Love, Death, and Donuts

Eric Perez
Assistant Editor
  Shelby was a nice, innocent girl who never really thought much of relationships. Her feelings changed once Shawn B. Hinkle walked into Daily Donuts, the donut shop where she worked; her life would forever be different that day. Shelby stopped dead in her tracks when she saw tall, burly Shawn walk through the door. She probably stared at him for two minutes before her boss got her attention back and told her to get back to work. As she slaved away at work, all she could see was Shawn in her head, even when she was not looking into those ocean blue eyes. Now if there is one thing to know about Shelby it is that she is not a shy person and never at a loss for words, but when she went to talk to Shawn, she was speechless. As she sat there in front of him, she collected herself and started to speak. 
  “Hey, how are you?'' Shelby asked very nervously. 
  “I'm doing almost as amazing as you look.” Shawn replied. Shelbys cheeks got very red, but the butterflies fluttering in her stomach made her unable to reply. Shelby's thoughts slowly came back after a couple of seconds. In that moment, she looked Shawn in the eyes and knew that he was the one. 
  Shawn had just moved into town with his aunt, He was a very strong hearted kid who was ready for a new adventure. That upcoming Monday would be his first day at Ridgemont High School, which was the same school Shelby attended. Shelby was a junior in high school, but took all senior classes as she was extremely smart. Shawn was a senior who was also very smart, and Shawn’s athleticism got him recruited for the football team as the starting quarterback.
  After the exchange at the donut shop, Shelby got pulled back to work, and they gave each other a wave goodbye. Monday came rolling by and Shelby, who was the captain of the cheer team, stood directing the squad with her beautiful golden hair, and the looks of a goddess. Her and the team were practicing on the field, when the football team came trotting in. She thought nothing of it, it was just another practice for them. The head coach started talking to the boys. 
  “Alright, boys I’ve got someone I want you to meet. This is Shawn Hinkle; he is our new quarterback who is going to lead us to state.” Shelbys head cocked back towards the team, and she saw him. The love of her life sitting there in football pads, looking like a gladiator from the Roman empire. She stared for so long that Shawn felt a pair of eyes on him and glanced over at her. Shelby gave him a smile, and Shawn winked back. Shelby blushed so hard her teammates teased her because she looked like a bright red apple.
  When practice ended Shawn went straight over to Shelby. 
  “Hi, Shelby. I know this might sound crazy, but since the first day I saw you I knew I was in love, and it seems early, but will you be mine?” Shelby  stared at him with her big beautiful eyes, grabbed his face and kissed him. From then on, the two of them were soulmates. The following weeks Shawn and Shelby were in their own little world. Saturday was a big day for Shawn as it was the last playoff game until state. He and Shelby drove to the game together, and Shelby looked into his eyes and told him to win for her. Shawn went out on the field and five minutes later would choose heads to start with the ball. Shawn pkyed like never before and had three touchdowns under his belt by the first half. Everything was going perfect until the other team ran a blitz, and Shawn got blindsided. It was no ordinary hit, Shawn got hit in his heart as hard as it ever has. After the hit, Shawn did not get up. The paramedics went out to help him, and Shelby ran out with them. Shawn was unconscious and would not reply to the doctors. They checked his pulse but found no heartbeat. Shelby hugged his body as tight as she could. “I love you Shawn, please don't go, please.” 
  Shelby was never the same after that game. She did not talk much, and her grades started dropping. Shelby was in a state of sadness, she could not feel much of anything anymore. It was not until two months later when Shelby joined Shawn up in the heavens after a car crash on the highway.