I don't usually do a buncha authors notes. but, I'd like to preface that I have NO clue what VidCon is actually like. (Save the limited information I was able to get from research and YouTube videos). To fill in the gaps in my knowledge, I referenced the only big convention I have been to: GenCon. Just know if something is mentioned that doesn't actually happen at VidCon, it's most likely something that does happen at the next closest thing I've experienced.
Anyways enjoy the chapter ❤️
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"I hate to say I told you so... but-"
"Don't lie Val, that's like, your favorite phrase." Maddie drawled as she scooped up more noodles with her chopsticks.
They sat in a small Chinese restaurant, eating noodles and rice right out of the tiny white boxes. Through the window the sun was starting to go down, and the streets were still bustling with people. We really are in a city that never sleeps. Maddie mused.
"So what's on the agenda tomorrow?" She Questioned Val after chewing.
Valerie paused, before pulling out her phone, "Hmm, I think I have like, 2 meet and greets I'm going to? Ones in the morning and ones in the afternoon." Scrolling through her phone she nodded, "Yup, The morning one is for Mogul Mail, and the afternoon is the Dream Team."
Maddie let out a low whistle, scooping up some rice with her chopsticks. "knocking out some big ones on the first day huh?"
"If you're gonna start complaining about getting to hang out, just shut up, we can get lunch together." She paused, before asking,"- Hey wait, you know Mogul Mail?" She stopped to look up from her phone.
"Isn't he that dude who did the record breaking subathon, Ludwig? Of course I've heard of him." She muttered, chewing her lip before scooping up more noodles.
"...touché." she shook her head, " I'm still shocked you didn't wanna meet any of these guys though, since you obviously know of them." she gestured wildly in the air with one chopstick.
"Meh, I might have gone to the Mogul Mail one if those tickets weren't that ridiculously expensive. Id never make you pay for a second mogul mail ticket, especially after getting me the flight and hotel."
Valerie took a sip from her soft drink, a pained expression on her face, "For once I agree with you."
Maddie took a sip from her soda before snorting, "You, agreeing with me? A Christmas miracle."
_____________
"This is it" Maddie panted, Chest heaving "I've climbed this mountain, and I'm dying on it."
Her hands were on her knees, dramatically gasping for breath in the middle of the frying-pan-hot sidewalk. Valerie passed her with a pat on her shoulder, "Madds we've only walked like 4 blocks, you're fine."
"Hey!" She gasped, offended. "I coulda been actually dying you know! What if I was having a stroke."
Val simply cocked her head with a thoughtful look on her face. "I have a black dress I've never worn before, it would be the perfect occasion, don't you think?"
Maddie glared at her with every ounce of bitchy-ness she could muster, as she jogged to catch up. In hindsight, the long sleeves and T-shirt combo looked amazing, but was a horribly bad decision for a sunny California day. As they got closer to the convention center, Maddie nearly wept at the thought of sweet, beautiful air conditioning.
"Let's go to a food truck" Valerie said abruptly
Maddie groaned, "Why would we do that when there's A/C? Don't do this to me Val" she pleaded, with her hands folded in mock prayer.
"You wanted to suffer for your fashion sense, it's your funeral Madds."
"You didn't think to eat before we left the hotel, so that's your funeral Val." She huffed back, looking somewhere off to the side.
Valerie glared at her, eyes narrowing as she crossed her arms. The look stopped Maddie's huffing in its tracks, Maddie chewed her lip nervously as she flipped her hair out of her face.
They went and got breakfast.
Since Maddie already ate complimentary breakfast back at the hotel, she simply sipped on a smoothie as they walked through the convention center. Meanwhile Valerie happily munched on an egg sandwich. They meandered around the hallways, trying to pass time and look for where the Expo hall was. When they finally stepped through the wide open sets of double doors Maddie's jaw dropped.
The place was huge, which in all honesty was expected, but actually being in the Expo hall was much different. Carpeted walkways sprawled the wide open expanse, filled with stalls exhibiting posters and statues and clothes and art and games, there was even a fucking Squishmellow crane. The space seemed as big as at least two football fields, and every corner was packed with stuff to see, and do.
"There's no way we're getting through everything in one day." Maddie gaped.
Val simply smiled, "isn't it great?" Pulling her by the arm they started towards a large stand filled with Pokémon merch. "Now stop staring and let's look around!"
———
Maddie rolled on the balls of her feet as she picks up a harajuku hoodie, it was a slate blue with a small duck printed on the front. Near the cuffs of the baggy sleeves a cluster of mismatched light blue patches were neatly stitched up the side of the arm, each overlapping the other slightly.
"I need it"
"Get it then"
"...but do I really need it?"
"... I mean, I guess you could survive without it?"
"Tell me yes though" Maddie pouted. She wished her friend would fuel her spending addiction at least once.
Val sniggered, "It's your money Maddie, but blue's not really your color is it?" She gestured generally at Maddie's body. Maddie looked down, then back up again at her friend.
Suddenly a timer goes off on Valerie's phone. She pulls it out and frowns. "Aw man I gotta go Madds, the Mogul Mail meet-and-greet is in 25 minutes."
Maddie frowned as she folded and put back the duck sweater, "It's fine Val, I knew you'd have to go eventually. See ya for lunch? She looked up with a hopeful smile.
"Of course, of course" she waved her arms like swatting a fly" I'll let you know when the meet-and-greets over. Anyways gotta bounce!" Val gave Maddie a small hug and started to walk away.
Maddie watched as she walked away, her long blonde hair bouncing as she faded into the sea of people. Maddie turned around with a sigh, chewing her lip and glancing back at the stack of duck hoodies.
She moved on to the next stall.
———
Maybe an hour after Val left, Maddie found herself aimlessly wandering the halls, headphones on and hands in her pockets. At first the relaxing stroll on her own was refreshing, and she enjoyed her newfound freedom. But the feeling was fleeting, and now she was without a reasonable doubt, completely, and utterly, bored out of her mind.
About halfway through browsing in the Expo hall she had decided to call it quits. She could have kept going but, she didn't want to look at the same stuff again when Valerie, inevitably, insisted they go back and see what she missed.
So here she was in some obscure hallway near the entrance of the convention center, completely stumped on what else to do in the hall.
She gave up, and was looking up places nearby to grab a snack— when something large smacked straight into her, screeching her body to a halt. Her phone slipped from her hands as she stumbled, almost falling to the ground with a small yelp.
An arm jerked out to steady her, which she latched onto impulsively, gripping the persons sleeve like a lifeline. Bewildered, Maddie pulled down her headphones, and looked up.
"Holy shit, I am SO sorry! Are you okay?"
YOU ARE READING
Based ||| Tommyinnit x OC
Fiksi Penggemar"I change my mind, I don't like him. He's annoying and screams like a toddler." Valerie laughed, "That's what most people say, at first." Maddie is just your average college student. Chronically sleep deprived, professional procrastinator, and caffe...
