Chapter Twenty-Eight: Wattpad

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Wattpad

I throw myself onto their couch and prop my feet up, readying myself for some type of movie marathon. "Alright boys, bring on Toy Story 3," I say, putting my hands behind my head.

They all just stand and stare at me. "We aren't going to watch a movie," Liam says like it's the most ridiculous thing ever.

I sit up. "Well okay." I feel stupid for thinking that we were going to do what every fanfic does. I literally thought they were going to bust out the movies and popcorn. "So what are we doing?" I want to ask if we're playing truth or dare because that's another thing that happens in every fanfic.

"We are going to relax and enjoy the night off," Zayn says, sitting across a chair, dancing his feet off the end. He pulls out his phone and starts scrolling. I notice the other boys start doing similar activities.

What? That's what they do in their spare time? I stare at them, waiting for them to break out into haha! moments and tell me they're going to watch Finding Nemo, but they don't. Instead they all lounge around, their faces to their phones, acting like any other typical fangirl during her daily life routine.

I glance over at Niall's screen and see the familiar orange background. "What fanfic are you reading?" I ask curiously.

"'The Perks of Being a Loner'," he answers and I recognize the title as one of my very first fan fictions.

"That's not one of my favorite fanfics I've done," I tell him. Actually, I had thought it was one of my most cliche and boring fan fictions. 

"Really? But it's quite good," Niall sits up. "Beth seems to be really different than the other shit characters in most fan fiction. Like for example, instead of thinking like one of the boys is gonna fall in love with her, she accepts that it's probably not going to happen. I mean yeah, there's a bunch of girls out there that we think is beautiful and grabs our attention, but we can't fall in love with every single one of them in a way that they want. You know?"

Niall stares at me and I just feel my mouth hanging open. "You actually got all that from," I glance over his shoulder, "the first fifteen chapters in the story?" I seriously can't believe that we're discussing my fan fiction like it's an actual novel.

"Well, yeah. If it doesn't catch my attention in the first couple pages, how do you expect me to keep going? I'm not the biggest reader around," he shrugs. 

"But you actually read my fan fictions. That's just crazy!" I exclaim and fall backwards into the couch. I knew of course that they have been reading my stories, but to have one of them discuss it with me, within less than a foot away from me? That's just madness. 

"We've all read a couple of them," Niall shrugs like it's no big deal. "Right lads?" 

"Shut up, Niall. I'm reading," Zayn throws a pillow at him from the chair he's laying across. I can see the orange screen on his phone as well. What is this? Some kind of read Lilah's fan fictions day? 

"This is what you do in your spare time?" I can't even begin to understand what's happening.

"No, not really, but we might as well since you're here. I mean think about the opportunity to be able to speak to the writer and find out what they're thinking as they write. Maybe we can uncover some secrets as to why this fandom has such dirty minds," Harry mutters from the floor by Zayn. He's got his back against the chair, his feet out in front of him. 

"A couple of those dirty stories are just too gruesome for me," Liam adds, his nose crinkling. "But, there's a story called Loving Payne and apparently I'm some kind of murderer. But the main girl falls in love with me despite my flaws. I can't imagine actually ever killing someone, but the whole idea is quite intriguing."

"No, you've got to read the one about Louis the Tommo Tomlinson," Louis says from his chair, a giant smile on his face. "It was pretty damn funny. I swear, every time I was mentioned, the author had to include the words: carrots, stripes, and suspenders. I mean really? Is there nothing else about me that they know to write about?"

"There's also the infamous peter pan," Niall tells Louis and he nods. "And how come I only eat at Nandos? And that I'm ALWAYS eating?" 

"That's because you're always eating!" The boys all answer simultaneously.

"Okay, that one's true," Niall laughs loudly. 

"I got a good one, how about the fact that I can't be talked about without my fear of spoons coming up?" Liam points out. He waves his phone in the air. "Hello! What about that spork invention? That one is quite scary as well." 

I can't help but laugh at the boys as they list things wrong with fan's fanfictions. I mean I guess I have to agree with a couple things. A lot of it is just repeated things about how they always watch movies, always eat at Nandos, and always fall in love with someone. 

"I wish there was just one story out there that didn't involve any girls. Just us actually living our dream. You know? Like actually have that one story that is the complete truth," Harry says, shaking his curls. "That won't happen though. The internet is the only place our fans have come to know us."

"Well, not me," I say suddenly. "I've been around you all enough to be able to write a fan fiction that is completely truthful about you guys." Ideas suddenly start appearing in my mind. I could totally write a story about them and how they actually act. 

"So why don't you do it?" Niall asks me. "You know, write a story about how we are in real life."

"Well," I frown, "because that's not what fans want to read about. They want to hear these made-up stories about how you actually fall in love with girls like them. They want the fluffy, happy stories that are most likely never going to happen. It's just how it is." 

"That's disappointing," Zayn mutters.

"Think about it though, if the fans find it boring, who would read it? No one. I mean, you might as well write a story yourself if you want fans to see the real you behind the scenes. Then again, that's what the movie is for as well." 

"Lilah, you're a genius!" Louis suddenly yells and is on his feet in seconds. "Why don't we write our own fan fiction about ourselves, and see how the fans react!" 

"Lou, first of all, who wants to actually write it? And who has time to write it? We definitely don't. Why don't we just sign in as some kind of anonymous user and message the writers of the biggest fan fictions and see what made them write about us," Liam suggests. I nod, that idea actually sounds better. 

"Good idea, Liam," Louis nods and leaves the room. He comes back with a laptop and sets it on the table. "But how about, we use Lilah's account to ask them questions. I mean, she's the biggest directioner right? Let's just use hers."

"Okay, Lilah speaking," I say, getting their attention. I really don't like when people talk about me like I'm not in the room. "We can't use my account because every directioner who follows me, and there's a lot of them, knows that I'm with you guys." 

Harry nods. "True, true. How about we just make some random account like Liam had suggested."

"I second that notion," Niall raises his hand. 

Louis nods and sits at the table, typing away at the laptop. "Alright, looks like we're going by the name Directioner4Shizzle," he laughs like it's the most brilliant username.

"That is one terrible username," Liam mutters.

"Shh, don't mock the artist at work," Louis waves him away. "Okay lads, we're in. Time to see what goes on in the directioner's mind." Louis rubs his hands together and everyone gathers around him. 

This is definitely going to get interesting. 

~~~~~

"Oh man, check out this chick's profile bio. 'I only eat carrots.' That's just..," Louis trails off, shaking his head as he clicks the little message button. He types a quick message containing the questions as to why she writes fan fictions and how she gets her ideas before hitting send. 

A little number appears in the top corner and I point at it. "Someone replied."

Louis opens it and we read the message: 

Actually I got the idea of a fan fiction after reading another one that was posted. There's a couple things that are boring but i think it's a good idea for a story. Do you like it? Thank you so much for reading! From one directioner to another, from the bottom of the stairs, to the top of the world!

Louis' eyes widen and he looks around at us all surrounding him. "Do these people have some kind of generator on their computers? I mean, we've gotten almost a dozen replies and they're all almost the same thing. I can't help but think there's an app out there that I'm missing out on." 

I smack his arm playfully and tell him to not be mean. The lads all pick out another fan fiction to check up on and I hold in my laughter as they forget to realize that I'm the writer. 

"You know, for once, this writer doesn't have 'carrots' mentioned in the first paragraph," Louis notes. 

"Hold on, I'm coming in the picture. Maybe Nandos is being mentioned?" 

They read a couple pages and then sigh. "Nope, doesn't look like this writer is fitting in with our category of other writers. I wonder why-"

"Damn it, it's Lilah's," Harry finally notices and points at the little profile picture on the right side. I can't help but burst out laughing. 

"Took you long enough!" I exclaim. They all roll their eyes at me and go back to the discover button.

"So Delilah, what is the reason that brought you to write fan fictions about us?" Louis turns and asks me suddenly and I stop laughing.

"What?" What could they possibly want to know?

"Well, what made you have an interest in writing fan fictions? Surely there's a reason why you started."

"Well," I pick at my nails and shrug. "I guess I just wanted to imagine a world where it was possible to actually meet you guys. You know, to actually have a chance to talk to you." Wow, my answer sounds pathetic even in my own ears.

"Looks like you achieved that goal," Zayn smiles at me. "Congratulations, Lilah."

I grin back at them all. My heart flutters at everything, it's just too perfect to be true. "I have, haven't I?" 

"And the best part is that you haven't once screamed in our faces," Liam adds. 

I lean towards them and we all group hug. I can't help but feel like the luckiest girl on the planet. And the best part is that I've found out there just as normal as everyone else. Just five guys who have gotten the biggest break of their lives and are living their dreams. 

And now I'm living mine.