More than a Crush

Scene 15 : Bonding and Confessions

It had been a few weeks since we started shooting in Honolulu, and the days were a blur of excitement, hard work, and moments of sheer joy. The Hawaiian sun had become a backdrop to one of the happiest times in my life. But today, something extra special happened. As I wrapped up a morning meeting on set, I was surprised to see none other than Lena, standing near my trailer with the widest grin on her face.

"Lena!" I shouted, running toward her. We hugged tightly, and I felt a wave of comfort rush over me. Having my best friend here in this paradise felt surreal.

"I thought I'd surprise you, seeing as you're the big-time director now," she said with a wink.

After catching up for a few minutes, I introduced her to Zac, who had just finished a scene.

"So, you're the famous Lena?" Zac said, giving her a warm smile.

"And you must be the guy who finally made her teenage dreams come true," Lena teased, nudging me with her elbow.

Zac chuckled and playfully bumped my shoulder. "Guilty as charged."

I turned to Zac, hesitating for a moment before speaking. "Hey babe, do you mind if I hang out with Lena today instead? I haven't seen her in a while, and I just really want to catch up."

Zac smiled warmly, placing a reassuring hand on my arm. "Of course, babe. You deserve some time with your best friend. Besides, I'll hang out with the boys today. We'll probably do something low-key."

With that, Lena and I were off for a girls' day out. We decided to explore a quiet beachside restaurant for lunch, catching up on everything that had happened since I left Paris. The conversation flowed easily, and soon, Lena leaned in with a mischievous look in her eyes.

"So, how's it going with Zac?" she asked, her tone light but curious.

I took a deep breath, my heart swelling with emotion. "Honestly? I'm on cloud nine," I confessed, smiling. "It's like all the dreams I had about being his girlfriend when I was a teenager came true. Everything feels so perfect. He's... everything I've ever wanted, and more. You know what my relationships were like before, Lena. But with Zac, it's like I've finally found the missing piece for being really happy."

Lena listened intently, her expression softening. "I can see it in your eyes," she said gently. "He's the one for you, isn't he?"

I nodded, feeling a surge of emotion. "He is. I can feel it. But I'm scared, Lena. What if my parents don't approve? Zac's not Muslim, he's Jewish. I don't know how they'll react."

Lena reached across the table, taking my hand. "Listen, I get it. It's a big deal, and I know how important your family is to you. But you can't let fear stop you from being with the person who makes you happy. Follow your heart. If Zac is the one for you, you'll find a way to make it work."

Her words were like a balm to my worries. I smiled, feeling reassured. Lena always knew how to say the right thing.

As the day came to an end, we headed to a Hawaiian restaurant to meet Zac and the boys. The energy was lively, the food smelled incredible, and the atmosphere was perfect for unwinding after a day of confessions and laughter.

Zac sat to my right, and I introduced Lena to James Marsden and Archie Renaux, who were seated with us.

"James, Archie, this is my best friend, Lena," I said proudly.

James gave her a charming smile. "Nice to meet you, Lena. Any friend of hers is a friend of ours."

Archie nodded in agreement, his eyes lighting up as he shook Lena's hand. "Yeah, welcome to the crew."

We all ordered drinks, and soon the conversation became a mix of laughter and shared stories. Lena started telling Zac stories from my childhood. "You know," she said, grinning, "she used to scream at the TV every time you were on. Whether it was High School Musical or a random interview, it didn't matter. You were basically her teenage obsession."

Zac burst out laughing, looking at me with playful affection. "Is that so?" he teased, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

I blushed, giving Lena a mock glare. "Thanks for that, Lena."

"Oh, come on! It's adorable," Lena replied with a wink. "And don't get me started on her attempts to sing and dance to 'We're All In This Together.' She tried so hard, but... well, let's just say she stuck to writing for a reason."

The table erupted in laughter, and even I couldn't help but join in. Zac leaned in closer, whispering in my ear, "You never told me about your performances."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Some things are best kept in the past."

As the evening wore on, I couldn't help but notice Lena and Archie exchanging glances and light-hearted banter. Zac must have noticed too, because he gave me a look and whispered, "I think we've got some sparks flying over there."

I giggled and nodded. It was cute to see Lena flirting, even if she didn't realize it herself.

When the check arrived, Archie turned to Lena with a casual offer. "You can crash in my room if you want. No need to pay for another hotel room. It's no trouble."

Lena blinked in surprise, but I saw the faint smile on her lips. "I'll think about it," she said, and I could tell she was already leaning toward a yes.

When Zac and I got back to our room, he couldn't resist teasing me one last time. "So... screaming my name every time I was on TV, huh?"

I buried my face in his chest, groaning. "Don't remind me."

He laughed, wrapping his arms around me and holding me close. "I think it's cute," he murmured. "Besides, you don't have to scream my name anymore. I'm right here."

I smiled, looking up at him. "That's true."

And as we fell asleep that night, wrapped in each other's arms, I felt more certain than ever that I was exactly where I was meant to be.