Amelie - Gracie Abrams

Chapter 4: The Meet-and-Greet Misfire

The room was humming with anticipation. Fans, decked out in Gracie Abrams merch, queued up inside the cozy venue, waiting for their turn to meet her. Posters lined the walls, and lights cast a soft glow, making the space feel warm and intimate. It was Gracie's way of connecting with her fans on a personal level, and each attendee felt lucky to be part of it. Among them stood Evelyn, clutching her bag with one hand, while the other toyed nervously with a strand of her long brunette hair.

Evelyn's heart raced as she looked around the room, feeling a blend of excitement and trepidation. Being here was both exhilarating and daunting. She'd spent the morning second-guessing herself, wondering if she'd look foolish or if she even belonged among these enthusiastic fans. Her best friend, Ivy, had encouraged her relentlessly, texting her pep talks to push her out the door.

"Look, if you don't go, you'll never forgive yourself," Ivy had texted, knowing Evelyn's tendency to overthink. "Besides, you have to find out if she really remembers you!"

With Ivy's words echoing in her mind, Evelyn had managed to make her way to the event. She wasn't here just as a fan; after the concert, she couldn't shake the feeling that there had been a moment between her and Gracie. Even though it was brief and clouded by the noise of the crowd, something about the way Gracie had looked at her had lingered in her mind.

On the other side of the room, Gracie was greeting her fans with that bright, sincere smile she was known for. She had a way of making everyone feel seen, giving each person her undivided attention. But today, her focus was split. She kept glancing over the crowd, searching for a specific face. Gracie's heartbeat faster with every new fan she greeted, her mind caught up in memories of the previous night.

And then, she saw her. Amidst the crowd, partially hidden behind a few taller fans, stood Evelyn. Evelyn's dark eyes were full of awe and hesitancy, her soft freckles visible even from a distance. The sight of her took Gracie's breath away. She felt that same rush of warmth she'd felt during the concert, a strange sense of familiarity that was both comforting and electrifying.

As their eyes met, Evelyn felt her cheeks grow warm. She couldn't believe Gracie had noticed her in this crowd, and the weight of her gaze made her feel both shy and elated. She raised her hand in a small wave, the corners of her lips turning up into a tentative smile.

Gracie's heart leaped at the sight, and she gave a little wave back, a grin spreading across her face. This time, she'd make sure to talk to her, to find out her real name. She felt a strange urgency to close the gap between them, as if Evelyn might disappear at any moment if she didn't act quickly.

But just as she took a step forward, a fan to her left interrupted the moment.

"Oh my god, Gracie!" A girl burst forward, holding out her phone with a camera already recording. She was tall and boisterous, her energy almost overwhelming. "I've waited forever for this! Can we take a picture? Actually, let's take a few! I need one for my Instagram story!"

Gracie hesitated, her gaze flickering back to Evelyn, who was now watching the scene unfold with a hint of sadness in her eyes. Gracie tried to make eye contact, to communicate that she wouldn't be long, that she wanted to talk to her. But the fan next to her wasn't giving up easily, blocking her view and pulling her attention away as she jabbered on, asking Gracie about her music and snapping selfies at every angle.

Evelyn's heart sank. She could see Gracie looking her way, but the chance to connect was slipping further and further out of reach. She bit her lip, debating whether to stay or leave. She didn't want to make a scene or push her way forward; that just wasn't her style. Part of her felt silly for even thinking she'd get a meaningful moment with Gracie. She was probably just another face in the crowd, after all.