Behind the Spotlight (Jenna x Male Reader)

Chapter Six: Into the Script

Chapter Six: Into the Script

Jenna sat cross-legged on the floor of the apartment, a stack of well-worn script pages spread out in front of her. The Los Angeles sun poured through the windows, casting a warm glow over her face as she flipped through the pages. She was getting into her character as Tara for *Scream*, excited yet focused on understanding the emotional depths her role demanded. Y/N was in the kitchen, grabbing snacks for their study session, fully committed to his role as Josh, her love interest in the film.

"So, Miss Ortega," he called from the kitchen with a grin, "do I need to woo you with food for you to take me seriously in these scenes?"

Jenna laughed, looking up as he re-entered the room with a bowl of popcorn and some sodas. "Well, I might take you more seriously if you actually remember your lines," she teased.

"Hey! I've got my lines down. I'm just wondering if you're ready for the incredible chemistry we're about to bring to this movie," he smirked, settling beside her on the floor.

Jenna gave him a playful nudge. "Oh, I think I can handle it. You're not exactly unfamiliar territory."

He chuckled, and for a moment they just enjoyed each other's company, savoring the fact that they were about to dive into another project together. Finally, Jenna shifted her focus back to the script. "Okay, let's start with Scene 14, where Tara and Josh are hiding out from Ghostface. This is where our characters are really starting to open up to each other, right?"

Y/N nodded, flipping through his pages until he found the right scene. "Right. This is where Josh starts to show his softer side and Tara lets her guard down a bit."

They began, both instantly slipping into character. Jenna's tone became guarded but vulnerable, perfectly embodying Tara, who was clearly wrestling with feelings she'd rather keep hidden. Y/N, as Josh, delivered his lines with a gentle, almost protective quality that added depth to the scene.

"Tara, you don't have to act so tough all the time," he said, his voice low and sincere. "It's okay to let people in."

Jenna looked up at him, her expression guarded, as if the walls she'd carefully built were only barely keeping her emotions at bay. "It's not that easy, Josh. You don't know what I've been through. Letting people in...it doesn't end well."

Y/N softened his gaze, leaning in slightly. "Maybe you haven't let the right people in yet."

There was a silence as they held each other's gaze, the tension in the scene palpable. But then, Jenna's lips twitched, breaking the seriousness, and she couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh my gosh, I'm sorry!" she said, covering her face. "It's just...we're supposed to be super intense, and then I look up and see your 'serious actor face.'"

He laughed too, the moment dissolving into giggles. "You mean my very convincing, very authentic serious actor face?"

She nodded, still giggling. "It's just so...different! But okay, okay, back to the scene." She composed herself, sitting up straighter, and they both took a breath before diving in again.

They ran the scene a few more times, each attempt bringing more emotion and depth. Jenna's character opened up bit by bit, and Y/N responded with a warmth that felt genuine. By the time they finished, Jenna's heart was pounding—both from the intensity of the scene and from the thrill of working so closely with him.

They set down their scripts, Jenna leaning back against the couch with a contented sigh. "Wow. That actually felt really good. I think we're starting to get somewhere with these characters."

Y/N nodded, reaching for her hand and intertwining their fingers. "I think so too. And you know what? I'm really grateful we get to do this together."

She looked over at him, her smile soft. "Me too. It makes everything feel...different. Better."

They sat in comfortable silence, letting the reality sink in. Working together on *Scream* felt like a unique experience, one that deepened their connection while challenging them as actors.

After a few minutes, Jenna sat up, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. "Okay, let's do one more scene—Scene 22. It's the one where Josh tries to tell Tara how he feels, right?"

Y/N nodded, grabbing the script with a smirk. "Ah, confession scene. My time to shine."

They got back into character, their banter slipping away as the lines drew them in. Y/N's expression shifted, his demeanor suddenly vulnerable as he looked at her. "Tara, there's something I need to say. I don't know how much longer I can keep pretending that I don't care."

Jenna took a shaky breath, fully immersed in the emotions of the scene. "Josh...now isn't the time. You know how dangerous this is."

"Maybe it's always going to be dangerous," he replied, his voice steady but pained. "But that doesn't change how I feel about you."

As he held her gaze, Jenna felt a shiver run down her spine. She was so absorbed in the moment that for a split second, she forgot they were just rehearsing lines. Her breath caught as she stared at him, the weight of his words—and their own unspoken connection—settling between them.

Y/N let the silence stretch before reaching over, placing a gentle hand on her cheek. "You're safe with me, Tara. I won't let anything happen to you."

They held the pose, the tension building, until Jenna finally broke character, a smile tugging at her lips. "Okay, I think we nailed that one."

Y/N laughed, letting his hand fall. "Yeah, I think so too. Just maybe one more time for good measure?"

She playfully shoved him, grinning. "How about we take a break first?"

They spent the rest of the afternoon going over lines, breaking only to grab more snacks or crack jokes to lighten the mood. By the time they finished, they were both exhausted, but there was a sense of accomplishment hanging in the air.

Jenna rested her head on his shoulder as they lay back on the couch. "You know, I think this is going to be one of my favorite projects. Not just because it's *Scream*, but because of...well, everything else."

Y/N wrapped his arm around her, kissing the top of her head. "I couldn't agree more."

As they lay there, with scripts scattered around and the city lights casting a gentle glow through the windows, it felt like they were exactly where they were meant to be—together, building a life they both cherished, one scene at a time.