All The Strings Attached // spm // slow updates

[21] Tears

"Okay. Thanks for that... Maddie. I mean, I understand what you guys are saying, and I was planning on taking it slow with Shawn anyway but it was just hard not to in these past few weeks. I'll speak to Shawn about this so maybe it could get easier for all of us." I responded.

"Awesome. Thanks for listening to us. By the way, Harry's getting released tomorrow. The police say if he starts anything with you guys again, his parents will be told to bring him home."

"Oh. Alright. Thanks for telling me." I nodded my head.

"Okay, well there's lunch downstairs if you want some." She said as she began walking away.

"Thanks. I'll come down later. I'm not that hungry yet." I answered.

I Pondered about what Maddie just told me. She was right. Shawn and I should take it slow. I decided that I was going to talk to him about it tomorrow at school. I didn't need to see him today anyway.

And about Harry, I pitied him just the tiniest bit, because we still have known each other for a long time. But I guess he put it upon himself to get into jail.

-   -   -   -

The blinding light shone through my windows and I realized I fell asleep for so long. It was already 6:30 in the morning. 30 minutes earlier than my alarm for school. I guess I was more tired than I thought.

I figured that since I had a lot of time to spare, I could actually put a lot of effort into my appearance at school for once.

I made my bed and padded to the bathroom to begin getting ready. I took out my curling iron and opened my makeup drawers that I rarely ever used these days.

It took me about 30 minutes to put my hair in nice beach waves. Which left me 40 minutes to do my makeup which wouldn't take that long either.

My makeup for the day consisted of a neutral eyeshadow, a couple coats of mascara, some matte red lipstick, and finished it up by filling in my eyebrows. I didn't feel the need to conceal or use foundation, since my skin was clear of pimples or blemishes.

I finished just in time to eat breakfast. I was actually starving since I didn't eat anything at all yesterday. I ate a whole stack of pancakes plus bacon and eggs on the side. Then I left the house.

I shouted goodbye to Maddie and walked to Shawn's doorstep since he drove me to school.

Shawn was already waiting at the hood of his car when I made passed the fence in between our homes. He waved at me with a small smile, and I returned the gesture.

"How ya feeling today Mr. Mendes?" I asked.

"Great, actually. I learned the magic of makeup today. Aaliyah had to put stuff on my bruise. I think it was called concealer and then powder on top so you couldn't see it."

"Oh. Well now you know how I feel when I have a gigantic zit on my face." I joked.

He laughed along and we both stepped into the car and began the laugh filled trip to school. I realized I was gonna have to tell Shawn what my dad and Maddie talked about.

We got to school fifteen minutes early, so I took that opportunity to break the news to Shawn.

"Hey Shawn,"

"Yeah?"

"So, my dad and aunt were talking last night, and they both were thinking that we should take our time with dating and stuff like that. I think it's just better if we do that too, cause we're all still not over the Harry thing. Like. I know that you're a good guy, Shawn. But we just need to take it slow. And you know I like you a lot, so it's gonna be hard for the both of us." I explained.

"I completely understand. I guess that means I shouldn't sleep over every weekend anymore." He chuckled.

"Yeah I guess so. I mean you still could, but we shouldn't for a little while." I decided.

"Okay. I respect that. Thanks for telling me this Hailee. I'll do anything for you. I'd even wait a million years for you."

"Shawn stop that. I never knew you were such a sappy guy. Jeez, you're whipped." I teased.

"Shut up." He groaned as we both entered the school building.

-   -   -   -

At the end of the school day, I was looking for Shawn and I couldn't find him. I asked every person I passed by if they've seen him and mostly everyone said they don't know. Except for his friend Brian. He said he saw Shawn talking to a guy he's never seen before in the by the school field.

I immediately knew what guy he was talking about: Harry.

I ran as fast as I could to the field and the from the corner of my eye, I spotted Shawn laying on the ground looking lifeless even from afar. I sprinted over to his limp body and attempted to shake him awake.

"Shawn. Wake up. Please. You have to wake up." I repeated over and over, tears brimming my eyes.

His nose was bleeding and looked like it was broken. There were cuts on his face and the bruise from the night before opened up even worse than before.

I shakily took my phone out of my pocket and dialed 911.

"911 what's your emergency?"

"My friend, S-Shawn we're here in the field of my high school and he's all bloody and I'm just freaking out. I know my ex boyfriend did this to him he's unconscious. He has a broken nose too." I rambled.

"Okay ma'am. What's your name? The police and ambulances are coming to your location. "

"M-my name is Hailee Campbell and my friend's name is Shawn Mendes."

"Okay, Hailee I'll stay with you until the vehicles get there."

"O-okay. Thank you so much."

The last thing I remember was hearing the sirens from far away before I completely broke down in tears.

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Hi guys! Sorry I haven't updated In a while. I've actually been busy this summer. School starts back again in a few weeks, so I'm gonna try to be as active as possible. Also, I decided to remove Finn from the cast list, since I realized that I didn't know what to do with his character yet. (I am open to suggestions if any of you have any.)

Lastly, Thank you so so much for 3.1K views! I was freaking out so much when I saw. Ya'll are amazing. Thank you for giving your time to this sorta mediocre book of mine. I genuinely appreciate all of your support and love. Once again, thank you!