Chapter 2: Brush

Cory ran towards Shawn's broken home, a step behind him the whole time. He was very careful to not let Shawn know he was following him, but he didn't want to wait too long and lose his best friend. Cory hung back for once in his life, and watched as Shawn went across the street and knocked on his neighbor's door- well, as much of a door as you can call a trailer entrance. 

The door opened to revel a girl about Eric's age- she had a cute face with dirty jeans and a "trailer-trash" tank top on. She raised her eyebrows at Shawn, but didn't open the door any further.

"What do you want, Luv?" Her heavy accent was obvious. The girl's- women, really- eyes frowned at the sight of the nervous boy on her front steps. Cory could see the understandable sadness flowing through those large brown eyes, and he knew the reason why she bit her slightly chapped lips.

"Hey Amera…. Could- could I come in?" Amera looked around nervously before glancing back inside her house. She ran her calloused fingers through the brown greasy strands on her head, and gestured for Shawn to hurry inside.

Cory ran closer towards the house, snapping on a few twigs, but not enough for his friend and the stranger to turn around. He went to the side of the house, frowning at the ugly chipped paint, which adorned the shudders, and crouched down in the high grass. There were no windows incased in the shudders- Cory felt bad, but determined it a blessing now, for he could here every word being said.

"Shawn, what are you doing here? You know that if my brother caught you- he would beat the shit out of you for sure! What do you think you're doing?" Amera's voice rang out as she made her way into the kitchen, Shawn close behind.

"I know that Am, but doesn't Mike know we're not together? Didn't you tell him that when he saw us hugging those months ago- that we were just friends?!?" Shawn's voice was obviously annoyed at the fact that his friend would let someone believe something that wasn't true.

"I tried Shawnathan," she tried to calm her friend down by using her pet name for him, "But you know how my brother is. Every time I try to tell 'im that I'm not involved with anyone, he hits the blasted ceiling. I don't know what has gotten into him lately… because he used to be so normal. Look after me and all, you know. I think it's that drug that's gott'im. I told him to stop smoking that damn crap but he doesn't listen to his sister."  She walked over to the sink, which happened to be right near Cory's windowless window, and Cory heard the water turn on.

Shawn sighed regretfully. "I'm sorry Ammy. I should have known you would be worried about your brother. But listen, I have a really big favor to ask- and you gotta tell me yes or no real quick, cause my best friend is going to come and get me if I don't leave right now."

"What's wrong Luv? Cory's your friend's name right? Or is it someone else?" Amera set one glass of water on the counter, and gave the other to Shawn.

"Yes, it 's Cory I need to get away from. I mean- well, it's a long story, too hard to explain right now." Shawn paused for a moment to take a sip of water, and Amera interrupted.

"Why on earth would you want to get away from the Matthews kid? He seems righteous enough, that's for sure." Now it was Amera's turn to pause for a sip of water.

"I know, I know….Ammy, it's not Cory I want to get away from, not at all. It's just the feelings and emotions… ok, it is Cory I want to get away from. But please, don't ask any more questions. I need to know: will you help me or not?" Cory gasped inside at his best friend's words.

Shawny needs to get away from me? Why? What the hell did I do to him? I haven't done anything but be a friend to him! Maybe that's it. Maybe he feels smothered by my friendship. Oh my god, I've been suffocating my best friend and not giving him the freedom he needs! But I don't understand it- even if I am crowding him a little, why would he just up and leave? He can't run away from everything!

Amera sighed and set down her glass of water, turning to look out the window. She froze for a split second, sensing someone was watching them. Her eyes immediately glazed over with fear, thinking that the watcher was her brother Mike. Amera whipped back around, and was stuck between choosing to help her friend whom had bailed her out- literally- so many times, and dealing with an angry brother… or blowing off her friend in need and staying partially in her brother's good graces.

"Shawn… how long do you need my car? My brother has an auto too, and I work here at home, so I know that's what you want." Amera gestured to the toys and crib in the back, proving to Shawn that yes, she indeed ran a daycare in the trailer.

"I….uh…. just a few weeks or so. A month. So I can get out of here and clear my head… you know you owe me." Shawn pleaded uselessly; it was already evidence that he had won his argument.

As Amera ran into the back and got the keys, Shawn went around the side to where the car was… right next to Cory! Cory jumped up and ran straight into the huge bushes, which went all around the overgrown lawn. He finally calmed down when he knew that Shawn would never find him.

"Ammy! I'm waiting… I need the keys! Cory's gonna follow me with like, fifty police cars any second now!" Shawn snickered at his own joke as Amera called out that she almost found them.

"Hold your horses, if you had any that is." Amera hurried down the trailer steps, with keys and a basket in hand. Shawn frowned puzzled at the basket, and Amera followed the trail his eyes left.

"What do you think it is, Shawnathan? A just grabbed some of the food we have- and don't you dare say that we need it more because I won't take that for an answer!" She dropped the keys into Shawn's open palm.

"Bu—" Shawn started to protest, but Amera just shook her head.

"My brother and I can hear you and your father, you know. When you think that no one cares, I'm in my room crying for you. I wish I could have been a better friend… now's my chance, so you must accept it." She handed over the basket to him and rushed back into the house before he could object again.

Shawn got in Amera's beaten up Monte Carlo and started the engine, setting the basket beside him. He leaned towards the open window area and spoke loudly, over the sputtering car.

"Thank you so much Ammy! You don't know how much this means to me… I'll be back soon- just wait!" Shawn backed up the car, pulled out of the dirt driveway, and whipped away into the dusty setting.

Cory began to panic.

Oh shit! I completely forgot to bring my car! If I go back to get it now, there's gonna be no way I'll find Shawn. He will be long gone before I'm halfway back…. Oh no, damn.

Just then, Amera emerged again, with the exact same thing as before- keys and a basket!

That's it. Wonderful. Now I'm hallucinating.

She marched strait over to where Cory was and yanked back the bushes to revel a shuddering curly haired cutie.

"Mr. Matthews, I presume?" She said with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I thought it was my brother watching me at first, but I know that he would have flipped when I let Shawn borrow my car." She looked closer at his face and smiled… it was clear that Shawn had told Amera enough about Cory that Amera would know that the only one who could be hiding in the bushes was Cory alone. "Plus I saw your curly tips," she clued him.

At first Cory was hesitant to get up- what if Amera told Shawn that Cory saw him- but she quickly made it known that she wanted to help him get Shawn back.

"I didn't tell Shawn, but my friend gave me his old drag racer a few weeks ago. It's behind the trailer, and in pretty good condition. You can take that and go get Shawathan back."

Cory paused, trying to figure out how to thank a girl that he just met, and barley knew. When he thanked her, she just laughed and said, "Make sure to bring him back soon… I need my cars!"

And so…they rode off: Shawn running away from Cory and Cory running to rescue Shawn.

Amera watched the dust from the two cars settle and looked after them dreamily.

"Those two just don't know it. Those two Luvs don't have any idea. They're too wrapped up in their own feelings to see the love they have… for each other."