On the morning of Sept. 19, I woke up at exactly 7 a.m. to embark on the craziest journey my fangirl life has led me to: the Madison Square Garden (MSG) box office. For years, I watched from a distance as different American fangirls conquered it. I watched them in jealousy because, as a Puerto Rican, whenever I couldn’t get tickets to a show, I simply had to accept my fate. But everything changed when Harry Styles announced 30 nights at MSG. While I already managed to snatch a ticket for one of his shows in October, why go to only one when you can go to multiple? So, there I was, spending a Friday night setting multiple alarms and going through my wardrobe to see if I had any ties. I was restless and I couldn’t sleep. I could only think about the possibility of seeing my favorite artist again after three years.Â
My alarm rang at exactly 7 a.m. For a good five minutes, I debated whether I should even get up. I knew it was going to be cold, I was going to be completely alone for a long time, and I couldn’t even predict how much money I was going to spend, if I was going to spend any at all. But if I didn’t try, I would never know. So I got up, put on my Together Together hoodie, and got on the train to MSG. I arrived around 8:26 a.m. to a line right outside the box office. I was right: it was cold. For a long time, I was last in line. People would pass by in awe and confusion, asking what we were doing. Every time someone answered, “Oh, we’re waiting for Harry Styles tickets,” we would get one of two reactions: people either wished us good luck or looked at us like we were completely crazy. Honestly, I couldn’t blame them.
Around 9:30 a.m., the line was officially moved inside. Thank god. We were put in a proper line right outside the doors of the box office, and I couldn’t help but laugh at myself. I couldn’t believe watching a man on The X Factor UK years ago had led me to waking up early and standing in a line to possibly get tickets to his show. But another part of me felt nostalgic. Styles has been with me through so many phases of my life and I’ve been with him through most of his. The least I could do was stand in this line. Plus, I had already traveled to Europe to see him, so I had pretty much already established myself as a crazy fangirl at this point. By 10:53 a.m., numbered wristbands were being handed out. I was number 100. I’m not going to lie, I panicked when I saw my number. The box office only gets a certain amount of tickets and I had no idea how many were going to be left by the time they got to me. I started losing hope. At that point, I had already accepted the possibility that I wasn’t going to see the show that night.Â
Around 11:30 a.m., we finally got our instructions. We could only buy two tickets and people would be called by their wristband number. The scalpers, who, by the way, were in the front of the line, started packing up their seats and getting organized. That’s when everything started feeling serious. By 12:03 p.m., the box office officially opened and the first group of people went inside. About half an hour later, we were told the only tickets remaining were lower bowl seats and the disco and kiss pods. We were only around number 50 at this point. I started praying that the lower bowl would still be available when it was finally my turn. Â
At 1:18 p.m., it was finally my turn. They called number 100. They called people until number 125, while everyone after that was sent to another line to wait and see if more tickets would be released later. Since I was number 100, I was suddenly first in line. I walked through MSG security and headed straight to the box office. I told the worker to give me the cheapest ticket available. He looked at me and said the cheapest was the lower bowl. Perfect, just what I wanted. I immediately called my mom for a little extra affirmation I should do this. Then, I bought the ticket. I was beaming. I literally skipped out of Madison Square Garden. I did it. I was seeing Styles after three years.Â
Now came the second part of the day: figuring out what the heck I was going to wear. Obviously, since this was completely last-minute, I had no idea what I wanted to wear. The only thing I did know was that I definitely wanted to wear a tie, a staple piece of the Together Together Tour thus far. Thankfully, while waiting in line, I discovered a Harry-inspired shop close to MSG. So, I walked over, only to discover I would be waiting in my second line of the day. Yes, I waited in line at a Harry Styles-inspired shop. By this time it was already 2 p.m., and I needed this line to move quickly so I could get home and actually prepare for the concert. I ended up leaving the shop around 3:10 p.m. and went straight home. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten ready, eaten, showered, and taken time to relax so quickly in my life. By 6:30 p.m., I was out of the house and walking into MSG once again.Â
While the doors opened at 7 p.m., I wanted to arrive early to take pictures. I was also afraid that if I arrived later, it would take me too long to get inside and I wouldn’t have enough time to look around. And that is how I found myself in my third line of the day. Thankfully, this one went by quickly. The doors opened exactly at 7 p.m. When you walk into MSG, you’re given the cutest commemorative ticket to remember your show. On one side, it’s a typical ticket, while on the other, it features a drawing inspired by the tour. The image changes for every show, and the artist changes every week, which makes each ticket feel a little more personal. When I found my section and confirmed my seat was, in fact, real, I went to look around. “Looking around” is just another way of saying “going to get merch.” While I had already bought merch at the Stop and Go, I wanted a poster to remember my show. Each poster is marked with the number of the show you attended, making it extra special. The merch line was quick, as they have a merch shop in practically every section. Walking back to my seat, I found a cute photo-op run by an employee, a perfect activity for a girl alone.Â
By 8 p.m., I was sitting in my seat watching Styles’ opener, Jamie xx. I hadn’t heard of him previously, but I loved his set. I think it’s the perfect way to open a Styles show. Right after his set finished, Styles started. I was nervous, happy, scared; a little bit of everything all at once. I had forgotten the entire setlist and avoided most videos on social media, so everything was completely new to me. When I heard the first notes of “Carolina,” I genuinely felt like my soul left my body for a second. The concert ended around 10:55 p.m. Naturally, the first thing I did was call my mom. I felt very happy because it was the best show of my life, but sad it ended so quickly. I took the subway home, grabbed pizza, and sat on my bed to rewatch all my videos of the most perfect night.Â
While many may find this experience cringe or crazy, I had the best day ever. It is moments and experiences like these that I have always longed for. For years, I watched fellow fangirls create these memories with the artist they loved. For years, I was always just the watcher. Now, I was finally the girl standing in line. Now, Styles wasn’t someone I watched through a grainy Instagram live, but the artist singing right in front of me. I would never have guessed clicking on a YouTube video of four British guys and one Irish guy competing in The X Factor UK would lead me to spend an entire day chasing a chance to see one of them. I’m forever grateful for Styles’ music, the memories it has given me, and, of course, the opportunities that have come from being a fan.Â
Sometimes you have to wake up at 7 a.m. and see that it truly is all waiting there for you.Â