Falling For a Fake

"Valeska! Over here!"

Camera shutters and flashing lights surrounded the five rockstars. Stood front and centre was Valeska Katz in all her glory. Come the next morning, her dazzling smile and skin tight dress would be plastered all over the tabloids.

"We killed it tonight Val!" Gianna Keller grinned, slinging an arm over Valeska's slender shoulders. Gianna was the keyboardist for The Vipers, and a legendary one at that. She also happened to be Valeska's best friend since middle school.

"We all did." Valeska beamed, glancing around her friends triumphantly. To her left were the towering figures of Liam Davis, their bassist, and Felix Astbury, their drummer.

"Could we get a few of Val and Kieran?" A paparazzi shouted from amongst the crowd. While Valeska had to fight the urge to eye roll, Kieran just grinned smugly.

"Come on babe, smile for the camera." He smirked, drawing Valeska's much shorter frame into his side and letting his hand rest low on her hip.

Kieran Frost. Guitarist, heartthrob, but most importantly, the love of Valeska's life. At least that's what they told the fans.

Valeska maintained her bright smile, leaning closer into Kieran's side in a gesture that conveyed absolute adoration.

"You guys make such a beautiful couple!" A voice called out, promoted a chorus of agreeing murmurs from the crowd.

Kieran chuckled, his easy smile exuding knee-weakening charm. "My stunning girlfriend is the real beauty here." He leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to the crown of her head. "I just can't keep my hands off her."

Valeska stifled a groan as every woman in the crowd collectively swooned, some of them even pretending to fan themselves with their hands. But she knew the importance of keeping up appearances. So she swallowed her retorts, and forced herself to smile even wider.

"You really do know how to flatter me." She gazed up at him, wrapping a hand around his large bicep to hold onto him. His answering wink only made her squeeze down.

Later on, the group retreated to their decked out tour bus, complete with a full bathroom en suite and a surround stereo system. Val had taken a shower to cool off from their performance. She emerged into the lounge wearing a satin pyjama set and wringing the water out of her hair.

"Look Kieran, your girlfriend's back, and she's all wet..." Felix waggled his brows suggestively, sprawled out rather unceremoniously on the leather couch. Val reached for her hairbrush and flung it towards his head, which he only narrowly avoided.

Back in high school, before they'd formed The Vipers, Valeska and Kieran did indeed date. A few months after graduation, their debut track went platinum, topping the charts in days. From that day onwards, the five friends found themselves thrust into the spotlight. But their musical talents weren't the only reason their fans were so obsessed. No, a large part of the reason was Val and Kieran. Their audience absolutely adored watching the two together, gushing about how very perfect they were together.

So about a year into stardom, when the relationship shattered beyond repair, what choice did they have but to pretend they were still madly in love? It was only a small price to pay to keep their supporters happy, most of the time.

"I'm heading out, don't wait up for me." Kieran announces to nobody in particular, retrieving his trademark leather jacket from the coat rack and slipping on his shoes.

"Dude, we just performed a few hours ago. There's probably still fans all over the place. Keep a low profile." Liam warned. None of them had to ask, they all knew what Kieran's plans were. He'd go to a nightclub, or several, drink to his hearts content and then eventually sneak over to some girl's house. Valeska didn't care much, it wasn't like they were actually dating. Still, none of them wanted to jeopardise the band's success all because Kieran couldn't hide his hookups from the public eye.

"I will definitely do that." Kieran rolled his eyes dismissively, leaving and letting the door shut itself behind him.

"Well, I'm exhausted, I'm going to bed." Val announced, exiting the lounge and crawling into the warm comfort of her bunk.