Maria smiled into the camera. "Hi. I'm Maria Peters. I'm a kidnap and sexual assault survivor advocate and musician. But I'm best well known for being the guitarist and girlfriend to Shawn Mendes." A picture of her and Shawn was shown. "I'm joining Dancing with the Stars because music has always been my sort of therapy and I think dancing will just add another layer to what amazing things music has already done for me."
She was shown in the rehearsal room and Alan came through the door. "No way!" He cheered. She squealed and they met in the middle of the room in a hug. Alan smiled into the camera. "My partner is Maria Peters! This girl is half of one of the best Hollywood love stories of all time! Ah! I'm so excited!"
Maria clapped excitedly as they sat down. "I am so excited you're my partner! You're one of my favorite pros!"
Alan smiled thankfully, a blush coating his cheeks. "So first of all, any injuries I should know about before going into rehearsals?"
Maria cleared her throat. "Well, I don't know if you know this but I was kidnapped right after my birth and held there for 14 years." He nodded solemnly. Maria's eyes glittered with tears. "During that time, I was sexually assaulted and... raped repeatedly. I've gotten better but there will be times where I flinch at a touch or have an episode." She reached forward and gently touched his hands. "Just know that it is not your fault and it's nothing you can prevent. It's just... I'm still a work in progress."
Clips of their rehearsals played over Alan's interview, "To know that she went through the kind of torture and hell that she has, it's become even more amazing that she trusts me to be her partner. Especially with how touchy-feely some of these dances can get, she has a strength beyond compare and I'm so honored I get to be the one to teach her."
It cut to a shot of Maria in the interview chair. "Alan, even in this first week has just been incredible. He's patient and fun. He is probably the best partner I could've gotten. We're gonna win this." It showed a shot of her high-fiving Alan then showing the camera a thumbs up.
The video package ended and the lights went down. The lights began to pulse with the beat of an all too familiar song before coming up to show Alan standing on the step above Maria. She wore a spaghetti strap latin ballroom dress covered in fringe that started silver but melted to black at the hem. They started moving in simple but sharp motions with the song.
1, 2,3, 4
Whoa, oh oh oh oh whoa oh oh oh oh oh oh
Whoa oh oh oh oh whoa oh oh oh oh oh oh
Maria couldn't help the blinding smile on her face while she strutted down the stairs to be pulled back by Alan into an upbeat cha-cha.
Play the lotto you might win it
It's like 25 for life so you bust out of prison
Something's in the air, something's in the air
It's like that feeling when you're just about to kill it
Take your last shot you know you're gonna hit it
Somethings in the air, somethings in the air
The judges and audience watched in rapt attention as Maria and Alan danced and twisted in almost effortless and expert steps. Maria was a natural on the dance floor. The cameras caught a shot of Shawn and her mothers watching with bright smiles on their faces.
Whoa oh oh oh oh
Something big I feel it happening
Out of my control
Pushing and pulling and it's grabbing me
Feel it in my bones like
The audience applauded when Alan began performing lifts and specialized dips with Maria in time to the music. Maria could feel her heart race with every lift but trusted Alan to catch her every time. Which he obviously did because he's... well... a pro.
Whoa oh oh oh oh whoa oh oh oh oh oh oh
Whoa oh oh oh oh whoa
Something big I feel it happening
Oh whoa oh oh oh whoa oh oh oh oh oh oh
Whoa oh oh oh oh oh whoa
Something big
Maria and Alan struck their final pose and the audience went wild. Maria's smile grew and she threw her arms around Alan'sneck in a hug. He eagerly responded as Shawn and her mothers started a standing ovation for them. Alan kept an arm around her waist and led her over to the judges' table. She blew a kiss to Shawn before turning to Tom.
"Okay, I know that musicians can feel the music but that was something else." He commented. Maria and Alan laughed with the audience. "How was that for you, Maria?" He held the mic to her.
"Oh my God, that was just... oh my God." She breathed. The audience laughed a bit. "I don't think I can describe that dance. I've been on stage performing before but that was a whole new level."
"Well let's hope the judges saw that." Tom said. "Carrie Ann, why don't we start with you?"
"I think I'm with you on that girly." Carrie Ann said. "That was one of the most energetic first dances I have ever seen." Maria smiled in thanks. "There's still some technique issues you need to address but for the first week, that was incredible." Alan pulled her tighter against him.
They turned to Len. "Well it was definitely energetic and I absolutely love the spirit I see in you." Maria smiled brightly and patted Alan on the chest. It wasn't every day a contestant got a good comment from Len. "However I saw a fair bit of hesitation in your steps and movements. That's normal for the first week but I'd like to see you lose that sooner rather than later in this competition."
Maria nodded and they turned to Bruno. "You sparkled like a shooting star, darling!" Alan and Maria smiled and laughed.
"Actually," Maria pulled back her curls and showed the shooting star ear cuff on her left ear. "Thanks for that, Aaliyah!" She waved to the camera, blowing a kiss to Shawn's sister who she was sure was watching.
Alan kissed her temple and they turned back to Bruno. "That's just evidence of what I was saying." He continued. "But I do have to agree with Len and saw the hesitation has to be reigned in now before it ruins your chances. You have the moves and steps. Trust your partner and yourself."
She nodded with a smile. "Well, head up to the skybox and let's get your scores." Tom told them.
Alan took Maria's hand and they jogged up to the skybox to meet Erin and the other two pairs that performed. "I think I have to side with you, Maria and say that was something else!" Erin gushed when they came. Maria smiled in thanks. "Now, who is this Aaliyah?"
"Shawn's sister." Maria answered. "She gave me the ear cuff I'm wearing and I know she's watching along with Shawn's family." She pointed at the camera and waved a bit.
"Well let's not have them wait any longer. Let's get those scores." Erin pointed to the screen where they saw the judges.
Carrie Ann Inaba. "8!"
Len Goodman. "7!"
Bruno Tonioli. "7!"
Maria let out a cheer and threw her arms around Alan. Their 22 was the highest score of the night so far. She couldn't believe it. She looked back to the audience and saw Shawn and her moms cheering loudly for her. I'll make you proud, guys. I'll win this for you. She promised herself.
YOU ARE READING
Your Song (Shawn Mendes)
FanficAfter his lead guitarist has to leave a week before his Illuminate World Tour is set to start, Shawn and his team scramble to find a suitable replacement. They come up empty-handed at every turn until his sister shows him a volunteer TA at his old h...
