Chapter 11

"Shawn, hurry up in there!" Diesel called from the hotel room.

Shawn grunted as he managed to brush his teeth, spitting out the flavored toothpaste long enough so he couldn't throw up on himself. He managed to get through and rinsed out the brush under the running water in the sink, able to put it back on the counter next to the toothpaste and his hairbrush. Shawn had tried to ignore all types of comments on this day, for today was a very special day to him and no one was going to take that away from him no matter how hard they tried. Cutting off the water, Shawn smiled at himself in the mirror, proud that things were starting to go back to normal again, Diesel being back and all. Still, he had to wonder why Diesel had been a little too protective of him ever since he got back.

Forgetting the idea, Shawn made way towards the door and opened it, the smile never once leaving his face as he entered the hotel room and saw Diesel standing by a table in the far corner. Really, the dining room table. Shawn made way towards the table, Diesel saying earlier he and Shawn were to go somewhere before the next show in Greensboro.

"So," Shawn said, walking over to the table. "What was it you wanted to tell me? About the 'going out' part?"

Diesel lifted an eyebrow. "You sure I said something like that?"

"I'm pretty sure. I wouldn't have woken up this morning happy if I didn't."

Diesel gripped the table with his two hands behind him. He seemed to be smiling, but grinning as if he could blush any minute. Shawn let his head down when he tried to see if Diesel was hiding anything from him, but it didn't seem possible. He was more concerned on what to do today since it was their day off. A day off on the happiest day of his life.

"Did you ever get to talk to Razor?" Shawn asked.

"No. I don't think he's been feeling well lately."

"Oh." Shawn began to walk towards the window of the hotel room, easily frustrated at himself. He was happy, but not being able to see all of his friends was an upset to him, especially not being able to see his parents. He hadn't even talked to them since Wrestlemania. Now, he began to worry if anyone could remember this day.

Then, a voice spoke, loud and happy. "Happy birthday, Shawn!"

Shawn turned around, surprised, and found himself looking at Diesel, a perfectly wrapped box held in his hands. Shawn smiled brightly and quickly walked towards his friend, throwing his arm around him while managing to grab the present.

"You remembered! I can't believe it!" Shawn said.

"Of course I did, Shawn. I wouldn't miss your birthday for the world."

"Ohh, what is it?" Shawn began to open the box, tearing at the purple and red paper, not caring if he was throwing it all over the floor. Diesel laughed and took a step back from Shawn's outbursts.

Shawn managed to open the present's top and peeled away the thin sheets of paper. He then managed to see, in clear view, a pair of long, brown cowboy boots.

"Wow, I needed some more of these!" Shawn yelled, causing Diesel to grin.

"Do you like them?" Diesel asked, already knowing the answer from the way Shawn was acting, his smile brighter than ever.

"Like them? I love them. I've got to try them on." Shawn walked over to a nearby chair and managed to sit down, pulling off the strings holding the two boots together. He slipped one of them on just as the door opened to the room, Razor's wide grin the first thing that Shawn could see, trying to get the boots on correctly.

"I heard it was somebody's birthday today." Razor said, placing a card he had in his hand on the dining table.

"You're in a good mood," Diesel said, smiling. "What's the catch?"

"Come on, it's Shawn's birthday. You only get one once a year."

"Perfect. I love them, Diesel." Shawn said, standing up to let himself adjust to the tightness of the boots.

"Glad you like them. I didn't know what to get you this year."

"Oh, don't worry. I like whatever anyone gets me for my birthday. My two other pairs were worn out."

"That's great."

Razor crossed his arms over his chest. "Well, are we going out or what?"

"What do you mean?" Diesel asked.

"Have you forgotten what we talked about? You know, before you got suspended and all?"

"Oh, yeah," Diesel turned to Shawn, who took his time to get over to the two big men. "Shawn, I'd figure since after all you've been through, we should go out and have fun. What do you say? For old times sake?"

"Where?" Shawn asked, a grin on his face, his eyes on his new boots.

"Oh, um-"

"The club downtown." Razor jumped in, his grin covering his entire face.

Shawn shivered. "I don't know...I don't really drink."

"Who said we were drinking? We're just having fun." Razor said, walking over to Shawn.

"But Raz, the last time I got drunk was when-" Shawn stopped to breathe a second. He looked at the floor. "When Marty and I got jumped."

Razor managed to lift Shawn's head up with his hand. "Come on, it's not that big of a club. It's a little place with one bar and about ten tables."

"I can deal with that," Shawn said, his voice improving. "What about you, Diesel?"

Diesel sighed. "All right, I guess we can go there. But, Razor, you know that we can't drink."

"Like I said," Razor snapped. "Who said we were drinking?"

An hour later, Shawn had managed to find some unique street clothes to fit the occasion. He had found a white button up shirt with blue jeans and, of course, his new cowboy boots. He had managed to brush down his hair right before Diesel and Razor had come back from Razor's hotel room he had shared with Jerry Lawler and managed to get them both to wear something they wouldn't wear to a wrestling arena. Shawn was so happy this day he didn't even think he was himself, however he caught sight of the title on his hotel bed and managed to get a good look in the mirror near him. He had to come to terms that this day wasn't going to last another day. Then, someone knocked on the door. Shawn got up from sitting on the bed and walked out of the room and towards the door, since Razor and Diesel hadn't come out of the bathroom yet.

Shawn wiped off his hands before opening the door, only to see a man on the other side with a green T-shirt and blue jeans sort of resembling Shawn's. Shawn gulped and wanted to back away, since he was alone in the room, but decided to open the door completely for the man.

"Hey," Hunter said, smiling. "I just wanted to come by and check on you since I didn't get the chance to a couple of days ago. After all that had happened."

Shawn limply smiled, looking at the floor a little. "I'm fine now. Still a little sore."

Hunter stepped back from the door, as if he was going to leave, but his eyes narrowed towards the floor. He grinned. "Nice boots."

Shawn grinned. "Thanks. Diesel got them for me for my birthday."

"Oh."

"It's today." Shawn caught himself too late after he said that.

"Oh, I didn't know it was your birthday. I would have-" Hunter stopped, looking up at Shawn, who looked confused. "Well...happy birthday."

"Thanks."

Just as the awkward silence wasn't enough, Shawn turned around to see Diesel standing in the doorway of the bedroom.

"Hunter," Diesel exclaimed. "Come on in. We're just getting ready is all."

Shawn stepped aside and managed to let Hunter into the room, closing the door behind him. Hunter looked around the room as he spoke, "So...what are all of you getting ready for?"

"We're going out to celebrate Shawn's birthday." Diesel said, walking over towards the dining room table.

"Oh, well, I better get going. I don't want to ruin the big day." Hunter started to turn, but Shawn, somehow eager, grabbed his shoulder.

"You don't have to leave now. You can stay here until it's time to leave." He said.

"Or better yet, he can come with us." Diesel said, a smile towards Shawn.

Shawn cringed. He barely even knew Hunter for him to hang out with his friends. He didn't want to hurt the man's feelings, but, then again, he wouldn't know how the man would act. He knew Razor was a wild one at parties, or what Diesel had told him, but how could this guy be any different? Shawn caught himself, realizing his "Special Day" was causing him to be a hypocrite towards someone. Like he was Bret. But he knew he wasn't, just afraid is all. No, more than that. Shy.

"Well, I don't know..." Hunter's voice trailed.

"Shawn, it's your day. Do you think Hunter should come?" Diesel asked. Razor had now made his way out of the bathroom.

Shawn looked at Hunter, who didn't seem to care what anyone said. He looked like he wanted to leave the room.

"Well," Shawn said. "I guess he can come."

"What do you say, Hunter?" Diesel asked.

Hunter looked at Shawn. "I think it'll be cool. Seeing new places and such around here."

"Good." Diesel said, going back into the room and fumbled through his bag until he pulled out a hairbrush and went towards the mirror.

"Terrific." Razor said, but in a sarcastic way.

Shawn looked at the ground, taking in what had happened. "It'll be okay. It'll be okay."

He was really saying it to himself.