Bad Reputation - Shawn Mendes

28 - Emotional Rollercoaster

Eleanor.

We leave Starbucks and hop into Aaliyah's car to head over to the dorm. During the car ride, Shawn filled us in on what he did in L.A. and it was nice hearing him talk so passionately. We soon pull up at the dorm's parking lot and as Aaliyah turned off the engine, i realised i had to do it now or never, to get everything off my chest.

"Can i talk to you in private please?" I turn around and face Shawn. "Yeah sure, just pass me the keys later." Aaliyah says before handing me the keys and leaving. Shawn gets out of the car and sits in the front seat instead so we can talk more comfortably. "What's up babe?" He asks as he settles down. "I did something I shouldn't have." I say hesitantly. "What's wrong?" He asks, taking one of my hand's into his. "During the party, i drank a lot and got slightly tipsy because i just wanted to forget about it." I mutter. "Forget about what?" He probes. "Before your first interview, you called me and as i was about to hang up i heard something. I heard your publicist tell you not to mention our relationship and she also said that my 'bad reputation' isn't a good look for you. And i got upset because you didn't defend me even though you knew that my reputation was all based on a rumour that wasn't true." I confess.

"Eleanor." Shawn sighs. "I know I shouldn't have been listening in the first place. I wish I didn't actually, then maybe none of this would've happened!" I exclaim, trying to hold back my tears. "Yeah, it was wrong of you to listen in, but it's okay. And I'm sorry I didn't defend you, i was too nervous and the fact that i had to deny being in a relationship stressed me out even more." He tells me, rubbing circles with his thumb on mine. "I understand." I whisper. "It's no one's fault that what happened happened, okay?" He reassures me and i nod. "If you'd like, i would tell my whole team about your past and stand up for you." Shawn suggests and i shake my head. "It's okay, what you think of me matters most." I smile.

Shawn spreads his arms out and we hug for a minute, embracing the warmth. He kisses me softly on my head, sending shivers down my spine. We pull away slowly and our eyes lock. "Remember what i said at the art gallery?" He asks. "That you'll be the shadow?" I answer. "Yes, and i mean it. I'll be the shadow that pulls you out from the dark." He smiles and i do so too. "Thank you baby." I say. "Now, let's go before Aaliyah makes wild assumptions about us." He jokes.

He steps out first and jogs over to open my door, being the gentleman he's always been. We enter the building and go up to my dorm. I open the door and toss Aaliyah her car keys. Shawn sits down on the edge of my bed and pats on an empty spot for me to sit. I sit down beside him and he wraps his arm around my torso. I smile at his gesture and give him a peck on his cheeks. I've missed this. Although he was gone for just two weeks, I'm sort of glad that he came back earlier because god knows how I could've lasted another two weeks without him.

"Are you guys free on December 1st?" Shawn asks. "What day is it?" Aaliyah questions. "It's a Saturday." Shawn replies. "I think so." Aaliyah answers and Shawn turns to face me. "Me too." I reply. "Great, I'm holding a concert here in Toronto and i would like you both to be there." He smiles. "I would love to! I've never been to a concert before though, how much would it be?" I ask, worried that it'll be over my spending limit. Shawn looks at me with a 'are you serious face'. "What?" I blurt. "Babe, I'm not going to charge you." He laughs. "Oh." I say embarrassed.  "Why all of a sudden though?" Aaliyah questions. "Well, because i had to cancel a few events in L.A. my team thought it'd be a good idea for me to hold a concert here." Shawn explains. "I'm sorry." I apologise, thinking about all the troubles he had to go through. "No worries." He adds, kissing my forehead softly.

I look at my watch and jump up. "Shoot, i got to go meet Chloe." I say as i scramble to get my things. "Are you sure you'll be fine going alone?" Aaliyah asks again. "Yes i will be. She was once my best friend after all." I answer, hugging Aaliyah before leaving. "Call me if you need me." Shawn tells me and i nod. "I will." I reply, tipping toe and giving him a peck on his soft lips. I say goodbye to the both of them before heading out and getting into my car to go to the park. My fingers tap nervously onto the wheel and i can't help but to overthink, what if she ghosts me?

The entrance of the park gets closer and i turn into the parking lot. I text Chloe to let her know I'm sitting down at the bench near the entrance and put my phone back into my pocket. I haven't spoken to her properly in a long time and it feels weird to be meeting up with her again but i just want to clear things once and for all. If she decides to still be a bitch, i will avoid her at all costs. But hopefully the Chloe i knew before all this mess happened is still inside her somewhere and i can talk to her today.

Minutes pass by and there's still no sign of her yet. The sun starts to set and i check my watch again, to see that I've been waiting here for almost half an hour. I've been stood up. The moment i stand up to walk away, i hear her voice calling out to me. "Eleanor Carter!" She yells. I turn around to face her and see that she's running up to me.

"I'm sorry, i got a little carried away with Bryce in the car." Chloe smirks before sitting down. I roll my eyes to show my annoyance. "Are you going to steal him away too?" Chloe teases, trying to push my buttons. "Look, you and I both know that you started the rumour in high school and that i would never try to steal Jacob." I raise my voice a little. "You really got to stop putting on the good girl act. Is that how you seduced Shawn?" She scoffs. "Why do you hate me so much?" I snap. I can't believe she's bringing Shawn into this.

"Be-because." She stutters. "He used to like you." Chloe finally spits out. "He did?" I ask in shock. "Yeah Elle, but you were too oblivious to see it." She groans. "I-i didn't know. I'm sorry. And even if i knew i would never date him because i knew you liked him." I apologise, turning my body to face hers. "It's fine, i get it. You're prettier and smarter than me. And I'm sorry i started that rumour about you." She says sincerely. "It's okay." I reassure her. "Can we be friends again?" She asks looking into my eyes hoping for a yes. "I don't know Chloe, you betrayed me and it hurt me. Not only did you spread rumours about me, you also dared Chris to kiss me even though you knew i was with Shawn to make me look bad." I hesitate. "I admit i went too far with that one." She murmurs. "I don't think we can be friends again, but I'm glad we cleared everything up." I sigh. "Yeah, i guess so." Chloe whispers.

"See you around." I say before hugging her. "Mhm." She responds as she hugs me back. I walk away from the bench and back to my car. As soon as i hop in, the tears start streaming down my face uncontrollably. I sat there for probably a good ten minutes crying into my hands before i finally wiped away my tears and started driving back to the dorms. Once i reached the dorms, i dragged myself up, feeling emotionally drained.

I open the door and Shawn immediately stands up and hugs me. "How was it babe?" He asks, patting my head. "It went well." I sigh into his chest. We pull away from the hug and i sit down on my bed to remove my shoes before laying down on my bed. Shawn lies down next to me and we cuddle, making me feel slightly better. Today has been an emotional roller coaster ride for me, but I'm glad that i talked things out with Chloe, Chris and even Shawn today because the weight has been lifted off my shoulders. My eyes start feeling heavy, making me close them and slowly falling asleep in Shawn's arms.

Author's Note!

A relatively long chapter today hehe. I'm glad that Elle is able to clear her past which she has been wanting to ever since she left for college. If you guys like this chapter, don't forget to vote and comment! I love you guys so much!