Gap Year

4

Shawn's pov

Leia. That's a beautiful name and it suits her perfectly.

"That's such a beautiful name" I smiled at her as she thanked me and blushed again. I wonder why she's always blushing, it's just me, Shawn... oh right. Okay, maybe it's not 'just' me, Shawn Mendes. I mean, she even wears my merch. I mentally could facepalm myself right now. Another question popped up in my head.

"So, what are you doing in Toronto?" She smiled at that question.

"I'm going to work there as an au-pair. You know, someone who lives with a family and takes care of their children while the parents are at work during the day. I really like kids and I think it will be great working with them. I finished school this summer and was really unsure of what to do with my life so I decided to go away for a year. I also see it as a chance to learn better English and maybe come around the world a little" she explained.

"That sounds really interesting. I think that's a great chance and a cool experience which you will remember your whole life." She nodded and smiled at me.

"And where are you from?" I asked again and hoped that she wasn't annoyed with me for asking so many questions.

"I'm from Germany actually."

"That's cool! I have been there a few weeks ago for some interviews and I really liked it there, it's beautiful."

"Yeah it is. I love my home but I really like going to another countries and seeing the world. I'm really excited for Canada actually." she explained.

"You will love it there, I can promise you." I smiled at her.

You will love it there, I can promise you." I smiled at her.

"So for the next year Toronto will be your new home." I asked and she agreed, as I suddenly got an idea.

"If you like I could maybe show you around Toronto sometimes? Since you don't really know the city."

"You don't have to I mean, you're probably really busy all the time."

"Actually, I got nothing to do the next two weeks. I have a little break from all the interviews and stuff."

"Are you sure?" she asked and looked at me sceptically.

"I'm sure. So what do you say, do you want me to show you Toronto?"

"I would love to." She finally agreed and i smiled. I would see her again!

"Have you been in Canada before?"

"No, never. But I was in the USA once, in Miami. Although I don't remember anything from that time." She told me.

"Why not?"

"I think I was not even a year old. Maybe 10 months or something, I don't know. I just remember what my parents told me from back then. They were really annoyed at me at that time because I would never sleep during the night because of the time difference."

"So you were awake the whole night?"

"I think so. My dad had to get up at four or five in the morning to go on a walk with me, otherwise I wouldn't fell asleep again." She giggled and I started laughing.

"Do you have some funny baby stories?" She looked up at me.

"Actually, I don't know. I would have to ask my mum. But I will tell you someday, I promise."

We kept chatting and telling stories until we both eventually grew tired. My eyes were getting heavier by the second and before I could control myself I was asleep.

***

I woke up because I heard the click of a camera so I opened my eyes. I looked to my side to see Josiah looking down at his camera, before he looked up at me and grinned. I furrowed my eyebrows and gave him a questioning look. He pointed at something next to me. I looked beside me and that's when I noticed Leia's head, that was laying on my shoulder. She was sleeping but stirred as I chuckled lightly. Josiah wiggled his eyebrows at me but I just rolled my eyes at him, smiling lightly.

"How long has I been sleeping?" I asked tiredly.

"Probably an hour. We should arrive soon." he replied and I nodded.

Leia mumbled something and turned, then she opened her eyes. A few moments later she sat up and yawned before she looked up at me.

"Was my shoulder comfortable to sleep on?" I whispered and her eyes widened in shock.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to, I mean-" she rambled on but I just laughed. She relaxed a little and I promised her that it was fine since I was sleeping as well and it didn't bother me.

Just then a voice called though the loudspeakers, saying that we will be landing in the next half an hour so we should get ready to land. We put our seatbelts back on and Leia looked out the window again. I looked over her shoulder and could see the city and the CN tower. I felt pure happiness and excitement rush over me and smiled at the thought of seeing my family again. The last time I saw them was quite a while ago. We facetimed a lot but it still wasn't the same than seeing them in person.

I watched the city coming closer, the houses getting bigger and I more and more felt like home again. As much as I love being away and on tour and everything, I love coming back home to Toronto.

Before I knew it we had already landed so we all got ready to get off the plane.

"Are you excited to meet your host family now?" I turned to Leia as we made our way out of the plane.

"I am. But I'm so nervous, what if they don't like me? When I can't get along with them or when the kids hate me? I mean, I will live there for a whole year, I won't survive that and-"

"Hey, hey, relax, everything will be fine. Why wouldn't they like you? I know we just met a few hours ago but I can tell that you're a really sweet person and the kids will love you, I'm sure."

"Stop, you're making me blush" She smiled and looked down at the ground, her cheeks glowing red.

"But it's true"

"Shawn!" her cheeks were getting redder before she mumbled a quiet "thanks".

I smiled and we continued walking to the building of the airport. We took a turn and made our way to the hall to pick up our luggage.