This is it, you guys,” I say as we approach. “Everything we’ve always dreamed about. This is our Holy Grail.”

Charlie, Jamie, and I stand before it side by side, tears in our eyes as we admire its indescribable beauty.

“Our Disneyland,” Charlie adds, her pink hair blowing slightly in the warm breeze.

Jamie nods as a wide smile spreads across his face. “Our Graceland. I can’t believe we’re actually here.”

We each take in a deep breath.

“Are we truly worthy of so much awesome?” I ask.
Charlie takes a brave step forward. “Yes. We are.”
When we say it, it’s a whisper, like the name itself is to be cherished: “SupaCon.”

We take the final steps toward the building.

Crowds of cosplayers line the entrances.

I smile at those who look my way.

We pass Batman posing for a photo with Groot, Jessica Jones walking hand in hand with Michonne, and Goku lining up behind Darth Vader to buy coffee. A little girl dressed as Captain Malcolm Reynolds runs toward a group of Marty McFly cosplayers and asks for a closer look at their hoverboards.
My geeky kindred spirits.

“For years,” I say as we get closer, “we’ve stalked the SupaCon posts of strangers on the other side of the world. And now here we are.”

“Charlie!” A woman with curly blond hair is speed-walking toward us, waving and smiling.

“Oh, hi!” Charlie lights up with excitement and hugs her. She gestures to us. “These are the friends I told you about: Taylor and Jamie. Guys, this is my new manager, Mandy.”

“Hey,” Jamie says with his stellar grin.

I nod. “Hi.”

“Hey, welcome to SupaCon! How was your flight?”

“Long,” Charlie replies. “When did you get here?”

“Yesterday. Had to get a few things organized.” She starts rummaging through her handbag. “I’ve got three passes for you all, but I’m afraid I could only get one VIP pass for you. Your friends will have to stay on the public floors while you do your publicity rounds.”

Charlie’s smile fades, and she glances at Jamie and me apologetically. “Mandy, isn’t there anything you can do? Maybe you could call the studio and tell them these two are my entourage. I need them.”

Mandy shakes her head slowly. “Sorry, all the VIP passes were snapped up months ago. I don’t have the pull to get any more. I can get you guys inside now without lining up, but if you want to attend any panels or signings, you’ll have to line up like everyone else.”

My shoulders tense, and my palms start to get clammy. The thought of spending the next three days in lines with hundreds of people makes me break into a nervous sweat. Jumping the lines was supposed to be one of the perks of tagging along with Charlie.

Sensing my quiet panic, Jamie flashes me a reassuring smile. “It’s all good, Tay.” He leans in, his brown eyes looking at me from behind dark lashes. “At least this way, we don’t have to worry about Charlie’s fangirls swarming all over us everywhere we go.”

I push up my black, thick-rimmed glasses and look away, choosing to focus on his Converse sneakers instead. “Okay.”

Mandy watches me curiously, her eyes darting between me and Jamie, then landing back on me. “I love your cosplay! Queen Firestone, right?”

“Yep!” I grin, smoothing out my coat.

I’ve never cosplayed before, but I couldn’t resist the chance to dress as my literary hero for SupaCon. I look down at my outfit, quietly congratulating myself. I nailed it.