Arranged Marriage - Shawn Mendes

10

"I would like to call a special person out onto the stage" Shawn's voice echoed as I chugged the water next to me, "she doesn't know I'm doing this" he continues, "and this is special, so, Rein, come back out again" my ears perk up as I jump up grabbing a microphone and turning it on, "what would you like, Mendes?" I question walking out onto the stage, flashlights pointing towards me.

"Well, you've been my best friend since the day I met you and I like you, like a lot. And uh, I know this is awkward and everything in front of these beautiful people, but" he pulls a rose, "will you let it die or let it grow?" He gently sings, "I'll let it grow, Shawn" I giggle as he steps over to me, picking me up spinning me around.

"Oh my god you know that Shawn Mendes guy he's so hot" Shawn imitates a girl who was in the street before, "so, I crept up behind her- and- and-" he barrels over laughing, clutching his stomach, "spit it out, Mendes" he stops laughing, "and- and-" he begins to hysterically laugh making me join in, "what did you do?" I question, tilting my head, "I crept up behind and went 'isn't he just'" he wipes his tears, "I'm so funny" he breathes out,

"That's anything but funny, Mendes"

Andrew walks over to me and Shawn, smiling very widely, "guys" me and Shawn lift our heads, "yes?" We question at the same time, "congrats" he sat between us, "but we've got a long road ahead of us" he rubs our backs, patting them at the same time,

"I hate you Mendes" I cross my arms over my chest, "come on, baby, please" Shawn begs, wrapping his arms around my waist, "stop" I push him off me, "I know you want to" he puts his arms back around me, this time also wrapping his legs around me, "you can't take that back" I turn my head as he snuggles his head into my neck, trailing butterfly kisses up my neck,

"you can't throw a hissy fit when I beat you at monopoly, Cerny"

I pick at the white nail polish on my fingers, "Hannah, I'm confused" I sigh making her turn around, her makeup bag in her hand, "what's up?" She questions, sitting in the chair next to me, "like, I like Shawn, like, like like" I turn my head towards her, making my hair fall in front of my face, "but I feel like he doesn't like me back and he's only doing it because he has to, you know publicity and all" I bite my lip, restraining myself from having a mental breakdown and becoming a teary mess.

"Well, if he didn't like you like that, he wouldn't be making moves on you" she picks up a brush and dips it in powder, "but what if that was for the media" I close my eyes as she brushes the powder over my nose and cheeks, "I don't think he would be using the pic you gave him if he didn't like you" she grabs some blush, swiping it across my cheeks, "maybe he thinks it's friendly" I shrug, "I honestly think he doesn't like me like that and that's what makes it worse" I breath out,

"If he didn't like you like that why does he find every opportunity to be near you?"

Shawn walks over to me with his mum, dad and sister, I wipe my hands on my jeans, scared of what they'll think of me. "Mom, dad, Aaliyah, this is my girlfriend, Rein" he walks over to me, draping his arm loosely on my shoulders, "hello, I'm Rein" I smile towards the family, "you're so pretty, no wonder Shawn likes you" presumably Aaliyah says as she shakes my hand, "have you seen yourself? You're a stunner" I giggle as she smiles,

"I'm Manny, Shawn's dad" he shakes my hand, "it's nice to meet you" I smile, turning to his mum, "which part of England do you come from?" She questioned blankly, "London" I scrunch my eyebrows together,

"what part of London?"
"Wembley"
"Who do you live with?"
"By myself but I'm moving in with Shawn"
"How did you get into the music industry? Vine? YouTube?"
"Andrew found me in a music shop, he needed a new opening act and decided it would be me"
"How do you feel about touring?"
"It's great, I love seeing all the fans who are happy and having the times of their lives"

"and why do you like my son?" She interrogates "mom, please stop-" Shawn interrupts "no. I'll answer it, Shawn" I look up to him, meeting his eyes,

"Well, there's nothing not to like about him"

"You know, Mendes, I don't think your mum likes me" me and Shawn are cuddling next to each other on a couch backstage, "does it matter?" He questioned, lightly laughing, "well, yes" I shrug, "because it means that I'm not worthy of being the girlfriend of the great Shawn Mendes" I scowl, looking down to my hands,

"Rein, I hope you know, I like you, a lot, and it's not just because I have to" he takes a deep breath, "and I heard you talking to Hannah, and I don't, nor will I ever fake liking you" he scratches the back of his head,

"I like you because you're my best friend, you're the most beautiful girl I've ever laid my eyes on, your laugh is the cutest thing ever, even when you snort, which, by the way is the funniest thing ever." He chuckles lightly turning his face fully towards me, "your personality is the best thing about you, you're so incredibly nice and quirky, but your sarcasm makes you all the more interesting" he reaches out holding both of my hands in his, "I like how your eyes glisten in the dark, and I like how you have a lazy eye and make fun of mine" he closes his eyes for a moment before opening them,

"and I could say a lot more, and I could go on forever, but, there are many reasons to why I love you, Rein Cerny"