Chapter Eleven- Wrong Assumptions

Shawn and I stayed up the entire night talking, or whispering rather. I don't think I had ever opened up to anyone as much as I did to him. Not even Topanga got to hear as much mushy complaining as he did and that's saying enough in itself. She was my go to about everything. I learned a lot about Shawn as well. He listened more than talked but you'd be surprised how much you can take in from just a few stories. I learned that his Dad wasn't an awful person but he was really messed up and lost and wasn't sure how to deal with any of it, so he resorted to drinking his sorrows and confusions away, and thus taking the rest of it out on Shawn because he just happened to be there. He was barely a teenager yet was being more responsible than most kids should have been and that stemmed from feeling like he had to, to get by. He was the taking care of his father most days, when he wast left to be on his own and that in itself was a really depressing realizing. I dint blame him for running away and not wanting to go back as he didn't even have to go into great detail. And I had no idea how long he planned to stay nor how how long I could keep him hidden but I was going to try y damnedest to shield and protect him from any more of the pain he should never have been exposed to.

The morning came quickly. I had cleaned out underneath my bed, found quite a few things I had been searching for, and made him a hidden away place to sleep. Luckily, my bed frame was high enough to leave room and my bed also had a bed skirt so it worked out perfectly. I felt bad that had to sleep under my bed, of all places, but he assured me that it was great and that he was grateful. He apparently was used to much rougher sleep settings at home. Mind you though, when I say assured, it was more along the lines of, I shut up because I annoyed him with feeling bad. I slipped out of my bed quietly and grabbed a brown sweater, black denim jeans and fresh undergarments from my dresser and then quickly got dressed in the bathroom after a quick shower. Shawn was still fast asleep. I made my way down the stairs and the smell of bacon and eggs wafted towards me. Yum. Aunt Julie was sitting at the table with he regular drink in a large mug. She was reading another sappy romance novel and the table was set out nicely. I felt bad because we hadn't actually sat down and ate a meal together for a while but right then, I didn't have much of a choice. I grabbed my plate and drink and tried to escape back up the stairs.

"Where are you going?"

I had to think quickly. And truthfully, I really wasn't the kind of girl who lied all the time and enjoyed mischief, well depending on the mischief I guess, I had just been thrown into one situation after another with what seemed to be no other way out. I hated liars. So I hated being one more than anything in the world. "Upstairs Aunt Julie. I didn't get all of my homework done, so I figured I could eat and finish it up at the same time... If that's okay?"

She let out a sigh. "You were upstairs all night yesterday and didn't manage to get it finished?"

I simply shrugged. "You'd be surprised at how much I get slammed with. Can I go now, please? The last thing I need is detention."

Aunt Julie nodded and then went back to her book. "Just don't be late leaving."

I knew it bothered her but I did have my own life and my own problems to deal with. She was in my shoes at one point so I'm sure she understood more then I gave her credit for. But somedays I think she didn't care to understand more then she did. I know it would bother me if the situation was reversed, but I was also a carefree 16 year old girl who liked boys an didn't really like school all that much, whose feelings were the only ones that mattered. I mean, don't get me wrong, I wasn't a selfish little girl who would walk all over people if she didn't get her way, because that wasn't me, but my priorities were definitely not straight or set either. I ran back up the stairs, careful not to as spill anything, shut my door and knelt down to Shawn, who was wide awake and smirking back at me.

"I got you some breakfast." I slid him the plate and he partially crawled out. He continued to lay on his belly, braces himself by his elbow and dug in.

"Thanks Sarah."

I shrugged and sat down in front of him, crossing my legs and putting my jaw into my hands. "Stop thanking me. I know you'd do it for me."

Shawn are the two eggs quickly but savoured the bacon. "I know, but I can't help it. You really don't know what this means to me. I mean, I know I'll have to go back eventually, but to be honest, I really don't want. If I could stay your bed troll forever, I would."

I giggled. "Well, if I could get away with it forever, I may just consider it."

"Sarah!"

I nearly jumped out of my skin. Shawn jumped as well and quickly rolled back under my back. "Um, c-coming!" I sighed. "Sorry, Shawn. Be right back." I grabbed the empty plate and then got up with a grunt and hurried to my door. I opened it half way and poked my head out. "Yeah?"

"There's someone at the door for you."

I let out another sigh and looked down at Shawn who peeked out cutely at me. I closed my door behind me and made my way down the stairs. "Thanks Aunt Julie." I got to the front door, which was wide open and standing in the frame was Cory. I gave him a strange look.

"Sorry to bother you so early in the morning," he said scratching the side of his head. "I was just, uh, curious to know if you've seen Shawn at all."

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest and slapped him. I rushed outside and shut the door behind me. I made sure no other ears were in range before I finally spoke. "Yes." I whispered. "He came over last night and stayed." I told him. I then raised an eyebrow. "How did you guess he'd come to me?"

Cory shrugged. "He mentioned you right before he took off." he simply said. "But he's okay? His parents are really having a melt down. I would be too if he was my kid."

"Cory," I said moving forward a bit and placing a hand on his jacket covered arm. "You're not going to tell anyone that he's here, right?" I didn't really take into consideration how stuck in the middle he must have felt. The first place they would have looked was his house and I knew just by the way Topanga spoke about him, he was too much of a good boy to keep up deceiving everyone. I wasn't even sure if I could. I just knew that Shawn desperately didn't want to go back and how bad it would be on both of our ends if his parents and my aunt found out he was with me. I wasn't even sure how long Shawn had been gone from home for.

Cory hesitated, looking down at my hand and looked more confused then before. "I don't know." He finally spoke. "I don't know what the right thing to do anymore is."

I looked back at the door before pulling my hand away. "He's your best friend. And I know I don't know him as well as you do, but maybe this is what they all need. A wake up call. You've been so protected by your parents, you don't know what it's like to be treated poorly and wake up every day thinking it's okay."

He looked at me offendedly, which I hadn't intended on. I had a bad habit of speaking before I thought to word it out better. "I'm sorry to burst whatever bubble you're living in, but you don't know me either. Look, I'm
obviously not going to get him into trouble. I just want to know he's safe."

I nodded. Cory really did care about him and anyone who doubted that was just a moron, but the lingering fear of him spilling the secret in the first place never left. The fact that he did care about him as much as he did also put him into the position to feel like the right thing to do was make sure he went home where he 'belonged'. "He's safe, Cory. Trust me. Do you want me to go get him?"

Cory looked up at my windows and then back down at me. "Sure."

I gave him a smile. "Be right back."

And at that, I went back inside and ran back up the stairs. 'Man, I'm getting a better work out this morning than I ever have my whole life,' I thought to myself. I glanced down at my aunt who barely took notice of me re-entering the house and then quietly shut my door behind me. "Shawn," I whispered. It took him a few seconds but he poked his head out like he had done before. "Cory's outside."

"Make him go away. He can't know I'm here. He'll tell them."

"He already knows. And he's practically your brother, give him more credit then that. He wouldn't just sell you out like that, unless it was for your own good, maybe. Come on. Climb back out my window and meet us at the back of the house. I'll jump on you if you don't." I didn't even give him much of a choice or time to answer. Within a minute, I was back outside with Cory, with my book bag slung over my shoulder. "Come this way."

Cory followed without question and when we reached the back, Shawn was standing by the biggest tree in the yard awkwardly. I couldn't help but smile. I watched as Cory made his way his away over and they began to speak. I tried my best not listen due to it being between them but it was difficult. One, because they weren't very far away and two, I wasn't exactly good at not eves dropping.

"Are you okay?"

Shawn got annoyed pretty quickly. "I'm fine, Cory."

"My parents know."

"Ain't that a shocker," he flipped some of his beautiful hair out of his face.

"I didn't tell them. They figured it out." Cory insisted. "Shawn, you really need to just go home. You can't keep running. Your parents are worried sick."

"Yeah? I bet my Dad's real worried when he doesn't have a bottle of whiskey at hand. Just back off, okay? I know what I'm doing." He attempted to walk away but Cory quickly stopped him. Shawn glared at him in return. "Get out of my way, Cor."

"No! I care about you Shawn or I wouldn't still be here. Can't you see that? Sarah was right when she said I don't know what goes on 24/7 but I do know thy love you and want what's best. They may have a crappy way of showing it but they do care. You can't expect to live the rest of your life like this. Please, Shawn."

Shawn shook his head. "You don't even know half of it. And if you can't help me, then just leave. I don't need anyone. I never have."

Without warning, he darted past him and disappeared behind one of my neighbours houses and out of sight. I let out a gasp and felt really angry. More at Shawn than Cory.

"Shawn, wait!" I ran as quickly as I could after him and left Cory standing there, not knowing quite what to do or how to feel. "Shawn!" I called again. I reared past a few random trees and made it to where he dashed behind. There was no sign of him. That boy could really move when he felt like he needed to. "Urg," I grunted out loudly. I wanted to hit him and I had every intention of doing so when I saw him again. Cory was right but Shawn only heard what he didn't want to hear, thus not understanding the rest. I huffed a bit and looked around once more, attempting to spot him. It was no use though and I was well aware of it. I prayed silently to myself, hoping that he would come back to my house later on so that I knew he was safe and so that I could continue to help him and ream out while I was at it, but I was more doubtful then hopeful. I turned around and bumped into Eric who stood beside Jason. I let out a surprised shriek and then glared at them.

"Thanks, guys."

"Everything okay?" Eric asked.

I looked around again. "Yeah, fine." I then turned to Jason who was furrowing his eyebrows at me. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Jason shrugged. "Because I can."

I rolled my eyes. "You're so mature, Marsden. Truly." I didn't know what his problem was but I wasn't liking the sudden attitude he had towards me. I had done nothing wrong and definitely didn't deserve it. Really though, he was the least of my worries right then. All I cared about was finding Shawn and I knew my day was going to be crap until I did. "Do you guys always creep up on people?" I joked.

Eric chuckled. "When the timing's right, sure."

"Let's go, Eric. Or we'll be late."

"Since when do you care about being late for school?" I wondered.

Jason gave me a cold look. "Since it meant getting away from you."

I frowned suddenly. That was it. I couldn't stand there anymore and took his crap, especially without a reason. "Jason, can I talk to you for a minute? No offence, Eric but alone."

Eric held his hands up. "Have at 'er kids," he winked. And at that, he started on his way.

Jason crossed his arms and looked away, scowling. "What?"

I scoffed. "What do you mean, what? You didn't show up for our date. You know, the one YOU planned. And now you're being mean to me for no reason. So what is got problem?"

Jason's eyes found mine again. My gosh they were breath taking. I had to stop myself from staring. I was after all upset with him. "Something came up. Can I go now?"

I scowled back at him. "What, Molly Kimbo's skirt? You still haven't explained anything to me. I think you at least owe me that."

Jason let out a harsh laugh. "I don't owe you anything, Sarah." His grip tightened on his backpack. "But, if you must know, I saw Shawn in your bedroom yesterday. I came to your house yesterday to surprise you and could see you both in your window. So yeah, I went out with Molly. Doesn't feel very good, does it? I thought we had a thing but I guess I was wrong." He rambled. "Anyways, it doesn't matter anymore. I have to go or my C average is going to be terminated into a D. See you around." Jason then took off with quick strides and was too far away before it all sunk in.

Jason thought something was going on between Shawn and I when in reality, there was nothing between us but a strained friendship, due to assuming he saw something he didn't and then had the gull to get revenge without even speaking to me about it first. We had only been seeing each other for a few weeks but it still mattered to me whether I wanted to admit it or not. Assumptions got people really hurt in the end over nothing at all. And the crappiest part was, Jason was the kind of guy who was stubborn and wouldn't listen even if you had the proof right in front of his face. When he mind was made up, it was set and that was all there was too it. Sad how well you can get to know someone over such a short period of time, huh? And then there was Shawn; who was gone again and nowhere to be found, thinking he didn't have a soul in the world to depend on. I had no idea where he could have taken off too and that was what was most frustrating to me of all. I couldn't do anything. I was powerless and I hated it.

My day had went from bad to worse in a span of five minutes. I had no idea how I was going to make it through without having some sort of break down and even then, I didn't have much time to consider it because school was minutes away from starting. Ah, crap. I had to run the entire way there and in the end, I was still late. A detention added along with the rest of what was going on... Did I mention my day had gotten worse? At least on the bright side, it couldn't have gotten any worse then what it was. And when I say that, it was meant as a metaphor, NOT a challenge.