Bad Reputation - Shawn Mendes

9 - Huge Weight

Eleanor.

As I set down the tray of food, i took a deep breathe. You can do it Elle, I encouraged myself. "Do you remember what happened at the party?" I ask while staring blankly at the food. "Mhm." Aaliyah replies before taking a bite. "I'm ready to talk about it." I say nervously. "I'm all ears." She tells me while putting down her fork and holding my hand. "When i was a freshman back in high school, i was best friends with Chloe, the girl you saw at the party." I say, finally building up the courage to look her in the eyes to find her nodding along which i take as my queue to continue. "She got together with her then boyfriend Jacob, and i guess she got jealous or something so she starting spreading rumours about me. She said stuff like i was a slut, and that i tried to steal her boyfriend away even though i didn't. I tried to tell everyone it wasn't true, but no one would believe me. I even asked her to tell everyone that I wouldn't do such a thing, but she stayed silent and didn't back me up. And that was when i knew, she wasn't truly my best friend." I say before chewing the inside of my cheek to hold in my tears. "And since then, I've been hated by all the girls while all the boys wanted to get with me thinking that i would do anything. After awhile of putting up with name callings, i decided to not give a fuck and actually be who they painted me to be. Hence, having the bad reputation title." I finally finish explaining myself, and it feels like a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders.

"I can't believe she back stabbed you." Aaliyah comments and i let out a nervous chuckle. "I'm sorry for what had happened to you. But I'm glad you told me the truth, i knew that you weren't as bad as they set you to be." She adds. "And I'm grateful you didn't judge me although you knew about my past." "I wanted to hear your side of the story before i made any assumptions about you." She says while giving me a reassuring smile. It was really hard for me to open up about myself ever since everything had happened, I just kind of shut my real self out of the world and became who they wanted me to be. But i trust Aaliyah, and she wouldn't do anything to hurt me. "Let's eat or else the food would get cold." Aaliyah says and i nod. We both ate and talk about our past, and it felt nice not having to hide anything from her.

We head to back to the dorm immediately after we finished eating. "I think I'm going to go to the library." I tell her as we step into the room. "Alright, i think I'm going to just chill in bed. I'm still tired from going to the beach yesterday." She says before plopping down on her bed. I pack up all the things i needed into my backpack and put on a sweater as well in case i get cold in the library. "See you later." I say before leaving and she waves goodbye.

I drive to the library and it was quite packed. I guess all the students are here finishing their assignments on a Saturday too. After circling a few rounds, i spot an empty seat and immediately walked towards it. I sit down and open up my laptop to start ticking off the things in my to-do list. I've always imagined going to college and doing my work in the library and its safe to say that it wasn't as wonderful as how i pictured it. Although it was a nice environment to be in, the amount of work i had was stressful, and all i could think about was the time I had spent with Shawn last night. I pushed away all my thoughts that kept making me distracted, and put on my earpiece to start listening to music and doing my work.

After hours of staying in the library, i finally finished all the assignments due this weekend. Even though i still had things i needed to do, i was still proud of how much i had completed. I start packing up my things, and getting ready to head back to the dorms. As i head inside my car, I decided to call my dad while driving. I've missed him so much, and I haven't talked to him in awhile. I've just been so busy lately adjusting to my new life that I haven't had the time to call him.

I click on his contact and press call. It rings for awhile before he answers cheerfully, "Hey Pumpkin!" "Hey dad! Are you free to talk?" I ask him while placing my phone on the phone rest. "Yeah, i just finished my shift." He replies and i smile. "I miss you so much dad." "I miss you more. The house feels empty without you." "I'll come visit you soon okay?" "Let me know when you're coming." "I will." "I got to go, my next shift is starting soon." "Okay dad, i love you!" "I love you too pumpkin!" And with that he hangs up the call.

Today has been a very productive day for me. The college life hasn't been the best for me, but I believe it can only get better from this.

Author's Note!

Sorry this chapter was kinda of a filler but i hope you still liked it. I wanted to make the fan fiction seem as realistic as possible. I read a few others before and it just seem like the character always doesn't do any work or whatsoever. So i wanted to include that in the book but i promise the next few chapters won't be just about studying!