Mr. Mendes | shawn mendes

forty-six.

"Jules, always a pleasure." John hummed, kissing my cheeks and giving me a friendly hug.

"This isn't a business meeting," I teased, grinning at him as we pulled back. "No need to kiss my ass."

"That's my job," Shawn smirked, giving John a hug before pulling my chair out for me.

I rolled my eyes at Shawn, slapping his shoulder playfully before sitting beside him, across from John.

We had driven out miles to have brunch a few towns over from Seattle; ensuring nobody would see the three of us.

"Tell me how it felt to see that bitch and her boyfriend go to jail." I looked at John, my chin resting on my palm.

"Fan-fucking-tastic." He nodded, grinning widely as a waitress came around, pouring him a glass of champagne.

Shawn and I declined; taking orange juice in our glasses instead.

"I'm officially a single man," Shawn muttered, kissing just below my ear.

I felt slightly shy around John, pushing Shawn away with a grin and pink cheeks.

"By the law, yes. By me, no." I hummed, sipping my orange juice.

"What's next for you, Jules?"

"Prom is in a few weeks," I spoke. "Graduation a month after that. I'm filling out little things for college."

"Duke, right?" He asked, raising a brow impressively.

"We're all proud of her." Shawn grinned, kissing my cheek gently before glancing at his menu.

"I can imagine; full ride, eh?"

I nodded, my cheeks hot before I glanced to my menu.

"Too much talk about me," I laughed, feeling anxious and worried that the truth about Chase kissing me would slip.

"What're you gonna do back in New York, John?"

[]

"Jules!"

Groaning quietly to myself, I closed my locker, coming face to face with Chase.

I'd been trying my hardest to avoid him, and luckily succeeding, but now, right before Shawn's class of all moments, he had me cornered.

"Hi," I mumbled, offering a small, forced smile as I looked up at him.

"Please don't ghost me again," he frowned, referring to the first time, after the party, I had ignored him.

"I'm not," I frowned back. "I just needed space."

"I'm really, really sorry, Jules. It was completely a mistake; I read the entire situation wrong."

"Chase, you're a sweet guy, but I'm-"

"You don't owe me any explanation, Jules. You don't like me; I understand and respect that one hundred percent."

My gaze scanned his face, taking in the sincere look and tone of his words, before sighing and nodding up at him.

"I believe you. I understand how you could've misunderstood the scenario."

Chase smiled shyly, opening his locker to grab his biology book before glancing back at me.

"Just friends, then."