Falling for the Rockstar

Chapter 1 - Grace

It can only be a dream. I can't imagine anything else. In disbelief, I hold the small pink envelope that my parents just handed me for my birthday two minutes ago. I can't believe my eyes. Tickets to the first concert of One Direction's Take Me Home tour at the O2 Arena in London. The thought sends a shiver down my spine.

Since day one, I have been the biggest One Direction fan ever. I remember sitting in our little living room in our three-room apartment in Manchester with my parents, watching every single episode of The X Factor. Those moments were magical. Every night, I spent hours watching their performances. Everyone thought they would become the new superstars. When they only placed third, it hit me hard. So I was even happier when Zayn and the rest of the band kept their promise and it wasn't the end of 1D. I've spent so much time listening to their songs, watching their music videos, and following the latest news about them. I owned everything you could possibly have: T-shirts, posters, merchandise, albums, and books. Yes, even the singing toothbrush is still one of my prized possessions. I have worked hard for it.

The people around me could never understand. Not my grandma, not my grandpa, not my parents, and not the people I used to call friends. They couldn't comprehend why I invested so much time and energy into these boys. But their music gives me so much, and my favorite person, Louis, always makes me laugh-especially when he pulls pranks on Liam.

Now, after three years of being a fan, I hold this pink envelope in my hand as if it were a precious treasure. My eyes light up as I pull out the ticket and hold it against the light. The words "VIP Experience" sparkle on the shiny paper, and I can't fathom it. With tears filling my eyes, I look up at my parents, who are watching me with every fiber of their being, ready to catch me when i need to faint. My parents, the most important people in my life. My heart leaps with gratitude. We live in a small apartment near Manchester, just getting by each month. And yet here I am, holding a VIP ticket in my hand.

I look again at my parents; they smile at me lovingly, and when I gaze into my father's eyes, I can't hold back my tears. "Is this real?" my voice barely a whisper. My mother laughs softly and looks at her husband. "Come here, my big girl." Dad opens his arms, and I leap onto him, clinging to him and letting my tears of joy flow. Since One Direction went on tour, it has been my biggest dream to attend one of their concerts. But like I said, I'm just happy to be able to afford lunch in the cafeteria.

I feel my mother's hand on my back, gently stroking me. "Unfortunately, we could only afford one ticket, Gracie. I hope it's okay for you to go alone?" I look at my mother, wiping away the still-flowing tears with the back of my hand. "Of course, Mom, this is the best gift ever, thank you!" She laughs softly, and we share a cozy moment of silence.

"Oh my gosh!" I suddenly shout, and my parents look at me in shock. "I'm going to meet One Direction!" I exclaim loudly, breaking free from my father's embrace. "Oh my God!!!! I'm going to meet Louis in real life. I have nothing to wear, and oh God, what am I even going to say???? What if I can't get a word out? What if he ignores me? Or even worse... what if one of the boys starts talking to me? What do I do then???" My parents burst into laughter as they watch me and my little panic fan moment.

"Oh my goodness," says my dad, holding his belly with laughter. "This is absolutely hilarious." I look at him with a serious face. "Dad, this is a serious disaster. I need to practice this with you beforehand; you need to wear one of those masks that you can print out. And oh my goodness, Mom!" I turn to her. "What am I supposed to wear?" Mom stands up and pats my shoulder. "Grandma is coming over for cake soon, you crazy girl."

I take a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts racing through my mind. "But Mom, this is serious! I need to make a good impression. What if I trip or say something stupid? This is my chance to meet Louis!"