While the boys perform, I sit in the wings, biting my nails to the quick. Luke is supposed to announce our relationship during the Q&A. Adam says that there will probably be a question about me already, so the lead-in should be natural, but they have a plant in place to ask just in case.
I can't even focus on their performance because my mind is dancing around between thoughts of telling my family and the potential reactions from fans. Before I know it, the boys put down their instruments and the DJ addresses the crowd.
"So we're going to open up the floor for some questions. Who has one?" A girl's hand goes up on the front row and he approaches her with the microphone. I hold my breath, but slowly release it when she asks a benign question regarding their favorite songs off of the album.
"Anyone else have another question?" The DJ moves around the room, letting girls take their turns.
Several other harmless questions follow, including favorite cities to play and one thought-provoking question about the meaning behind "Disconnected."
After Luke and Calum share the thoughts they had while writing that song, everyone's minds seem to simultaneously shift to the music video.
"So who's the girl?" a fan shouts from the back of the room.
I suck in a sharp breath. Here it goes.
The DJ chuckles into the microphone and turns towards the boys, obviously assessing their reaction. I can tell that he wants to repeat the question to them, but he isn't going to pry if they seem upset. Luke gives him a warm smile, and the DJ's face immediately morphs into one of unrestrained triumph.
"We seem to have a very eager question from the back about the girl in your 'Disconnected' video," he says smoothly.
Luke leans into his microphone to answer as the other boys look over at him with smiles on their faces.
"Well, that would be Stephanie. And as many of you seem to know already because of a certain picture online, she's my girlfriend."
An eruption of chattering builds inside the room. I peek carefully out into the audience and see some girls who look outraged, others who seem shocked, and then a few who actually seem excited by the news.
"But you guys said she was just a friend!" someone shouts. I don't see who says it.
The DJ grimaces slightly, clearly afraid that if it gets out of hand, he will lose this exclusive interview opportunity.
"We can't have everyone shouting out questions. Please wait for your turn," he scolds.
"We did say that," Luke addresses the question anyway, effectively silencing the crowd. "And we weren't lying. At the time, I hadn't worked up the courage to ask her out yet. I can be a little shy sometimes."
He shrugs to the host just as a chorus of awwwwwww's goes up from the audience. I roll my eyes. Luke is the farthest thing from shy.
"Well, you heard it here first, girls. Luke is officially off the market." With that, the host efficiently transitions back into questions about the music and the upcoming tour. Most of the crowd seems placated by Luke's explanation, but there are still a few who angrily murmur to their friends from time to time. I can only assume it's about me since the boys don't really say anything else controversial during the Q&A.
With a final wave goodbye, the boys step off the stage and approach me. By this point, I've backed up quite a bit, wanting to get as far out of sight as possible, so it takes them a moment to reach me.
Luke comes right up and wraps his arms around me in a hug. I'm a little startled until I pull away and notice the radio crew milling around a few feet away from us, casting a glance our way every now and then.

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The Jacket Snatcher
FanfictionUnfortunately, I don't usually wake up most days expecting to be kissed by a stranger. If that were a normal occurrence, then maybe I would have brushed my teeth a second time or chewed on a piece of mint gum after eating that onion bagel for breakf...