shawn mendes imagines {under editing}

pre-school tears

shawn mendes imagines
imagine xxi
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shawn's pov

i was typing an e-mail to andrew in my office, about ready to send it, when my phone rang. i sighed softly, reaching across my desk and grabbing it. i didn't recognize the number, but answered anyway.

"hello?" i said, leaning back in my chair and tilting my head from side to side to stretch it out.

"hello. would this be shawn mendes?" the unfamiliar voice asked, causing me to lean forwards and furrow my brows.

"yes," i said.

"this is carly calling from josie's pre-school. there is a little issue and i was wondering if you were able to come down," she said, her voice muffled, "nothing overly emergent."

carly was my four year old daughter, josie's, pre-school teacher. my wife, melissa, and i dropped her off this morning before she went to work, and i had just gotten home from the studio for the day.

"or course, i'll be right there. is everything alright?"

"josie is a bit upset, and has been crying for you for the last twenty minutes. i thought i could calm her, but she's very upset," carly said, her voice sounding distant as multiple voices could be heard chattering in the background.

"i can be there in ten minutes," i said, ending the call and standing up.

i went downstairs and pulled on a hoodie, grabbing the car keys and heading out the door. the pre-school isn't very far from the house, so it was a short drive. when i got there, i put the keys in my pocket and got out, venturing towards the main entrance. carly met me, a soft expression plastered across her face, "i'm glad you could come. follow me."

she turned, walking down a narrow hall and pushing open a door.

my eyes instantly landed on josie, sitting alone in the far corner. today was only her third day, and she was probable still worked up with all the strange people.

"feel free to go talk to her, she didn't settle for nap time so she may be tired," carly said, "if she wants to leave, that is perfectly fine; the day is almost over anyway."

"thank you," i nodded, watching as she smiled once more before going over to other children.

i walked towards where josie sat, her head tilted towards the ground. she didn't notice me yet, and i could see tears running down her cheeks from where i stood. my heart broke as i crouched down in front of her, her small eyes meeting mine, "d-daddy."

"sweetie," i said as she clambered into my arms, "daddy's here. why are you crying?" at those words, another sob poured past her lips. i pulled her into my arms and she buried her head against my shoulder as i rubbed her back gently. i bounced softly, knowing that whenever she had a nightmare; it was what calmed her down the quickest.

"i-i don't w-wanna stay," she whispered, holding on to my neck tighter when i tried to pull her away.

"shhh," i whispered, continuing to rub her back"why don't you want to stay? you can make new friends, and do a bunch of fun things with other kids."

she sobbed again, "n-no. i-i want mommy."

"mommy is working, honey-"

her violent hiccups worried me, as she had anxiety at the young age of four; like her mother. melissa was diagnosed with anxiety when she was only young, after taking panic attacks that were serious. melissa and i were praying it wouldn't get as serious as hers was, as it wasn't something we wanted to watch her go through.

"daddy," she croaked, her tears running down the skin of my neck. i cradled her in my arms, continuing to rub her back.

"i'm right here, baby, i'm right here," i whispered, standing up and taking her with me, "everything's okay." she continued to cry, a frown pulling at my lips.

carly approached me with a sad smile, josie's small bookbag in her hands. she handed it to me, "i know some parents often seperate themselves from their kids to help them get more used to coming to pre-school and don't come when the child is upset, but i knew about josie's anxiety and i had to call."

"no, i'm glad you did. thank you, but i think we will be heading home early," i said, nodding to josie who was now limp in my arms.

"that's fine," carly nodded, "i'll see you soon, josie." carly smiled. josie tensed up, but nodded slowly.

"have a good day," she said as i walked towards the door.

"you too," i turned and sent her one last smile before heading to the car.

josie was more relaxed, occasional hiccups leaving her lips rather than loud sobs. i buckled her into her car seat and leaned forwards, pressing my lips to her forehead. i shut the door and got in the drivers seat, starting the car. i looked in the rear view and seen josie rubbing her eyes wih the back of her hands. smiling softly, i pulled out of the parking space and drove back towards home.

by the time i pulled in, her eyes were heavy and were barely peeking open. i opened her door and unbuckled her, taking her into my arms and grabbing her bag. when i got in, i slipped off my shoes and entered the living room. i placed her on the couch, covering her with a blanket. her eyes fell closed instantly, and i chuckled softly.

i sat next to her and pulled her into my side, her head falling to my chest. i brushed a piece of hair off her forehead, smiling down at her. her breaths came out evenly, her eyes fluttering in her sleep. her small hand held mine, only being able to grasp my fingers.

i sighed, pulling out my phone from my pocket and calling melissa. she answered almost immediately, "hey baby. we are over staffed so i am coming home early. do I need to pick up josie or are you?"

"i already did," i said quietly, not wanting her to wake up.

"you already did?" melissa questioned, her words laced with confusion, "is everything okay?"

"carly called. she was really worked up. i haven't seen her that worked up in a while, not even on her first day," i said, "she's sleeping right now, carly said she didn't settle for nap time either."

"crap," she sighed, "i hate that she's going through this."

"you got through it, and so will she. i hate it too, but its all the reason to love her more."

she semmed unconvinced, "i'll see you soon, babe."

"drive safe," i said, the line falling dead shortly after.

as i continued to run my hand that she wasn't holding up and down her back, her small voice croaked, "i love you, daddy."

i beamed, kissing the top of her head, "i love you too, josie."

wc: 1174

all works by me:
- shawn mendes imagines
- therapy |s.m|