"I like it here."
Sky turned to find Rain beside him. She was holding a glass of wine in her hand and look very much tipsy but still sober enough to be... well.
"It’s intimidating, but makes you want to do better with your life. Just... look at all these people. They are humans like us. Many old money, but they are still humans. I think I want to be this rich one day. So my kids won’t be intimidated attending events like this you know. They can be as chill as Jack." She rambled.
To be honest, Sky hadn’t wanted this kind of life. He just wanted a comfortable life. But now... he wasn’t so sure. So he also didn’t know how to answer. He just looked around. The guests were dwindling every minute which was a good thing. They would wrap up soon.
"Seriously though," Rain continued, her voice softer now, more sincere. "You guys look really happy. It’s... nice. Still very weird, but nice."
Sky glanced at her, trying to read her expression. "Weird?"
Rain humd in agreent, her gaze sweeping the room thoughtfully. "That we have the sa taste in n." She said it lightly, with a soft laugh, but there was sothing underneath. Acknowledgnt, maybe. Closure.
Sky stiffened slightly, turning to look at her properly. "Rain—"
"I’ve really moved on," she interrupted gently, eting his eyes with complete sincerity. "I promise. I know I’ve said it before, but I an it. And I’m glad it’s you." Her smile was small but genuine, warm. "You look more human now. Happier. Like you’re actually living instead of just existing. He’s good for you."
Sky swallowed hard, his chest aching in a different way. With gratitude, with affection for his sister, with relief that this wasn’t going to be weird between them even though they had decided to let this go before, but he could not stop feeling guilty about it. "Thanks," he said quietly. "That... ans a lot. More than you know."
"At least I can see the appeal," she added with a slight laugh, nudging him gently with her elbow. "Even if he did choose you over . I an, look at him—" She gestured to where Chris was now laughing at sothing an older gentleman was saying, his whole face lighting up with genuine joy, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "He’s completely gone for you. It’s actually kind of disgusting how in love he looks when he looks at you. You had to see him when you played the piano. Like you personally created the universe. I can’t even be jealous because it’s so obviously all for you, you know? Because I love you."
She was talking a lot. He doubted she would have said this much if not for the drinks she’s had.
Sky couldn’t help but smile, watching Chris across the room. His chest felt warm, full. "Yeah?"
"Do not fish for more complints, asshole." Rain took a sip of her drink, her expression turning more serious. "For what it’s worth, I think you guys are good together. It’s... going to get crazy when you’re back at school. People are going to have opinions, and not all of them are going to be... kind. But hold out. I’m sure it’ll be worth it in the end. Trust . Ignore them all."
Sky looked at her more intently, searching her face. He knew his sister better than anyone. "You posted the video."
Rain nodded, not looking apologetic. "Yeah. I did. And you should know, so of the comnts aren’t kind. People are..." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "People are saying things. About you and Chris. About what it ans. Making assumptions. So of it is pretty ugly."
Sky felt his stomach drop slightly. He’d known this was coming, had known that going public, even inadvertently would open them up to scrutiny and judgnt. But knowing it and experiencing it were different things.
"But," Rain continued firmly, "they’re constantly being drowned out by kind ones. People defending you, people saying how talented you are, how beautiful you two look together. The good is outweighing the bad. And none of that matters anyway." She reached out and squeezed his hand. "You looked your best tonight. You are your best tonight. I’m sure things will work out well. Here and at school. And also at ho."
The ntion of ho made Sky’s chest tighten even more. But Rain took his hand and squeeze it.
"I shared your video with them. And you might not believe this, but Dad was really impressed. And he asked to tell you to co ho soon."
Sky raised a disbelieving brow that made her chuckle. "Fine! He said ’I hope you all are coming back soon.’ You know what that ans. The sa thing. Besides, Mum said he misses you. He’s just too shy to call you and tell you."
"I miss them too." He said wistfully.
"Good. Then let’s have fun now and when we return, we can deal with all the others."
Sky didn’t know what to say to all of that, so he just squeezed Rain’s hand back, holding on for a mont longer than necessary. Rain squeezed in return, her smile warm and encouraging.
"I’m going to find Rachel. She was with Noel earlier." She released his hand, leaned in conspiratorially. "I think they kissed on the terrace." She winked.
"Oh..." Sky raised a brow. If Rachel and Noel had fixed things, that would be great.
Rain wandered off, leaving Sky alone. He sipped champagne, surveyed the room. Most older guests and VVIPs were gone. Even Chris’s parents had disappeared. Mostly younger people remained.
Henry was still with Felix near the bar, both of them laughing about sothing. Henry looked more relaxed now, less starstruck and more genuinely engaged in conversation. Noel had apparently joined them at so point and was gesturing animatedly about sothing while Felix listened with amused interest.
i and Rachel were together, standing near one of the large windows and talking quietly. Rachel looked more at ease than Sky had seen her all evening, and i had that mischievous glint in her eye that usually ant she was up to sothing.
Chris was still trapped in conversation across the room, but he caught Sky’s eye and winked. Sky winked back, which felt even silly and they both tried to bury their laughter.
Wilson was holding court near the center of the ballroom, surrounded by a small group who were all laughing at whatever outrageous story he was telling. Jack stood slightly behind him, looking so done with it all.
It was a good scene. A happy scene. Sky’s friends fitting surprisingly well into this world of wealth and power, finding their place, enjoying themselves.
Sky decided he needed another drink. Sothing stronger than champagne to settle the pleasant buzz of emotions. Happiness, contentnt, lingering desire, a touch of anxiety about what would happen in the future. What would happen tonight. Because hell, he was nervous af.
He made his way to the other bar area that had been set up near the terrace doors, where a bartender was mixing elaborate cocktails for guests. Sky ordered sothing with a complicated na. He wasn’t really sure what it was, but it sounded expensive, and turned to survey the room while he waited.
That’s when he saw them.
Vale was standing near one of the pillars, partially hidden by a large potted plant, holding what looked like whiskey and staring intently across the room. Sky followed his gaze and found Cory engaged in conversation with an older couple, probably family friends or business associates. Cory looked polite but uncomfortable, nodding along to whatever they were saying with that patient, slightly glazed expression of soone who wished they were anywhere else.
But Cory’s eyes kept drifting away from the conversation, pulled like magnets toward soone else.
A girl.
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