Chapter 11

Lizzie's P.O.V.I lie in my bed staring at the ceiling with a smile on my face. It seems like I'm in cloud 9 or something. I just can't stop thinking about her, her laugh, her chuckle, the way she taps her foot and bobs her head while listening to music, even mouthing the words. The way she glared at the paparazzi when we were at the restaurant, the way she gets too excited about the little things and gets too talkative while we were walking on the streets of New York. Everything about her basically.

I really had fun today, the most fun I had after two fucking years. Every moment with her is a highlight. She never changed. Still the same Shannon I met who gets excited for long walks and likes to take pictures and winds up people with her talent of teasing. It annoys me in some way but at the same, its kind of comforting to see her back to herself, present the whole time I'm with her. I know, I saw her. She's with me the whole time.

Then I remember the hug. I can feel my smile growing like a love sick fool and the fluttering in my chest comes back in a huge wave and somehow it makes me want to explode.

She still feels like home.

Well, she's still my home to be honest, that never changed and that will never change for as long as I live. It was enough for me to know that but having to feel what that felt like is just- I couldn't even find a word to describe it but more closely to heaven, I guess.

I turn to my side pulling my pillow into my arms and squeezing it before taking my phone on the bedside table still a smile on my face. I opened it up squinting through the light of the screen and see 2:38 am on the screen lock. Fuck, I won't be able to get some sleep tonight its almost quarter to three and my mind is still awake and my heart is currently doing jumping jacks in my chest.

Why do you still have photos of me on your phone?

I can still hear her saying that in a teasing tone. Well I didn't gave it a second thought when I gave her my phone to take a good look on the pictures I just showed her and that was a shitty thing to do. I should've hide the photos of her from my camera roll even before this whole thing happened and now I'm sensing she will use that on me to fucking tease me whenever we're together now.

So I unlocked my phone and went to my photos hiding every picture that she has a face on that way the evidence will be cleared if she ever brings it out to anyone else. By the time I was done, that's when I felt my eyes getting heavier and I can feel myself slowly drifting off but then my phone rings waking my spirits again. Damn it!

Marla calling...

Marla? Its fucking 2 in the morning. Why is she calling in for? I groaned in my pillow before answering it knowing she won't stop until I answer, so I did.

"Really? Its almost 3 in the morning." I sighed.

"I know, I've just woken up actually with a series of phone calls and emails about the pictures of you and Shannon there in New York." I suddenly felt a heavy weight on my chest like the ones you get when you're worried that something might go wrong. I hate it.

"What does it say?" I whispered but loud enough for her to hear.

"You know what it says Lizzie. Apparently you two are back together again and for some reason people love it. Its spreading on the internet fast." I curse under my breath upon hearing that. This is why I don't have social media, its fucking insane. People do believe in everything that is on the internet. We we're seen in public, yes and now something is going on again, like what happened to her and Scarlett.

"Well, are you two back together?"

"No, we we're just together as friends. Nothing more than that." Yeah right, tell it to the moon Lizzie.

"Alright if you say so, but the pictures speaks for itself okay."

"Let them think what they want to think about it, I don't care. I'm not saying a single thing. They've been bothering me about her since we broke up and its really really getting into my nerves. Can you send me the pictures so I can have a look." I'm not mad about it though, I usually hear these things from Marla quite often almost every day since Shannon and I haven't been seen in public for two years even more when I've been out a lot alone, but I'm used to it. What bothers me now is the thought that Shannon might get triggered with the media talking about her. Well, she clearly hates them and she's happy now. I just don't want that to get into her and go back to that phase of her.

"Alright, I'll send it through your email. But let me tell you from my angle, these pictures doesn't look like you two are just friends. Anyway, I have to sleep I have a meeting tomorrow." We said our goodbyes before she hangs up and I immediately went to my email but before I even get there, her name flashes on the screen and everything stops, again.

Shannon calling...

She's awake. Why is she still awake? Do I answer it though. I don't want her to feel like I'm so eager to talk to her. I could use a little dignity for myself and not give in to her every single time. Maybe its an emergency, but why the fuck will she call me if its an emergency and what kind of an emergency. Oh fuck it. I caved.

"Hello?"

"Hi, did I wake you up?" Her voice sounds soft and gentle and I can listen to her voice all night if I have to. Snap out of it Lizzie, she might have a girlfriend named fucking Chase if you don't remember.

"No, you're good. I just got off the phone with my publicist so- Why are you still up? Its almost 3 in the morning. Did you have flashbacks?"

"Unfortunately no, but my phone kept going off earlier so now I couldn't sleep." I suddenly feel that heavy weight again in my chest. This is what I'm afraid of really with the media bothering her about us.

"I'm sorry about that" I whispered.

"No its okay, you don't have to apologize. Its not your fault. I had this before with Scarlett but it only took less than an hour for my phone to stop but now it took an hour and a half to stop and it kept distracting me so now, I'm awake. You don't have social media right?"

"Yea, they're fun to start with but its really not for me. Its bad for the brain." I say with a soft giggle at the end. I lay back in bed and kept my eyes on the ceiling hearing her chuckle on the other line. It somehow brings me comfort. "So why did you call?"

"I don't know really" She chuckles."But since you answered it, where are we going tomorrow?" I'm really not sure about the thought of going out tomorrow since we made headlines today and I don't think she knows how bad the paparazzi can get just to take a statement or a picture of us.

"Uh-We made headlines today Shan. I don't think its safe to go out tomorrow." I hear her sigh in disappointment. I'd like to think it is because we can't hang out tomorrow and it sucks really. The paparazzi really knows how to ruin a fine planned day which is just me and her seeing each other and go places we went to every time we go to New York and also me having the chance to be with her company really. "I'm really sorry"

"Why don't we just hang around your apartment?" Suddenly, my heart starts to race but in a good way. I must be hearing things because there's no way she insisted on hanging out with me. "We can have a sit down or you can show me pictures of us if you're still hiding some of it. I know you do." She giggles making me roll my eyes and smile.

"Shan" I warned.

"Alright, I'll stop. So what do you think? I'll bring snacks, for your mom, your brother. Are you're sisters there?"

"No" I giggled finding how cute she is being right now, not giving up on the idea. "They have work"

"Then that's for your mom, your brother and for the both of us. What do you think? what about movies, Aaah what movies do you watch? Or video games, do you play video games or maybe we cou-"

"Alright alright, we can have a stay in tomorrow." I giggled. God, she's so adorable and have a lot of ideas in mind right at this time of day. I don't even know what day it is tomorrow to be honest.

"Alright then, I'll be there in approximately five hours." Five hours, I still might be asleep by then but I found myself humming in response. Well, mom and Trent might already be awake by that time, they could let her in. We fell into a complete silence just hearing the both of us breathing in a steady pace. Then suddenly the thought pops into my head about this girl 'Chase' and even though I want to be with Shannon so bad, I really don't want to wreck a relationship if that's what makes her happy. Its sad but I can't do that to her so I say,

"Uh Shannon? you still there?" She hums drowsily which makes my heart melt with the thought of her close to sleep

"I-I have a question, are you still listening?" I asked not sure if I should continue or not.

"Mm, yea? What is it?"

"Does your girlfriend know about this?" I held my breath waiting for her to answer and it really took her a while to answer which is killing me as seconds passes by and then she chuckles softly.

"Do I have a girlfriend that you know of, because I don't" Woah, what? I'm confused. I know I should be relieved on what she just said but who the fuck is Chase then?

"What? That doesn't make sense, you were just talking about her in the van with Rose an-"

"What? with Rose?"

"Yes, you said you're both going to go get some ice cream with her when you get back to LA. Shan-"

"Oh you mean Chase" She laughs again this time and it made me quirked an eyebrow. What is so funny about that? Did I say something funny. I'm so confused right now and her laughing is not helping at all.

"I don't know, why the fuck are you laughing. I'm being serious. Shannon you just said-"

"Yes sweetheart, but Chase is a car." I feel my cheeks heat up and I'm not so sure if its the fact that I've mistaken her car with a girl or that she did just call me sweetheart and right at this moment my heart just wants to explode into a thousand butterflies. I know its a heat of the moment thing but it really hits different and I fucking miss that.

"Hey, Elizabeth, you still there?" I hear her say snapping me out of my little bubble.

"Yea" I whispered.

"Are you okay, you've gone mute." I tried to not think about it at the moment even though I can't take the smile off my face and it keeps ringing in my head so I try to go back to what we are really talking about.

"Yes but. Who gives their car names and clearly, its a girl. Is that what you do to avoid being in a relationship and make women think you're already in a relationship?" I say and she chuckles before humming at the end which made me smile.

"All cars are females and that is a fact and just to make things clear, Rose brought her up not me. She really likes her, she said she's pretty because she likes the red colored interior." She has the same car and she calls it Chase. I don't know what to feel about that but, one thing is for sure.I really love it. "You really thought I have a girlfriend?"

"Well yea, but why Chase though." I smiled before hearing her breathe on the other line. I'm really intrigued with her answer to this knowing I really can relate to it.

"I don't know, it just fits her." She says with a yawn hanging in the end and it made my smile grew upon hearing that. She's tired and I can also feel myself getting drowsy too. I glanced at the clock, 3:30 am it read. Well time goes fast, It didn't even felt like that long. I really hate to break our call but we both needs some rest, mostly her since she plans on getting here early.

"Shan?" She hums in response and I can imagine her eyes close already. Maybe she's already half asleep. "Can we sleep now?"

"Hmm, yea." She whispers in a sleepy tone.

"Alright then, I'll see you tomorrow okay and please be safe." She hums again but this time more soft and gentle. It makes me want to sleep too. "Goodnight Shan" She doesn't respond to this anymore but I can hear her steady breaths already. I smile at the realization that she might already be asleep so I hang up the phone after quite sometime just hearing her breathe. It somehow brings me comfort like home.

Still my home

——————————-Shannon's P.O.V.I am a bit pissed off by the time I got to Elizabeth's apartment. One main reason is a paparazzi kept following me while I was on my way to the shops near my sister's apartment to get some snacks. He kept asking me invasive questions about me and Elizabeth and its fucking pathetic and for sure he got nothing from me. Eventually, I manage to escape him getting on my Uber immediately as soon as he arrives in front of the shops. I thought that was over until I arrived at her building where there were more of them so that made me pissed. Elizabeth's right. Its not really safe to go out when you fucking made headlines. If I knew this was gonna happen, I should've just gotten here earlier than I planned to.

I let out a breath as I knock on her door twice, trying to redeem myself from what I've just gone through going here. God I really hate those screaming men, they make me sick. A few seconds pass, the knob starts to shuffle before the door opens revealing Trent still in his pajamas and it looks like he just woke up.

"Hey, come in." He smiles and rubs his eyes giving me a squeeze before we go inside. The smell of breakfast and coffee filled my nostrils and it was making me more hungry by the minute

"You're quite early today, Mom Shannon's here" Jarnie pops her head from the kitchen and gives me the sweetest smile.

"Good morning dear, just hang on a bit okay. Breakfast is almost ready." I gave her a smile and nod. I would protest to that and not be a bother but with the lack of sleep and my grumbling stomach, well, how can I refuse.

"Here let me help you with that." I smiled at Trent as he takes the bags of snacks and of course the cans of beers which is what Trent is eyeing up since I got here and takes them to the kitchen. I followed him to properly greet Jarnie giving her a kiss and a hug and her returning it pinching my cheeks which made me giggle. Her family is amazing really maybe that's why we used to be so close. It shows with the way they act around me as if I'm really a part of the family. Its really sad that I don't actually remember them but I know they're good people and maybe soon enough we'll go back to what we were before all of this happened.

"This is a lot of snacks Shan." Trent says as he takes everything from the bag placing some chips, three bags of popcorn, Two packs of corn nuts, some crackers, sweets and some greek yogurt and of course beer on the kitchen island before glancing up to me with raised brows.

"Oh I don't really know what to get except for the beer obviously, so I just grabbed whatever I get my hands on." I chuckled and he shrugs before giving me a smile. I watch as he takes all the snacks and placed them in a drawer and I'm guessing that's where she keeps her snacks.

"So what are you two up to today?" Jarnie asks as she plates on some sunny side up eggs into a plate and some toasts on the other.

"We'll have a stay in. She said its not safe to go outside with us making headlines and she's right. I've happened to meet some screaming men outside and one of them followed me to the shops. So that's a way to start themorning."

"What headline?" Trent asks. Right he just woke up. I glanced at Jarnie who is also confused on what I'm talking about so I figured I should tell them

"There were pictures from yesterday and people think she and I are back together." Smiles grew right on their faces and I'd figure that they might want us to get back together which is kind of a pressure on my part.

"Well, we can't really blame the public. You two were a huge couple two years ago and seeing the both of you out in public after two years is kind of a big deal to some." Trent explains.We're we really that huge, I couldn't even imagine what that feels like. Now I'm excited for what's in store today.

"We're we really that-you know"

"Oh yea, every time you get seen in public together a headline comes with it. You two practically owned headlines for almost a year. Did you not google yourself weirdo." I shake my head at that. I keep forgetting that I should do that.

"Scarlett told me to google myself and I just keep forgetting about it. My memory is not very good and I tend to forget things most of the time." I chuckle softly trying to find some humor in it, but its really not that funny. In fact its disturbing and it sucks. "Maybe we should just do that later on. Anyways, is she still asleep?" I add pushing the spotlight away from me.

"I think so, can you get her up for me dear. Breakfast is ready. Trent please set up the table." Jarnie said and I nod smiling at her while Trent pushes himself from the kitchen island. I was about to walk out of the kitchen when I remembered, I don't know where is her room making me stop in my tracks and turn.

"Uh- where is her room?"

"Oh right. Down the hallway far door to your right." Trent smiles as he starts taking out plates from the dry rack. Alright then hallway it is. I walked out of the kitchen and to the hallway. This apartment is really blowing me away. She has like six rooms, three on each side and the doors are a little farther from each other which only means big rooms.

I finally got to her door and knocked twice on the coffee colored door before I call out her name and say "Its Shannon, breakfast is ready." But got no response in return. Maybe she really is still sleeping. Well, its 8 in the morning and we were talking maybe until four, I don't know I might've dozed while talking to her. So with a sigh I retreat and went back to the living room.

"Shan, where is she?" Trent asks calling my attention.

"Uh, she's still asleep, I guess. Maybe I should just bring her some breakfast later. I really don't have the heart to wake her up." I chuckled slightly making my way towards the table. He smiles at me and nods his head at the same time Jarnie emerges from the kitchen with a jug of orange juice in her hands so I immediately rush to her and take them instead helping her with it.

"Thanks dear" She smiles touching my cheek again and it somehow made me feel comfort just like with my mom. We all sat at the dining table and start to eat breakfast just talking about yesterday. Trent was glad when I stuck by my word to bring Elizabeth back before midnight well exactly midnight in his time. I also told them about the accident exactly how my parents told me. They said it made sense because they've seen me in that state mostly Trent since I literally punched him on the face when I was in it and I got a little ashamed of that again. I showed them my scar on my forehead near the hairline and told them about the huge scar on the back of right leg and on my right shoulder as an evidence of it because luckily my face was still the same, maybe that's why its so hard for people to believe that I can't remember them.

By the time we we're finished, Elizabeth is still not awake so I decided to just bring her something and maybe have a reason to go into her room and check on her without intruding her privacy. Jarnie made a tray for her which includes a plate of avocado and egg toast a protein shake and some fruits and I can tell that she really is living a healthy lifestyle, that's why she looks glowing all the time.

"Here, Shan." Jarnie hands me the tray and I gladly took it before making my way through the hallway and to her door again. I carefully lift one leg and try to balance the tray on it before quickly knocking on it twice. Fortunately nothing spilled or anything. I wait for her to just respond or just hear a movement from the inside I got nothing so I rest the tray on one leg again and quickly open her door before taking it again in my hands. I let out a deep breath of relief because nothing spills again and I'm really impressed on my balance today considering I didn't get that much rest from yesterday.

I struggle to get in her room and at the same time not make a sound afraid that I will startle her and we don't want to see flying pillows thrown at me don't we. As soon as I got in, I look up and damn her room is the size of our living room plus my room, basically my house actually. How is this just an apartment. White walls with a few framed paintings on it, maple colored hard wood floors, a sitting area with a light gray couch and a glass coffee table, a huge flat screen tv, two bedside tables one of each side of the bed, a single couch facing a curtained wall and another pathway to another part of the room and I'm guessing that is her closet. God, I really don't understand celebrities and why do they have so many clothes.

I gently placed the tray on the coffee table and slowly made my way towards the bed. She's still asleep, her back is on me but her breathing tells me so. I glanced at her bedside table to see that its almost ten already. She really needs to wake up and eat. I go to the other side of the bed so I can see her and realized how dark her room is. Why doesn't she have windows and then I realized, Why would you put a curtain on a wall. I turn around and walk towards the curtains moving it a little bit and what do I see. Its fucking New York city at 10 am in the morning. Okay I rest my case this is not an apartment this is a fucking dream house.

The sudden movement from the bed made me jump and turn around holding my breath. She moved pulling the covers up to her neck curling up further into a ball and I can't help but stare. She looks so peaceful and beautiful even though her hair is all over half of her face and for some reason my feet decides to move closer to the bed sitting on the floor facing her. My eyes travels from her hair down to her lips which is currently covered by her hazelnut locks. I smile and rest my chin on her bed and just watch her sleep.

To tell the truth, I've been having these strange and weird feelings that I haven't felt before with anyone until I met her. Its like a breather after a hard day. Its just feels like everything is so easy when I'm with her. I know we just started hanging out yesterday but it feels like I've known her my whole life. Well, technically I've known her years ago, I just don't remember all of it and that sucks. But the connection I'm feeling makes me wonder what the universe is telling me. Is this a reset for us? Well its possible since I gave her the ring which means Its settled in my mind that I'm gonna end up with her. Hmm, Is that it?

I let out a sigh and subconsciously raise my hand gently moving the hair off her face tucking it behind her ear and she moves again letting out a soft groan so I held my breath again raising my head from her bed. I thought she was going back to sleep so I returned my head on her bed and looked at her this time with a full face view and that just made my heart skip a beat. Suddenly her eyes flicker open sleepily revealing a glimpse of her jade eyes and I froze.

"Uh- G-Good morning." I stuttered and she just smiles and breathes curling up again. I think she's still half asleep.

"Mm, good morning honey. What time is it?" She mumbles and I felt my cheeks heat up. Honey? Is that what she calls me before. I can feel my heart beating so fast in my chest and butterflies starts to flutter in my stomach.

"Uh its already ten so you better wake up sleepy head." I say nervously and I'm not quite sure why I'm nervous. Her eyes snaps open and looks up to me. I held my breath just looking at her.

"What're you doing here?" She asks propping herself with her elbows and pulling the sheets protectively up to her chest so I shut my eyes tight and say

"Hey, its okay, its just me. I brought in your breakfast, its on the coffee table. I swear I wasn't trying to do anything. I came in peace." I say in defense raising my hands up. God, did she caught me watching her sleep, that is just creepy as fuck. Suddenly a soft chuckle rings into my ears easing up the current tension I'm feeling at the moment.

"I'm sorry, you can open your eyes now." She giggles making me smile and slowly open my eyes revealing an angel right in front of me with a streak of light hitting her skin from the small gap of the curtains. She smiles sweetly tilting her head to the side and its just adorable of her, I could melt on my spot right now. She fucking looks good in the morning, its so unreal.

"Please don't sneak up on me like that again." She says. "And why are you on the floor?" I instantly got up to my feet upon hearing that. Woah chill out dude compose yourself. I touched the hairs on the back of my neck getting a bit flustered by her and I don't know why.

"Uh Breakfast?" I said before rushing towards the coffee table taking her tray and walk towards the bed trying not to spill anything. She takes off the sheets from her and sat up properly on bed as I placed it in front of her. "You're mom arranged it for you. Go on."

"Thanks" She smiles sweetly and I nervously returned it. She takes a bite of her toast and nods in approval.

"Can I open the curtains?" I asked. She nods and smiles while eating some sliced tangerines. So I made my way to the curtains opening them up and Oh my God, Its even better now. I breathe as I stare the beautiful busy city of New York and also gave me a chance to just compose myself. I look like a fucking fool earlier for fuck sake.

"Like the view?" She suddenly asks making me turn and smile at her.

"You know, I'm starting to think this isn't an apartment." She giggles as I made my way back to her. I join her in and stood in the middle of the room still looking around.

"What are you doing there, come sit here. There's plenty of room you know." I look at her and saw her smiling sweetly at me biting her bottom lip as she taps on the space in front of her and I found myself in a trance following what she just said. I sat on the bed in front of her trying to think of something to say anything but then she beats me to it.

"So, what time were you here?"

"8 I think, maybe 5 minutes late. You know you were right, its not safe to go outside." Her face falls upon hearing this and looks at me with horror in her eyes.

"They didn't do anything to you did they? Oh god, you should've just stayed home Shan-"

"Hey hey, its alright. I'm fine. One just followed me but other than that its good but there are more of them outside and they saw me walked in so I guess we'll be making headlines again?" She sighs in frustration before drinking her protein shake and I smile because it left a mark on her upper lip looking like Santa's mustache.

"You've got something on your-" I whispered and she just quirked an eyebrow at me so I pulled on my sleeve and gently wiped it away. Suddenly, I have the feeling of being watch so I look up and saw her strong jade eyes looking at me and her cheeks now tinted with a light peach color. She's blushing, and seeing that just makes me feel victorious in some way, I don't know. She's cute when she gets flustered too.

"There we go, all gone." I smiled and she just stares at me for a while before looking away looking all fidgety making me smirk. She's too adorable so I changed the subject just to not make her more uncomfortable.

"I know what were going to do today" I state and she stopped letting out a breath and smiled looking a bit more relaxed than earlier.

"What's on your mind?" She asks and who am I kidding I love it when she gets flustered.

"You"

"Shan, stop it." She sighs giving me a playful slap on my arm as I chuckled. "I'm being serious, its too early for that." She whines so I stopped and be serious this time, for real.

"We will go to the internet and google 'Shannon Beveridge' I haven't done that still you know." She looked at me with disbelief. Well, I can't blame her, that's the easiest way to gain your memories back if you're linked into one of the huge profile celebrities.

"I know what you're thinking and I really don't have a valid reason for that except for I keep forgetting it. You know, my memory, it is really bad." She looks at me sadly but try to fade it away by giving me a proper smile. Well, I'm done feeling sorry for myself a year ago, Its just time to move on and do something about it and I am.

"Alright, if you say so then."