Star Bright

Chapter 1-4

Aiden Planetarium was a bright, gorgeous cube of blue-violet against the night sky, the sphere of the planetarium proper visible within the glass walls. Rafi and Julian were some of the last to file through the stone archway into the Gala, but that did nothing to keep the photographers from losing their minds at the sight of Julian, ever their darling. Rafi attracted his share of attention, too, including shouted questions about Bo and Distant Kingdom that he pretended not to hear. He made sure his wolf cape was on straight, and snarled obligingly at some of the less obnoxious photogs before following Julian through the door. It wasn’t until they were inside the event that Rafi realized he and Julian had just walked the red carpet together, a statement he hadn’t meant to make. He didn’t mind it; he only hoped Julian didn’t.

Inside, multiple gleaming stories of lobby swirled with noise and light and bodies, and Rafi tried to give Julian opportunities to slide gracefully away from him. Sharing a cab and a car accident did not make them friends, and Julian Gault was known for refusing to tolerate hangers-on or even fans who presumed upon his company. Although Julian was far from hanging on Rafi’s arm, though, he seemed content to let them drift about in the same general area.

The Gala was, of course, an incredible display of fashion and glamour. Distant Kingdom’s rise had been meteoric, once it ever got started, so Rafi had had little opportunity to get used to Hollywood before he landed smack in the middle of it. Rafi felt fortunate that he’d grown up attending important business soirees with his parents, and was somewhat inured to the sparkle and sweep, even surrounded by faces—like Julian’s—that he’d only ever seen on-screen. It was still a bit surreal to realize he was making small-talk about costumery with Anne Hathaway and Jennifer Lawrence. And Julian Gault.

He thought Julian had finally slipped away from him at one point, only to turn around and see that an older man in a white tux had him backed up against a refreshment table. Julian’s fists were clenched, blue eyes blazing as he looked around—seeking help? The man tried to take hold of Julian’s wrist, and Julian snatched it away.

Rafi walked over, inserting his body as unobtrusively as possible between Julian and the interloper. “Hi there!” he said to the older man. “Lovely night, isn’t it? I’m sorry but this is an invitation-only event, if you’re looking for quotes or an autograph you’ll have to wait outside.”

The man went bug-eyed; behind Rafi, Julian made a choked noise.

“Can I help with something over here, gentlemen?” said a smiling staff member, drawn by the noise.

The older man looked on the verge of death-by-outrage; he stormed off without a word.

“Do you have any idea who that was?” Julian asked, rubbing at his mouth as if unsure whether his smile should be allowed to stay.

“Someone who needed to get lost,” Rafi shrugged.

The staff member, her plastic smile faded now into a daunted expression, said, “That was Uncle Eddie. Edward Gault.”

“Oh,” Rafi said, barely able to voice the word. He hadn’t known the face, but he certainly knew the name. Uncle Eddie was a powerhouse, a titan of the entertainment industry, a man who could make and break careers with a glance. Rafi was in music, not acting, so there was less that Uncle Eddie could do to him…directly. “Well,” he said, clearing his throat. “I was still right the first time.”

“You,” Julian said through a smile that had become glowing, “are delightful. I do not need your intervention in my affairs, but please feel free to abuse my uncle at any time. If you’ll excuse me, I need to speak with this lady about the seating arrangement, as I will no longer be sitting at the same table as my uncle, come hell or high water.” He and the staff member stepped to the side.

The red carpet portion of the evening was winding down, staffers appearing to usher the guests into the event proper, during which cell phones were strongly discouraged. Rafi decided to check his phone before putting it away—rather spooking himself with a second look at Bo’s pregnancy tweet—and found a series of texts from Amber.

Rafi, did you start dating Julian Gault sometime in the last half hour?

Dude, I’m serious, because TMZ kinda thinks you did. Is that really his bracelet?

You looked great on the carpet btw but wtf is going on

I assume you heard about Bo’s baby, please try not to freak out

Is that what this is? You freaking out about Bo? You and Julian already have a ship name.

It’s Jurafi, which is about as awful as you deserve.

Rafi stifled a hysterical laugh. Beside him, Julian raised an eyebrow, and leaned closer to murmur in his ear.

“Hasn’t that little device caused you enough trouble tonight, Rafael? At least here you are merely being rude, and not causing massive property damage.”

“Who’s interfering in whose affairs now?” Rafi said, swiftly tucking the phone away again.

Then they were headed into the Gala, with no more time to discuss it.