SAFE PLACE...SHAWN MENDES

ten; just off

SHAWN MENDES
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It's been around a week, that, Serenity left my apartment in the morning, mad and sad. No messages, calls...nothing. She was just off. Everyday, I went to the library hoping to see her face glued to a new book. But, she never showed up.

I let out a groan while, I looked for a special book. Unfortunately, it was impossible to lay my hand on it. I turned my body around, hoping I would see Emily but she wasn't there either.

"Emily?" I called for her name, walking in the library. "Are you somewhere?"

"Here, hunny!" She replied, as, I walked to her. "How can I help you?"

I scratched the back of my neck. "Do you have The Notebook?" I queried. She glanced at me, a smirk on her face. "What?"

She shrugged. "You are reading Serenity's favorite books." She chuckled.

I rolled my eyes, following her around. "I just want to understand why she loves them so much..." I justified myself.

"If you say it." She answered. "You want to make her happy by reading her books. Don't lie to me." She added, handing me the book.

"I won't lie to you...I'm just, I don't know lost?" I mumbled, thanking her right after.

She sighed. "Honey, take your time with her. She's fragile."

"Yeah, she's different." I spoke

She shook her head. "She's precious, Shawn. Different isn't strong enough to describe her."

Shawn smiled softly, nodding. "I know, Emily."

"Do you know where she is? She hasn't been here for a week... And I'm a little worried." She admitted.

I hummed. "We had a silly fight, and, she ran away from my place and I didn't see her after."

She hummed, lightly. "Well, boy. I'm sorry, she'll come back."

"I hope." I muttered.

As the time passed, I couldn't help but worrying about Ren. She used to go out everyday, yet, I didn't see her at all. A frustrated sigh escaped my lips as I ran my hand through my hair.

"Emily! I'm taking the book, I'll probably give it back to you in a week or so." I told her, hugging her. "See you later and take care!"

"Bye, Shawn!" She waved at me making my heart melts.

Without thinking I walked to Ren's place. The streets were empty due to the snowstorm coming in our way, I tightened the scarf around my neck and pressed the button.

"Hello?" I heard her mellow voice as she spoke.

I blew hair in my hands. "It's Shawn, could you open please?"

She sighed. "Why would I do that?"

"I don't know but I'm freezing and, a snowstorm is coming..." I explained. "Just open, please..." I begged, waiting to hear the buzz.

"Okay..."

Few minutes later, I was in front of her door. I fixed my hair and knocked. Her face appeared after seconds, she opened the door wide before turning around. She put her hair in a ponytail and sat down, on the couch.

I cleared my throat. "Hey." I said

"Mmh. How can I help you?" She queried, looking away.

I scratched the back of my neck. "I want to apologize..."

She arched an eyebrow. "For what? For being rude?"

"I wasn't rude, okay? I was being rational and honest which is my personality, Ren!" I explained, she hummed. "You are being childish right now."

"Am I?" She laughed dryly. "You are the childish one!" She argues back.

"Oh, really? Then what the fuck am I doing here? I'm here to apologize so listen to me!" I rubbed the palms of my hands on my jeans, and, looked up.

She cleared her throat. "You are right, I'm sorry. Go ahead."

"Cool, um, so first I'm sorry." I spoke as she giggled. "What I wanted to say is that I love spending time with you, I love having our own parties with only wine and old music, I absolutely adore reading books by your side." I smiled sweetly.

"I like your apologies." She answered. "I'm sorry for acting like this, I just didn't know how to react about everything and coming to you wasn't the best idea." She talked, quietly. "I didn't have the time to think about it, and, I immediately ran to you." She admitted, blushing.

I nodded. "Maybe, it wasn't the best option."

She stood up, went to her kitchen and came back with two glasses full of wine. "Here." She handed me the glass, as I thanked her with a grin.

"Why?" I queried.

She shrugged. "Sign that I accept your apologies, and, you can accept mine." She laughed.

I took a sip before humming. "That wine is good, I'm accepting your apologies." I chuckled.

"Come sit next to me! You could stay tonight? The weather is pretty bad tonight." She stated.

My eyes derived to the big window, seeing some snowflakes falling down. My smile grew wider as I nodded, making her understand that I was staying.

"Christmas is coming." I shrieked. "I'm so excited."

She clapped her hands together, as I sat down next to her. "Right! Me too! I love Christmas." She squealed, making me laugh. "I can't wait. Plus, we are in New York!"

"We are! We should go outside for New Year's eve." I proposed. "If you want to."

"I would love to! We could walk around then go to Times square." She answered back. "It's going to be perfect."

Her head fell on my shoulder, while we watched a random movie. I couldn't help but smile at her sight. My feelings kept growing stronger for her, days after days.

"Oh, by the way, I'm reading The Notebook." I whispered.

"Really?" She uttered.

I hummed. "Yeah, I went to the library everyday because I thought I would see you but I didn't."

"Sorry." She whispered, doing circles on my hand. "I should have come and—"

I shushed her. "Don't apologize, it's okay."