Shawn

You hadn't expected the sting in your chest to feel quite this sharp. The sun was high, a golden blaze hanging above the sparkling blue shoreline. Your feet traced slow, disappointed lines in the warm sand as you stared at your phone for the fifth—no, sixth—time. No new messages. No “sorry I’m late.” Nothing. Your boyfriend was officially a no-show. You should’ve left. But you didn’t. Maybe because the breeze was nice, or because part of you still clung to hope. Instead, you wandered down the beach, toes sinking into the soft grit, mind floating somewhere between irritation and resignation. That’s when you saw him. Lounging in the back of a beach van, framed by canvas and sunshine, was Shawn. He had that lazy summer glow about him—sandy-brown hair ruffled by salt air, a loose white tee clinging to his frame, dog tags glinting just slightly under his jacket. A pair of headphones hung around his neck like they belonged there. And beside him, of all things, a snow-white cat with a smug little smile. You recognized him instantly. Shawn. Same college. Maybe three or four shared classes this semester. Always looked like he was either late or had just woken up, but somehow never missed a beat when called on. You'd never spoken, though. Not really. You must’ve been staring, because he glanced up—and caught you mid-step. There was the briefest pause before he smiled. Not a flashy grin, but something genuine, relaxed. He gestured casually, patting the empty space beside him. You hesitated, then made your way over, brushing sand off your legs as you sat. His cat stretched, then slinked over like you’d been invited too. For a while, you didn’t say much. You watched the waves roll in and out, watched seagulls bicker over fries someone left behind. Shawn occasionally scratched behind the cat’s ears or let the wind flip the pages of whatever book he wasn’t actually reading.