It Started With A Vampire

Twisted Signals

Eva stood in front of the mirror in her trailer, fixing a tiny strand of hair that wouldn't stay down. It had been a quiet day of filming — sweet, almost boring — but something in the air felt off. Like the calm before a storm.

She had barely seen Malachi all morning. When they finally crossed paths on set, his smile was there... but something about it was different. Tired. Guarded. Like he was holding something in.

They were shooting a scene together that afternoon — a quiet emotional beat, their characters finally admitting how they felt (but not kissing yet, per the new rewrite). Between takes, they shared glances. Warm ones. Familiar. But they didn't say much.

After their scene wrapped, Malachi motioned for her to follow him back to his trailer — which she did, heart thudding.

Once the door closed behind them, the low buzz of crew chatter outside faded.

"You good?" she asked, flopping onto the little couch in the corner.

Malachi stood for a second, arms crossed. "Yeah. Just... weird energy today."

Eva looked up at him, reading deeper. "Weird how?"

He hesitated. "I overheard something this morning. Not sure if I should even say anything."

Eva sat up straighter. "Tell me."

Malachi sighed and dropped down next to her. "Apparently there's a new cast member being added. Midway through the shoot."

Eva blinked. "What? Why? That's not even in the script."

"They're revamping the third act," he muttered. "And here's the kicker... the new character? He's being introduced as your character's new love interest. Full triangle."

Eva's jaw dropped. "You're kidding."

"Nope." His tone was clipped. "Some guy named Leo Santiago. Total newcomer. From a singing competition show or something. Disney's obsessed with him."

"Let me guess," Eva said, bitterly. "They want to test chemistry. Public buzz. PR-friendly flirtation—"

"And if it distracts people from us?" Malachi said, jaw tight. "Even better."

Eva groaned. "This is such a mess."

But then... his voice softened. "I'm not mad at you. I just hate that they keep trying to script our lives like we're characters off set too."

"I know," she said gently. "It's exhausting."

They were quiet for a moment, the space between them humming with unspoken feelings. Then — suddenly — Malachi reached forward, brushing a stray eyelash from her cheek. His fingers lingered.

Her breath caught.

He leaned in slightly. Too close.

But just before their lips touched, a knock came at the trailer door.

They both jumped back.

"Yo!" MK's voice came through. "We're doing a group hang! Let's go!"

Eva laughed under her breath, flustered. "Saved by the knock."

Malachi gave her a crooked smile. "For now."

⸻

Later that night

The gang — Eva, Malachi, Ariana, and MK — all piled into Ariana's trailer. It smelled like popcorn and cherry lip gloss. Someone had queued up a cheesy rom-com.

They laughed, threw popcorn, made fun of the acting... but the tension between Eva and Malachi didn't fade.

At one point, Ariana leaned close and whispered, "What is going on with you two?"

Eva just smiled and shrugged. "Nothing official."

Ariana rolled her eyes. "Yeah, okay."

Then, as the movie ended, MK pulled out a deck of cards. "Alright. Truth or Dare — chaos version."

"Chaos version?" Ariana asked, smirking.

"You'll see," MK grinned.

The game started light: embarrassing stories, weird confessions. But then...

"Eva," MK said, drawing a card. "Dare."

Eva narrowed her eyes. "Be nice."

"I dare you..." MK paused dramatically. "To kiss someone you'd never admit you wanted to kiss in public."

Everyone ooohhhed.

Eva's heart nearly fell out of her chest.

She glanced at Malachi. His eyes were locked on hers, unreadable.

She smiled, cool as ever. "I pick Ariana."

The group exploded into laughter as Eva gave her best friend a dramatic stage kiss on the cheek.

But when Eva locked eyes with Malachi again, she saw the flicker of disappointment. Of tension.

And maybe... of warning.

⸻

Back in Eva's trailer

Later that night, Ariana and Eva were lying side-by-side in Eva's bed, scrolling TikTok and whispering.

"Leo Santiago, huh?" Ariana said. "Think he's cute?"

Eva groaned. "I don't care. If Disney tries to force another fake storyline—"

"You already have two unofficial ones," Ariana teased. "Malachi and Jack."

Eva threw a pillow at her. "Ho. Shut up."

But then her tone changed. "Seriously though. I think I'm falling, Ari."

Ariana looked at her, soft and real. "You already have."

⸻

Meanwhile, in Malachi's trailer...

Malachi sat on the edge of his bed, texting MK.

Malachi:
this Leo guy... I swear if he touches her, I'm walking.
MK:
Chill. It's just acting.
Malachi:
it's not to me.

He stared at the ceiling.