Chapter Text
You've known her for a few years already, and you're comfortable around her. You haven't known Jinx to be particularly shy, let alone shy about physical contact. But this isn't just physical contact like pats on the back, or hugs, or even her clinging to your arm during group hangouts...this is a kissing scene.
You can hear the director of the movie calling everyone to their places while you skim over the same words on the script, over and over again.
Across from you, Jinx's lips glisten from the fresh coat of lip gloss, and she puckers out her lips to check her makeup.
Five days ago, you remember how she came up to you and suggested that you two should practice the kiss.
It was just an impromptu suggestion. It came out of nowhere.
FIVE DAYS AGO
“I just need to get used to the feeling. If I'm going to kiss you for the movie, shouldn't I get some practice in?” Jinx is sitting on your couch, looking down at her phone, not even looking up as she suggests you kiss together “...so that it's not as awkward, y'know? we're going to be kissing on screen, and I can't have it look too awkward.”
Even though you've known her for years, the suggestion still surprises you. “You do realize how weird that sounds?”
Jinx groans then rolls her eyes, finally peering up from her phone to give you a look. “Come on. It's not that weird.”
“It is weird. Very weird.”
Jinx huffs, setting her phone down on the coffee table. “I can't exactly practice with the other cast members, can I?” she points out. “And I doubt the cast members would be comfortable with kissing an actress they've hardly known for a few days, so…”
What have you done to deserve this? Then again... it can't hurt to practice the scene. “Fine, for the sake of the film.”
Jinx smirks and then turns her body to face you, shifting on the couch, and you mimic her.
This is fine, it's just for practice...and yet, your heart is responding as if this actually matters.
Jinx's lips part, and whispers, “Come here.”
You comply then lean forward, pressing your lips to hers in a light peck. You pull away, separating by a few inches. “Like that...?”
Jinx shakes her head with a scoff, dismissing your awkward attempt. “No, no. That was pathetic. Try again.”
Pathetic??? who does she think she is???
Ignoring your annoyance, you decide to give it another try, determined to meet her very high standards.
You repeat the gesture, lips brushing against hers. Again, you pull your head back, looking at her for approval.
Jinx just snorts. “That's weak. We're supposed to be in love, remember? try not to look like you're kissing your grandmother. Make it look like you want to kiss me.”
Like you want to kiss her. That's a difficult thing to make look natural. But you just have to think like an actor. You're acting. She's your ‘love interest’ for the movie.
Act.
Hands finding her face, you gently cup her jaw, thumb brushing lightly over her cheek. Eyes flicking back to hers as you kiss her again, more firmly, trying to push her back into the couch.
Jinx pulls you down on top of her as your hand moves from her jaw to the back of her neck, fingers tangling in her hair.
The brief, initial, light kiss is over. And despite the acting, you feel the briefest flutter in your chest.
Jinx sighs against your mouth before she gently pushes you away. Then, with a shaky voice, she whispers “Not bad.”
You're a bit proud of yourself, to be honest. She seemed much more satisfied with that response and even sounded surprised with your sudden effort. She also looks a bit flushed, maybe even breathless.
“Uh... is that all?”
Jinx glances at you, eyes lingering for just a second before she looks away.
Wait. Is she blushing?
You want to call her out for the redness of her cheeks, but then she speaks. “No. That definitely isn't all.”
PRESENT
You both have been trying to pretend that things are normal since the ‘practice kiss.’ Neither of you mentions it nor acknowledges the way things feel different since then.
The kiss was entirely for the sake of the film. No big deal.
Just… ahem, two friends, practicing kissing for a movie.
It definitely didn't mean anything.
You glance down at your script again. The scene was simple: walk her to the door, say some lines, a simple, sweet kiss that should only last about three seconds, then it's over.
“Okay... places, everyone,” the director shouts.
The crew members then prepare the set and adjust the cameras, making sure every lighting angle is right.
You get up from your chair and approach the set.
Jinx walks next to you, smiling at the crew members who greet her. A makeup artist dabs at her face with a brush then pats her cheek. “Looking radiant as ever.”
“Thanks,” Jinx replies, smiling widely. “I'm born stunning, and makeup just enhances the blessing.”
You reach the set and watch as the director talks to a couple of camera operators.
The set looks like a simple apartment hallway. The lights are dimmed in a way that's supposed to emulate the night.
“Quiet on set,” the director calls out “Places, everyone. I really, really want this take to be great.”
“No pressure,” a crew member adds sarcastically.
The director glares briefly at the crew member, then continues. “This is a key scene, the audience is going to love this. The chemistry has to be perfect. You have to sell this.”
You nod at the director and then look at you co-actress, giving her a small smile, which she returns. Your eyes linger on her for a beat too long, but you look away when you hear the director shout.
“Ready? Aaaaand... action!”
You walk alongside as Jinx walks next to you. Footsteps in sync as the two of you head together to the apartment door.
“Well, this is it.” You stop by the door and say to her, as stated in the script. “I guess I'll see you tomorrow?”
“Yeah... see you tomorrow. I'll send you a text or something…” Jinx places her hand on the door handle.
“You never stick around to say goodbye?”
Her hand stays on the door as she turns, gaze meeting yours. “No.”
“That's weird.”
Jinx laughs and shrugs her shoulders. “I am weird.”
“I know.”
Jinx glances around and then leans against the doorframe with her back. “So...um...good night then.”
That's your cue
Stepping forward, you press your lips to hers. It's brief, barely a few seconds, just as the script says. Simple, normal, part of the job.
Your lips part, and pull your head back a few inches. Her eyes flutter open, staring at your mouth, and she wets her lower lip with her tongue.
That's it. That's it—
“Goodni—” you start, but then Jinx suddenly grasp around your neck and pulls you in, and before you can ask her what she's doing, her lips find yours again.
You let out a surprised sound before your mind and body quickly catch up. She's kissing you.
She's kissing you, not in character, not for practice, not for the film, not for the money. Jinx is kissing you, with her hand clutching the back of your neck, eyes tightly shut, just because she wants to.
Own mind racing, going blank, blank, blank, and your eyes slip shut.
You rest your hand against the doorframe to keep your balance as her tongue runs over your lower lip, coaxing your mouth open.
You let her in, and you find yourself suddenly not minding—if anything, you respond and play along, matching her pace as you deepen the kiss. Jinx's fingers tangle in your hair, and your hands grab the curve of her hip.
You stumble, pinning her back against the door. Jinx gasps softly, lips moving against yours, the taste of her sweet tongue spreading across your mouth.
It's too much, too much, too goddamn much—
You break the kiss, a string of saliva connecting your swollen lips to hers, until the distance gets too long and snaps.
Breathe, breathe, breathe . You try to catch your breath, but Jinx is impatient. She wants more. She yanks you back towards her, and her lips crash against yours again, harder, more desperately.
You feel her mouth curl into a smile before she drags her teeth over your bottom lip—
“Ow—” you pull away again as your tongue runs across your lip, tasting the copper taste of your blood.
“...and CUT!”
Your eyes fly open, then take a step back, hand dropping from her hip.
Reality comes crashing back as the sounds of the crew and cast echo around you.
“That... that —” the director says enthusiastically, “—is what we're looking for. That's the energy the audience will love!”
Breathing heavily, you stare at Jinx as you wipe the blood off your face with your thumb.
“That was an amazing kiss. I could feel the chemistry, the tension, the passion... that's it. That's the scene. This film is going to be a massive hit!” The director places a hand on your shoulder and then Jinx's. “And that's thanks to you two. Fantastic work, fantastic.”
“ Fantastic, ” you repeat in a half-whisper.
The director pats you on the back before walking over to two of the crew members and starts giving more notes and directions.
Jinx's hand trembles slightly, like your own. “So...” She pushes a strand of her hair back behind her ear. “...that was a good take.”
“Yeah...” you croak out, trying to pull yourself together. “Good.” Too good.
Jinx bites her lower lip, then averts her gaze. “Yeah…” Her eyes flick back to your face, and she stares at your lip. “...sorry for biting you. That was a little much.”
She smiles. You smile back, even though your lip is really sore.
“Ah...it's fine, don't worry about it.”
Jinx nods. “I just...got a little excited.” Excited ...about what? “I'll be careful next time.”
“...right.” Next time. Next time. Next time. There will be next time? “...no worries.”
Jinx clears her throat. Looking like she's going to say more, but a crew member calls out to her. “Jinx! Can you come over here for a second?”
She turns, distracted. “I'll see you around,” Jinx says quickly, then heads over to where the crew member is.
See you around.
Something tightens in your chest, and you exhale a heavy breath.
“You are too obvious.”
Huh?
You glance over to your right to see a co-actress staring at you. “Excuse me?”
“The heart eyes, the staring...you're way, way too obvious.”
“It's— it's not—”
“You practically had your tongue in her mouth. I'm surprised she didn't swallow it.”
You laugh dryly. “Don't know what you're talking about.”
“Are you serious?”
“I am.”
“You're really kidding me right now?”
“No, I'm being totally serious. I have no idea what—” you gesture vaguely in the air “—what you're talking about.”
The actress sighs. “Honestly? I have no clue how you can be this dense.”
You sputter, but she's already turned away and heads off.
What did that mean...? you're not staring, you're not looking at her with ‘heart eyes,’ you're just— just...
Your touch your lip, which still feels sore from her biting it.
Jinx is just a friend. A really, really good, close friend.
That's all.
A friend. Friends that kiss for a living.
Damn it, this is... this is really confusing.