Hanging by a Moment

Is this real life?

Last night seems like it was a dream. There's no way that actually happened. There's no way Shawn Mendes said happy birthday to me and we all got it on video. If I didn't have all of the proof on my phone I would never believe it actually happened. I would be convinced that it was a drunken hallucination. The concert was so incredible, Shawn Mendes is a phenomenal performer and entertainer. He definitely exceeded my expectations in every way. I wouldn't have wanted to spend my birthday any other way.

After the concert we wound up going out to a bar and drinking a bit more and I'm feeling that today. I'm thankful I don't have too much work to do at the moment so I was able to sleep in a bit, which helped a little. I drowned my hangover in coffee and planned to sit on my ass on my couch in my pajamas all day until I realized that I have a party to shop for. Tomorrow a bunch of people are coming over to celebrate my birthday. Why did I put it off until the last minute? Now I actually have to get dressed.

After I take a shower I sit at the edge of my bed on my phone, procrastinating, looking at all of the pictures and videos last night. I have to make sure I delete anything that I might not remember doing and that I might have taken pictures or videos of. Luckily there's nothing too incriminating. I see that at one point I took a selfie while kissing the picture of Jamie on the cup. I look over at my dresser and notice that the cup is sitting there. I brought it home with me. I make a mental note to wash it out before I leave the house.

Surprisingly the videos I took during the concert came out pretty well. There are a few I can stand to delete, but most of them are clear for the most part. I pat myself on the back and finally stand up to get dressed so I can head out to get what I need for this party. I think all I need for breakfast is coffee. Nothing else sounds appealing.

If there wasn't a chance of me running into Jamie while I was at Whole Foods I would have just gone in pajama pants and a t-shirt. That's the level of hangover I am feeling today. It would be my luck to run into him while I'm feeling like someone is smashing my head with a hammer while I'm on a merry-go-round. The sign of a successful birthday celebration? I'd say so.

My plan is simple. Get in, get what I need, and get out. I need to have blinders on. I've been there enough to be able to navigate it blindfolded. It should be easy. After I pick up everything else I need I head over to the butcher to pick up the steaks I need for my party. I don't look at anyone else. I focus on the meat in the case and the guy behind it. I don't want to hope he's here or look around for him. I just want to get my steaks and go.

"I'm picking everything up now." A voice next to me says. It's a familiar voice. It could only belong to one person and I could continue to ignore it but I can't resist. I turn to my left and it's confirmed, Jamie's here, because of course he is. He's on the phone but mouths "hi" when he sees me. Why does he have to continue to be so cute? "I gotta go. I'll see you tomorrow. Yup. Bye." He puts his phone in his pocket. "We have to stop meeting like this."

I smile. "Do we?"

"I guess not. I guess it's a little funny."

"We're on the same wavelength it seems." I really hope I am coming off normal and not like a miserable hungover mess. Do I tell him I know who he is? That I saw his picture in the damn American Airlines Center? That I followed him on Instagram? I feel like I have this dirty little secret that I'm keeping from him. I probably should tell him. Maybe it'll be a good ice breaker. Maybe it will scare him off. I'm going to just come out and say it. "I was at the Shawn Mendes concert last night and I saw you."

"Why didn't you say hi?"

"Oh wait, you were actually there? I was just talking about your picture everywhere."

He blushes. He blushes so hard. He's practically purple. "Oh."

"I was kinda drunk and took a picture with your picture." Maybe that's a slight exaggeration but I don't want to admit to him that I did that sober. I probably shouldn't have said it at all. "My friends made me do it." That is more accurate.