What the Future has for Us -- Renee Rapp fiction

Chapter 88 - BERLIN

A.N

Hii, I'm back, sorry I had to travel for work so I couldn't write anything !

I've officially planned the end of the story, and I'm kind of emotional about it 🥲 It's hard to say goodbye to these characters we've spent so much time with, but I think it's time they get the happy ending they deserve. Don't worry; we still have a few chapters left before we wrap things up. I've decided on 100 chapters in total (including an epilogue), so we're looking at about 12/13 more chapters to go!

Please let me know if there's anything specific you want to see before it all ends. As always, your comments and feedback make my day, so don't be shy about sharing them! Thank you all for your support—I appreciate it more than you know ❤️

Byee, M

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... May 7th – Cologne / Köln ...

... May 8th – Berlin ...

Renee's POV

After my Berlin show, I go straight into the meet-and-greet, and honestly, these things always feel so... weird to me. Like, I go from spilling my guts on stage, riding this massive high, and then suddenly, I'm in a room with this huge backdrop plastered with brand logos, just standing there like I'm part of some awkward photo set.

People file in one by one. We take a quick photo, maybe exchange a few words—if that—and they're whisked away before I even get a chance to know their names.

And I hate it.

I mean, don't get me wrong—I love meeting fans. They're the reason I do this, they've changed my life, but... it's always so fast. I want to talk to them, you know? Really see them. Hear their stories, because I know music means something to them, maybe as much as it means to me. I feel like an object sometimes, just standing there while people are rushed in and out. I just end up feeling like an overly rehearsed version of myself. Smile, pose, "Next!" It's exhausting. It's weird.

I've been at it for about an hour when Max walks in, and I immediately feel lighter. It's like she knew I'd need her right now, which, honestly, she probably did. Maxine just... gets me like that.

She's over by the photographer, a huge smile plastered on her face. You know when you say some people lighten the room with their energy or their smile ? I feel like Max always does that, with anyone.

Reggie is perched on her shoulder. A dog, a parrot but visibly never acting like a cat ...

I'm pretty sure Max was talking with Adam and Bella after the show, but now she's done, and here she is, taking a seat next to the photographer, flashing me this big, stupid smile and I feel my shoulders drop a little. God, she's cute.

There's two or three people left now, and then I'm done for today. I glance at Max, giving her a little grin, and she wiggles her fingers in a wave before Reggie swats at her cheek, like he's jealous – He probably is. He is now staring at me like he's personally offended that I dared looking at his mom. This possessive little shit peed in my bag — again — yesterday and we had to call an emergency laundry service to wash my clothes for tonight's show.

I turn back toward the line, and I see the next person coming toward me—a tall brunette with piercing blue eyes. Something about her feels weirdly familiar, like I saw her during the show or maybe even at another meet-and-greet.

"Hi Baby, what's your name ?" I ask, trying to keep my voice warm, even though I'm on autopilot at this point.

I really think I saw her before. She glances at me, almost shy.