In the next life, maybe ?

Chapter 18 : It's wrap !

I couldn't sleep at all last night. My mind kept racing, my heart searching for peace but finding none. The last three months replayed over and over—from the first time Jenna and I met to how the film itself feels like an ironic mirror of my life. The late nights on set, our talks on the hill, the lingering stares, the way it felt so easy to be around her. Every moment replays like scenes from our own secret movie, as if she's the missing piece I didn't know I needed.

Talking to her feels natural, like we've known each other forever. We have so much in common it's almost eerie. And every touch, every brush of hands—it feels so right but also burns, reminding me of what could be but can't fully happen. Last night, our hands intertwined, faces so close, nearly kissing... it was overwhelming.

I turn over in bed, frustration building up inside me.

*What am I supposed to do?* I'm no expert in love, but it seems obvious she feels something too. She wouldn't have leaned in or held my hand like that otherwise. *Right?*

Eventually, restlessness wins, and I climb out of bed, pulling on a hoodie and heading to the top of the trailer. It's gritty and cold, but I don't care. I pop in my earphones, letting the music play as I look up at the stars. They remind me of Jenna—beautiful, peaceful, drawing me in, close enough for me to see them but still out of reach.

I lose myself in the stars, almost as if they're whispering back, carrying the words I wish I could hear. But they stay silent, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the vast, quiet sky.

At some point, I must have fallen asleep because I wake up shivering as dawn breaks. The soft light brings a calm, and I head down to the showers. Hot water rushes over me, and for a moment, it feels like it's washing away the confusion, the frustration, and the longing. But by the time I get to the makeup trailer, the longing is back, making my heart heavy and my thoughts cloudy.

On set, it's just me and Niles this morning, and he notices my mood right away.

"You good, sis?" His voice snaps me back to reality, his eyes watching me closely.

I force a smile. "Yeah, just tired." It's a lie, and we both know it.

He raises an eyebrow, lowering his voice. "Look, I know something's going on with you and Jenna. Just be careful. Percy might not be around, but things are still... complicated."

I rub the back of my neck, unsure of what to say. "I don't know what to do, man. I can't stop thinking about her. Last night..." My voice trails off.

"Last night?" Niles's brow lifts, intrigued.

"We almost kissed." The words feel heavy, a confession I've barely let myself admit.

His eyes widen before he lets out a low whistle. "Damn."

"I know," I mutter, looking away. "But it felt right, you know?"

He studies me, then nods slowly. "Just... be careful, alright? Things like this have a way of blowing up when you least expect it."

I nod, knowing he's right.

Later that evening, after our long day on set, Jenna and I find ourselves alone in her trailer. The air between us is thick with tension and unspoken words. It's familiar, too familiar, and I know we can't keep avoiding this.

"Can we talk?" Jenna's voice wavers as she looks at me.

"Yeah, we need to." I sit down across from her, trying to keep my voice steady, though my heart's racing. "Last night was... a lot. And today? It's been harder than I thought to just act normal."

She nods, folding her hands, gaze dropping to the floor. "I know. It feels like we're trapped in some drama we can't escape. I'm torn between what I want and what I have do."