Growing Up - Jenna Ortega x Fem Reader

51.

January 11th

The afternoon was quiet, almost too quiet, as you lounged in your pajamas, trying to immerse yourself in a book. Yet, your thoughts kept drifting back to Jenna. Ever since you both had a brief moment on new years' countdown, things felt... unresolved. The days had passed without much contact—just the occasional text, a "good night" here, a "how was your day?" there. But the distance remained.

You knew Jenna was spending time with her family, and you were content to let things be. After all, you both agreed to take things slow. But as you sat there, you couldn't help but wonder if slow meant drifting apart.

Your phone rang, breaking the silence. Jenna's name flashed on the screen. You hesitated, fingers hovering over the answer button before you finally picked up.

"Hey," Jenna's voice greeted you, sounding both familiar and distant. "How are you? Are you free tonight?"

"I'm good," you replied, your tone casual as you tried to mask the underlying tension. "Just chilling at home."

"Cool," she said, her voice carrying a hint of hopefulness. "So, this movie I'm in, Miller's Girl, premieres tonight in Palm Springs. It's not far from you, and I was wondering if you'd like to come with me?"

You paused, her invitation hanging in the air. Memories of past premieres flooded your mind, and the thought of tagging along, pretending everything was back to the way it once was, felt overwhelming.

"I... I don't know, Jenna," you replied cautiously. "I'm not sure I'm ready for that."

A brief silence followed, and you could sense Jenna processing your words, disappointment likely shadowing her thoughts.

"I understand," she finally said, her voice softer now. "It's okay, Y/N. Maybe next time."

"Yeah, maybe next time," you echoed, feeling the weight of your decision settle over you as you hung up.

As the evening wore on, you found yourself with a glass of red wine in hand, the rich liquid warming you as you scrolled through social media. A few sips in, the familiar buzz of tipsiness started to take hold, loosening your thoughts and inhibitions. You couldn't resist the urge to check for updates from the premiere.

And there she was—Jenna, looking stunning in a white mini dress with delicate floral appliques. The sight of her stirred a mix of emotions within you, but perhaps it was the wine talking, making you focus on just how beautiful she looked. With a slightly tipsy grin, you couldn't help but admire her, your fingers hovering over the screen before you typed out a flirty message.

Y/N: If I knew this was the dress you'd be wearing, I might have reconsidered. You look... amazing.

Hours passed before your phone buzzed with a reply, but instead of a text, it was your doorbell ringing.

You opened the door to find Jenna standing there, still in that white dress, looking every bit the star she was. "I saw your message," she said, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Flattery will get you everywhere."

Despite yourself, you couldn't help but smile back, but a faint blush crept onto your cheeks, the warmth of the wine still lingering in your system. The slight crimson coloring your face only added to the mix of emotions swirling inside you. There was a hesitance in your expression that didn't go unnoticed. "What are you doing here, Jenna?" you asked, your voice softer than intended, betraying the flustered state you were trying to hide.

She stepped inside, closing the door behind her. "I didn't want to end the night without seeing you," she admitted, her eyes searching yours. "I know things are still... complicated between us, but I'm here. I want to prove that."

You swallowed hard, the tension between you palpable. "Jen, I... I'm still trying to figure out what all this means," you admitted, your voice softer, as the weight of your shared history hung in the air.

Her gaze softened, and she reached out, brushing a strand of hair from your face. "I get it, Y/n/n. But let me try. Let me show you that I'm serious about making things right."

The sincerity in her voice was undeniable, and for a moment, you allowed yourself to believe that maybe things could work out. But it wouldn't be easy. She still had a long way to go to earn your trust back.

You motioned for her to follow you, leading the way to the living room. Jenna walked closely behind, the familiar scent of her perfume stirring memories close to your heart. As you both entered the room, she paused for a moment before kicking off her heels with a sigh of relief. "These heels are killers," she joked, settling onto your couch and trying to lighten the mood.

You chuckled softly, sitting beside her. "Let me help with that," you offered, gently grabbing her feet, placing them on your lap and massaging them.

The silence between you was comfortable. As you worked on easing her discomfort, you couldn't help but wonder if things could ever go back to the way they were.

After a while, Jenna sighed contentedly. "You always knew how to take care of me," she murmured, her tone laced with nostalgia.

You smiled faintly. "Some things never change."

Her gaze met yours, and for a moment, the walls between you seemed to crumble. Just by looking into Jenna's eyes, you could feel yourself getting lost in them, the pull of her presence so strong that it would be all too easy to forgive her right then and there. But you knew better—you couldn't afford to give in just yet. The pain of her betrayal still lingered.

To protect yourself, you found it harder to maintain lingering eye contact with her lately. It was safer that way, keeping the distance you needed to stay grounded, even when your heart longed for things to be different.

"I should go," Jenna said quietly, sensing your internal struggle.

But before she could leave, you found yourself speaking up. "You can stay... if you want. As friends."

Jenna nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Okay, friend."

As you both settled down for the night, the tension eased, but the underlying truth remained. This was just the beginning, and Jenna would need to prove her commitment to you, step by step. You weren't going to make it easy, but deep down, you hoped she would rise to the challenge.

Despite the resolution to keep things separate, you found it hard to settle into sleep knowing Jenna was so close yet so far away. The space between you felt heavy, a constant reminder of the barriers still in place. You lay awake, staring at the ceiling, unable to escape the longing to be close.

A soft knock on your door broke the silence, and you turned to see Jenna standing there in the dark, her expression a mix of nervousness and hope. "Hey," she said softly, stepping into the room. "I know we agreed to keep things separate, but... would it be okay if we cuddled? Just as friends."

You looked at her, the sincerity in her eyes making it hard to refuse. "Sure," you replied quietly. "Come in."

She slipped into bed beside you, her presence immediately bringing a sense of warmth and comfort. She wrapped her arms around your waist and put her leg on top of yours, making sure there wasn't a single space between you two. The closeness was soothing, and the tension of the day slowly faded away. You both relaxed into each other's embrace, and soon, the simple act of being together allowed you both to drift off to sleep, finding solace in the shared warmth.

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A/N: sorry, short but sweet! That dress was something else, am I right?