A Crazy Fairytale [Shawn Mendes]

Part 2

It took a few moments for me to get my act back together. And the alcohol in my blood wasn't helping at all. "Oh, well, thanks. I know right? Uhmm I mean, that's really nice of you. I...uhhmm...I just realized who you are. I'm so sorry for that and for bothering you with my drinks and stuff. I'm sure it's hard enough for you to just have a chilled drink with your mate anyway and now some random girl is talking your ear off about bucket lists and her gay best friend." I was talking nonstop. Again. Gosh, he really made me nervous.

Shawn watched me with an amused look on his face - he definitely got his confidence back. "Well, I let you get back to your drinks. Thank you again. That was really nice of you Shawn. And it was really nice to meet you. Have a great night. And sorry again."

I ended my monologue, shook his hand and was just about to return to my table, but Shawn didn't let go off my hand and gently pulled me back. He was still smiling.

"First of all, you didn't bother me at all. It was my pleasure to play the security for your drinks. And second, why should the fact that you didn't recognized me be a problem? It was kinda refreshing", he said. "Do you have to return to your table right away or can I maybe invite you to another drink and we continue our conversation?"

I looked around to our table where David was getting quite cosy with the guy I knew he had a big crush on. In that moment we made eye contact and he gave me a confused look, like he was saying "What's your problem girl?" Yeah, what was my problem?
There I was, in a rooftop bar in NYC, talking to a handsome and really nice guy who happened to be my little sisters biggest crush.

But did it really matter that he's famous? I would definitely stay if he wasn't, so: "I think my friend can wait a little bit longer", I said with a smile. "Great! Whiskey Ginger is your drink, right? I heard you ordering it before" Shawn said.

"Stalker alarm", I said sarcastically without thinking. Oh man, did I really just say that? Shawn first looked a little bit astonished but then laughed out loud. "Maybe. Excuse me, could we please get a Whiskey Ginger for the lady and another coke for me? Thanks!" "You're not drinking any alcohol?" I asked irritated. "Normally I do. But I'm kinda not allowed here", Shawn answered and rolled his eye. "Haha why? Are you still underage or what?" He was funny I thought to myself. "Well, yeah. In America I am. I'm only 20."

That I definitely did not expect at all. He looked so much older and more mature than 20. Maybe I should have listen more carefully the one million times my sister told me stuff about Shawn.

Apparently the shock was written all over my face, because Shawn added. "I guess you didn't know that. And I'm also pretty sure that you're a little bit older than me, am I right?" I cleared my throat and answered. "Well, yeah kinda. I'm 26. I never would have guessed you're that young. You seem older. And way more mature than the 20-year-olds I know."

Shawn nodded. "I get that a lot. I think it has to do with my career and this whole music business. Also, I'm constantly around grownups. But to me, age doesn't really matter. Either you get along and there's chemistry or there isn't." Our drinks arrived. Shawn handed me my glass and lifted his own. "Let's drink to this evening - and the best coincidence that happened to me in a long time."

"Well said, Mendes" I agreed. "And I can only give that compliment back. I definitely didn't expect this to happen. And I thought my karaoke performance will be the most exciting part of my trip", I laughed.

Shawn also smiled and put his hand on my shoulder. In that moment I could feel a sea of eyes starring at us both and saw at least ten smartphones rising up.

"So that is it like to be you, hu?" I asked Shawn and nodded in their direction. "Kinda. I'm sorry about that. I'm used to it by now. But it's always difficult when meeting someone new. Especially a female. These photos will be across Instagram in a few minutes and the speculations will start." He looked at me with an apologizing look on his face.

"Oh OK. Then it's maybe for the best if I just return to my table, I guess." That wasn't what I wanted at all. But to become a part of dating-rumours wasn't neither. "I really don't want to end this", Shawn said. "I've got an idea. What do you think about changing the location? Maybe somewhere we can talk more privately."

I looked to David. He was still making out with his crush. "I think that's a brilliant idea, Shawn. But how do we leave together without everyone getting suspicious?" "I'm here with a driver. Just go back to your friend and tell him that we're leaving. And that I'll make sure you will get home safely later. Than grab your stuff and I'll wait for you downstairs in my car."

I nodded and went to David and his friends. Shawn waited a couple more minutes and than he left with Andrew. "Girl, what happened?" David asked. "Did he just leave without you? Who is he anyway? He looked so familiar. Is he famous or something?" For David that was a normal question. He met a lot of famous people since he moved to NYC. It wasn't something that was important to him, it just happened.

"No, he didn't leave without me. Actually he's waiting downstairs for me. And yes, he kinda is. I'll explain everything later. Or tomorrow", I said with a smile. I gave him a kiss on the cheek, said goodbye to his friends, grabed my leather jacket and went to the elevator.

When I left the building a thought rushed through my head: What if he isn't here, isn't waiting for me? Maybe he just needed an excuse to go? But in that moment a black SUV with dark windows pulled over right in front of me. The back car door opened and I saw Shawn. "Are you ready?" And without any hesitation I hopped in the car and we drove away.

The first couple of minutes none of us said a word. Then I finally broke the silence. "Where are we going?" Maybe I should have asked that before getting into a car with a stranger I met just half an hour ago. Was he taking me to his hotel? And if so, did I really want that? To be honest, I was a little nervous about his answer.

"We're heading to another bar. There are little separate areas, so there won't be hundreds of eyes watching us. And also I have a little surprise for you." I smiled and nodded. OK, a bar sounded totally fine.

Five minutes later the driver stopped. Shawn got out of the car and opened my door. Wow, what a gentleman. We entered the bar through a back entrance and a waiter showed us our table. Apparently Shawn already had arranged it, even though I had no idea how he had done it in that short time period.

The moment we sat down another waiter already brought us two drinks. "Are you some kind of magician?" I asked him with an confused look. Shawn laughed. "Maybe. Or just super fast at tipping", he said with a blink in his eye.

"Is this the surprise?" He shook his head. "Nah, just wait and see. So, why don't you tell me a little bit more about you?" He said and took a sip of his drink.

"Well, there isn't much to know. Like you already know, I'm 26, I'm from Austria, Vienna to be more specific. I did my masters in history and now I'm working as a journalist at a local newspaper. I have a little 12 years old sister - who is totally in love with you btw. That's the only reason I even recognized you. Your picture is all over the walls in her bedroom. And in my spare time I listen to a lot of music, sing a little bit and play guitar - but not really good I guess. And I love to cook. Well, I guess, that's the short version of my biography."

I took a deep breathe. "And, like you already know, tend to speak like a waterfall whenever I'm nervous."