Chapter 1: The Journey To LA

Olivia's pov:

One day during a livestream where I was doing a mini QnA session, a fan asked me, "Which YouTuber would you like to meet?". I started thinking deeply and after a few seconds of brainstorming, I responded happily 'Sam'.

I continued by saying that I wanted to meet Sam as he was my biggest inspiration and it was actually because of him that I started YouTube. His videos not only entertained me but also helped me during the dark phases of my life. I would be super happy to meet him.

I responded to a few more questions before ending my livestream. It was such an amazing day of filming content for my channel. I shut the camera off as it was quite late and crashed on my bed.

One morning, a week after the live stream, I woke up, feeling drowsy and tired as I slept quite late the previous night. I rubbed my eyes and immediately went to check my phone for any important business emails or messages. I know its a bad habit to check your phone first thing in the morning, but give me a break! I'm trying to work on it as soon as possible. As I was scrolling through my Instagram dms, I noticed an account with a verified mark! I checked the name and I literally jumped from my bed! It was a dm from THE Sam Oscar! I was so happy like I couldn't even imagine this day would come, it felt like a dream come true!

Oh, my mind was filled with his charming, perfect face with his sparkly eyes, cute smile and sharp jawline. For all these years, I couldn't get his face out of my head! His body was a totally different topic that I could go on and on for.

I quickly scanned Sam's message and my heart melted at seeing such a sweet compilment from him! It was like an honour receving a compliment from him about my videos.

After my whole excitement with Sam messaging me, I went to my living room to eat my breakfast along with my family which included my mother, brother and my 2 sisters. Unfortunately, my father had passed away a few years ago due to cancer. It was a very painful phase in my life but I'm glad that I'm able to support my family by making YouTube videos in his absence. I loved my family a lot and I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world.

After eating breakfast, I went back to my room to start planning the day, I went to my phone and there I saw another dm from Sam! I sat down on my revolving chair, adjusted my hair and started reading his very message. When I read that Sam invited me to accompany him to Vidcon, I remember them emailing me, asking if I wanted to be a featured creator there but I mulled over it for days but now I was able to make the decision.

Vidcon is basically like a social event where many Youtubers come together and interact with their supporters for a few days! This year, the event was based in Los Angeles!

"Mom! Im going to Vidcon!" I screamed throughout the house! It was my first time attending Vidcon! I couldn't believe this was happening! I felt like I was in a dream!

I heard Vidcon was an amazing place! I was so excited, I couldn't wait! I quickly went to my computer and proceeded to respond to the email.

2 weeks later~

Olivia's pov:

I left my house early in the morning to reach the airport, I don't know what it is but there is something about flights that makes it so relaxing. During the car ride, I was frankly excited and nervous! It was my first time going to LA as well as travelling without my family! I never went on any flight without them. I guess I'm too attached to them. I rolled my window down, letting my hair loose in the cool morning breeze and took a breathe of the fresh air in the city.

I reached the airport an hour later. The traffic was horrible that day! And after all the security checks I boarded the plane. My flight was a long one of a whopping 21 hours from India to America. The flight was pretty ok but I did feel a bit lonely. I slept through the entire flight and only woke up when the meals were served. Airplane meals to be honest are pretty gross. I once felt super sick for days after eating a rancid tasting airplane briyani! I felt like suing the airlines for serving me that slop but that would never happen.

After I reached my destination, I was greeted by the Vidcon team who were to check me into my hotel. The road to the hotel was amazing, LA looked so beautiful but somehow didn't have that much greenery and was caked in buildings! The hotel itself looked like one of those old hotels but it was grand and majestic. I never thought that YouTube and Vidcon would be so generous considering most of the trip was for free.

All the YouTubers were given their own separate rooms in the hotel, I was given a room on the 6th floor. And we were all surprised with a box placed on the bed in our rooms filled with goodies from YouTube. At this point, I was super proud of how far I have come through in my life. 

After unpacking and freshening up~

Still Olivia's pov:

I looked at myself in the mirror to see if my outfit looked presentable as I didn't want to make a bad first impression to the YouTubers! I fluffed up my dark brown hair and applied another layer of lipstick to ensure it didn't wear out.

I quickly made one Instagram story and headed out of my room. It was lunch time so I went down to the dining area and there I saw all the YouTubers hanging out. I sighed, feeling a bit nervous as I was shockingly an introvert, so meeting people was a huge task for me. I was walking towards the entrance of the dining area when suddenly I bumped into someone and fell down onto the carpeted floor. I groaned in pain.

With my eyes closed and without seeing who I bumped into, I shouted out loud but not too loud, "What the hell, watch where you're going!" After a few seconds of silence, all I heard was "Im sorry" in a very familiar voice.

I was still on the floor when I opened my eyes and slowly looked up and realised I had bumped into Sam!! My eyes popped and I lowered my head feeling very embarrassed. How could I be such an idiot?

Sam's pov:

I was so shocked that I bumped into Olivia! Guess staring at my phone while walking wasn't a good idea at all. I scratched my head wondering how this happened and immediately helped her get up and apologised.

The sunlight which penetrated through the hotel windows shined on her face making her hair glisten! She looked beautiful!

We both were blank for the first few seconds but I finally decided to break the awkward silence. 

"I guess we met on a bad note huh", I chuckled but it was obviously forced and I could tell she noticed with that look on her face.

She smiled and gave out a nervous laugh while fidgeting with her hands. 

She too said she was sorry and we just laughed it out as mistakes do happen.

Olivia's pov:

I felt super embarrassed to have encountered my idol like this. This was super unexpected and I was kicking myself to have let this happen.

After we laughed, I immediately gave him a hug and started rambling about how much I love and appreciate his videos. I guess the fan girl in me couldn't help herself. Remember how I said I was an introvert?

Surprisingly he told me that he too enjoyed my content and admired my personality. I was kinda baffled to hear this as I never would've expected for him to watch my videos, plus I make the sh*ttiest content out there so it was a huge surprise. Regardless, I was delighted!

After the rather awkward talk, both of us went into the dining area which was exclusive for creators. I saw the whole room filled with so much positivity, love and diversity. The community is so amazing! And then there is me.....but we'll talk about that later.

Sam and I sat down with a bunch of creators who I never met or heard before. Which wasn't surprising atleast for me. Have y'all met me in person?

We talked a lot and it was super fun getting to know such amazing and talented people.

After lunch, we were free to relax as per our schedule. I badly needed rest as the jet lag was really getting to me and stuffing my face with plates and plates of food made it worse! Don't ever do that!

"Are you staying in the hotel too?" I questioned Sam. To which, he nodded no with a huge question mark on his face and then it struck me....

Since Sam lived a few blocks away from the hotel, he did not really need to stay here. He often went to the hotel to attend the creator meetings.

How do I know this? Well, it's because he literally talked about this over lunch!

How did I forget what he said literally a few minutes ago? I'm seriously making myself look like an idiot in front of Sam and it's just the first day!

Anyways....I spent the rest of the day relaxing and admiring the scenery of LA from my room. The sun was almost setting and the sky was covered with a orange hue. It was a sight to see!

I ate a light meal for dinner and that's when my eyes started to feel a bit heavy.  Later, after taking a shower and slipping into my pyjamas, I laid in bed and fell asleep listening to one of my favourite music, which changes everyday for some reason so let's not call it 'favourite', awaiting for tomorrow.