Guidebook ↠ Shawn Mendes

Chapter 10: Time-Lapse

Step 4: Lose touch.

*Months Later*

London

"No way!"

"It's true!" I laugh. "I wouldn't make that up Cameron." 

"Let me get this straight. You shot your principal with a water gun from your school's second story window and didn't get caught?"

I grin. "I'm special."

Cameron snorts.

"Hey! You're the one who got Expelled." I joke and elbow him.

"Oh god." Cameron rolls his eyes. "I'm never speaking to you again."

"Oh come on, that was a good joke!" I continue laughing. 

Cameron doesn't reply. Instead, he just stares off into the distance as he stuffs his burger in his mouth.

"Okay, fine, it was a bad joke, but I assure you, I've made worse." 

"It was a terrible joke." Cameron frowns.

I just smile and eventually he can't help it and smiles back. 

Before you ask, no, Cameron and I aren't dating. We met when he was attempting to flirt with a receptionist who works at the same studio I record my music in. I remember watching him lean on a cart that was next to the receptionist's desk. The cart slid out from under him and he fell over and spilled hot coffee, lemonade, and water everywhere. He looked like he peed his pants.

Classic.

Either way, we became friends.

He's nothing like Shawn and that's actually really nice. For a while, Shawn was the only guy who I spent time with that wasn't someone I was dating (if that makes any sense). 

Cameron's a lot more carefree, less shy, understands my humor better.

But I miss Shawn.

We texted at first, but it was just so awkward, especially when we Facetimed. I guess I wasn't the only one affected by the kiss. Either way, despite the fact that I told myself that the kiss was stupid and meaningless, it certainly changed things. The fact that we're both constantly busy and occupied doesn't help things. I have a little more free time than I expected (which is why I'm out with Cameron), but I'm never free when Shawn is and vice versa. The time difference doesn't help either. Nowadays, we send each other an occasional text but our conversations rarely last ten minutes. Our phone calls are lucky to reach four. Don't even get me started on our video calls.

"London?" Cameron sounds concerned. "You okay?"

I quickly nod. "I'm fine. I'm just worried about my new song." I half lie. I'm definitely concerned about that piece of crap loosely called music.

"Hey," Cameron scoots closer to me and puts an arm around me. "Don't even worry about it. The song sounds great, you sound great."

I shrug halfheartedly and eat a fry. Cameron sighs. "Fine. Did I tell you that after you sent the demo to me, I literally spent an hour having a pathetic karaoke and dance party all by myself in my room?"

I crack up and quickly take a sip of my drink to quiet down. "You definitely did not mention that."

"Funny, it must have slipped my mind." Cameron makes a goofy face causing me to laugh. "Nash literally broke into my room while I was in the middle of doing the sprinkler."

I crack up again and people begin to stare at us. 

"Shh!" Cameron chuckles. "As much as I love our fans, I would hate for them to ruin this moment."