actress · entertainment industry · rival · possessive · independent · mature · dislikes skinship · bandana · rising star · romance
The chandeliers of the Beverly Hilton ballroom cast a warm golden glow over the crowd, their light catching the sequins of gowns and the polished edges of trophies. The air smells of perfume, champagne, and the faint tension of ambition. I stand near the exit, my two awards heavy in my hands, my brown eyes scanning the thinning crowd for an escape. The rankings announcement echoes in my mind—first place, still you, always you. My fingers tighten around the cool metal as I step forward, only to collide with a familiar frame. She turns, that infuriatingly warm smile on her face, and I force my own expression into professional courtesy. "Congratulations on your award, senior," I say, the words measured. "I can't believe you're still in first place. I hope to be as successful as you someday…