The "Biggest" Fan (EN)

26.

I knew perfectly well that reading things about yourself online is always a bad idea. So, what did I do? I read the things about myself online, obviously.

I flopped onto the sofa, scrolling through social media. The internet was a mess, as always. Except now, the mess was about me. Somehow, it was both flattering and horrifying at the same time.

Listening to my music? Great. Amazing. But the endless posts, comments, and DMs that had nothing to do with music? That was a whole different thing.

There it was, front and center: Is Louis Tomlinson the Next Big Thing in Music?

"A bit dramatic, aren't we?" I muttered, shaking my head. But the real kicker was the next one.

Rumors swirl about his close friendship with Harry Styles and the budding romance between Harry and Louis' sister, Lottie. Is this relationship all business — or something more?

"Oh, for fuck's sake," I groaned, tossing my phone onto my stomach like it had personally betrayed me. They've already got Harry planning family dinners with Lottie, and I'm just... What? The third wheel?

The comments on social media didn't help either. Trending posts on Twitter were already discussing Harry and Lottie. It made my chest tighten.

@HarryS_4life: If Lottie and Harry get married, does that mean Louis will give a toast as the best man and the brother of the bride? So cool.

@KateGee347: That's unfair. What does Lottie have that I don't?

I scrolled faster. If I saw one more post hating on Lottie, I was going to reply with something that would get me canceled before my next single dropped. Luckily, not everyone was deranged. Of course, Harry and Lottie were not a couple. Who could be this blind?

@User103648: Louis and Harry's friendship gives off "annoy each other endlessly but would take a bullet for each other" energy, and I'm obsessed.

I smirked. People genuinely seemed fascinated by our dynamic. I mean, you can't fake that.

And then I saw it. The post that made my stomach drop.

@StylesSpy_1: The media is obsessed with Harry and Lottie but COMPLETELY ignoring the way Harry couldn't stop staring at Louis all night.

My breath caught as I read through the comments under it. People were analyzing. Speculating. Were we that obvious?

Panic set in. With shaky fingers, I forwarded it to Harry. Fuck.

Harry: Oh yeah, people always ship me with anyone.

Me: What do you mean? They literally suspect us.

Harry: Nah, there are too many people who don't believe it.

Harry: Relax, babe, and don't read what people post about you ;)

It was easy for him to say that. Meanwhile, I was spiraling. Who wouldn't be?

@Toast4Lou: Petition for Louis to release a sarcasm-only version of his songs where he just insults us over instrumentals.

I laughed and quickly replied: Already working on it. It's gonna be called 'Shut Up and Buy the Merch.'

"Please don't tell me you're replying to fans," Lottie said, startling me as she appeared behind the sofa.

"Would that be a bad thing?" I asked, grinning.

She rested her chin on my head, peering at my phone. "I don't know. You tell me. I didn't read your contract."

"Well... It didn't specify I can't roast my fans online, so..." I said, shrugging and scrolling to the next post.