It was a regular day when I met one of my heroes. I woke up ready to start my morning and threw my long, shiny brunette hair into a messy bun. I looked in the mirror to see blue orbs staring back at me. I gave myself a quirky wink: it was going to be a good day.
I decided to skip class, determined not to let even a silly lecture spoil my mood. I got a chai latte at Pavement, tipped generously, and boarded the green line to Boylston Trader Joes, where I planned to get a handful of almonds as a snack for my petite self and a bouquet of flowers to stick in my tote bag to seem really cool as I walk around Newbury.
As we approached Kenmore station, a man that I could recognize anywhere boarded the T. In a red sox cap, with shoulder length dark hair, a beard, and a perpetually judgemental gaze, sat Noah Kahan.
Ever since I heard Stick Season on Tiktok last summer, his music has meant the world to me. My lip syncing videos to his songs ‘Forever’ and ‘Orange Juice’ got me over 10,000 followers and solidified my microinfluencer status –and I needed to tell him.
“Hey!” I said, walking up to where the man was sitting. “Orange Juice, like, changed my life. It really means a lot to me and… and I just wanted to tell you…”
He gave me that classic Noah Kahan stare and scooted a few seats away from me, which I took as an invitation to sit down and chat some more.
Evidently humbled by my praise, he seemed to be avoiding eye contact and immersed himself into his phone. “So, Fenway, amiright? You excited?” I continued.
With the mention of his highly anticipated series of summer concerts at Fenway, he finally chimed in, muttering “uhhh yeah, it's gonna be a good season. Hoping to maybe… catch some home games.”
Wow, so struck by his own success he can't even believe it's happening to him?? Humble KING.
“Wow, I can't believe how far you’ve come in the last few years,” I smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “I know it doesn't mean much coming from a stranger, but I'm proud of you.”
“Thanks,” he replied after a pause. “No one ever says that to me. I’ve been going through a lot lately…”
As we locked eyes during that touching moment, a voice from the loudspeaker proclaimed “Now arriving at Copley Station.” I gave Noah a reassuring nod as I stood up and disembarked, forever touched by such a real and human moment with my idol.