7

                                    

                                          
I sat in the kitchen at the island counter just sloshing my cereal around in the bowl. It was now 10:30 pm I ended up spending the rest of my day packing for a year. I had 4 large suitcases ready by the front door to take over to Shawn's place tomorrow afternoon I just couldn't sleep out of nervousness. I thought late night cereal was the answer to my problems but I'm not even hungry.
                          
I sigh heavily as I drop my spoon in my bowl. As I sat there I heard shuffling coming from the kitchen entrance. I look over to see mom wrapped up in her long black silk robe. Her hair was a mess and she looked at me with narrow eyes they almost looked closed.
                          
"What's happening?" She asks if a groggy voice.
"Can't sleep." I sighed as I stood up and grabbed my bowl of half-eaten cereal.
"Why's that sweetheart?" She yawns as she walks up to my chair I was sitting on.
"Just... sad," I admitted as I walked over to the sink to drain the milk from my bowl.
"Is it because you're leaving?" She asks as if she didn't already know the answer to it.
"Well, yeah!" I raised my voice slightly.
"Leila it's not like you're being sent away to military school or a prison!" Mom starts to raise her own voice.
"Yeah but the thing is I don't want to go! I don't want to be there with Shawn who I've lost touch with for almost 6 years now, mom!" I spoke loudly as I put the bowl of soggy cereal on the counter next to the sink.
"That's the point of you going! To reconnect and be friends again!"
"I don't want him to be my friend anymore! He lost me as a friend or a girlfriend or... whatever we were a long time ago! He lost me and he doesn't deserve anything from me!" I yelled pointing in the direction Shawn's house was in. My eyes starting to burn from the tears wanting to escape.
"I love you, sweetheart but right now you sound like the world and the people in it should revolve around you. You guys were kids! You still are! Whatever happened between you two, however you guys feel about each other now, things change, people change." She explained calmly. I just stayed quiet knowing she had a valid reason. She is right. I don't know what I did to Shawn but he really has it in for me now, maybe it's just because we've lost touch? I just hang my head in defeat and sigh.

                          
"Darling, I'm not saying any of this to hurt you I'm just saying that this is a great opportunity for you to advance in your own future of wanting to pursue music. Looking at it from a different perspective you're going to be a huge popstars assistant, it's better than an internship, honey. Think about that on your resume or your application for the music schools you want to attend."
                          
"I know mom it'd be great but I just..." I felt the tears start to slide down my face.
"You let your personal feelings get in the way, but in this world, you should never do that." My mom basically read my mind as she approached me. I just nodded as my mouth unintentionally turned downwards into a frown. Before I knew it my mom wrapped her arms around me and pulled me into a tight hug.
                          
"I only want what's best for you, dear." She sighed. I just nodded understanding.
"I know, momma." I croaked out before wrapping my own arms around her hugging her back.
"You'll be ok." She said pulling away and wiping away the tears from my eyes.
"Ok," I said looking up at her.
"Now go get some sleep so you can get ready for tomorrow." She instructed me.
"Ok, I love you," I said with a small smile.
"I love you too." She smiled warmly at me.
                          


                          


                          
The next day I stood outside of Shawn'shouse in his front yard watching a group of strong looking men loading up a large black van with my suitcases and a few of Shawns. I inhaled deeply as I watched them.
                          
"That's everything, yeah?" Daniel asks next to me as he places a hand on my lower back.
"I believe so." I sighed looking up at him. He just gave me a small sympathetic smile before leaning down and pecking me on the lips. He then rested his forehead on mine and looked me in my eyes.
"I love you." He said quietly as if he was sharing a secret with me.
"I-"
"Alright, let's go!" Shawn cheered making, Daniel and I jump. I looked over to where Shawn was coming from and watched as he jogged up to us, a wide smile on his face.
"O-Oh. Aren't they still loading-"
"That's just the moving van, we have a separate vehicle. Besides, I have to brief you on everything as we ride to the airport." He said cutting me off again.
"Can I say goodbye first, please?" I asked. I wasn't fully sure if Shawn was acting or genuinely in a good mood now. He's been smiling all morning even with me around.
"Gotta be quick." He instructed firmly. I just nodded and quickly turned towards Daniel and grabbed his face in my hands and pulled him down to my height kissing him lovingly. It was only for a few seconds and when we pulled away our lips made a light smacking noise.