The "Biggest" Fan (EN)

30.

"While the world watches Louis and his band's success, sources inside the group suggest that Skylar's rumored feelings for Louis could be causing drama within the band. The once strong connection between the two appears strained, and fans are starting to speculate about what's really going on," Lottie read aloud, her voice dripping with seriousness as she glanced up from her phone, one eyebrow raised, "Care to explain what that's all about?"

I forced a lopsided smile and sank lower in my chair, "Don't make me start."

"Oh, so it's true, then?" Her face lit up with curiosity. She left what she was doing and slid into the chair across from me. The café was empty, probably because it was still so early.

"Yeah," I muttered, throwing my hands up. "I can't believe how creepy fans are. They notice everything."

"That's life when you're famous, right?" She said, flashing me a grin that made me want to shove my head in my coffee cup, "So, how bad is it with the band? Spill."

I let out a deep sigh, "I have no idea. We've still got a ton of concerts coming up, but Skylar... She shows up to rehearsals, yeah, but she doesn't talk. At all. The tension is so bad," I paused, running a hand through my hair. "Honestly, it feels like it's just a matter of time before the whole band falls apart."

"That sucks," she winced, "No wonder you've been so distant these past few weeks."

Under the table, I was clenching my fists so hard my knuckles felt bruised. I nodded stiffly, pretending the band drama was the only thing keeping me up at night.

"What's up with Harry, though?" She asked, casually dropping the bomb.

I froze. "What about him?"

She shrugged, pulling out her phone, "Fans are all over Twitter, freaking out. Something about you two fighting?"

I frowned. I'd been avoiding social media all week, and for good reason. The last thing I'd seen there was an interview with Harry — him trying to laugh, trying to smile — but it was painfully obvious he wasn't himself. It was brutal to watch.

Lottie handed me her phone, and I reluctantly scrolled through the tweets.

@Hazza789: Why does Harry look like he's about to cry in every interview lately? What's going on with him?

@Celeb_Updates: Why wasn't Harry at Louis' concert? Fans are speculating something happened between them.

@LouBoo_435: I miss seeing Harry and Louis together. Do you think they're fighting?

@CaseyD: Are Harry and Louis still friends? Does anyone know anything?

"That's insane," I said, sliding the phone back to her. My chest felt tight. "We haven't hung out in a few weeks, and suddenly we're fighting?" I laughed it off, trying to mask the unease building inside me.

"So... Why haven't you hung out?"

"It's just..." I scrambled for a reasonable explanation. "He's super busy, you know? His album is going to drop soon, and it's huge. He's doing interviews, appearances, all that."

"Right," she said, nodding slowly. Her expression didn't reveal whether she believed me or not, but I couldn't bring myself to care about that right now. Even hearing Harry's name has been a torture.

A reckless, stupid idea started forming in my head. Jake had literally told me not to do anything dumb or impulsive, but — let's be real — that only made me want to do it more.

I tapped my fingers against the edge of the table.

But for fuck's sake. I needed to do something.