11:11 (A Shawn Mendes Fanfiction)

Chapter 20

I woke up to about a million notifications on Twitter. More than I ever get from any of Shawn's pictures and tweets. My phone was vibrating like crazy so I decided to shut it off and use my computer. It took a lot of scrolling through fan accounts to find someone who actually formed words. The fans were freaking out about something on Cam's account and tagging Shawn, Nash, and I. When I saw it, it was the picture of us eating our Panera and I didn't look as horrible as I thought. I was already following Cam on Twitter, thanks to Sophie, and he probably followed me a while ago thanks to Shawn.
"@camerondallas: picked up these two strangers in LA for an emergency Panera run @nicolemurphy @shawnmendes @nashgrier". Okay, that tweet could have been much worse considering the way he was looking at me. I should be more understanding, I guess. If he thinks I'm pretty, he would want to look at me, right? And maybe Nash was exaggerating when he said "obsessed." It's completely normal to talk about people a lot when you first meet them and enjoy their company. I retweeted it and tried to think of something to write back.
"@nicolemurphy: I look the best in this photo #sorrynotsorry @camerondallas" I tweeted. I swear I tweet the worst things. But even if I tweet "hi," it will get 50,000 likes and retweets. It's confusing why people like me so much... I'm just Shawn's girlfriend. It's not like I earned the followers or anything. Once the notifications died down, I turned my phone on to see 14 texts from Sophie. All of them were along the lines of "oh my god," or "I can't believe you met him," or "is he as gorgeous in real life?" I told her honestly that I thought he was just as beautiful in real life. Hey, just because I know what I want to eat doesn't mean I can't look at the menu. We continued talking about Cam and I walked down to the kitchen. I grabbed a glass and filled it was water and ice. It was 9:30, and usually at this time, Patrick and my mom would be up. The front door was unlocked, so maybe they went somewhere. I returned to my room and changed into some sweatpants and a tank top. I threw my hair up in a bun and started doing my homework. The door opened and it was my mom, dropping her things immediately and calling my name.
"NICOLE!" She yelled frantically, over and over again. I ran down the stairs as fast as I could.
"Mom, Mom, calm down," I tried to soothe her but she kept rushing around the house, looking in each room.
"Is Patrick here?" She asked worriedly.
"No, I thought he was with you!" I stated, starting to get a little worried myself.
"We went for a walk to that ice cream place in town," she started. She was beginning to cry as she told the story. "He was telling me about how he feels like you're spending so much time with Shawn and how you've replaced him... and how you never even did that puzzle with him," she continued. I was shocked. If something happened to Pat, it was my fault. She swallowed and continued. "The line for ice cream was really long, so I told him he could go sit at a table in the back and wait as long as he behaved himself. When I got back there about 15 minutes later or so, he was gone. I looked around but he wasn't anywhere in the area, so I thought maybe he came back here." I didn't know what to say. It was all because of me. I was spending too much time with Shawn and Patrick knew it, too. We have to find him.
"I'll grab the keys and start looking," I told her. "You should start calling the neighbors and letting them know we're looking." I gathered everything that I needed. My keys, phone, bag, and a jacket. My mom was on the phone, so I just left out the front door. Shawn was exiting his house at the same time that I was, getting a jacket on himself.
"Let me help you look, I heard what happened," he explained, trying to bring me into his grasp. I pulled away sharply and walked the other way.
"Shawn, I can't do this," I told him.
"What do you mean?" He asked, wondering why I was acting so cold to him when I needed him most.
"I can't do this," I repeated, motioning between us. "Us, Shawn. I can't be with you anymore. It's ruining my family. I need to go." I hopped into the car and pulled out, not once making eye contact with Shawn. It was obvious that I needed to end things with him. It was ruining my family and ultimately, Patrick comes first. I couldn't let Patrick keeping running away all because of me. I may be acting rash but if my being with Shawn is causing Patrick's autism attacks to take over, then I can't continue like this.
The car rolled down the streets as I scanned every corner and possible hiding place. I paused at some places I know he loves. I wasn't having any luck, and my tears were getting in the way of my view. My crying wasn't for Patrick alone, but also for Shawn since I have all the love in the world for him and I shut him down. Oh well, it's not like he'd want me back after what I just pulled. Plus, I was in no state to be a good girlfriend right now.
I returned home and looked over at Shawn's house. His car was gone, and I continued inside the house. My mom was hanging up the phone as I walked in, with no ounce of happiness expressed on her face. I walked up and hugged her with everything I had in me. She cried into my shoulder as she wrapped her arms around me. Once she let go, we decided to think of a plan for action.
"I called your dad, and I am going to pick him up from the airport in a couple of hours. Until then, I'm gonna keep looking around. You stay here in case he comes in, okay?" She explained. The plan sounded solid, and I returned to the couch. She had notified the police earlier, so I'm sure they were already on the look out. I turned on the TV and tried to forget for a moment that my life was falling apart.
Nash's POV
Cameron and I were playing Xbox in the basement on Sunday. He would not stop talking about Nicole and how beautiful she was. Yeah, she's pretty, but she's also Shawn's. And they are perfect together, so he should really back off a little bit.
A knock at the door upstairs stopped our game, and I ran up to answer it. At the door stood a miserable Shawn. His eyes were red and puffy, and he had tears coming down from his eyes. Immediately, I knew something was wrong so I let him in.
"Sorry to stop by like this, but I really need you help," he started. He was serious about whatever he was saying, so I called Cam upstairs. When Cameron got to the top step, Shawn continued. "Nicole's brother ran away. And when I tried to help her, she pushed me away and told me that our relationship was ruining her family. I went off looking for him on my own and I figured I would stop and see if you've heard anything." I was shocked. Nicki and Shawn were absolutely perfect together, and for her to break up with him just like that seemed impractical.
"Hey, I'll come help you look," I told him. If finding her brother was this important to him, then it is important to me as well. I looked over to Cam, who was standing behind the couch. He was processing his own thoughts, making some sort of choice about how he could help.
"Well it doesn't do any good for all three of us to be in the same car. I'll get the driver to drive around with me and look," he told us. He was right, about the whole driving around in one car thing. The more search parties we have out, the easier it will be to find him. Shawn and I left the house as Cam called the driver. I'm just praying that we will find this kid.
Nicole's POV
I was watching Chopped for two hours or so. I'm not really sure why, though. It just made me hungrier and sadder. I went into the kitchen and tried to find something to eat when the doorbell rang. What if it's Patrick? I wondered eagerly and ran to the door. I opened it to find the last person I expected in the world.
"Cam?" I asked, confused.
"I heard about Patrick, and about Shawn, and I figured you might need someone to talk to or to be here for you," he offered. I smiled softly at him. It means a lot that he came just to comfort me and be a friend, and as much as I don't like to admit it to myself, I really need company right now. I can't do this alone. I opened the door wider and let him in. I returned to the couch and shut off the TV. When Cam came over, he sat some distance away from me and leaned his elbows on his legs, preparing to listen intently.
"I don't know if you knew or not, but my brother has severe autism. And he's been my best friend ever since I can remember. But when Shawn came into the picture and I fell head over heels in love with him, I guess I spent too much time with the boy next door instead of with the boy in my own home. My mom told me the last thing that he was telling her about was how he felt he was getting replaced. It's all my fault that he ran away. And if I ever want him back, I can't be with Shawn," I explained, my eyes filling with tears. "It's all my fault," I repeated, now sobbing into my hands. Cameron came over and wrapped his arms around me, brushing his fingers through my hair soothingly. He whispered "no it's not," and "it's not your fault, Nicki," over and over again to me. I was sobbing into his chest, which I was wishing was Shawn's, to be completely honest.
I felt bad when I lifted up my head to see tear stains all over Cam's shirt. He didn't seem upset though, in fact, he just sort of chuckled because of it. I smiled back at him, even though I probably looked awful with tears running down my face. I got up from the couch and went into the kitchen.
"Cam, would you eat mac and cheese if I made some?" I asked him. Since I was already starving, I was probably going to make it anyway, but I thought it'd be nice to ask.
"I could never say no to that," he replied, walking into the kitchen. I put it on the stove before sitting at the counter next to Cam. While the Mac and cheese was cooking, we scrolled through his Vine feed and I even made him go through some of his own. Even though Cam initially seemed like he wouldn't be a big part of my life, I'm beginning to realize that he's actually not a bad guy. He is funny, genuine, and he came to comfort me right when he heard I was in need of a friend.
When the food was done, we sat back on the couch and watched something random on TV. Cameron went up to go to the bathroom and the doorbell rang as I heard the bathroom door shut. I opened it to find Shawn standing with his guitar and some flowers for me, with Nash standing a little behind him. No words could be formed from my mouth, so I just listened to what he had to say. I should have been more open-minded, but Shawn is sort of the reason that Pat is gone and I need to get him out of my life if that's what it takes.
"Nicole, I know that things are hard for you right now. Nobody should ever have to go through what you are. And even if you don't want me to be your boyfriend, it doesn't mean that I don't still love you with everything in me," he told me. I stood in front of him and sighed. A flush echoed throughout the house and I remembered that Cam was here. He must have told them he was coming, though, right? He wouldn't do that to Shawn.
"Shawn, I still have feelings for you, too, but-" I began but Cameron came out and approached the door. Shawn's eyes went from sentimental to angry within a split second when he saw Cameron.
"What is he doing here?" Shawn asked, his fists clenching around the flowers and his jaw tightening. I didn't know what to do. Obviously Cam came here without Shawn knowing and there was something to be discussed between them. But shit, he probably thought I was cheating or something.
"Shawn, I can explain. Please just come in and sit down, we have-" I tried to calm him. He stormed past me, knocking into my shoulder with a little bit of force. Nash followed after him silently, stopping briefly to look at me disapprovingly. "He came here to listen to me rant and so I wouldn't be alone, Shawn! Please!" Shawn was ignoring every word I said as he threw his things on the ground. He grabbed Cameron by his shirt and pulled him closer to his body.
"You said you were going to look for her brother and you come here? That's low, Cam. Even for you," he spat in Cam's face. None of the words he was yelling really stuck in my mind. Even though Cam lied, it wasn't because he was trying to steal me from Shawn. At least, I hope not. He threw Cam lightly to the side and turned to face me. "I understand if we're done, Nicole, but having any guy over, let alone Cam, when I'm out searching for your brother is just as bad." His dark eyes were locked into mine, and I was scared of who he was right now. I understood his anger but I wished he would listen.
"Look, Shawn, he was there when I needed him to be. Like you said, I am going through a lot and when Cam knocked on the door, I let him stay because I didn't want to be alone!" I yelled back at him. Shawn froze a little bit and calmed himself down. "Where were you when I needed you?"
"I was there for you, Nicole. And you pushed me away," he replied, gradually building up his frustration. "I hope you guys are happy together," he finished and it hurt like hell. He grabbed the guitar and threw the fragmented flowers toward my grasp. He slammed the door and Nash looked as though he was processing what just happened. I fell to the floor and sobbed into my hands. Nash came over a put his hand lightly on my shoulder before following Shawn out the door. Cam stood a few feet from me, not really sure where he stood in the situation.
"You should go," I finally stated between sobs.
"Nicki, I-"
"Go, Cameron," I repeated, not wanting to here any more pleads and accusations tonight. He hesitated slightly before walking out of the door and leaving me to this house which felt lonelier than it ever has before.