Unexpected // sm

Chapter 51

Time was seeming to flow faster and faster lately, I was already on my plane ride home. Shawn was in the seat next to me. We were going to Kansas City, and from there he was going to Toronto to grab some things from his apartment. He was already renting one, which was only 10 minutes from my house. I wasn't sure how I felt about him being so close to me, but I didn't have a choice. The decision was made and we argued enough as it was. It seemed weird, I had always wanted to be with him again, but damn he pissed me off so much. I never noticed how many flaws he had before. But I wouldn't trade him for the world. It wasn't a perfect relationship. It was acceptable.

"Kenna, baby, wake up." Shawn was tapping his hand on my knee. I tried to roll onto my side towards him, but the arm rest jabbed into me. Shit. We were still on this plane.

"Cmon, get on my back you lazy woman." He was smiling as I jumped on his back in the middle of the empty plane. "We need to get off this thing before we get kicked off. It's happened to me before, I swear that's the only time I went to prison." Our laughter rang out as he stepped off the plane ramp into the airport. It was already cooler than L.A. but I was used to the midwest weather. I glanced up at the large clock lining the wall nearest to us, it was 10:27 p.m. I felt like we had been flying forever.

"Man, it's like, empty here. You know what that means." I felt his arms tense up around me and I braced myself for what I knew was coming next. He was such a goof. "I'M THE KING OF KANSAS CITY, YEAH!" Shawn was sprinting down the length of the airport towards the baggage claim.

"Shawn! Don't you dare drop me!" My own words shocked me, I remember saying the exact words to him long ago when he ran down the stairs with me at MAGCON. Memories flooded in, but I pushed them away. It was time to live in the present.

"You always tell me that, and I never drop you. Gee, have faith in me." He turned back to me with a smile. I kissed his cheek and pointed ahead. "Yes ma'am. Mendes Taxi at your service." He continued to sprint, until we reached where our bags were standing next to a conveyor belt. I had two duffles, while he had one large duffle. I waited for him to set me down, but he simply grabbed my bags in one hand, his own in the other. I tightened my grip on his neck, sure he would drop me now.

"These bags weigh more than you do." Shawn said, walking toward the parking lot where Elizabeth was supposed to be waiting for us. She had gotten her license right before summer break, so I usually made her drive me around. The automatic doors spread apart, and we emerged into the dark city. I quickly found Elizabeth's bright yellow Mustang among the seemingly mediocre vehicles.

"Holy shit! Mykenna give me a damn hug! Shawn put her down, she's mine!" Elizabeth sprung out from her seat in the car, running to close the distance between us. "I haven't seen her all summer! I love her more than you ever did!" She stopped immediately, knowing she had gone too far.

"It's okay. She's mine now and nothing will change that." He said as he slowly crouched down to let me get off his back. He looked Elizabeth dead in the eyes as he passed her, putting our bags in the trunk.

"Shit, I'm sorry I didn't mean to make it offensive or anything, I'm sorry. Shit, now he's mad at me isn't he? I just don't think before I speak. I'm sorry. I missed you though. How are you? Still taking your pills? Are you better, in your mind, now?" Her voice dropped quiet at the end, obviously not wanting Shawn to hear. Some people might find her to be rude but I knew she just wanted to get to the point. She wrapped her arms around me, embracing me in a stiff hug.

"No. Yes." I wasn't sure of my last answer, but I had to say something. I was not much better since coming off my antidepressants. I still found myself looking around the bathroom, frantic without seeing them. They were like a drug to me and I couldn't get over them. It wasn't like I was completely out of my depression either. I was better, but compared to what?

"Well, alright. Let's get going. Movie night at my house, Nash is coming. I hope that's okay. He came back with me also." She smiled at her feet. I wish I was in love like them. I had never seen people like them, not even famous people on television. They were real and they were happy. I would do anything for Shawn and I to reach that. It amazed me, because to her it was normal. She was always the one to get guys, and she was always treated incredibly well. Sometimes I wish she would experience what it's like to be me.

She grabbed my elbow, pulling me to the car. I jerked my arm away at her aggressiveness. I still couldn't have someone touch me roughly without the memories of Taylor hitting me. I shook my head and walked to the car, and stopped at the door. Shawn was leaning against it, his arms crossed. I raised my eyebrows at him as he gestured to the front seat. He nodded back at the door as it opened to reveal Nash. He stepped out and walked to me. She literally meant that he had came back with her.

"I'm glad to see you two cuties back together. How have been girl?" Nash smiled to me and practically shoved me against his chest in a hug. He got taller since I had seen him. He was growing out his hair also, it trickled past his ears. He smelled heavily like Elizabeth's perfume. He let go of me lightly and bit his lip. "Sorry, it's just been so long since I've seen you. You look good considering, well, everything. Um, Beth ready to go?" Stepping to the side of me, he walked to the trunk and closed it. She was not far behind, grasping his hand as they stood at the trunk talking. Beth? I had never heard anyone call her Beth. She told me once that it sounded stupid to her. I see how things have changed with.

"Come on, let's get out of here." Shawn said as he put his hand lightly on my back pushing me to the door. "Movie night, huh? Am I invited?" His smile returned from the plane and he opened the door for me. I nodded and kissed his cheek before slipping onto the warm leather. He followed after me and closed the door. "Good," He patted my knee from the other side of the car. "Come here. I hate being far away from you." I slid over to him, not an inch of space between our sides. "That's better. I've missed this so much, you don't even understand." He stroked his hand across my face, sliding a stray piece of hair behind my ear. I set my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes, breathing in the smell of him. This was an old habit of mine and I loved it still.

I heard the front doors open, and Elizabeth's voice filled in the empty space. I heard Nash laugh, and then the sound of them kissing. God, please don't let this last the whole hour ride.

I heard someone move in their seat to look at us and knew it must be Elizabeth, "Okay so we are going to my house, everyone is welcome to stay the night, and of course we are going shopping tomorrow. Understood? Great. Let's get home, we may or may not be up this entire night, but okay. Is she asleep?" I realized she must be talking about me and I shook my head. "Okay good. You two keep it appropriate back there and we'll be home in no time. Ready to go, Nash."

Wait, he was driving? No way. She never let anyone, not even her parents, drive her car. I opened my eyes to confirm it, yep. Nash was sitting right there and pulled out of the parking lot. It was almost completely dark out now but the city lights dimly reflected all around us, making me feel at home finally. I loved L.A., I really did, but it was too busy, too bright for me. I didn't want to go home to my parents though. There was too much that had happened for life to be even close to normal. I would have to find a way to get out of it.

"So, I mean, we can watch whatever movies you guys want. I'm not picky. Should we go get something to eat? Have you guys ate? Mykenna, you need to eat. We all know that." He finished with a laugh. Nash was blabbering like Elizabeth, but my name caught my attention.

Shawn's shoulder twitched under my cheek and he said, "Shut up, don't talk to her like that. She doesn't need to do anything. Mind your own fucking business, Nash." I opened my eyes, wide at him.