The "Biggest" Fan (EN)

44.

The chair was uncomfortable. Too stiff. Definitely not one of those comfy sofas that interviews usually take place on. A fucking bar stool. But then again, this wasn't exactly planned, was it?

I was sitting in the middle of a small overheated room, a bright ring light shining directly at me, making my eyes sting. A camera stood in front of me, a red light blinking steadily on top, waiting to capture every single movement, every microexpression, every fucking lie I was about to tell.

Behind the camera, Victor stood with his arms crossed, watching me closely. Watching to make sure I behaved.

I swallowed hard, my hands curling into fists on my lap.

"Can we start?" The interviewer asked, smiling like he wasn't about to rip my heart out.

I gave a small nod even though I felt like I was going to throw up any second.

"Alright, Louis, let's talk about what everyone's been discussing these past few days. It's been a wild story, hasn't it?"

I forced out a laugh, but it came out dry, forced, "Yeah. You could say that."

The interviewer tilted his head, "You must have seen the photos by now — Harry out with that mystery girl. Holding hands, kissing," his voice was calm, neutral, but I knew exactly what he was doing. He was trying to get a reaction out of me. Trying to see if I'd slip up, if I'd let something real show.

I didn't. I couldn't. I kept my face carefully composed, though my stomach twisted.

Had I seen the photos? Oh, just a few hundred times. On my phone, on the news, plastered across every social media platform like a goddamn movie poster. 

Every time I closed my eyes, they were still there — Harry's lips pressed against hers. Her short hair, her perfect fucking smile.

The worst part? It didn't even look fake. That hurt more than anything.

"I saw them," I said, my voice clipped, "I think everyone has."

He hummed, "And? How did you feel when you saw them?"

I hesitated for a second too long.

Victor shifted behind the camera, and before I could even think, his voice rang out, cutting through the silence.

"Cut."

The camera guy sighed and stopped the recording. The interviewer leaned back, waiting patiently, as Victor stepped forward.

He crouched beside my chair, his voice low and sharp, "You're taking too long to answer. You need to sound angry, Louis. Betrayed. Hurt for Lottie. You're hesitating too much."

I clenched my jaw, "Maybe because this is fucking insane."

"No, what's insane is you making this harder than it needs to be. Play the role. We agreed to this."

I exhaled shakily, my nails digging into my palms.

The camera guy waited for Victor's signal, then the red light blinked back on.

"So how did you feel when you saw them?"

I let my face harden, "Fucking pissed," I said, my voice tight, "I mean... Lottie didn't deserve that. She really cared about him. And then to see him out with some girl while they were still together?" I scoffed, shaking my head, "It's disgusting."

That felt like swallowing glass. Harry wasn't disgusting. None of this was real. But I had to sell it. Had to keep going.

The interview continued, dragging on with question after question, each one pulling me deeper into the lie. I barely heard myself talking, barely recognized my own voice.