Growing Up - Jenna Ortega x Fem Reader

45.

December 15th

Friday morning brought a sense of calm you hadn't felt in weeks. The familiar bustle of the office greeted you as you walked in, but this time, it didn't weigh you down. You felt lighter, more at ease, like a burden had been lifted from your shoulders.

The conversation with Jenna the night before had been intense, but it had also brought a clarity that had eluded you for so long. There was still a lot to process, and the pain was still there, but you could finally breathe again. You could see a path forward, even if it wasn't fully clear yet.

As you settled into your office, your thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. Hailee stepped in, a warm smile on her face, holding two cups of coffee.

"Morning, boss," she said cheerfully, setting one of the cups on your desk. "Thought you might need this."

You smiled back, genuinely grateful for her thoughtfulness. "Thanks, Hailee. You're a lifesaver."

She lingered for a moment, her eyes studying you. "You seem... better today. Something change?"

You took a sip of the coffee, savoring the warmth before responding. "I talked to Jenna last night. We sorted some things out. It wasn't easy, but I think it helped."

Hailee nodded, her expression softening with understanding. "That's good. I'm glad you're feeling better. You deserve some peace after everything."

There was a hint of something else in her tone—something more than just concern. You caught it, and it made you pause, searching her face for clues. There was a brief flicker of disappointment, quickly masked by her usual brightness.

You hesitated, unsure of what to say. "I know things have been... complicated between us," you began, choosing your words carefully. "But I want you to know I appreciate everything, Hailee. You've been a great friend."

She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm just happy I could be there for you, Y/N. I know you're going through a lot, and I'm not expecting anything. I just like spending time with you."

You nodded, grateful for her honesty. "I like spending time with you too. I just need to figure out where my head's at right now."

Hailee leaned against the doorframe, crossing her arms. "Take your time. I'm not going anywhere."

There was a comfort in her words, a reassurance that you weren't alone in this. It made the day feel a little brighter, knowing that no matter what happened with Jenna, you had people in your life who cared about you.

As she turned to leave, you called out to her, "Hey, Hailee?"

She stopped, glancing back at you. "Yeah?"

"Thanks for the coffee," you said, a small smile playing on your lips.

She grinned, the disappointment in her eyes fading a little. "Anytime, boss."

As she left, you took a deep breath, letting the moment settle over you. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start.

---

It was nearing lunchtime when Ana burst into your office, a mischievous grin plastered across her face. "Alright, spill. What's this I hear about you and Jenna having a heart-to-heart last night?" she asked, leaning against your desk.

You looked up from your computer, a small smile tugging at your lips. "You've got good ears, Ana. Yeah, we talked. It wasn't easy, but we needed to get things out in the open."

Ana plopped down in the chair across from you, crossing her arms. "So, what does this mean? Are you two back on, or are you finally going to give poor Hailee a real shot? The girl's been making goo-goo eyes at you for weeks."

You laughed, shaking your head. "It's not like that with Hailee. We're just... well, I'm not sure what we are, but nothing serious. Jenna and I are trying to see if we can be friends again."

Ana raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eyes. "Uh-huh, and how does Hailee feel about that? You know, her potential girlfriend patching things up with the ex?"

You rolled your eyes at Ana's teasing tone. "She's fine, Ana. We're both just taking things as they come. Hailee knew from the start that I wasn't ready for anything serious."

Ana leaned back, a smug smile on her face. "Well, if you ask me, you're in the middle of one heck of a love triangle, and I'm living for it. Just don't forget—when it all goes down, I've got your back. And, of course, I'll be the one saying, 'I told you so.'"

You chuckled, tossing a wadded-up piece of paper at her. "Thanks for the support, Ana. You really know how to lighten the mood."

Ana grinned, dodging the paper. "That's what I'm here for. Just remember, no matter how complicated it gets, I've got the popcorn ready for when the real drama starts."

---

As the office quieted down, the only sound left was the hum of your computer and the distant ticking of the wall clock. You'd been buried in work for hours, trying to push away the lingering thoughts from the past few days. The darkness outside signaled how late it had gotten, but you hadn't noticed—until your phone vibrated on the desk.

It was a message from Jenna. Curious, you opened it to find a funny video she had sent through Instagram. A small smile tugged at your lips as you watched it, and when it ended, you finally glanced at the time.

@y/n-l/n: Thanks for saving me from drowning in work at the office.

@jennaortega: What? You're still at the office? It's so late already.

@y/n-l/n: Guess that's how I deal with heartbreak.

Too soon.

@y/n-l/n: Joking!

There was a pause before Jenna replied.

@jennaortega: Glad you haven't lost your sense of humor.

@y/n-l/n: What can I say? It's a coping mechanism.

@jennaortega: Well, maybe try coping with some sleep too? Go home, Y/N/n.

You leaned back in your chair, the tension easing a bit.

@y/n-l/n: Alright, alright. Heading out now. Thanks for the reminder. Good night.

@jennaortega: Stay safe. Good night.

It was a simple exchange, but it left you feeling lighter. The path to reconciliation might be long, but moments like these made it seem possible.

———
A/N: short update for you guys. Your feedback has been so sweet, thank you!