𝙇𝙞𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 • Central Cee

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"Caleb, for fucks sake would you just lay off it?" Jenna quickly came to Amara's defense no matter what. It's been like that since the day that they met.

Two or so years ago Amara found herself navigating the unpredictable waters of a photoshoot without her parents by her side. Surprise, surprise. But this wasn't an ordinary photoshoot; it was a showcase for up-and-coming young celebrities, and Amara shared the spotlight with Jenna Ortega. The day unfolded as a series of unexpected challenges, putting Amara's resilience to the test.

As Amara arrived at the studio, she couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place. She had heard of Jenna but had never met her in person. Today, they were thrust together in an atmosphere filled with anticipation and chaos. Amara's manager, who was supposed to be her guiding light, seemed more interested in flirting with the photographers than ensuring everything went smoothly for Amara.

The theme of the photoshoot was meant to celebrate the rising stars, and both Amara and Jenna were in consideration for the cover. However, the day took a turn for the worse from the beginning. The dress that was carefully selected for Amara was too big, and the makeup artist on set didn't have experience with darker skin tones, leaving Amara with a shade that didn't complement her features.

As the photoshoot commenced, the photographer's frustration escalated. Amara, feeling the pressure, struggled to assert herself. The photographer's anger reached a tipping point, and he called for a break, instructing everyone to take five minutes. Feeling defeated, Amara practically ran to the bathroom, her emotions overwhelming her.

Inside the bathroom stall, tears streamed down Amara's face. She felt alone and vulnerable, with no one to turn to. That's when she heard a knock on the stall door. It was Jenna, who had observed Amara's distress from afar. "Are you okay?" Jenna asked.

Amara, was still sniffling, couldn't find words. Jenna gently opened the stall door and enveloped Amara in a comforting hug. It was a surprising act of kindness from someone she had never met, but in that vulnerable moment, Amara felt a connection. Jenna took Amara's hand and led her in front of the sink. She took out tissues, wiped away Amara's tears, and attempted to fix her makeup. Jenna ran her hands through Amara's waist length locs and looked Amara in her eyes.

"You're doing great, don't let those assholes tell you any different." Amara looked down and smiled but then Jenna quickly picked up Amara's chin with her pointer finger and then leaned in to kiss her. Amara was startled but with her heart full of abandonment and a heated moment she kissed her back.

Their intimate moment, however, was abruptly interrupted by the entrance of Jenna's mother. The intrusion startled both girls, and in an instinctive reaction, Jenna pushed Amara away. The sudden shove resulted in Amara colliding with the sink, leaving her with a bruised hip.

Jenna's mother, concerned and questioning, demanded an explanation. A silent pact formed between the two stars as Amara, with pleading eyes, refrained from disclosing the accidental push. Jenna, her eyes conveying a desperate plea, kept the secret intact. Amara hesitated and looked at Jenna. She then looked back to Jenna's mother and eventually said , " My manager is not really helping, and he's more interested in flirting with the photographers."

Jenna's mother frowned, her protective instincts kicking in. "You deserve better than this. Jenna, go back out there and hold your ground. I'll take care of Amara." Jenna nodded, and hesitantly left the bathroom. Meanwhile, Jenna's mom stepped into the role of Amara's advocate. She confronted the manager, insisting on proper attention and respect for Amara.

As Jenna and Amara returned to the set, a subtle transformation had occurred. Jenna's mom, with her assertive demeanor, became Amara's spokesperson. She ensured the makeup was corrected, the dress was adjusted, and most importantly, that Amara felt supported.

After the photoshoot, Amara and Jenna continued their work in silence, each wrapped up in their own thoughts. Amara found a renewed sense of confidence as Jenna's mother became her advocate, steering the shoot away from disaster. The camaraderie established in the bathroom remained unspoken but tense.

As the session concluded, Amara retreated to the dressing room provided. She began changing into her regular clothes, grateful for the chance to leave the chaotic atmosphere behind. In the midst of this, the door creaked open, and Jenna slipped through.

Jenna hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Amara, I just wanted to apologize for what happened in the bathroom. I didn't mean to shove you like that."
Amara, still in the process of changing, turned slightly to face Jenna. She could see sincerity in Jenna's eyes. "It's okay, Jenna. I understand it was a moment of panic. No hard feelings."

Jenna softly turned Amara around and touched the bruise lightly. Jenna's eyes drifted up and down Amara's half naked body. "That looks kinda bad. You should probably put an ice pack on it or something."

Amara chuckled, "Yeah, I'll take care of it. Thanks for checking, though."

Jenna took a deep breath before opening up, "And, um, about the kiss... I hope you're not uncomfortable. I'm just not ready to come out yet."

Amara, now fully dressed, reassured Jenna, "No need to worry, Jenna. Your secret is safe with me. Whenever you're ready to talk about it, I'm here for you." Then they exchanged numbers. Then the kiss was never spoken about again after that day.