Shawn Mendes

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"Thank you so much for this opportunity.", I tell Shawn the 100th time today, as he leads me into a huge studio with dark wooden floors and mirrors. A dance studio.

"Ah, that must be the amazing dancer you told me about.", a friendly looking man with slightly grey, short hair and laugh lines shook my hand with a smile. "It's so nice to finally meet you. Shawn said we needed you on our team, no matter the cost.", I turned red and looked at Shawn. "I'm already fine with having a place to go to when I'm bored and freedom to work.", I replied finally and the man nodded: "We promise to give you as much space and time as you need...", It seemed like he just remembered something, cause now he turned red: "I'm so sorry. I haven't even introduced myself. I'm Francois Michaud, a director. And those are my dancers. Did Shawn tell you what it's about already?"

I nodded. When he told me I was so happy, he trusted me with such a complicated task, but I also was really nervous about it. I mean, choreographing a music video isn't an every day job.

He prevented one of my mental breakdowns by ensuring me that before anything is filmed, 20 people at least give me their opinions and improvement suggestions. That kinda calmed my nerves.

"Alright. Then I guess we'll leave you to it. Do you need the dancers already?", Francois said.

I nodded. I'd like to meet them and check their skill level before going to work.

"Great. Then we'll talk business?", Francois turned to Shawn, who nodded, ensuringly touched my arm and then left with him through the door we came from.

Alright then, lets do this.

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"So, how was your day?", Shawn asked me while I took off my shoes.

"It was great. Thank you so much for doing this for me. It really means a lot.", I walked up to him, threw my arms around his neck and pressed my lips onto his cheek. He blushed when I looked at him, still having my arms around him, standing on my tiptoes.

"Actually, I did it kinda for myself as well. I want a good choreography for my video. Not something boring, but something original, something that has never been done before. And I just knew that you were the right one for the job.

Now hurry before the food gets cold. I made pasta"

I laughed and did as he said.

While we were eating, I asked him: "So, how do you want the video to be? I mean, 'Falling all in you' is a very personal, intimate song. I don't know how I should do a choreography with people who have no connection to it." I eyed him curiously, waiting for his reaction.

Truth was, I had an idea, but -remembering that he always said he couldn't dance- he was not gonna like it.

"Well, that's why I got you. I have no idea actually. I mean, the 'Nervous' music video was fun to shoot, but it was a fun song. This one is really emotional, you were right, it's going to be more complicated. I don't know how to do it either. Usually I have a director telling me what to do."

I put down my spoon: "If I tell you I have an idea, would you listen to it first and think about it, before you say no?"

I saw that he was worried now, but also curious. And he was very similar to me, characterwise. Eventually curiosity was gonna win and he's gonna listen.

And I was right. After about half a minute of looking at me warily he nodded.

"So, whenever I listen to the song, I see a female lead and a male lead- you, obviously.

You guys are dancing slowly through a room. Really feeling the moment. You know what I mean? It's hard to explain."

"Then show me.", He said plainly and stood up.

"Right now?", I didn't expect that reaction, at all. I thought he was gonna be embarassed and say no, or just doubting my abilities to do my job properly. But this. Alright then I guess.

He nodded and I grabbed his hand. He led me to the living room and turned on the stereo; a slow song I've never heard started playing and he pulled me closer. "You'll have to take the lead.", he joked. And I did. We danced around the room, arm in arm, slowly, then more energetically, then slow again. It was amazing. Feeling the song, feeling his touch, seeing him smiling down on me. In the end he spun me and caught me again gently in his arms, holding me so I wasn't gonna fall, his face being only inches away from mine, his hot breath on my face, his eyes glued to my lips. I've been waiting for this for what seems like forever, and this time I was ready. But again, something held me back. An inner voice. Telling me to stop before it's too late. Before I'm head over heels falling for him. So I turned my head at the last moment.

Disappointment filled us both when he kissed my cheek and then put me back in a standing position. "I don't understand you.", he said, before taking a step away from me. "First you say things like that, and then you won't let me kiss you. What do you want, Nathalie?"

I didn't know. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. I was clearly in love with him, and he with me. But I couldn't say it, even less show him.

So I simply asked: "What about your girlfriend" and immediately knew that the moment was ruined.

"Seriously, ", he ran his fingers through his hair, which fell into his face during our dance, "You really believe that she was anything compared to you?"

And he walked off into the kitchen, propably to finish his dinner.

But I wasn't hungry anymore.