My biggest fan

Chapter sixteen - I was wrong

Jayden's POV:

I didn't go to Kali's concerts. Mostly, I did it because of my sister. I have nothing against the singer. The good news is that one of her fans decided to stream it online. I will admit that she is a good singer. She has talent. In the beginning, it looked like an ordinary concert. Nothing unusual. That was until some pictures started showing up on the screen behind her. Fans screamed at her to turn around. I guess she didn't expect that. Honestly, I have to congratulate her for the way she handled this. It's not easy to smile after seeing such a thing. She must have felt horrible. This is when I started feeling bad for her. I didn't hate her, but she wasn't my favorite person. All this time, she was an ordinary girl. After the concert, I walked out. I decided to visit my friend at his diner. That's when I saw her. Kali was sitting alone. I tried to avoid the topic, but I couldn't. I wanted to know how she felt. After some time, we went for a walk. She started talking without me asking her anything. Maybe it made her feel better. I'm not sure about this. Of course, I kept this only for myself. I don't want anyone to think she is dating someone else or that I'm creating drama. I told her not to tell anyone about this. Kali said she would stay in the town for a few more days. I hope that we can go out again.

Kali is going home after two days. The last time I saw her was after the concert. I didn't say much. Most of the time, she was talking. I guess she needed someone to listen to her. I'm not the right person, but I don't mind. Some people feel better that way. I still feel sorry for her, but I won't show it. I don't think she liked it. How else was I supposed to react? I can't be happy. I didn't like her before, but it doesn't mean I want all the bad things to happen to her. She is an ordinary person.

I'm having breakfast. There is no one at home. Kali texted me through her account that she wanted us to meet. I will go to her hotel room. I have no idea what we'll do. Well, I agreed to do it. I have nothing else to do. My next semester will start after less than two weeks. When I finished eating, I went to get ready. Later, I walked out. I should say that she picked one of the expensive hotels. At least the food here is good. I went to her room and knocked on the door. Soon, she opened it.

- Oh, hey. If you will change, I can go out.

- No, no. Come in.

- How are you?

- I don't know.

- Is there another problem?

- What do you want us to do?

- I haven't planned anything.

- Great. Can we stay inside? I'm not in the mood to go out.

- Sure. We can sit and talk.

- Thanks.

- Where are your friends?

- Danny, Jack, Alyssa, and Jasmine went home. I gave them a free week. I have no idea where Bryan and Jess are. I told them to go away. Everything else is not my business.

- How bad is it?

- The worst thing possible. - she said, almost crying

- I'm sorry. I won't talk about this.

- It's ok. I can't keep avoiding it.

- Can I do something to make you feel better?

- Yes.

- What is it?

- You can order pizza for lunch. I'll pay for it.

- I can order it only if I pay for it.

- Jayden.

- Please. Pretty please.

- You talk like a little girl.

- I must have learned something from my sister. - I said, and she laughed

- I thought you would come to see me.

- This has nothing to do with you. I can't let her keep getting what she wants.

- She is still young.

- So?

- Thank you for coming here. I appreciate it.

- Can I ask you something?

- Sure.

- Why me? You have other friends. With what am I different?

- You don't hate me. You don't like me because of your sister. I never bothered you before.

- Only for that?

- You are a good listener. I'm sorry for messing you with this.

- I don't mind. My life is not that interesting. - I said, chuckling

- But you have other things to do.

- I still have some free days before the beginning of my next semester.

- What are you studying? You might have told me, but I forgot.

- Business. I want to have my own one day.

- You will have it. I know it.

We stayed in the hotel room until lunchtime. I ordered pizza. Most of the time, she was talking. I'm glad she is in a better mood. It's not like this is because of me. I have nothing to do with it. Let's say that I'm trying to avoid one topic. I don't want to upset her. After lunch, she wanted us to go to that diner again. My friend will be happy to have some customers. I might be the only one who doesn't get the drink for home.

- Do you feel better? - I asked

- A little bit, yes.

- What do you want us to do in the afternoon? We can go back to your hotel room.

- No, thanks. I might stay outside for a while.

- Aren't you afraid that fans might see you?

- I'll go and pick up a hoodie with sunglasses.

- No offense, but there is no sun.

- It doesn't matter. Later, we can go somewhere. Do you know a quiet place?

- It depends on what you mean by quiet, but I think I know one.

- Great.

- We can go for dinner later.

- You don't have to spend the whole day with me. I'm fine.

- I never said the opposite. I have nothing to do.

- Are you sure? Your friends might be waiting for you.

- It's ok. I see them every day at university.

- What are they studying?

- The same as me. Only one of us will use their project idea for a future business.

- Can I hear it?

- Bailey wants to make makeup products that can be used as a few things.

- I don't understand.

- Let's say you have a liquid lipstick you can use for blush.

- That's creative. I would use such a thing. It will save me money.

- Do you have much makeup at home?

- No, I'm trying to spend less money on unnecessary things.

- That is good.

We kept talking for an hour. Kali wanted to go to her hotel room to pick up a few things. In this outfit, I will never recognize it was her. It's amazing how clothes can change you. We kept walking around the town. She wanted a quiet place, but I will try something else. When I was in high school, my friends and I used to come to this gaming center. If you collect some points, you can get a price. But you need to buy tickets.

- What do you want us to play? I might win you something.

- Thanks, but I'm not in the mood for that.

- Come on. What kind of pop star are you?

- I'm far away from that, but thanks.

- It can make you feel better. I have done this with girls before.

- Really?

- It was only one, but it still counts.

- If you say so. I will try the one with the basketball balls.

- Nice. Let's see who will score more points.

- Don't you need tickets for that?

- Yes, or we can buy a card. It will be charged with tickets as well.

- How much do I need to give you?

- Let me think. Zero dollars and zero cents.

- I'm serious.

- Me too. I know you have money. Well, you don't need to spend them.

- I barely buy things.

- Why?

- Because it's useless. I don't need that many things.

- How many tickets should we get? A hundred?

- Isn't this too much?

- It's never too much.

- You can get them. Well, as long as it doesn't cost that much.

- You don't need to pay me back for everything. I do it because I want to.

- Yes, but I feel bad. I don't know how much you have, but I'm sure it's not that much.

- Leave this on me.

- Fine. I won't argue with you.

- Good. You can go to the game. I'll come in a minute.

- Sure. I'll wait for you.

- I haven't seen you in a while. - the seller said

- I grew up. - I said, and he chuckled

I was right. The games made her feel a bit better. At least she was having fun. You can tell she has never played any of these. At least she is pretty and can sing. No one can be perfect at everything. That is impossible. We spent three hours there. I wanted to go earlier, but she was in a good mood. Later, we went for dinner. I know a small restaurant. The chances of her getting recognized are not that big. Also, the food here is not that expensive.

- This tastes delicious. Thank you for taking me here. - Kali said

- No problem. How was your day?

- The end was better than the beginning.

- See?

- Fine. You were right. I'm sorry.

- I know, but it's good to hear it. You can trust me next time.

- Who said there will be a next time?

- Oh, ok then.

- I'm kidding. I don't know if I will come back to this town. Well, I might come to see you.

- It's better if no one knows you were with me.

- Why not?

- Because I don't want to be the popular villain on the internet.

- You are not a villain.

- This is what people say. You two broke up because of me. Rumors spread quickly.

- I dumped him because he cheated on me. Everyone saw this.

- Yes, but still. Trolls exist.

- True. I meet them every day.

- How do you deal with this? Isn't it bothering you?

- Yes, but I'm trying not to care that much.

- Good for you. I wouldn't survive.

- I was sensitive in the beginning. Like every person who starts with social media, I expected people to like me.

- It didn't turn out this way.

- Not at all. At least some people defended me.

- Now they are millions.

- Some of them might be fake fans. You never know.

- Why would someone do that?

- I have no clue. I thought my best friend was on my side, but as you can see, she wasn't.

- I'm sorry about that.

- It's ok. I'll talk with her when I go back home. She needs to move out.

- Things were deep.

- I let her in my life. Now, I have to delete her. That will take time.

- I'm sure you can do it. You will find better friends.

- I might already have found one.

- Oh, thanks.

We kept talking for some time. I don't even know why I hated her so much. I think it was because of my sister. I never had anything personal against her. The thing is that I did and said things to her that I shouldn't. I'm glad that she is not mad at me for that. The day with her was good. It's the last thing I expected, but I'm happy. Of course, no one will know about this. I don't want drama and speculation. For now, we can keep things private. Also, it will be better for her. It's not like I will see her again soon. Maybe that is the better way. I hope that she will resolve her problems.