Never Say Never (A Justin Bieber Story)

It was August of 2010, when I sat my room, the radio playing softly on my bedside table, that I found myself spiraling into the world I swore I'd never enter; Justin Bieber's fan world.
I was singing along to a song by Nicki Minaj, rapping my favorite part, that hot August afternoon. After the song ended, the guy came back on to babble about something I wasn't interested in, saying something about Justin Bieber.
Why everyone loved him so much, I still hadn't figured out. I mean he was cute and everything, but he was generic. And being a fifteen year old girl I should love him, right? But I didn't. And I didn't expect him to be mainstream for more than a year or two then die out, fading away faster than the same initial JB band, Jonas Brothers. I hadn't found myself a big fan of them, either.
As I thought of this, Justin's hit "Baby" began playing through the speakers of my radio. I involuntarily started humming with the words, hearing the song played repeatedly not only on the radio but by my younger sister, Daelyn, followed by harsh criticism from our brother, Cyrus, his dislike for Justin stronger than mine.
Living in Atlanta, the city where Justin's career launched, you think I'd be a little more excited when I received multiple texts from my friends telling me he was coming for a free concert, as he did in his home town of Stratford. But I couldn't bring myself to feel the hype they did. Of course, I agreed to go, knowing Kayleigh, Taylor, and Paige were all huge fans. But I couldn't feel the same crazy fan feeling they all possessed. I didn't think he was all that great.
Ironically enough, that's when my Justin story began. The day of the concert, August 12th, was the day I never looked at Justin the same way...
August 12, 2010:
"A, can you please smile? I know you don't love him, but can you at least pretend to be happy?" Taylor asked, glancing over at my droopy mouth as we stood in front of a cardboard cutout of Justin, an ear-to-ear grin plastered to each of their faces.
"Sorry," I answered, feeling a little guilty about bringing all of them down. Just cause I disliked him, didn't mean I needed to ruin their concert. "I'm just not the biggest fan."
"Obviously," Kayleigh stated, rolling her eyes playfully. "I'm surprised you know any of his songs, you don't like him so much." She laughed.
"How could she not?" Paige chimed in, her uniquely flat voice ringing in a tone of laughter. "We listen to him all the time."
I smiled, seeing my three best friends giggle and discuss me and my dislike so amusingly. I was glad I wasn't a total drag.
Kayleigh smiled at me, nudging my shoulder affectionately. Kayleigh had been my best friend for about seven years, since we meet at age eight in second grade. "C'mon," she said, "I know you'll have fun, no matter what." She encouraged, pulling me along with her and the others.
After a small opening act by a band I'd never heard of, and a few songs by Sean Kingston, girls from row one (we were sitting in three) all the way back and to the high balconies, began chanting Justin's name. When I heard shieks from the huge age group of girls, my guess seven to seventeen, I knew he was about to come on.
I nodded through most of the concert, clapping a few times and laughing at the light silliness in the atmosphere. It really was a good show. Justin's voice arised, singing a song I didn't recognize until the lyrics fell in with the music, confirming it was my sister's favorite, "One Less Lonely Girl". I smiled at the cuteness of the song, imagining my sister dancing as she sang it.
I had gotten so into the adorable little movie in my head, I hadn't realized Kayleigh, Taylor and Paige were shaking me, Paige saying, "Arielle, that lady wants you."
"What?" I questioned, confused as to why they were shoving me into the hands of a woman at the end of our row.
The lady took hold of me gently and lead me down the aisle. I gulped, fearing I was in some kind of trouble. She walked me into a room and sat me down. For a minute, my mind was blank. Then, as I was navigated to a door and told to walk through it when it opened, I was unaware of what was going on.
I stepped out of the door as it slid open, moving into the light. I realized immediately I was onstage. I was sat down on a stool on the stage by a dancer. I must have looked shellshock, judging by his apparent giggling.
I heard Justin singing but didn't see him until he came beside me with a gorgeous bouquet of roses. He handed them to me and leaned in to kiss my cheek sweetly. I didn't know how to react as his brown eyes looked at mine, his lips still singing "One Less Lonely Girl" flawlessly.
~~~
When the concert ended, we made an orderly exit from the arena, seeing girls with tears streaming and others laughing and talking rapidly fast. I was still a little frazzled from being on stage, having Justin sing directly to me.
Dazed by my thoughts, I was looking down at the rectangular blue and cream tiles beneath my feet. I didn't know why this event was weighing on me so much. When I averted my eyes back in front of me after a collision with someone, I discovered I was wandering alone.
"Excuse me," I heard someone call. I moved my eyes around frantically. A random hooded boy was making his way through the crowd toward me. As he came closer, I comprehended it was Justin. He pulled me off to the side so girls wouldn't swarm him.
"Hi," He said friendly, his body guard next to him. "You lost?"
I nodded, embarassed. "Yeah, kinda."
"Weren't you the "One Less Lonely Girl" today?" He asked, smiling at me.
I nodded, still unsure what this feeling was. "If you mean the blank-faced girl on stage today, then yeah. That was me."
He chuckled kindheartedly. "I didn't catch your name. I usually say it during the show but for some reason, it slipped my mind. What is it?" He was starring at me in thought, his eyes studying me deeply. That weird feeling kept poking at me.
"Arielle," I told him without hesitation. I felt myself beaming, unable to whip it from my face.
"Arielle," He repeated, charmingly. "That's pretty. Why don't you come with me and we can call some of your friends?"
"Okay." I agreed willingly, unaware why I was following this guy I didn't even particularly like.
As he took hold of me and maneuvered me through the mob of girls, I knew something had changed inside me. I was officially in love with Justin Bieber.