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Jason stepped out onto the balcony, loosening his bowtie. He breathed in the cool night air, a welcome release from the hot and crowded room. He froze when he noticed a girl leaning on the railing.
"Needed air?" she asked without turning around.
"I- well...yes. Um. Why are you out here? The ceremony started-"
"Overstimulated."
"Yeah. Me too."
Awkward silence. Jason cleared his throat.
"So were you nominated, or...?"
The girl turned around and Jason involuntarily stepped back. She was beautiful. Stunning, even. Her deep brown hair flowed over her shoulders and her dark eyes flashed in the lights coming off the theater. She was wearing a sparkling white bodice and matching bottoms that Jason had initially thought were a skirt, but were revealed to be pants when she moved. He knew who she was immediately.
"You're Tristan McLean's daughter!"
"Really? That's amazing! I love his work."
Her sarcasm wasn't lost on Jason, who blushed. She was the first celebrity kid he'd met, besides Thalia, and she was way out of his league. He extended a hand anyway.
"I'm Jason. Jason Grace."
"Piper."
Piper shook hands softly but firmly. Her hand was very warm.
"First time?" she asked.
"What?"
"Is this your first Oscars?"
"Oh. Yeah. Mom hasn't- Yeah."
Piper grinned. Her teeth were so white. How did she do that?
"Welcome to the glitz and glam of the celebrity life then, my friend."
"Oh, this isn't- I was raised in the...the celebrity life. This is just my first Oscars," he responded.
Jason wasn't really sure why he was saying all this to this strange girl, but she was giving him the time of day, which was ore than he could say for most of the people in the theater.
"Ooh, another nepo baby?" Piper asked sarcastically. "That's great, we need more of those."
Jason must have tensed, because Piper toned down her brilliant smile and put her hand on his arm.
"I'm just teasing," she said. "What does your parent do usually then? Another singer-to-actor type deal?"
"No, she's always been an actor. Just not...invited," Jason said hesitantly.
Piper paused, clearly mulling this over. Her eyes widened.
"Oh shit."
"Yeah..."
"Your mom's-"
"Beryl Grace."
"I'm so sorry."
Jason sighed. "It is what it is, I guess."
"No, I mean, I've heard stories. I read the tabloids. Sometimes." She made a face.
"Yeah. Well. It can't be that bad," Jason said.
"Dude. It's definitely that bad."
"Well...we've never had CPS called on us or anything-"
"Are you kidding?" Piper asked incredulously. "Rich people can get away with anything. Kanye still has custody. Martha Stewart was only in jail for like a year. I steal a car and all I get is a slap on the wrist and goddamn boarding school-"
"Wait," Jason interrupted. "You stole a car?"
Piper snorted. "Yup. BMW. You'd be surprised how many people just leave their keys in their cars. I'm surprised you didn't hear about it."
"I try to stay away from the tabloids. For obvious reasons."
"Dude. This made national news."
Jason shrugged.
Piper smiled. "You're weird."
"That's...actually the first time I've ever gotten that," Jason said.
"Well get used to hearing it more. From me. We're friends now."
Piper offered her arm, and Jason took it.
"Shall we go back in then?" she asked.
"Probably should. My mom's category should be coming up."
"Congratulations to Beryl, by the way," Piper said. "From me and my dad."
"Thanks. I'll tell her that. Assuming she isn't drunk hitting on Timothee Chalamet again."
"Oh ew."
Jason opened the balcony door and the two stepped through it. A bulb flashed and they both winced.
"Imagine the headlines tomorrow. 'Tristan McLean's Troubled Daughter Seen Escaping Oscars With Son of Beryl Grace: Everything You Need to Know About the Hot New Romance,'" Piper joked.
Jason cringed. "I spent all that time trying to avoid the paparazzi, and this is what happens?"
"Wow, I can't believe the idea of dating me is so disgusting."
"What? No! No, it's not that, it's just-"
"Don't worry, I know what you meant. I'm not really looking for anything right now. Though, if your sister's available..."
"Shut up, Pipes."
"Ooh, we're on a nickname basis now? Quelle scandale."
"Shut up," Jason repeated, but he was laughing too much to get the words out properly. Piper laughed too, and clutched his arm tighter as they walked into the theater.