John was getting ready for his first-ever meet-and-greet with fans. Although he appeared calm, excitement simmered beneath his carefully maintained composure. This was a big moment for him, a chance to connect with those who had seen his work on the big screen. Upon arriving at the bustling mall, he noticed a massive crowd gathered at one of the event spaces. His heart skipped a beat. But as he moved closer, he realized the fans weren’t there for him.

John offered a small smile as he walked past, heading to the more modest booth assigned to him for his meet-and-greet. He knew his role as Lucas, a supporting character, wasn’t the movie's main draw. Still, he held onto hope. When he arrived, his booth was empty. There was no one waiting, not a single fan. His smile faltered, but he shrugged it off, telling himself someone would show up eventually. So he waited. And waited. Hours passed. The cheerful smile he had forced at the beginning of the day slowly faded. His shoulders slumped, and he sighed deeply.

It was becoming painfully clear: no one cared enough to meet Lucas. He was just a side character, after all. His heart sank, but he didn’t want to admit the sting of disappointment. Finally, he stood up, ready to leave, when a small, cheerful giggle broke through the silence.

“Autograph?” she asked, holding up the paper with her tiny hands. John’s heart softened instantly. Kneeling down to her level, he gave her a warm smile.

“Of course, little one,” he said gently. He signed the paper with a flourish, adding a quick doodle of his character for good measure. The girl watched him with bright eyes, clearly thrilled. Once he was done, he handed the paper back to her and couldn’t help but chuckle at her excitement.

“Where are your parents, little one?” John asked, his tone kind and concerned.

The girl pointed to the side of the mall with a tiny finger. Following her gaze, John’s eyes landed on you. You were standing nearby, watching the interaction with a warm, fond smile.