Fleeting Flames - Jenna Ortega x Fem Reader

Part 12

The next few days loomed over the two of you like an unspoken goodbye, and the tension was starting to feel like another person in the room. Jenna had been a little grumpy since morning—more reserved than usual, her responses clipped. She'd gone from being warm and teasing to quiet and distant, and it was getting to you.

You found her lounging on the couch, scrolling through her phone with a furrowed brow. She didn't look up as you approached, her silence louder than any words could be.

"Hey, what's with the mood?" you asked, trying to keep your tone light.

She shrugged, her gaze still fixed on the screen. "Nothing. Just... not in the mood for jokes today."

You frowned, taking a seat beside her, nudging her leg lightly. "Are you really gonna spend the whole day being mad at me?"

Her eyes flicked up, and you caught that familiar spark of irritation. "I'm not mad. Just... annoyed, I guess," she muttered, setting her phone down with a little more force than necessary.

"Annoyed?" You chuckled, trying to ease the tension. "What did I do this time?"

Jenna gave you a pointed look, her lips pressing into a thin line. "You're leaving tomorrow," she said finally, her voice a little sharper than she probably intended. "It's like... I don't know. It feels like you're just fine with that."

The words caught you off guard, and you raised an eyebrow. "Jenna, you know the plan. We're keeping it chill, right? No pressure. Besides, it's just a few days."

She crossed her arms, looking away with a huff. "Right. 'No pressure.' Must be easy when you're the one doing all the leaving."

You sighed, running a hand through your hair. "Look, it's not that serious. We agreed to keep things casual, remember? I'll be back before you know it."

She scoffed, a bitter smile flashing across her face. "Casual, right. Just friends with benefits. Totally uncomplicated."

You paused, unsure how to respond to that edge in her tone. You wanted to keep things light, keep things easy—exactly like you'd both agreed. But Jenna's expression was distant, her gaze fixed somewhere beyond you, as if she was already bracing herself for the space you'd leave.

Unable to bear the awkwardness any longer, you leaned over, letting a playful grin slip back onto your face. "Hey," you murmured, breaking through her quiet. Without warning, you reached down and lifted her up, catching her completely off guard.

She squealed in surprise, her grumpiness momentarily forgotten as her arms instinctively wrapped around your shoulders, her legs curling around your waist as you twirled her around. A reluctant laugh escaped her, and she clung to you, the tension finally breaking.

"See? Better already," you teased, holding her firmly and walking around the living room, accidentally knocking over a few Christmas' decorations.

She rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. "What are you doing?" she mumbled, trying to keep her frown.

"Getting this bad mood away from your body, woman. I cannot take it anymore," you said, your tone light as you headed toward your bedroom.

"Hey! Put me down!" she protested, though there was no real heat in her words. Instead, she clung tighter to you, laughter bubbling up between you.

You gently tossed her onto the bed, her laughter filling the air as she bounced slightly on the soft surface. You watched her for a moment, a smirk playing on your lips as you leaned over her. "You know, you've been acting so weird. What's wrong, huh?"

Jenna rolled her eyes, but her playful demeanor was quickly replaced by something deeper, a flicker of vulnerability in her gaze. "I don't want you to leave, Y/N. It's just... I hate that you're going to Miami. It makes me feel like—"