3 • Nathaniel and Kaia •

"Woah. Nathaniel Fumero." My heart skipped a beat.

The elevator doors came together and closed.

I looked at the man beside me with astonishment. If I could stop time, I would've. I admired Nathaniel Fumero. I didn't know him personally, but I listened to his songs and I've seen every interview. Plus, it didn't hurt that he was only so good looking. All with his wavy brown hair that (in my opinion) was getting way too long, his calm brown eyes, his tall and lean physique, and his charming personality, who wouldn't fall for the guy? Why go for bad boys when you have Nathaniel Fumero?

"Woah. Malchaia Park," he responded, attempting the same tone I used.

I was shocked. "You know me?" I got excited. I wondered if I should ask of I could take a photo with him right now, or if I shouldn't even ask at all. I didn't want him to see me as just another fangirl.

He brought his hands together behind his back. "Like you weren't in the 'hot news' of Lakeshire Times this month? Of course, I know you. I still can't believe Asa Clavel seriously has friends. I mean, I get it. Of course you'd be friends with Asa. Kai is pretty close with him after all. But I'm shocked that Kai even is friends with him in the first place. It isn't like Asa is the only prince that Kai could be friends with. Seriously. Out of everyone Kai could've picked, he picked Asa? Asa is so hard to bear. How do you stand him? Really. I'm all ears."

I had no idea what he was talking about.

I just met Nathaniel Fumero about half a minute ago and my view on how I saw him, on how I thought I knew him, were already changing. Did he just rant about Asa Clavel? Why bring Asa Clavel into this? I wanted it to be our moment! I wanted it to be Nathaniel and Kaia's moment! This was going to be the story I got to tell my grandchildren on how Nathaniel Fumero and I first met! And he talked about Asa Clavel?

My spirits were brought down just a bit.

I know, I might be overreacting a little, but Nathaniel Fumero was my One Direction, if you could put it that way. I didn't have lots of friends but I had lots of free time to spare between lessons and responsibilities. So, I'd spent most of that free time freakin listening to this boy's voice!

I don't know. I thought he'd be more charming, in a way? I didn't want my first conversation with Nathaniel Fumero to be about someone else. Now, everytime I would look back to this moment, I'd remember that awfully awkward conversation I had with Asa Clavel.

Was this why some people would rather not meet their heroes?

I tried to hide my slight, just slight, disappointment. "Tabloids. I'm not really friends with Prince Asa. I barely know anything about him. And. . if it isn't obvious, you're not exactly in Lakeshire right now. In fact, you're hundreds of miles away from those islands. Lakeshire royalty is really none of our business, is it?"

"Yeah. . ." He stretched the word as if he was only reluctantly agreeing. "I mean, it's not something you should be ashamed of. You know. Being friends with the guy."

"You just gave a speech about how unlikable he is!"

"Yes. But that's because I'm ashamed of being his friend."

It was one of those 'both eyebrows up' kind of moment. I was unable to believe that the conversation went down like this.

Not once did I imagine my first conversation with Nathaniel Fumero to happen this way. Trust me, I've practiced meeting him a lot of times.

Usually it'd be in one of the galas my mom would force me to attend. I'd be wearing a super nice gown. He'd be wearing a super nice suit that would coincidentally match the color scheme of my gown. We'd meet in the gala for the first time. We would talk about maybe his family or his inspiration for his songs. Then he'd ask about me. I'd tell him I really liked his music. Then once we've warmed up to each other, he'd ask me to dance.

Or maybe I would go to one of his concerts and meet him backstage. Then we'd hangout for awhile after the show. Or maybe I could've simply just chatted him online and see if he'd reply. Then we'd be like pen pals or something.

Something like that.

Who would've thought I'd meet him like this. In an elevator. Without chandeliers and fancy clothes and expensive food. Unexpected. Terrible timing too. I wasn't really in the best mood when I first rode the elevator in the first place.

Plus, he wasn't really such a charming talker. Who would talk trash about a prince to a person they just met like, less than 10 minutes ago?

The quiet bell of the elevator brought me out of my trance. Shortly after, the doors of the elevator split apart, sliding the opposite directions and disappearing behind the walls.

"Good talk, Ms. Park." Nathaniel Fumero presented his hand.

I let out a breath. I attempted to take his hand for a shake. Maybe this would be my good bye to him too. It'd be nice to end it with a shake. It was a good couple years, obsessing over him. Only, instead of a shake, our hands repelled away voluntarily, like the elevator doors opening, with a shot of pain.

"Why does this keep happening to me?!" I unintentionally yelled out way too loud in frustration. In frustration over Nathaniel Fumero not being the guy I thought, or wanted him to be. In frustration over the reoccurring pain I've been experiencing these past couple days.

"Why did you even try?!" Nathaniel Fumero was bent down a little in pain, as he held his left hand with his right. "I have a show tonight! I can't have my hands weak!"

"Why is this my fault? You asked for a handshake!"

"I didn't think you'd actually take it! Have you learned nothing?"

"I've learned to be polite and not leave people hanging, you genius!"

In the midst of both of our pains, we hadn't noticed that the elevator doors closed once again and began its descent.

"Look what you've done." He hurriedly clicked the 35th floor, hopefully it would go back up before we end up in the lobby again. Unfortunately, people were already waiting at the very first floor of the building.

Nathaniel Fumero brought his hand up to his chest and looked at it, as if to see if there were any damages.

"Did you know it was gonna hurt?" I quietly asked. I wasn't really sure what I was asking about. "That we wouldn't be able to touch each other anyway?"

His eyes traveled up to me. "Did you not know?"

I shook my head. "It only ever happened to me when I tried to shake prince Asa's hand, and now with you. I don't understand why."

"So, Asa didn't tell you anything?"

"I'm not friends with him at all. I've met him once."

"Yeah. No. I know."

"You're very confusing, I hope you know that."

"I've demolished all your expectations, huh?"

"Crushed it down. Not even dusts remain."

"And I'm guessing that's not a compliment?"

The small 'ding' from the elevator came. I took a look at Nathaniel Fumero another time. He smoothed the maroon polo shirt that he was wearing. Ran his fingers through his hair really quick. And turned to me. "You look clean. How do I look?"

I would be jealous of the people who'd be able to take a picture with him a few moments from now.

"Presentable," I answered just a second before the elevators revealed a small crowd, on their way to either go back to their hotel rooms or settle down in their hotel rooms as evident from the individuals who had their suitcases with them still.

Nathaniel Fumero didn't move. For a moment, he was just another person at the very back of the elevator, waiting as the rest of the people squeezed themselves in for the ride. I was pushed to back to the right corner of the elevator, Nathaniel by the left corner. I bowed my head down, letting my hair fall to the sides of my face to cover it. I wasn't in the mood to be recognized right now.

When the doors finally closed, so did the people around mine and Nathaniel's age realized what was happening.

"Woah," one of the girls said. "Nathaniel Fumero."