrew held his thumb up and disappeared from the door frame. Brian and Dave went to buy some coffee at the store next door, so I left with only Teddy and Ariel in the room.

"So, how are you coping, Shawn?" Teddy said, sensing that I wasn't in a good state since I came.

I looked at Ariel, and she left the room as she's on cue.

"I don't know, Ted. It's weird," I answered as Ariel slide through the door, "One time I want to learn to let go, and the very next second I feel like replacing her is impossible," My hands ran through my hair and rested on my face.

"It must be hard on you, Shawn," she rubbed my shoulder, "But, as you said, you'll never know until you try," she let out a small sigh.

"Yeah, it's just- I can't stop thinking about her. I see only her in every girl I talk to," I inhale dramatically.

"So, Agnes?" She asked with a concerned tone in her voice.

"I'm trying," I shrugged.

"They're right, she's nice," she said before taking a glass of water in her hand, "I hope she can help you get through this," then she gulped down the content of the mug.

I nodded lightly, "I hope so."

"Just promise me you won't hurt her?" She placed down the mug on the table.

"I'll try my best," I said before taking my own glass of water, "It was never my intention to hurt people around me. But, you know the job, there's no rose without a torn."

She smiled sympathetically and spread her arms wide. She hugged me tight and said beside my ear, "You can get through this, Shawn. I believe in you," she pulled away and put a smile on her face once again.

"Thanks, Ted. I could never ask for better friends than you guys," I smiled back.

"Let's get going, then," she picked up her bag and the car key, "I'll make a couple of alternatives of the arrangement and I'll send it to you," she said while walking through the door.

"Yup, see ya," I half-shouted so she can hear me. I picked my bag, made sure all lights and equipment have been turned off and headed to the door.

—

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