Travel // Shawn Mendes

thirty-nine

Jen was burning a photo of Caleb in a fire.

It was a bonfire with just the four of us, and no one actually expected her to pull out a Polaroid photo of her cheating ex-boyfriend. Then again, no one actually minded when she tossed it in the fire. I clapped.

It was almost two weeks after the incident, and Jen was shockingly doing better than ever. I didn't get to see her much, due to all her filming for The Zone, but she seemed to do better after putting a fake smile in front of the camera. After a good cry session a day or two after beating Caleb's face in, she was fine.

Now, I'm no gossiper, but I obviously have my own conspiracy theory as to why Jen didn't go into a depressive state. Staring at her and Aidan confirms my hypothesis.

I'm not saying Jen would cheat, because obviously she wouldn't. But I wouldn't be surprised if her feelings for Caleb slowly shrunk as her feelings for Aidan slowly grew.

But Nora, how could you possibly know that they're a thing now?

Well, I'm not saying they are (yet). However it was a good surprise when after a date night with Shawn, I came to my hotel room to see Jen's head rested on Aidan's shoulder as he sat awake, playing with her hair. I said nothing, but the moment I saw them I may or may not have sent an excited text to Shawn, confirming our beliefs.

Anyways, back to the fire. I made a joke before we left that Jen should burn Caleb's clothes and anything else she may still have with her. My best friend informed me that she had already thrown all that out, so I guess I was relieved to hear that sign of her moving on. Good thing she saved the picture of them though, because it really gave a cinematic closing to their relationship as the Polaroid withered away in the flames.

"Stupid bitch," Jen mutters.

"Amen."

"He got what he deserved," I point out, tapping my nose.

According to Jen's manager, Caleb's nose was so messed up that even with it healing and surgery coming to play, it wouldn't look the same. Shame, I know. And speaking of Jen's manager, she sure was pissed as hell to hear of her little brothers actions. He was kicked straight off Jen's tour.

Jen reaches for Aidan's drink before answering. "True."

I'm quiet for a little, watching Shawn play with my hand. We were seated hip to hip while Jen and Aidan were across from us. The whole night we had done nothing but talk, all of us just enjoying the calming sound of the nearby ocean.

"We're going to go get ice cream, do you guys want any?" Jen asks, pointing behind her to the shack that was a walking distance away with a lit up "OPEN" sign. Both Shawn and I decline the offer, and watch as Aidan and Jen get up and walk away.

"You think they've kissed yet?" Shawn asks, and I shake my head.

"Probably not. Give Jen a week more and I'm sure that answer will change."

"Aidan is always talking about how he's an amazing kisser, but I doubt he's even kissed anyone," Shawn jokes, and I shake my head.

"Oh, like you're a professional."

Shawn tilts his head as his eyes light up with the reflection of the fire. "I haven't heard any complaints yet, so I must be doing something right."

"Believe me, I've been complaining."

"Guess I've got to change your mind then, eh?"