Forever and Always - Olivia Rodrigo and Louis Patridge

Pilot: Parallel Lines

Olivia Rodrigo was not the type to linger at Hollywood parties, but that night was an exception. Her album launch had gone better than anyone expected, and her team insisted she attend a private after-party to celebrate. The room buzzed with industry elites, but Olivia felt out of place, clutching her glass of sparkling water like a lifeline.

It wasn't until she wandered into the quieter corner of the room that she spotted him: Louis Partridge, leaning casually against a wall, deep in conversation with a director. His sharp jawline and easy smile gave him an air of confidence, but there was something soft in his eyes that made him seem approachable.

Olivia debated with herself for a moment. She didn't usually make the first move, but something about Louis drew her in. Summoning her courage, she approached him.

"Are you always this intense at parties, or is tonight an exception?" she asked with a teasing smile.

Louis turned to her, surprised for a moment before his expression softened into a grin.

"Well, I could ask the same about you," he said in his smooth British accent. "You don't exactly look thrilled to be here."

Olivia laughed, feeling the tension ease.

"Touché. I guess I'm more of a quiet-night-in kind of person."

"Same," he said, tilting his head slightly. "Though I'll admit, these parties are good for people-watching."

From there, the conversation flowed naturally. They talked about music, acting, and the oddities of fame. Louis shared stories from his time filming in London, while Olivia opened up about the pressure of writing songs that felt too personal.

"It's funny," she said, swirling her drink. "Everyone thinks they know you because of what you create, but there's so much they don't see."

Louis nodded, his gaze thoughtful.

"It's like living two lives, isn't it? The one they see and the one that's actually yours."

For a moment, their eyes locked, and Olivia felt a spark of understanding pass between them.

The night went on, and soon the crowd began to thin. Olivia and Louis found themselves sitting on a low sofa in a quieter part of the venue.

"You know," he said, his voice softer now, "it's rare to find someone in this world who gets it. The craziness, I mean."

"Yeah," she replied, her tone matching his. "Sometimes it feels like you're alone in the middle of it all."

Louis hesitated, then leaned a little closer.

"Well, for what it's worth, you're not alone tonight."

Olivia's heart fluttered at his words, but before she could respond, one of her team members interrupted, reminding her it was time to leave.

As she stood, Louis rose with her, his hands in his pockets.

"This was nice," he said. "We should do it again sometime."

She smiled, feeling a strange mixture of excitement and disappointment.

"Yeah, we should."

He reached into his jacket, pulling out a small piece of paper and a pen.

"Here," he said, scribbling something quickly. "If you're ever in London, give me a call."

Olivia took the paper, their fingers brushing briefly.

"I will."

As she walked out into the cool Los Angeles night, Olivia glanced at the paper in her hand. It wasn't just a number—it was a connection. And for the first time in a long time, she felt like she'd met someone who truly understood her.

Little did they know, that moment was just the beginning of a story that neither of them would forget.