Amber looked at him, surprised. "You're offering to walk me home?"
Shawn nodded. "Yeah. I'm not going to let you here alone. Just... it's better this way."
Amber hesitated for a moment but then smiled softly, appreciating his concern. "Okay. If you don't mind, I'll take you up on that offer."
"Great," Shawn said with a small smile of his own. "Let's go."
They walked together down the quiet side streets, Amber's footsteps echoing softly beside his. It was a strange moment—a kind of peace settled between them that hadn't been there before. As they walked, Shawn could feel a connection, an unspoken understanding that neither of them had expected. Amber wasn't just the girl from the debate, or the one who had been scratched by a cat—she was someone who, for the first time in a long while, didn't seem out of reach.
And Shawn? He was the quiet, serious guy who found himself walking her home, all because he couldn't stand the thought of leaving her alone when there were things he could do. It was a simple gesture, but somehow, it felt like the start of something more.
"So," Amber began, glancing at Shawn, "tell me about your family. Do you have siblings? What's it like at home?"
Shawn's face softened slightly, his eyes ahead as he thought for a moment. "It's a lot of responsibility, but I manage. I have two siblings, my brother Zeki's eleven, and my sister Mandy's eight. I help out at home, especially since my mom works long shifts at the hospital. I try to make sure they're alright when she's not around."
Amber nodded, feeling a mix of admiration and sympathy. "That's a lot for someone your age."
Shawn shrugged, not wanting to make it seem like a big deal. "It's just how things are. My mom does her best, and we all pitch in. My grandma helps too—she's the one who looks after Zeki and Mandy when I'm at school or if my mom's on shift. I just do what I can."
Amber smiled, impressed by how Shawn didn't seem to think twice about it. "That's really admirable. It must be tough sometimes, though."
"Yeah," Shawn said quietly, "but it's just what has to be done. They're my family."
Amber glanced at him, sensing there was more to Shawn than the quiet, serious guy she'd first met. He wasn't just taking care of his siblings because he had to—he was doing it with a sense of love and responsibility that most people didn't understand.
As they neared Shawn's house, Shawn waved to his grandmother and gave a quick nod to his siblings before heading into the kitchen. His grandmother smiled warmly at Amber.
"Shawn's been doing a lot for them since his mom started working longer hours. He's a good boy, always looking out for his family."
Amber smiled, her eyes following Shawn as he moved around the kitchen, pulling ingredients out for dinner. She could see how comfortable he was—his movements were sure and confident, almost as if he'd been doing this for years. He didn't need to ask anyone for help; he knew exactly what needed to be done.
"I'm sure it's not easy," Amber said, still watching Shawn as he began chopping vegetables. "But he seems like he's got it all under control."
"He does," Shawn's grandmother agreed, her voice filled with pride. "He's been looking after the kids for a while now. They're lucky to have him."
Amber's gaze lingered on Shawn, impressed by how effortlessly he juggled the responsibilities of his family. He wasn't just taking care of them out of obligation—he did it with a quiet determination that made her admire him even more.
She couldn't help but smile, feeling a new sense of respect for the guy who had been more than just a friend. He was someone who, despite all the challenges he faced, never stopped caring for those who mattered most.