*Luke's P.O.V*
Another day on tour with the guys, this time in Charlotte, North Carolina. I like it here, there's this nice "atmosphere"; actually, I like every part of the USA. It's a little different from Australia, but who's to say 'different' is a bad thing?

"Hey, Luke," I hear Calum calling me. "what is it that you look so much through this window?" He asks, realizing I was a little thoughtful admiring the sight my hotel room provided me.

"Nothing," I shrug "I like watching things from above, that's all. I was thinking about walking around, want to join me?"

"Without a bodyguard? They're in a break, remember? What do you think that's gonna happen if you go outside on your own? You'll probably be attacked!" Calum starts laughing, like what I just suggested is completely stupid... Yeah, granted, I'm the king of stupidities anyway.

"You're right, but I won't be long. I just want to walk around the block and get to know Charlotte a little. We've been here so many times and I haven't had the chance to look around yet" I grab my documents, keeping them all on my leather black jacket. "Be right back, man." I tell Calum, playfully punching his shoulder.

I put my sunglasses on before leaving the hotel, trying to go "incognito", as if I could ever nail it. I start walking aimlessly, watching people on the pavement, racing cars and open stores.

Even though I love this whole "star" thing, I miss going out like a normal person and doing things normal people do, like going to Mc Donald's and ordering a Big Mac without fearing some teenage girl will jump on me, screaming like she's just seen God. Don't get me wrong, for Christ's sake! Fans are the best part of my job, I have now attention from people I never thought I would, but what is it for if I never feel like they want to actually get to know me?

At some point I go through this small coffee & cupcakes store, and my chubby syndrome buzzes. I stop at the door to look inside: there are only a few costumers, which means peace and quiet for a couple minutes, at least. I decide to go inside and as I do that, a tiny bell connected to the door warns the cashier there's a new costumer.

"Good afternoon, sir" A girl aged around 17 greets me, slightly bad tempered. "What are you ordering?"

"I'd like a red velvet cupcake. And coffee, please." I speak, trying to hide my face as much as possible. I'm afraid she might recognize me and make it way too big of a deal. However, she doesn't even look at me; simply writes down my order and says I can sit down that when it's ready she'll take there for me. So I choose a table on the right corner of the store. When I finally sit and look forward I notice this girl. She's drinking coffee and reading a  book which I think might be a classic.

How intellectual. I grin, watching as she smiles to the pages like there's some joke hidden there. The book girl doesn't even seem to realize I'm watching her, so I put my glasses off and try guessing which book she's reading. A couple failed tries later, the cashier/waitress comes with my food.

"Thank you." I say, shaking my head to the girl. When I do this, something seems to click inside her, and her eyes widen.

"A-are y-you--"

"Shhh" I interrupt her. "Please don't tell anyone"

"Take a picture with me?"

I roll my eyes but nod. In less than two seconds she takes the photo and heads back to wherever she was before.
That reaction is new, I think. She didn't even scream.

I look to book girl and her smile is still there, focused on her reading. I'm surprised she didn't listen or see what just happened. I focus my attention on my cupcake now. When I finish eating half of it, I hear some weird noises coming from the front of the store. The cashier was outside, screaming on the phone like crazy, so she looks back and points at me. That's when I know.

"Fuck me" I murmur and quickly grab the money to pay for the service. I leave it on top of the table but before I can stand up, I hear someone's "pssst". It's the book girl, now she's got her eyes locked on mine.

"Hey," she starts "not trying to scare you or anything but I'm pretty sure that girl sent the picture to all her contacts and now, she's giving the address so her friends can show up to see you. If I were you, I would leave; now."

"That's what I was planning on doing" I reply, standing up and heading towards the front door.

"Are you seriously going through that door? She won't let you take a single step out of here, and the army she called is probably approaching." She whispers, closing her book and putting it inside her bag. "There must be a backdoor. C'mon, I'll help you"

The girl passes through me and, even unsure of what I'm doing, I decide to follow her. She goes through this small door crossing the store and gets to the administration. Looking for a way out she shakes her head side to side on complete darkness.

"Why do you think there's a backdoor?" I ask her in disbelief.

"Think about it" she responds without looking at me, still seeking for the exit. "This is a food establishment. There's always a backdoor. How do things arrive? Can you imagine everything passing through the front door? That wouldn't be cool, not fancy. Backstage must never be seen by costumers!"

I can't help but laugh. The way she said it was so determined and naive at the same time, so cute!

"Maybe you're right" I agree, still laughing. "So where's this, huh, backstage door exactly?"

"Somewhere, like..." She leans her body to a short aisle on the right. "there!" Book girl grabs my hand, opens the door and starts walking quickly to the left.

"My hotel is that way!" I tell her, pointing at the opposite direction.

"So is the army!" She mocks, letting go of my hand. "Sorry, I just thought you wanted to make sure no one follows you."

I grab her wrist and turn her around. Jeez, she's nuts! "What do you suggest, then?" I ask her, my eyes locked on her hazel ones. They remind me of autumn leaves, really beautiful, may I add.

She smiles sweetly at me and points somewhere behind her. "There's this park a few blocks away. It's small, and people who go there are mainly old couples and little kids. Perhaps no one disturbs you there for now."

Still not knowing why, I trust her. She can be fooling me completely, ready to push me inside the lion's cage. However, something about her voice, her eyes and her smile makes me relax and follow her, for the second time.

"Thanks for, uh... helping me out of this." I tell her, walking by her side. "Without you I wouldn't be able to go back to the hotel anytime soon!"

"My pleasure" She smiles at me, small laughing. "I can't say I know, but I assume it must be tiring having all this attention the entire time."

"Do you know who I am?"

"Of course! Luke Hemmings, from 5 Seconds of Summer."

"And why didn't you freak out like the girl back there?" I ask, sarcastically. "We're not good enough for you?"

"Are you kidding me? I like you guys way too much for my own good! I've been following since She Looks So Perfect and even wanted to go to your concert, but couldn't get the tickets. I just think that even though you're famous and all, you're just like everybody else, and shouldn't stop yourself from doing normal things because of your career."

And again, I get completely surprised and embarrassed. I acted a little full of myself, damnit. What's wrong with me? Luke, you're a fucking douchebag.

A fan is walking by my side and hasn't asked for a picture, an autograph, anything. She didn't freak out when she saw me... Maybe her favorite one is Michael. It's always Mikey. I puff at the thought and she seems to hear it.

"What?"

"Nothing. I'm thinking about this whole crazy thing that just happened" I lie. "Hey... I can hear a little accent in your voice. You're not American, are you?"

"No, I'm not! I've tried to get rid of this stupid accent for 15 years!" she laughs. "I can also hear your Australian one."

"What can I do? It's my charm" I joke, winking at her.

"Granted!" She agrees, giggling and blushing a little. I did blush too, I'm not usually this talkative to people I don't exactly know.

A few minutes later, we finally get to the park she was talking about, and like she said, there are only old ladies sitting on the benches and little kids learning how to ride their bikes. She then stops and crosses her arms around her chest.

"So, this is it. I used to come here a lot a couple weeks ago. Your hotel is nearby, isn't it? I'm assuming it's Renaissance."

"That's accurate" I tell her.

"Then, if you go straight on this street until you see a bank you'll end up only one block away from Renaissance. You'll just have to turn left after that and voilà." She snaps her fingers. "You're there!"

I look at her and make a few conclusions:
1- She helped me getting rid of that whole situation and didn't seem like she is expecting something in return;
2- She's our fan;
3- She's talking to me like I'm a normal person;
4- She's hot.

I can't let her go without giving something in return, but what?

"Thank you once again." I smile at her, sincerely. "Can I do something for you? Do you want a photo or something like that?"

She simply chuckles and denies it, looking deep into my eyes. In this moment I feel this weird shiver through my whole body. Gosh, her smile is incredibly beautiful.

"Don't worry about it. I met you, and that's all that matters. But if you really want to do something for me, here it is: next time you decide to go out, try wearing one of those detective coats and a hat. Your sunglasses fool no one" she laughs, and I do too.

"I'm glad I may have you to help me out again!" I say, and she smiles, timidly.

I don't know what is it about this girl, but something inside me awakens and I begin to feel more and more disappointed that I might never see her again. I just cannot let this happen.

"Look... I could get you tickets for today's concert, if you want to. And backstage." I smile, feeling my heart slightly racing in my chest.

"Do I have to sneak in by the backdoor?" She jokes, and I let out a small laugh.

"You can if you'd like, but I'd go for the traditional entrance. All you have to do is..."

For a moment, I remain silent. I have no guarantee I can trust book girl; I don't know if what I'm about to do could turn into a complete chaos, which can easily happen. However, she could've fooled me this whole time and didn't. So I decide to do this. I decide to give her a shot.

"...give me your number. You know, so I can tell the crew you're gonna show up and explain you everything." I finish, timidly, unable to look into her eyes for a long time. She then grabs my waist and hugs me tight.

"Are you serious? Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She says against my chest. I pray she doesn't hear my racing heart. I hug her back and a few seconds later she lets go of me, a little embarrassed.

"Sorry about that" she awkwardly smiles, looking at her feet. "I think I'm gonna save celebrities more often."

I laugh, grab my phone, unlock it and hand it to her so she can type her number. Once she's done, she locks and and gives it back, thanking once again.

"Please don't get lost! There's no way I can ensure you there aren't more fans around, Luke." She winks, saying my name for the first time. So I figure out. Jesus, I'm so impolite!

"I'm sorry," I clear my throat, now looking in her eyes. "I don't even know your name."

She cracks one of her shy smiles and looks to the ground before locking her eyes on mine.

"I'm Laurel."

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THANKS FOR READING GUYS!This is the first chapter, I hope it didn't suck completely hahaha

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