Is This True Love? (DNF)

Chapter 65: Into the City

Clay POV.
✨A few months ago✨

The artificial light was hurting my eyes as we travelled and I thought aloud. “This is the biggest earning show on the planet… and you enter via the sewer?” I asked, scoffing slightly as the thought. Jimmy and Kris were both travelling alongside me, planning on going into the town and showing me many of the things they had pointed out in person.

“No.” Kris said, shaking her head and not looking back at me from the front seat. “The sewer system is separate. This is just a way to get people into the centre of town without George spotting them. It’s mainly for crew use instead of cast.” I nodded at the explanation, yet there was still a strange smell wafting in the air which made me doubt that this wasn’t a sewer.

We were all along a track with the cart we were in whirring as it zipped along. We passed a couple carts on the way back too, most of which were empty. Embedded in the front seat between the two others was a metal box with a radio which buzzed with someone speaking about George’s location, or a clean up that crew needed to do, or something similar.

I found it interesting, being a superfan of the show and getting to be in the thick of it, seeing all of the going-ons in person, to be able to see George in person. His twenty-fifth birthday was nothing to scoff at either, an estimated 2.3 billion people are estimated to tune in for it.

Perhaps I’d have the chance to actually meet him, to actually talk to him, to actually touch him… well not touch him like that. As amazing as it would be to fulfil my fantasy of sleeping with my childhood crush, I doubted I’d get the chance, since the brunette was already in a relationship.

“But you are going to love the town Clay.” Kris continued. “It just feels so quaint, and it is so quiet, well quieter than you’ll be used to in Orlando.”
“I’ve seen a lot of photos and videos of it.” I nodded. “I’ve been eager to go there my whole life.”

Especially when George was a teenager he’d spend ages hanging around downtown. He’d go to the malls and cafes and restaurants, and the designers of all of these buildings really did well at making them look like places the audience wanted to go. I was looking forward to going and being able to eat or shop at every one of them.

Jimmy hadn’t been taking part in the small conversation between myself and Kris, instead his gaze was on his phone, having a conversation via text with someone. I didn’t question it, after all he was a busy man and probably had a lot on his plate that he had to organise. Eventually though he turned it off and looked over at us.

“Niki is upstairs. She had her car to pick up Clay’s stuff.” I was faintly aware of Niki, having seen her in quite a few episodes as a popular side character. She had grown up alongside the main characters of George, Fundy, Karl, and Sapnap, having gone to the same high school as them and working in the same part time job as George when they were both sixteen.

When the cart reached the platform I carefully climbed out, moving my suitcase with me. Jimmy and Kris also effortlessly stepped off and I allowed them to lead the way to a staircase which led up to the main street. We passed a pair of girls who were heading down on the way but didn’t say anything to either of them.

I wondered what building this could possibly be concealed within, since it obviously wasn’t like a subway system where the entrances were out in the open. So I asked the pair, attempting to sound casual. “What building are we in?”
“Oh, we are in the hospital.” Kris stated with a smile.

“We have two ambulance bays, one on each side of the building. It leads out to the backroad, one George never has any reason to go near. If we do need to send him to hospital we just send him around the front.” She continued to explain it, and I just nodded at her as we reached a concrete platform at the top of the stairs.

My eyes wandered, craving for a look at the world outside, thinking desperately that I may have a chance to see George, that he may be wandering past and I could see him in person for the first time. Then he’d look at me and the two of us would be able to… “...we have a series of white cars that can give people rides around.” Kris continued.

It was interesting to hear, any details about the show behind the scenes caught my interest. I mean, some nights I would spend hours diving through the web of youtube videos, shady websites, and reddit posts, doing the occasional binge of information to retain my status as a superfan for the show.

Yet at the moment I had bigger priorities, why would I care hearing about some facts when I had the chance to meet my celebrity crush. My cheeks dusted themselves at the idea, and I allowed myself to smile as Jimmy and Kris got slightly ahead of me. Parked just in front of the open doors of the ambulance bay was a woman who was glancing everywhere except at us.

“Niki.” The woman finally dared to glance over and smiled awkwardly. “I’d like to introduce you to Clay Smith, your cousin for the next few weeks.”
“It’s a pleasure.” Her voice was awkward as she offered a hand for me to shake.
“Yes, same. I recognise you from quite a few of the daily episodes of the show.”

“You’ve seen the episodes I’m in?” Niki seemed shocked. “I’m surprised Mr Smith, since I’ve been watching your movies for years too. You are extremely talented and I just find the chance to be able to meet you in person just… unbelievable.”

“You are also incredibly talented.” I said with a polite nod. “And no need for the ‘Mr Smith’ business. You can just call me Clay… it’s what cousins would do after all.” I chuckled alongside Niki and then Jimmy and Kris both spoke to us.
“Well if we’re cousins then talent must run in the family.” She responded.

The joke that she gave was enough to ease the tension between the two of us, and Jimmy and Kris just stayed quiet. They said some stuff about how we seemed to get along easily and that they made the right choice by having Niki be my host for my stay.

Then I saw Jimmy look at his phone and mutter a swear under his breath. “I am so sorry you two, Chandler just said there is an issue with one of the cameras in George’s house, and he’s currently there with Fundy… we’ll have to go.”
“That’s fine.” I responded, giving a reassuring nod.

“Before we go though, we have something for you.” Jimmy added, pulling a box out of his pocket. “One of our earpieces, it allows you to hear what we’re saying and it’ll warn you if George is doing something you need to know about.” My eyes widened and I smiled, thanking them as I was given this amazing opportunity, clutching it in my hands like gold or jewels.

They turned to leave and I looked at Niki. “How about I take you to my… our house.” She offered with a smile. I nodded before watching as she moved my suitcase into the backseat and allowed me into the passenger seat. The two of us got into the car and she drove us all the way to her house.

It was nice, something which I faintly remembered seeing a couple of times in episodes in the past. Niki and I were in a conversation up until climbing out of the car. Suddenly as we walked and talked the earpiece flickered to life. “George is walking your way towards the park.” My eyes widened and I turned to get a glimpse at him, seeing the beautiful brunette approach.

“Oh, hi George.” Niki smiled as he continued to approach. “I didn’t expect to see you until the party tonight. We’re both looking forward to coming.”
“Oh, and who is this? Is he a plus one or something?”  He looked at me, and I felt like I couldn’t move, frozen under the gaze of the beauty of this celebrity.

Niki laughed at his words and I managed to join her with a chuckle. “This is my cousin.” Niki told him. “He is staying with me for a few weeks.”
Despite the way I shook, I held out my hand. “My name is Clay.” I managed to hold out my hand and he took it, sending sparks right through me.
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1510 words