Too Good to be True | Shawn Mendes

𝑜𝓃𝑒

It was almost 9.30 on a Friday night - the closing hour of the local bookstore your family owned.

(author's note: the bookstore looks like the one from YOU - don't worry this fic won't be anything like YOU at all, I promise!)

You glanced away from the clock and started to close up the store, making sure all window blinds were down and the cash register was locked. As you were about to pull down the blinds of the last window, you looked outside and saw the neighboring street empty with a few cars passing by and people making their way to their destination. Well, at least they have some place to be tonight you say to yourself as you proceeded to the counter. As you were about to lock the cash register, you dropped the key and watched it fall to the floor.

"Fuck, can I just have oNE day where I'm not dropping things?!" You curse loudly as you bent down to retrieve the damned key. As you knelt down, you heard a bell go off, indicating that a customer had entered.

"Hey, we're about to close in a few minutes!" You said after standing up, with the key held tightly between your fingers.

"Yeah, I'll just be here for a few seconds!" yelled the customer back, his voice distant between the bookshelves. You shake your head and waited behind the counter, as you weren't able to lock up the cash register in case the customer ended up buying something. A few seconds later, a tall, curly haired boy popped out of the bookshelves and made his way towards the counter with a book in his hand. He wore a denim jacket and had an Airpod in one ear, which you later saw was pierced. "Here you go!" he smiled as he placed the book on the counter, "Sorry to keep you waiting." You grab the book and began to scan it.

"Nah, you're good," you smiled back as you proceeded to put his purchased book in a plastic bag.

"Actually, I don't need a bag to go with it" he interrupted and took his AirPod out, "Saving the earth, you feel?" You laugh as you put the plastic bag away, "Okay, Mr. Global Participant, I see you!" He shrugs  and laughs with you. God, he has such a cute laugh "So, the total will be $4.99, it's actually $5.99, but because you didn't use a bag..." you paused for dramatic effect, "I decided to give to a discount."

"Sweet!" He reached for his wallet and pulled out the money, "Well, what do you know? I guess saving the Earth does pay off!" You giggle as you place the money in the register, locking it after. "It sure does." You reply back as you gave the book to him.

"So, uh" he says after the getting the book, "Do you have plans tonight?" You looked up at the clock across from you.

"Well, for starters," you replied as you turned around and turned off all the lights, "Closing down the bookstore since it's 9.30." You placed your bag over your shoulder and grabbed this mysterious stranger's arm, escorting him out of the bookstore. Before leaving, you looked back and made sure everything was turned off.

"See, I told you I'd be in there for a few minutes," the curly haired boy smirked.

"So you're a global participant aND you're punctual?" You scoffed as you locked the doors of the bookstore, "I must be a lucky girl!"

"I am a ladies' man after all!" He replied as you hit him playfully on the arm. "So, now that you've closed down the bookstore," he leaned on the door, "do you have anything else exciting planned on this Friday night?" he asked putting emphasis on the word 'exciting'.

You shook your head, "No, I sadly don't," you looked down at your feet and shrugged, "I mean, I was planning to go home, maybe order takeout, and catch up on The Flash until..."

"Until?" He cocked an eyebrow. You sighed and looked at his face - his perfect face that was illuminated the streetlight nearby. Wow, you thought to yourself, I wouldn't be surprised if his face was carved by the angels themselves.

"Until....you came along," you answered back. You watched him stand straight up, running his fingers through his hair - his hair of luscious, brown curls.

"Wow, I must've ruined your Friday night, huh?" You rolled your eyes and you both began to laugh.

"Yeah, if you put it that way!"

The laughing died down and comfortable silence filled the air. "Then, if it isn't too much," he later said, "Would you maybe want to grab dinner? You know, instead of  you having take out?"

Not only was this boy a responsible global participant and punctual, he also paid attention to what you said. You silently ticked the box in your head.

"Sure," you replied, "It'd be nice to have company." You really meant it, and you explained how you didn't really know anyone in Toronto, as you just arrived a few weeks ago from Thailand to spend the summer.

"It's settled!" He clapped his hands and rubbed them excitedly. "Are you in the mood for some Thai?" You nod in response and he started to lead the way.

"Wait!" Your sudden outburst stopped him in his tracks, causing him to look at you quizzically. "Isn't weird how we're just going to dinner without knowing each other's names first?" He tilted his head back and laughed.

"Jeez, where are my manners?" He extended his hand out for you to shake, "I'm Shawn Mendes!" You smiled and you shook his hand, "Nice to meet you, Shawn Mendes. I'm Giselle Reyes!"

You smiled to yourself, because it was just a few minutes ago where you thought this Friday night would be just like any other. But no, you were spending it with a boy who you just met, but already seemed to know you quite well and was everything you dreamed of.