The Right Place - Jenna Ortega x Female Reader

AFTER DARK

Jenna POV.

"mom?.." I call to her as she is sitting at the desk in our room enjoying her morning coffee.

"yeah honey?" she replies still focused on her phone

"is it bad?" I question her. Knowing that she reads all the media.

"let's see..
'Jenna Ortega and y/n spotted in Paris together to celebrate Jenna's 21st birthday'
'Jenna Ortega and y/n y/l/n reunited in Paris for a romantic dinner at Cesars'
'is Jenna Ortega cheating on Percy Haynes White?'
'Trouble in Paridise? Jenna Ortega spotted with rumored ex y/n y/l/n in Paris'"
she spoke to me as she read the headlines from this morning

"shit.. fuck them all." I groaned and laid back with aggression into the pillows

"Jenna" my mom said sternly now facing me "it was just dinner with a friend, you know that, and I know that" she spoke calmly to reassure me

"but it wasn't mom. it was special to me. she's special to me, and to make things worse. after she gave me this.." I held up my hand to show her the ring as she got up to take a closer look "i kissed her" I dropped my hand and kicked my leg up and down in frustration with myself.

"you kissed her? but what about Percy?" she spoke in shock

"it's not real mom. it's a sham, all of it" I threw the covers back over myself to hide. I wanted this to end. I don't want to have to keep lying.

My mom pulls the blanket off my face and sits down beside me on the bed. "what do you mean it's a sham? you said you were happy?"

Letting out a deep sigh. I decide it's time to come clean to her. No one except a select few know about this. But I cant keep lying to her and I cant keep lying to myself.

"after everything that happened with y/n back in Australia. I was really upset about it. and even in Romania, I put on a brave face for you.. but" I could feel the lump in my throat rising. taking another deep breath I continue "but I wasn't happy.. and everyone was noticing. So, to get the bad press off of me, they set up this 'relationship' with Percy. I'm not comfortable with it and I never have been. But I needed to lie to show them I was happy, so they'd get off my back. and now this? I don't want to be accused of cheating when it was never real in the first place" I could feel my mom stroking her thumb on my leg for reassurance. She looks at me in question for a second before speaking up.

"what's going to make you happy honey?"

"I dont know.. y/n. but this is the worst timing to even speak on that." I said in reply but my eyes focused on the sheets in front of me.

"then don't. you don't have to say anything. you don't owe anyone anything. not even Percy. We can lay low for the rest of the trip and enjoy this well deserved vacation. if anyone asks you anything, just ignore it. and when you're ready to talk about it.. you do that"

"thanks mom. i'm sorry I didn't tell you as soon as it happened. I should have." I look up at her with sorrow in my eyes

"you told me now, and i'm grateful for that. I want you to do what makes you happy. seeing you last night with her.. I have to admit was the happiest i've seen you in a long time. I can tell you care about her. I love you Mija" she leans over and kisses the top of my head.
"now.. it's officially your birthday and you're free to do what you want today. but i've already made plans for tonight. we aren't going anywhere don't worry, it'll be right here at the hotel. just make sure you're ready by 6:30, i've got a surprise for you"

I watched my mom stand up from the bed and headed in the direction of the bathroom. The only thing I wanted was to hang out with y/n today but she already told me she had things to do with work, so there goes that idea.
Not bothering to shower, figuring i'd do it later before I had to get ready for whatever it was my mom was planning. I threw on a hoodie and some soccer shorts, laced my shoes and headed out the door. After everything that happened last night I could use some time to myself.