Forever and Always - Olivia Rodrigo and Louis Patridge

Shadows of Reality

The glow of the day trip lingered in Olivia's mind for days. It felt as though she and Louis had crossed an invisible line, stepping into a new chapter of whatever this was between them. They didn't talk about the future again, but there was a quiet understanding between them—they were in this together, for better or worse.

But reality had a way of creeping back in.

Olivia's tour schedule was relentless, and as her name climbed higher on the charts, the pressure grew. Every interview, every photoshoot, and every performance carried the weight of expectations. Meanwhile, Louis was pulled into the whirlwind of promoting his new film. Red carpets, press conferences, and magazine covers kept him busy, leaving little time for the kind of quiet moments they both craved.

Still, they tried.

Late-night phone calls became their lifeline, even if they were often interrupted by exhaustion or bad connections.

"I miss you," Olivia whispered one night, lying in her hotel bed after a show.

"I miss you too," Louis replied softly. His voice was a balm to her frayed nerves, even from thousands of miles away. "But this is just temporary, right? We'll figure it out."

Olivia wanted to believe him, but doubt crept in. Their lives were like parallel lines—running close but never quite touching.

A week later, Olivia was back in Los Angeles for a brief break before the next leg of her tour. She had barely unpacked when her manager called to remind her of an industry event that evening. It was the kind of glamorous, high-stakes gathering she usually dreaded, but tonight she didn't mind. Louis was back in town too, and he had promised to meet her there.

As Olivia stepped into the grand ballroom, dressed in a sleek black gown, she felt the familiar buzz of cameras flashing and voices murmuring. But her eyes scanned the room for one person. When she spotted Louis near the bar, her heart skipped a beat.

He looked effortlessly handsome in a tailored suit, his hair slightly tousled, and when his eyes met hers, he broke into that signature smile that made her forget about the chaos around them.

"You look incredible," he said as she approached.

"You clean up pretty well yourself," she teased, her nerves easing as he leaned in to kiss her cheek.

They found a quiet corner of the room, away from the prying eyes of reporters and other celebrities. For a moment, it felt like it was just the two of them again, like nothing else mattered.

"How's everything going?" Louis asked, his tone genuine.

Olivia sighed. "Busy. Overwhelming. But... better now that you're here."

He reached for her hand under the table, his touch grounding her. "You're incredible, Liv. Don't let all this noise get to you."

She smiled, but before she could reply, a voice interrupted them.

"Louis! Olivia!"

They turned to see Alessia Hart approaching, her blonde hair shimmering under the chandelier lights. Olivia knew who she was—Louis's ex-girlfriend. She'd seen the headlines, the old photos of them together, and though she'd never admit it, they had always made her stomach twist.

Alessia greeted Louis with an ease that only came from familiarity. "It's been forever! How are you?"

"Good," Louis replied, standing to hug her briefly. "Alessia, this is Olivia."

Alessia's smile didn't waver as she turned to Olivia, but there was something sharp in her eyes. "Of course, Olivia Rodrigo. You're everywhere these days. Nice to meet you."

"You too," Olivia replied, her tone polite but guarded.

As the conversation continued, Olivia felt an unwelcome pang of insecurity. Alessia was gorgeous, confident, and clearly still had a rapport with Louis. And though he never gave her any reason to doubt him, Olivia couldn't help but wonder if she was competing with a ghost from his past.

Later that night, as they left the event together, Olivia was unusually quiet. Louis noticed immediately.

"You okay?" he asked as they stepped into the cool night air.

She hesitated before answering. "It's nothing. Just tired."

Louis stopped walking and turned to face her, his brow furrowed. "Olivia, talk to me. What's wrong?"

She looked up at him, her emotions spilling over before she could stop them. "Alessia."

Louis's expression softened in understanding. "What about her?"

"It's just... seeing her tonight, it reminded me of how easy things must have been for you two. She gets your world. She's not constantly running from one country to another or—"

"Liv," Louis interrupted, his voice firm but kind. "Alessia and I ended for a reason. She's my past. You're my now."

Her breath caught at his words, but the doubt lingered. "And what if this—us—gets too hard? What if I can't give you what you need?"

Louis stepped closer, his hands gently cupping her face. "Then we figure it out. Together. You don't have to be perfect, Olivia. I'm not asking for easy—I'm asking for you."

Tears stung her eyes, and she leaned into his touch, letting his words sink in.

"Okay," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I'm scared, but... okay."

Louis pressed his forehead against hers, his voice soft. "We'll take it one day at a time, Liv. That's all we need to do."

And as she stood there, wrapped in his arms under the glow of the city lights, Olivia decided to believe him. Because sometimes love wasn't about having all the answers—it was about choosing to stay, even when the path ahead was uncertain.