Page 50 of Fangirl

The crowd explodes.

I step onto the stage, greeted by a wave of flashing lights, screaming voices, and outstretched hands. The energy in the room is electric, the kind of buzz I’ve grown used to over the years. I wave, flashing the easy, practiced grin that’s become second nature by now, a signature move perfected over time.

It’s surreal to think that just five years ago, I was the fresh-faced kid stepping onto the set ofPrimal, playing second fiddle to Will as his young army recruit. Back then, he was my mentor, both on and off-screen, guiding me through the maze of Hollywood with his reckless charm and bad decisions. And now? Now, I’m the one headlining the panel, the name on the marquee, the face on every billboard.

I should feel on top of the world.

Instead, as I cross to the center of the stage and sink onto the sofa next to Camilla, I feel it again. That weight. The creeping exhaustion of playing the role of Jake Hollander every single day.

It’s been getting heavier lately.

And I know exactly why.

Because every second I spend as Eli with Amy, I get a taste of something real. And the more time I spend in that world, the harder it is to keep playing my part in this one.

The host settles into his chair, beaming as the crowd starts to quiet down just enough for the panel to begin. “Alright, let’s get to it! We are so excited for this film. The action, the intensity, the drama—you guys really delivered. So, Jake, tell us—what can fans expect fromExplosionProtocol: Blood Oath?”

I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees, falling into the well-oiled rhythm of promo interviews. “You know, it’s bigger, it’s bloodier, and it’s got a lot more at stake. My character, Logan, is out for revenge after the betrayal in the last film, but this time, it’s not just about survival, it’s about redemption.”

Camilla, sitting beside me in a sleek, form-fitting jumpsuit, chimes in. “And, of course, there’s the whole‘will they,won’t they’ tension between Logan and my character, Nadia.” She winks at the crowd, earning an excited cheer from the fans.

The host grins, nodding along. “And we love a good enemies-to-lovers arc.” He shifts slightly, cueing up the next topic. “But speaking of romance…”

I already feel it coming.

“Jake, I have to ask—there’s been a lot of buzz lately. The internet is dying to know… is it true that you’re dating Isabella Lindström?”

The question hangs in the air, and I barely have a second to react before the screaming starts up again.

I school my expression, already shifting into neutral, already preparing the PR-friendly response—We’re just friends. Isabella’s great. I’m focused on my work right now.

But before I can even open my mouth?—

“Nah, nah, nah,” Will cuts in, throwing an arm over the back of the sofa and shaking his head dramatically. “Now, I’m the Swedish model expert around here, alright? This kid wouldn’t dare step on my turf.”

Laughter ripples through the audience, and I exhalesubtly, the tension deflating just enough.

The host plays along, grinning. “Oh? So you’re saying Jakeisn’tin a relationship?”

Will smirks, nudging me. “Nah, man, if he were, I’d know. And trust me, he’s not smooth enough to keep something like that a secret.”

I roll my eyes, chuckling as the crowd eats it up. “Appreciate the vote of confidence, buddy.”

The moment passes, the conversation shifting back to the film, but I can feel it.

That lie.

Sitting there, lodged in my chest.

BecauseI amin a relationship.

At least, I think I am. It’s complicated. It’s not public. It’s not even official.

But it’s real. At least, to me, it is.

And Amy has no idea.

“So, let’s step away from the main questions and open the floor to the fans,” the moderator announces, gesturing toward the microphones set up on either side of the room.