Bad Reputation | S.M.

Chapter 7

Once we got home I went straight into the kitchen to begin making tonight's dinner. As I was cooking the pasta I could hear my little brother playing with his new toy. I'm glad at least he's happy. Suddenly, someone started to bang on the door. I scoffed and put everything down, walking towards the door. I looked through the small hole only to see the building manager outside my door looking distressed. 

"Shit." I muttered under my breath and opened the door with out taking off the latch. "What do you want Hank?"  

"This months rent, now let me in." He growled. 

"It isn't due until the end of the month and you know that." 

"New rule its due in the middle of the month, now pay up or get out of my fucking apartment." 

"I'm not paying you so fuck off dude." I said and as I was about to close the door he jammed his foot, leaving the gap open. 

"You either pay or I can call the cops and they can take away you and your brothers, leaving you with nothing." He smirked and I sighed in defeat. 

"Give me a second." I closed the door and ran upstairs to my room. I opened my sock drawer and took out one of my old socks that had about a thousand dollars in cash stuffed into the sock. I sighed and took out my payment which was 956 dollars, sure it's not that much for a person with good pay, but for me it was almost all I had. It's a cheap apartment, but then again I pay all of the bills, food, and it isn't that easy. I walked back downstairs and opened he door slightly, shoving the money into his hand. 

"Pleasure doing business pretty girl." He smirked and walked away. I shook my head and slammed the door shut. I wish I had the money to provide for my family and I. 

-

I grabbed my bag and made my way downstairs to the lobby feeling exhausted as ever. After finishing the food I did my homework for the weekend, cleaned up the apartment, and opened all of the mail of the week. It was already six o'clock at and I was working tonight until two in the morning. I have no idea why the diner was always open 24 hours the only people who come in are the drunken forty year olds and the people who are lost. 

Once I got down to the lobby I made my way over to my beaten up car, inserting the key into the slot and opening the door. I quickly started the car and I was off to my terrible job. As I was driving my phone began to ring violently, making me jump a bit. I looked at my phone to see it was Shawn calling me. I pressed the button to answer and put him on speaker. 

"Hey Nicole!" He gladly said. 

"Hey, you need something?" I answered abruptly. 

"I just wanted to see if you wanted to hang out, are you busy?" 

"I'm kinda of driving to work right now, can I call you or text you later? I'm sorry." 

"No it's fine, I'll talk to you later." 

"Alright, bye." 

I ended the phone call and my music continued to play. Shawn Mendes. I couldn't help but think about him. I wish I could be famous, I wouldn't have to deal with the assholes, the bills, the money, or anything else! It would be the best in my eyes. I shook my head and continued driving until I finally made it to the diner and parked my car. I grabbed my bag and made my way inside to the empty diner. I clocked in and began to do whatever Mike had for me to do. 

After about an hour of working no one had came in, Mikey had left for the night, and it was only Manuel, the cook, and I. 

"What are you thinking about?" Manuel said as I just stared out the door, slowly wiping the counter without even trying.. 

"I'm thinking about my bed, food, and tv."

"Nicole, mija, you should go home." Manuel said pointing his spatula at me and I furrowed my eyebrows. 

"So should you, but we're working and we can't leave." I said. "No work means no pay and I can't afford that right now." 

"Not if he doesn't know." He shrugged and I thought about it. Is it really a good idea to leave? I mean, Shawn really did want to hang out with me and I felt bad blowing him off. I looked back up at Manuel and he had a smirk on his face. 

"And what's in it for you?" I leaned on the counter in front of him and raised an eyebrow. 

"Well, I help you out you help me out." He said and I furrowed my eyebrows. "Okay look, I am in a theater club and I have a play coming up." 

"And?" 

"Well I am the lead role and I really need to take this opportunity." He said and I started to laugh. 

"You? In a play!" I laughed and he just rolled his eyes. 

"Please Nicole." He whined and I wiped my eyes from too much laughter. 

"Okay." I sighed and took my apron off. "If he comes back you better cover for me." I pointed at him and he held his hands up in defense. I smiled, grabbed my bag from the back, and ran outside to my car. I quickly got out my phone and texted Shawn right away. 

Nicole: Hey! I can hang out after all.. 

I texted him and right after one minute he responded. 

Sexy Shawn: I'll meet you at your apartment in an hour!

I smiled widely and turned on my car. For once I was gonna have some time to myself. 

-

After getting to my apartment I quickly went upstairs to freshen up. I fixed my hair up a little and changed into some fresh clothes that consisted of jeans and gray zip up sweater. I waited for a while, hanging out with Hunter before I heard the intercom in the kitchen go off. I ran downstairs and pressed the dusty button on the box. 

"Shawn?" 

"Yeah, let me up will you?" He said and it was as if I could hear that he was smiling. I buzzed him up and waited for him to knock on my door. I asked myself as I waited, what are you doing Nicole? You've barely met the guy. Then again that's just who I am, or at least who everyone thinks I am. Before I could overthink anything else, there was a knock on my door. I smiled and walked towards the door, only to see Shawn standing in the door way with flowers in his hands. I was stunned, seeing a guy holding flowers in front of me.  

"Hey." He said and I smiled. 

"Hi." 

"I-uh these are for you." He handed me the flowers and I gladly took them, sniffing the roses. 

"Thank you." I have never been given flowers before, it was a strange feeling to receive something from the opposite sex, but it felt nice. I went into the kitchen to place them into a big vase I had lying around. "So what's the plan for tonight?" 

"That, Nicole, is for me to know and for you to find out." He smirked and I raised an eyebrow, curious as to what he had planned.  

"Hm okay." I dragged on and grabbed my bag. I turned off the kitchen light before leaving, since Hunter was asleep by now and Jacob was in his room. 

"Shall we go on an adventure?" Shawn asked as I opened the door and he held it open for me. 

"We shall." I nodded, a grin on my face and we walked out the door. As we walked downstairs towards his car I began to feel uneasy. I was unsure of what I was doing, it felt good, but it didn't feel right. I was overthinking way too much. 

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Hey guys sorry for the really late update I have just been so busy with school work and trying to keep my grades up. Thank you guys for all of the love and support on this book! 

much love,

Andrea