Sabrina's POV

I got home from my coffee with Rowan and sat down at my computer waiting for Josh to call me. I waited all night for him and basically stewed about Rowan in my head. I almost sent her a long text but I stopped myself. He ended up not calling until midnight from his Wi-Fi going out. I fell asleep and woke up the next day and we tried to figure out a better time. I thought about my coffee with Rowan yesterday. I was sad at how weird the feeling I got from it. I never expected for her to act so cold. I couldn't tell if I was overreacting. I had a rough week after say bye to Josh. He was only 2 hours away and I knew I was going to see him soon but it was an adjustment. We had the most amazing summer together being in love. There was such a knot in my stomach being away from him. It made no sense to me for Rowan to not jump into Lucas' arms the second she got off the plane. I couldn't imagine the pain I would feel spending that much time away from Josh and not counting the seconds down.

After a few hours of cleaning my room and eating some chips my computer rang. My stomach filled with butterflies.

"Hey!" I smiled I answered the video call.

"Hey babe." He smiled with love in his eyes.

"How's school going?" I asked him as if he didn't just start classes yesterday.

"It's great. There's a lot of getting lost and meeting people." He chuckled. "How's your week my love?"

"I had a weird day yesterday." I said.

"Why was it weird?" He wondered.

"You're going to laugh at me." I was embarrassed for myself.

"Rowan is kinda being distant and I don't get why." I sighed.

"How is that embarrassing silly?" He chuckled.

"I'm spiraling about it. I spent all of last night thinking about it and all day until you called. I almost texting her entire paper length text message like I'm feeling a bit crazy and I can't stop." I felt crazy.

"What happened?" Josh asked me.

"It's almost as if she's sad to be back home." I said.

"I'm sure that's not true. I think there's a big adjustment that she needs to get back into normal."

"I don't know."

"I'll talk to her."

"No don't. I don't want her to think I'm upset. I'm not it's just odd." I lied.

"Okay I won't." He paused. "I think you're having a hard time dealing with her acting different maybe because you got a lot of things changing around you and you're dealing with the aftermath of confronting your birthfather."

"I don't think that's fair. You can't say something like that to me." It hurt to hear it.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't talk about him but keep it in mind that make you're over reading things." He worried about me.

"I have been it's not that." I explained to him.

"I believe you." Josh said.

"I'm fine with the change I really am. I just want my best friend to tell me shit and not treat me like she's at a job interview." I tried to explain myself.

"I'm sorry." He said and I nodded. "So I have about 2 hours til work. Let's pick a movie to watch."

"Perfect." I smiled.

We watched scream and laughed the whole time. This was my favorite thing.

I went downstairs after the movie to get something to eat. Josh went to work, he had gotten a job in the school store. I was so happy for him but I missed being in his arms. I knew long distance won't be easy but this is worse than I thought. I hope that once we get back to school that it gets easier.

"Hey I made burgers." Shawn said, coming inside.

"Thanks. I'm starving." I sat down at the table.

He put the plate on the table and got the condiments out. "Where have you been all day?"

"I just watched a movie on zoom with Josh." I said as I plated my burger.

"Is he liking college life?" Shawn asked me.

"Yeah he's doing really good but I do miss him." I took a bite.

"I know but you should really use the time apart to grow as people."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Put more time into other interests use the time you have to spare to learn new things. You won't be a kid forever use this time to be a kid."

"Are you saying to attend more parties?" My face lit up.

"Not exactly." He chuckled.

"I guess I can find something to do." I thought about joining some club.

"Why don't you call Rowan? " He asked me.

"She's busy." I lied. I didn't want anything getting back to Cory.

"Well then maybe we can go to the boardwalk tomorrow." He said to me.

"That's fun and we can get pizza." I said very excited.

"So you know how I've been seeing my old girlfriend Angela?" Shawn said. They had been dating for awhile and I've been spending more time with her over the summer.

"Yeah obviously you spent all your extra free time with her." I giggled.

"We're really thinking about taking the next step and I wanted to see how you felt about her moving in here?" Shawn said, nervously.

"I think that would be really great." I smiled.

"Really?" Shawn looked at me.

"She's kind and she makes you happy." I shook my head.

"I love you kid." He hugged me.

"Love you too dad." I was happy for him.

We finished eating and the Angela came over with a celebratory cake and wine for the adults. They made each other so happy. I watched them lovingly bicker over the icing and she smeared it on his face. Shawn and my mom weren't like this ever. This was a second chance for them, for love. My life has been nothing but second chances. This was my second chance at a family that actually wants me. I really hope they go the distance.

Rowan's POV

I got for my first day of work. I put on black leggings and a cozy white sweater. There wasn't a uniform here just a name tag. I was super excited to make my own journey. I got my things to put in my bag and started walking to work. I wasn't told a time because it was training. He told me afternoon and it was almost 11:30 am. I turned onto the street when I ran into someone.

"Sorry!" I yelled before noticing.

"Rowan?" Lucas said, surprised.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him.

"I'm going to the gym across the street. Why are you here?" He folded his arms, which have nearly doubled in size since I last saw him.

"I just started a new job at the book store." I said awkwardly.

"Is that why you forgot about our plans yesterday?" He was pissed off.

"Shit. I'm sorry. I did a lot of family stuff and I forgot." I felt bad he was upset about it.

"It's okay." He said.

"We can catch up later?" I asked him.

"When?" He dropped the anger.

"I don't know after my shift." I said, defeatedly.

"I guess if you can remember to call me."

"I should go to work." I said after glancing at the time.

He looked at me pissed off and he sighed before leaning in and pecking my lips. "It's good to have you home."

I slightly smiled and he walked away to cross the street. I walked towards the book store and looked over at him as he walked into the gym. He looked a lot more fit and he had this energy about him. I've seen it before in very small glimpses but this felt different. I turned back and walked into the store.

Author's Note:

Happy Holidays!