I wiped my eyes, not really expecting to see Shawn Mendes
I felt those familiar arms wrap round me once again, and suddenly I felt better.
"You've been driving me crazy, I've been so worried" he spoke from above me, his voice thick, sounding like he was about to cry. "Please don't do that again"
"H-how did you know where I was? And how do you know my name" I gulped, unable to speak properly
The Canadian turned even more pale than he already was
"a, uh- good friend of mine, he told me where you were"
"Ryan?"
"That's it"
I smiled and looked up at him. "You have no idea how long I've waited for this moment"
"I think I have a little idea" he laughed
We were still hugging, Shawns arms around my small frame, and mine around his torso. He laughed awkwardly, and we both let go
"You should probably get to the soundcheck, I don't want the fans to hate me if you're late"
"Yeah well, this is more important" he said quietly, taking my hand and squeezing it softly, just like he had done in the meet and greet. I couldn't get my head around it, it felt like I had known Shawn forever, and right here, with our hands intertwined, and in his arms, it felt like that was where I was meant to be.
As much as I wanted to just stay in that moment for all of eternity, I didn't want to make Shawn any later for the soundcheck, which I was also supposed to be in right now also.
"You should really get going, you're already late" I giggled, taking my hand out of his grasp and pushing him in a playful manner.
He flashed his smile back at me, and I suggested that we both leave the girls bathroom at different times, so it wouldn't look suspicious. I care about this boy, I don't want anybody mobbing him with questions just because he came to see if I was okay. Shawn left first, practically running to his soundcheck. Once I could hear the gentle strumming of his guitar, I left too and quickly walked to my seat.
As I sat down, Shawn saw me and smiled. All of the fans turned around to see who or what he was smiling at, I turned round too, so it wouldn't look weird. I'd hate to draw attention to myself in any way, but once they turned back, I smiled back at him and pulled a funny face.
"I'm really sorry I was late guys, I was caught up in someone - I mean something important" he said into the microphone, glancing at me swiftly, somehow smiling at me through his eyes.
He asked the crowd what song they want him to sing first, they all screamed,
"LIKE THIS"
nearly making my ears bleed.
He laughed a little before beginning to play the all too familiar chords of the crowds chosen song, people shrieked
"They say it's not supposed to be,
Tell me not to waste my time,
This was never up to me
But if it was I wouldn't mind"
He took another deep breath before looking right at me
"I'm trying to ignore you
Trying to go on with my day
But I still pick up the phone yeah
And get lost in what you say"
He sung the chorus with so much passion I thought I might just pass out. He then sung the second verse, not breaking his gaze into my eyes once, I don't even think he blinked.
"And I love it how she honest
You don't find it nowadays
She's not even drop dead gorgeous
But she kills me anyway"
He looked back down at the piano and smiled to himself, continuing with the song. I on the other hand, was incredibly confused. What does this mean? Why was he looking at me the entire time?
-------------
The soundcheck ended, and I was left with about an hour of free time until the actual concert started. I went into the lobby to get a bottle of water, since I was feeling VERY dehydrated after the crazy things I had experienced today. I bought a tour shirt, and a wristband from the merch stall which was also in the lobby.
After feeling very satisfied with my purchases, I headed back to my seat, on the very front row.
The more people started filling up the arena, the more excited I became, my heartbeat increasing every minute. I looked around me, everyone else was with friends, talking, laughing, smiling, and I was here all alone. I was suddenly reminded of Ryan. He said he was also pretty near the stage, I should be able to see him quite easily, right? But, I also realised yet again that I had no idea what Ryan looked like, so looking for him would be pointless.
-------------------
Me: hey, you here? I'm on the front row, to the left of Shawns microphone, wave if you can see me. Been looking for you all day :((
Me: hello?
Me: did you even come to the concert today? Or is it that you just don't wanna meet me, because it really seems that way
Ryan: I'm here, I promise
Me: where??
---------------------
No response.
Ryan was really starting to tick me off. But just before I could start to feel annoyed about it, the lights dimmed, signalling that the concert was about to begin.
Fans started screaming and yelling, and a number of people behind me started chanting "Shawn Shawn Shawn", that small number of people grew rapidly and then the whole arena was chanting it.
A familiar 6 ft Canadian ran out on stage, which stopped the chanting, but created a new set of sounds that also made my eardrums, screaming and crying.
E
He laughed his oh so beautiful laughed, making my knees buckle.
"Hey guys! How are you?"
everybody screamed back in response.
The whole concept of concerts still seems weird to me, like, when someone asks you a question in real life, you don't just scream at them do you? Well, you do in concerts, for some reason.
Shawn began to speak again, snapping me back into reality.
"Okay, the first song I'm gonna play means a lot to me, it was the first song I ever released, and - "
"SHAWN DO YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND"
Everybody laughed at this girls question, instead of getting annoyed like most people would, Shawn looked her in the eye and said "no, but I wish I did" and smiled again. This of course made the fans scream, again.
He spoke again, "anyway, as I was saying, this song means a lot to me, it was the first song I ever properly released and I'm so thankful to the people who have been there with me ever since then and the people who have joined along the way, and the people who have yet to discover me, thank you all of you for allowing me to pursue such an amazing career choice, because of you guys, my fans, supporters, the Mendes army, whatever you wanna call them. Without you, I wouldn't be here today, I wouldn't be as happy as I am now. And with that, here is, life of the party"
Shawn then proceeded to play LOTP, and the crowd sung along in perfect harmony. It was beautiful, the song was beautiful, he was beautiful.
