It Started With A Vampire

Unfiltered

It was almost noon when the real storm hit.

Eva sat curled up in Ariana's trailer, a blanket around her shoulders and a granola bar half-eaten in her hand. Ariana sat beside her, scrolling through the newest flood of headlines.

"Eva Aniston & Leo Santiago's off-screen closeness sparks contract rumors."
"Are Zombies 4 Stars Too Rebellious for Disney?"
"Sources claim execs are considering drastic recasts..."

"I can't believe this," Eva muttered. "They're really considering cutting us? Over one harmless video?"

Ariana tossed her phone on the couch. "They haven't talked to the directors. Or even Meg. They're bluffing."

"Or they're panicking," Eva said quietly. "Like they always do."

⸻

Meanwhile – Outside Production HQ

Meg Donnelly and Milo Manheim didn't knock when they stormed into the on-site PR command room. Meg's face was flushed, her jaw tight. Milo's easygoing smile was long gone.

"Are you kidding me?" Meg snapped, slamming a binder down on the table.

Three PR staff turned, startled. One cleared their throat. "Meg—Milo—we weren't expecting—"

"Yeah, clearly," Milo cut in. "Because you decided to threaten to pull two of our castmates without looping anyone in?"

"We weren't threatening—just considering options," the lead PR rep said flatly. "Leo and Eva went off-script. We needed to weigh the impact."

Meg crossed her arms. "They improvised a friendship video. You're acting like they leaked the script."

"They're undermining the campaign," the rep said. "We've invested in Leo and Eva as a marketable couple. If that gets jeopardized—"

"You don't get to play director just because you're nervous about a trending hashtag," Milo snapped. "You do not own them."

Meg's voice dropped, low and dangerous. "If you even think about recasting them without talking to the people who actually make this movie—there will be a problem."

The room fell into silence.

Then the PR rep, clearly shaken, said, "We'll bring it to the directors."

"Damn right you will," Meg said, turning on her heel.

⸻

Eva's Trailer – Later That Afternoon

Malachi knocked, again. He'd been there three times that day already, but this time, Eva opened the door.

Her eyes softened. "Hey."

"Can I come in?"

She nodded, stepping aside.

Malachi didn't try to touch her, didn't push. He just sat beside her on the tiny couch, a respectful distance between them.

"I saw the headlines," he said. "And I heard about PR threatening you."

Eva nodded. "Meg and Milo went off on them."

"Good." He looked over at her. "You okay?"

She hesitated, then said, "I'm scared."

"Of being fired?"

"No," she said, looking at him fully now. "Of losing this."

His breath caught.

She continued, voice fragile but honest. "You and me... we've been careful, secret, patient. But sometimes it feels like the whole world is trying to break us before we've even started."

He reached for her hand.

"They can try," he whispered. "But they won't win."

Her fingers curled around his. "Even if they leak more stuff?"

"Even then."

She looked down. "I don't know how much more I can take, Kai."

"Then lean on me," he said. "I'm not going anywhere."

⸻

Leo's Trailer

Leo sat on a folding chair, staring at the ceiling. A producer had just left, warning him that "if the PR fire doesn't die down, your screen time might."

He didn't say anything until Ariana appeared at his door, arms full of snacks.

"Don't mope," she said. "I brought your emotional support Doritos."

Leo smiled faintly.

"You okay?" she asked.

He shrugged. "Apparently, my friendship with Eva is 'too powerful' for Disney's brand strategy."

Ariana snorted. "That's the dumbest sentence I've ever heard."

Then she leaned against the counter and said, more seriously, "You're not alone. We've got you."

Leo looked at her, eyes narrowing. "You and MK aren't just sitting back, are you?"

Ariana gave a sly grin. "Let's just say... we're planning something."

⸻

Back on Set

MK handed Ariana a flash drive behind the craft table, lowering his voice. "I clipped together all the real behind-the-scenes stuff. The group hangs, bloopers, fan-favorite chaos. No fake flirty edits."

Ariana grinned. "Nice."

"Think the directors will back us?"

"They better," Ariana replied. "Because the cast is ready to rebel."

⸻

(Group Chat:PORTABLE NIGHTTTT😎)

MEG🤍📣:
PR overstepped. Directors are furious. We bought you some time.

MILO😈🧟‍♂️:
They're backing off for now. Keep your heads down. Not gone—just delayed.

ARIANA🤞😜:
Time to fight with kindness and chaos 💅

MK🙀😎:
And a little tech wizardry 😏

EVA:
Love you guys.

MALACHI🧛💜:
We've got this. All of us