I Found You | Shawn Mendes

Twenty

We've arrived at the venue for tonight's concert and let me tell you, it's HUGE.

Shawn and I were quickly rehearsing backstage once more before the show, which starts in an hour.

After about a minute, I saw the twins walk in with Andrew.

The thought of not having them or Maggie breaks my heart. Even though I'm the one who decided to drop the twins, I'm not handling it very well. As much as I want to be mad at them, it's so hard at a time like this.

"Uh, Brinley?" Shawn said and I snapped out of my thoughts.

"Oh, sorry." I looked down at my hands embarrassed.

He came and sat right beside me, and grabbed onto one of my hands with both of his hands.

"Look.. I don't know what's going on between you and the twins, but I hate seeing you like this. You should try to fix it."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Ethan walked over to us and said "Brin, can Grayson and I please talk to you?"

I looked at Shawn, and he gave me a nod and a tiny smile.

I stood up and stepped outside of the room, them following behind me.

We all stood quietly for a few moments, before Ethan began speaking.

"Look, I'm really sorry Brinley. You have every right to be mad at us. We disrespected somebody that you care about."

I nodded, signaling for him to continue.

"But you gotta understand.. We thought we were protecting you from something. Ever since we met you, you've been like our little sister. And since your brother isn't here, we thought it was only right that we'd take his place and make sure you're always safe. We even promised him that we'd do that for him."

I nodded understandingly. Every time they tried to talk to me about this, I'd be too frustrated to listen. But now I get it. They are taking Noah's place, and thought they had to warn me about her.

"I get it now. Even though you're still wrong about her, at least now I understand why you told me all those things. But please hear me out, there is nothing to protect me from."

They gave each other a look. One that I recognized a lot. It was an 'am I gonna regret this' look.

A few more moments of silence went by.

"Can you do us one thing Brin. Just ONE thing. And if we're wrong, we'll never mention it again." Grayson said.

"Just watch how Maggie acts tonight VERY closely. I feel like you've been blinded by how nice you thought she was that you never payed close attention. So please just watch her closely tonight, and if she doesn't do anything wrong, then we'll never mention negative things about her again."

I took a deep, frustrated breath and nodded. "If that's what it will take for all of this drama to be over with, then sure. I'll keep my eye on her. But if she doesn't do anything wrong, you will respect her from now on and never talk shit again, okay?"

They nodded with a smile. Finally we're agreeing on something. I think this whole thing is pointless, but I'm willing to do it for Maggie's sake. Maybe after I prove to the twins that they're wrong, she will still want to be friends.

Grayson and Ethan both opened up their arms for me, and we formed a group hug.

"I'm glad Grethinley is back." Grayson chuckled.

Ethan and I looked at each other with a smile and a confused look. "Did you just make that up on the spot?" I laughed.

"Yup. I think it's a pretty great name." Grayson smirked.