April 20th, about a week after my birthday. I was in the bathroom of the wedding venue, getting my bridesmaid dress on. I zipped up the zipper on the back then looked at myself in the full-length mirror that was hung up on the wall. After being tailored, the dusty blue dress fit perfectly on me.

I walked out of the bathroom, going to the bridal room where Isabella, Elena, and the rest of the bridesmaids were. Someone looked at the clock and said, "Five minutes!"

I walked up to Bella, smiling at her. "You look beautiful. Like a princess"

"Thank you baby cousin" She pulled me in for a hug. "I'm kind of nervous"

I pulled away from the hug, giving her a wide-eyed look. "Um. Bella, don't get cold feet now"

"No. You're right. There's nothing to be worried about. It's just that" She paused. "This is the man that I'm going to be with for the rest of my life. What if he isn't the one?"

I grabbed both of my hands in hers. "Bella. How does Elijah make you feel?"

"Well, I love him. A lot. More than I've ever loved anyone in my life. He makes me the happiest person alive. Whenever he has to go somewhere without me, I feel lonely. Like he took a piece of my heart with him"

I smiled at her answer. "See. There's absolutely nothing to be worried about"

The first couple of bridesmaids went down the aisle and then it was my turn. I went out of the building and down the aisle. Since the wedding was on the beach, I was worried that they would make us walk in the sand with heels on but they put some type of flooring so that wasn't an issue. I walked, a bouquet of blue and white flowers in hand, as I scanned the people who were sitting down, mostly all of them smiling at me. I got to the front, standing next to Elena who went up before me.

I looked at all the people, looking for one person only. It took me awhile but I found him. Sitting on the right side, three aisles back next to my mom, Shawn was smiling at me and I smiled back at him.

"You look gorgeous" He mouthed to me.

"Not so bad yourself, handsome" I mouthed back. He was wearing a regular black tux with a matching black tie.

I stood near the alter as the ceremony commenced. Bella walked down the aisle in her stunning dress and got married to the love of her life. Throughout the whole thing, I could feel Shawn's eyes on me and every time I would look at him, he would have the softest grin on his face.

The groom kissed his bride and the reception was brought to the other side of the beach. It was sunset now and all the guests went to their tables to grab a bite to eat, some went immediately to the dance floor where a DJ was playing music. Shawn and I were sitting at a table with my parents, Elena, Josh, and Layla.

"Okay everyone" I looked up at Isabella with a microphone in her hand. "I would like all of the ladies to come to the center of the dance floor where I will be doing the throwing of the bouquet"

Many women stood up and started to gather around Bella. I continued to eat my pasta, watching them. Elena, sitting to the right of me, nudged my arm with my elbow. "Go up there. You have a man now"

I looked at her then to Shawn. He raised his eyebrows. "What does all this mean exactly?"

"Hurry Alana. Go before she throws it!" I was frantically pushed out of my seat by Elena and I walked to the back of the crowd, irritated that I was disrupted from my meal.

I watched as Elena explained everything to Shawn. Basically, in our family, the throwing of the bouquet means that whoever catches it is the next to get married. And every single time, it truly does happen.

I watched as Bella turned around and threw the bouquet of flowers. Many of the women were jumping for it but I watched as it went straight for me who was all the way in the back. If I didn't put out my hands, it would have fell to the ground so, I caught it.

Everyone around me started cheering and screaming as I went back to the table. I turned towards Shawn and he was smiling, the largest grin I've ever seen was on his face. "So" He began. "I guess we're next in line to get married, eh?"

I chuckled, grinning. "Yeah. I guess so"

--------

I was sitting at a business-like table, waiting for the people of Island Records to arrive for the meeting. The Island Records headquarters is in New York but they decided to have the meeting here in Canada. I was waiting with Andrew, to the right of me, at the middle of the table. Alana was back in California and this was the first time in months being separated.

I turned towards Andrew. "Gerty, did they tell you what they wanted to talk about?"

He looked at me, shrugging his shoulders. "No clue"

We waited for a good five minutes until a group of men in black suits came in, sitting down at the seats across from me. "Shawn Mendes" The guy who sat in front of me, the record label's president, said, reaching his hand so I could shake it.

"Hi. How's it going?"

"It's going well" He looked at everyone else at the table. "Are we ready to get this meeting started?"

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. "Alright. So. Mr. Mendes. We called you in today to talk about your publicity in the media and how that's affecting your record sales"

I looked over at him, confused. "Oh. I'm sorry. Did I do something wrong?"

"No. Not at all. It's just that. We noticed that when you are seen publicly with a more well-known person, your sales and media coverage tend to incline"

"So what you're saying is that I should spend more time with famous people?"

"Well, kinda. We actually thought of a plan. You're good friends with Camila Cabello, yes?"

"Right" I said slowly, trying to see where he's getting at.

"We talked with her people and they have the same problem. So, we were thinking that maybe, you guys can go out together, be seen together, whatnot"

I thought about it for a second, still a little confused. "As friends right?"

"It'd be preferred to make it look as if you're more than friends. It'll definitely catch the attention of the media. And the fans"

"So. We're basically lying to them? That goes against my beliefs on being honest with them. What about my girlfriend?" I said, a little frustrated.

"Right. Your girlfriend. Alana, right? You met her at a concert"

"Mhm" I nodded.

"To make everything seem real, she cannot know about this"

"So. You want it to look as if I'm cheating on her?" My eyebrows rose, my heart dropping.

"Perfect. It'll make people more interested in the news"

I looked at him as if he were kidding. "You're being serious? You're going to make me look like a cheater and ruin my relationship?!"

"Calm down, Mendes. The fans won't know that you cheated. They're going to think you two just broke up"

"And if I don't follow along with this plan?"

"You lose your record deal. Andrew loses his job here. Everything you've worked for" He snapped his fingers. "Poof. Gone"

I looked at the man then to Andrew. Andrew spoke up. "Are you sure there isn't another way to solve this?"

"We've thought about many strategies and this is the one that will catch the people's eyes the most"

I looked at him, hope in my eyes. "Please. There needs to be another way"

"What would you rather have? A girl you've known for about a year? Or your career that you have worked so hard for?"

I put my hand through my hair, bringing them to my eyes and rubbing them. "Alright" Andrew said. "Shawn and I will talk about it and we'll call you"

The man signaled to the rest of the people that the meeting was over. "I hope you choose wisely. Let me know as soon as possible" They all went out of the room in an orderly fashion.

Andrew turned towards me, speaking up. "Shawn. I'm so so sorry"

I looked over at him, a sad smile on my face. "It's not your fault. Why would they do this?"

"I have no idea. Ever since Island got a new president, everything seems to be more strict and demanding. If you don't go with the plan, our careers will literally be ended"

I looked at him knowing that there was only one way to deal with this. "Then that's it. We have to go with it" I took a deep breath, taking a swig of the water next to me.

"Are you sure? What about Alana?"

"Andrew. I really don't want to hurt her. I love her way too much but our careers are on the line and I don't want to risk you losing your connections with Island."

"I know you do and I'm grateful for you. Which is why something like this is so difficult. And the fact that you aren't allowed to tell her about it makes it even worse. But let me tell you one thing. Once this all blows over, if you two truly love each other, you will find your way back to one another"

"Yeah. You're right. It's just hard because things are going so great for us right now. I don't want her to think that I used her, you know?"

"I get it. My advice is to spend tonight talking to her and then tomorrow, we'll deal with everything. Sounds good?"

I nodded my head. "Yup. Thanks Andrew"

"No. Thank you, Shawn" We go up, walking out of the room, heading our separate ways.

----------

I walked into my condo, going up the stairs, and laid down on my bed, over the dark grey comforters. I pressed the button on my wall that automatically opened the curtains to allow sunlight to come into the room.

I pulled out my phone from my pocket, turning it on. My lock screen wallpaper was a picture of Alana on our first date in Oakland. She was sitting down at the table, a plate of pasta in front of her, and she was staring down at it with a delighted look on her face. I smiled at the memory then unlocked the phone and dialed her number. After a couple of rings, she answered and I brought the phone to my ear.

"Hello? Love?" Alana said, her voice melting my heart.

"Hi, honey. How's everything?"

"Everything's great! How was your meeting"

"It could have went better"

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. Don't worry, things will get better!"

I smiled at the positivity she was expressing. "I love you so much, Alana"

"I love you more" By the way she said this, I could tell she was smiling.

"No. You need to listen to me. I love you so much that it hurts. Never forget that, okay?"

"Of course. I love you too" She paused then continued. "Love? Is everything alright over there?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"I don't know. I just sense that something's wrong"

"No. It'll be fine. I just really miss you"

"I know, love. I miss you too. Now that you're done with your meeting, do you think you'll be able to come here?"

My heart shattered a little, knowing that she wouldn't want me to be there after everything that was about to happen. "We'll see, honey. I think I still have a couple more things to do here"

"Oh. Alright. Well, I have to go. Elle is taking me out to dinner tonight"

"Have fun! Tell Elle I said hi"

"I will! I love you, Shawn Peter Raul Mendes"

"I love you more, Alana Rose Sinclair" I hung up the phone, throwing it to the middle of the bed, taking a pillow and screamed into it. Why does this need to happen to me?