I woke up to the smell of bacon grease in the air. My mom must have been cooking breakfast downstairs. I slowly opened my eyes and squinted at the brightness of the room, the sun coming in through the window next to the bed. I shifted my body to face Shawn who was still sleeping peacefully. I was about to bring my hand to his soft brown curls but I was interrupted when I felt a sharp pain in my lower stomach area.

I scrunched my nose and decided to go use the bathroom. Sure enough, blood. I took off my pants and wrapped the lower half of my body with a towel. I walked back into the bedroom and went to my suitcase to retrieve some underwear and a pad. I bent over to unzip my suitcase and grabbed the first pair of underwear I could find.

I heard a groan from the bed and Shawn's deep, groggy morning voice engulfed the room. "Are you okay?"

I turned my head towards him and gave him a grin. "I'm good" I stood up and slipped back into the bathroom to change.

I finished up in the bathroom and opened the door to see Shawn laying on the bed with a pillow on top of his head. I walked over to the bed and sat down next to him. I gently moved the pillow up a little to see him. He opened one of his eyes and placed his right hand on my arm the was holding the pillow. "Cuddle with me?"

"Of course" I laid down next to him, wrapping my arms around his bare torso. He put his right arm around my waist, while I traced circular motions with my pointer finger on his chest. "I think I overreacted last night. I'm sorry" I whispered.

"There's nothing to be sorry about, honey. It's understandable. I would've felt the same way if I saw some guy all over you. Besides, it was all just acting"

I softly chuckled. "Yeah. I realize that now. It doesn't help that my hormones were acting crazy"

"Your hormones?" Shawn asked.

"It's a girl thing" I paused. "Anyways. You were really stunning in the music video which leads to my next question. Why haven't you pushed me against a wall?" I joked, poking at his cheeks.

Shawn laughed. "I never thought you'd like that. I'm always so cautious about being gentle with you because you're just so sweet and cuddly"

I turned my head, resting my cheek on his chest, letting out a soft laugh. "You never know if you don't try" I shrugged.

I felt his heartbeat quicken under my cheek which caused me to smile. "Getting nervous over there, aren't you?"

He bit his lip and shook his head. "You make me crazy"

"You do too, love bug" He placed his hands on my hips and swiftly turned us over so he was on top of me.

While this happened, my lower stomach area began to cramp up. "Ow" I whispered, scrunching my nose.

Shawn's eyes immediately widened and he sat up. "Did I hurt you?"

I sat up as well. "No. I'm just getting cramps"

"Cramps? Like leg cramps?"

"Period cramps"

Shawn's eyebrows raised. "Oh! Do you need anything? Ice cream? Pain medication?"

I smiled at his generosity. "A hug?"

"Come here" He rested himself onto the bed's headboard and opened his arms. I instantly melted into his arms as he rested his chin on the top of my head. "Does it hurt a lot?"

"It fluctuates. Sometimes it's super bad, sometimes it's not as terrible"

"Aww, I'm sorry I can't do anything to stop the pain" He brushed his fingers through my hair. "I love you'

Those words must have flipped a switch or something because I suddenly felt tears streaming down my face. I wiped them with the sleeve of my hoodie before replying. "I love you more"

"Honey, are you crying?" He turned my head with his hand under my chin.

"Oh" I sniffed. "This is normal. I usually get super emotional"

Shawn wiped a single tear that ran down my face with his thumb. "Do you know what would make you feel better?"

"What?"

"Food. Let's go get breakfast downstairs. I think I smell bacon"

——————————-

I closed the drivers door behind me as I sat myself on the seat of the car. I placed the bag of food on my lap and handed Shawn his half of the steak burrito that we were going to share.

"This is your first time eating the best burrito in the world" I held up an imaginary microphone and pointed it at Shawn. "How do you feel?"

"It better live up to all the hype you've been giving it, that's for sure" He unwrapped the aluminum foil that encased the burrito and took a bite. His eyes widened then looked over at me. " Oh my goodness"

I smiled widely. "Good, right?"

He finished his bite. "This is quite literally the best burrito I have ever tasted"

"I told you!" We finished up our burrito halves and I began driving to our next destination.

"So. Where are we going next?" Shawn asked as I looked over my shoulder to switch lanes.

"We are going someplace that I think you will enjoy very much. I've spent a lot of time there growing up since I was in band for most of my school days"

"Band? You were in band?"

"Uh huh. I played the clarinet"

"Like Squidward from Spongebob?"

I quickly squinted my eyes at him then looked back at the road. "Yes. Like Squidward from Spongebob"

We arrived at the music store downtown, turned off the engine, and then headed into the store. "A music store" Shawn stated as he held the door open for me. "You know me so well"

I grabbed his hand as we went further into the store. "This was where I found the guitar I got you for your birthday so, you might find something special here" I shrugged my shoulders.

We walked to the back wall of the store where an assortment of guitars were lined up on the wall. Shawn was admiring them from afar and I watched as his face reminded me of a kid at a candy shop.

Shawn opened his mouth to speak but immediately shut it.

"You alright there?" I chuckled.

"I'm speechless. I've never seen an array of guitars like these before. Each and every one of them is so special and unique"

I looked back at the wall of guitars. He was right. There were purple guitars, blue, green, red, and more, all with their own unique features.

An employee at the store went up to us. "May I help you two with anything today?"

Shawn looked from the wall to the employee then nodded his head. "Yes, actually. Would I be able to see that burgundy guitar over there?" He pointed.

"Of course" The employee went over to the wall and handed the guitar to Shawn. "This electric guitar is a Fender Stratocaster from 1958"

Shawn analyzed the guitar in his hands for a second. "It's in perfect condition!"

"It is indeed. It's been in the store for as long as I've been here, maybe even longer. Many people like yourself come into the store and see it but they never buy it because of its heavy price tag"

"How much is it?" I asked.

"We're selling it for 10,000 dollars"

My eyes widened. "Wow. Why is it so expensive?"

"Mainly because of its age and condition" The employee nodded. "Well, if you need me, I'll be on the other side of the store" He walked away.

Shawn turned towards me. "I have never held such an old guitar that's in such perfect condition in my life" He started playing some chords. "It sounds amazing too"

——————————

"I can't believe you bought it" I said as Shawn sat on the passengers seat, closing the door behind him. "That guitar was so expensive!" I started the engine and began driving towards Elle's house. She called us over to watch a movie with her and Timothy.

"You know. Sometimes I can't help myself. Especially when it comes to guitars"

"I can see that. What's the most you've spent on a guitar?"

Shawn covered his mouth with his hand and let out a fake cough so I couldn't hear what he said.

"I'm sorry, what was that?"

"100,000 dollars" Shawn coughed again but I heard him this time.

"OH my GOSH" I choked. "Are you serious?" I pulled into Elle's driveway and parked the car. I looked over at Shawn and he slowly nodded his head.

"You're crazy! What was so special about it?"

"It was a really rare and old guitar. I couldn't help myself" He shrugged.

I shook my head and we went out of the car and rung the doorbell on Elle's front porch. Timothy opened the door again. "Hey guys! Come on in" We walked into the house and Timothy trailed behind us.

"Elle is in the shower. She should be done soon" He sat down on an armchair in the living room.

Shawn spoke up. "I'm just going to use the bathroom real quick"

"It's just down the hall" I pointed, then sat down on the couch that was next to the blue armchair.

"So, Alana" Timothy spoke, which caused me to look up at him. "You've lived here for most of your life?"

I nodded my head. "Yeah, pretty much"

He nodded his head to my response. "How long have you known Elle for?"

"Since freshman year of high school"

He rested his foot on the seating of the armchair so that his knee was level with his chin. "You know, you're really pretty"

"Thank you?" I wasn't sure how to respond to his compliment.

"Yeah. I can understand why Shawn would fall in love with you. You're gorgeous"

I nodded my head, awkwardly smiling. Is he hitting on me?!

He leaned forward in his seat, lowering his voice. "Maybe one of these nights, while you're still in town, you and I could, you know" He winked.

Oh gosh. He's hitting on me!

"Well um. I think that would be totally inappropriate"

"No one would have to know it'll b-" He was interrupted when Shawn came out of the hallway from the bathroom.

Shawn sat down next to me and put his arm around my shoulders. "What are you two talking about?"

"Oh nothing much" Timothy spoke. "Just talking about childhood and whatnot"

Shawn nodded his head and Elle walked out of the bedroom. "Hi you two" She walked over to Shawn and I to give us both hugs. "Let's get this movie night started, shall we?"

She played a movie on Netflix, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, one of our childhood favorites. Throughout the night, I could feel the stares coming from Timothy and I couldn't wait to get out of there to tell Shawn about what happen. I don't even know how to begin to tell Elle. She's going to be heartbroken.

The movie ended and I looked at the time. "It's getting kind of late. I think we should be heading out now" I announced as Shawn and I stood up from the grey couch.

"Thank you guys for coming!" She led us to the front door and Shawn and I went into the car.

Before I started the engine, I turned on the lights in the interior of the car and looked over at Shawn. "I need to tell you something"

"Yeah? Is everything alright?"

I furrowed my eyebrows and pouted. "No. While you were in the bathroom, Timothy hit on me"

Shawn's eyebrows raised and a glint of anger flashed through his eyes. "You're kidding me right?"

I shook my head. "I was going to tell you but I didn't want to ruin the night for Elle. I don't even know how to bring it up to her"

"I'm going to kick his ass" He began to move from his seat but I stopped him and firmly held onto his arm.

"Please don't. I don't want anyone to get hurt"

His face softened. "Elle's going to get hurt either way. Should we tell her now?"

"I mean. We'd have to. We're leaving tomorrow"

"Then that settles it. Come on" He opened his door and got out of the car and I did the same. We walked up to the front door and rung the doorbell.

Elle answered, monotonously. "Hey. Did you guys forget something?"

"Elle" I began. "I need to talk to you about something"

"Oh. Sure. Why don't we sit on the porch" She closed the door behind her and led us to the porch swing. Shawn went back to the car to give us some privacy.

"What's up?" She asked.

"I really don't know how to say this but I guess I'll just get straight to the point. While you were in the bathroom, Timothy suggested that him and I should" I paused. "Do stuff"

"What stuff?"

"You know what stuff" I said, sympathetically.

"You're lying to me and the only reason I know is because Timothy warned me"

"No. I'm sorry, Elle. I'm not. Timothy warned you?"

"Yeah" She said forcefully which took me by surprise. "I know exactly what this is. I honestly don't know why I didn't see this coming. You're jealous that I am in a happy relationship that isn't being displayed into the spotlight in front of millions of people. He said that you tried leading him on in the living room. Telling him how handsome his is and that you two should meet up before you head out of town"

My eyes widened "Elle. I'm being truthful. You have to believe me. I never said those words"

"My Timothy would never hurt me. And I thought that you wouldn't either but I guess I was wrong"

"I can't believe this. You really don't believe me"

"I think you should leave" Her voice lowered.

I stood up, nodding my head. "I thought we had a strong friendship and that you'd be able to trust me but I guess I was wrong" I walked away and went back into the car.

"So" Shawn spoke as I put on my seatbelt. "How'd it go?"