11:15 // mendes

Chapter 3

Once I wake up, I roll over expecting to see Shawn, but all I see is and empty side of the bed. I frown, then get up and go downstairs. When I'm at the bottom of the stairs, I smell pancakes and bacon. I walk into the kitchen and see Shawn flipping a batch of pancakes. His hair is a little messy, and it looks adorable.

"I didn't know you can cook," I smirk.

"I only know how to make breakfast. That's about it," Shawn chuckles.

I grab two plates, some forks, knives and some cups. I put them on the kitchen table and pour some orange juice into each cup. Then, I get out the can of whipped cream, because Shawn and I both prefer whipped cream on our pancakes instead of butter and syrup.

As I set the table, I can't help but replay the four little words Shawn whispered to me last night. "I love you, Arabella." I can't seem to get them out of my head, or forget about them.

When Shawn finishes the six small pancakes, we each put two on our plate and grab a few pieces of bacon. We sit across the circular table from eachother and eat silently for a moment, then Shawn speaks up.

"Are you sure you want to break up with Nathan today?"

"Yes. I can't handle him anymore."

Shawn nods. He puts whipped cream on his second pancake, then eats it with his hands. After his second bite, there's some whipped cream on the nose that he doesn't seem to notice. I giggle, then lean across the table and swipe it off his nose, then lick it off my finger. Shawn laughs, then we eat and wait until 10:30 rolls around. I call Nathan and he says he'll be here in a minute. Shawn and I go up to my room.

I tell Shawn that if he hears me tell Nathan to stop, he can come out because that means Nathan is about to do something/is doing something to me. Shawn hides in the closet, then Nathan walks into my house.

"Bella?" he calls out.

"I'm up here!" I yell.

I hear Nathan clomp up the stairs, then his figure appears in my doorway.

"Hi," he smiles, walking over and kissing my cheek.

"Hi. We need to talk," I say.

"About what?"

"Nathan, I think we need to break up."

Nathan's smile fades, and his face turns bright red. His fists clench as he stands.

"You are not allowed to break up with me!" he yells.

"Nathan, I'm tired of you constantly beating me! You always do it, then apologize and act like it never happened. I'm dome with you!"

Nathan suddenly swings his arm, and his fist makes hard contact with my cheek.

"Nathan!" I gasp, holding my cheek.

"Are you breaking up with me because of that Shawn freak?! I said I don't want you around him!" Nathan continues to beat me.

"Nathan, stop!" I yell.

And on que, Shawn bursts out of the closet and attacks Nathan. I watch as Shawn beats the living daylights out of Nathan.

"Don't you dare lay a finger on Arabella ever again!" Shawn growls.

Once Nathan seems to be bleeding, I pull Shawn off, telling him to calm down.

"You go near her again I'll beat the shit out of you," Shawn growls again.

Nathan gets up and scurries out of the room. Wimp. Shawn sits next to me and turns my head so it's facing him.

"Are you alright?" He asks, grazing the forming bruise on my cheek.

"Yeah," I nod. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Are you sure? You loo-"

"Shawn! I'm fine!" I snap, cutting him off.

Shawn stares at me. I never yell at him, so he's not used to this.

"I'm sorry. I just... I'm sorry." I shake my head as I put it in my hands.

Shawn scoots closer and sets his hand on my back. I tense for a second, and I can tell Shawn fells me tense. He rubs me back to calm me down.

"I'm just so scared that he's gonna come back and hurt me, or even you. I'm terrified of Nathan," I explain.

"I think you'll be fine. He knows not to mess with you," Shawn chuckles.

I look up and let out a small laugh. Shawn pulls me in for a well-needed hug. He holds me tight with his big arms, and continues to rub my back.

"Do you want to do something today or just relax?" Shawn asks.

"I dunno. What do you want to do?" I respond.

"I asked you first."

"Ok... let's relax. I didn't sleep well last night. I'm kind of sleepy."

Shawn nods. We then clean up the little blood left by Nathan, then agree to never discuss this day again. I flush the wad of toilet paper, then go downstairs to the kitchen. I make a bag of popcorn, then Shawn and I go to my room and watch TV in there. I go on OnDemand and put in The Middle. Shawn and I sit on my bed, eating popcorn and watching TV.

"Let's go for a walk," I say, turning the TV off.

Shawn and I roll off the bed, then put our shoes on. I stand up, then grab my phone. I walk into my bathroom and put foundation on my bruise, then we walk downstairs. Once we get outside, I jump onto Shawn's back. He stumbles a little bit, since I went on without a warning. I laugh, then Shawn walks in the direction of our favorite cafe. Once we're a block away, I jump off of Shawns back and walk.

When we walk into the cafe, I smell coffee and muffins in the making. I take a deep breath, then walk over to the counter.

I order a vanilla latte and a bagel, and Shawn gets a black coffee and a biscotti. I try to pay, but Shawn pushes my hand away and hands the cashier fifteen dollars.

"You never let me pay," I complain.

"A gentleman never lets the lady pay," Shawn smiles.

I smile back at Shawn, then we sit at our usual table by the front window. Minutes later, the cashier brings Shawn and me our drinks and food. He hands us the black mugs, then sets the plates in the middle of the table. Shawn starts telling me how his EP is coming out in a few days, and I promise him that I'll buy it. Shawn also tells me that he has to go to New York to record a new song that he and Geoff are working on. I bite my lip, then take a long sip of my latte.

"You'll be fine, I'm only going to be gone for four day," Shawn says, grabbing my hand across the table.

Without Shawn, I don't have anyone to protect me. Shawn is my only guy friend, and the rest are girls. I walk home alone from practice everyday, so it'll be easy for Nathan to get me, if he stays here in Chicago, which I doubt he will. I give Shawn's hand a squeeze before I let go.

~

Ok, can we just take a moment for fetus Shawn eating ribsXD

Anyway, enjoy the chapter. See ya laterrrr