Capítulo 12: C12: Shawn
[ Wednesday, August 10 ]
Morning walks have always been a part of my day. As long as nothing is in my schedule, I wake up at 5:30 am and walk at the seashore. The sound of the waves calms me completely, it builds up my mood as I face the day. It's something that can't be heard in the city where I used to live because nowadays, all I can hear in the streets are the honking sounds of the cars. What else will you expect in a city? I've been to some other countries before and it's obvious to hear car noises when you're just next to the streets. What am I thinking?
I mentally face-palmed at the thought. It's funny how people have silly thoughts whenever they're not fully awake.
I sat down to the sand a few meters away from the seashore. I lifted my legs in front of me and rested my feet in the sand, partly burying it. On the other hand, I rested my arms on the top my knees and my chin above it. The sun will rise in a few minutes, and even though I watch the sunrise every day, I never failed to appreciate it. It's beautiful. Breath-taking. Unfortunately, not everyone appreciates it, because nowadays, especially the people who live in the city find mornings hateful, for it's the time where they have to say goodbye to their beds and go to their school or work, which is the reality of life.
I closed my eyes as I reminisce about some things that still matter to me. Beautiful memories that will just remain as a memory, for it can't happen again.
I smiled at the thought of her – she wears her red gown and the tips of her wavy, dark brown hair brushing against her arms. She smiles as she talks to the people in that formal event in the evening and laughs when she talks with her friends. She's stunning and I couldn't get my eyes off her. On the other hand, there's me, who only stands from a distance, following her with my eyes.
A few minutes later, she became alone and her happy facial expression faltered, and she only stares at the crowd, lost in thoughts. She took a deep breath. I see an eternity in her eyes, like centuries of pain and loss. I couldn't help but wonder why her mood changed that fast. She was extremely happy earlier, then she suddenly lost it.
She left the hall and went straight to the balcony, and I couldn't help but follow. This might be my only chance to talk to her at the very least. Deep inside, I feel the need that I should talk to her, let her open up and comfort her. Part of me says I shouldn't, but I believe that the right thing to do is to take the chance.
I walked to the balcony and slowly walked towards her. I kept a safe distance from behind as I begin the conversation.
"Um," I didn't know what to say. It's like I have lots of words running through my mind but I don't know how to start. Smart move, isn't it?
She turned around to face me, and she hid a part of her face with her long hair. I suppose, hiding her tears that are pooling her eyes.
She stutters as she replies to me. "Who are you and what do you want?" Judging by how her voice sounded like, it's like she's going to break down any moment from now.
"I don't know what my problem is but instead of minding my own problem I've decided to approach the person who seems to have a bigger problem than me," I answered, thinking if what I said actually made sense.
"You didn't answer my first question. Who are you?"
"Shawn. I'm sorry, but I felt the urge to talk to someone who looks all drowned with her thoughts or whatsoever. I'm just trying to be friendly, just in case you didn't get my intention. Just some folk who can listen and give advises just in case you … you know, need it?"
She chuckled as she hears my… face it. My silly answer. "You're such an awkward and funny person, aren't you?"
I paused to process about what she just said. I get the part that I'm awkward but as far as I know, there's nothing funny about what I've said.
"I'm sorry, but what's the funny part there?"
She smiled warmly and wiped her eyes. "Never mind. I want to ask you something, to be honest. It might surprise you, but I've noticed that you were looking at me from time to time back there in the hall. I believe I deserve an explanation. Otherwise, I'll consider you as some kind of creep."
I blinked as I hear her say those. She did notice me? How can I not know about that? Was I that insensitive?
"Right, I'm not going to lie about that. I'm sorry if that freaked you out, but for some reason, you're standing out so you got my attention." It's not a lie. She really does stand out.
She smirked as if I turned her on. "And?"
"What else do you want to hear from me?"
"The reason why I unconsciously got your attention."
I felt like I'm being set on fire. I didn't see this coming, for I was expecting that she'll open up and I'll give an advice. Sure, expectations can be far from reality.
"Red stands out always. Your gown is red and that's it."
"I can tell that you're lying," she teased as she looked away for a second, smiling.
I looked down and faked a laugh as I fix my eyes on hers once again. "Fine," I said, stopping myself from holding back. "You're beautiful, and I enjoy looking at beautiful people. I believe that's what you wanted to hear, miss …?"
"Summer. Summer Monteverde. I've always known that I am and thank you for telling me your most honest thoughts. I appreciate it. What's your full name and whose son are you?"
I couldn't help but smile as I look away. I like where this is going. "I wasn't expecting that you'll ask me those questions. But anyway, my name is Shawn Daniel Barron. Son of James Barron. I believe you know him."
"Oh, I'm full of surprises, that's why. I'm not a stereotype who always let others make their assumptions happen," She grinned and offered a handshake. "I'm pleased to meet you. Our fathers are good friends, I see. I'm the daughter of Gabriel Monteverde."
I reached for her hand and shook it. "I'm pleased to meet you too. This might sound a little crazy but thank you for blessing my eyes."
She nodded in approval and sighed. "You're welcome." She grinned. "So, our fathers are good friends. I believe we should be, too."
"Wow, that fast? How about acquaintance first?"
"Oh, shame. I'm trying to be friendly. I think we'll get along. You don't see, don't you?"
"See what? I mean, I'm just saying, real guys know how to be patient. Let's be honest here. We hardly know each other so we can't call each other as friends this early. But we can be though."
"Whatever," She rolled her eyes as I spoke out those words. Honestly, I don't want things to be that easy and fast, because anything rushed won't have a good outcome. For the record, I only find her beautiful and pleasing to look at, but that doesn't mean I already see her as a girlfriend material because we're basically strangers here.
"Why? Are you disappointed that I'm being too traditional?" I asked.
"Not really, it's cool, actually."
"So why were you crying earlier? It's fine if you won't tell me, but I followed you here because I was hoping that I can help or something."
"Nothing very serious. My father told me and my sisters that someone will inherit the company, and I want it to be me. I don't know, it's a small matter but I cried. I'm dreaming to be the CEO of our company, you see." she explained, faking a smile as she breaks our eye contact and looks at the view that can be seen from the balcony.
I ran my fingers through my hair as I try to think of a solution to her problem. "I believe that whoever will be the heir deserves it. I cannot speak about anything else because I don't know your family's tradition, but I have this belief in life that in everything, give thanks. If you'll inherit it, then be thankful. If not, be thankful that you'll still get a part of it and aside from that, just put in mind that you won't be too stressed because being a CEO is, I believe, a very stressful job."
Summer grinned as she faced me again. "Thank you for that, Shawn."
"Why thank me? Did that even help? It's not much."
"You reminded me to have the right attitude towards things. That's enough." she pulled out her phone from her purse and swiped to unlock it. "Can I have your number?"
My eyes widened a bit. Seriously, she's the one who's asking for my number? She's so different from the girl I thought she is. Just like what she said, she's full of surprises, and she definitely is.
"That fast? That easy? You don't give away your number to everybody that easy, don't you?"
"What's with that question? For goodness' sake, why don't you just bite? I'm making things easy for you because I have a feeling that things will go there eventually anyway. Besides, I believe that you can teach me more life lessons sometime soon."
"I see. You're right. You can tell me your concerns and I'll try to help. I'm a good listener. But really, if I'll be too honest right now, you sound like you're asking me out already."
She chuckled and nodded. "I never said I do, but you're pretty good at reading the lines."
I kept my eyes closed as I remember that night. I wish I can mend things and bring everything back to normal, but it's not likely to happen anytime soon.
"Shawn?" a familiar female voice called, and I snapped out of my thoughts to go back to reality.
"Oh, it's you, Amethyst."
"Were you sleeping while sitting there alone? It seems like you were having a good dream since you were smiling." Amethyst commented, narrowing her eyes as she sat next to me.
"I just remembered someone who's dear to me," I rested my forehead on my arm, trying to hide my face from her. Amethyst is probably the last person who can know that I dated Summer. After all, they're sisters, and what Summer and I used to be should just be between the two of us.
"Your girlfriend? Family member? What?"
"I'm talking about a girl, okay? Enough said."
"Oh gosh. Are you in love? Gee, how can you? You were like … someone who's very cold and don't really care about people and then you'll tell me that you're into somebody?"
I looked at her and frowned as I saw her reaction. The truth is, I care about people, but I act cold to Amethyst only because honestly, I want to avoid her because she reminds me of Summer. They don't look the same, but I can't help but think about Summer whenever I see Amethyst because they're sisters.
"What kind of person do you think I am? Heartless? I had a girlfriend once. Actually, I don't know what we are now because we didn't really break up. Let's not talk about her, can we? It's too personal."
"I see. It's fine if you won't tell me about it." Amethyst closed her eyes as she buried her face in her hands. "I don't want to talk about my love life either. It's too painful. But honestly, that's the real reason why I'm here. Because let's say … I lost him."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I had no idea. So, we're both … broken, huh? At some point we are. I think I can imagine your pain. I might not be as shattered as you, but the thought that my girlfriend and I can't be together because of some reasons, it makes me feel sad, still. What's worse is, I don't even know what we are right now."
"Why don't you try to mend things? If you guys are hanging, it means that it can be fixed. Unlike in my case, the damage was too serious, so I can't imagine us being together again."
"It's not as easy as you think," I squeezed my eyes shut and gulped. I stood up and shrugged off the sand on my shorts. "Let's go back to the house." I can't believe I'm telling her these things. I may not be naming anyone so she won't have an idea that I'm talking about Summer, but as confusing as it sounds, the thought about Summer gives me the happiness and pain at the same time.
REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES 
yahnree
yahnree Hello readers! :) I've been looking forward to this chapter, because Shawn is my favorite character, and Summer is the second. Who's your favorite character so far? Let me know in the comments!
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