I believe every fan has dreamed about their idol at least once.

   In the first dream I ever had about David, we were sitting across from each other. Beside us were two other people, though to this day I can’t remember who they were. In that dream, David and I were having a conversation that felt like it lasted for hours inside that dream universe.

   The reason I still remember that one so clearly is because the person sitting next to David warned us that our time was running out, and that we needed to say goodbye. David looked discouraged, while I felt a sharp pain in my chest—a reminder that it wasn’t eternal.

   Being close to him felt so good that it never crossed my mind we’d have to end that conversation. In fact, throughout the entire dream—even knowing it was a dream—everything felt so real that I truly believed that moment between us would last forever.

   “Hey… are you okay?” I heard someone ask, their voice echoing distantly as it pulled me away from my memories.

   I barely paid attention. What was really bringing me back to consciousness was the sweet scent in the air. Hot chocolate. My mouth watered as I tried to focus on the voices around me.

   Among them, I recognized Clarice calling my name. My neck felt like it was being massaged by angelic hands, and all I could do was nod when someone asked if I could hear them.

   I felt something cool running down my cheeks.

   "Is he okay?” someone asked.

   The voice wasn’t unfamiliar—but opening my eyes to see who it belonged to felt impossible.

   “Yes, he’s fine,” a woman replied. “Can’t you see him dancing with joy?”

   The sarcasm.

    

   The British accent.

   I recognized the voice.

   I forced my eyes open, and the darkness slowly took shape. When the light from the restaurant ceiling finally came into focus, I found Aly standing in front of me. Surprise crossed her face before she smiled and tucked a curl behind her ear.

   I had to be imagining this. I was sure of it.

   I closed my eyes and opened them again a few times before looking around.

   This has to be a joke, I thought.

   She was really there.

   Beside Aly, Phillip—with his perfectly styled wavy hair—stood up, adjusting his white jacket. Aly was wearing a yellow dress with white polka dots. To my left, I saw Elisa sitting in a chair; she gave me a tight smile that made my stomach burn.

   I opened my mouth to say something, but Clarice quickly stepped in front of me, brushing my face with what I was sure was cold water.

   “Oh my God, Pedro, are you okay? Does anything hurt?” she asked. I shook my head, trying to process everything. “Can you sit up?”

   I was fine—still groggy and a little disoriented—so I sat on the floor. My feet were slightly numb, my mouth still open, like a child seeing someone dressed as their favorite character at Disney World… except the only one who could be my prince wasn’t there.

I couldn’t see David anywhere, which left me slightly disappointed.

Very disappointed.

   “Are you okay?” Aly asked.

   Her hand rested on my back, steadying me in case I passed out again. Her perfume was sweet, making me feel like I was lying in a field full of flowers. Or maybe I was hallucinating the field—maybe all of this was a hallucination.

   “Y-Yeah,” I managed to say.

   How could I not be okay? I’d fainted, sure—but I’d never been better.

   Aly smiled softly and stood up.

   “Are you sure you’re alright?” someone asked.

   Even though Phillip was standing in front of me, I couldn’t see his lips moving. Was I really that out of it? I blinked a few times, and suddenly everything came into focus—Aly and Phillip in front of me—and yet I could still feel Aly’s hand on my back.

   What the hell…?

   I turned around, and I swear my heart nearly leapt out of my chest. Sitting right behind me, with his jacket folded over his lap and one hand resting on my back, was him.

   “Wouldn’t it be better to take him to the hospital, or at least the infirmary?” David asked, looking at Clarice, who clearly wasn’t understanding a single thing he was saying. “There is an infirmary here, right?”

   “No!” I blurted out, then fell silent.

   I wasn’t going to the hospital for fainting. The last time I went for something stupid like that, I had to get a shot and stayed sore for days.

   I stood up as quickly as I could, completely ignoring the fact that David was watching me with a puzzled expression.

   “I don’t need a doctor,” I said firmly.

   “Okay,” he shrugged. I heard his muffled laugh as he stood up. “I just think it might be better if you went, you know—just to make sure you didn’t hurt anything.”

   I ignored the fact that he was at least a head taller than me, forcing myself to breathe more calmly as I straightened my posture and tried to look composed.

   “Don’t worry. I’m perfectly fine,” I said.

   "Are you sure?” he asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.

   “I’m great. A little fall like that won’t kill me.”

   “But it could,” Phillip said, making me look at him. “You were lucky you didn’t fall onto a glass or something.”

   “Well,” Elisa said, “since he’s fine, we should go. We’re already late, and the people from the publishing house won’t wait all morning.”

   No! Stay… I thought.

   Elisa stepped closer to me.

  “Take care, kid,” she said before heading toward the exit with a tight smile.

   I discreetly patted my pockets, trying to find my phone before they left. Unfortunately, it wasn’t with me. I scanned the floor, hoping to spot it, when I noticed Clarice staring at me—her expression filled with far more questions than just concern.

   “If you’re going to faint again,” Phillip said, “at least do it somewhere without knives.”

   He briefly shook my hand and then walked away after Elisa. Aly stepped closer, and when I felt her arms around me, I couldn’t hide my surprise—something she noticed as she pulled back.

   “I hope you feel better,” she said, squeezing my cheeks before stepping away. “See you later,” she added with an enthusiastic wave.

   I was going to faint again. I was sure of it.

   “Are you sure you’re okay?” David asked, not giving me time to process everything.

   I did my best to think fast.

   “Probably not,” I replied, “but I will be.”

   He laughed, then glanced toward the exit before looking back at me.

   “So… your name is Pedro, right?”

   I nodded, though all I was truly paying attention to were his eyes. I couldn’t explain why, but there was something about them that pulled me into a world of sensation, as if I were submerged in a hidden ocean.

David smiled, rubbing the back of his neck as I noticed his cheeks turn slightly pink.

   “So… I’m David, and you… I don’t know—are you free tonight?” he asked. “I mean, you’re staying here, right?”

   When I said destiny seemed to enjoy playing with Anna and William’s romance in the most random and unlikely way, it never crossed my mind that it would make David act so unexpectedly.

I mean, who would imagine a scenario where fainting would be enough to bring you closer to someone you admire so deeply?

   David clearly noticed I’d frozen at his question, because he continued:

   “The group and I were thinking about going somewhere to celebrate our arrival, but we haven’t decided where yet…”

   “Y-You’re serious?” I dared to interrupt him. “If this is a joke, I swear I’ll cancel you on Twitter.”

   David burst out laughing.

“I know, it’s strange, I—”

    "No, no. It’s fine,” I tried to hold back the rising euphoria. “I think I know a place… If you want, I can take you there. I promise you won’t find a better spot.”

   “Are you sure? I don’t want to be a bother.”

   “It’s not a bother at all. It’d be a pleasure, actually.”

   “A pleasure, huh?” David smiled. He held out his hand, and even though it felt like cement was running through my veins, I took it. “What about seven?”

   “S-Seven works…”

   I remember the warmth and energy of his palm, as if I could feel the collision of two realities right there. In my mind, that’s exactly what happened: destiny connecting me to a reality where touching David was simple and normal. And it was. But until that moment, it had been nothing more than a fantasy.

   “I’ll see you at the lobby at seven,” he said before following the others out.

   Holy shit, was the first thing that crossed my mind as I watched him walk away.

  

   Never—not even in my wildest dreams—did I imagine David Connor would ask me out like that.

   “Wait!” I blurted, making him stop just before reaching the exit and turn back toward me. “You’re not kidding, right?”

   He laughed softly, making me feel like an idiot. There was no arrogance or ego in his response.

   "Show up at the lobby,” he said. “Then we’ll see.”

   It sounded like a challenge. With a simple gesture, he waved goodbye—his expression bright as he tried to hold back a smile. Meanwhile, I was doing everything I could not to completely lose my mind.

   “What just happened?” Clarice asked as she approached, reminding me that I wasn’t alone in the restaurant with David, like I’d imagined.

   “I—I don’t know… I think David and I are going out later?”

   “I don’t speak English, Pedro,” Clarice said as she handed me my phone, “but I’m having a hard time believing this Wattpad fanfic of yours. Go lie down in your room—I’ll check on you later.”

   Clarice walked toward the restaurant reception, leaving me alone. I tried to push my thoughts aside, and luckily, my phone buzzed with a notification:

Giovanna:

My parents are trying to make me watch Twilight for the thousandth time!!!!!

You know what that means, Pedro. Help me!!!

Me:

Do you want to go out tonight?

Giovanna:

No, I don’t want to go out, I just want you to save me!!!

Me:

Elisa Spring will probably be at the same place as us…

Giovanna:

Where are we going again?

Me:

The hotel. Tonight at 7!