Behind the Spotlight (Jenna x Male Reader)

Chapter Five: The Pressures of Fame

Chapter Five: The Pressures of Fame

The sunlight streamed through the curtains as Jenna and Y/N prepared for the day ahead. The apartment was beginning to feel like home; boxes were mostly unpacked, and their personal touches—photos from their time together and trinkets from their travels—adorned the space.

Jenna stood in the kitchen, making coffee while Y/N rummaged through a box in the living room, searching for the last of their kitchen gadgets. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, a comforting ritual that had become part of their mornings together. As she poured the dark liquid into two mugs, her thoughts drifted to the upcoming interview.

"Do you think they'll ask about us?" she called out, trying to keep her tone light but unable to suppress the flutter of anxiety in her stomach.

Y/N emerged from the living room, holding a stray spatula. He raised an eyebrow, a smirk creeping onto his face. "You mean like about our incredible breakfast skills?"

Jenna rolled her eyes, chuckling. "Very funny. I mean about us, you know, our relationship. It's still pretty new."

"Probably," he replied, leaning against the counter. "But we'll handle it together. Just remember, we're a team."

She nodded, appreciating his support. The couple had announced their relationship to the world just weeks prior, after months of quiet, stolen moments. The public response had been overwhelming; fans celebrated their union, while critics scrutinized their every move. Jenna had hoped that being open about their relationship would allow them to enjoy each other without fear. But as the media attention escalated, so did her concerns.

After finishing her coffee, Jenna turned to face him, serious now. "I just want to make sure we don't lose ourselves in all this. I love what we have, but it feels like there's so much pressure."

Y/N reached out, his fingers brushing her arm gently. "Hey, look at me. We're in this together, okay? Just because we're in the public eye doesn't mean we have to let it dictate our lives. We define what our relationship looks like, not them."

His words were comforting, and she smiled softly, feeling more at ease. After a brief pause, she teased, "Okay, Mr. Wise Man. Just remember that when they ask you about your secret hobbies and you have to admit it's binge-watching cartoons."

Y/N chuckled, shaking his head. "What can I say? I have a diverse taste in entertainment."

They shared a laugh, and Jenna felt the tension begin to ease. They finished getting ready, and as they both stepped out of the apartment, the weight of the outside world hit them anew.

Their driver was waiting downstairs, and as they entered the car, Jenna's heart began to race. The streets of LA were alive, the city bustling with energy, yet it felt like they were entering a battleground. The conversation flowed easily between them, but there was an underlying current of apprehension.

"Okay, deep breath," Y/N said, sensing her anxiety. "It's just an interview. We'll talk about Scream, our experiences, and of course, our amazing love life." He winked, trying to lighten the mood.

Jenna chuckled, shaking her head. "Don't forget to mention our cooking skills."

As they pulled up to the studio, they were greeted by a crowd of fans and paparazzi. The car door opened, and they were met with a flurry of flashing cameras and shouts of their names. The adrenaline surged through her as they stepped out, hand in hand, projecting a confident front despite the chaos surrounding them.

"Let's do this," Jenna said, squeezing Y/N's hand as they approached the entrance.

Once inside, the atmosphere shifted. They were ushered into a waiting area, and Jenna took a moment to gather her thoughts. The nerves were creeping back, but Y/N's presence grounded her. He leaned close, whispering, "Just be yourself. You've got this."

A few minutes later, they were called onto the set. Bright lights and an energetic audience welcomed them. Jimmy Fallon stood behind a desk, his infectious smile drawing them in. Jenna could feel the energy of the crowd, and despite the earlier anxiety, she found herself smiling.

"Welcome! Welcome!" Jimmy exclaimed, gesturing for them to sit. "Jenna Ortega and Y/N are here! How are you two doing?"

"Great, thanks!" Y/N replied, his voice steady.

Jenna nodded, smiling widely. "Excited to be here!"

Jimmy leaned in, his curiosity evident. "So, let's dive right into it. You two just recently announced your relationship. What's that been like for you?"

Jenna exchanged a glance with Y/N, and he squeezed her hand under the table. "It's been amazing, actually," Jenna started. "We've been friends for a long time, and transitioning into a relationship felt natural."

"Does it feel different being public now?" Jimmy asked, leaning forward. "Especially with all the media attention?"

"Definitely," Y/N admitted. "But we're just trying to keep things normal between us. We support each other through all the craziness."

Jenna could see the audience hanging on their words. "Yeah," she added. "It's important for us to stay grounded. We love what we do, but we love each other more, you know?"

"Absolutely!" Jimmy beamed. "Speaking of what you do, let's talk about Scream. How did it feel to step back into such an iconic franchise?"

As the interview continued, they discussed their roles, their experiences filming, and their excitement for what was to come. Jenna felt herself relax more with each question, her laughter mingling with Y/N's, and she could see the genuine interest in the audience's eyes.

Towards the end of the interview, Jimmy turned serious for a moment. "So, you guys are working together in this film. Any romantic scenes?"

Y/N smirked, nudging Jenna playfully. "Oh, there are definitely some tense moments."

Jenna blushed, laughing lightly. "I think it's safe to say there will be some chemistry on screen."

"And off screen," Y/N teased, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

The audience erupted into applause and laughter, and Jenna felt a surge of affection for Y/N. They were a team, facing the world together, and no amount of media frenzy could change that.

As the interview wrapped up, Jenna and Y/N stood together, waving at the audience. The buzz of excitement was palpable, and Jenna felt exhilarated. They had made it through the chaos, and as they stepped off the stage, the moment felt monumental.

"Not so bad, right?" Y/N grinned, nudging her playfully.

"Not at all! That was fun," Jenna admitted, her heart still racing.

But as they left the studio, the reality of their relationship and the impending challenges loomed over them. They were stepping into a new chapter—one filled with love, excitement, and the unknown.

"We've got this," Y/N said, sensing her thoughts. "Together."

"Together," she echoed, leaning into him as they exited into the bustling streets of LA, hand in hand. The noise of the city enveloped them, but together, they felt ready to face whatever came next.