Girl On Film

Chapter 14 - Teasing

Gigi POV

I woke up to the warmth of someone's arms around me, and for a moment, I didn't know where I was. Blinking against the morning light, I realise I'm still on the couch at Daya's place. The next thing I notice is the steady rise and fall of Crystal's chest beneath my head. His arms are wrapped protectively around me, holding me close, as if even in sleep, he wants to keep me safe.

For a second, panic gripped me, wondering how we ended up like this, but then a wave of peace washes over me, peace I haven't felt in what seems like forever. I shift slightly, careful not to wake him, and look up at his face. His features are soft in the early light, his dark curls a tousled mess, his expression completely relaxed. There's something about the way he looks when he is asleep, something so pure and gentle, that makes my heart ache in a way I can't quite understand.

In that moment, I feel an overwhelming sense of safety, a feeling I've always craved but rarely found. Crystal is here, and for once, I don't feel the need to push him away. Instead, I let myself sink into the warmth of his embrace, cherishing this brief moment of calm before the rest of the world comes crashing back in

As I lay there, savoring the rare calmness that has settled over me, the quiet is suddenly interrupted by a soft gasp, followed by the unmistakable click of a camera shutter. My eyes shoot open, and I turn groggily towards the sound, still half-dazed from sleep.

Standing there, phone in hand, is Jaida, her eyes wide with a mix of surprise and amusement. "Oh my god" she whispered, barely containing a grin as she snaps another picture.

"Jaida" I mumbled, my voice thick with sleep and just a touch of irritation. I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks as I try to push myself up without disturbing Crystal too much. "What are you doing?"

She just smirks, lowering her phone. "Just capturing the moment, G. You two looked so peaceful, I couldn't resist."

Crystal stirs beside me, his arms tightening slightly around me as he wakes up. His eyes flutter open, still hazy with sleep, and he looks around, clearly disoriented. "What's going on?" he mumbled, his voice lower and raspier than usual, thick with the remnants of sleep.

That voice sends a shiver down my spine, stirring something inside me I can't quite place. I swallow, trying to steady myself, but I can’t ignore how his voice seems to affect me in ways I don't fully understand. My heart beats just a little faster as I watch him come to his senses, feeling more vulnerable in this moment than I have in a long time.

Before either of us can fully grasp the situation, Jaida's voice breaks through the morning stillness. "Oh my god, you two are so cute!" she exclaimed, her phone still in hand, the camera clearly capturing the moment.

Crystal and I immediately pull away from each other, both scrambling to sit up, our faces flushed. "It's not what it looks like" I blurted out, trying to sound nonchalant even though my heart is racing.

"Yeah, I just...uh...she had a nightmare" Crystal added awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck, his cheeks tinged with pink. "I was just trying to help."

Jaida raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying it, but she doesn't push any further. "Sure, sure" she said with a teasing smile. "I'll let you two off the hook… for now." She winks before walking away, to check if anyone else is awake, leaving us both sitting there, still flustered and trying to make sense of what had just happened.

The morning light filtered through the windows as we all gather in the living room, sipping coffee and munching on cereal. There is a comforting quiet, the kind that only comes after a night of shared laughter and late-night conversations. The warmth of the room wraps around us, and for a moment, everything feels calm, like we're all in our own little world.