Bad Tendencies | shawn mendes

ii

Saje.

I LEAVE THE BACK ROOM WITH THE ITEMS that I needed to restock in the store. I go to the aisle and restock them, humming an song.

I'm caught off guard when I feel someone poke my shoulder, I turn around and face a smiling Harry.

"Someone came to visit me at work?" I tease, he sticks his hand in his jean pockets and shakes his head. "I actually came to get some more glue and screws."

"You're still not finished with your "masterpiece"?" Harry playfully glares at me and leans against the pole. "At least you called it a masterpiece instead of junk but yes I am. A few more weeks and it'll be set."

"Well don't let me stop you from shopping."

"Wait. Tonight Champ and I were going out for a couple drinks, Connie already agreed so you're kinda already coming." Harry says shrugging his shoulders, he pokes out his bottom lip. I scoff and shake my head at him. "You guys are always dragging me into something."

"You love us. I'll catch you later Melrosè." Harry calls out my middle name and wanders off to continue his shopping.

Harry and I met freshman year of college. He was an goofy and bright guy, we clicked immediately. He was like my guy best friend but as years went on, I slowly felt myself crushing on him. I'm sure he felt the same but we both were too scared we would ruin our friendship. I enjoyed being able to be open to him and I didn't want it to be awkward.

I clock out at five-thirty. I say my farewells to my coworkers and exit out into the cool weather. The smell of fresh bakery and coffee filled my nose. Since the cafè was around the corner, I decided to walk. Forgetting to look both ways before crossing, I feel my body being yanked away from ongoing traffic. My heart beats fast causing my breath to quicken, I look up at the hazel eyes.

"You trying to kill yourself, eh?" He says lowly. He lets me go gently and I stand on my feet, feeling embarrassed. "I f-forgot to l-look both ways. Thank you."

I'm not in the mood for coffee nor muffins anymore. I feel so stupid and being that Mr. Mendes caught me, I feel even more dumb. I feel his gaze on me and I slowly look up at him.

"Where was you headed?"

"To the cafè across the street but I'm fine now." I admit looping my hair behind my ear. "Come on." He says and I follow him immediately.

"Mr. Mendes, I said I was fine." Now I'm sitting across from him in the semi crowded cafè, he bought me a blueberry muffin and coffee. "Call me Shawn." He reaches over and grabs my muffin, pulling the wrapper off. He holds it up to my lips and I hesitantly bite into the warm food.

"You didn't have to pay for this. I could've myself—" He cuts me off by clearing his throat, he sits his folded hands on top of the table. "You know you should really eat and do less talking, Saje."

I swallow my food and glance up at him. "How do you know my name?" He has my keys in hand which has my name embedded on the keychain. "So you were filling in for Ms. Henson?"

I nod and wipe my mouth. "She was sick and I was her only option. Those were her questions." I quickly tell him remembering the last question she asked.

He shrugs looking out the window then back to me. "Maybe she wrote the questions but you were happy to get the answer."

"Mr— Shawn, I was just doing her a favor. I didn't t-think that would be written down." I say truthfully. I thought about skimming the questions before walking in but I went against it.

"What are you majoring in?" He obviously didn't care for that topic anymore. "Journalism."

He nods slowly. "Have you ever written for local blogs or magazines?"