Bad Reputation - Shawn Mendes

17 - Back to Pickering

Shawn.

It's been a week since i had told Elle how i felt about her and to my surprise she felt the same. I couldn't have been happier knowing how we felt about each other. I've been going over to their dorm every other day to just chill and hang out, and it's really nice. By the second time I went over, Aaliyah suspected that there was something going on between us and i confessed to her that i liked Elle. She was super excited and totally supported me even though i thought it would be weird since they were roommates but I'm glad it isn't.

Today is the day that we're going on a road trip back to Pickering. I managed to convince Elle to let us tag along and she gave in to my persuasion. I pull up to their college and go up to their room. I knock on the door and Aaliyah yells, "It's open!" I turn the knob and open the door to see both of them scrambling to get ready. I sit down on Elle's bed while waiting for them to get their things done. After a few minutes, they were finally ready so we get into my car and drive off.

"It's been so long since i went home." I say. I've been really busy producing and recording songs and doing interviews that I haven't had the time to go back. "Me too, i miss mom and dad." Aaliyah adds. During the two hour journey, we talked about Pickering and shared more about our families. I learned that Elle's dad had to work two jobs so that she could get into college and how she's very grateful for him. She also says that it's the reason why she felt that she had to grow up fast, to help her dad with the house chores. We also decided that on Friday, Elle would sleepover at our house and we would spend Saturday at hers.

I pull up to our house and i see Elle scanning how big it is. All of us get out of the car and head inside. "Shawn! Aaliyah!" My mom exclaims and hugs the both of us. "Elle, good to see you." She says and hugs her too. "Thank you for letting me stay." Elle smiles. "No worries." My mom replies. We walk into the living room and i find my dad sitting on the sofa reading newspaper. "Dad!" I yell and he finally looks up. "Son! Kiddo!" He says while standing up and hugs the both of us as well. "Who's that?" He asks while looking at Elle. "That's my roommate, Elle." Aaliyah introduces and Elle steps forward. "Nice to meet you Mr Mendes." She greets and he simply smiles and shakes her hand.

Aaliyah heads upstairs while I give Elle a house tour. "Your house is really big." She says as we're leaving the backyard. "Yeah, it is." I respond. I continued to show Elle around and lastly showing her my room. Her mouth opens slightly after seeing my guitar collection and i can't help but smile at how she's so amused by everything. "Can i?" She asks while pointing at the bed and i nod. She plops onto the bed and i sit down on the chair. "Do you want to go to the pool?" I ask. "I didn't bring a swimsuit." She answers nervously. "It's okay, I'm sure Aaliyah would lend you one." I suggest and she rolls her eyes. "Fine, I'll go and ask." She groans and heads out of the room.

A few minutes later, she comes back and says "Okay, let's go to the pool." Before leaving again, which i assume is to change. I take off my clothes and put on my swim shorts and head downstairs to wait for them. As I'm putting on sun block, Aaliyah and Elle comes over and i can't take my eyes off Elle. Aaliyah's bikini is a little too small for Elle but it still hugs her the right way. She catches me staring and playfully hits my arm. "Sorry. You're just too beautiful." I let out what's on my mind and she blushes. I pass Aaliyah the sun block and they both rub some on. "Cannonball!" I yell before running and jumping into the pool with my legs curled up into a ball. Elle shrieks and Aaliyah laughs when the water splashes onto them. "It's so cold!" I exclaim while shivering slightly. It's almost winter which is why the pool is colder than usual.

The both of them step into the pool using the steps and screaming when the water touches their feet because of how cold it is. When their whole body is submerged under the water, i take it as my queue to splash more water at them which resulted in more screams. "Shawn!" Elle exclaims in between breaths of laughing. They fight back by splashing more water at me, which almost went up my nose. I stop and put my hands up in surrender. "Okay okay, you guys win." I say while shaking my head. "Don't mess with us." Aaliyah argues and everyone bursts into laughter. We stand at the edge of the pool, enjoying the cool water on our bodies.

Aaliyah comes behind me and gives me a back hug. I grab her legs so that she's piggybacking me and i go deeper into the pool. She flails her arms around trying to get out of my grip but it doesn't work. "You really think that you're stronger than me?" I smirk and i hear Elle laughing. I let go of Aaliyah gently and swim towards Elle. I grab her by her back and her legs and carry her bridal style. She shouts in surprise but manages to put her arms around my neck. I submerge our bodies under the water and come back up after a few seconds. Our eyes lock after coming out of the water and i can't take my eyes off her beauty. My mom walks in and yells, "Dinner is ready!" And Elle immediately looks away and lets go of my neck. Why did my mom have to come in at this moment? Aaliyah and Elle get out of the water and wipe their bodies with a towel before heading in and i do the same once they're out of sight.

I walk into the kitchen and see that my mom has prepared a feast for us. "It smells delicious." Elle says after changing into a new set of clothes. I quickly put on a shirt and sit down on the table. Everyone comes around and we all start digging in. My parents asked more about Elle and it was cute seeing her talk in a more respectful and presentable way. After we were done eating, I helped my mom to clear the dishes while Aaliyah and Elle went up to her room. I didn't see them anymore after dinner as they practically locked themselves up in the room but i could hear them talking and giggling. It was past midnight and i decided to finally go to bed since we had planned to go over to Elle's house the next day. I was very nervous about that, even more nervous than before singing at a concert. I've never liked a girl and meeting her dad was something I obviously had no experience in. I toss and turn in bed but I just couldn't fall asleep. I drag myself out of bed and to the kitchen to get a glass of water.

As I'm in the kitchen drinking water, i hear footsteps coming down. I turn around to see who it is and it's Elle. "Can't sleep?" I ask and she shakes her head. "Let's do something." I say before holding onto her hand and leading her up the staircase and into my room. "What do you want to do?" She asks while laying down on my bed. "I want to play you a song." I tell her while grabbing my favourite acoustic guitar off the stand. "At this hour? Everyone will wake up and kill you." She says in a serious tone. "I'll play softly, i promise." I insist. "I never win with you huh." She laughs and i shake my head.

I slowly strum the guitar and play the tune of never be alone. I start singing and she joins in during the chorus, both of us singing softly. I turn to face her and i see her laying down and singing along with her eyes closed. She looks so peaceful and happy. As the song ends, i ask her to sit up. "This one's for you." I say before playing just the way you are by Bruno Mars.

Her eyes, her eyes make the stars look like they're not shining
Her hair, her hair falls perfectly without her trying
She's so beautiful and i tell her everyday
Yeah i know, i know
When i compliment her she wont believe me
And its so, its so
Sad to think that she don't see what i see
But every time she asks me, "Do i look okay?"
I say

When i see your face
There's not a thing that i would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are

I sing to her and i see her swaying along to the music and smiling. I stop after the chorus and walk up to the bed. I sit down beside her and hold her hands in mine that seems to fit so perfectly, like its made just for me. "Eleanor Carter, I've never felt this crazy about someone like you. And i just want to let you know how beautiful and amazing you are. Would you have the honour to be my girlfriend?" I say while staring deeply in her eyes. This wasn't the way i imagined asking a girl out but it couldn't be more perfect. Almost everything between us happens so spontaneously and this is one of it but it feels right. She lets go of my hand, and says "I-i can't." As soon as the words leave her mouth, my heart shatters.

Author's Note!

A pretty long chapter so thank you so much for reading! Sorry i had to end this chapter in a cliffhanger but I will be posting the next one tomorrow so stay tuned to that! If you could like and comment, it would mean so much to me. And if you want you can add this book to your reading list so you get immediate updated every time i post a new chapter.