Journaling our love | Liam Payne x Marie [Oc]

Chapter 3: Is this real?

Marie spent the rest of the night in a daze. She tried to focus on the performances, took notes on the crowd's energy, and even managed to jot down a few lines about the festival’s vibe. But Liam’s knowing smile lingered in the back of her mind, like a tiny ember that refused to go out.

What did it mean? Did he recognize her? Or was it just a polite acknowledgment, the way celebrities dealt with anyone staring too long?

By the time she returned to her hotel room, her notebook was full of half-thoughts and disconnected ideas. She flopped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. This was supposed to be her big break. But instead of finding an angle, she’d stumbled headfirst into a whirlwind of awkwardness, fangirl nerves, and… whatever that was earlier.

Her phone buzzed again. Another text from Jen.

Clock’s ticking. Don’t let me down.

Marie groaned, tossing her phone onto the bed. How was she supposed to write about something that still didn’t feel real? She ran her hands through her hair, then reached for her laptop. Maybe if she just started typing, something would come together.

---

The next morning, Marie woke up to the sound of her phone buzzing incessantly on the nightstand. She groaned, blindly reaching for it.

It was Natalie.

“Hello?” Marie croaked, her voice heavy with sleep.

“Marie! Are you still at the hotel?” Natalie’s voice was breathless and urgent.

“Uh, yeah. Why?”

“Because you’re not going to believe this.”

Marie sat up, suddenly awake. “What?”

“Liam Payne,” Natalie said, barely containing her excitement. “He’s doing some kind of pop-up acoustic set at the festival. It’s not on the schedule. No press coverage allowed, but I’ve got a lead on where it’s happening. You in?”

Marie’s heart skipped. “Wait—how did you even hear about this?”

“Let’s just say photographers have their sources,” Natalie said smugly. “So? Are you coming, or are you going to waste another day wandering around in existential despair?”

Marie hesitated. Was this crossing a line? Liam had been kind to her, but would showing up at a secret set seem… creepy? Then again, wasn’t this exactly the kind of moment her editor was begging for?

“I’m in,” she said finally.

---

The pop-up set was tucked away in a secluded corner of the festival grounds, hidden behind rows of food trucks and merchandise tents. By the time Marie and Natalie arrived, a small crowd had already gathered—fans who must have caught wind of the secret performance.

Marie felt a pang of guilt as she adjusted her press badge. This wasn’t technically work-related, but she couldn’t shake the feeling she was sneaking into something private.

“Relax,” Natalie whispered, nudging her. “It’s a festival. This is fair game.”

Marie nodded, but her stomach churned as Liam stepped onto the makeshift stage.

He looked relaxed, wearing a simple T-shirt and jeans, his guitar slung casually over his shoulder. The small crowd erupted in cheers, and he smiled, his dimple flashing.

“Alright, alright,” he said, his voice warm and easy. “Let’s keep this one chill, yeah? Just a few songs.”

Marie’s breath caught. She’d seen videos of him performing, watched countless interviews, but seeing him here, just a few feet away, felt completely different. He strummed his guitar, and the opening chords of “Little Things” drifted through the air.

The crowd swayed, singing softly along with him. Marie stayed quiet, her heart hammering.

Halfway through the song, Liam’s eyes scanned the crowd—and landed on her.

She froze.

For a moment, she thought she’d imagined it. But then his gaze lingered, his lips curving into the faintest smile. He didn’t miss a beat, his voice steady as he continued the song, but the moment felt electric, charged with something she couldn’t name.

Natalie nudged her, wide-eyed. “Did he just—”

“Shh,” Marie hissed, her face burning.

---

After the set, Liam stepped down from the stage, chatting briefly with fans as security began ushering him away. Marie tried to blend into the background, suddenly hyper-aware of herself.

But as Liam walked past, he stopped.

“Hey,” he said, his voice quiet but warm.

Marie’s heart felt like it might leap out of her chest. “Hi,” she managed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Liam tilted his head, a small, amused smile playing on his lips. “Didn’t think I’d see you again.”

Marie’s throat went dry. “I—uh—I didn’t think so either.”

“Still working on that story?” he asked, nodding toward her press badge.

Marie blinked, caught off guard. “Yeah. Kind of. I mean, I’m trying. This festival’s a lot.”

Liam chuckled, adjusting the strap of his guitar case. “Sounds like it.” He hesitated, glancing at the small crowd still lingering nearby. “You busy right now?”

Marie stared at him, her brain scrambling to process the question. “Uh… no. Why?”

“I could use a coffee,” he said, his tone casual but his eyes steady on hers. “If you’re up for it.”

Marie’s breath caught. Was this actually happening?

Before she could respond, a voice broke in. “Coffee? Really, Liam? Thought you’d be grabbing something stronger.”

Marie turned to see a familiar face—Louis Tomlinson, grinning mischievously, his arms crossed as he leaned against a railing.

“Louis,” Liam said, half-laughing. “Always nice of you to pop in uninvited.”

Louis shrugged, his grin widening. “Couldn’t miss out on the fun, mate. Who’s this?” He nodded toward Marie, his eyes twinkling with curiosity.

Marie’s cheeks burned. She couldn’t believe this was happening. “I—I’m Marie,” she stammered. “I’m, uh, covering the festival.”

“Ah, a journalist,” Louis said, raising an eyebrow. “Should we be worried?”

“No!” Marie said quickly, her voice higher than she intended. “I mean, I’m not here to… I wouldn’t write anything bad, I swear.”

Louis chuckled, clearly amused. “Relax, love. I’m only teasing.” He glanced at Liam, his expression softening. “You going to introduce her properly, or should I keep guessing?”

Liam sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Marie, this is Louis. Louis, this is Marie. We… bumped into each other yesterday.”

Louis smirked. “Bumped, huh?”

“Don’t,” Liam warned, but there was no real heat in his voice.

Marie couldn’t help but smile, even as her heart raced. Louis was exactly how she imagined—charming, a little chaotic, but not unkind.

“Well, don’t let me interrupt your coffee plans,” Louis said, winking at Marie. “Just thought I’d say hi. Catch you later, Liam.”

And with that, he was gone, disappearing into the festival crowd like he’d never been there.

Marie exhaled, realizing she’d been holding her breath.

“So,” Liam said, his tone light, “still up for that coffee?”

Marie nodded, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. “Yeah. Definitely.”

As they walked away together, she couldn’t help but wonder if this day could get any more surreal.