Carrots With Ketchup

London. Finally, after all this time, I was here, even if it was just a short trip. I wandered around the hotel room, getting dressed. Melissa, my best friend and roommate, was still fast asleep in the bed we'd been sharing. A one bed hotel room was cheaper than a two bed, and we were two, low on dough, New York college girls.

"Wake up, you lazy bum!" I yelled, throwing a pillow at her.

She groaned and rolled over, pulling the covers over her head. We had gone clubbing the night before, and while I had fallen asleep, she'd partied all night.

"Fine. I'm going to get a hot chocolate down the street. If you manage to get up before I'm back, come join me."

I took the stairs to the lobby and walked down the street to a little café, the crisp, chill winter air biting my skin. I ordered my hot chocolate and sat alone at a table, reading the book I brought with me. I had no idea what was about to happen.

Something told me to look up a few minutes later. I just felt the need to people watch all of a sudden. I checked my page, closed my book, and began to look around. There was hardly anyone in the café, as it was a tiny, family-owned place. There were only three other people: an old man, the Hispanic barista, and a young man in the corner reading a newspaper and sipping a coffee. I couldn't see his face, only his red-striped shirt, jeans, and gray beanie. His face was hidden by the paper, but there was something familiar about him.

Then he set the newspaper down to check his phone and I saw it. I couldn't believe who it was, but at the same time I knew that it was true. I tried to calm myself down enough to approach him, with some success. Finally, I took a deep breath, stood with my hot chocolate and book in hand, and approached his booth.

"Excuse me," I mumbled when I got close to the table. He looked up and I immediately felt my heart race again. "You're Louis, aren't you? Louis Tomlinson?"

His smile took my breath away. "That's right. And who would you be, love?"

I held out my hand. "I'm Josée."

He shook my hand and said, "Pleasure. That's a beautiful name, by the way."

I blushed. "Thanks. So would it be too much to ask for a picture and an autograph?"

He smiled again. "Not at all."

We took the picture with my phone and then I fished a pen out of my bag and he signed my napkin, "Josée, it was great meeting you! XOXO Louis".

"Thanks," I breathed, grinning from ear to ear. "I guess I'll leave you to your coffee now. It was nice meeting you."

I turned to leave and he caught my arm. "Wait," Louis said, "Would you like to join me?"

"Sure," I said, sliding into the seat across from him at the booth and setting my stuff beside me.

'So,' he said after a moment, during which I continued trying to calm myself down, "do you like carrots?"

I laughed. It was the cheesiest icebreaker ever, and it was so Louis. "Well it depends. I can't stand cooked carrots. Raw carrots are okay, and I could eat pickled carrots any day and every day." I smiled.

He feigned disgust. "Raw carrots are only okay?"

"Well, I like them better if...never mind."

"No, what were you going to say?"

"Well, they're a lot better if they have...oh you'll think it's disgusting and weird."

"With what?" he pressed.

I sighed and mumbled an answer.

"What was that?" he said, smiling.

I sighed again. "I like my carrots with...ketchup."

He laughed, "You're right. That is disgusting."

I smiled and blushed,

"I have to say, though," he continued, "You're a lot calmer than most of the fans I've met."

I laughed. "Believe me, I'm freaking out internally. I guess I've just pictured this moment enough times that I prepared myself enough to stay calm when it came."

He nodded thoughtfully and we talked for a few more minutes. Then he checked his phone and said, 'I hate to say this, but I've got to go. Band stuff, y'know?"

"I understand," I said.

"Thanks for the fun conversation, though. And the company."

I smiled. "No problem. Any time."

He stood to go. "I hope we meet again. See you around, Josée."

"Bye...Louis."

I watched him leave, and as soon as he was gone I needed proof it happened. I checked my phone. The picture was there. This was real. I squealed and Melissa walked in to the café.

"What are you so excited about?" she asked.

"Are you kidding me?" I said, "You couldn't have shown up a few minutes sooner?"

She looked confused. "What do you mean?"

Still smiling, I showed her the picture on my phone and handed her my napkin. I watched as what she just missed out on sank in. Then she screamed.

"You just met Louis Tomlinson?!?"

"Yeah. Had a good ten minute conversation with him too."

She screamed again, drawing the attention of the other patrons. "And I missed it?!?"

I shrugged. "Yeah. Should've gotten out of bed sooner."

Melissa looked close to tears. "Okay. We are never going to a party again. Ever.'

I smiled. "Hey, I fell asleep. You're the one who stayed up all night."

She sighed. "Whatever. Never again."

"Fine," I agreed. "Let's go shopping."

We got up and left, me tucking my napkin into my bag as we went.