be my next mistake // prinxiety

★ 7 : friends ★

Virgil made sure he had everything before he headed out. On his way, he didn't need body guards since he just went out casually and didn't have a particular reason to be in danger.

He was stopped several times for pictures and videos, and the paparazzi followed him around as usual, but that was LA. When one of them got a little too close, he hissed out, "I'm worth 60 million dollars. You want me to sue you and become 70 million? I could put you in hard debt if you fucking touch me."

Needless to say, he backed up. But Virgil knew he couldn't be like that all the time, and not every member of the paparazzi would follow through.

He put on his sunglasses and kept walking, headed towards the donut shop and ordered a dozen after taking a photo with the cashier who said she was in college and that his music helped her through how tough it was. She tried to tell him not to pay and it was her treat, but he paid anyway and handed her a random amount of hundred dollar bills from his wallet. "Most of what I give out isn't to specific individuals, and it won't pay off all your student debt, but you could buy necessities and keep some as a backup while you keep working. And get some sleep! You told me you aren't sleeping well. You'll need it."

She squealed and anxiously played with her long green dyed hair. "Oh my God. Thank you so much, Virgil!"

"No problem. Love your eyeliner by the way."

The cashier was about to implode with gratitude. "Thank you! Have a nice day! I love you and everything you do!"

Virgil shoved his hands into his pockets and nodded with a shy smile. "Love you too. It was great meeting you."

When he left, the cameras were on him again.

"Do you know her?"

"Nope," he replied. "Just met her."

"How much money did you give her?"

Curse the see-through walls of the donut shop. "No idea. I just pulled out more and more hundreds until I felt good about it."

"Who are the donuts for?"

"Me and my friend."

"Is your friend you're mentioning the person you're collaborating with?"

"Yup." He popped the 'p'. He already knew they'd want him to elaborate, so he walked and talked. "He's cool. Super talented and underrated. Our collab is going to be the 15th track on the album. I can't tell you much more than that yet."

When he arrived at the company building, he shooed the paps away and went in alone with the help of the guards standing outside.

Thankfully Janus was following his advice by hiding from the paparazzi. He should savor it before he was famous too. One collaboration might not give him superstar status but you never know how far something can go.

Virgil swiped his card and gave him and Janus entry. On the elevator ride up to the studio, he opened the box of donuts and Janus took the jelly one first. "I remembered you briefly saying you like jelly ones the most, so I got them."

Janus smiled. "Thanks." Then he took a bite. The donut was satisfying, but not as much so as being in an official friendship with Virgil fucking Cassidy. It wasn't even because he was famous. He was just so cool on his own and couldn't even admit it to himself.

Since it was fairly early in the morning, after Janus had sat down at their typical writing space, Virgil opened a slot in the table. "I'm getting some black coffee. Want anything?"

Janus eyed the contraption. "Yeah, sure. I'll take a black coffee too. What is this thing?"

Virgil swiped across the small screen and tapped the option for black coffee, then increased the quantity by two. "It's for if anyone working here needs something to eat or drink while we're working." After he ordered, he closed the slot. "They should be here soon."