¿ɪꜱ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴀʟʟ ʀᴇᴀʟ? ✰𝘼𝙡𝙚𝙭 𝙏𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙧 𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙨✮

✰. 42

True Romance

✰

The constant overview of a math problem was beginning to bore Alex and with the blaring music in his ears, it was like a constant distraction. That voice of his favorite artist singing sweet songs through the cushion of his janky headphones was like a lullaby, but the beat and rhythm kept him awake.

Thinking about her, he looked under his bed, seeing a piece of his recently bought poster just peeking out from the darkness. Yes, he had a poster of his favorite artist, yet he was too embarrassed to put it on his wall. It was pink with gold stars and patterns of mismatched prints and plaid that all looked like an organized mess. Dead center was the star herself in the best clothes he's seen on a girl his age, and her name was written in pink cursive.

There was no doubt she affected him. She affected everyone he knew. Mostly, everyone. It was like she was his generation's Madonna. All the girls he knew would constantly talk about her. Talked about her in ways he was sure they belonged in a mental hospital, but he knew he also thought like that. Having as big a crush on a pop star his age was something he kept hidden. Even from his friends. Even from Matt. That's how serious he knew it was.

In his wildest dreams, he would conjure up the thought of meeting her in person. Possibly meeting her backstage at one of her concerts, meeting her at a coffee shop, a park, or the library. And what would he do when he met her? Maybe a smile and a wave? No, that's lame. A hug? That's better.

"Alex!" His mother called him from the front door, "Matt is here!"

It barely registered in his mind that his friend was already inside his house, before said friend opened the door to his room to find him zoning out. Matt made himself comfortable quickly, rightfully so; he's been here many times and considered it a second home.

"What's new?" Matt asked, crossing his legs once he lay his back on Alex's bed.

"Hm? Oh, nothing really. Just... homework."

"And what are you listening to?"

"...Oasis."

Matt squinted his eyes at his friend, sensing something wasn't right. He got up from his comfy spot and leaned in close to his poor piece of a headset. Instead of the voice of Liam Gallagher and groovy guitars, he heard the voice of that one artist everyone has been gushing about lately. Matt didn't really know what to say. He wasn't shocked about his music choice, but more so about the lie he told.

"Sounds cool, but why'd you lie?"

Alex shrugged, pausing the music and taking off the small headphones. "I like her music."

"Yeah? Well, now I know." Matt observed his friend, noticing the sad posture and face he had. "Why that face? Something wrong? Was I not supposed to find out?" He chuckled, trying to make light of the situation.

"No, no," Alex assured. "I wanted to talk to you about this, actually." Alex got down by his bed and pulled out the rolled-up poster, not yet unraveling it in front of Matt. "Promise not to laugh."

Matt was about to laugh at his stupidity out of habit, but forced it down and agreed. He watched as Alex unrolled the crisp poster, seeing that pop star in the center of organized madness. He thought what he would show him would be something worse. What Alex showed Matt was something normal.

"That's nice..." Matt encouraged him, a bit confused. "Why don't you hang it up?"

"That would be embarrassing."

"Embarrassing because?..."

Alex sighed and put the poster on the bed, watching it coil naturally, "Because people don't expect me to like her. I don't look like I listen to her music. I'm supposed to like... rock bands and whatnot."