Growing Up - Jenna Ortega x Fem Reader

38.

September 28th

The next morning, you both woke up and had breakfast along with Enrique and Nat.

You noticed Jenna kept checking her phone all the time, like she had somewhere else to be. A frown creased her forehead, and she seemed distant, not fully engaged in the conversation.

Back in the hotel room, she appeared a bit impatient, packing up her bags and looking stressed. The usual calmness in her demeanor was replaced with an uncharacteristic restlessness.

"Is everything okay?" you asked, trying to catch her eye, but she just nodded, not giving you much attention.

As far as you knew, there were no plans for the day, so why the hell was she in a hurry to be somewhere?

"Hey." You called out for her, but she either ignored you or didn't hear you, you couldn't tell.

"HEY." You raised your voice slightly. She looked at you in shock, like you were crazy or something.

"What was that for?" She chuckled, though it lacked warmth.

"What's the rush?"

"Okay, don't be mad," she began, hesitating for a moment.

You nodded, urging her to continue.

"Can we go to London? If we leave now, in 5 hours we'll be there. It's Nicholas Galitzine's birthday tomorrow, and Gideon is having a party today. She invited me," she explained, her agitation clear.

"Okay? Under one condition," you replied, wondering if you should avoid a fight or think about her health.

"Sure." She raised her eyebrows, waiting for your condition.

"No smoking." She just chuckled, not even agreeing or disagreeing, acting like you had just joked about it.

"I'm serious."

"Alright, no smoking, whatever." She shrugged off your concern.

As you rushed to pack your things and check out of the hotel, you couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Since this was all last-minute notice, Nat and Enrique said they would be staying one more day and heading back to Paris the next day.

You exchanged your farewells and began the car trip all the way up to London. During the drive, Jenna seemed different from the previous night, frequently texting and checking her phone. An uneasy feeling settled in your stomach, but you tried to push it aside, focusing on the road ahead.

---

Once you arrived in London, at around 4 pm, you both checked into a hotel room to get ready. Jenna informed you, she'd leave at around 6 pm for Gideon's party. 

"Am I invited?" You asked concerned.

"You can come if you want to." The tiny brunette was opening up her bags and searching for clothes to wear.

Ouch, that hurt.

"Do you want me to come?"

"Yeah, of course. There will be a lot of people and Gideon's friends." She walked up to you and pecked your lips quick.

"Alright." 

---

By the time you both arrived at Gideon's birthday party, it was in full swing. The place was alive with music, laughter, and chatter. You sat on the edge of the gathering, trying to blend into the background as you nursed your drink, a bit out of place among the lively people. You watched as Jenna moved through the guests, hugging everyone and exchanging smiles, her radiant smile a beacon amidst the sea of unknown faces.