Dark | shawmila

40

"Hey, Camila."
I turned on my heels to find Dan stood behind me. He received my smile as I glanced back to my locker. His body leant against the metal door of the next compartment to my left as I rummaged, placing things in my bag to go home.
"Everything alright?" I asked.
"Yeah, I just wanted to talk to you."
I watched as he pushed back some light brown hair from his forehead, freeing his blue vision of obstruction. His height dwarfed mine; everyone seemed to be taller than me. Dan cleared his throat as I patiently waited, glancing down at the time on my phone screen. Shawn would be out the front to pick me up.
"Look, I know your boyfriend and I don't exactly see eye-to-eye...But you and I can still be friends here, right? I know he won't let you see me outside of work, but.."
I shook my head, frowning. My action ceased Dan's words, concern on his face.
"I.."
"Shawn can be overbearing sometimes, but he doesn't control me. I'm my own person. Nobody is telling me what to do. I just don't want to upset him, it will cause more trouble and I don't desire to see any more arguments between you two."
Dan seemed to consider my words before giving me a small smile, nodding. He looked a little disappointed.
"That's fine with me, as long as we get to hang out at work."
"Course." I grinned.
He lingered a few seconds before opening his arms.
"Do I get a hug?"
I paused, shutting my locker before shyly nodding and moving closer for Dan to wrap his arms around me. A laugh was squeezed from me, his hold playfully tightening.
"I have to go, Shawn will be waiting."
Dan drew in a deep breath, almost as if he was inhaling the scent of my shampoo. His arms released me rather reluctantly, my body stepping back from his presence. Dark blue eyes held my contact, glancing down to my lips before he smiled.
"See you soon, Camila."
"Have a good evening."
My body "gracefully" turned, bumping into the doorframe. I heard Dan chuckle from behind me before I made my way out onto the shop floor. My DMs scuffled along the grey title  as I searched for my phone which I had dropped into my bag. My eyes scanned for Poppy to say goodbye but she must have been busy with a customer, her blonde locks nowhere in sight. I resumed my walk, wandering over to the heavy entrance door, I frowned, turning my gaze to the far corner of the shop. A man stood, back to me, head bowed. I had no idea why he had caught my attention. We had customers in and out of the Music store all the time. Perhaps it was the swirls of dark ink swarming on the skin of his arm that captivated my flickering focus.

But I had no time to place the familiar designs in my mind, my body colliding with something hard.
"I'm sorry." I gushed.
My clumsy action was left unforgiven, instead a raspy laugh drew my vision higher to be met with a pair of bright, emerald eyes.
"Hello, Beautiful."
The left indent in his cheek became prominent as he grinned at me, his amusement shining through. Shawn recognised my surprise, I hadn't expected to see him on the shop's premises, usually he would sit and wait in the Range Rover. Steve was still a little wary of the tall male who had given him a bloody nose.
"You're normally on time." Shawn glanced at his watch confirming my delay of only a few minutes.
I took hold of his wrist, curls poking out from under his beanie as he peered at me. His protective nature was as strong as ever. It could be overwhelming at times, but I couldn't deny the warm feeling it gave me to know Shawn cared for me. Or the fact that he looked incredibly hot when his features hardened, jaw tensing, eyebrows furrowed. All I wanted to do was kiss at his face, make him forget whatever had led the darkness to infiltrate his stunning eyes. It was a technique that had proven to be quite successful in encouraging Shawn to find some sort of equilibrium.
"Come on, Baby."
My hand was grasped in his, leading me over to the exit. I admired the span of his palm as Shawn pressed it to the glass, holding it open for me to exit. He received my quiet "thank you" as I ducked under his arm.
I inhaled a deep breath, absorbing the smell of rain on the tarmac. It was one of my favourite aromas, that and the smell of Shawn. I had watched out the window earlier on in the day as the sky had opened, soaking everything that wasn't sheltered. But the weather had cleared up in the last couple of hours, still gloomy but no longer raining.
"Your boot is untied." Shawn commented casually glancing at my DMs. "You'll fall over."
"Oh."
I began to bend down but a warm hand ceased my movement.
"I've got it."
A shy smile spread over my mouth as Shawn got to his knees before me. His adorable expression tugged at my heart as he peered up. He looked almost innocent, full, pink lips parted, wide eyes. Lashes fluttered as I gently brushed away some loose ringlets that had escaped his hat, my fingers trailing over his cheek before he bowed his head, working on the task of tying my lace. Shawn roughly hummed as I absentmindedly played with the small curls as the nape of his neck, the action comforting both of us.
The sound of the heavy shop door distracted me, glancing around just in time to see it close, but there was no-one in sight. My lips pursed, scanning the car park, spotting the man whose presence hadn't gone unnoticed by me in the store where I worked. My breath hitched, mouth becoming dry as his head turned slightly, giving me the glancing opportunity to place his features in my mind. Seconds later he disappeared around the corner.
"Camila?"
My head darted down, expecting to see Shawn still crouched on the floor but he had now risen to his feet, my boots laced.
"Camila, I asked if you were alright?" He frowned.
"I-I..yes, I'm fine." I stuttered. "Thanks."
He looked unconvinced but proceeded to led me to his car anyway. I felt safe with Shawn. My hand clasped in his warm one, he wouldn't let anyone hurt me. The passenger door was held open, Shawn's presence lingering as he waited for me to climb up. I hadn't noticed my staring until he called me out.
"What?" He smirked.