Shawn heard

The house was too quiet.

It wasn't a peaceful silence. It was the kind that seems to hide something behind every door.

When you turned off the kitchen light, you saw a silhouette leaning against the garden fence.

Shawn.

He wasn't moving.

I was just waiting.

You went out onto the porch with your heart pounding in your ribs.

"What are you doing here?"

He slowly raised his gaze.

"You weren't answering."

"I was sleeping."

"I know."

That answer left you frozen.

"What do you mean you knew?"

Shawn barely smiled.

"Because the light in your room went out an hour ago."

The wind passed between the trees, carrying the dry leaves across the asphalt.

"You can't come like that."

"I couldn't stop thinking."

"That doesn't justify this."

For a few seconds he said nothing. His eyes were fixed on you, as if he were trying to discover something hidden behind every gesture.

Did he make you laugh?

You frowned.

"Who?"

"The boy from this afternoon."

"It's none of your business."

Shawn's jaw tightened.

"Tell me you don't like it."

"No."

"Tell me while looking at me."

The air seemed to get heavier and heavier.