More than a Crush

Scene 9 : The Next Step

A month had passed since Zac and I walked the red carpet at the premiere of A Family Affair, and life had only gotten more exciting. Our relationship had been thrust into the public eye, and while the attention was a bit overwhelming, Zac and I had managed to maintain our connection despite living on different continents. Between video calls, texts, and occasional visits, we found a rhythm that worked for us.

Now, sitting backstage at Jimmy Kimmel Live, I could feel my nerves bubbling beneath the surface. Zac was already out on stage, answering questions about his movie. His charm and ease with the audience made me smile, but as my segment approached, the butterflies in my stomach intensified.

"Next up, we've got a very special guest joining us! Please welcome, Zac Efron's girlfriend, Nora Zahaoui!" Jimmy's voice boomed from the stage, and before I knew it, I was walking out to cheers and applause.

Zac stood up to greet me with a kiss on the cheek before I sat down beside him. Jimmy wasted no time in diving into our story.

"So, you two are officially a couple now. We've all seen the photos from the premiere, but tell us, how did this all start?" Jimmy asked with his usual playful grin.

Zac and I exchanged a quick look before I began. "Well, I wrote a play about Zac's career, and on the night of the premiere, he surprised me by attending. After the show, we started talking, and everything just... clicked," I explained, a smile spreading across my face as I remembered that fateful night.

"Wow, that's quite the story!" Jimmy nodded, clearly intrigued. "Now, you live in Paris, and Zac's in LA. How do you make that work?"

Zac jumped in this time. "We talk every day. When I have time off, I fly out to see her in Paris. It's not always easy, but we support each other through it all."

I nodded in agreement. "It's about making the most of the time we have together and not letting the distance get in the way of what we have."

Jimmy leaned forward, looking curious. "So, what's the next step in this transcontinental romance?"

I hesitated for a second before answering, "Actually, we've been talking about moving in together. It's a big step, but it feels like the right one."

The audience gasped, and Jimmy's eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, moving in together already? That's huge! Well, I wish you both the best of luck with that."

Zac squeezed my hand, and I smiled at him, grateful for the support. After a few more questions, the interview wrapped up, and we headed out for dinner.

That night, we sat at a cozy restaurant, just the two of us, enjoying the quiet after the buzz of the show. As we sipped our drinks, I looked over at Zac. "So, did you thank Dylan for helping me with the surprise?"

Zac chuckled. "Yeah, I did. Speaking of Dylan... I've been thinking. I'd really like to introduce you to the rest of my family. You've already met him, but I want you to meet my mom and my other siblings too."

I blinked in surprise. Meeting Zac's parents was a big step, one I hadn't fully considered yet. "You really think it's time?"

"I do," Zac said softly. "You're important to me, Nora. I want you to be part of my world, all of it. I already talked to my mom, and she invited us over for dinner tomorrow night."

I felt a wave of nerves wash over me, but I smiled, nodding. "I'd love that."

Later that evening, as Zac cleared the dishes from the table, I slipped out to the balcony and dialed Lena's number. She picked up after a few rings, her voice warm and familiar.

"Nora! How did it go on Jimmy Kimmel?"

"It went great," I replied, though the butterflies were still fluttering in my stomach. "But that's not why I'm calling."

I could almost hear her eyebrow raise through the phone. "What's going on?"

"Zac wants me to meet his family. His mom, his younger siblings... and I'm freaking out a little," I admitted. "It's a huge step, and what if they don't like me? I don't want to disappoint him or ruin things."

Lena paused for a moment before responding. "Nora, you're overthinking this. Zac wouldn't introduce you to his family unless he knew they'd love you. And they will."

"But what if I mess it up?" I asked, my voice small.

"Nora, you need to talk to Zac about how you're feeling," Lena said gently. "He deserves to know, and I'm sure he'll understand. You two have a strong connection. Trust that."

I sighed, knowing she was right. "You're right. I'll go talk to him now. Thanks, Lena."

"Anytime," she said before hanging up.

With a deep breath, I went back inside to find Zac on the couch, scrolling through his phone. I sat down beside him, my hands nervously fidgeting in my lap.

"Zac, I need to tell you something," I began, my voice wavering slightly. He turned to me, his expression attentive. "I'm really nervous about meeting your family. I'm afraid I'll mess up or say the wrong thing... I just don't want to disappoint you."

Zac's face softened, and he took my hand in his. "Nora, you don't have to be afraid. My family's going to love you just as much as I do. You don't need to be anyone other than yourself, okay?"

His words were exactly what I needed to hear. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding and smiled. "Thank you, Zac," I whispered softly, leaning in and pressing my lips to his in a gentle, grateful kiss. His arms circled around me, pulling me closer as our kiss lingered, full of comfort and love.

When we pulled back, I hugged him tightly, feeling the warmth of his embrace. "I love you," I whispered against his chest.

Zac's arms tightened around me, and he kissed the top of my head. "I love you too, Nora," he said softly, his voice filled with sincerity.

In that moment, wrapped in each other's arms, all my fears melted away. I knew that as long as we had each other, everything would be okay.