bed chem | drew starkey

CHAPTER 20

LATE DECEMBER 2023

Aurora had returned to set, but it wasn't willingly. She stepped out of her car, her stomach churning with nerves as she approached the trailers. The thought of seeing Drew made her want to turn around and book the first flight back to the safety of her apartment. But she knew she couldn't avoid work forever.

Her plan was simple: avoid Drew like the plague. Unfortunately, that was easier said than done, given that almost all her scenes were with him.

The moment she stepped onto set, she kept her eyes glued to her script, ignoring the familiar voices around her. She stayed in the shadows, keeping her distance from everyone—especially Drew.

"Hey, Aurora," Jonas greeted her as she passed him.

She forced a small smile. "Morning."

"You feeling okay? You've been kind of quiet lately," Jonas asked, his eyes narrowing in concern.

"I'm fine," she said quickly, waving him off. "Just... focused."

Jonas didn't look convinced, but he let it go.

Aurora made it through hair and makeup, taking extra time to delay stepping onto the set. Finally, when she couldn't put it off any longer, she made her way to the scene's location.

Drew was already there, talking to one of the crew members. Aurora's heart sank when their eyes briefly met. He didn't even smile. Instead, he turned back to his conversation as if she wasn't there.

She busied herself by rereading her lines, pretending to be completely engrossed in the script. The scene they were filming was supposed to be romantic, and the thought of having to act close with Drew made her stomach twist uncomfortably.

"Alright, places everyone!" Jonas called.

Aurora reluctantly moved to her mark. Drew joined her, standing just close enough for the scene but keeping an awkward distance that hadn't been there before.

"Ready?" Jonas asked, looking between them.

"Ready," Aurora muttered, though she wasn't sure she meant it.

"Yeah," Drew replied, his tone flat.

The scene started, and Aurora tried her best to focus on her character. She delivered her lines, but something was off. Drew's responses felt stiff, his gaze barely meeting hers. It was as if he was purposely avoiding any real connection.

"Cut!" Jonas yelled after the first take. He looked frustrated. "Guys, what's going on? The chemistry is completely gone."

Aurora flushed, feeling a wave of embarrassment.

"I'm sorry, I'll do better," she said quickly, though she knew the problem wasn't entirely hers.

Jonas sighed. "Take five. Let's try this again."

Aurora didn't wait for anyone to say anything else. She grabbed her water bottle and walked off to a quiet corner, keeping her distance from Drew.

She had no idea how she was going to survive the rest of the shoot.

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Aurora sat on the edge of her trailer's couch, the script clutched loosely in her hands. Her mind replayed the scene they had just filmed, over and over. The kiss.

It wasn't like any other kiss they had done before. This time, it had felt... different. More than just the character's chemistry. It was real. Raw. Every unspoken feeling that had been building between them came pouring into that kiss. There was no pretending. No acting. It was just them—Drew and Aurora.