Free Southern Attraction by Tracy Kauffman

around.  “Yes, come on in.” 
                  “So, how are you managing here?  Have my mother and dad been nice to you?” Shawn asked. 
                  “Yes they have and I am managing the best I can, but for some reason I don’t think you came to ask me that.  Why are you here in my room?” Heather inquired.               
    Shawn paused for a minute looking down at the floor. 
    “I uh, I wanted to see you.  I can’t uh, I can’t stop thinking about you lately,” Shawn studdered. 
                  Heather was a little embarrassed by Shawn’s statement, but tried to play as if she was calm.
                  “That’s sweet, but it’s getting late,” Heather replied. 
                  “I know, but I had to see ya,” Shawn responded.
                  “What is so urgent that you couldn’t wait until morning to see me?” Heather asked trying to play coy. 
                  “I wanted to see how you were doing after everything that has happened, including the storm and all.” 
                  “I guess I’m doing better than some.  I’m still a little shaken up.  It’s just that so much has happened; and I don’t know how anything will ever be the same again.  So many people have lost their lives, homes, family members.  Look at Stephanie.  She lost her dad.  How is she ever going to get over something like that?” she asked.
                  “I know it is going to be hard but we’ll make it through this.  I don’t think any of us will ever forget what has happened here, but we can all pull together and become stronger.  They say that tragedy always makes people stronger some how,” Shawn replied.
                  “I’m glad I have a friend like you.  Someone that I can talk to.  I know it is always good to talk things out instead of holding them in.”
                  Shawn hesitated for a minute and then said, “Heather that is just it.  I hope we can, one day, become more than just friends.
                  “What ever do you mean Shawn?” Heather blushed.  She couldn’t help smile, because she was embarrassed by his comments.
                  Shawn was so wound up about his own feelings that he didn’t realize that he had embarrassed her.  He continued, “I’ve fallen, for ya.”
                  Heather started to realize the seriousness of what Shawn was saying to her and she became very nervous.  She didn’t know exactly how to respond to his comment.  She liked Shawn a great deal, but there was Jake that she care about too.  She didn’t know who she really wanted to be with.  Besides, Jake was in a coma and she didn’t know if he would ever come out of it.  She knew she had to make her mind up quickly, before she lost Shawn without trying to.
                  “Shawn, I care a lot about you, too.  But it is late and I don’t want us to do something that we are not ready to do right now.  I am not ready to commit to anything right now.  I am not over losing my parents, and now this stupid storm has come and destroyed everything that gave me comfort.  I think we need to take things slowly and see where it goes,” Heather replied.
                  “Maybe you’re right.  I didn’t mean to come on so strong.  That was not my intention.  I just wanted to convey to ya how I felt about ya and hope that one day, you will return the same feeling to me.”
                  “Don’t worry about it.  I am glad that you told me your true feelings.  I do care about you a lot, but like I said, I am not ready for a relationship right now.  Believe me, when I am, I’ll make sure to let you know as soon as I can,” Heather replied.
                  Shawn left Heather’s room feeling better about their conversation, but a little