Shaynes POV 

When I began to tell the story of me drowning as a child, her mouth turned downward and she stopped looking at me. I reach over and hold her chin up to make sure she is okay; I didn't like seeing her sad. As she sat and watched me cook, I couldn't help but notice a gleam in her eyes. She intently listened to each story I told and asked questions every once in a while. I talked about my childhood and the stories about my family, with each her eyes became more and more sad. 

Cooking wasn't my strong suit but Josh helped me out. He gave me an easy recipe that would make it look like I worked harder than I did. One of my biggest worries is being too weird around people i'm interested in but I felt so comfortable around her that I was okay with being myself. I put on a good song and got to work. She sat at the bar, watching me cook and asking me questions about my life. I told her about my family and the support they gave with me being on So Random and The Goldbergs. I talked about my siblings and how each of them are doing their thing and in happy relationships. Her facial expressions changed as I talked more, making less and less eye contact as I continued. 

... 

I couldn't imagine living a life without my parents support yet she carries herself with such grace regardless of that. After her and I had a small talk it was time to pull out all the stops. 

She closes her eyes and waited patiently. I had to run around the house and get everything together before she looked. 

... 

The candle light made her look beautiful, but also showed how tired she looked. As we ate we talked about our friends and laughed at old stories about our past, her laugh intoxicating. 

"Y/n, tell me about why you wanted to become a nurse. That is not a job for the faint of heart." I asked, knowing she would have a good answer. 

Her eyes lit up and a big smile grew over her face. "That is one hell of a question to ask Shayne but i'll give it a shot." She sat up tall and began to search for the words. 

After a couple of seconds she looks at me and smiles. 

"Okay so I think it started when I was a toddler. My mom told me that instead of reading baby books I would look at her first aid and CPR books. I was born with a heart defect that made me go to the doctors often and I was always given the best care by the nurses and doctors. When I started high school I joined the health club and enrolled in every health class possible, I shadowed surgeons and therapists but the people that were always there were nurses. They were the face of the care being received and were always talked about by the patients with such admiration. It made me want to have the same impact on people. I want to be an example for those who struggle to excel in school because let me tell you, it took me a while to become the student I am now. School has never been a strong suit for me, so getting into college was a bit hard. It took me two attempts to get into the UCLA nursing program but once I did it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I never thought I would be good at school but I found a major that intrigued me in all aspects and I excelled. Now i'm about to graduate and be able to help those who need it." She was smiling ear to ear as she recounted her journey. 

I leaned back in my seat and couldn't help but smile at the pure joy and excitement that was radiating from her. I have never seen her face light up like this before now and I would do anything to keep it that way. 

"You were born with what?" I suddenly remember her saying something about her heart. 

"I have a leaky valve in my heart that they had to fix when I was born. I'm fine now, but it required me to see the cardiologist often. It never bothered me because they were so nice and always told me what was going on." she leaned her chin on her palm and propped her head up, ending the sentence with a smile. 

"Sounds like a special heart to me," I say. Nice one Romeo. 

"Oh I don't know about that," she blushes, brushing off my compliment. 

"No, I mean that. From the minute I met you you've been an angel. Not being mad at my ex hurting you, inviting my friends to your house, letting me stay the night; all of those things show they type of person you are. You're one-of-a-kind. I don't know a single person like you, and i'm perfectly okay with that." I lean onto the table, crossing my arms and sinking a bit. "I have no clue how a girl like you isn't being chased by every man in LA." 

She sits back into her seat and takes a few deep breaths in and out. It looks like she wants to say something but doesn't know how. Her hand pushes her hair behind her ear and she analyzes the ends, picking at a couple. A few seconds pass before she looks at me. 

"Shayne, there are so many stories I could tell that would prove why i'm not being chased like you say. I love to help people because I like the feeling of being needed by others, not like a god complex way but that I can do something to help others that improves their life. I find satisfaction in seeing someone improve but it breaks my heart to know i'll probably never see them again. When it comes to relationships I think I can fix the other person but end up spoiling them but never receiving it back. Friends have been pretty come-and-go for me except for my roommates. My school friends don't understand the way I act sometimes and that leads to them not talking to me anymore. I don't want to sound crazy but I think my tumultuous childhood has some lasting effects on me." 

She turns her head away and looks at the photos on the wall. "Seeing these pictures makes me wish I had parents like yours, they sound amazing. I've had to be independent for so long that I really don't remember what it's like to have supportive parents. I must sounds like a negative Nancy but that is really what causes me issues in relationships. I don't know what a healthy one looks like." She returns her gaze to mine, her eyes glittered with tears that had yet to fall. 

I stand from the table and walk over to her chair, squatting down I look into her tired eyes. "Let me be the one who shows you what that means. Come meet my parents and see what it's like, I know they would love you. Please let me take care of you like I know I can." I place my hand on her thigh and give it a small squeeze. 

Tears are rolling down her face, making her look so broken. I move my free hand to wipe them away. Standing I pull her into a tight embrace and we stand there for a minute as she beings to cry again. I stroke the back of her head, combing through her soft hair trying to calm her. She pulls away after a couple of minutes and she looks up at me. 

"Shayne, never in my life did I ever imagine I would hear someone say that to me after all I just told you. I don't think you understand what you're getting yourself into." she smiles softly and puts her hands on my face, pulling me into a gentle kiss. 

"I have a request," she puts her index finger up. 

"What would that be?" I raise my eyebrows. 

"Once a week at least we have either a Mario Cart tournament OR a Smash Bros Brawl tournament. But only those two because they're the ones i'm good at." she smiles, making her one dimple show. "Damien can join if he wants!" 

This took me by surprise because she didn't seem like the gamer type. "That is definitely doable." I pull her towards the couch and start up the switch. 

... 

Hours passed and I check my phone for the time. "Hey y/n its getting late. Do you have school tomorrow?" 

"Ugh I do, I have an exam Friday and need to get studying tomorrow. You're right, I should be heading home." She frowns. 

"Let's get going then." I switch off the console and head towards the car. She has a slight limp as she walks but gets around fine. As I close the door to the car on y/ns' side I hear my name being called. I walk around to the back to look around to see who is calling me. 

"Shayne! What are you up to? I was about to make my way up to you." Nicole comes around the car and walks up to me. 

"Listen, what you did the other night was messed up. You had no right to do that to her." I was angry, balling up my fists.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she played dumb. "She must have done that to herself to get you to feel bad for her. Is she here? You're car is running." she walks around and see's y/n in the front seat. As she reaches for the door y/n hits the lock button, Nicole pulls at the door to but it doesn't open. "Oh i'm not going to do anything, just have a little chat." she snickers at y/n. 

"Yeah you're not going to say anything to her. If I was in my right mind I would report you to the police for blackmailing and assault. But I know that y/n doesn't want to do that. She feels bad for YOU." I say with emphasis. "Now, if you don't mind i'm going to take her home." 

I unlock the door and hop in, pulling out of the parking lot. 

"What happened?" she looks at me with concern. 

"I just told her the reality of what happened. You're the bigger person here and we're, well i'm, done with her crap." I grab y/ns' hand. 

...

The drive is peaceful and I enjoy being in y/n's presence. As I pull into the driveway I get out and open her door. I walk her to the door and stop before she opens it. 

"Y/n tonight was so much fun, thank you for giving me the privilege of getting to know you better. My parents are coming to visit this weekend and I really want them to meet you. But before that I need to ask you if you'll let me be the special man in your life. Let me spoil you and beat you in video games." she laughs at me. 

"Are you sure you want your parents to meet me? I don't want them to be disappointed when they see, well, me." she rolls her lips into each other. 

"I've never been more sure of anything. They'll be thrilled to see i've found someone who makes me happy and is as successful as you." I lean down and kiss her. 

"Okay then Shayne Topp, I'll be your girlfriend but with one stipulation. You acknowledge that i'm better than you at Mario Cart." she grins from ear to ear, and sticks her tongue out. 

I act like i'm contemplating her offer, but know the answer. "Call it a deal. I'll text you details when I have them. Good luck on your exams and maybe i'll come by afterwords and celebrate with you." I kiss her a couple of times and then open the door for her. "Goodnight y/n." 

...