Bad Reputation - Shawn Mendes

30 - Concert

Eleanor.

"I'm so excited for the concert!" My dad squeals while driving to Roger's Center. "Me too." I chuckle at how happy my dad is. Shawn had invited us to come earlier to watch the sound check which is why we're going earlier than the crowd. "You know, i've been listening to Shawn's music ever since you introduced me to him and i really like it." My dad tells me proudly. "I think you're a bigger fan than i am." I joke even though it may be true. "Maybe i am." He laughs.

We arrive at Roger Center's parking lot and so does Aaliyah and her parents. We get off the car and head in together towards the changing rooms. This place was so huge, it's like a maze. If it wasn't for the lady who escorted us, we'd probably get lost. She knocks on the door before opening it and letting us in. We thank her and she walks away.

Shawn sits in his chair, doing some vocal warm ups i assume but stops immediately once he spots us. "You guys made it." He turns around to face us. "Of course son." Manny smiles and hugs him. Shawn hugs every one of us before sitting down on his chair again. "Adam, how's Toronto been?" He asks my dad. "It's been good, but the highlight of my trip would be seeing you perform." He grins. "I'm flattered." Shawn laughs.

"It's time for your sound check." A man informs us. We walk towards the stage after many turns, like i said, the place was huge. Shawn did his thing on stage while we stood near the sound control box since they were still setting up the seats. Shawn performed three songs which include Lost In Japan, Treat You Better and Something Big. And every single song he sang, sounded amazing, making me feel more pumped about the concert. They wrap up the sound check and Shawn heads back to his changing room while we head to the pantry room to grab a few bites.

After about an hour or so of sitting down and snacking, the lady who escorted us to the changing room appeared and told us that we could get seated soon since the doors have just opened. We thank her once again, and quickly throw away our rubbish before following her out. She brought us to the VIP section area and we took our seats. We watch the arena start to slowly fill up and it amazes me just how much of an impact Shawn has. Because this concert was held last minute, he announced on social media a week before the concert and it was sold out within seconds, goes to show how successful Shawn is.

The arena's lights turned off and everyone starts to scream. "Excited?" Aaliyah smirks at me. "Very." I reply while nodding my head. An intro video of Shawn's career plays on the screen and it made me so proud of how far Shawn has come. The video ends at a spotlight is shined on the stage where Shawn climbs out from below the stage.

I hear the strumming of the guitar and immediately recognise the song as If I Can't Have You. Shawn walks up to the microphone stand and starts singing. Everyone in the crowd starts to sing along including us. I look to the side and see my dad taking videos with a smile on his face. "This is a great song!" My dad yells over the music. "It is!" I giggle.

Shawn plays a few more songs from his new album and everyone in the crowd sings along. It's crazy to think that he had just released this album like three weeks ago yet everyone in the arena new every single line. Shawn stops singing and plays a tune with his guitar. A song that's personally one of my favourites because it just resonated with me, bad reputation.

"She's got a bad reputation,
She takes the long way home
And all of my friends seen her naked
Or so the story goes
Mistakes we all make them
But they won't let it go, no
She's got a bad reputation
But i know what they don't
...
Nobody knows her they way that i know her, said
Nobody knows the weight that's on her shoulders, said
Nobody knows the way that i know her, said
She got it bad, she got it bad
...
And i don't care what they say about you baby
They don't know what you been through
Trust me, i could be the one to treat you like a lady
Let me see what's underneath all i need is you
She got a bad reputation
She takes the long way home."

Tears form in my eyes and i blink them away. This song was truly a masterpiece and hearing it live, struck me like a chord. It was like Shawn knew me and wrote a song about me even before meeting me. Not only were the lyrics amazing, his guitar solo and high notes were what blew me away. Shawn continued singing other songs and we continued jamming out.

Before moving onto another song, Shawn plays a random tune on his guitar and speaks into the microphone. "How are you guys doing tonight?" He asks and the crowd goes wild. "Tonight is very special for me because my family and friends are here to watch me perform and they mean the world to me." He smiles while waving towards our direction. Aaliyah and I wave back excitedly, causing Shawn to smile even wider, if that was even possible. "And this next song, was in fact inspired by one of them, you know who you are. Here's Fallin All In." Shawn announces before singing.

As he sang, he stared into our direction and locking eyes with mine, meaning every single word. I couldn't help but to sing along with the hugest smile plastered on my face. I am so lucky to have a guy like Shawn in my life. Once the song ends, he mouths the words 'i love you', making my heart stop.

"Did he just?" Aaliyah asks in shock as she looks at the big screen that was showing Shawn. "I-i think so." I stutter. "Oh. My. God." Aaliyah squeals and jumps up and down. I can't believe Shawn just confessed his love for me in front of the entire crowd.

He continues to sing a few more songs before closing the night with In My Blood which by the way is such an emotional song. "Goodnight everyone and thank you guys for coming. I love you all!" Shawn screams and runs off the stage. Tonight has been a magical night and i can't wait to tell Shawn that i loved him too.

Author's Note!

Ahhhhh this was such a cute chapter to write! I had a lot of butterflies in my stomach while imagining this hehe. I've been to Shawn's concert twice and both times were equally amazing. I honestly can't wait for this pandemic to be over so Shawn can have a tour for Wonder because hearing songs live are a whole new experience. But anyways, if you guys like this chapter please help to vote and comment!