Peace, Love, & Pogo Sticks

Moving to Miami

He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he did know that her reaction would be worth it. He had gotten his parents' blessing (and money) to purchase the building that Camila had found and officially open up his own record store. He had yet to tell her that yet, though. The night after his parents gave him their approval he laid awake in bed; his mind was too excited to let him sleep. In his sleeplessness, he had an idea. He was going to go ahead and purchase the building without her knowing. She'd find out that it sold and be obviously disappointed, only to find out that he was the one who purchased it. He didn't have the specifics worked out yet, but he always loved surprising her. Her reactions would never fail to make him happy. He put the offer in on the building and the couple who owned it accepted it almost immediately. He did tell the couple about his plan to surprise Camila just to cover his tracks in case she would try to reach out to them.

He was beyond eager to finally make the move to Miami. He started packing his things, keeping only the necessities and selling or donating the things he didn't need. He packed his car to the brim with boxes and bags of his things as he prepared for the 22-hour drive. Ideally he would've been able to fly down, but with moving all of his stuff with him it unfortunately made more sense to make the painfully long drive. He was determined to make the most of it, though. He spent over an hour making a playlist of songs for him to jam out to as he made his road trip. When the morning came for him to finally leave Toronto and drive to his new, much warmer home he was giddy with excitement. He stopped at his parents' house for a family breakfast before leaving. His mom shed a few tears as they said goodbye but his dad and sister didn't get as emotional.

Just after he had crossed out of Canada and into the US, his phone started ringing with a call from Camila. He turned down the volume on his car radio and put the phone on speaker.

"Good afternoon!" he answered in a sing-song voice.

"Not really," she grumbled. "I passed the building on the way to work today and there's a sold sign up! I didn't even know that anyone else was interested in it."

"It's okay," he sighed. "My parents didn't give me the loan anyway." It was a good thing she couldn't see him because despite his disappointed tone of voice he was smiling from ear to ear. 

"Oh, that sucks..." she sadly replied. "Well, I'll keep my eye out for any other places for you. What are you doing today? It sounds like you're driving."

"I am," he chuckled. "I, uh...I'm on my way to my parents' house, actually," he lied.

"Aw, tell them I said hi!"

"I will," he said with a smile.

"I've gotta get back to work now. Text me when you get a chance?"

"Of course!"

He drove the entire day, trying not to take many breaks and making sure to text her during the times that he did take a break. He finally stopped for the night and got a hotel shortly after passing the border into North Carolina. He was so excited about how close he was to starting his life in Miami that it was surprisingly difficult for him to fall asleep, but once he did he slept hard. He originally debated the idea of driving all the way through the night without stopping but after his mom begged him to stop and get some sleep he figured it wouldn't hurt. He woke up the next morning and wasted no time in getting back on the road, but not before stopping to grab some coffee and a breakfast sandwich to-go. Camila called him again when he was driving through South Carolina to let him know that she found another apartment building he might like. He played along and asked her to send him a link with pictures even though he knew he wouldn't need them.

He kept driving and driving and found himself taking a deep breath of relief when he saw the "Welcome to Florida" sign on the side of the highway as he crossed state lines. He called the couple who sold him the building and let them know that he'd be there around 7pm. They were able to set it up so they could sign the closing papers together as soon as he got there so he could spend his first night in Miami at his new place. He hyped himself up by blaring some of his favorite 80s songs as he drove into the city. The couple was incredibly kind and they thought it was adorable that he was going to such lengths to surprise Camila. They all signed the papers and soon enough Shawn held the keys to the building that was now both his home and his new record store in his hand.

It was even better than the pictures and videos that Camila had sent him; it was absolutely perfect. The exposed brick walls looked like something out of his industrial-style dreams. He spent the night carrying his stuff from his jam-packed car and up into the second story of the building to start unpacking. He obviously didn't have any groceries yet so he ordered some takeout from one of his favorite restaurants in the city; one that he was always sure to visit when he'd come down to visit Camila previously. 

He wasn't sure exactly how he wanted to surprise Camila. He had been thinking about it during his entire drive and he had yet to come up with the perfect idea. The next day he made the last minute decision to drive to the bridal boutique that she worked at right when he knew she'd be getting off work. He saw her car and smiled, parking right next to her so she wouldn't be able to miss him. He got out of the car and stood with his back against his own car, facing the driver's side of her's. He waited for about fifteen minutes and when he saw her finally walk out of the building his face lit up. He hadn't realized just how much he missed her until he saw her. Apparently she felt the same way because as soon as she saw him leaned up against his car she squealed with excitement and ran towards him with outstretched arms.

"What are you doing here?"

"I live here now. Remember? I told you I was moving to Miami..." he said as he hugged her.

"But where? When did you find somewhere to live?" She looked utterly confused and he couldn't help but chuckle.

"That 'sold' sign outside of the building...did you ever find out who bought it?" He gave her a mischievous smirk and watched as the gears in her head started turning. 

"Wait...did you get it? I thought your parents' didn't give you the loan?"

"I might've just told you that so that I could surprise you..."

"Oh my god!" she squealed again as she swatted him in the chest with her hand. "What are we still doing here? I wanna see!" 

"You've been there as much as I have!" he laughed.

"Well, yes...but not when it's been owned by you! Let's go!" They each got into their own cars and drove to his new home.