A/N: Jenna x Reader
INSPO: Gilmore girls
Summary: Jenna works for at her school paper and when she meets a girl who charms her, she finds out that she's part of a secret society and attempts to write about it but ends up becoming apart of it, still being able to write a looser version.
The first part of this story - I'll tell you when - is actually the start of my personal story, so, enjoy that ahhaha
HERE WE GO!
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Jenna's POV:
I speed-walk down the hall, holding onto my folder that contains the paper I managed to write in one night. My god it has been stressing me out for weeks. The Yale Daily News is the school newspaper, it's one of the most demanding papers I've ever participated in, especially with our lead editor of the Yale Daily News being one of my dearest competition 'friends', Amber Marley. She's so intense.
I genuinely don't think she's ever heard of the term 'taking a break'.
It's inspiring and concerning all at once. She can write forever, edit other people's papers, eat, and keep herself somewhat sane all at once. It's very interesting to watch. I advise someone to follow her for the day, I doubt anyone could keep up with her. Maybe me since I'm co-editor with her.
I push open the door, immediately seeing the eyes of my co-workers and they all are desperately asking for help while Amber is setting them straight. I swear, I think I can see Hawkins crying.
My god, poor boy.
"Hello, sorry I'm late." I apologise to Amber, heading over toward her as I hand over my folder with the article I wrote. I hope she likes it. "I was printing this off, something was wrong with the printer's in the library last night when I tried."
"Not enough time for excuses." I hear Amber reply, speaking fast. That's something Amber is impressive with, her words per minute are honestly the perfect pace. Not too fast, not too slow. "Try not to be late next time. I'm not letting you off again."
"Got it."
"You better." I hear her say, slamming it onto her desk. "Doyle, I need this proofread and on my desk 15 minutes ago!" I hear her shout, Doyle rushes over, grabs it and begins to proof-read my work. "As I was saying, we have been struggling with a lot of coverage and I think it's time that we go out there and try look for a story instead of a story coming to us." She explains as she moves and a few people takes notes while I hand a few people coffee, offer some apologises for Amber and her ridiculous requirements that almost feel impossible to reach.
She stops, turning to us. That's when I realise she's wearing a white blouse, a black blazer that is rolled up to her elbows, black slacks and heels. She's short but wears heels constantly. Her raven hair never moves an inch, it's perfectly placed, and I am slightly jealous of how it's like that. Especially with how beautifully curled it is.
"What're you doing just standing there, go! Move people, move!" She shouts, clapping her hands and everyone scurries away from Amber. She sighs and looks at me, leaning close to me. "Bunch of chumps they are." She complains, "Anyway, I have something for you."
"You do?" (that's all my personal story, the rest is now just whatever hahaha) I ask as my voice raises an octave, she nods her head, taking a sip of the coffee before resting her hand over her looks, furrowing in disgust. "What's the story?"
"I want you to write an article on the societies of the school." Amber informs me to do, walking away from me and heading toward her stand-up desk. Me following behind her like a dog.
"Societies?"
"Yes."
"Every single one?"
"You want me to give it to someone else—?"
"—No, no, no! I... I can handle it. It's just are we including clubs?"
"No, darling, I'm talking about the societies."
"The societies?" I ask her, she nods her head and I just hum softly, deciding that I shouldn't ask anymore questions otherwise she might snap at me and I definitely do not want that. I walk toward my desk and open a document and begin to start my article, beginning to pull information.
Jesus, this is gonna filled with so much research...
***
I've been here for hours, researching, printing pictures off of the societies photos and throughout the years that is until I came across a block and found a secret society that used to be super popular back when my grandad was at Yale but I can't find anything recent about it. Apparently they used to say a Latin phrase but I can't find the phrase.
I can barely find anything out about this secret society and I know it's supposed to be a secret but after '95, there isn't a single thing about them. I can't even find the proper name of the society because of how secretive it is.
Shit... This is so tough.
"Ortega, how is it going?" I hear Amber ask me, resting her hand on my desk and glancing at my screen.
"Uh, fine. Um, but there is one society that... that I'm struggling." I express to her, not wanting to hide that I'm scared of her feedback. I notice a few people glance at me in fear.
"Struggling?"
"Yes."
"You? Struggling?"
"...Yes."
"You, Jenna Marie Ortega, struggling?" She asks me, raising an eyebrow.
"I think I've answered more than enough times for you to get the idea of me struggling." I reply to her, she moves toward me and begins to skim it before researching it. She huffs, getting nothing. She searches something else, nothing. She searches for background photos, nothing since '95.
"Hm... This is odd." Amber says, standing up and looking at me. "Dig into this secret society."
"What if it is disbanded though?"
"It's not. Secret societies don't disband, Ortega. Get digging." She tells me to do, walking away, intimidating more people, shouting and complaining. So, Amber being Amber.
*****
I'm at the bathroom of a party and I really am so bored, this party is the most boring thing that I have ever found in my life. I mean, I'm seeing my grandad tomorrow so I can see him and discuss with him about the secret society and if he knows the phrase or was even apart of it. I called him and asked if I could discuss it with him, he agreed.
I notice a woman walk in with a suit and she looks... extravagant. She looks so beautiful, elegant and... and... stunning— my god, don't drool, Jenna. Don't drool.
"Oh..." I hear the woman say as I'm washing my hands, "well, hello there darling. How're we tonight?" She asks me, walking beside me and smiling. "Sorry about the mess, my... outfit seems to have been ruined." She expresses to me, a posh British accent accentuating her words that I can't help but want to imitate her. She begins to wash her hands that had pen ink covered all over them.
"I've been... better." I express to her, she raises her eyebrows as she looks at me and grabs paper towels and wipes her hands,
"Oh, now, I think there are better feelings than that." She replies, stepping closer to me and resting her hand on my sink as she chucks her paper towels in the wash.
"Like?"
"Well are you up for an adventure?" She offers, offering her hand. I look at her hand for a moment before looking into her eyes, her smiling down at me.
"You don't even know me, stranger."
"That's the even better part, my love." She expresses to me, moving around to the other side quickly, "There's even more spice to the adventure." She adds, sending me a sexy wink that I can't help but blush at. "I will wait outside for a... minute as that's about all the patience I have. I'll be waiting." She says to me, I smile widely but as soon as she leaves, the warmth of her presence is gone. Nothing feels as golden as it was with her. I dry my hands and I hesitate leaving the party. Yet, as I go outside, she is getting in the car and this girl is getting in the same car with 3 guys.
"Ahhh! In omnia paratus!" (Latin for 'prepared in all things') She exclaims, laughing and spinning around in her elegant but old-fashioned ball gown. I watch as they all shush her and she gets pulled inside, the car quickly drives off and I let my shoulders fall.
In omnia paratus...
In omnia paratus? What does...? Wait, that's Latin.
That's Latin—! Oh, my god... The secret society!
I immediately begin to run, running toward the Yale Daily News building. I pull out my phone and begin to call Amber, knowing that she's there. She answers,
"What is it Ortega?"
"Amber! Amber, I need you to search was 'In Omnia Paratus' means! In Latin specifically." I say, desperately.
"Why?"
"It's a break in the article— just search it!" I tell her,
"Okay, okay." She replies, "Hang on." She tells me, I continue to run toward the Yale Daily News. "Okay, it means 'Prepared for all things'."
"Okay, when I get to the door, you need to let me in! Okay? I have an idea and I need you to let me in, this is important!" I express to her, through heavy breaths while I still try to run to Yale yet it feels forever away.
***
I arrive and immediately begin to babble to Amber about who I interacted with,
"You will not believe her! She's British, got amazing eyes and hair, I mean she was wearing this classy suit and I'm not gonna lie, I'm definitely surprised that she looked that attractive with it. I'm kinda questioning my sexuality but anyway, that's irrelevant. You don't need to know all the minutiae." I express to her, rambling slightly and noticing her looking at me in surprise.
"Excuse me—?" Amber attempts to butt in but I don't wanna talk about it right now.
"—Anyway, she said to meet her outside. I did but was too late. There seemed to be this tiny group and they said that saying that I told you to search! I'm gonna interview my grandad and I'm gonna see if he knows anything about the society. He is, after all, an alumni at Yale, so, he must know something!" I babble to her, noticing her sigh softly. Shaking her head.
"I knew you were the perfect person for this article, well done." I hear Amber say to me, opening the door for me. I head inside, rushing to my laptop and opening up the document with my article. I read my last sentence then continue, adding some information then doing some digging into the phrase, getting a little bit more information about the secret society. I even find out the name.
The Life and Death Brigade.
Hm, okay... The Life and Death Brigade... what an interesting name.
*****
I'm walking toward my dorm room, looking at my notes for my class. Sometimes I forget that I still have classes because of how busy the Yale Daily News is. It's feels so impossible to handle everything but I know if I finish my homework as soon as I get given it, I will be able to focus on writing an article on societies and more specifically, The Life and Death Brigade.
Even reading about what they've done and what they do feels thrilling and sounds like such an amazing adventure that you can't help but admire the secrecy. If people knew what they were up too, everyone would be doing it.
I feel myself get pulled into some sort've closet and my notes being taken off of me,
"Wha—? Hey!" I call out, the door shuts then the lights turn on— British girl.
"Hi, darling." She greets me, dusting her and I off. "Sorry about the intrusion. You are one difficult woman to track down, you know?" She charmingly informs me, leaning her head closer to me as her hands rest on my forearms, I laugh softly and shake my head.
"What're we doing here?" I ask her, glancing around and seeing that it looks like some sort've cabinet. Out of all places, she pulls me in here?
"I wanted to see you, Stringer." She expresses to me, a beautiful smile tugging on her lips that makes my heart skip a beat.
"Stringer?"
"Your a journalist, you write about things happening. Practically a stringer."
"Ah. Got it." I reply, shaking my head at her dumb nicknames that she gives for everyone— well, me. I've only heard her interact with me. "Wait, then why didn't you wait outside my room if you wanted to talk to me?"
"What's the fun in that? I like a little thrill, a little scare here and there." The girl expresses to me and chuckles softly, "Anyway, I have a bone to pick with you."
"If it's about the party."
"Okay, Sherlock Holmes."
"I left the party but was too late. Now, why did your girlfriend say 'In Omnia Paratus'?" I attempt to interrogate her, she raises her eyebrows.
"Girlfriend?"
"Isn't she?"
"Definitely not, darling." She replies, "If you're talking about who I think you're on about, then, she is a very dear friend of mines. Nothing more." She adds, I narrow my eyes.
"That so?"
"Do I look like a liar?"
"I don't know, I don't even know your name." I remind her, noticing her roll her eyes and take my hand, kissing the back of my hand.
"Y/n L/n, love. You?"
"Jenna Ortega."
"Ah!" She lets out, immediately, falling into the wall and resting her hand over heart, her hand letting go of mines. I panic, reaching out for her.
"Are you okay? What's wrong?"
"If I knew your name would make me that weak in the knees, I wouldn't have bothered." She expresses to me, I roll my eyes, sighing.
"You scared me."
"Well, what can I say? You're a beautiful reporter, beautiful woman, and have a beautiful name. I mean, come on. Are you trying to kill me?"
"Jesus, Y/n..." I let out, shaking my head.
"All right, all right. I'll stop." She replies, chuckling softly before checking the time. "Oh— That's me. I have to go to wake Sam up otherwise he'll be asleep all day. Bye darling." She says, speaking fast. She kisses my cheek, making me blush deeply. She exits the closet and I stand there, surprised and speechless.
I feel something in my pocket and I pull out a piece of paper with a number, her name, then...
"Text me, I'll be waiting <3" It says in beautiful cursive handwriting, I blush even deeper and I turn the light off. Shutting the door and going into my dorm room, shutting the door behind me. I add her number and put her name in, I head into my room and I immediately go over to my desk. Putting earphones in and putting music on. I make a start on homework, trying not to get distracted.
Y/n L/n... what a woman you are already...
*****
I head into my dorm room and see a yellow envelope on my window with my name, I narrow my eyes and set my stuff down. I walk toward the window, open it and then grab the yellow envelope. I shut the window and walk toward my bed, I open it and I see a sort've card. I open the card, seeing very fancy handwriting. It reads,
"Dear Jenna Ortega,
You have been invited to The Life and Death Brigade Celebration Party by member Y/n M/n L/n. The Celebration Party will happen tomorrow at 7pm, yet Y/n - and a few other members you will meet - will meet you outside of your dorm where you are required to wear a mask which is in the envelope. We hope that you will accept this invitation and by doing so, be able to get enough information for your article."
How do they know about my article? Nobody knows about the article apart from me and Amber. Could one of them be apart of the Yale Daily News?
"The expectations:
1. You are not allowed to share photos of this party celebration
2. You are not allowed to write descriptions of people, name-drop, or describe anybody at the party, it has to be completely anonymous as it defeats the purpose of the secret society.
3. We cheers a lot to 'In Omnia Paratus' so, get prepared to be friends with the term.
4. You are not allowed to interfere with the main event which you will take part off.
Lastly, 5. You have to speak like how they would in the olden days. It's what makes The Life and Death Brigade work.
Enjoy the celebration party and I hope you have an amazing day!
From The Life and Death Brigade."
I read the card over and over again, trying to memorise it over and over again. I've been on the case for a few days and I'm not going to lie, the more I learn, the more intrigued I am. I can't stop myself form wanting to know more information. Hell, even be apart of it. I set the card down, seeing a black blindfold that I'm supposed to wear tomorrow, I'm supposed to tie it around myself.
Hm, this is odd.
I hear a light tap on my window and I glance at the 3 windows, seeing Y/n at the first one, closest to me. I walk toward the window, seeing Y/n and two of her guy friends. I open the window and I see her smiling widely,
"You got the envelope. Good." Y/n says, nodding her head before glancing at her two friends. "You two, I want you to meet someone very near and dear to my heart." She expresses to them before turning to me, "Jenna, I want you to meet my brother's from another mother, Carter and Finn. Carter, Finn, meet Stringer." She introduces us,
"Hey, guys."
"Lovely to meet you sweetheart." I hear Finn say to me, taking my hand and kissing the back of my hand. Also British, hm...
"Don't worry, not everyone is British. Just these two shitheads." Carter assures me, kissing the back of my hand which I smile at. Feeling a little more assured.
"Ah, got it." I reply, "It's nice to meet you both."
"So, already got a nickname from L/n? That's new." Finn announces, tucking one hand into his perfectly tailored black pants, they're always so smartly dressed. "Stringer, is it—?"
"—Only I call her that. Find a new nickname, shithead." Y/n defensively says, Finn wrapping an arm around her.
"I ain't got a scooby doo what you mean, mate. But anyway," He perks up and Y/n shoves his arm off of her, shaking her head. "how're you?"
"I... I'm good." I reply, laughing softly. "So, the celebration party... are you guys excited?"
"Beyond! It's the most exciting part of the whole thing." Carter expresses to me, excitedly. "Don't worry, you'll love it."
"And don't worry, we'll have another certain guest that won't make you feel so scared to be around these titheads." Y/n assures me, leaning close to me and attempting to whisper yet Finn hits her shoulder.
"Don't call me that, deary, you know I'm sensitive." He expresses to her, seductively before laughing with Carter, Y/n shakes her head.
"Ignore those dummies." Y/n says to me, waving them off. "Are you busy right now?" She asks me, I go to say that I am as I was going to write... but...
"Not... exactly." I answer in reply,
"Yes!" Carter lets out, smiling widely.
"Yes! I knew she was perfect for you, didn't I?" Finn says, resting his arm around Carter and patting Y/n's back. Sending her a wink and a nod. "We'll be in the car! Hurry."
"I'll be there in just a moment." Y/n replies, before turning to me. "Come on, you wanna go out?"
"Where?"
"That's a surprise, Stringer. Come on!" She says, excitedly. Offering her hand, "Come join us, it'll be so fun." She tells me, I sigh, trying to act as if I'm debating it as I don't want to be too desperate.
"But... I... I don't know." I let out, my shoulders falling.
"Come on, Jenna. People can live up to like 100 years without really living for a single minute, if you come with me, it's gonna be so many minutes less that you haven't lived." Y/n tries to convince me, moving closer to me. I feel my eyes move themselves to her lips and I can't help but want to kiss her so badly.
Why is she so intoxicating?
"Fine." I groan out, grabbing my jacket and putting it on as I crawl out through the window, having my phone on me. "I've got my purse—"
"—It's on me— well, daddies money, but he won't mind." She says, shutting the window for me and taking my hand in hers. "Come on!" She says, beginning to start running. I run with her, laughing at her how excited she seems to be.
We arrive at the car to see that it is a very beautiful red Buick Roadmaster, 1952 car.
"Oh, my...god." I let out, stunned by the beauty of this car.
"Come on!" She says, directing me into the car, opening the car for me. I see a girl in the front seat with Carter then it's Finn, me, then Y/n. She gets in and shuts the door. "Woo! Let's go!" She exclaims,
"Woo!"
"Woo!"
"Woohoo!! Let's go!"
"Where're we going?" I ask Y/n, looking over at her. Seeing her look at me, her eyes fall somewhere lower than my eyes then into my eyes. She rests her index finger over her lips, "Secret."
"Oh, come on."
"It's a secret, sweetheart. Nobody knows about this place or goes to this place but us." Finn informs me, gaining my attention, I look over at him. "So, you have to do the famous oath?"
"Oh, god. I thought we were the dropping the oath." Carter complains, shaking his head.
"Oh, cheer up, sweetie." Finn replies, waving Carter off. He turns back to me, "Anyway, rest your hand over your heart," I do just that, "and repeat after me. I, Jenna Ortega..."
"I, Jenna Ortega..."
"...agree to never tell anyone outside the people in this car..."
"...agree to never tell anyone outside the people in this car..."
"...about where we're going."
"...about where we're going." I complete, he nods his head and then links his arm with me.
"Welcome to the inner circle, sweetheart." Finn says to me, before looking at Y/n. "I really hope she gets invited to The Life and Death Bigrade." He continues onto say, unlinking our arms together.
"We just gotta find that out." Y/n replies, kissing my head and I lean into her, a little tired. She moves her arm out and I wrap my arm around hers, "By the way, that's my supposed girlfriend." I hear her say, pointing at the girl in the front seat.
"Girlfriend, who?" I hear the girl reply, turning around. Seeing me. She gasps. "Uh— Now, who is this cutey you found, L/n?"
"All right, chill out. I think she's found a favourite already." Y/n defends, moving an arm around me that gives me butterflies. My eyes focus on her and I see her turn to me, "That there is Stacey, I'm sure you two will get along beautifully. But if she flirts, let me know and me and her will have a little talk."
"Mhm, okay." I mutter, quietly.
"You wanna nap? We'll be a while?"
"How long is a while?"
"A while."
"Very vague."
"I like surprising you."
"Fine. Only if you stay like this and let me have my head on your shoulder." I reason with her, she chuckles and nods her head, slouching and letting me rest my head.
***
I wake up and everyone is beginning to cheer but is quickly shushed by Y/n. I don't think they realise I'm awake.
"Shh! Let the poor girl sleep, she's over-working herself already." Y/n expresses to everyone,
"Just because you have a fat crush on her." Stacey counters, earning a chortled laugh from Finn and a quiet laugh from Carter who's trying to hide it.
"So? What's wrong with that? Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"
"I totally get it, doll. Don't worry." Finn expresses to her in reply, "But seriously, can we wake angel face up—?"
"—Finn—"
"—Are you just holding all the nicknames for pretty lady on your shoulder?" Finn rebuttals and I hear Y/n groan,
"So annoying. I'll wake her up in a moment." Y/n informs everyone, "Just... be quiet, okay?" She tells everyone, they all agree and I shut my eyes as I notice her move. I wait till she begins to 'wake me up' and when she does, everyone is practically itching to get out.
"Where are we?" I ask her, looking up at her sleepily.
"We're in a way more fun place, Stringer. Come on." She says, I remove myself from her and she climbs out, I get out with her and once Y/n is out the car, Carter locks it and Finn is jogging excitedly toward a back alley then down some stairs, we all follow after them. All of us laughing quietly and when the a slide moves open, Finn blows him a kiss and he then shuts it and opens the door.
"Let's go have some fun, darlings!" Finn exclaims excitedly, all of us cheering as we go inside and head downstairs seeing a jazzy bar, people are dancing beautifully, professionally. It's very intimate and I love it. It's old music but still very jazzy music. I look at Y/n excitedly,
"No way!"
"Yes way! Come on!" She says, taking my hand and directing me downstairs as we join everyone, her directing me and us dancing together while everyone else gets drunk out of their minds.
***
It's 5:32am and I just made it back, apparently Carter drove 2 hours away from Yale to get there but it was an experience and a half. It was so fun! Y/n is walking me back to my room, we're holding hands, leaning into one another, drunk out of our minds.
"Did you have fun, Stringer?" Y/n asks me, looking over at me, I look up at her and see her eyes glance between mines and smile widely.
"So much fun." I slur out, she chuckles and kisses my head.
"I'm glad. Drink Gatorade and pizza and a lot of water." Y/n informs me to do, I groan and nod my head lightly. Reality coming back to me even though i had so much fun at that club. It was so fun! There was so many good songs, so many brilliant, professional dancers and the drinks were so amazing. At some point, it stopped tasting like alcohol and turned into water for me.
"Ugh, I feel so sick but I had so much fun." I express to her, "Can we do that every night, please?" I ask her, hearing her laugh.
"Whatever it takes to keep that look on your face." She replies, I notice her eyes moving all over my face as if to take in every single small detail, it's like I'm drowning in her eyes and I want to melt into her. I want her to take everything in, I want her to make sure she has everything so remember me by because this has all be so perfect with her. "This is you." She informs me, rubbing my back and taking my keys from my hands as I fumbled to put the key in, "I got it." She says,
"Y/n?"
"Mhm?"
"I heard that you had a crush on me." I inform her, noticing her look at me and smile widely.
"That obvious, huh?"
"No, I woke up earlier than you thought."
"Ah, well, let's discuss this another time, Stringer." She expresses to me, directing me inside and glancing around.
"In there." I say, pointing toward my dorm room. She shuts the door and directs me to my bedroom, I almost walk into the door but Y/n manages to stop me and opens my door. She directs me to my bad. "You're hot, Y/n." I confess to her, she takes my jacket off and takes my hoodie off.
"Lie down, Ortega." She instructs me to do, I huff and lie down on my bed. She lifts my feet and begins to untie my shoes for me and set them down somewhere else. "Do you need help with anything else?" She offers, I nod my head.
"Yes."
"What else, darling?" She asks me, I sit up and I rest my hand on her t-shirt, gripping it and twirling it around my finger, leaning in yet she rests her hand on my shoulder, lighting gripping my t-shirt. "No, no, my love. You're drunk, no kissing—"
"—Please."
"No, Jenna. No kisses right now."
"Why?" I ask, feeling myself become embarrassed.
"I want to kiss you, so bad... but... but not when you're drunk. Not for our first kiss." She says, shaking her head. She removes her hand from my shirt and lies me back down, "Here, I'll lie down beside you. You just shut your pretty eyes, Ortega."
"Fine." I grumble out, cuddling into her as she kicks her shoes off. She lies down and we cuddle into one another.
***
I wake up and I groan, rubbing my eyes. I open them after a few blinks and see Y/n's nowhere to be seen, I see a tub filled with water. Huh? I see a note on my bedside table and pick it up,
"Dear my darling,
I thought you'd need the tub in case you threw up, I had to get to class but I will see you later to pick you up for the celebration party.
There's something for you to pack under your bed ;)
Bye Jenna, have a good day <3"
My gosh, why does she make me blush all the time? I hate it and love it.
***
I'm in the hallway, blindfold on and I'm standing there for a few minutes. I can hear people asking questions but I feel a hand rest on my lower waist,
"There you are, darling. Looking sexy as ever. Come on." I hear Y/n's voice say, I squeal as she tugs me close to her body and begin to direct me away.
"Wait, Y/n. Where're we going?"
"Rules, remember?"
"Ugh, fine." I say through a huff. We soon make it to the car and I can tell that it's the same car as the night before.
"There you are." I hear Finn's voice.
"Finn! There you are!" I greet him, smiling widely.
"Knew she'd know." Carter says,
"Carter? You're here too?"
"And me, darling, hi." I hear Stacey greet me,
"Hey, gang's back together." I say, trying to look in the direction of Y/n yet I must've gotten it wrong.
"Just get in the car, darling. Come on." She says, I get in the car and Y/n sits beside me, Y/n puts my seatbelt on for me and seconds later, we're off.
"So, where're we going to celebrate the party?"
"It's a secret."
"It's going to be so fun!" Finn expresses to me,
"You'll love it. I promise." Stacey adds in and I feel a hand on my thigh but from the warmth and butterflies it brings to my stomach, I know that it's Y/n. She's the one with the slender and long fingers. Stacey's is a little long but not as slender as Y/n's. Finn's hands are just bigger than mines and Carter has very good hands, very similar to mines. Kinda small hands.
"Woo! I'm so excited!" I hear Carter express to everyone,
"Me too, this is gonna be so much more fun with Y/n's girlfriend." I hear Finn add, I feel myself blush and lean into Y/n, Y/n letting me lean into her.
***
We arrive at the spot and I know we're in some type of woodsy area.
"Are you going to kidnap me?" I ask her,
"No, but we're... here!" She announces, I remove the blindfold and see many tents with torches hanging on the trees, it's late at night. The stars are out. There are multiple fires. It's... beautiful. So many people wearing white hence the dress Y/n gave me earlier.
"Oh... my god." I let out, surprised.
"Do you like it, Stringer?" Y/n asks me, I look at her and bite my bottom lip, trying to contain my excitement. I nod my head and look back at the amazing, beautiful sight. Hearing laughing. Cheering. Singing. "Come on, I'll show you into your tent, you can change and we can join the party." She says, smiling widely. Directing me toward the tents.
***
I'm changed and I've mingled with everyone, everyone is so nice. You'd think that rich people are snobby because that's what you hear in the media, but these are all people who just want to have fun and they're willing to do anything to have that fun that they want. I really admire them for that.
Right now, though, I'm sitting on a branch a bit away from the party. I don't have my own lantern as I want to be alone with my thoughts, looking at the beautiful nearby waterfall and listen to the sounds of the water, the birds, the owls hooting, the footsteps of people, the cheers, and collective singing that everyone's doing very drunkenly.
"Stringer! What're you doing down here by yourself?" I hear Y/n ask me, walking towards me and sitting in front of me. "Are you not having fun, you wanna go home?"
"No. No, no, no. Not at all." I express to her, shaking my head. I sigh, softly. "I love this, and this has been an amazing experience." I continue onto say, noticing her smile soften and her eyes glisten with... something. "I just... wanted some peace, it's kinda intimidating being around so many people."
"I get it, it's intimidating for everybody at first but they feel like a family the more you're with them." Y/n explains to me, sounding sincere and I can tell that this is really important to her. "Trust me, I went from barely speaking to anyone here and just watching everyone and now look at me, most of them listen to me, what I have to say, my ideas. We all listen." She continues onto explain to me, making me smile widely.
"So... what's the big main event that everyone's so excited for?"
"That's tomorrow. I'll bring a dress to your tent tomorrow that you have to wear."
"Have too?"
"Have too." She states, nodding her head. "So, Jenna Ortega, tell me a bit about yourself."
"What do you wanna know?" I ask her,
"Anything. Your life story— seriously, I'll cling onto whatever I can get." Y/n expresses to me, I smile widely.
"My mom left the life of luxury, so... this. To... be independent, she felt suffocated and got pregnant at 16, had me and... yeah. She's my best friend, I tell her everything." I express to her, "I'm not exaggerating, I tell her everything." I state, making her laugh. "I'm in a journalism major, I'm apart of the Yale Daily News as you know. I love reading, I love music, I love dancing even though I'm not a great dancer. I love studying... that's—that's pretty much it." I inform her,
"Earnest only has lovely things to say to you." Y/n tells me, speaking softly. I feel myself blush, smiling widely.
"You think so?"
"I think if he wasn't already dead, after seeing your smile, he would be." She replies, making me smile widely. "I want to get to know you more... I... I know you know how I feel but... it's only right I do this properly." She says, I nod my head, respecting it. "So, tell me more. What books have you read?"
"Get ready to bore you."
"Please, you could never." She counters, I begin to name all 349 books I've read, the author, what it's about, what I like and hate. She butts in here and there but mostly listens. She just sits there and listens. Whenever someone tries to pull her away, she shrugs them off, only wanting to spend time with me.
I really like Y/n...
*****
I wake up, get myself ready and put the new dress on. Everything was so perfect last night, I loved it and I can't wait for today for the big main event. I get out of my tent and see Y/n approach me, adjusting her tie and looking up. Hitching her breath. She stares at me, smiling widely.
"W... Wow." She lets out,
"How do I look?" I ask her, smiling widely.
"Like a dream." She confesses, after a moment, she offers her hand. I take it and she directs me to a sort've field and there, I see a big tall ledge that was built specifically for people to jump off. I can see the wire and 4 people holding an umbrella.
"No..." I let out,
"What?" She asks, turning to me.
"Don't say that's the big event."
"That's not the big event." She says, offering her most unconvincing smile ever. I groan,
"I... How... No."
"No?"
"No. I'm a spectator—"
"—If you do this, you become a member. A member, Jenna." She informs me, I look up and sigh, letting my shoulders fall.
"Screw it, come on." I grumble out, walking toward the ladder on the side and she follows after me. We climb and it feels like forever. I walk toward the ledge, my chest rising and falling. Scared out my mind. I get given an umbrella while being wired up. "Is this safe?"
"We used potatoes as test runs and it went perfectly fine."
"Potatoes?!" I ask, even more scared.
"Well, we can't use people to test run this. That'd just be silly." Y/n replies, I look at her and she smiles at me. Holding my hand tightly. "Come on, it'll be fun, I promise." She assures me, I sigh and once we're both wired up.
"You ready?"
"You jump I jump, Jack." I reference, both of us smiling at one another.
"In Omnia Paratus! " Everyone cheers,
"Go!" Me and Y/n jump and... oh my god, this feels exhilarating! I watch the people go from being so small to normal size as i descend. I never want this to end. We soon land and I can't believe that just happened.
"You did it!"
"I did it!" I say, both of us stumbling back and forth as we're both way too filled on adrenaline.
"I'm so proud of you, Stringer." She confesses to me, resting her hand on my cheek and I feel myself lean into her.
"I'm so proud of you." I confess to her, her eyes become smaller at the smile on her lips and I notice her lean in. I lean in with her, feeling her take my breath away as she kisses me. I kiss her back and feel myself immediately melt, falling into a daze. I stumble into her body and want more. Dropping my umbrella, so many people cheering. I feel her hand rest on my waist, tugging me closer to her.
"I really like you, Jenna." I hear her say between kisses, making me blush. She pulls away, both of us breathless and our cheeks red. I get unclipped and so does she, I feel her direct me away from everyone and we go on a walk, holding hands. Kissing each other here and there.
"Fly away my lovelies!" I hear Finn shout, clapping.
"They grow so fast!"
"That's my parents!"
"We'll be back later!" Y/n shouts back, before turning to me. "We don't have to go back if we're too occupied." She says, kissing my lips. I smile into the kiss and feel her lean into me, I rest my hand on her cheek, stroking her cheekbone and kissing her back.
This has been so fucking good.
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