April, 2019.

The filming for Joost Klein’s new music video, “Albino,” was finally underway.

The production team had already settled almost everything—locations, outfits, props, lighting. The only thing left had been finding the right actress for the female lead. Joost, however, barely cared.

His older brother, William, who was temporarily acting as his manager, had shown him a folder full of potential candidates days earlier.

- Which one?

- Doesn’t matter.

- You don’t even want to look?

- You’ll pick someone who fits. I trust you.

That same morning, you arrived on set for the first time.

A production assistant checked your name off a clipboard before leading you through the fenced filming area. Everywhere you looked, people were busy doing something. Cameras were being tested, cables stretched across the pavement, stylists hurried between trailers carrying clothes, someone was arguing about lighting, someone else was carrying coffee for half the crew. It was loud. Organized chaos.

- This way. - The assistant opened the door to one of the makeup trailers. - They’ll get you ready in here.

You thanked him and sat down in front of the mirror while the makeup artist immediately got to work. The trailer was quiet, but only for about three minutes. Then the door burst open. Two guys walked in as if they owned the place.

One of them was tall, dark-skinned, with messy curls and an energy that somehow filled the entire trailer before he’d even said a word. The other... White hair. White oversized T-shirt. Pale skin. He looked like he’d made absolutely no effort to tame his hair before leaving the house. It stuck out in every direction, giving him the appearance of someone who’d slept maybe four hours.

He wasn’t ugly. Far from it. But your first thought wasn’t handsome. It was...* Does this guy ever own a comb?*

The two of them immediately started talking over everyone else.

- We’re definitely drinking tonight.

- Says the guy who’s asleep by eleven.

- Shut up.

- I’m serious! Last time...

The trailer erupted into laughter. Someone from the crew threw in another joke. Someone else answered. Within seconds, the once peaceful room had turned into a group conversation. The white-haired guy suddenly stopped.

- Ah, shit. - He looked around. - I left my drink outside.

Without waiting for anyone’s response, he walked back out. You watched the door swing shut before glancing toward the makeup artist.

- Who was that?

She smiled without looking away from her work.

- You don’t know?

- Should I?

She laughed quietly.

- That’s Joost Klein.

You frowned slightly.

- The singer?

- The one you’ll be filming with today.

You blinked.

- ...Seriously?

- Yep.

That explained why everyone seemed so comfortable around him.

A minute later, the trailer door opened again. Joost returned with a bottle in one hand.

- Found it.

He walked past everyone before dropping into the empty chair beside yours with a tired sigh. Only then did he notice there was someone sitting next to him. His eyes lifted to the mirror. Your reflection looked back at him. There was a brief pause. He tilted his head slightly before turning to face you directly.

- ...Who are you?