48 Hours is All We Need {S.M.}

Chapter Eight: Terrible Explanations

***

Published: July 8, 2020

Edited: January 8, 2021

Hey guys, I'm back! I apologize for being absent for a while. It has been a bit hectic. As of now, updates should come regularly. It will still be once every two weeks. I just hope everyone is doing well.

Love you guys!

Now, enjoy!

***

     I feel myself constantly questioning how I came to be in this current situation. I never once thought I would meet any kind of well-known celebrity. I do not live in New York or Los Anglos – I have never even visited those cities. The chances of being struck by lightning were always higher in my opinion. Perhaps the universe decided to strike me with a different possibility. It still boggles my mind though. Even now with Shawn walking down the stairs, right by me, I question how fate led me to this moment.

     Shawn had decided it would be best for us – mainly for his sake – that we take the stairs. It may be early in the morning but we both do not feel up for the chance of running into someone who might recognize Shawn. It was never voiced out loud, but I suspect we were both thinking the same thing. We really did not say much to each other. The silence was nice. It was good thinking silence.

     "So why are you at TIA?"

     Never mind.

     I willed myself not to release an annoyed sigh. I personally do not think there is a need for small talk. "It's my high school's senior trip." I answered. I did not leave any additions.

     "Oh. Really?" He sounded surprised.

     "Yeah." Just leave it and go back to silently but politely walking me back to my room. I glanced at the floor number. The next level will be floor five. Our footsteps echoed quietly as we came to the right level.

     "How long will you be here?" His voice carried back to my ears. The question caught me off guard. Being up so early and little sleep did not help my reaction. I turned around to face the tall boy with annoyance.

     "Why does it matter to you?" I asked skeptically.

     "It's just a question." Shawn retorted.

     "So what? You don't hear me asking you questions." I pointed out.

     "Well I know because you hear about me doesn't mean you can't ask me any." I raised my eyebrow at him as he smirked.

     "It's okay. I am used to questions. You can ask. I bet you're dying to ask me questions." Shawn opened his arms wide as if I would jump into his embrace and prove him right. Ha – like that's going to happen.

     "No." I stated.

     "Why not?"

     "Look. It doesn't matter, because after this you will go back to your spotlight and I will go back to being behind the camera." I raised my polaroid camera for emphasis.

     I opened the door not waiting for Shawn to respond to my answer. There is no need to ask questions about each other. It can lead to more questions and build up to more curiosity within us. It will be pointless. It will end with us chasing after something that we will never be able to hold onto forever. It is kind of like dreams. You can never chase them; they have to be built and worked for to obtain.

     The sound of footsteps caused me to stop. I turned around just as Shawn had caught up to me. His tall figure was towering over my smaller form. Personal space seems to not register in his mind. He had taken off his sunglasses. His eyes were brimming with something that would be exciting yet risky. And yet his question caught my full attention.

     "What if I step out of the spotlight just for a moment?"

     I will never truly know the reason behind my answer. Maybe it was the lack of sleep from that night before. It could have been a spur of the moment. I even thought at one point it was my old self who use to be head over heels – infatuated with Shawn Mendes. However, deep down I knew as I stared into his eyes, watching that same desire of a chance to escape reality. I smiled at Shawn.

     "Maybe we can both step away from the camera, just for a moment."

***

     Do people not sleep? And no – I am not talking about the employees here. I understand that some employees probably have shifts that start super early in the morning. I understand that, but normal people on vacation. I openly gaped from our hiding spot as two girls walked by gossiping about the news of Shawn Mendes. Apparently, they wanted to be up early in hopes of catching a glimpse of the famous boy.

    Shawn and I both released our breaths as they turned down a corner. We both walked out from behind the large potted plant. We quickly walked down the hall stopping at the right door. The sounds of teenagers from other rooms were growing. They were probably getting excited about today's adventures.

   I knocked on the door. I knocked again, my nerves making me impatient. Shawn and I kept glancing around checking to see if people walked by. We both jumped at the sudden action of the door being opened.

    "Athena, I swear to God you better have a good explanation of where you've been." Brit's voice was not loud but stern. I quickly pulled Shawn inside before shutting the door behind us. We both made eye contact, smiles forming on our faces before Brit spoke again.

    "Who is this?" Brit asked as she took notice of the third person in the room. I could tell she was observing Shawn putting his appearance into her memory in case she needed to report him. It would be something Brit would do.

   "I have to tell her," I said to Shawn as he looked to me then to Brit, and then back to me again.

   "As long as she doesn't rat me out." Shawn decided as he nodded towards Brittny. Brittny had frowned at this. The comment had caused her to stand up a little taller as if to make herself look more professional.

   "I ain't a snitch boy." Brit scolded as she turned her nose up at him.

   Shawn looked ready to respond back to the comment, but I waved him off. "Hey, I am here to explain so shut it." Shawn closed his mouth as he mumbled to himself. His words to quiet to here.

   I turned back to my best friend as she tapped her foot, waiting for my explanation. Well, here goes nothing. At that moment, my nerves began to rise as I went to begin my explanation. So, the words rushed out of my mouth before I could think them over. "This is Shawn Mendes. We had a sleepover basically?" I internally slapped my forehead. A laugh had escaped from Shawn's lips. My words had caught him by surprise, clearly expecting a more mature and reasonable explanation. Brit gave me a look questioning my sanity.

  "I'm sorry – you had a sleepover with who?"