A/N: I know, I know!! I'm really sorry, it's been forever. It's been a combination of writers' block and business, not an excuse but there's nothing else I can say . . . still, I hope you like it! It's not long but it's not short either . . . hopefully I'll be posting soon but I can't make any promises. Please, please, please review, this's the only note on the story, so don't forget!! It really helps and motivates me to post . . . aiight, enough with the note, on with the story . . . enjoy!!

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CHAPTER SEVEN

"What're we doing here again?" I yawned, sitting patiently, or not so patiently, on Shawn's bed. He'd disappeared into his closets an hour ago; I wasn't entirely sure if he'd come out again.

"Just wait," I heard him laugh; the sound of it made me wonder how big his closet actually was. Standing, I quietly moved to the door but as I got closer, he slipped out, pushing me back gently. "It looks like something exploded in there, you're not going in."

"You're embarrassed by your closet?" I asked skeptically but he didn't respond; instead, held up a shirt and pair of sweats, "I can afford pajamas, Shawn."

"You want my help or not?" he demanded, letting his hands drop to his sides.

"I never asked for it," I pointed out but he rolled his eyes, sending me a look, "Fine . . . "

"Wear these to bed tonight then," he shoved the clothing at my chest and I flat out laughed.

"What?"

"You heard me," he smirked but I shook my head.

"You're crazy," I muttered, looking at the gray sweats and black shirt.

"You better not loose those either," he warned, flopping back on his bed, "They're my favourite."

"Pants?" I questioned and he nodded, "You don't have to-."

"Shut up and take the damn clothes, Higgins," he laughed.

"You're an ass," I glared at him but it really wasn't any use. He simply smirked, closing his eyes. Looking quite peaceful actually.

"You gonna stand there and stare or come join me?" he yawned, stretching. Rolling my eyes, I crawled in next to him as he turned to face me.

"No who's staring?" I mocked, sticking out my tongue. Sighing, he shook his head, as if he were only tolerating me but broke into a grin, pulling me so our noses were barely touching. "What's that?"

"What's what?" he asked, tilting his head slightly but I traced his jaw lightly.

"That," I murmured. His face turned blank as he rolled onto his back. Propping myself up on my elbow, I looked down at him, waiting for him to speak but he never did. He just lay there, staring at the ceiling. "Shawn-."

"Drop it, Tony," he warned in a low tone. Furrowing my eyebrows, I sat up, staring at him for a couple seconds longer but stood, shaking my head.

"I'll see you later," I muttered, picking up my stuff. He didn't move to stop me; he was too mesmerized by the ceiling pattern; so I let myself out. That was weird. Wrinkling my nose, I started towards my house, kicking rocks along my path. He'd said earlier, as if it were nothing, that everyone had their scars. So, why was he acting so strange now? As I opened the door, I found myself somewhat relieved that Ma wasn't home yet. There was a voicemail saying she'd be home by Monday at the latest and I smiled at the scuffle as my aunt's voice flooded through the phone. Pressing stop, I jogged up the stairs, removing my sneakers before I flopped onto the bed. My bag was on my desk chair by this time but I lay, staring at the grey sweats that hung loosely over the side. Smiling lightly, I changed into them, noting they were somewhat baggy. No wonder Shawn liked them so much. At the thought of him, I reached for my phone but shook my head. He didn't really seem like he wanted to talk anymore. Sighing, I moved to leave the room but my phone buzzed. "Hello?"

"Hey, Tones, we still on for the movie tonight?" Mike's voice hit my ear and I found myself somewhat disappointed.

"Yeah," I nodded, looking across the room as I spoke.

"You alright?" he inquired, curiosity and concern overtaking his tone.

"I'm fine," I assured him, "Just tired."

"You sure?"

"Yeah," I nodded again, "Come over in like an hour or something, kay?"

"Alright," he responded but he didn't believe me. I could tell. It really wasn't that there was something wrong. I wasn't upset, really, more confused if anything. Shawn was just . . . I dunno, there wasn't exactly a way to describe him. Sighing, I felt my phone going off again.

"What now, Mike," I asked, flopping back on my bed.

"It's Shawn," the confused voice made me sit up abruptly. That was fast.

"Oh," I drew out slowly, mentally cursing myself for being stupid, "Hi."

"Hi," he chuckled, "Look, I'm sorry for how I acted-."

"It's fine," I interrupted, "It really wasn't my business."

"I still shouldn't have acted like that," he stated and I thought it better than to argue with him, "So what're you up to?"

"Mike's gonna come over for Movie Night," I told him, rubbing a hand over my face, "Kev is helping Mr. Green with the cast list, otherwise he'd come over too. What about you?"

"I dunno," I could feel him shrug through the phone, "Normally, me and the boys go out for pizza or something. I don't feel like it tonight."

"The boys," I couldn't help but laugh. It was too cute!

"Yeah, the team," he said slowly but I shook my head, still smiling.

"Why don't you feel like it?" I asked, amusement still in my tone.

"I just don't."

"Well that's not emo at all," I muttered, "You could always come over and hang out with us if you wanted."

"No," he sounded like he was smirking.

"I'm offended," I mocked, "You don't want to spend time with me?"

"Ah, don't do that," he murmured and the corner of my mouth twitched.

"Come over."

"Tony I just said-."

"Please," I sniffed and he chuckled.

"You're lucky."

"We both are," I stated.

"We are," he agreed, "I'll be over in ten minutes."

"I'll be, well, here," I laughed, chewing the inside of my lip, "Bye Shawn."

"See you soon," he answered before the click sounded and I fell back onto my bed. Yawning, I stretched slightly before standing again, jogging back down the stairs. When the doorbell rang, I was in the kitchen, making popcorn; so I didn't bother to answer it.

"You know, you really should hide your key in a better place," Mike stated, leaning against the counter, holding said key as he spoke.

"I don't hide it," I looked at him, "my mother does." He shook his head, smiling but set the key next to him as he sat. "Shawn's coming too."

"Is he why you were so weird earlier?" he questioned, tilting his head and I shrugged.

"He just, he seemed upset when I left," I muttered, "I was confused."

"Ah," was all he said as the door rang again, "Aren't you gonna get that?"

"Could you?" I muttered, distractedly, "I'm a little busy."

"You and you're food," he laughed, shaking his head as he left. Rolling my eyes, I shook some salt onto the popcorn. "Tony?"

"What?" I whined.

"Your boyfriend's here."

"Gee, really? I had no idea," I sighed, "Let him in, Mike."

"He doesn't know the password!" his childish protest made me raise an eyebrow.

"Mike?"

"Yes, Tony?"

"Quit drinking Monsters, huh?" I requested, sticking my head out the kitchen door, "Specially when you're coming here."

"Go to hell," he replied flippantly. Shaking my head, I watched him exit to the living room, revealing Shawn standing in the doorway. He'd changed from earlier. Probably showered too. Chewing on the inside of my lip, I ducked back into the kitchen to finish the popcorn. "He's still-."

"Put the movie in, Mike!" I yelled, hearing Shawn chuckle and looked up to see him across from me, "Hey."

"Hi," he smirked, "Monster?"

"Energy drink, Mike gets really weird when he drinks them," I explained, leaving out what normally happened. Truth be told, I was somewhat glad Shawn was there. Mike was a little, well, crazy. Sometimes. "Anyways, you feel better?"

"Yeah," he nodded, looking around, "Can I help?"

"Uh," I bit my lip before my eyes landed on the fridge, "Drinks? Water for Mike preferably."

"I figured," there was a hint of a smile before he disappeared behind me. Shaking the bowl around, I wrinkled my nose slightly before the clink of glasses surrounded me. Setting the bowl down, I noticed a pair of arms that hadn't been there before and turned to find Shawn.

"Hi."

"Hi there," a softness in eyes made me smile as thumb ran over my cheek. He dipped closer, his breath hitting my lips but a crash sounded from the living room. Shutting his eyes tightly, he stepped back as I made my way around the counter to find Mike standing but a vase smashed at the floor.

"Mike!" I groaned, smacking my forehead, "We talked about this."

"Sorry," he mumbled, fiddling with his hands. He looked like a small child.

"It's fine," I sighed, my teeth gritting slightly as I pulled out the broom.

"No it's not," he shook his head and I looked up at him, "I'm sorry. I, shouldn't have even come."

"What're you talking about," I demanded, "We always hang out on Fridays. Quit acting like this."

"Tones-."

"I'm serious," I stated, sending him a stern look before I started to clean up the glass. He stood there as if he didn't know what to do. Scooping up the shards of glass, I made my way to the kitchen to dispose of it to find Shawn sitting on the counter. "Would you get off there, if Ma saw you, she'd kick your ass." He started to say something but I left, finding Mike with his head against the wall. "C'mon, Mike, the bed's already made up."

"I didn't mean to break the vase," he muttered, looking over at me with sorrow filled eyes. We both knew this wasn't about broken glass though.

"I know," I nodded, "C'mon, go to bed, huh?" Wrapping his arms around himself, he let me guide him to our guest bedroom and turned slightly, about to say something but stopped. "Go on, we can talk tomorrow."

"Alright," he agreed quietly, pushing the door open. Turning back, I saw Shawn watching and he tilting his head slightly before disappearing into the living room. Sighing, I ran my hand through my hair before I ventured down the hallways to talk to him but when I went into the living room, he was sitting on the couch and pat the place next to him.

"It's been a long day," he smiled and I nodded, "C'mere." Obliging, I let his warmth overtake my being again as we sat, watching the screen. I felt him shift slightly before his hand started idly playing with my fingers. Chuckling softly, I yawned as I rested my face in his neck. "Is he okay?"

"Mike?" I inquired and he nodded, "Yeah. It happens a lot."

"He breaks stuff?"

"No, he's, his dad," I let out a sigh, "His dad kicks him out on a regular basis. They kind of butt heads."

"Oh," was all he responded. Looking up at him, I saw he looked in thought but when his eyes connected with mine, he simply smiled, softly kissing me before we both looked back at the TV screen. It really had been a long day.