Vinnie Hacker Imagines

being best friends with an influencer had its perks, sure, but it wasn't always glamorous. you'd learned to stay in the background, blending into the shadows while your best friend soaked up the spotlight. the flashing cameras, the endless meet-and-greets, the loud parties—it all felt like a world you were just visiting, never truly a part of.

but then vinnie noticed you. 

 it started small, like the way his eyes would flicker toward you in a crowded room or how his laugh seemed louder when you said something sarcastic under your breath. you didn't think much of it at first; he was always surrounded by people more vibrant, more polished, more his world.

until one night at a rooftop party, when the air was warm, and the city lights sparkled like scattered diamonds, he approached you. 

 "you don't seem like you want to be here," he said, leaning against the railing next to you. 

 you glanced at him, surprised. "what gave it away?" he laughed softly, the sound low and genuine. 

"you're not doing the whole 'selfie and tag the location' thing like everyone else." 

you shrugged, looking out at the city. "not really my thing." 

 he nodded, studying you for a moment before turning to the view as well. "mine either, honestly." 

 you raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "you're saying that while the rest of your friends are probably live-streaming this exact conversation." 

he smirked, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "okay, fair point. but it doesn't mean i like it all the time." 

for the rest of the night, he stayed by your side, making jokes about the people around you and asking questions that felt surprisingly personal. you found yourself relaxing, letting the mask of polite indifference slip just a little. 

after that, things shifted. he'd text you randomly—memes, song recommendations, or just a simple "how's your day?" when you were at events together, he'd always find a way to sit next to you, his shoulder brushing yours as he leaned in to tell you something that made you laugh.  

your best friend noticed, of course. "vinnie has a thing for you," they said one afternoon, scrolling through their phone like it was the most casual observation in the world. 

you scoffed. "he's just being nice." but the way vinnie looked at you said otherwise. 

one evening, after another event where you'd stayed in the shadows, letting the influencers shine, he caught you as you were about to leave. "wait," he said, his voice quieter than usual. 

 you turned, your brows furrowed. "what's up?" 

he hesitated, running a hand through his hair. "do you want to grab dinner or something? just us?" 

your heart skipped, but you played it cool. "you sure you don't have a brand deal or a photoshoot to get to?" 

he grinned, a little shy this time. "nah. just you." 

and for the first time, you realized maybe the shadows weren't so bad—because somehow, vinnie had seen you through them all along.