Falling for the Rockstar

Chapter 17 - Grace

I never thought that a photo of me and Louis in a park could change life so drastically. For days now, I've felt eyes on me wherever I go. People who barely noticed me before are now staring, whispering my name. My heart races every time I walk down the school hallway. I used to be invisible, the one no one really noticed—and now, suddenly, I'm the center of attention. Everyone here knows that the girl on the park bench was me.

The news has been spiraling out of control for days, and it only seems to get worse. "Louis Tomlinson and the Mystery Girl"—those words haunt me like an inescapable shadow. The pressure builds with every tweet, every new rumor. At school, heads turn the moment I enter the room. Some ask if it's all true, if I'm really "the one," and in others' eyes, all I see is envy and disdain.

"Slut," "attention-seeking bitch," or "ugly"—those are my new descriptions. Social media has become a red flag I can barely handle.

During breaks, I try to concentrate, bury myself in my books, dive into the material, but it's so hard. I'm glad my exams are almost over—not that my teachers or friends give me much peace. Every time my phone rings, a wave of anxiety hits, and I can hardly breathe under the weight of feeling watched.

This morning was particularly bad. As I got to the school yard, two men with cameras appeared out of nowhere. They called my name, flashed their cameras, and bombarded me with questions I could barely understand. "Grace, what's going on between you and Louis?" "How long have you been together?" The teachers sent them away after a few minutes, but the unease stayed.

Some fans found my account because Louis follows me, so I guess that's how the press found me too. I can't keep up with all the follow requests. This is all so insane.

After school, I rush to my room, lock the door, and lean heavily against it. Tears start to fill my eyes. It hits me that I can't keep going like this forever, that I need to do something to find a way out of this. I open my phone and hover my finger over Louis' contact. Mom and Dad are at work—they wouldn't even know. I tap on his name with determination, pressing the phone to my ear.

My hands are trembling as I hold the phone. Just when I start to think he won't pick up, I hear a familiar "Hey, babe" on the other end.

I swallow, my throat suddenly dry, and before I can stop myself, the dam breaks. "Louis... I don't know what to do anymore," I murmur, my voice cracking as tears well up again. "This is all just too much. People at school are talking behind my back, calling me names, and on social media..." I can't even finish the sentence.

He sighs softly, and I hear him moving, probably to a quieter place. "Grace, I... I'm so sorry." His voice is rough, full of regret. "It makes me so mad that they're treating you like this. You don't deserve this."

"It feels like I'm trapped in a nightmare," I whisper. "I just wanted to be with you, and now..." I choke back another wave of tears. "All these strangers think they know me, and then photographers show up at school!"

"What?" His voice is shocked. "They came to your school? That's not okay! I'll talk to my management. This is going way too far." He sounds determined, protective, and somehow, that calms me a little.

I wipe away a tear and try to smile, even though he can't see it. "It's crazy, you know? Just a few weeks ago, I was invisible Grace, the one nobody noticed. Now, I'm suddenly... I don't know, the mysterious girl who supposedly has a pop star wrapped around her finger." I let out a bitter laugh, but I feel the despair rising again, almost overwhelming.

He's silent for a moment. "Grace, listen to me." His voice is gentle but intense. "I know this is insanely tough right now, and that you feel alone. But you're not alone. I'm here, okay? And if it means I have to distract the paparazzi or tell the fans off... I'll do it. Because what I have with you means so much to me. I don't want to lose it because of the life that comes with me."

Those words hit me, and I feel my heart skip a beat. "Louis... you have no idea how much that means to me," I whisper.

"Baby?" His voice is soft.

"Yeah?" I ask.

"Promise me you won't leave because of this."

I take a deep breath, pressing the phone even tighter against my ear.

"I promise!"

****

The next few weeks pass by in a blur. Exams are coming up, and I'm buried in my books, notes, and practice exercises. All the cameras, curious looks, and whispered conversations fade temporarily into the background – at least whenever I make myself focus only on school. It's anything but easy, but I push through because I know it will help me bring a bit of calm back into my life.

On the last day of exams, a huge weight falls off my shoulders. I sink into my chair, close my eyes, and smile. It's over. No more exams, no endless hours of preparation. And the best part? I did better than I'd hoped.

My parents are proud, and suddenly, the idea of going on tour feels real. We talk about what it would mean for me to go on tour – with Louis, with the band, and putting my own life on pause for a while. I explain how much this chance means to me, and how much Louis means to me. Finally, they both nod, a bit hesitant but still supportive, and that's when the decision is made.

Then, just a few days later, after my graduation ceremony, I'm actually stepping onto the tour bus.

"There she is! Did you bring food?" Niall opens his arms and pulls me into a welcome hug. "I hope you've thought this through, because Mister Unpredictable over here" – Liam claps Louis on the shoulder – "is a bit of a mess!"

I laugh, and for a moment, everything feels lighter. Niall pulls me close with a big grin, his eyes sparkling. "Don't worry, I've got snacks for everyone," I say, holding up the bag I packed full of treats – the classic "best friend for all occasions" setup.

Louis rolls his eyes dramatically. "OMG!" squeaks Niall. "I hereby declare you the official Snack Queen of the bus," he says, taking the bag from my hand.

Louis raises an eyebrow and chuckles. "Great, now we've lost Nialler to you just because you brought snacks."

Harry leans against the bus wall, smiling. "I think you really fit in here, Grace." His gaze is warm and approving, and I immediately feel a little more comfortable. Liam nods too, and it's clear the guys are genuinely happy to have me here.

"Well then, Lady Snack Queen," Louis says, pulling me gently toward him. "Ready for life on tour?"

I take a deep breath, feeling a tingle of excitement. "I think so," I reply softly, my eyes bright with anticipation.

"Good, then let's make the most of it. Welcome to the chaos, babe!"

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Authors note:

Now we're curious to see what happens on Tour, aren't we?