Shawn Mendes Imagines

Start of Something New

"Why can't we just stay in tonight?" I huff as I watch Y/F/N do her makeup in my bedroom mirror.
"Because it's New Year's Eye, Y/N! We're only young once. Besides, there'll only be like 20 people there." Her reflection sticks her tongue out at me.
I sigh again, knowing there's no way I'm getting out of this, knowing she's right. "Fineeeeee." Brian, this guy from her university that she's been seeing for the last two months, is throwing a party tonight with a few of his friends and invited us along.
"Atta girl! Now put this on and finish your makeup or we're gonna be late!" She throws my favourite red dress at me and goes back to curling her eyelashes.
Tonight better be worth getting out of my pyjamas for, that's all I'm saying.

- - - - -

"Who's gonna be here again?" I ask, as she knocks on the door of the house. I fiddle with the hem of my dress nervously, as the noise inside gets louder.
"Just Brian, his best friend Shawn and a few of his other friends, you know some of them already so you'll be fine, don't worry. They're all sweethearts."
"Okay." I plaster a smile on my face as we hear footsteps approaching.

"Y/F/N! I was starting to think you weren't coming," Brian grins, pulling us inside. "Nice to see you again, Y/N." He adds, ruffling my hair.
"Likewise." I playfully shove him as we all laugh, following Brian into what must be the sitting room.
There's about eight people inside, sprawled around on beanbags and couches. I notice two girls in the corner, staring at us when we enter. At least we're not the only girls here. Everyone else must be in the kitchen, judging by the sounds coming from there.

"Drinks?" Brian asks, drawing my attention back to him.
"Vodka and Coke please, baby." Y/F/N smiles, kissing him on the cheek before flopping onto a nearby beanbag.
"Just orange juice thanks. Designated driver." I explain, pulling a face. To tell the truth, I didn't really mind. Alcohol wasn't my thing.
"Ah. Orange juice it is." He winks and walks into the kitchen, leaving me to sit next to Y/F/N on the floor, my back to the door. It doesn't surprise me to see that she's already in the middle of a conversation with the person next to her, which happens to be someone I actually know, thank god. Matt has been a friend of mine ever since we were first introduced a few months ago.

"What's up, Y/N," he grins as we do our handshake.
"Nothing much. What are you talking about?" I ask, indicating their conversation.
"Just how-" Y/F/N begins before she's interrupted.
"Shawn, c'mere," Matt suddenly shouts, making me jump. He waves at someone coming out of the kitchen, but I don't see who until I feel a person sit down next to me on the beanbag and I glance over. I don't know who he is but he's gorgeous. His face is smooth and chiselled, his jawline sharp enough to cut glass. His long, brown curls hang slightly over his olive green eyes, causing him to push them back every so often. I catch myself quickly, looking away before he notices I'm staring.
"Hey, man. What's up?" He nods at Y/F/N and I, clearly having no idea who we are.
"Y/F/N," Y/F/N introduces herself, holding her hand out for him to shake. "I'm Brian's girlfriend."
"Ah, so you're the one he won't stop talking about." Shawn grins. "Nice to finally meet you. And you are?" He turns to me, his eyes piercing mine.
"Y/N. I'm here with Y/F/N." I fiddle with my hands in my lap.
"Beautiful name for a beautiful girl," He whispers under his breath, obviously only meaning for him to hear it.
I blush heavily and hide behind my hair, accidentally catching Y/F/N's eye. What? I mouth.
She just shakes her head and looks away, smiling.

"Did you get the bandage off yet?" Matt suddenly asks, stretching his leg out to kick Shawn's ankle.
"Yeah, you said you'd show me as soon as you did,". Brian adds, falling into Y/F/N's lap and causing her to shriek, pushing him off. He hands us our drinks before wrapping his arm around her.
I look at Shawn, confused. Was he hurt?
"Yep. Got it off two days ago." He holds his arm out and I notice the ink for the first time. A beautiful drawing of a bird is tattooed on his right hand.
"That's so cool." Everyone leans forward, trying to get a better look.
"What is it? I know it's bird - stop looking at me like that Brian - but what type?" Matt asks.
"A swallow." Shawn laughs, retracting his hand and resting it next to mine on the floor. I blush again, hoping he doesn't notice.
"I'm not even going to ask the meaning this time. Tell me tomorrow, when I'm less drunk." Matt says, standing up and doing that weird handshake-hug thing boys do with Shawn.
"I'll hold you to that," he smirks, causing Matt to roll his eyes and walk away.
"C'mon Y/F/N, I wanna introduce you to some people," Brian says, offering his hand to her as he stands up.
"Back in a minute." She bends down to whisper something in my ear. "Talk to Shawn."
I look at her, confused, but she just winks and grabs Brian's outstretched hand, walking away.

"So..." I say, awkwardly, looking anywhere but his eyes.
"So..."
"May I?" I ask shyly, nodding at his hand. He nods, lifting it up for me to see. I reach out, gently tracing the swallow with my fingertip. I feel him freeze at first, but he relaxes again quickly. "It's beautiful," I breathe.
"Thank you. Want to know what it means?" He asks.
I nod, finally meeting his gaze.
"It means, more or less, that no matter how far I travel from home, I'll always find my way back. Kinda like the tattoos the sailors used to get."
"I like that," I smile, squeezing his hand before letting it go.
He smiles back at me and we fall into silence, but this time it's not as tense as before.

After a few minutes, Shawn takes his phone out and  puts his earphones in, blocking me out. For some reason, I'm hurt. I turn slightly to the side, watching everyone else in the room as they talk and laugh. I notice the girls who were in the corner have moved to the laps of two guys I don't know, yet they still seem to be staring at me.

Suddenly I feel a someone right beside me, their shoulder touching mine. I look up, immediately finding eyes that are quickly becoming familiar looking at me.
Shawn takes out an earphone and offers it to me. "Want to share?" A soft smile adorns his lips.
I smile back and take it. "Thank you."
We both settle back into the beanbag, our arms still touching as an unfamiliar song plays. It's slow and tells a story of love, and I find myself relaxing.
Just as my eyes start to drift closed, I feel him take my hand in his and I smile, intertwining our fingers.

Too soon our little bubble is burst as we hear everyone start to countdown to the new year. I quickly take out the earphone, sitting up to see can I spot Y/F/N. I immediately notice her on the couch nearest to me with Brian and relax. I don't want to celebrate the new year without her.

"10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1," everyone chants in unison, watching the countdown on the TV. "HAPPY NEW YEAR!" Everyone cheers and streamers blow, excitement filling the air. Couples kiss and friends hug.
"Happy New Year, Y/N," Shawn shouts over the noise, pressing his soft lips against my cheek.
For the third time that night, I blush heavily. "Happy New Year, Shawn." He grins and squeezes my hand.
We both get up and join the group, parting as we rush to find out friends. I throw myself at Y/F/N, hugging her hard.

The rest of the night is filled with laughter and music, fuelled by alcohol and adrenaline. I catch Shawn's eye too much for it to have been an accident and I can't keep the grin off my face. I can't help but feel that this year will be the start of something amazing.

- - - - - -

Hey guys! I meant to have this out before New Year but let's be honest, when have I ever been on time. I hope you enjoyed this and I hope you all have the most amazing 2020 ever!!!!!!!!
Thanks for reading xxx