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

17 | Introduction

- Chapter 17 -

Ariel

Shawn parents' house didn't change a lot since the last time I was here. A lot of Shawn and Aaliyah's baby photos are hanging on the wall. Vase of fresh flowers can be seen on the cabinet beneath them. Sizzling sound from the frying pan is heard as Karen was preparing for the breakfast, and sound of the newspaper being flipped is heard as Manny enjoy his morning paper and a cup of coffee. Every corner of this house seems to give you a hug, making you feel safe and loved.

The clinking sound of the plates touching the dining table woke me up from my thoughts. Karen put off her apron and the sound of her feet stomping lightly on the steps was heard. She entered Aaliyah's bedroom to wake her up, then she got into Shawn's room. I stood between the door frame looking at the safe and sound sleeping Shawn. He usually has run on jogging tracks or gone to the gym at this time if he's in his place. But, I guess his old bed made him wanted to stay asleep a little bit longer.

Karen nudged his arm and called his name a couple times. She opened the curtain hanging on the side wall of the room and sunlight made its way inside. Shawn's eyes fluttered and he rubbed it with his knuckles.

"Good morning, Mom," his morning voice sounded raspy.

"Hey, good morning. Breakfast is ready downstairs," Karen said tidying up some mess on Shawn's table.

"Hmmm... So that's the smell that wake me up from the dream," he rolled his body on the bed. "Had a good sleep?" Karen ruffled his hair.

"Yeah, did you?" Shawn asked back stretching out his arms.

"Mine's too," She smiled, "Go wake your sister up, I bet she rolled back into her blanket after I woke her," Karen continued as she went back to the table to pick up the trashes.

So, Shawn went into her sister's room and plopped himself onto the bed. He left kisses all over Aaliyah face, and he got Aaliyah's annoyed groan as a reply.

"Shawnnn, I swear to God-,"

"Good morning beautiful princess," Shawn cut her off by giving her a really tight hug. "Shawnnn too tighhht," she cried wiggling her body, tried to escape Shawn's big hands.

I giggled at their interaction. Shawn's the most annoying brother at home, but a very sweet one too. Aaliyah used to talk to me about his brother a lot, how she felt annoyed of his childish act, how she felt embarrassed because his brother praised and brought her up in every interview. But, she also gave Shawn the best mental support, and of course, the best birthday surprises. Worth to mention, Aaliyah is the one who cried on and off for three days straight when she knew his brother was moving to LA. I wish I had that close relationship with my brother, or had children that were like them.

Before I realised, Shawn was smiling at me from the bed.

"Hi!" He mouthed.

I waved back at him. My eyebrows frowned, and my eyes went big, "Stopped picking up at your sister!"

He sent a goofy smile back to me, got up and walk closer to me. "Come on Aaliyah, the breakfast is getting cold," he said while walking towards the door. Another smile pulled on his face. He scooped the gap between my hand.

We both took small and runny steps going down the stairs.

Manny and Karen have sat on the dining room with foods in front of them.

"Morning, Dad," Shawn said when he reached the dining room.

"Hey, Morning Shawn," Manny replied after putting down his glass of water.