The "Biggest" Fan (EN)

10.

After we got our late-night snacks, I thought we'd get back in the car, but Harry headed in the opposite direction.

"Come here, there's a nice place to eat," he motioned towards a stone wall about a hundred meters away. I wasn't sure if it could be called a wall when it was low enough to easily hop onto or sit on.

"My pants will get wet," I remembered the cons of chilling outside in winter.

"I thought you were tougher than that," he gracefully hopped up and sat on the wall. I tried to follow, but not quite as smoothly, somehow managing to bump into the side where I already had a bruise. Nice one, Louis, with that grace you should be an athlete.

Harry was devouring his kebab, trying not to spill sauce all over his scarf, which was a funny sight. The famous pop star with as mundane food as this — it was almost surreal, and I couldn't help sneaking glances at him.

"I used to come here every day after school," Harry started talking between bites, "I'd have to wait an hour or two for my parents to pick me up, so I'd just sit here with my friend," he paused, "Or with a kebab. Or both."

I laughed mid-bite, almost spitting half the ingredients onto the cold pavement. Harry laughed at my foolishness but more carefully, trying not to do the same.

"Why didn't you get your driving license?" I asked as soon as my mouth was empty.

"Because I was, like, twelve then?" He opened his mouth widely, staring at me like I'd just asked the dumbest question ever.

"No shit," I rolled my eyes. "I meant, why didn't you get it when you turned 18?"

"I'm scared of driving, that's why," he answered calmly.

"But why?" I tried to keep my tone non-judgmental but it was questionable. I quickly adjusted, making it more neutral. "Wouldn't it be more convenient to go wherever whenever you want?"

"I'll never be able to go anywhere whenever I want. And now it's the matter of safety, me hanging out here with you in the middle of the night is way beyond the 'safe' line, and if Victor or one of my guards knew, I'd be dead by morning."

"Some safety — getting killed by your own guard," I laughed.

"Not literally," Harry clarified, "But I'd be on Victor's blacklist for at least a month. Besides, it would be even more dangerous for me to drive alone. But maybe it's just my excuse for being a coward," he laughed at himself.

"I think it's a rational fear, so it doesn't make you a coward. Plenty of people die every day in car crashes."

"I'm not afraid of crashing, though. Riding with you, for example, is nice, but if someone put me in the driver's seat, I'd panic — too many things happening all at once. If I had to get from Manchester to London and my only option was to drive, I'd choose to walk."

"Oh, wow," I smirked, thinking no one could talk me into walking even half that far, "The fear is real."

"Aren't you afraid of anything?"

"I don't know. Like what?"

"Failing."

I could sense a hint of hurt in his voice, but I chose to ignore it.

"No," I replied. "At least, I don't think so."

"Me too. But when thousands of people will look at you, you'll start being afraid," he sighed, glancing at me for my reaction.

I just nodded, not sure what to say. Of course, I was afraid. I feared disappointing myself, my band, and Lottie. But how could I admit that to anyone when I couldn't even admit it to myself?

Words and lines started swirling in my head. If my creative spark had been absent for a while, now a faint melody was coming to mind, something I'd try first thing in the morning. Failure, failure...

"What are you smiling about?" Harry's voice brought me back from daydreaming. I hadn't even noticed that I was smiling.

"Just admiring the amazing kebab," I grinned.

"Is it only the kebab?" he asked, smiling mysteriously.

"What else could it be?"

"I don't know. Maybe you're actually enjoying being here with your number one nemesis?" His smile was so wide I could see his teeth.

"In your dreams," I laughed, but it no longer sounded sarcastic. I had to admit, the evening had been really fun. But nah, my pride would never allow that.

"That wouldn't be a dream; that would be a total nightmare," he replied in a mockingly posh tone, shaking his head slightly as if he were truly offended by the idea that being with me could be enjoyable. I smiled.

We'd both finished eating, and Harry spoke,"My hands are freezing," he said, giving a quick, almost embarrassed laugh as he rubbed his hands together.

"Let's get back in the car then," I said, hopping off the wall and watching him do the same, carefully avoiding slipping.

The rest of the ride, we drove in a comfortable silence, occasionally throwing in a bit of banter or laughing about something. When we arrived at Harry's house, it was just as I'd imagined: a huge estate with thick walls, lots of windows, and even a medium-sized garden outside. It screamed celebrity residence.

"It's as big as it looks," he said, as if reading my mind.

"Oh god, I'd probably kill myself if I had to walk five minutes just to get from the kitchen to the bedroom," I said, examining the house more closely, looking at every detail. "Do you live here alone?"

"Not really," he replied. "My parents sometimes come back, but they're mostly away. And actually, Victor lives here too. He's a good friend of my parents, so they expect him to keep an eye on me." His expression was less than pleased.

"Sounds... Kind of lonely," I said, meeting his gaze.

Harry looked at me, surprised. "No one's ever put it like that. Usually, they say I'm lucky to have the privilege of living here."

I shrugged.

Harry unfastened his seatbelt, preparing to get out, but before he did, he turned back to me. "Thanks for the kebab."

"Well, I did owe you, so I guess we're even now," I replied with a small smile. "See you soon, then?"

"Um... Not exactly," his face darkened a little. "I told Lottie already, but I'm going on tour. I leave in two days."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"So, where are you going?" I tried to sound casual.

"Just around the country for now. I'm planning a world tour next year, but I wanted to start with my local fans. I might be back at the end of the month for a few days, though —my best friend won't let me miss his birthday party."

"Well, I'll see you when you get back then. Send me a postcard," I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Who even sends postcards anymore?" Harry laughed as he opened the car door. He gave me a small wave as he disappeared into his mansion, which looked even bigger in the middle of the night.

A very interesting night, huh. Surely, I didn't expect that.

Me neither? Hehe

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