The plane landed smoothly on the tarmac at LAX, and as Story and Gracie gathered their bags and made their way through the bustling terminal, a thrill bubbled up inside Story. She'd been to LA before but never for something this big. This trip was more than a visit—it was the beginning of something she'd always dreamed of.
They passed through the arrival gates, and Story squinted at the bright California sun pouring in through the windows. Gracie adjusted her sunglasses, giving Story an excited grin. "Welcome to LA, baby!"
Story laughed, glancing around the crowded terminal. "It feels surreal. I can't believe we're actually here."
As they moved toward the exit, a small group of young girls huddled nearby suddenly gasped, one of them nudging her friend and pointing. "Oh my gosh! That's Gracie Abrams.. and Story Belle!"
Story froze, her heart skipping a beat. Fans? Here? She had grown used to online attention, but in-person recognition was still something new. One of the girls shyly approached, holding out a notebook and a marker.
"Um... hi, Story! I'm a huge fan. Could you maybe sign this?" she asked, eyes wide with excitement.
Story blinked in surprise, then broke into a warm smile. "Of course!" She took the notebook, signing her name with a little heart beside it. More fans gathered around her, some with posters of her album Exhale, others with phone cases and merch that had her lyrics on them. She spent a few moments chatting, signing autographs, and taking photos, her heart swelling with gratitude and disbelief.
One girl, a bit older than the others, clutched her phone tightly. "Your music really helped me through a tough time. Thank you, Story."
Story's eyes softened, and she felt a lump in her throat. "Thank you for saying that. It means the world to me to know that my music's made a difference for you."
As she finished signing autographs, she looked over to see Gracie also surrounded by a small group of fans. Gracie caught her eye and gave a thumbs-up, clearly enjoying the attention.
Just then, a fan holding a phone case with both Story and Gracie's names approached. "Can I get a picture with both of you?" she asked excitedly, her phone already poised for the selfie.
Story and Gracie exchanged a grin and moved close together, giving their best smiles for the camera. As the fan snapped the picture, a few flashes went off in the distance. Story glanced over to see a couple of paparazzi edging closer, their cameras aimed right at them.
"Story! Gracie! Look this way!" one of the photographers called, the clicking of shutters suddenly echoing around them.
The fan moment shifted into a paparazzi frenzy. Story tried to stay calm, but the attention was overwhelming. She wasn't used to the flashing lights and the endless calls of her name. Her heart pounded, and she instinctively looked to Gracie for reassurance.
Gracie gave her a gentle nudge, whispering, "Just breathe and keep walking. We'll get to the car soon." She wrapped an arm around Story's shoulder and led her through the crowd, guiding them toward the parking garage.
Finally reaching Gracie's car, they slipped into the seats and closed the doors, leaving the flashes and voices outside. Story exhaled deeply, her shoulders finally relaxing as the noise faded away.
"Wow..." she murmured, running a hand through her hair. "That was intense."
Gracie laughed, reaching over to give her a reassuring squeeze on the arm. "You handled it like a pro. I swear, that's the hardest part of LA life right there. But hey, now you know how much people love you."
YOU ARE READING
Everything I Wanted
FanfictionRising star Story Belle is quickly finding her voice in a world where dreams rarely come true. With lyrics that cut to the core and a sound as unique as she is, she's caught the attention of fans everywhere. But there's one person she's always hoped...
