Damage Control (Shawn Mendes)

Don't Mess With A Cuban Girl

I sat on my couch, wrapped in a cocoon of blankets, watching Aladdin. It was my favorite childhood Disney movie, and honestly still is. And it's not because of my name. Well... not anymore.

I was in the middle of stuffing my face with a Cuban pastry I had gotten from Porto's Bakery the other day, when the doorbell rang.

And rang.

And rang.

And rang.

And rang.

Now add obsessive knocking.

I unwrapped myself from my cocoon, and practically ran to the door.

"Jeez, hold your horses." I muttered under my breath. I checked the screen by the door to see who it was, before opening.

To say I was shocked, would be an understatement.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, after opening the door.

He ignored me and he passed by me, purposely knocking my shoulder back with his. I glared at the back of his head, and closed the door, locking it grudgingly.

Who said he could come in?

"What are you doing here?"

He leaned against the wall with one hand, the other rubbed his face with frustration.

"Shawn?"

"Why did you leave?"

"What?"

He dropped his hand, and spun around to face me.

"You left without saying anything."

"I-"

"Do you know how worried I was?!" He rose his voice at me, making me narrow my eyes at him.

"You just left! You knew paparazzi was waiting and you just left! Didn't even say one word!"

I rolled my eyes. "Is this what it's about? The paparazzi? Don't worry, there weren't any. I checked."

He closed his eyes for a few seconds and took a deep breath. When he reopened them, I swear, if I wasn't so annoyed, I'd probably be scared by his intense gaze.

"They don't just take pictures and go there own way. They'll do anything to get a story! They could've followed you here, and done something to you. How many times do I have to tell you?!

And to make matters worse, you weren't answering your damn phone!"

I stared at his livid face for a few seconds, wondering why he was so mad. I should be the one mad. In fact, I am mad.

"Well, I'm sorry for being an inconvenience. I don't mean to be a pain. But don't worry about me, I don't need to have a babysitter." I said sarcastically. Recognition soon replaced his anger. "I've been in this business long enough, I know how things work. I can take care of myself."

I walked away from him, and back to the couch. Putting myself in my blanket cocoon.

"Don't let the door hit you, on your way out."

Much to my dismay, he didn't leave. Instead he closely sat next to me -again, I also have a big couch, he could afford to move at least five feet away from me.

I didn't have the energy to fight with him, so I just watched the movie in silence. I could feel his gaze on me, but I paid no attention to him.

"Shouldn't we be going on our "date"?" He asked quietly. I glared my eyes at him.

"I don't think that would be a good idea." I said, in a low voice. His eyes avoided mine as he stared at the screen in front of us.

I dropped my glare and refocused on Aladdin and Jasmine singing.

"I'm sorry." He softly said, after a while.

I said nothing. Just closed my eyes.

"Really, I am."

He sighed, when I didn't respond.

"I know you don't trust me, but I'm serious when I say, I didn't mean anything I said."

My eyes snapped open to meet his. I glared at him.

"I'm serious."

"Well, you're a pretty good actor." I rolled my eyes.

"I just said those things to try and get us off this whole fake dating thing." He said, sincerity could be heard in his voice, but I wasn't sure if I should believe him. Earlier when he was on the phone, he sounded pretty serious.

"You're not an inconvenience. You're not that annoying. You're not a pain." He said. "Even though, I do kinda believe you may need babysitter."

"Hey!" I protested, slapping his arm. He smiled, genuinely this time.

"Let's face it, you're kind of accident prone." He nodded towards my hand. "And you run off without telling people where you're going, and you don't answer your damn phone. Which I'm still mad about."

I rolled my eyes. "You wanna go another round?" I put my fists up in a "fighting" pose. "Don't mess with a Cuban girl."

He laughed at me.

"I really am sorry you heard that. I honestly didn't mean it." He went back to being serious.

I put my hands back down and sighed.

"It's alright I guess." I huffed.

"Do you forgive me?"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves." I gave him a look, which made him put his hands up in "mock" surrender. "I somewhat tolerate you."

He smiled. "I somewhat tolerate you too."

"But can we go back to hating each other?" I asked.

He threw his head back and laughed.

"I wouldn't want it any other way."

Shawn left a few minutes later. I wasn't complaining though, I happily went back to my pastry and Movie.

I was almost done with the movie, when something outside caught my eye. I paused the movie, not wanting to miss anything, and stood by the window.

There, in the middle of some bushes, was a man.

He was just standing there, staring at this window. It felt like he knew exactly where I was; which was impossible, for all my windows were made where you can see outside, but not inside.

I couldn't make out his face, for he was still pretty far, but I could still make out a crazy smile that had appeared on his face.

Slowly, he brought his arm up. I didn't have to wonder what he was doing, when my gaze landed on a shiny metal.

In his hand, he proudly gripped a large knife.

Shills ran up and down my spine, as I watched him run the knife over his finger, cutting it. Blood could be seen pouring out. Then, with a sick look, he licked the blood off, winking as he did so.

My heart started beating uncontrollably, and I knew I was on the verge of a panic attack.

Don't panic.

Don't panic.

Don't panic.

Don't panic, I changed to myself.

I shakily went back to the couch, where my phone was. I immediately called 911, and told the lady what had happened. I gazed back outside, but I saw nothing.

The man had left.