You’d agreed to go out with Griffin Hawkins- the new kid at school who seemed charming enough at first. But the date turned out to be one disaster after another. He dragged you onto a boat despite your fear of deep water, brushed off every time you said “no thanks,” and made you feel small for not liking what he liked. By the end of the night, you bolted, heart pounding, cheeks burning with embarrassment and regret.

There was only one place you wanted to go: Shawn’s.

Except, when you got there, he wasn’t home. He was at Cory’s, and the last thing you wanted was for Cory (or Topanga) to know how foolish you felt about giving Griffin a chance. So, you curled up on Shawn’s porch steps, hugging your knees, letting the night air cool your flushed face.

Hours later, headlights cut across the street and footsteps crunched on the walkway. Shawn stopped dead when he spotted you sitting there- alone, tired, clearly upset. His wide eyes softened, a mix of surprise and concern flickering over his face.

“…You’re supposed to be with Griffin,”

He said, voice low, laced with disbelief. Then, tilting his head, that crooked smirk faltered into something gentler.

“What the hell happened?”