Quixotic [S.M]

chapter 1 [a.s]

january 15th, 2019
aurora sallow

"Hi Connorrrr, how are you?" I ask, drawing out the R in Connor's name.

"Hey Rora! I've been good. Going out filming and snapping photos as usual," Connor chatted happily, "what about you?"

"Things could be going better, but I'm doing alright. Hanging in there like always." I said, a small frown lacing my words. My career path has felt bumpy and ambiguous, since I'd gotten fired from my previous job near the end of last year. Of course, Connor knew instantly something was wrong about the tone I'd replied in. We've known each other for a good while now, our friendship rounding to about 4 years now.

Concern floating through his words, Connor responded, "Rora, I can practically hear the lack of soul in your voice. What's really running through your mind lately?"

I let out a light sigh before asking, "Has Shawn's management contacted you lately about signing me? I'm just anxious, you know what happened with my last job. I need to know if I should start sending my portfolio to other agencies." The man in question is the one and only Shawn Mendes, the singer songwriter that had hired Connor to produce some photos and take films. I presented my portfolio to his management about three weeks ago, when I'd gone in for an interview. The day you went in already felt months ago, possibly due to the new year coming right between when you had been interviewed and now.

"Are you really still worrying about that? Aurora, his manager let me take a look at the other interviewees work. Everything will be fine. Besides, you have the most experience and the most impressive collection by far." Connor says, wanting you to understand that you have the most in favor for yourself of all the other possible creatives. He adores your work, he believes wholeheartedly that you'll be contacted by Shawn's management team soon.

"Of course I'm still worried! It's all I can think about lately. His management just didn't seem interested. Why would they want a new addition on the team, if they already have you?" I ask. Connor has been doing well on Shawn's team, producing beautiful films and tagging along through the singer's most recent tour throughout 2018. Connor even left his finals at UCLA behind for a moment, to travel the world and explore his passion. I remember the prideful feeling to hear that he'd been hired, when we chatted for hours on end afterwards.

"I promise you've got nothing to worry about. Do you want me to ask Shawn about it? I could try to slip in some good word for you when I text him asking about an upcoming meeting for tour."

"That would help for sure. What would I do without you?" I ponder out loud, fiddling with a pencil sitting I left on my desk earlier today.

"Hmmm, how about lay on your bed all day?" Connor joked, "I'll mention some of your work to Shawn soon, I promise." He'd always been by your side, best friend since the summer before your UCLA experience. You did the same for him, supporting his development and career.

"Thanks C. Let's talk about something else now, I'm getting tired weighing my chances every second of the day. Any upcoming projects? Maybe even a new love life...?" I tease Connor, knowing he hadn't really been putting himself out there since his late high school years. It came up about a year into your friendship, curiosity getting the best of you. He could easily get me back, my own love life seemingly dull at the moment. You dated a few, but none really stuck with you.

"If, I hypothetically had a lover, you would already have figured out by now. We talk pretty much every few days, if not everyday. I don't think I can even ask a girl anymore at this point, it's been so long since I dated anybody. You have your eyes on someone, Sallow?" Connor stated dramatically. You could only imagine him putting his hand over his chest, feigning sadness, after confessing he'd not been seeing anyone. The thought made you laugh, "Definitely not. I wish though, but I just haven't seen anyone around town."

The both of you keep the conversation going until you feel a little drowsy, only to look over to the clock in your studio room that reads 11:17 PM. "Connor, I think I'll have to call you back sometime this weekend. It's getting late, and I still need to clean up before I head to bed," I say after Connor answers your previous question on his experience while on tour. "Oh! Sorry Rora, I completely forgot about the time change between LA and New York. I'll get back to editing some photos then. Goodnight, sleep well Aurora. I'll talk to Shawn tomorrow morning, okay?" Connor replies, remembering you'd gone home for the new year to visit your parents and childhood friends that stayed back in New York. 

"Goodnight, talk to you later." I manage to mutter, before ending the call when Connor responds with a quiet 'see ya.' I sit there for a couple more minutes, imagining what it would be like to expand your experiences and travel the world, all while getting to fulfill your passion. Not to mention, for a popular and well-loved pop singer.

Eventually though, I muster up enough energy to pop out of my chair and wander across the small apartment to the bathroom that's connected to my bedroom.  Getting a glance in the mirror, I see tired eyes and messy hair in my own reflection. I didn't do much work today, just emailed with a few of my past clients and sorted through the photos I'd taken earlier this week.

After finishing the long awaited shower and taking care of personal hygiene, I wrap up in a white towel and cross the doorway that leads into the quaint, cozy bedroom. The bed is inviting with my cream colored comforter and multiple pillows sprawled across the surface. I pull on a large tee and a pair of silk shorts before throwing my pillows back against the headboard.  Out of habit, I check my Instagram account seeing a few notifications in my dms. I plug in my phone and pull my sheets over my shoulder, slipping into a comfortable sleep.

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A quick author's note: For the sake of this story's timeline, I'm adding a fictional tour between the Illuminate tour and Shawn Mendes the Tour. This fictional tour is one that Connor was hired for, and became tight with the crew on. I know I mentioned Connor's finals and I'm not entirely sure on the details of his finals or his UCLA experience, but I'll try to clarify this further in the story, fictionally or not fictionally. Enjoy!