“Stop looking so nervous, they’re just a bunch of idiots.” I keep a firm grip on your hand as we walk down the empty streets of our hometown. You’ve been fidgety and bombarding me with questions all day, so nervous to meet the rest of the boys.

I’m surprised it’s took us this long for you to finally meet all of them, but I guess life has been pretty crazy lately. Not that they haven’t been getting their fill of talks about you from me. They might complain about how much I talk about you, but after today, they’ll understand why.

You and I have been dating for a little over a year now, which means we’ve been together through this whole transitionary period of my life. Going from a small town, student, and bakery cashier to a member of a famously growing boyband is crazy. But you’ve stuck around. Because you’re just that great.

It’s nice to be back home for a little while to rest and reconnect with what I left behind. But it’s especially nice to be back with you. Being away is hard, but it makes the days we see each other that much sweeter.

Today’s a bit different, though. Our new manager, Simon Cowell—you might know him—wants our band to work on bonding and developing a close relationship between us all. That includes visiting each others hometowns. I’ve already given them the quick tour of Holmes Chapel—quick because it’s quite small—and now it’s time to introduce them to my loved ones. They know my mom and sister, so you’re really all that’s left.

We’re meeting them at a small cafe in town for lunch, and you seem to be more nervous than I am. When I’m the one introducing my super awesome, super pretty, amazing girlfriend to a group of teenage boys…