“Louis! Over here!” “Louis! Louis!” “Louis, what inspired you to write ‘Back To You?’” “Louis, what do you look for in a girl?” + 

I struggle to maintain composure as my security guard guides me through the throng of paparazzi vying for attention. I ignore their shouted questions and slip into the sleek black van, my guard closing the door behind me. The vehicle pulls away, and I exhale, reaching for my phone in my back pocket. I log into Twitter and begin composing a tweet. + 

@Louis_Tomlinson: you’ve got me cornered and my hands are tied + 

Immediately, a torrent of notifications floods my screen. Thousands of fans are commenting, retweeting, and favouriting. A smile tugs at my lips as I scroll through the mentions. I favourite a few, then decide to check my fan account. + 

Yes, I have a fan account *for* my fandom. + 

I enter the username (pastellouis) and password. The moment I’m in, my phone vibrates furiously. I open the group chat to find the lads in their usual chaotic state. + 

@grasshoppertommo: HE DIDNT FOLLOW ME WHAT ABOUT YOU GUYS @toystorylou: no @backtoyoufool: no @hedgehoglou: no @grasshoppertommo: what a bitch + 

I smirk and put my phone away, ignoring the incessant buzzing from the group chat. + 

I created my fan account three years ago, shortly after my first album’s release. I wanted to observe how the fans interacted with each other. It was supposed to be temporary, but it’s grown surprisingly large, and I’ve made some genuine friends. + 

If only they knew who they were really talking to. They’d be shocked—and probably a little embarrassed. + 

I open the group chat again, finding Zayn predictably pessimistic. He’s the “glass half-empty” guy of the group, balanced by Liam’s “glass half-full.” Niall is the “who the fuck drank my water” type, and I don’t know Harry very well at all. + 

I follow him on my fan account and close out of Twitter as the van stops in front of my management building. + 

I step out of the vehicle and walk inside, greeted instantly by Monika, the secretary at the front desk. + 

“Mr. Tomlinson, Simon wants to see you.” + 

I sigh and nod, murmuring a thank you to Monika as I pass her desk and head towards Simon’s office. + 

“Louis! Good, you’re here, I need to talk to you.” Simon rises from his rolling chair and gestures towards the armchair in front of his desk. I take a seat, shifting uncomfortably under Simon’s gaze. After a brief silence, he speaks. + 

“Do you know that Taylor Swift girl?” + 

I frown and nod. This can’t be good. + 

“Great, okay, I’ve been thinking you can go out with her, take some pictures and all that. It’ll help her career.” + 

I furrow my eyebrows, staring at Simon. + 

“What?” + 

“Louis, it’s all for good. It will benefit both of you.” + 

I sit in silence, staring at my clasped hands. + 

“Okay, I guess.” + 

“Good, you’re picking up Taylor from the airport tomorrow. Tristan will get in contact with you later.” Simon picks up his pen and resumes writing on his paperwork. I take that as my cue to leave and stand up, smoothing my shirt and walking out of the office. + 

I wave goodbye to Monika and exit the building, reaching into my pocket for my car keys. I unlock my car, climb into the driver’s seat, and slip on my sunglasses. I grab my phone from the cup holder and start the car, pulling out of the parking lot. I hum along to the radio, and sigh as I come to a standstill behind a line of cars. Traffic jam. + 

I pick up my phone and open Twitter, heading to the group chat. + 

@pastellouis: sTOP TEXTING ME IM DRIVINGNGNG @toystorylou: WILLIAM TF STOP @grasshoppertommo: i hope you crash @hedgehoglou: NiAlLlLLlLLLlLlLl @pastellouis: i’m CrAShINGNG + 

@toystorylou: NOoOOOoOoo @pastellouis: SRRRRKTKTT CRASH SFISJFISDJISEJRQIRWL:FKJNVLKWH:PWIUJG)(WHNWKLEJV JFIU(#Q OFIU)(IJ*LJOIuf8qopeirjefOIUFJW @backtoyoufool: tf is going on @grasshoppertommo: will just died @toystorylou: ???????????? @backtoyoufool: what the fu c k @hedgehoglou: are you actually dead where did you go @pastellouis: i’m stuck in traffic dipshit + 

@hedgehoglou: where I hesitated, wondering if I should reveal my location. + 

@pastellouis: hollywood biiiiitch @grasshoppertommo: wtf @pastellouis: yeah basically @toystorylou: what are you doing there @pastellouis: visiting @backtoyoufool: wtf @grasshoppertommo: wtf @hedgehoglou: why @pastellouis: what is this a police investigation @pastellouis: i pLeAd tHe FiFtHhHHhHHhHHh + 

A loud honk from behind me startled me. I switched off my phone and continued driving. Notifications kept my phone vibrating. + 

Finally, I pulled into my driveway twenty minutes later. I parked in the garage, stepped out of the car, and shut the door behind me before heading inside. I kicked off my shoes by the door, then checked the time. It was 4:03 PM. + 

Since I wasn't going anywhere later, I headed to the bathroom to change into more comfortable clothes. I swapped my jeans for grey sweatpants and pulled on a white t-shirt. + 

I signed into my main Twitter account and composed a new tweet after settling onto my cream-colored sofa. + 

@Louis_Tomlinson: follow spree later? xx + 

I hit send and watched as replies flooded in. + 

Yes, they all said. I smiled as I saw Niall’s reply at the top. + 

@grasshoppertommo: only if you follow me you asshat + 

I hadn’t followed the lads yet, but I planned to. It wasn't the right time yet, I felt, but I decided to reply to Niall’s tweet. + 

@Louis_Tomlinson: [replying to @grasshoppertommo] guess i won’t do a follow spree then + 

Seconds later, Niall replied again. + 

@grasshoppertommo: WTF @grasshoppertommo: THANK YOU LOUIS OISJFO)^#YNFLSDKFPp + 

I smiled and switched to my fan account. + 

@pastellouis: WTF NIALL @grasshoppertommo: IM ACTUALLY IN TEARS WHAT THE FUCK @toystorylou: niall congratulations @hedgehoglou: congrats xx @backtoyoufool: NIALLLL YOU LUCKY BITCH @grasshoppertommo: IM S O HAPPY @grasshoppertommo sent a photo! @grasshoppertommo: wtfffff @grasshoppertommo: iM sOo FUCkiNG SHOOK @grasshoppertommo: THE KING HIMSELF NOTICED ME @grasshoppertommo: ME read by: pastellouis, toystorylou, backtoyoufool, hedgehoglou + 

@grasshoppertommo: aaaAAgHJjKmMoKaneidoKHWKS @toystorylou: niall this is insane @backtoyoufool: how are you even alive @grasshoppertommo: idk man @pastellouis: i’m crashing @toystorylou: what @grasshoppertommo: what @pastellouis: no i’m not + 

I frowned, wondering if I should tell him where I really am. + 

@pastellouis: hollywood biiiiitch @grasshoppertommo: wtf @pastellouis: yeah basically @toystorylou: what are you doing there @pastellouis: visiting @backtoyoufool: wtf @grasshoppertommo: wtf @hedgehoglou: why @pastellouis: what is this a police investigation @pastellouis: i pLeAd tHe FiFtHhHHhHHhHHh + 

A loud honk came from behind me, and I looked up to see the line of cars gone, vehicles swerving around me. I shut off my phone and continued driving. + 

Finally, I pulled into my driveway after twenty more minutes of driving. I parked in the garage and stepped out of the car, shutting the door behind me and going inside. I took my shoes off and placed them by the door, then checked the time. It was currently 4:03 PM. + 

Seeing as I’m not heading out later, I go to the bathroom to change into more comfortable clothes. I swap my black skinny jeans for some gray sweatpants and throw on a white t-shirt. + 

I sign in to my Twitter main and compose a new tweet after sitting down on my cream-colored sofa. + 

@Louis_Tomlinson: follow spree later? xx + 

I hit send and watch as replies roll in. + 

Yes, they all say. I smirk as I see Niall's reply at the top. + 

@grasshoppertommo: only if you follow me you asshat + 

I haven't given the lads a follow yet, but I plan to. Now still isn't the right time, I feel, but I decide to reply to Niall's tweet. + 

@Louis_Tomlinson: [replying to @grasshoppertommo] guess i won't do a follow spree then + 

A couple seconds later, Niall replies again. + 

@grasshoppertommo: WTF @grasshoppertommo: THANK YOU LOUIS OISJFO)^#YNFLSDKFPp + 

I smile and switch to my fan account. + 

@pastellouis: WTF NIALL + 

@grasshoppertommo: IM ACTUALLY IN TEARS WHAT THE FUCK @toystorylou: niall congratulations @hedgehoglou: congrats xx @backtoyoufool: NIALLLL YOU LUCKY BITCH @grasshoppertommo: IM S O HAPPY @grasshoppertommo sent a photo! + 

@grasshoppertommo: wtfffff @grasshoppertommo: iM sOo FUCkiNG SHOOK @grasshoppertommo: THE KING HIMSELF NOTICED ME @grasshoppertommo: ME read by: pastellouis, toystorylou, backtoyoufool, hedgehoglou + 

@grasshoppertommo: aaaAAgHJjKmMoKaneidoKHWKS @toystorylou: niall this is insane @backtoyoufool: how are you even alive @grasshoppertommo: idk man @pastellouis: i’m crashing @toystorylou: what @grasshoppertommo: what @pastellouis: no i’m not + 

I frowned, wondering if I should tell him where I really am. + 

@pastellouis: hollywood biiiiitch @grasshoppertommo: wtf @pastellouis: yeah basically @toystorylou: what are you doing there @pastellouis: visiting @backtoyoufool: wtf @grasshoppertommo: wtf @hedgehoglou: why @pastellouis: what is this a police investigation @pastellouis: i pLeAd tHe FiFtHhHHhHHhHHh + 

A loud honk comes from behind me, and I look up to see the line of cars in front of me gone and more vehicles going around me. I shut off my phone and continue driving. + 

I finally pull into my driveway after twenty more minutes of driving. I park in the garage and step out of the car, shutting the door behind me and going inside. I take my shoes off and place them by the door, then check the time. It is currently 4:03 PM. + 

Seeing as I'm not going to be heading out later, I go to the bathroom to change into more comfortable clothes. I swap my black skinny jeans for some gray sweatpants and throw on a white t-shirt. + 

I sign in to my Twitter main and compose a new tweet after sitting down on my cream-colored sofa. + 

@Louis_Tomlinson: follow spree later? xx + 

I hit send and watch as replies roll in. + 

Yes , they all say. I smirk as I see Niall's reply at the top. + 

@grasshoppertommo: only if you follow me you asshat + 

I haven't given the lads a follow yet, but I plan to. Now still isn't the right time, I feel, but I decide to reply to Niall's tweet. + 

@Louis_Tomlinson: [replying to @grasshoppertommo] guess i won’t do a follow spree then + 

A couple seconds later, Niall replies again. + 

@grasshoppertommo: WTF @grasshoppertommo: THANK YOU LOUIS OISJFO)^#YNFLSDKFPp + 

I smile and switch to my fan account. + 

@pastellouis: WTF NIALL + 

@grasshoppertommo: IM ACTUALLY IN TEARS WHAT THE FUCK @toystorylou: niall congratulations @hedgehoglou: congrats xx @backtoyoufool: NIALLLL YOU LUCKY BITCH @grasshoppertommo: IM S O HAPPY @grasshoppertommo sent a photo! + 

@grasshoppertommo: wtfffff @grasshoppertommo: iM sOo FUCkiNG SHOOK @grasshoppertommo: THE KING HIMSELF NOTICED ME @grasshoppertommo: ME read by: pastellouis, toystorylou, backtoyoufool, hedgehoglou + 

@grasshoppertommo: aaaAAgHJjKmMoKaneidoKHWKS @toystorylou: niall this is insane @backtoyoufool: how are you even alive @grasshoppertommo: idk man @pastellouis: i’m crashing @toystorylou: what @grasshoppertommo: what @pastellouis: no i’m not + 

If I could, I would tell them who I really am. I genuinely dislike keeping all these secrets, but what else can I do? If anyone were to find my fan account, my career would suffer greatly, and I would be over, kicked out of the music industry. + 

Because on my fan account, I’m allowed to be my real self. I take out my filter and just say whatever is on my mind, and no one makes a big deal about it like they would if I tweeted like that on my main account. + 

“They” being my management, of course. Simon wouldn’t be too pleased with me if he saw the things I say on my fan account, because in the music industry, you’ve got some sort of image to keep up with, some sort of role you have to play. + 

I’m not saying that I’m a completely different person than anyone would think, but the media strives to make you “perfect,” so a person’s true self might not shine through the layers and layers of editing and manipulating. + 

I sigh and glance back down at my phone, a small smile forming on my face. + 

hedgehoglou: he’s keeping these things for a reason, i’m sure. @grasshoppertommo: yeah, to fuck with us???? @hedgehoglou: no, it has to be something more than that. @backtoyoufool: something like what? @hedgehoglou: i don't know. but he'll tell us eventually, i know it. @pastellouis: thank you, harry. @toystorylou: …that was oddly polite. @grasshoppertommo: yeah, i was expecting an insult in there somewhere. @backtoyoufool: who are you and what have you done with william?? @pastellouis: shut up hoes im being genuine @grasshoppertommo: there he is @hedgehoglou: ???? @pastellouis: …thank you, harry, really. @hedgehoglou: no problem lol xx + 

@toystorylou: i'm not a hoe???? + 

× × × + 

Nialler got noticed :') + 

Hello everybody, I hope you emjoyed this week's update of Mutuals. I enjoyed writing it very much xx + 

Also, quick note, the *actual* story line hasn't happened yet, i.e. the drama. So look forward to that. + 

Have a good day/night! + 

My love always, Shelby x + 

instagram: @rainbowlouuu + 