Journaling our love | Liam Payne x Marie [Oc]

Chapter 5: Backstage passes and butterflies

Marie felt like she was floating as she left the café, her thoughts swirling. She had just spent nearly an hour chatting with Liam Payne, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles. If she hadn’t been pinching herself under the table, she might’ve thought it was all a dream.

But it wasn’t. It had actually happened.

Liam walked beside her, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, while Niall and Harry trailed a few steps behind, still teasing each other about something Marie couldn’t quite catch. She couldn’t believe how normal they seemed—laughing and joking as if they weren’t global superstars.

“You alright?” Liam asked, nudging her gently.

Marie blinked, realizing she’d been quiet for too long. “Oh, yeah. I’m good. Just, you know… processing.”

Liam smirked. “I get it. It’s a lot.”

“That’s an understatement,” Marie muttered, glancing back at Niall and Harry. Niall caught her eye and waved dramatically, making her laugh despite herself.

“Where are you off to now?” Liam asked as they reached a fork in the festival grounds.

Marie hesitated, clutching her bag strap. “Probably back to the press tent. I should try to… I don’t know, be productive?”

Liam tilted his head, considering. “Or you could come backstage for a bit.”

Marie froze. “Backstage?”

“Yeah,” he said casually. “We’re just hanging out before our set later. Could be good for your story.”

Her brain short-circuited. Backstage. With One Direction. Was this real life?

“Are you sure that’s okay?” she asked, her voice barely steady. “I don’t want to, like, intrude or anything.”

Liam grinned. “You won’t. Trust me, it’s not as glamorous as it sounds.”

---

The backstage area was buzzing with activity when they arrived. Crew members hustled back and forth, setting up equipment and double-checking schedules, while artists lounged on couches or rehearsed quietly in corners.

Marie tried to take it all in without looking like a starstruck tourist. She clutched her notebook tightly, reminding herself that she was here to work—or at least pretend to.

“This way,” Liam said, leading her toward a quieter section of the area where a few couches and tables were set up. Louis was sprawled across one of the couches, scrolling on his phone, while Niall and Harry had already made themselves at home, raiding a nearby snack table.

“Look who’s back,” Louis said, glancing up. His eyes flicked to Marie, and a sly grin spread across his face. “You’re really letting her into the inner circle, huh, Liam?”

“Shut up, Louis,” Liam said, rolling his eyes but smiling.

Marie’s face burned. She wasn’t sure if she should laugh or crawl under a table. “I promise I’m not trying to infiltrate anything,” she said, clutching her notebook like a shield.

Louis laughed. “Relax, love. I’m only messing with you. Liam’s just very selective about who he brings back here, so consider yourself special.”

Marie couldn’t help but smile, even as her cheeks stayed warm.

---

The next hour passed in a blur.

Niall tried to convince her to join him in a game of darts, though she declined, knowing her aim was atrocious. Harry, meanwhile, spent most of the time lounging on a beanbag chair, strumming an acoustic guitar and humming fragments of a tune.

“Are you writing a new song?” Marie asked, unable to hide her curiosity.

Harry looked up, his eyes bright. “Maybe. Or maybe I’m just pretending so I don’t have to move. You’ll never know.”

Liam chuckled from his spot on the couch, where he was nursing a bottle of water. “He’s definitely pretending.”

Marie laughed, scribbling in her notebook as she listened to their banter. She’d never imagined she’d get this kind of access—not just to the backstage area, but to the personalities behind the fame.

They weren’t just the guys she’d seen in interviews or on stage. They were real people. Funny, kind, and maybe a little chaotic, but real.

---

As the afternoon wore on, a knock at the door interrupted their small bubble of calm. A crew member poked his head in.

“Ten minutes, lads,” he said.

“Right,” Liam said, standing up and stretching. He glanced at Marie. “You sticking around for the set?”

“Of course,” she said, as if there had ever been a question.

Liam grinned. “Good. Stay close after, yeah? We’ll catch up.”

Marie nodded, her heart racing as she watched him grab his guitar and follow the others out of the room. She sat there for a moment, letting it all sink in.

She was backstage at a One Direction concert.

She had just spent the afternoon laughing with them, talking to them like they were old friends.

And now she was about to watch them perform from the side of the stage.

Marie took a deep breath, clutching her notebook like it was the only thing tethering her to reality. This was a moment she’d never forget—a moment she’d dreamed about for years.

And somehow, it was only just beginning.