just a crush

II

Tate ran through the crowd, her heart beating out of her chest as she grinned widely. She rushed to the platform Andrew had pointed out to her, showing the security guard her pass and climbing down the steps into the pit right in front of the stage.

Her eyes widened at how well she could see everything, her hands shaking slightly as she adjusted the settings on her camera, ensuring that everything was perfect for ShowTime.

Tate pulled out her phone, seeing that Shawn would be on stage in five minutes. She bit her lip as she remembered the events from earlier, she hadn't seen Shawn since. She thought about the look on his face as he realized that all of his photography would be in her hands – the confusion in his eyes as he looked over her. Tate hated that look – it was something she had grown accustomed to, but it was never pleasant to experience.

She gripped her camera tighter, bringing it up to her eyes and beginning to move around as she looked for the best possible angles. She smiled, she was going to take the best damn pictures that boy had seen in his life and prove to him that she deserved this job.

The lights began to flash, her smile widening as the entire stadium began to scream. Tate adjusted the lens for a second – her breath catching in her throat as she watched the gorgeous laughing boy run on stage.

She couldn't resist watching him for a second – almost forgetting what she was supposed to do – the smile on his face capturing her attention. She blinked, immediately straightening up, trying to snap the best possible shots of his entrance.

Tate felt shivers form all over her skin as he began strumming his guitar, the opening notes to 'There's nothing holding me back' filling the room. She couldn't resist lightly humming along as she moved about in the free space.

The songs seemed to change rapidly, the concert flying by in a whirlwind of emotions, stunning performances and endless clicks of her camera.

She was covered in sweat by the end of it, her feet hurting and throat sore – but she didn't mind it one bit, she enjoyed every second.

Watching Shawn get off the stage was a revolutionary experience for her, her heart pounding as she realized that this was now her reality. She would get to see him do this every night.

"Tate!" Andrew's excited shout snapped her out of er thoughts as he beckoned her closer. She tried to ignore the overwhelming shouts of the fans, mostly asking who she was and where Adam, the previous photographer, was.

"Hey," she smiled once she reached him.

"Such a thrill huh?" He asked, noticing the star-struck look on her face. She couldn't help but nod, her mind still reeling from the adrenaline of watching one of her idols perform.

"Come on backstage – I'd like it if you got a few pictures during the meet and greets."

Tate followed him through the dark passages, her fingers tightly wrapped around her camera, ears still pounding from the aftershock of being so close to the speakers.

"You can wait in here if you want," Andrew said, taking her into a large area where she recognized some of the crew setting up, "Shawn should be out in a half hour."

"Okay, thank you," she smiled, walking over to one of the couches where she saw Annie, Shawn's hairstylist, sitting.

"Hi," Tate sat next to her, her camera placed in her lap as she faced her with a smile, "Don't you look pretty," Annie winked, her eyes trailing over her form.

Tate blushed, averting her gaze, "I'm sweating like a pig."

She laughed loudly, "Perks of chasing Shawn."