Broken Doll // Shawn Mendes

XV. Real Life

First of all, thank you all so much for getting this story to over 1K views! AH! I can't express how grateful I am for all of you, especially considering that this is my first social media story. Either way, thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Second and lastly, I'm sorry I didn't update on Monday. If you didn't see my post on my profile I was experiencing some muscle issues that came with intense pain so I completely forgot about my schedule. Thankfully that has passed so without further ado, here's the newest chapter!

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"Explain to me again why I have to wear a harness?" Shawn asked, adjusting the straps of said harness.

Coppélia snorted a laugh. "I'm teaching you a waltz and a waltz is nothing if you don't have good posture." She explained, coming over to help him. "This is meant to help with that. Especially with beginners." She smiled at him and he couldn't help but smile back. It was the day after she had shown him the Lost In Japan routine and they now had the studio to themselves for his first dance lesson.

He raised a teasing eyebrow.  "And why would I be learning a waltz?" 

She rolled her eyes and went to take off her shoes. "Because it is an easier dance to learn. And..." She blushed lightly. "After watching some interviews, I think I have the perfect dance for you to learn." He smiled as she went to plug in her music. "Let's see if you really are the super nerd you claim to be." He raised an eyebrow and she clicked a specific song.

He let out a laugh at the familiar music box-esque intro. She giggled at his reaction. "You, my little doll, know me too well." He told her, pointing at her.

She blushed lightly and stopped the music. "I've only known you for a month." She argued quietly.

"And yet it's like I've known you for years." He shot back. 

For a moment, they simply looked at each other, both realizing how true the statement was. Finally, Coppélia broke the gaze and cleared her throat. "Well, we'll start with a few basics and then I'll start teaching you the actual routine." She said. 

He nodded, smiling slightly. She came to stand in front of him, connecting her eyes with the warm brown ones she had been drawn to a month ago. She put her hands on his shoulders and lead him to straighten his back. "Like I said, a waltz is nothing without posture." She explained. He nodded, focusing on her working. She reached forward and took his hand. "Now I'm going to teach you the proper position. Stop me at any time." 

He nodded. "This hand goes..." She placed the hand on her upper back, freezing for a moment. She shook her head, blushing a bit and released his hand. "Mine goes on your shoulder." She gently placed her hand on his shoulder, laying her arm on top of his. "And then..." She took his free hand in hers and lifted it to the proper position. "Now... pull me a bit closer."

He did so and she sucked in a sharp breath. "Is this okay?" He asked.

She nodded. "Perfect." She all but whispered. "Now, we're gonna do a simple forward and side step. Just follow my lead." She took a step back and he followed the step, stepping forward. "Then you just flow right into the side step." He stepped to the side with her. "Good. Now, do the same thing just reversed. You step back, I step forward." They repeated the step as she said. 

"Am I doing this right?" He questioned.

She laughed a bit and nodded. "You're doing great. Next is a basic balance step." She stepped back from him, keeping his hands in hers. "Watch me and then repeat." He nodded. She stepped to one side and brought her other foot behind her, lifting herself slightly onto her toes before bringing the foot back and repeating the process in reverse.

Shawn slowly started to follow her footwork. Coppélia's smile grew as she watched him. "That's it! You're getting it!" He laughed a bit. She let out a small squeal when he suddenly twirled her and brought her against his chest, wrapping his arms around her waist. She laughed, throwing her head back onto his shoulder.

"I guess I got some moves of my own." He said quietly.

She looked at him with a small smirk. "I guess. Still better at guitar." He let out a laugh before growing silent. She also fell silent, once again connecting their eyes. Before he could talk himself out of it, he leaned down and captured her lips. She stiffened in shock before relaxing into his touch.

She turned so she could wrap her arms around his neck while he wrapped his around her waist, pulling her tightly against him. She could feel her toes curl from the sparks filling her blood. When air became necessary, he slowly pulled away and touched his forehead to hers. Coppélia finally got her barrings and took a small step back. Shawn latched onto her hands, a questioning look in his eyes.

She blinked a few times as if trying to process what had just happened. Suddenly, she turned and bolted out of the room. "Coppélia!" Shawn called but all he got was a slamming door in response.