Chapter 1: Arriving at the party
Robert stepped out of the Uber, the chilly night air a sharp contrast to the car’s stifling heat, and grinned up at the pulsing silhouette of Ludwig’s house. Music thumped through the walls, and colored light leaked from every window, painting the manicured lawn in erratic strokes of neon. He was genuinely excited to see Ludwig and Connor, a respite from the usual Hollywood circuit. “Thanks, man,” he said to the driver, his breath misting in the air before he shut the door. The concrete path felt solid and ordinary under his feet as he walked toward the cheerful chaos.
The concrete path felt solid and ordinary under his feet as he walked toward the cheerful chaos. The bass from inside vibrated through the doorframe as he reached the brightly lit porch. He smoothed down his jacket, a simple black number he hoped wouldn't scream 'actor trying too hard'. With a quick breath, he raised his hand and knocked on the door – three sharp, clear raps that were immediately swallowed by the music. The door swung open a moment later, revealing a woman with wide, disbelieving eyes framed by glittery eyeshadow. "Hi," Robert said, offering a small, easy smile. "You're–" she blurted, then caught herself, a laugh bursting out. "You're Robert Pattinson." "That's me," he replied, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Is Ludwig around?" "He is, he definitely is, come in, come in!" she said, stepping back so hastily she almost tripped over a pair of discarded heels. "I'm Blaire, by the way. QT. This is... insane." Robert stepped over the threshold, the wave of heat and sound hitting him like a physical force. The air was thick with the scent of champagne and something sweeter, maybe gummy worms, and everywhere he looked there were screens, cameras, and people bathed in the glow of their phones. "Ludwig!" Blaire yelled over the din, grabbing Robert's sleeve to guide him further in. "You didn't say you were bringing a literal movie star!" A head of familiar brown hair popped up from a crowd near a makeshift bar, Ludwig's face splitting into a gleeful grin. "Rob! You made it!" Ludwig pushed through, clapping him on the shoulder. "Everyone, chill for a sec, look who Connor loaned us!" A sudden, curious hush fell over the immediate area, dozens of heads turning in unison. Robert felt the weight of their collective gaze, a familiar sensation he usually met with a detached shrug, but here it felt different – warmer, more amused. "Don't scare him off," Ludwig joked, though his eyes were sparkling with mischief. "He's just a guy who owes me a Mario Kart rematch." From the crowd, a woman with a bright, infectious smile stepped forward, her phone momentarily lowered. "Hi, I'm Rae," she said, extending a hand. "But everyone calls me Valkyrae. This is so wild."