In the next life, maybe ?

Chapter 13 : Hopeless

The first week back on set flew by with long days and late nights. Despite the hectic pace, I found it oddly comforting. My days were filled with rehearsals, filming, and meetings, while my nights were spent in my trailer, trying to unwind from emotional scenes—and worrying about Jenna.

From the start, something seemed off with her. She was more distant, her usual brightness dimmed. While our on-screen chemistry was still strong, off-camera she felt different—her smiles were forced, and her laughter was brief and distant.

I wasn't the only one who noticed. Niles saw it too. We had spent a lot of time together, especially since Jenna had grown distant. To be fair, we'd hung out a lot before the vacation as well, but ever since he found out I liked Jenna, we'd been spending even more time together. He could read me like a book, knowing I had feelings for her long before I admitted it. Ever since we got back on set, our conversations always seemed to find their way back to Jenna, one way or another. 

You know what's funny? Even on screen, Jenna and I felt distant despite our chemistry. Most of my scenes this week were with Niles. I didn't really mind it, though. I kept replaying that conversation we had five days after we got back. We took a break at the park nearby. Our next scene together was going to take about an hour to prep, so we sat down on the grass and pulled out a deck of Uno cards. It was a simple way to kill time, but I could tell Niles had something on his mind.

As I shuffled the cards, Niles looked at me, his brow slightly furrowed.

"Is something up with Jenna? She's been acting different lately." He drew his first card, eyeing me as if testing the waters.

I placed down a yellow 3, trying to sound casual. "Yeah, I've noticed. She hasn't been herself."

Niles drew a card from the pile and shook his head. "It's more than that, though." He slapped down a Draw Four with a smirk, making me groan. "She seems... distant, especially with you."

I paused, considering my words as I picked up my cards. "I'm worried about her," I admitted, glancing in Jenna's direction, though she wasn't around. "But I don't want to push her or overstep. She's dealing with a lot." I placed a Reverse card, switching the turn back to him.

Niles chuckled lightly, placing a Skip card, keeping his turn. "You always say that, but you're not doing yourself any favors by holding back." He looked at me more seriously now, drawing another card. "Maybe she needs you to push a little."

I frowned, placing down a red 7. "And what if it's too much for her? I don't want to add to the pressure she's already under."

He studied his cards, then looked me dead in the eye. "You care about her. She's not just a colleague to you anymore." He placed down another card, a green 2 this time, then leaned back on the grass. "So, what are you waiting for?"

I sighed, my gaze drifting to the stack of cards between us. Niles was right, but it wasn't that simple. I knew pushing her could send her retreating into her shell. But doing nothing felt just as wrong.

Niles drew a card, waiting for me to play. "You're overthinking again."

"Yeah, maybe," I muttered, placing a wild card on top of the pile. "Red."

He snorted. "Of course you'd choose red." Then his voice softened. "Look, just... be there for her, alright? Don't push, but don't stay too far either."

I nodded slowly, watching him place down his last card. "Uno," he said with a grin.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help smiling. "Lucky shot."

As he shuffled the deck for another round, the conversation lingered in the back of my mind. Maybe Niles was right—maybe it was time to stop playing safe.