one semester // s.m

03

Carolina Baise

I woke up to the smell of something amazing. Crawling out of bed, I fixed up my hair and walked downstairs. "Good morning Carolina," Karen said as I walked into the kitchen. She was cooking bacon on the stove.

"You're one hell of a sleeper," She chuckled as she handed me a plate with bacon, pancakes, and strawberries with some tea.

"Jet lag got the best of me," I took a bite of my pancakes. Which tasted like heaven.

"Are you planning to to any photos today? I can have Shawn drive you to wherever you would like to go." Karen asked out of curiosity.

"I wanted to visit the 3D Toronto sign one day. Thats where my parents first met." I said as I took another bite of pancakes.

"Do I have to?" A male voice groaned from behind me.

"Yes Shawn. She's our guest and we need to make her feel welcome."

"These pancakes did a good job of making me feel welcome," I gave her a thumbs up. She laughed.

Shawn groaned once again. He could be a professional at that. "Fine. Can I take some friends with us?" Shawn asked Karen. She nodded as she handed him the same breakfast as me. She walked out of the kitchen leaving Shawn and I alone.

"Bon matin," I spoke in my deep french voice.

"Are you gonna speak french every time you see me walk in a room?" He sassed up as he took a bite of bacon.

"Oui!" I spoke louder than usual to get on his nerves. "Your little plan of hating me is not going to work honey bun," I pinched his cheeks and then cleaned off my plate to walk out of the room. I could hear him let out a small chuckle as I walked by him.

I went upstairs to get changed into some warm clothes. It was colder here than France could ever be. Changing into an oversized sweater and jeans, I fixed up my hair again. I grabbed my camera and walked downstairs.

Waiting for Shawn, Mom texted me.

Mom: Hey honey, how's Canada treating my girl?

C: Well I had a breakfast that was to die for. So Karen is treating me well if she counts as Canada

Mom: Well she is Canadian.

C: She's british..

Mom: Whoops

"Ready?" Shawn mumbled, grabbing his keys.

I stood up and put my camera around my neck.

"That's a big ass camera you have there." Shawn pointed to my camera. It was pretty big.

"Not as big as your ego," I playfully punched his shoulder and walked out the door. "So who are your friends? Do you have any with that attitude on your shoulder?" I laughed to myself.

"You're going the opposite direction of trying to get me to like you." He attempted to be serious. Not doing a good job at it.

I gave him a look, "answer the question."

"Brian and Geoff." Shawn said.

"Maybe Brian and Geoff will actually be interested in befriending me." I gave a fake-focused look.

"We're here." Shawn said as he pulled into a driveway. Two guys, about the same age as us, walked outside the big house. One was red-headed and one was blonde-ish. "What's up guys?" Shawn gave a big smile to them as they got in the back seat. Thanks buddy.

"Hey Shawn, who's your friend?" The red head asked as he smiled at me. I smiled back.

I looked at Shawn and waited for his response. "This is Carolina, she's living with us for a while to study something." He said. I pointed to my camera, making it obvious what I was here for.

"Nice to meet you," The blonde-ish guy gave me a smile. It was a way better smile than what Shawn gave me.

They introduced themselves as Shawn drove to our destination. They actually started conversations! Unlike someone I know. "You haven't said much buddy, you okay?" Brian asked Shawn.

"Yep," Shawn gave him an assured smile. "We're here." He pulled into a parking spot.

We all got out of the jeep and walked around. The guys joked around and two out of three made sure I wasn't left out. What gentlemen. "Let's go eat lunch somewhere." Geoff suggested. They lead me to the nearest pizza place and got a table.

"So tell us about yourself." Brian said.

"Well, I live in France. I've lived there for about 8 years. It was my father's dying wish for my mom and I to move there. I was born in New York." I explained.

"I can see why.It's beautiful there. It's a dream for Shawn to live in France." Brian said. Shawn shot him a look.

"Aw Shawny, you can live with me!" I playfully pushed him.

"Tell us more." Geoff seemed interested.

"Well, I'm nineteen. I have no siblings. Its just me and my mom. I have a best friend at home, Emma. I study photography. Thats pretty much it." I shrugged.

I could feel Shawn staring at me through the corner of my eye. I looked down waiting for someone to speak. "So was it your idea to come see the Toronto sign? We rarely come here." Brian asked.

I nodded. "Thats where my parents met for the first time. I've always wanted to come visit."

~~~

"Here it is." Shawn pointed to the sign I've been waiting to see for years.

I immediately pulled out my camera and photographed away. Everything about this scenery blew my mind. France, take notes.

"What do you think of it?" Brian asked.

I pulled down my camera and turned to the guys, "It's freaking amazing." I smiled.

"Carolina let's get a picture of you and Shawn!" Geoff suggested. Shawn and I gave him a 'take that back before I beat your ass' look. "Come on it will be fun," he pushed us closer to the sign. I handed Geoff my camera, "If you break this, I'll beat your ass." We laughed, even though I was serious. My camera is like my child.

Shawn and I stood in our own space while Geoff positioned the camera. "Shawn, she doesn't bite. Wrap your arm around her or something." Brian yelled, since they were standing further away.

"Hell yeah she bites," He spoke so only I can hear. I gave him a cheesy wink. I was a pro at cheesy facial expressions.

     He hesitantly wrapped his right arm around my waist. Award for the most awkward moment goes to.. Carolina Baise and Shawn Mendes! I heard about a million clicks from my camera, Geoff was having the time of his life with my camera.

     "Okay!" Geoff yelled and gave us a thumbs up. Shawn slid his hand from my waist. We walked towards Brian and Geoff. I took my camera and looked through the many pictures. Most of them were blurry, but one came out perfect. "Shawn look at this," I showed the picture to him. We looked down at the picture and then at each other. 

     And you would never guess what he did to me. He smiled. 

_________

Hey guys! This chapter was extremely long but hey, I don't care. Leave a vote and lemme know how you feel in the comments! Xx