It Started With a Song [editing]

Chapter 7 - Best Day of My Life

CHAPTER 7

As I sat and watched the boys meet all their fans, I was astonished at how many fans there were, how they all seemed to say the exact same thing, and how the boys didn’t seem to mind at all.  From what Liam told me, I know they do, but they evidently had become adept at hiding their exhaustion and annoyance.  If that was me greeting fans who all seemed to say “Ohmygosh you are so amazing and I love you so much” in the same shrieky, high-pitched voice, I know I would probably end up killing someone.  Well, maybe not that extreme, but you get the idea.  It did annoy me, however, that some of the girls didn’t even notice me sitting near the boys; some fans even glared at me.  Very few girls smiled at me, and none had attempted to talk to me.

“Oh, you’re Lyla Rose, aren’t you!” a voice pulled me out of my thoughts.  In front of me stood a girl, obviously a fan by her many One Direction accessories.  I smiled at her and nodded.

“Yes, I am,” I cautiously began.  Liam and Niall had warned me before the concert that some of their fans were overprotective if there was a girl who seemed close in any way to the boys.  I didn’t want to get mauled by a stranger anytime soon.

“Ohmygosh, well, I just wanted to say that you were amazing.  You have such a pretty voice and I loved your dress,” she gushed.  I was surprised; someone actually liked my performance?

“Thanks, I’m glad you liked it.  I had fun performing,” I replied to the excited girl.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t introduce myself.  My name’s Esther, but everyone calls me Essie, I live in Palm Shores.  I hope you don’t mind my asking, but how long have you been performing?” she babbled on.

I smiled at her, glad to see someone friendly.  “Tonight was my first solo performance, but I’ve performed a few small performances in a band with my friends.”  Scott's face popped into my mind when I said “friends,” but I quickly shooed it away and continued my conversation with Essie.  “And you live in Palm Shores, too?  So do I!  Do you go to Palm Shores High?”  

Essie shook her head, smiling.  “No, I go to Miami-Dade Early College.” That’s the same school Olivia attends.

“Oh, my friend goes there.  Do you know Olivia Stafford?” I asked her.

“Yes!  She’s one of my best friends.  She was here tonight,” Essie replied.

“Yeah, she’s one of my friends too.  We actually came here together,” I said, “because I didn’t know that I would be performing.”

Essie looked surprised.  “You didn’t know you were performing before you came here?”

I shook my head, thinking that maybe that was something I shouldn’t have said.  “No, I…it’s a long story,” I finished, shaking my head again.

“I see,” Essie said slowly, “but do you know if you’ll be opening again for them?  Or was it just a one-night thing?”

“I’m not sure.  Again, it’s a long story.  Hopefully, but I don’t know.”  I smiled, then looked towards the boys.  They were starting to look a bit more tired.

Essie nodded at me.  “Well, I hope you’re able to perform again!  You are seriously amazing.  Not as amazing as certain British boys, but still.”  She laughed at that, and I joined in.  “Hey, would it be too much for you to sign this poster?” she asked suddenly. 

Well, that was unexpected, I said to myself as she unfurled a signed One Direction poster.  “Sure, where do you want me to sign it?”

She pointed to the bottom corner.  “I guess here, even though it’s not your poster.  It would mean a lot, though.”  She smiled at me.

I laughed.  “Of course!  Just let me go grab a marker from the boys,” I told her, turning to walk to their table.