Sweetheart. (Patrick Stump Imagines)

The Mania Experience

Today is a major day for the Fall Out Boy fans in Chicago, because The Mania Experience will be held right in the downtown Chicago. We managed to rent a studio big enough to cater our ideas specially tailored based from the M A  N   I    A album and also for the fans.

The concept was to make it an experience in an experience; experiencing the idea of M A  N   I    A while experiencing the mania through probably seeing the boys in person.

One twist that broke my heart was Patrick's idea of them being put in separate booths, designed however they want it to/based ok their comfort. So, it's gonna be like the fans and the rest of us in the venue are free to roam around and take pictures, but the boys are limited in their own booths, while the fans would wave at them, do whatever from the outside—like a caged carnival performer/display.

It's a really sad idea that we all agreed to due to the message that we're trying to reach across the fandom; that they're humans that also has their own boundaries that ought to be recognized and respected.

Anyway, my role in this event is an all-around staff: photographer, event coordinator, security, and generally one of the people who were entrusted to keep the event and the people under control.

We're 30 minutes away from opening the doors. I had a look outside a while ago and the queue was already long. The fans really looked excited and it's really cool that they're interacting with each other. At least that would distract for the next 30 minutes of waiting.

Meredith, my best friend and also Andy's girlfriend, actually took this day off from work to help out with the workloads. This is also our way of bonding together.

So far, everything's fine and perfect. We're just cleaning up the remaining mess and taking behind the scenes photos and short videos for the fandom to watch.

Me and Meredith were taking our short break  in the snack room, chomping on the vegan burger that she made with Andy.

"Mmm!" Meredith squeaked as if she just came up with an idea. "Let's take polaroid shots of the boys!" She exclaimed excitedly, which I immediately agreed to.

"Definitely! Oh my god that'd be so beautiful, like, the Coup de Main polaroid shots every time they get a feature there." I gushed.

"Exactly!"

We didn't waste anymore second and took off in a run from one room to another to grab the reserve polaroid cameras that we brought.

We fooled around and took pictures of each other then soon proceeded to the main spot where the booths and the boys are. Andy, Pete, Joe, and Patrick have already taken their places in their own booths.

Andy's booth had the most interesting design, because we literally had it filled with stack of mattresses so basically it's a bed booth and Andy was the happiest as he bounced inside his booth.

"Your boyfriend is a one big goof." I commented, chuckling afterwards.

Meredith grinned. "Gosh yeah. I'm definitely falling in love with that man again. I mean, look at how much fun he's having inside his bed booth. He's so pure."

"Oh my god how about I take a picture of the you two, like, you're gonna kiss each other but with the glass window separating you two." I excitedly gushed at Meredith.

"Y/N, you truly are my soul sister." She spoke in awe.

So, off we went to Andy's booth and had a short chat, since the venue will be opened a little sooner.

I then took my place in different angles, capturing raw moments of my beloved, treasured lovers. It took five polaroids and, not to brag, but the shots that I took made my eyes water in awe and in happiness.