Bad Reputation - Shawn Mendes

27 - Talking Things Out

Eleanor.

"Aaliyah." I call. "Yeah?" She answers. "Can you screenshot Chloe's post? We are going to track down this guy." I announce. "On it!" She says, scrolling through her phone again. We arrive back at the dorm and start searching through social media to see what other people have posted about yesterday's party and see if anyone tagged him.

After about an hour of playing detective, I finally found him. "Got it!" I exclaim and Aaliyah turns around to look at my laptop. We scroll through his profile and it was definitely him. Memories of yesterday started flashing across my mind and instead of feeling upset at what happened, i feel even more set on confronting him but I'm not sure how to. "What should we do now?" Aaliyah asks. "I-i honestly don't know." I reply, shaking my head.

Shawn.

Andrew comes into my room and sits down on the end of my bed, looking very tired. "After pulling some strings here and there, the soonest you can go back is next week." He tells me and i give him a huge hug. "Thank you so much!" I shout in hooray. "But." He says and my heart drops. "But?" I ask, furrowing my brows. "Because we had to cancel a couple of interviews and events, your publicist says it'll be good if you can hold a concert instead in Toronto. You know, since your album is doing so well." He adds. "Of course, i can do that." I answer in a confident tone. "Great, I'll send you the new schedule." He says before leaving the room.

I decide to call Elle to tell her the good news but soon remember that her phone's broken so i call Aaliyah instead. She picks up after two rings and answers. "Hello?" She says into the phone. "Hey kiddo, is Eleanor with you?" I ask as i pace nervously around the room. "Yeah, hold on." She replies and passes the phone over. "Shawn?" Elle answers and my face immediately lights up. "I have some news to tell you." I start off. "Me too." She cuts in. "You first then." I say in surprise. "Well, i found the guy who harassed me on social media. His name is Chris." Elle trembles. "Have you talked to him yet?" I ask, still pacing around the room. "Not yet." She replies. "Good, don't talk to him till I'm there. Which is why I wasn't calling you for, to tell you that I'm coming back next week." I state. "Really?" Elle asks in a high pitch voice. "Yeah, I'm going to be there soon okay?" I smile. "Okay, can't wait." She cheers. "Okay, i got to go, talk to you later!" I say before hanging up.

———

1 week later

My flight lands in half an hour and I can't wait to finally see both Aaliyah and Elle. I have been calling them everyday whenever I can just to check up on them, it sounds a bit much but who can blame me? I'm just worried about them that's all. My foot taps nervously as the flight attendant announces that we'll be landing shortly. I know that Elle's fine but a part of me just feels guilty for not being there to support her as her boyfriend.

The plane finally lands and i let out a sigh of relief that we're back home. I grab my backpack once the all clear sign is given and head out with my security team escorting me. We go through the security checks and collect our luggages from the conveyer belt. After checking that i had taken everything, we headed out and I immediately spot Aaliyah and Elle waiting for me holding up a sign that says 'Mr Mendes'. I brisk walk towards them and spread my arms out for a hug. "I've missed you guys so much." I say while hugging the both of them. "Can't breathe." Elle says, causing me to let go and Aaliyah to laugh.

"Sorry baby." I apologise and place my arms around their shoulder. We walk towards the carpark to Aaliyah's car. I put all my stuff into the trunk and hop into the car. "What are we going to do?" Aaliyah asks as soon as i close the door. "DM Chris and ask us to meet at Starbucks." I tell them. I had already planned on how to approach this situation since last week and this was the best way i could think of. "Okay." Elle says hesitantly and types into her new repaired phone. "What if he doesn't want to meet us?" She questions and her phone beeps.

"Never mind, he replied." Elle says. "That was fast." Aaliyah comments. I peak over her shoulder and to her phone to see the messages. "He said okay and asks when to meet." Elle reads out. "Say in an hour." I suggest and she nods, typing away into her phone. We arrive at my apartment and i unload my belongings from the trunk before bringing it up. "I'm kinda nervous, what if he denies everything?" Elle asks as she cracks her knuckles. "We have proof." Aaliyah reminds. "Right." Elle replies nervously.

After i was done unpacking my stuff, we left to the Starbucks near Hillman College. Once we had reached, we ordered our drinks before taking a seat. I tap my foot nervously and Elle notices. She reaches out her hand to hold mine and flashes me a quick smile. Honestly, I'm not nervous about meeting him. I'm more nervous on if I'll be able to control my anger when i see his face and think about how he violated my girl.

A guy walks in wearing a blue plaid shirt and jeans, looking around the tables as soon as he enters. "It's him." Aaliyah says and nudges Elle with her elbow. Elle raises her hand up to wave at him and he waves back as he walks towards us. Shawn, keep your cool, i remind myself. "Didn't think we would have company, but the more the merrier i guess." Chris says before taking a seat. He puts his hands out for a shake but Elle refuses. "Ouch." He jokes.

Aaliyah places her phone on the table, showing the screenshot of Chris kissing Elle. "We're here to talk about this." She says, sliding the phone in front of him. "Oh, this?" Chris says after looking at the photo. "What about it?" He asks looking very smug, making me want to punch him more. Don't make a scene, Shawn, i tell myself. "W-why did you ki-kiss me?" Elle stutters. "She clearly did not want to kiss you." Aaliyah adds in a serious tone. "I was drunk! And besides we were playing truth or dare and my dare was to kiss you." He answers very casually. "We?" I ask confused. "Yeah, i was playing with my friends. Do i need to tell you who they are?" Chris asks sarcastically. "No, but is one of them Chloe?" Elle asks and he nods.

"That bitch." Aaliyah scolds. "You still shouldn't kiss a girl when you're drunk and especially when she doesn't want to even if it's a dare." I snap. "I know that it's wrong of me, and being drunk isn't a good excuse but i really shouldn't have. I'm sorry Elle." Chris apologises and he does sound sincere. "It's okay, just don't do that to other girls again." Elle sighs. "I won't." He promises. "What's up with you and Chloe though?" He asks, placing his elbows on the table and leaning closer. "It's a long story." Elle replies. "I've got all day." He smiles. "Look, if you want to know, ask Chloe yourself." I cut in before Elle says anything. "Alright, but i do agree with you guys, she's a bitch." He says and Aaliyah bursts out into laughter. "It was nice meeting y'all but i got to go, peace out." He grins before leaving.

And with that, we're left sitting down in the quiet and bustling Starbucks, sipping on our drinks slowly. "I think I'm going to talk to Chloe." Elle says out of nowhere. "Are you sure babe?" I ask. "Yes, i can't let her keep stepping over me." She seethes. "Do you need us to be with you?" Aaliyah offers. "No, I'll be fine." Elle replies. "Okay, I'm proud of you girl." Aaliyah encourages and they hug. Elle starts typing into her phone again, i assume to text Chloe. "I'm meeting her at the park tonight." She announces and i smile. I hope that it goes well so that Chloe can finally leave Elle alone and stop spreading rumours.