11:15 // mendes

Chapter 6

Shawn came home late last night, so he came into school a little late, during English. A lot of people say hi to him, but he doesn't say anything to them. He just walks over to our table and sits next to me.

"Hey, how was NYC?" I ask.

"It was great. The EP is already, just gotta make a cover and release date. I'm really excited about it," he smiles.

"That's awesome. Did you ask that girl out yet?"

"No. I have an idea how I'm going to do it, though, I'm just waiting for the right time."

I nod my head, then think about asking who this girl is, but decide against it, since I have an idea who it may be; Sarah Hart. Shawn and her were kinda close in middle school, and I could tell that she and Shawn had feelings for eachother, so I'm pretty sure he's asking her out. I start reading Looking For Alaska and Shawn reads some book I've never heard of. As I'm reading, Shawn slides a note card in front of me.

"Let's meet at our time tonight," the note reads.

"Ok:)," I write.

I continue to read until class is over, then Shawn and I go to science.

~

After school, I have swim practice. I change into my drag suit, then take my makeup off and put on my clack cap and mirrored goggles. I walk out onto the deck with my mesh bag in my hands. I set it in front of my lane and talk with my friend, Matt, as we stretch. We have a meet this weekend against our biggest rivals, so everyone is nervous/excited about it.

Coach Jim tells us to get in our lanes and do a 400 freestyle. It takes us about five minutes to do that, then we do a 200 kick and 8 100's after, then begin our actual practice.

~

After practice, I change and grab my backpack. I go out to my car and get settled, then drive home. I only drove today because it was way to cold to walk. It's almost December, so it's most likely going to snow soon.

Once I get home, I take a long, hot shower, then sit in my room, eat dinner and watch tv. I just sit around, then start getting ready at 11:05. I slip my shoes on, put on a fleece over my hoodie and put on a hat. I fiddle with my phone, then hear the familiar sound of pebbles being thrown at my window. I open it and climb down the ladder. I meet Shawn in my front yard, then we walk to the park. It's a silent walk, but comforting.
Once we're at the park, I go to climb into our favorite tree, but Shawn grabs my hand and pulls me closer to the pond.

"Why are we going down here?" I ask.

"Something different," Shawn shrugs.

We take a seat on the cold grass and stare at the moons reflection in the crystal water. I start to shiver a little bit, then Shawn scoots closer and puts and arm around me. He pulls me closer so my head is on his shoulder.

"It's so pretty outside," I say, watching a bunch of clouds rolling in.

Shawn nods in agreement, then pulls his arm away. He sticks his hand in a coat pocket, then pulls out something circular; a CD. He looks at it, takes a deep breath and hands it to me with a smile. I take the CD and notice something is written on it.

"I love you, but I didn't know how to say it to you," it reads.

"Aw, this is so sweet," I smile.

"I have a feeling you know what I'm going to ask," Shawn says. I shake my head with a confused look.

"Arabella, will... will you be my girlfriend?" Shawn asks, stuttering a bit.

I stare at him in shock. I'm the girl Shawn wanted to ask out? He likes me back? I smile at Shawn, then nod.

"I would love to," I whisper, smiles forming on both of our lips.

Shawn and I sit closer to each other, but Shawn pulls me into his lap.

"Can I tell you something?" I ask.

"Sure," Shawn says.

"Ok, so the last time we met up at night and you slept over, I heard you say that you love me when I was 'asleep'," I tell Shawn. I look at him, and he starts to blush a little bit.

"I'm not going to lie, I did say that," Shawn chuckles, setting his chin on top of my head.

There's a chilly breeze, then snow starts to fall! I watch a few land on my jacket and hands, then Shawn and I go to our tree. We sit on the branch and talk for a little bit.

"So, is there songs on this CD, or is it just written on?" I ask.

"There's songs on there," Shawn smirks.

I then suggest a sleepover, then Shawn agrees. We climb down the tree and hold hands the entire way back to my house. We cimb the ladder and take our shoes, jackets and hats off. I put the CD in my old CD player, then press play.

There's a lot of songs are on the CD. They are: Medicine, Settle Down and The City by The 1975. Runaway, Bloodstream and Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran, No. 1 Part Anthem, R U Mine, and Arabella by the Arctic Monkeys, Flawless, Leaving Tonight, West Coast and Wires by The Neighbourhood, then there's a song that I've never heard before, but the voice is insanley familiar. It's Shawn's.

"Shawn, is this one of your songs from the EP?" I ask.

"Yeah," he nods, "It's the one I was working on in English that one day."

"It's so good! I love it."

Shawn smiles his thanks, then we listen to the CD all night. Shawn sits up and I sit between his legs, resting my back to his chest. Shawn sings along to Thinking Out Loud just quiet enough my my parents or sister to hear. We end up just turning the music down and falling asleep to it. Instead of staying on opposite sides of the bed like Shawn and I used to, he sleeps on my side with his arm wrapped around my torso.