Lights, camera, love.

Chapter 28

Cut!

Lesli finished one of the most intense scenes of the series, Candy's therapy session with the therapist.

Lizzie's performance, with that heart-wrenching scream and uncontrollable crying, made the scene show Candy's vulnerability, impacting everyone. Everyone was amazed, but also worried about Lizzie.

Seeing Lizzie still crying, Lesli approached and hugged her. Lizzie clung to her, trembling. Tim, the cameramen, and other actors were silent; none dared to say a word, mainly because they didn't know what to say.

Lily, seeing Lizzie in such a vulnerable state, came closer and stroked her back, trying to provide some comfort. Lily and Lesli exchanged concerned looks. "She needs to rest," Lesli whispered.

They stood up and helped Lizzie out of the recording set, walking towards Lily's car. They sat her in the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt. After a brief goodbye, Lily started the car and headed home. The sound of the engine was the only thing breaking the silence. Lizzie stared out at the horizon, resting her head on the window, with some tears still streaming down her face.

Upon arriving home, Lily and Lizzie went up the stairs. As Lily was about to open Lizzie's bedroom door, Lizzie shook her head, pointing to Y/N's room. Lily walked over to Y/N's door, opened it, and helped Lizzie inside. She arranged the sheets, sat Lizzie on the edge of the bed, took off her shoes, and laid her down. Finally, she covered her with the sheets and gently stroked her head.

"Lizzie, do you need anything?" Lily asked, not knowing exactly how to help her friend at that moment.

Lizzie clung to the pillow beside her, inhaling deeply the scent of Y/N, seeking something comforting. She simply shook her head.

"I'll be downstairs, just call me if you need anything. Rest for a bit now," Lily said softly, giving her a kiss on the forehead. She walked away slowly, leaving the room with the door slightly ajar.

Hours later, Elizabeth and Sherry returned. They didn't know what had happened since they had been out exploring the city. Seeing Lily in the kitchen looking worried, they asked her what was going on.

"It's Lizzie, she's not okay," Lily began. She told them about the morning's events: Lizzie's intense scene and how she felt afterward. "I made her some food, but she didn't want to eat. She's still in bed, holding onto Y/N's pillow; when I saw her, she was crying. I don't know what to do," Lily said, tears in her eyes.

"Have you tried calling Y/N? Maybe she knows what to do," Sherry suggested.

"Yes, several times, but she hasn't answered. I left her a message, hoping she'll reply soon," Lily explained.

They took turns going up to Lizzie's room to check on her. Several times they found her crying, but the last time they went, she was asleep. "At least she's not crying anymore," one of them commented. Lesli arrived at the house, worried about the actress. The situation hadn't changed much, which worried them even more.

Lesli, Lily, Sherry, and Elizabeth were in the living room. The TV was on, but no one was paying attention to it. Lesli decided to pause the recording for the upcoming days since most scenes involved Lizzie. Protecting her mental health was the priority now.

They managed to contact Lizzie's agent to have her psychologist come to Texas and help. Now they just had to wait for her arrival.

As night fell, Lesli was in the room with Lizzie, who was awake but not speaking. Lesli tried to comfort her, reminding her that Candy was a completely different person. She also encouraged Lizzie to do some techniques to detach from the character she played; they did breathing exercises, relaxation, and visualization. Gradually, Lizzie began to relax, and her mood changed; she nodded in agreement to Lesli's words.

Lizzie was feeling better, but she wasn't the same cheerful and bright person. However, she agreed to eat the dinner they offered her. Everyone was there for her, showing their support. Although Lizzie didn't have the energy to express her emotions, she was grateful to them.

Past midnight, they heard a door opening and closing. Standing up, Sherry headed to the bedroom door, which then opened to reveal Y/N with a small suitcase in hand. Y/N was surprised to see the women in her room, but her attention quickly focused on Lizzie. Looking at her, she immediately knew something was wrong.

Y/N's surprised face quickly turned to one of concern. She set down her suitcase and rushed to the bed where Lizzie was. "Hermosa?" she softly asked.

Lizzie instantly recognized Y/N's voice and, getting up quickly, clung to her. Y/N held her in her arms, sat her on her lap, and hugged her tightly.

Y/N looked around, searching for some explanation from the other women. Lesli approached and whispered that she would leave them alone and explain what had happened later. The women left, leaving Y/N and Lizzie alone.

Y/N gently rocked and stroked Lizzie's back to calm her, who was silently sobbing. They held each other for several minutes until Lizzie moved back a bit to look at Y/N. The first thing Y/N noticed was Lizzie's red and swollen eyes. "I'm here," Y/N said gently.

Lizzie took Y/N's face in both hands, examining every detail: her nose, her eyes, her eyebrows, her mouth. She leaned in and kissed her slowly but intensely. That kiss was more than just a touch; it was a longing built up during their time apart. At that moment, every part of Lizzie yearned for that encounter, as if it were the only way to find comfort for all the emotions she had felt in the past days.

As they kissed, a comforting warmth spread throughout her body. Lizzie felt that the kiss expressed all the pure love she felt for Y/N, as if every brush of their lips carried with it unspoken words, silent promises, and a love that transcended time and space.

At that moment, melancholy mixed with hope, reminding Lizzie that true love has the power to heal and renew faith, even in the toughest times. It was a reminder that, amid the storm, there's always a light waiting to be found.

When they parted, Y/N looked into Lizzie's eyes and saw a whirlwind of emotions. In those eyes, she noticed a desperate longing and a deep need for protection and connection. She felt a love so strong it seemed to fill the air between them.

She also saw relief, as if that kiss had momentarily erased all of Lizzie's worries and fears. In Lizzie's gaze, Y/N noticed a silent call to be together, to share and face any problem side by side.

During their time apart, both felt the need to be close. Y/N realized that, just like her, Lizzie also had tough days.

It was a moment of mutual understanding. Without saying a word, they both understood how much they felt for each other. Even when things were tough or uncertain, that moment reaffirmed their connection and reminded them of the healing power of true love.

"I love you."

...

Hellooo!

I'm finishing this chapter, which I feel has been one of the most intense, challenging, and revealing I've written.

I still have a lot to learn, but writing this story has shown me how good it feels to get what's in my mind out onto 'paper'. This story reflects many things I've felt over the years: my experiences, my fears, my dreams, and many more things I keep discovering.

I'm amazed by the interest this story has sparked in you all. I started writing to organize my thoughts, to calm my mind a bit and escape from the real world, even if just for a while as I write.

I really appreciate the support you give with each read, the likes, and the comments you leave. It motivates me to keep writing, first for myself, but hoping you all like it too.

I've realized that if something I write doesn't convince me, I won't publish it. And with my daily responsibilities, I don't want to rush just to put out a new chapter quickly.

Having said that, thank you for your patience and...

See you in the next chapter, dear readers! ✌🏽️

V