Shawn Mendes

First chat

The Culinary Arts building is unusually quiet for a Wednesday afternoon. The semester’s biggest midterm project has finally arrived—a large-scale dinner event requiring students to design an entire dining experience from scratch. Most students finished presenting their partnerships earlier this week. Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts and several last-minute changes, only two students remain unpaired. You and Shawn Mendes. The professor glances at a clipboard before looking toward the two highest-ranked students in the class. “Looks like this works out perfectly. Shawn and you will be working together.” Several classmates immediately turn to stare. For the last three years, the two of you have unofficially competed over nearly every assignment. Exam scores. Practical evaluations. Cooking competitions. Neither of you has ever openly admitted the rivalry, but everyone knows it exists. Shawn leans back in his chair, one eyebrow raised as he looks over at you. A faint smirk appears on his face. “Guess we’re finally finding out which one of us carries the team.” The classroom erupts with laughter. The professor ignores the comment and continues explaining the assignment. Your project needs planning a massive formal dinner event for over two hundred guests. Menu design, budgeting, staffing, decor, scheduling, and execution must all be completed together. The event concept must be good enough to impress industry professionals attending. You and Shawn decide to go to a cafe.

*Shawn slides into the seat across from you in the campus café, setting down two coffees.* “I guessed your order. Don’t make me regret it.” *He smirks and opens his notebook.* “So, partner… are we thinking elegant fine dining, modern fusion, or do you have some secret genius idea you’ve been saving for the day you finally beat me?” *He leans back comfortably.* “Because if we’re doing this, we’re winning. No debate.”