Curtains dropped as the loud clapping filled the small theater. Within minutes a mob of fangirls crowded the stuffy exit. The hope of meeting their idols — the Starkid actors — gleamed brightly in their eyes.

I was one of those fans. I struggled in the middle of that crowd of crazy girls, but I was so clumsy that I couldn't make my way and run quick enough to keep up with them. Maybe my age had its percentage of fault – I was a 25 years-old with no experience in being stuck in crowds, against 13, 14 or 15 years-old fangirls who looked like war soldiers. And believe me, on that age they have such a breath and force you don't have anymore when you turn 25. I was left behind and I could only make my way after the boldest fans had made theirs.

And there I was holding my camera, anxious to meet my idols. I just wanted a few pictures and a hug from my favorites Joe Walker and Joey Richter. Only then I would go back to the hotel absolutely happy.

A few more minutes of waiting and the first to show up was Brian, followed by Lauren, Dylan and Jamie. Joey came right after them along with Joe Walker. The girls went nuts, flashes beaming like fireflies. Those hysterical screams made my ears hurt. I tried to get closer, but I had no success, I kept being pushed and in some moment someone elbowed me on my belly.

It was only when the crowd began to disperse that I finally could get closer to them. I took pictures with Brian, Lauren and Dylan; soon I could approach Joe, who was almost as impossible to reach as Joey. I let a wide smile out when Joe's dazzling blue eyes looked into mine.

"Hey" I said, my face getting warmer "You mind taking one more picture?"

"Sure not! What's your name?"

"Isabella, but you can call me Bella. Can I ask you for a favor?" Joe nodded and I went on: "I saw some pictures of you raising fans on your arms… Can you do this for me? It'd be a picture to remember."

He laughed: "No problem, Bella! You seem to be very light, after all."

I broadened a pleased smile and turned around to look for some generous fan who could take that picture for me, but none seemed available. The few fans that remained were going away; others kept talking in an excited manner on their phones, but Joey jump in to save me.

"Are you in need of a photographer?" he stretched one of those adorable crooked smiles of his.

"Oh yes, thank you! I hope you don't mind."

Joey got my camera and laughed like a little boy when Joe raised me in his arms as easily as he would have raised the lightest feather. In that moment my fangirl side showed up and I began to giggle.

"Great!" I showed the picture to Joe and gave him the camera "Now it's your turn."

Joey passed his arms around my legs before I could ask him (I wasn't even going to request him to do it) and he did it as easily as Joe did. Maybe I was really light or they were really strong. The point was that his excitement to rise me was so strong that it made my face get as red.

Joey nestled me and touched his face on mine for the picture. He hesitated a bit before putting me down.

"Thanks" I was still in his arms and his face was nearer mine than I have planned for that moment.

"Romantic." Joe said, returning the camera to me.

I showed the photo to Joey. He was still so near me that I could feel the warmth of his body. His chin brushed my hair as he approached his face to see it.

"Professional, mate. You could have photographer as a second job."

"I have many talents, mate." He shrugged nonchalantly.

Joe put his hands inside his pockets and turned to talk to a 13 year-old fan who was calling for him. I turned off the camera and pushed it inside my backpack. I raised my face to look at Joey who was still by my side.

"That was very kind of you."

"My pleasure. Now give me a hug?" he opened his arms wide.

I hugged Joey feeling some strange happiness dance inside my stomach. Usually the fan should ask for a hug, not the idol. But anyway…

"The pleasure is all mine. Thanks again." I said.

I waved him goodbye and headed to the exit, but after two steps I heard him. "Hey, wait! Are you alone?"

"Yep."

"It's not safe for a girl to walk alone at night."

Joey approached me with a smile. I tried to ignore that.

"I know how to take care of myself. I'm not 15 anymore." I smirked.

"I know, but…" he looked around as if he was choosing his words "It's late and… Well, what's your name?"

I raised one eyebrow "Isabella."

"Well, Isabella—"

"Call me Bella."

"So, Bella… Can I take you home?"

I might have lost some seconds of my life in that moment when I stood still, staring blankly at Joey, wondering if my ears had just played a trick on me. Joey stared at me looking awkward, possibly regretting what he had just asked.

I cleaned my throat: "Ah… do you want to take me home?"

"Only if you want me to." He hurried to answer.

"But I'm in a hotel—"

What a silly little child I was! Did it make any difference if I was in a hotel? "Oh, sure you can." I smiled nervously.

Joey grinned widely.

"I'll be right back, don't move from here."

"Right…"

"No, seriously, don't go away. I'll be back in a minute!"

"All right, I'll wait."

He ran a bit clumsy to the dressing-room, tumbling and almost slipping. He crossed with Lauren on the way and hit her shoulder; she shot me a glance that said I was nothing but an annoying bug. But this she quickly concealed behind a helpful smile, and shrugged.

I waited about fifteen minutes. There weren't any fans left and Jamie was the only one still there.

"Are you waiting for someone?"

"Yeah… eh… Joey." I flushed.

"Joey? Haven't you had the chance to talk to him?"

"I have, but it's that he asked me to wait for him."

Jamie raised her eyebrows. "Oh—"

I looked around, feeling awkward: "But it's taking him too long, maybe he had forgotten it. I— I guess I'll get going. Bye, Jamie"

I felt really silly for believing Joey would take me home. Maybe that was his conception of a funny joke. I turned on my heels and walked to the exit door, ready to go back to the hotel alone as originally planned.

(to be continued)