The "Biggest" Fan (EN)

25.

The venue was intimate but full of press and paparazzi — rightfully so, as I saw some true VIPs in attendance. It was hard to process that, despite all these influential people, everyone was here for me.

Was the release of my album really this big of a deal? Apparently, yes. I was shaking, but it was a weird mix of excitement and fear.

I'd already shaken a million hands, done more small talk than anyone should ever have to, and felt my social battery draining faster than my phone when it's on 5%. But then, through the haze of flashing cameras, I spotted Matt. He was standing a little too far from me, but his gaze never left me. I could almost feel him silently telling me to behave.

"Hi, Louis, can I ask you a question?" A woman with a microphone  approached me. I could see the camera operator lurking behind her.

"Hey, I'm sure I'll have an interview later. You can ask me during that," I said, pulling out the polite 'I'm too busy for you, please leave me alone' line that Matt had drilled into me.

"Only one quick question," she insisted, "Your fans want to know..."

Wait, fans? Fans were watching this? Like, right now? The pressure hit me, and suddenly I felt like I was the subject of some big documentary. It was weirdly overwhelming.

"They're dying to know if you'll be performing your new single tonight," she continued when my expression softened. 

"Oh, yes, definitely," I said, trying to regain some control. "I'll be performing a few other tracks from my album as well." Just as I said that, another journalist swooped.

"Are you planning any concerts or tours soon?" Another microphone was shoved in my face.

Before I could even open my mouth to answer, I felt a firm hand grab my elbow and soon I was dragged out of this frantic crowd.

"I told you not to engage with the journalists," Matt said, releasing me with a look of annoyance.

"He practically put the mic in my mouth. What was I supposed to do?" I shot back and glanced at the sea of people around me, all shouting and snapping pictures. It was too loud to even understand what anyone was saying. I could hardly focus on what I was saying myself.

"Go by the stage to your band. You'll have to go up soon," he pointed me towards Jake, who was way too chill for this kind of event.

I went straight to him, dodging all the people.

"Will Lottie come?" Jake asked, barely glancing at me, his eyes scanning the crowd.

"She promised," I shrugged, my tone a little sharper than I meant. Honestly, Jake could at least pretend not to be so obsessed with her when I was around.

He didn't seem to notice or care, his focus still on the crowd. Then his face lit up, and I could practically see the heart emojis in his eyes when he spotted Lottie near the entrance. But a second later, his mood darkened, and he muttered, "Why's Harry here too?"

"Because I invited him?" I said, not missing the way his eyes narrowed.

"Really? You want another media circus with him here?" He hissed under his breath, eyeing Harry like he was a walking headline. I mean, he kind of was, but I didn't care.

"There are plenty of celebrities here already. Why are you so pissed at him?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

Jake glared in Harry's direction as he got closer, "Since when you two became besties? I thought I was your number one friend. But nope, now it's Harry Styles," he said, his voice sharp and dripping with sarcasm.