The New Mendes

Chapter 24

"For the opening scene we're just going to have you two both singing as you walk on the treadmills, but make it as dramatic as possible. We're going to get your close ups here too." Ryan, the director, instructed us.

Shawn and I obeyed his orders and made our way to our treadmills and began walking on them while looking at one another, big stupid grins on our faces.

"It's going to be really hard for us to make it one minute into this without laughing." I stated, already giggling.

"I cannot take you seriously." Shawn agreed.

"Action!" Ryan shouted as our song played over the loud speakers for us to sing along with.

Shawn and I looked at each other trying to be as serious as possible. It took two takes and many laughs but we made it to the chorus.

"This is where the wind is going to come in as you sing the chorus, so be ready for a huge gust of wind to come your way." He warned us as the music started up again.

He wasn't kidding when he said it was a huge gust of wind. I stumbled backwards and fell straight on my butt, causing Shawn to start laughing hysterically.

"I promise I'll be ready for it this time." I laughed as I got up and brushed my jeans off.

"She's a klutz. I apologize for her." Kim added, causing me to give her a dirty look along with a giggle.

•••

The last scene we had to film was the raining scenes that were going to be throughout the video. Obviously we had to film these scenes last because our hair, makeup, and outfits are going to get ruined.

"Que the rain!" The director shouted as we continued to mouth the words to the song.

The rain came down hard, it was like a torrential down pour. Shawn and I remained singing very dramatically as our clothes were drenched.

"Here's the fun part." Ryan said as he lead us off the set and rain to a giant black box full of water.

"Just go in and have fun. Splash around and be dramatic."

Shawn and I looked at each other before running into the water, starting to kick water at one another like children laughing away before we had to get serious again.

This was the fun part.

•••

"The closing scene is where this gets frisky." Ryan announced as Shawn and I stood in the middle of the dark pool together.

"Frisky?" I questioned as I shot Kim, who was standing on the sidelines, a questioning look.

Shawn looked just as confused as me with his eyebrows furrowed and head tilted to one side.

"Yes. I need you two to finally reunite. Grab one another like your lives depend on it." He commanded us.

Shawn and I turned to face one another with uncomfortable body language. He wasn't even looking me in the eyes.

Why is this so awkward? It's just for the music video.

The music played and Shawn grabbed my waist and swooned me in closer to his body. I immediately responded by wrapping my arms around his neck as we stared at one another in the eyes.

"Pause! Don't move, this is perfect," he instructed us, "Elle, just now slowly move both hands up the back of his neck to his cheeks."

The music resumed as I brought my hands up his neck, through his soaked hair, and down his cheeks that had water droplets dripping down them. All as instructed, although the motioned seemed almost natural, strangely enough.

"Now both of you lean in, pause, then kiss."

Shawn and I looked at one another with uncertainty in our eyes, as if this was breaking some sort of unestablished boundary we had.

The music played; that's our que.

I leaned in first, then he met me the other half of the way. We stayed staring at one another. I've never looked so deep into his melted brown eyes. For a moment I even found myself getting lost in them.

"Kiss?!" The director shouted, confused on why we haven't.

He snapped me out of my trance and from the looks on Shawns face, he was snapped back to reality too.

He gave me a nervous glance before he leaned in, bringing a hand up to my face to hold me in place. Instinctively, I let my hands fall to his neck. Our lips moved in unison quickly.

"Cut!" Was called out, causing Shawn and I to jump away from one another.

I almost forgot we were even filming until Ryan shouted, snapping me back to reality.

That was really weird.

Shawn and I stood in the pool still, just staring at one another in confusion, as if we were both trying to puzzel together exactly what just happened. I played with my fingers from my nerves.

I never get nervous?

That feeling I just felt when I was kissing Shawn is a feeling I have never felt before. I don't understand what's going on.

"And that's a wrap everyone!" Kim announced as everyone cheered, except Shawn and I.

We both exited the pool and Andrew immediately brought us towels that we wrapped ourselves in. I didn't even realize how cold I was until now.

"This would be a cute photo." I said to Shawn, acting like whatever just happened didn't.

He nodded in agreement as he handed Andrew his phone to snap a picture of the two of us wrapped in our towels, drenched from head to toe.

"Let me see!" I said as I walked next to him, leaning over his shoulder to see his phone.

As I leaned over his tall figure our cheeks brushed up against one another, which has probably happened to us a thousand times. Just this time it was different. It was like there was a charge of energy between us, causing us to both freeze.

What is happening?