"That's a wrap! Great job, everyone!" Lee, the director of the current episode, boomed into the megaphone, clapping his hand together.

You wiped the tears away you had shed during your monologue to Cole, the both of you laughing. Your cast members, Lili, KJ, Casey, and Camilia came out onto the set–Pop's parking lot–to give you both a big hug. That was the end of Season 2 of Riverdale, and the end of your first time acting in a mainstream television show. You were exhilarated, proud, and excited to see the finished product.

Everyone returned to their dressing rooms to change out of their costumes.

"I'm gonna miss wearing this," you said with a sly grin, gesturing to your South Side Serpents jacket as you hung it on the rack.

"Don't worry, once a Serpent, always a Serpent," Cole said, chuckling.

"Great job, (Y/N)," Lili said with a kind smile. "That was awesome for someone's first time acting on-screen."

You smiled back, shyly. "Thank you, Lili. That means a lot. I'm so glad to have become friends with all of you, you're all family to me, now!" You raised your voice so everyone could hear.

"Incoming!" KJ yelled, wrapping his arms around you. Everyone joined into a group hug, and one of the marketing interns snapped a picture for the Instagram. What a great way to end the season.

Your hair whipped around in the wind as you cruised down a busy Hollywood street, seated on the passenger's side of Cole's convertible. His radio blasted some local indie rock, mixing with the whooshing noise of the hot air. The two of you bopped your heads to the music, and his hand rested on your knee. Your heart raced.

You'd be lying if you said you weren't crushing on your co-star, Cole, hardcore. When he'd suggested grabbing lunch after wrapping the last episode (he was booked with photography sessions and interviews the whole season), you excitedly said yes, and counted down the days until you'd finally get to go on what you called "your first date", even if it was just lunch.

He pulled into the roundabout, handing his keys to the valet before rounding around the front to grab your door. You blushed, taking his arm to enter what was probably the nicest restaurant you've ever seen.

Lunch was everything you'd hoped it would be. The food was amazing, and Cole was genuine, charming, and just a bit flirtatious. You reminisced over funny moments during filming and filled each other in on your side hobbies, yours being music and his being photography.

The meal was over as fast as it started, and you were disappointed to know that it may be the last time you hang out with Cole for a while.

"Want to take a walk?" Cole said with a smile.

You grinned. "I wouldn't want anything more."

The two of you strolled around the nearby outdoor mall; the Grove. People were out and about, the sun was shining, and the shop windows held beautiful and expensive wares. You gushed over the dogs that would pass by, and Cole chuckled.

Then, it started.

"Cole Sprouse! (Y/N) (L/N)!" You heard a girl scream, a few teenage girls ran up to the star, begging to have their picture taken. The first episode of the second season had just aired, and you were surprised they already recognized you.

You posed with the girls with your arms around them, smiling for one of the parents taking pictures. It was shocking to know, soon enough, everyone watching the CW would know your name.

The scene created by the mini-photoshoot drew more teens who didn't initially recognize you two, and soon a crowd had formed around you and Cole, encircling the two of you tightly.

You felt your heart began to race and your breathing became shallow. You hated crowds.

"Ready for life in the limelight?" Cole teased. He turned back to you, noticing your panicked expression. "Hey, what's up?"

You hid your face against Cole's chest, away from the flashing cameras. His arms went around you instinctively.

"I don't want to be here," you whimpered, gasping and crying.

Cole nodded in understanding. He pulled you along with one arm, using the other to navigate through the crowd. "No pictures, please. Thanks for coming," he muttered repeatedly to the yelling fans.

He took you back to the restaurant to retrieve his car, putting the roof up and driving to a secluded street, knowing the two of you would be easily recognized out in the open. Your breathing was still shallow and you curled up into a ball on the seat, hugging your legs tightly.

"Hey, hey..." Cole said in a hushed tone, rubbing your back. "It's just us. It's just us."

You leaned into him, the feeling of his body against your calming you out of your panic attack.

"I'm sorry..." you said, rubbing your eyes.

"Don't be," Cole said. "What happened back there?"

You averted your eyes. "I don't like crowds, is all."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

You shrugged. "You guys are all famous, and I guess now I am, too. We're supposed to be used to crowds."

He put an arm around you. "(Y/N), being afraid of crowds is totally natural. It doesn't matter if you're famous or not, we all feel that way sometimes."

You bit your lip. "How will I ever make it in show business if I can't meet my fans?"

Cole thought for a second. "Maybe the problem with crowds is that you're over-stimulated and trying to focus on too many things at once. Next time we go out there, try focusing on me and only me. If, in ten seconds, it doesn't help, say the word and I'll get you out of there before anything happens to you."

You nodded, taking a deep breath. "Okay. Can we try now?"

Cole raised an eyebrow, smiling. "You sure? We can just go home."

You crossed your arms defiantly. "I want to finish our walk."

He chuckled, maneuvering into a nearby parking spot. "Okay. Just remember. Eyes on me, count to ten, and say the word if you want out."

You nodded again. "I can do this," you said to yourself.

Cole rounded around the front of the car, letting you out. This time, his hand stayed firmly grasped around yours, anchoring you to his side. Soon enough, reporters and fans swarmed around the two of you, flashes of light and loud noises disorienting you.

1, 2, 3...

You turned to Cole, focusing on his kind eyes, his freckles, the shape of his lips as he said something to you that you couldn't quite hear, over and over.

4, 5, 6...

Eventually, everything else faded into the background.

You didn't see the reporters and fans, only Cole's face. You didn't feel them pushing up against you, only the feeling of his rough hand in yours, skin against skin. You didn't hear their yelling and screaming. All you heard was Cole's voice.

"You can do this," he said.

You felt your heart rate return to resting, your breathing normalizing.

7, 8, 9...

"Do you want to get out?" Cole asked, counting along in his head.

10.

You'd made it. Your first time in a crowd without having a panic attack. The sensations of the people around you slowly faded back into your perspective, but less harsh and threatening than before. For the first time, you could manage your fear. For the first time, you waved and smiled at the fans without wanting to faint.

"(Y/N)? You good?" Cole asked.

And then, you decided to conquer another of your fears.

"I'm good," you said, smiling. Standing on your tiptoes, you held Cole's neck, bringing his face to yours for your first, sweet, kiss.